tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79146286342910962152024-03-06T02:55:05.147-05:00Basset Hounds, Babies and happinessMy life with one baby, two basset hounds a collie and a car crazy husband.Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-3236979764849417552012-05-27T18:26:00.001-04:002012-05-27T18:26:55.563-04:00United Methodist Church of Lake HopatcongOnce upon a time there was a girl who loved living on the lake and loved her Church family.
I have been thinking about my childhood church a lot lately. Maybe because my own church is growing and changing every week and I'm comparing this new church to the one I grew up in. It was the foundation of who I am today. I went to Sunday School and later the United Methodist Church of Lake Hopatcong UMYF Youth Group. The leaders we had made such an impact on my and my leading of the Moosic Alliance church youth that I can't help be keep thinking back to Julie, Bevan and Heather who lead our youth group, took us on retreats, camping, rafting and a host of other things.
I never got the get saved, get life message from Julie and the rest of them but I did get a fellowship that I cannot forget. I logged back into my blog after a very long absence to thank them for their dedication so many years ago. If you happen to be one of our fearless leaders from Lake Hopatcong please message me....I'd love an opportunity to thank you personally!
The picture is from a retreat I recently took with my current church.....my students thank you too because I talk about you with them quite often.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoXmMCsd4muYgAbNr6_md_fzKFqquqE3oMZ0DeBMfhfff3CVfWVhyphenhyphenY3lhs72_X-jcBlnQqmRSWzPcQv3ysrFH4S7rUh4lubaz6CzzqAtRWL8tdRxsB7QY7lQYvgy9OB-KskTVVs6tNPc/s1600/P4170039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoXmMCsd4muYgAbNr6_md_fzKFqquqE3oMZ0DeBMfhfff3CVfWVhyphenhyphenY3lhs72_X-jcBlnQqmRSWzPcQv3ysrFH4S7rUh4lubaz6CzzqAtRWL8tdRxsB7QY7lQYvgy9OB-KskTVVs6tNPc/s320/P4170039.JPG" /></a></div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-64930012322898001972010-03-14T19:01:00.002-04:002010-03-14T19:04:26.376-04:00Back to work.....I took a big step to regaining my sanity a month ago. I started a new full-time job on Feb 15. I am now a Contract Manager at Cigna here in Scranton, PA. I was very hesitant at first to do this. I really, really loved being a stay at home mommy to Emily. However, I did not love never having enough cash on hand to do what was necessary. <br />I will keep everyone updated and please pray for my family as usual....we are entering some very trying times.Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-10603107301750529812010-01-24T15:07:00.004-05:002010-01-24T15:57:53.272-05:00David has asthma<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo10rzp3sY_yayyspna-_TN6F4Fx-6_KSrGFcTVzYcgcfBS8_it-VySb-LMq4ZIhC-GCYYVl3WxUA8oItY2u7bnmzoXDd9z9BrbK8gwTtvX2p6JobKvIRc5IIdT5GNychorm-i2TKXolQ/s1600-h/P1010046.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo10rzp3sY_yayyspna-_TN6F4Fx-6_KSrGFcTVzYcgcfBS8_it-VySb-LMq4ZIhC-GCYYVl3WxUA8oItY2u7bnmzoXDd9z9BrbK8gwTtvX2p6JobKvIRc5IIdT5GNychorm-i2TKXolQ/s320/P1010046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430413415449450130" /></a><br />It was Wednesday night of this past week and I was sitting at my desk helping David with his homework. He's been coughing for months (since his mom resumed smoking I think)and regardless of the medicine we've given him, the cough gets worse. We call the doctor, they prescribe a short term fix usually cough medicines to be take for a week or two. Nothing works.<br />Homework is moving along, David's coughing is pretty bad this particular night and after a pretty good coughing fit he begins to wheeze. My asthma thinking kicks in, wheezing is bad news and usually does not improve without albuterol or a breathing treatment. I call his doctor and demand an appointment. We get said appointment and David's doctor plainly says, "David has asthma." Something I have suspected for years, but as a step-mother my hands are pretty much tied. We are given a script for Advair and a chest x-ray. David's mom starts up with the "I don't have the money" speaches pretty much right away. Chuck gets mad, doctor tells mom to quit smoking ASAP. Her response? "I don't smoke around David" Right! David chimes in "Mom, you smoke when I'm in the car with you."<br /><br />As I'm in the process of checking out at the doctor's office. Dr Davis (David's doctor) takes me aside and tells me "You did the right thing in getting him here tonight." This makes me feel a little less like the evil step-mother.<br />We get home and David's mom meets us there to take him for his x-ray. Pretty much, right off the bat mom starts yelling at David. This isn't his fault and he can't quite figure out why everyone's mad. Chuck is yelling at her saying "Don't yell at the kid, it's not his fault."<br />I'm pissed because David's mom doesn't seem all that concerned that her 7 year old has just been diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening disease. Granted, asthma, when controlled is pretty benign.<br />Such is life in one of today's modern mixed up families.<br />I pray that David is well and that what we're doing is best for him.Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-9007432986293376172010-01-23T08:02:00.002-05:002010-01-23T08:07:36.072-05:00Dogs will be dogs.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG18ztiZ_jbs3Iu51ngRM8SL1PrEV6mDC6mnmDcvrahiNSah9zNACzW7ZiJdW_gON50-uX5Q7XsLafb4EsMpJR9rxYn-gD6SQ54kh9gKWgSzlaQodzcVbM_26OvMumNIxBL0Du5vj4zQ/s1600-h/Rufus_Tyler_Crop.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429921147705029826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG18ztiZ_jbs3Iu51ngRM8SL1PrEV6mDC6mnmDcvrahiNSah9zNACzW7ZiJdW_gON50-uX5Q7XsLafb4EsMpJR9rxYn-gD6SQ54kh9gKWgSzlaQodzcVbM_26OvMumNIxBL0Du5vj4zQ/s320/Rufus_Tyler_Crop.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I woke up a little before 5 this morning, tossed around for a while and finally got out of bed around 6. I let the dogs out, made my coffee and sat down to catch up on the news. I hear Tyler start to bray (bark, howl, agitate) then Rufus chimes in. It's now 615 and I have to pull them in already! Neighbors are not pleased at howling hounds at 6am on a Saturday morning. </div><br /><div>Why is it that they want to play and make noise that early in the morning??? Rufus usually will not let me sleep beyond 630 and Tyler will sleep all day if we don't push him off the couch and out to the yard. </div><br /><div>I love my dogs, but does the noise really need to start at 630? Tyler takes a seat and just barks to hear himself and Ru can't help by join in with his deep baritone howl. </div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-49276869107478359762009-12-26T06:58:00.005-05:002009-12-26T07:15:53.647-05:00Christmas...part two<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jhUZc5ukz_tRh47oJI_x5XNH4wXCYjB65Ay65gMIymuCLGhHv6rngJ7Qku-gfcvKSOFI6xI87elGF_n9xhjGTYSxDUINhMpfu5mjDhCjVa0ke-fmwxvjTcRUQ2lay9XtouoRXZHMwqM/s1600-h/P1010017.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 330px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419516872683352434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jhUZc5ukz_tRh47oJI_x5XNH4wXCYjB65Ay65gMIymuCLGhHv6rngJ7Qku-gfcvKSOFI6xI87elGF_n9xhjGTYSxDUINhMpfu5mjDhCjVa0ke-fmwxvjTcRUQ2lay9XtouoRXZHMwqM/s400/P1010017.JPG" /></a><br />Life is certainly difficult with a "Modern, Blended Family". In our case two of my husbands three sons live in Ohio and we see them occasionally between Sept and July each year. Last year Christmas for "The Boys" happened closer to Valentines Day than Christmas.<br />This year we get to celebrate Christmas and New Years all on the same day! We are anxiously waiting for their arrival. Emily loves her brother Charlie and will bring people who visit the house over to his picture and say "See, See, Charlie" and thanfully Charlie loves her right back! Merry Christmas, part two, to all of the modern families out there! Hope Santa's second run is as good as his first!Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-73254827793623936982009-12-23T08:09:00.002-05:002009-12-23T08:13:11.152-05:00A dog got swine flu....As I was reading the headlines this morning I noticed one story that struck pretty close to home. An elderly dog (13 years old) on Long Island has swine flu. The story was light on details about how the dog aquired the bug and whether it can pass from canine to human or vise versa. <br />As a mother to a micro-preemie this is particuarly alarming.....I have three dogs and a few other furry critters. Do I now have to worry about them getting Emily sick? Emily has been vaccinated with the H1N1, however the vaccine was recalled because it wasn't strong enough!!!Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-46332430987310147972009-12-22T14:55:00.002-05:002009-12-22T14:56:20.331-05:00Merry Christmas to all....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheetD_bf_feuU2iHVprvCDbm08siEjj7XSIex5BUWVCiYg5URs2e1kGmvM1zGtdAFxtxYDg2bSybZ6p8w3QjIKWV7oee8OxaPwfimLuNWM70JfkQHhs44Z8NHnREmSmSLdWRub-uLxmO4/s1600-h/MyPicture.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418151751118901666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheetD_bf_feuU2iHVprvCDbm08siEjj7XSIex5BUWVCiYg5URs2e1kGmvM1zGtdAFxtxYDg2bSybZ6p8w3QjIKWV7oee8OxaPwfimLuNWM70JfkQHhs44Z8NHnREmSmSLdWRub-uLxmO4/s320/MyPicture.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-13330107141474356372009-12-22T14:43:00.003-05:002009-12-22T14:52:32.952-05:00It's the Holiday Season.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5Pexl8XileIj5vbLe93iOETtvLRG3bipyVQchv8zS-1W8_KRBmN_u-tlgxvnluVuVWdxXWiiiq1yZJXbPy4OoV5zOVNUI7F3njwkPvSkzFFcfFQ7c07_ATegrVydF_2nxp_XEKuTmzI/s1600-h/P1010002+(2).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418150643337974370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5Pexl8XileIj5vbLe93iOETtvLRG3bipyVQchv8zS-1W8_KRBmN_u-tlgxvnluVuVWdxXWiiiq1yZJXbPy4OoV5zOVNUI7F3njwkPvSkzFFcfFQ7c07_ATegrVydF_2nxp_XEKuTmzI/s320/P1010002+(2).jpg" /></a><br /><div>That silly little song from years past has been playing through my head the past several days.....Typically, I love the Holidays. This year I'm not feeling the joy and celebratory atmosphere. </div><br /><div>Emily turned two at the beginning of this month and is maturing daily. Now if only she'd grow!! She has to be one of the only two year olds still in a rear-facing car seat! She is talking in mostly clear sentences now and is becoming the little Diva we all knew was there while she was in the NICU.