Animal House

Kelly, over at Kelly's Korner, is asking us to write about our beloved pets today.

If you are visiting me from Kelly's Korner, welcome! Feel free to stay awhile, and take a look around my blog :)

We love animals at this house. L-O-V-E. LOVE!

Up first, is our adorable little Yorkie dog named Benji.

I call him my little shadow. Where I go, he goes. If I get up, he gets up. He wants to be wherever I am!

He likes nothing better than to sit or lay on your lap. He can often be found like this.



Here he is, cuddled up with Hubs while he drinks his coffee.

Hubs got me Benji for my birthday almost 6 years ago.




He is the gift that keeps on giving. He loves sitting right next to me. In fact, as I am typing this post, he is glued to my leg. He is my little snuggle buddy, and he is ALWAYS happy to see me.

When we go to Florida, the other pets stay with family or friends. But, not my Benji boy. He comes with me! I could never leave him for that length of time. I think the feeling is mutual.


Here is what he looks like after a bath. All of his fluffiness goes away, and he looks like a skinny, scrawny chicken!

He sleeps in bed with Hubs and I. Thankfully, he doesn't shed.

I know, your pets should not sleep in bed with you.

But, how can you resist this cute little face?

Next, is our 11 year old cat named Bitty.


Her real name is Flower. Well, that is what my oldest daughter named her anyway. It never seemed to fit her, and since she was just a little thing when we got her, I started calling her "Bitty".

Bitty was a stray cat, who meowed her way into our hearts, and our home. I am not really a cat person, but I do love my Bitty.

Don't let this picture fool you. Bitty and Benji are NOT friends. Benji likes to torment Bitty whenever he can. But sometimes, they can be found together, like this. Kind of like a temporary truce.

Our newest pet is Howie the cockatiel.




When we were in Florida this winter, we visited a pet store, and I fell in love with the cockatiels they had there. I told Hubs I wanted one, so for my anniversary this year, I received Howie as a present. I guess you could say that I like presents that leave "presents". Ha!

He loves riding around on our shoulders. This is when we first got him, and he didn't have any tail feathers.

Howie doesn't talk, but he does whistle and sing. He knows "Shave and a Haircut", and we are working on "The Andy Griffith Song". He also has some rockin' tunes of his own that are pretty cool too.

It is very flattering to have him wolf-whistle at you when you walk by. It's like having a very polite construction worker in the house.

It has been so much fun having a bird!




I have always wanted a bird, but I never thought I would ever actually own one. People told me that birds are too messy, but we have a cage with a seed catcher on it, and it really does it's job. He can get a bit "dusty", but we give him regular baths, and I vacuum almost every day anyway, so it's not really a big deal.


He is quite the entertainment when we have people over. He thinks the bird in the mirror is his girlfriend, and he will whistle, sing, and flirt with "her".




We have a goldfish named Derby, that is a year old, and is the biggest year old goldfish I have ever seen! Everyone who comes over remarks over how big he is. My youngest got him at the fair last year, and I warned her that "fair" fish usually weren't very hardy, and he may not even make it through the night. Derby, however, is alive and thriving! We may have to get him a bigger tank (again) if he keeps on growing.

Sorry, no pictures of Derby. Goldfish in tanks are not easy to take pictures of!

Finally, on a sad note, just this Wednesday, my middle daughter's rabbit, Princess, passed away. She was a family favorite, and will be greatly missed.

She was 7 years old. We think she may have had a stroke, as she showed signs of one, but we aren't sure.




She died at home in my arms.

My daughter and I decorated a shoe box to put her in.



Here is the finished product.



We buried her out in the back yard, next to the fire pit where we have bonfires.

We like to imagine that she is happily hopping around Heaven, feasting on tender, sweet hay, and munching on all the carrots her little heart desires.


“You know, sometimes the world seems like a pretty mean place. That's why animals are so soft and huggy.”
― Bill Watterson

I couldn't have said it better myself...

What NOT To Do On Your Blog

Since I have not been a blog writer for very long, I don't have any words of wisdom to share about how to get other people to follow your blog or how to make money from it. But, Kelly at http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ is asking us to share blogging tips, so I will try. Since I have been a blog reader for years, I will share what I think you should NOT do on your blog, from a reader's viewpoint. I look forward to reading all of your responses about this subject!