</div><br /><div>While Em has been growing up she has also developed a love for the four-legged critters in our house. Her favorite is Rufus with Tyler taking up a close second. Ru, does not realize that he is 60+ pounds and tends to knock her over in his joy to see her. </div><br /><div>Tyler usually steers clear of her unless she has food in her hands! This is evident by the picture that accompanied this post. Tyler is downright grumpy to have this little girl and her musical chair in "HIS ROOM" near "HIS BED"....aka the computer room and the futon!</div><div> </div><div>Merry Christmas to all.....and here's to a fantastic 2010!</div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-38021363761080486142009-11-12T08:28:00.003-05:002009-11-12T08:39:56.844-05:00November is here...are you ready?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Gyu2foBJMKEytgiPCumKkOmHbj3GTC5k1CK6kAt6dJx-t_ieE1y4hN1nOYSmwcDc3_ycfqbeTvnOz52bycSiLXoM7l1A1kMDMRsKirtKkODpKypj3jF9diGDdZ0mDXSy6DhlS67R_BI/s1600-h/P5090001.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403210799697900418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Gyu2foBJMKEytgiPCumKkOmHbj3GTC5k1CK6kAt6dJx-t_ieE1y4hN1nOYSmwcDc3_ycfqbeTvnOz52bycSiLXoM7l1A1kMDMRsKirtKkODpKypj3jF9diGDdZ0mDXSy6DhlS67R_BI/s320/P5090001.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Well, November is upon us and I totally feel like the year is slipping away from me. </div><br /><div>My 15 year High School reunion is coming up in a few weeks and it has me thinking where did the time go? I can still vividly remember being in High School, going on Band trips, writing term papers and the general day to day things too. Now I have a step-son in High School!!! Damn but I'm aging, and I have the grey hair to prove that!! </div><br /><div>Charlie passed his driver's permit test this week and I now know how my parents felt when I took my test! Scared to death! I keep remembering the flying litter box and the "How do I give the dogs water?" incidents and can't help but think that the world is not ready for him to be behind the wheel of anything, let alone a car!! BTW>>>>said car is still sitting in my back yard in pieces. He has 4 months until he's 16 and ALOT of work to finish!!! See the pictures for proof. We have pieces and parts scattered all over the place and Charlie is still talking like he's going to have a car when he gets his license!! Santa may bring presents, but I don't think he works miracles!! </div><br /><div></div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-26320592803687320732009-10-31T15:03:00.001-04:002009-10-31T15:05:21.120-04:00Happy Halloween!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT1H5icbXvjTBqpoaPyJ1i2B8eTmsZoCTII9cN9B7_oD5jE525Hr72m5Yn0JmU9pUZ0ha44gUAfXTccoizzjWdZTfK6TUJ_TMVu_0R15quJTvvm93FecLfmVDDnok_jjlBtr_SwYHWTY/s1600-h/P1010026.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398842214673696434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT1H5icbXvjTBqpoaPyJ1i2B8eTmsZoCTII9cN9B7_oD5jE525Hr72m5Yn0JmU9pUZ0ha44gUAfXTccoizzjWdZTfK6TUJ_TMVu_0R15quJTvvm93FecLfmVDDnok_jjlBtr_SwYHWTY/s320/P1010026.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihphgKF5GMmgfPAAr3MumNO1dl4ZHsZ1gLomxAMHxM_W_0krIWNcJ7rIogRKPCbNxmxhq3Obhq3epLvkQPaTri7IqO7EfzIfJIO0vLuTgf8mSZt23x6zJeR4H7er2paekfzt5a8ZTnLOE/s1600-h/P1010017.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398842212061952674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihphgKF5GMmgfPAAr3MumNO1dl4ZHsZ1gLomxAMHxM_W_0krIWNcJ7rIogRKPCbNxmxhq3Obhq3epLvkQPaTri7IqO7EfzIfJIO0vLuTgf8mSZt23x6zJeR4H7er2paekfzt5a8ZTnLOE/s320/P1010017.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWomo_NHx0e5yHywqUAnA_3ZlAYouYi3eHulIMw1N1HgbbFJytmRAkTmLp3Sh0pKnytb40pTcix-TuiJI9kIQzwmVs89Dooxl8sjmO9x99K1BDGmIEysn0xeAT52lD5E881_-98R2xypY/s1600-h/P1010012.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398842207787520178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWomo_NHx0e5yHywqUAnA_3ZlAYouYi3eHulIMw1N1HgbbFJytmRAkTmLp3Sh0pKnytb40pTcix-TuiJI9kIQzwmVs89Dooxl8sjmO9x99K1BDGmIEysn0xeAT52lD5E881_-98R2xypY/s320/P1010012.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxfQMhBWObzg017Bk9X9LzLZbjjK2nW2FJmZqqjhmyf-uObNRkcTGz1TPpFSdNiWrQQWsFJnuapnRwOFZVBGpJ3n9riOVyBDcItp0x0TQ5qz9X9fSgAEx1P9q8BQvpzuxAxxuTmP_Yec/s1600-h/P1010016.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398842204299137666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxfQMhBWObzg017Bk9X9LzLZbjjK2nW2FJmZqqjhmyf-uObNRkcTGz1TPpFSdNiWrQQWsFJnuapnRwOFZVBGpJ3n9riOVyBDcItp0x0TQ5qz9X9fSgAEx1P9q8BQvpzuxAxxuTmP_Yec/s320/P1010016.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-56149019175333848582009-08-31T08:01:00.006-04:002009-08-31T08:12:29.919-04:00I'm going to teach a class!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0WANwQltfXReL6ONjlj5DFBhl37EIZ9hOQspnCcPRm0Og1Xp4axffJ2UIy5p0KM75iflhxBR7kR1SbkdIi44XPvYDjvrpdDbHOQp6Untuwr5XRkMw7MyKf4v_ZUc2DDgzqB-SU9kCbc/s1600-h/P1010019.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376098372837438594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0WANwQltfXReL6ONjlj5DFBhl37EIZ9hOQspnCcPRm0Og1Xp4axffJ2UIy5p0KM75iflhxBR7kR1SbkdIi44XPvYDjvrpdDbHOQp6Untuwr5XRkMw7MyKf4v_ZUc2DDgzqB-SU9kCbc/s320/P1010019.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Several months ago I was asked to make a wedding cake for a couple at my church. Once the pastor's wife saw the cake I think she realized I had some crafty talents. I made an off-hand comment about wishing I could make my living doing the things I loved.....at that point I was making new bags each week in hopes of selling them. Doris said something along the lines of "you'll have to pray for it." I took her advice and started asking how to use my talents to gift others. </div><br /><div>The solution wasn't in making cakes or handbags.....it was in quilts and the ladies of my church. While I will not be paid in a monetary sense I will be rewarded....The class is going to be incorporated into an outreach campaign "Connections". The plan is to invite the public to our classes as a way to introduce the community to our little church. </div><div>We are going to learn together. I am going to teach a class on howmake this beautiful quilt! I am so excited. </div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-21668281372701320032009-08-26T14:54:00.002-04:002009-08-26T15:11:17.319-04:00September 1 2009 is fast approaching....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LIfEglTGUI1nSgoo8FDaVZQ2jvy1kUcGiced8tGuVXXpdSkUicfRcmYjTHVT8Vl0UuWXoqfAlpYvJmynoZi2io7sOeiM52AuF66wDWOPjBgihvpifFaZT64FFJB-tU5UmaxSewI7JvI/s1600-h/504448-R1-20-4_021.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 216px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374351933198768722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LIfEglTGUI1nSgoo8FDaVZQ2jvy1kUcGiced8tGuVXXpdSkUicfRcmYjTHVT8Vl0UuWXoqfAlpYvJmynoZi2io7sOeiM52AuF66wDWOPjBgihvpifFaZT64FFJB-tU5UmaxSewI7JvI/s320/504448-R1-20-4_021.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Happy third anniversary!! My love.</div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-12654880527090649162009-08-26T13:23:00.003-04:002009-08-26T13:31:44.202-04:00Thank You SP....We rec'd our SP exchange gifts yesterday and what a lovely collection of "Basset Crap" it was! My very favorite was the blue metal magnet shaped like a basset hound! Very cool and locally made in NM,near our SP Judy along with Abbey and Pumpkin. Tyler, Ru and Hunny do love their treats and Emily's reaction to her book was priceless. Thank You for being a wonderful SP!<br />Our box went out but due to a "Rufus mis-hap" I had to re-make a good portion of the goodied inside! I left the box (about to be shipped) in our van which had the sliding door open. Didn't even think that Ru would climb up there to grab it. Usually Rufus waits for a lift into the van because his legs are weak. Apparently that was not the case when there's treats involved. Our SP's package was strewn over the lawn in shreds. Just imagine this.....me on my way to the post office and I see a tattered goody bag and the super pretty gift for our SP covered in mud!!!! Off to the basement I go to begin cutting blocks and sewing new SP gifties. I guess this all part of being owned by basset hounds. I love them but they can frustrate you to no end at times!!Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-40673076328605929642009-08-09T07:04:00.003-04:002009-08-09T07:17:29.267-04:00Bassets 0, Bunnies 1I have neglected my blog for quite some time and I feel terrible about it.<br />The hounds have enjoyed their summer, even if it has been a rainy one. Tyler and Hunny have discovered the bunnies that live in our yard and will spend hours trying to get them. Thankfully the bunnies are smarter than they are!<br />We have two wood piles in the back where the bunnies have made their homes. Tyler and Hunny know this and will shove their snouts in as far as they can go. While the noses are hidden the bunnies make their ways over to the second woodpile and make sure the dogs can see them just before they scoot inside! Tyler takes off to the other side of the yard, Hunny follows, bunnies go back to the other location. This takes place for hours and I get such a kick out of watching it. <br />I jsut wish I had some pictures or video of this crazy event! More to come when I can snap some stealthy pictures!Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-91558742900305276672009-08-09T06:56:00.002-04:002009-08-09T07:01:08.443-04:00It's Secret Pawtner Time!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aj75uKuzJBY7mpzjIiMcFcQC8yXeoVB3fWs60M6WAjVvwefjDnpMRZioslGvIYhhebHkUGHJCZ_82kzHk2N0ijwpaXv36lqnbYCr8PRjLDsju38DLpv_lsgsHWkdtu6matHfJUzHAt8/s1600-h/Rufus.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 127px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367917366096071890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aj75uKuzJBY7mpzjIiMcFcQC8yXeoVB3fWs60M6WAjVvwefjDnpMRZioslGvIYhhebHkUGHJCZ_82kzHk2N0ijwpaXv36lqnbYCr8PRjLDsju38DLpv_lsgsHWkdtu6matHfJUzHAt8/s320/Rufus.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We love Secret Pawtner time here in the Cruse household. The hounds get some treats, the kitties usually get something too! Best of all I get to add to my "BassetCrap" collection! </div><br /><div>This year we're going to surprise our pawtner with some zany clues rather than the usual hints about their hometown and distance between us.</div><br /><div>Our pawtner is relatively close to us this year and she is going to get a beautiful hand crafted gift this year.