* Don't choose a heavily decorated background, and then write your words on top of it. It is just too hard to read, and with so many blogs out there to choose from, if yours is too hard to read....I'm not going to read it.

* Don't write in other colors. It hurts my eyes.

* Don't write in long, rambling paragraphs. Same reason.

* Don't write like you are writing a paper. Yes, I know that is the "proper" way to do it, but it is not pleasant to read. Be sure to space often!

* Don't write things in detail that you wouldn't want read in public. Remember, your blog can be read WORLD WIDE, unless you have it private. If you are writing about what a crazy old bat your dear Aunt Suzie is, and Aunt Suzie reads it....that could be bad.

* Don't write things to purposely embarrass your family and friends. Would you want them to write that about you? Think before you type!

* Don't keep your pictures turned sideways. It is too hard to see them.

* Don't post what you are doing or going to do every single minute of the day. Some people may care about that, but that is certainly not why I would want to read your blog. It is OK to do an occasional post about your day, but when that is the only you thing you do, it gets rather tedious to read.

* Don't only post about reviews or give aways, unless that is the main purpose of your blog.

* Do make your site as easy to see and read as possible.

* Do comment on other blogs. Other people like to get comments as much as you do!

* Do post pictures, and not just words. It is interesting to look at pictures.

* Do try to post at least once a week. If I am following your blog, and you don't post for a while, I will get tired of following you and seeing.....nothing.

* Do try to be kind when you are posting a comment on a blog. If you have something to say that is not kind, send them a private message. No need to be nasty! Remember, if you don't agree with what someone is saying, you are not being forced to read them. *Smile*

Hope this helps!

Top 10 Parenting Tips

Kelly over at http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ has asked us to share our best parenting advice on this week's "Show Us Your Life". So, here it is. My Top 10 Parenting Tips:

1. Let them be kids

Encourage your kids to play, and to act their age. They are only young once! I do feel that children should be expected to help out around the house by doing a small amount of chores. However, I DO NOT think they should be working their fingers to the bone every waking minute. Nor, should they be responsible for taking care of and raising their siblings. There will be time enough for that when they are older, and have families of their own. Don't try to make them grow up too fast. Let them just enjoy being a child.

2. Teach them manners

If you don't....who will? Teach them to say "please" and "thank you"and "excuse me". Teach them to chew with their mouth closed, be polite, not talk too loud or about inappropriate things in public, etc. You get the picture. Show them how to act in social settings, and give them opportunities to learn "on the job". Take them out in public so they can practice!

3. Give them a regular bedtime and don't let them sleep in your bed

This is for the parents benefit, as much as the children! At the end of a long, hard day, the last thing you need is a child who stays up all hours of the night. Parents need a break! You need time to just relax, or spend time with your spouse, without kids hanging on you all night. This also allows the kids to have the proper amount of rest that they need to function.

Now, not letting them sleep in your bed is a tough one. I was a nursing mother, and there were many nights where I just let the baby sleep in bed with me. We all got more sleep that way! But, I only did that for a short time, because we felt it was important to keep our bed "ours". If you start this habit, when do you stop? The child gets used to sleeping in bed with you, and it quickly becomes the "family" bed. If they never get used to it, you never have to break them of this habit! It is so important to be able to spend "couple" time together, and how can you do that if there is always someone else in your bed?

4. Be their parent and not their friend

You want your kids to like you, so this can be hard. They have enough friends, but only two parents. Make sure to discipline them, even if you don't want to. They must learn that their actions have consequences.

5. Allow them to do things/go places without you

It is tempting as a parent to want to shelter your kids, and keep them close to you at all times. It is scary to let them do things that might cause them injury or harm. Let them ride the zip line, go on that mission trip, do that thing that terrifies you. I'm sure you can think of many different things, just like I can. In the end, we just have to trust God to take care of them. We can't and won't always be there for them, but HE will.

Also, make sure that you allow them time away from you, especially when they are little. They need to learn that it is OK if you are not there all the time, that other people can take care of them. Make a regular date night with your spouse, and leave them with a babysitter. They will be fine, and you will be a better parent because of it.

6. If you have more than one child, don't compare them, and don't pick a favorite child

No one likes to feel like they are being compared to someone else, especially if they are not on the "winning" side. It is hard as a parent not to play that game, and I admit, I have been guilty in the past of saying things I wish I hadn't. Things like "Why can't you do such and such? Your six year old sister can!" That never ends well. I know that I don't like to be compared. NOT AT ALL. Let them be themselves. Each person is an individual, with their own strengths and weaknesses.