</div><br /><div>That's all for now.....Enjoy the Exchange Droolers!</div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-62516766293305833252009-06-17T08:19:00.003-04:002009-06-17T08:30:39.082-04:00Where does the time go????<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHl-RYCLHM1DqCQQgREglNyA53qAED0_IR2eSKz65jwCvJj8eKiqvEWudAos6dos5-LJyrF2tA7bOe0MKBPwugw6OmkbQXGOMvZe7CplwndMKHX8y_YIHgL5g0kQ5KQYkHfD3SRX4bu0/s1600-h/P1010022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348272338816886306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHl-RYCLHM1DqCQQgREglNyA53qAED0_IR2eSKz65jwCvJj8eKiqvEWudAos6dos5-LJyrF2tA7bOe0MKBPwugw6OmkbQXGOMvZe7CplwndMKHX8y_YIHgL5g0kQ5KQYkHfD3SRX4bu0/s320/P1010022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I have been strangely absent for quite a while. I guess we just had more things to attend to than time to do it. </div><br /><div>In the time I have been gone, I have accepted a part-time job which I am sure I will love. No pressure, no stress and working for a lady I genuinely like.</div><br /><div>Emily has made leaps in the last two months! She's walking, almost talking and into everything.</div><br /><div>For my basset loving friends out there, the hounds have been active too! We went to Mid-Atlantic Bassets Trout Parade in Livingston Manor, NY. It was flat out one of the best events I have attended. Although, Mr Rufus did suffer from heatstroke. Talk about scary for a basset mom and her elderly basset hound. Rufus is doing just fine now and is back to his old routine of lounging in the sunny backyard.</div><br /><p> </p><p>A huge thanks to Suzanne Fitch for caring so much for this hound! I don't know what I would do without him.</p>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-61851844897911015222009-05-05T07:59:00.005-04:002009-05-05T08:12:17.952-04:00...that doggy in the window<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhR0rVBi6qeg5COkYVw_laQbItT1kJ1Bgi5daeajqtfZ2XiLYuRHiq-U2bQ_1QCG-5yudiMe876LukHStGSkMoVx-1wmlqb5i3TS2qxhSTXiMPxv6MsHriXNALWpjN4OmuQ_wcUz2YLI/s1600-h/Quilts+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332311556101223842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhR0rVBi6qeg5COkYVw_laQbItT1kJ1Bgi5daeajqtfZ2XiLYuRHiq-U2bQ_1QCG-5yudiMe876LukHStGSkMoVx-1wmlqb5i3TS2qxhSTXiMPxv6MsHriXNALWpjN4OmuQ_wcUz2YLI/s320/Quilts+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9k1-3xSdB5W7rngnOHG3bqkQ2VHgG6hh4AYRcD9xYpiYGhN19hra5IQmLSXc7vRBrzzfz1HvoZG75DPtdfNOlCpQVy0dXxWT5a_dPpJMIL_8PtMrKyzL9PhKUNEQG7IUwxPMNL-myKk/s1600-h/Quilts+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332311460076647074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9k1-3xSdB5W7rngnOHG3bqkQ2VHgG6hh4AYRcD9xYpiYGhN19hra5IQmLSXc7vRBrzzfz1HvoZG75DPtdfNOlCpQVy0dXxWT5a_dPpJMIL_8PtMrKyzL9PhKUNEQG7IUwxPMNL-myKk/s320/Quilts+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>So, I found a new fabric and sewing store recently. One that has thousands of bolts of quilting fabric in every style imaginable. My first purchase was a panel of a couple of cute doggies in a window. The colors are a little dark but it was so cute I had to buy it. Check it out and tell me what you think! Plus there's something special on the back for all basset lovers!</div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-91518273506286419372009-04-27T07:38:00.007-04:002009-04-28T14:47:39.581-04:00Help us raise money for March of Dimes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OO-VcI1-KWUgzJh4DhUoRl4freeZZWAqUno1OJJhhMn8s6KC2i9UNU1np-LO7O9E8uQw4lsM4wEO6pFxvxa4N8g8LFxY-YC1Ew5MYXMlPlr77eK92aATabqv9OaoH3qDfad0p0uvZ0w/s1600-h/P1010016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329334954207090754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OO-VcI1-KWUgzJh4DhUoRl4freeZZWAqUno1OJJhhMn8s6KC2i9UNU1np-LO7O9E8uQw4lsM4wEO6pFxvxa4N8g8LFxY-YC1Ew5MYXMlPlr77eK92aATabqv9OaoH3qDfad0p0uvZ0w/s320/P1010016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-wsGR317vwf9hexFK9HGuXSUOL7x5wb5JV6ol_Rp21uGilwsXRmVbVF3eRyo7PedJWCDdIabGABUFGWYUzqWuBZLTx3YJRcniRhz5EQn2X86bph-vuJ_S5768gnnYApGVLgpsHG9o1w/s1600-h/PC090003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329334948423998258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-wsGR317vwf9hexFK9HGuXSUOL7x5wb5JV6ol_Rp21uGilwsXRmVbVF3eRyo7PedJWCDdIabGABUFGWYUzqWuBZLTx3YJRcniRhz5EQn2X86bph-vuJ_S5768gnnYApGVLgpsHG9o1w/s320/PC090003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Emily and I along with my mother in law, Rosemarie, and Katie and Andrew are walking on May 16 to raise money for March of Dimes. You can see that their work is valuable and lifesaving by looking at the two pictures above. One this weekend at Gramma's house and the other on the day after Emily was born! Visit this link to donate.....<a href="http://www.marchforbabies.org/Emily_Brenda">http://www.marchforbabies.org/Emily_Brenda</a></div><div></div><br /><br /><div>Help Emily and I raise money to prevent premature births. As many of you know Emily was born at 26 weeks and 1lb 11oz and benefited from the March of Dimes. We want to give back for all of their lifesaving research. </div><div><br />one day... all babies will be born healthy<br />today... too many moms and families know the heartbreak of having a baby born fighting to survive<br />I've joined March for Babies because the March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation. The money we raise for March for Babies will help:<br />- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects<br />- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby<br />- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care<br />- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children<br />Please help by donating today!<br />It's easy, safe and secure - just click to make your donation.<br />The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality</div></div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-90470786697694176482009-04-25T08:09:00.004-04:002009-04-25T08:21:51.363-04:00Little Boy Lost....part two<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyekVHBYIEpYASQn-UmmGeJj1y_ljoX-lti-l_osgKoE3Fn_go5OKqBHuR0pDBGHNlathUaQ1DusAmowbi6BqJ6t6fGbTws2Hcws_XA-wGP8LqD2vaTE4_xLO6tGW5BEh916KrXYyaq-s/s1600-h/5x7Tyler.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328602124129561106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyekVHBYIEpYASQn-UmmGeJj1y_ljoX-lti-l_osgKoE3Fn_go5OKqBHuR0pDBGHNlathUaQ1DusAmowbi6BqJ6t6fGbTws2Hcws_XA-wGP8LqD2vaTE4_xLO6tGW5BEh916KrXYyaq-s/s320/5x7Tyler.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Last night around 6 we discovered that someone, has again, opened our gates and let the dogs out. Our neighbor, Staci, called us to let us know she had just put Rufus back in the yard. This is the third time in two months someone has done this to my dogs, excluding the hubby accident from a month ago. Tyler, of course, was the lone missing dog. We started our usual patrol of the neighborhood. Chuck in the car, myself with the two munchkins on foot. </div><br /><div>This time I called the police and reported it, even though I was low on information. I just hope that somehow the culprit sees how devastating this can be to a dog owner. I had such a helpless feeling while Tyler was missing. I talked to anyone out on their porches soaking in the warm evening. No one has seen him. All of his usual spots had no Tyler. We cruised the neighborhood and further for almost three hours. Just past 9pm our neighbor, Ernie, brought our boy home. </div><div> </div><div>Ernie found Tyler about 3 blocks away in someone's fenced in yard with two little yappers. I'm hoping that she didn't plan to keep him and was just waiting for the morning to call the number on his tags. I guess I will never know, but I am very thanful that Ernie joined in the search this time around. Tyler has returned to his futon and is lounging again as only a Basset Hound can do.</div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-66520744194257556382009-03-31T08:15:00.005-04:002009-03-31T08:26:36.956-04:00Busy Busy....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57qxYL75pm3mb-rttQPrShidpVo2maXn9Sh4Zb0S7d3W-qiaasbAAh73xLNZrBbB5ibjrSssgloMnMKUL-w77YIV-AEI94AuUAj01SYPI3m33Re8UpZ6kxJI4NvsXZFPyu-nlkMVTuv0/s1600-h/P3260007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319326137548062338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57qxYL75pm3mb-rttQPrShidpVo2maXn9Sh4Zb0S7d3W-qiaasbAAh73xLNZrBbB5ibjrSssgloMnMKUL-w77YIV-AEI94AuUAj01SYPI3m33Re8UpZ6kxJI4NvsXZFPyu-nlkMVTuv0/s320/P3260007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It's been a few weeks since I took some time to post....In that time I've had quite a few very attractive contract job opportunities presented to me. I'm at the point where working is something I want and need to do again. The last 5 months have been fantastic with my munchkin, Emily, but I need adult contact again! </div><br /><div>I've also been busy on the crafty side too....I've made a new bag and I'm getting complements on it where ever I go. I'm working out ways to make this one dog-themed too for my dog lover friends. I've got two orders already! I've also put some of my projects up on the internet craft fair I spoke about a few weeks ago. </div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-72916498654879285422009-03-19T15:59:00.003-04:002009-03-19T16:10:51.471-04:00Got Shorts??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewUmCy1Yzc1V3MLTEamEbKj9FplAO6dEvtTzzIaqQ3sW2eah1RXGGCjaXyUv-pLJejYfK9Ad1LdVX4jg5oryKJXvrRCIfHOvoBaBswVBb5tMAy8up3Ecrp9ORwAL7sSlJxQCspslFkAs/s1600-h/P3180003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314991894180372658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewUmCy1Yzc1V3MLTEamEbKj9FplAO6dEvtTzzIaqQ3sW2eah1RXGGCjaXyUv-pLJejYfK9Ad1LdVX4jg5oryKJXvrRCIfHOvoBaBswVBb5tMAy8up3Ecrp9ORwAL7sSlJxQCspslFkAs/s320/P3180003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Over the weekend I had a crafty "ah hah" moment....seeing a lot of younger women in the malls and out and about with silly words written across their butts got me thinking. If the young and hip do it, why can't the heading towards middle aged do it too? So I made these! I wrote "Basset Rule" across the butt of a very cute pair of shorts. Please give me your opinions! I know I will wear a pair once the warm weather gets here to stay!</div><div>I also made them in a plain grey sweatshirt type material and I'm debating about where to write on them since I seriously doubt my husband , or another guy, will wear shorts with something on the butt!