The Bible talks about what happens when a parent picks a favorite child and treats them differently. Remember Joseph? His brothers hated him, and actually sold him into slavery because of the special treatment his father gave him. Just don't do it. I have a little joke with my girls that each of them is my favorite. My favorite oldest, my favorite middle, and my favorite youngest daughter.

7. Don't allow them to show disrespect to you or others

If you think it is "cute" when they talk back to you when they are 2 or 3, they are going to think it is all right when they are older, and it is NOT so cute. Want an example? This is just one of many examples I could have shown you from this show. At the beginning, and then if you go to 2:53, you will see what I mean.



8. Don't let them be a bully

Teach them that it is NOT OK to hit others, belittle them, or abuse them. Even between siblings. Teach them to stick up for others, and to treat people the way they want to be treated.

9. Encourage them, but don't try to live your life over through them

Maybe little Susie doesn't want to play piano, but your dream was to be a concert pianist. Or, little Billy doesn't want to play sports, but you want him to be the captain of the football team. You had your chance. Maybe you didn't get to do all that you wanted as a child, or to be the star. It is not your child's responsibility to live your dreams. God designed them a certain way, with certain gifts and talents. You trying to change that is like planting an apple seed, and expecting an orange tree to grow. Let them live the life THEY want to. Find out what interests THEM, and encourage them to be the best they can be.

10. Teach them about God

Last but not least, teach them about God! Take them to church, pray with them, read the Bible and Bible stories to them. There is nothing more important that you could do for them, than to show them the way to Heaven. Nothing. This life is over in the blink of an eye. Then, there is eternity. Make sure they will be spending it with Jesus. Teach them how to live moral, upstanding lives. Teach them to be faithful, loyal, honest, and trustworthy. Teach them to live their lives in a way that pleases God. That is a lot of responsibility on us as parents. But, if God has blessed us with children, it is what He requires of us.

Accentuate The Positive

Today, I'm linking up with http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/, "Show Us Your Life". She's talking about marriage advice, and asking us to give ours.

I have been married to Hubs for 17 years. Here we are on our wedding day, just two, fresh-faced kids, who had NO CLUE what we were doing. Ha! I was only 20, he was 23.

Through the years, we have had our share of ups and downs. Do we fight? Yep. But, we try to fight fair, and not keep grudges, or hold it over each other's heads forever.

Do we always get along? Nope. But, we try to give each other space when we need it. Sometimes, it can be hard to live with another person, no matter how "in love" you are.

I have promised him, that I will never purposely try to make him look bad in front of other people. That goes for in person, on Facebook, or my blog. When we are with other people, if we disagree about something, we don't argue in front of everyone. That shows respect for the other person. No one likes to be made fun of, or belittled in public.

One thing I have learned is if you are looking for the negative, you will surely find it! Johnny Mercer said it right in his lyrics to "Accentuate the Positive"

You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between

You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium's
Liable to walk upon the scene

I try to look for the positive, and try to remember just exactly why I married him in the first place.

We had a long distance relationship before we were married. At another time, I will write "Our Story" but we basically got to really know each other through letters. Back then, we didn't have email, Facebook, or Skype. We could talk to each other on the phone, but it was very expensive, and neither one of us made very much money. So, we wrote letters. Lots and lots of them! They have all been saved, and sometimes, I will re-read the sweet words that he wrote to me.

I remember the way that I felt, being so far away from him, and how much I longed to have the life I have right now. To be his wife. To have his children.

I try to do the little things that I know make him happy. That make him feel loved, and respected.

We enjoy spending time together, and have fun just being with each other. Whether we are on a fancy date, or just vegging out in front of the t.v.

Real life is nothing like the reality shows, "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette". Sure, we have times where we are madly in love. Hubs still gives me butterflies, and he rocks.my.world ;)

But, we also have times when both of us are tired, the kids are getting on our last nerve, schedules are hectic, and our patience is wearing thin. This is life.

It helps to remember that NO marriage is perfect, and we won't ALWAYS be happy.

With God's help, we are keeping our vows. For better or worse. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. As long as we both shall live.

For 17 years......and counting.