</div><div>I'll be posting these to the Daily Drool and selling them for donations to Mid-Atlantic Basset Hound Rescue.</div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-22817404945676050762009-03-14T09:28:00.011-04:002009-03-14T09:56:30.365-04:00Baby Emily, Kitties ,Tyler and Rufus<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRxnJquFQeDslkH6Ruj6MenS9FOm-kIT6lZLL8Ya9KHKJg319FcrRlBUB-RTIvqzMmTi3ShB5uK7Ldd0SPNjmBK1bEA9hD1Il8MFgvj0WEAKsTxwRlq1T6-1YxqYBBbomeKcH9IYT3AU/s1600-h/DevilCat1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfttUQ5HBGpsN8Ifi9SWS_qg8jYtIpTtrBh-BHfD0lC3Mvy5zpfJivKM4ytvSMDrNJufnWpOGKfD-lZykkwYR2JDVp8YqKinHohtg1CakoRqGVy7k00EnLWCifi_WyCxe1P1zsU7teoI/s1600-h/P2130004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313036855798906258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfttUQ5HBGpsN8Ifi9SWS_qg8jYtIpTtrBh-BHfD0lC3Mvy5zpfJivKM4ytvSMDrNJufnWpOGKfD-lZykkwYR2JDVp8YqKinHohtg1CakoRqGVy7k00EnLWCifi_WyCxe1P1zsU7teoI/s320/P2130004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>As many of you are aware, we have a young daughter who has recently discovered that we have funny looking dogs living with us. She will catch sight of one of them, grin, and point to them babbling in that year old baby talk we all love.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Emily loves their ears and is always reaching out to touch them. I usually cringe, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt7x4UMEUNFxhtq2eAjBxAG4zRwQ6AhMhk7b4wZKYCLRAiI4THDX5a7TATmbvSu82zxE7zgOjCfNiOEsdvaphEaAe0j3KetkmpVOZ5Cg9938UEvkRWn9Hu0f3RMe3NdhBFEG2uMt-WGo/s1600-h/TylerCard3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313036419940985490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt7x4UMEUNFxhtq2eAjBxAG4zRwQ6AhMhk7b4wZKYCLRAiI4THDX5a7TATmbvSu82zxE7zgOjCfNiOEsdvaphEaAe0j3KetkmpVOZ5Cg9938UEvkRWn9Hu0f3RMe3NdhBFEG2uMt-WGo/s320/TylerCard3.jpg" border="0" /></a>because those ears drag on the ground and get in their food, water, etc....The dogs love Emily because she is typically covered with food or other yummy things (at least to them) and are constantly licking her face. I have to say that they are extremely gentle with her, which amazes me because they are so big!! Tyler weighs about 60 pounds and Ru is probably close to 70 pounds. Tyler is more aware of Emily than Ru is and he's always checking where she is in the house. </div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><p>Emily's favorite resident in the house is my ancient cat, Devil Cat. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuueY6tQb-E-emy9cvFxFyPqnSmhXO854ekFZzBk3lBDeKnYx7wO8F2brR9ZXiuDl3R6Dmrz3wYAaoGUihVmqhh_msxwCGDtB21H-zJSHqw0VrY9e028teobkpdMQVvurp8cUY_GV2MU/s1600-h/DevilCat1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313041711257788866" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuueY6tQb-E-emy9cvFxFyPqnSmhXO854ekFZzBk3lBDeKnYx7wO8F2brR9ZXiuDl3R6Dmrz3wYAaoGUihVmqhh_msxwCGDtB21H-zJSHqw0VrY9e028teobkpdMQVvurp8cUY_GV2MU/s320/DevilCat1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Devil is one of those cats who hates just about everyone. She tolerates Emily and all of the fur pulling, ear digging and tail chewing Emily can dish out with a calm expression. I think to myself, this is not the Devil Cat I know and love.....she's usually pretty quick to whip out the nails and dig in. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRxnJquFQeDslkH6Ruj6MenS9FOm-kIT6lZLL8Ya9KHKJg319FcrRlBUB-RTIvqzMmTi3ShB5uK7Ldd0SPNjmBK1bEA9hD1Il8MFgvj0WEAKsTxwRlq1T6-1YxqYBBbomeKcH9IYT3AU/s1600-h/DevilCat1.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRxnJquFQeDslkH6Ruj6MenS9FOm-kIT6lZLL8Ya9KHKJg319FcrRlBUB-RTIvqzMmTi3ShB5uK7Ldd0SPNjmBK1bEA9hD1Il8MFgvj0WEAKsTxwRlq1T6-1YxqYBBbomeKcH9IYT3AU/s1600-h/DevilCat1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-92009711529721540312009-03-10T17:54:00.004-04:002009-03-10T18:03:24.392-04:00It's been a while.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoGm-XFXWwSPFVulJZwhb5GkcN3DbFRT1wGKmA9GVY6up9LijIT5COArtsqQ7si-pjJ21PLBZZ4QpkVTwhvJoAHv4N_gVVbrERZH5bHFwuH2py00cS2Lk1lsWyxOd7ddotN5SC1r_-Tg/s1600-h/P4020001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311682712064710658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoGm-XFXWwSPFVulJZwhb5GkcN3DbFRT1wGKmA9GVY6up9LijIT5COArtsqQ7si-pjJ21PLBZZ4QpkVTwhvJoAHv4N_gVVbrERZH5bHFwuH2py00cS2Lk1lsWyxOd7ddotN5SC1r_-Tg/s400/P4020001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So, first off I was cruising Craigslist this past weekend and stumbled upon a really unique idea. It's basically a craft show without the crowds.....an internet based craft fair looking to market themselves and find new talent. I had been thinking of buying a site from GoDaddy to post pictures of some of my projects and maybe make a few bucks with them. Turns out these ladies are doing just that but they're collaborating and sharing costs.</div><br /><div>Check them out here..... <a href="http://www.willkarecreations.com/">http://www.willkarecreations.com/</a> </div><br /><div></div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-76492980320989080912009-03-02T09:48:00.006-05:002009-03-02T10:07:45.728-05:00Little Boy Lost....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_Y0DdOLH0M0I1f7oWp4hyphenhyphenxSX7mZ1ebPpUmUF2kHysDmvfWtlpXAJxavsiBlxeQY4dFtsurdOuIWjSVaArz1hnlsysM-lw63dG248X4M_IDcFLOr4vYCzxUXxCwH-Tbiss7TQqu5AmO4/s1600-h/P4170047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308606543096288738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_Y0DdOLH0M0I1f7oWp4hyphenhyphenxSX7mZ1ebPpUmUF2kHysDmvfWtlpXAJxavsiBlxeQY4dFtsurdOuIWjSVaArz1hnlsysM-lw63dG248X4M_IDcFLOr4vYCzxUXxCwH-Tbiss7TQqu5AmO4/s400/P4170047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgNCnYk0GZG-5pcqZ5RfspJwkC9l5VtbLP1whFV0lehLnlVnFzG7_wqDQIPrfrR_NSdFAkMfX-AYijkXjbgm3j1Qbc43ze66AzFceDEqtidQcVXaIoL0fhNlb4m8X8w9li2o4KL_4UPo/s1600-h/card.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>So yesterday was a beautiful day here in the great northeast.....the dogs spent most of the day outside sunning themselves and barking at anyone who happened to walk by.</div><br /><br /><div>Tyler usually takes the steps to the back garage, Hunny gets the steps leading to the back gate and Ru usually lays in front of the front garage door.</div><br /><br /><div>I'm recovering from surgery and thought I'd take a nap somewhere around 2 yesterday afternoon, my husband was out on the quad on a friend's property. I left the pooches outside because they were all snoozing and looked to be enjoying themselves. Mistake number one. Mistake two was not replacing the lock on the front gate.</div><br /><br /><div>I got up somewhere around 3:30 in the afternoon to use the bathroom and as I usually do I looked out the window to see what's going on. Well, to my surprise I see Rufus' red and white backside in the trash cans out front. That's not right! They can't get to the can if the gates are closed. I abort the mission to the bathroom and run downstairs to check the gates. They were wide open! Rufus didn't stray far, he only made it to the front sidewalk near the trash cans. Hunny never left the yard.....that leaves Tyler. He, of course, is no where to be found. I put Hunny and Ru in the house, run up the stairs and get Emily up from her nap and into a stroller.</div><br /><br /><div>I call my parents to help in the rescue mission and call my husband's friend (he left his cell phone home on the charger) to tell him about the escape.</div><br /><br /><div>I am cruising up and down the streets near the house checking out all of his usual places to sniff. No Tyler. I go back home to check the answering machine to see if anyone found him. No messages. I'm getting a little upset now. I try to call the police dept, but where I live it's kind of a silly set up. The police dept in Jermyn doesn't really have a phone number. We have what's called a Communications Center that covers most of Lackawanna County. I get an answering machine not a person who can patch me through to Jermyn Police. Usually I can get a message to them that Tyler's missing again and if they find him they will put him in the car and bring him home. </div><br /><br /><div>My parents arrive and start cruising around too, no luck. My husband arrives home and he's out searching too. I'm walking the neighborhood praying out loud asking the Lord to bring Tyler back to us safely. My hubby passes me going in a direction that Tyler doesn't usually travel when he gets out. Thankfully he did because he found Tyler coming around the side of the house about a mile away on the main drag in Mayfield. Thankfully he was retuned to us again.</div></div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7914628634291096215.post-84668704997281206052009-02-25T18:31:00.005-05:002009-02-25T18:43:44.860-05:00Bassets being bassets.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PALXGwpJkNrzYfHYyCJqitjh6oA13uMS3snchxpc-s5PDoe5wWfGDbKJphU_UE0YBjncArUBlq2TzmV2Mg9tAUSFy-mpvLJXKWXcwLhhBlQfC5akqdbpvAM2qcL0fKfv_NRg4fKCtSI/s1600-h/PB110007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306883523052391170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PALXGwpJkNrzYfHYyCJqitjh6oA13uMS3snchxpc-s5PDoe5wWfGDbKJphU_UE0YBjncArUBlq2TzmV2Mg9tAUSFy-mpvLJXKWXcwLhhBlQfC5akqdbpvAM2qcL0fKfv_NRg4fKCtSI/s320/PB110007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, now that Mr Rufus has fully recovered from his brush with death I do believe he decided to give mom a scare. </div><br /><div>One day last week a dead bird showed up on the back porch. All of the dogs seemed to be ignoring it until Rufus decided to eat the dead bird. My step-son David came running around the side of the house yelling "Ru ate something", my husband chimes in "He ate the bird, well he ate part of the thing",YUK! I cleaned up what remained and threw it in the trash. Fast forward to today....Rufus is guarding something in the yard and I walk over to him. What does he have? Another dead bird!!! I'd love to know where they're finding them in February in the great northeast! Are my lazy, crazy bassets secret bird dogs?? The only thing they chase is the neighbor's cat, Magic, who is smart enough to know that he needs to stay outside the fence or be slobbered to death.</div><br /><div>Once I go to get the poop scoop to remove the bird, all three of them followed me from the scene of the crime to the front gate. Tyler and Ru then decide that it's time to play "cat" and stretch like there's nothing going on! Hunny, walks away. I guess I ruined their fun for the afternoon.....</div>Brenda Crusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337876360732211853noreply@blogger.com0