I never imagined this weekend as a gift, but it truly was. A gift of delightful memories.
This weekend wasn’t just about Thanksgiving, it was about how much could Jason take and still love me? Mom staying with Jason and meeting the girls for the first time. Of course, she fell head over heels in love. And they took to her like stink on a dog because, well….she brought four furry children with her. FOUR.
Two tiny Papillons, Buddy the man, and Little Chevy who weighs an ounce? A Yorkie terror terrier named Lola. Poor thing, she has a disorder that requires medication every six hours to keep her from convulsing scarily. Yikes! And lastly, one FRED, a Shih-tzu boy, the biggest of the bunch, found wandering the highway one evening, that she promptly picked up in the Chuckwagon.
I call her vehicle the Chuckwagon, because it’s like the old commercial where the dogs are chasing the wagon with dog food, except it’s her van. The van stops and the dogs pile in. She takes them ALL home. I am not even kidding. My mom has 23 dogs (yes, she lives in the country).
I think half of them she has been trying to find homes for…for-EVER. But ya know? Her guidelines for a doggy home is VERY strict (which is good). Most don’t qualify, the rest don’t want grown up dogs. Then, MORE dogs come chasing down the Chuckwagon, which isn’t hard to catch. I think she ties meaty lamb chops to her bumper. Kidding! She doesn’t.
In all honesty, she rescues bloodhounds. She is part of an organization that will save a bloodhound (or part bloodhound) before they are euthanized at a shelter. They pick them up, put them in foster care until they can be adopted out. So, some of the dogs are fosters, others followed the Chuckwagon, and the rest happened to be on the right road, on the right day.
Whichever way you want to look at it, if you need a pet, please let me know. It really is a great service they do. They all have their shots and have been fixed. The fact that Mom only brought FOUR, ha, that’s a miracle. Lucky JASON!
Why did she stay at his house and not mine? Well, there was a little incident at my Mom’s house where Buddy the dog decided to get in Salem’s face, all chest bumping, and fake punching. She told him to get lost with her teeth and thirteen stitches later……yeeeeeaah. Not good.
Salem does NOT like little yappy, bossy Buddy dogs. Did I mention Buddy is eleven years old and has no teeth? Oh Salem, you are such a brute. Making her apologize would not have come CLOSE to making up for what happened to the little guy. In her defense, she only put her mouth on him for a second.
So, NO, I would not risk four doggy lives at my place with not only one big dog, but three. Not to mention, I have no extra bed. AND three grown ups share a very tiny bathroom already. One more might just push me over the edge. Ahhh!
Jason’s house it was. Extra bedroom, new mattress, cleaned up toy room, converted to guest bedroom (which Bridget kept asking me if I was going to sleep there). Uhh, no GRANDMA is “Gwanmah seep dere?” Yes, SHE is sleeping there. Isn’t that cool? (nods head, beams a smile) She only thought it was cool because Grandma has presents, and puppies.
Jason has a doggy run in his backyard, and LOTS, and LOTS of tile. Jason, sweetie, I know I can never EVER possibly make up for your most generous hospitality in the whole wide world. Ever to infinity times squared to the tenth power. But pssssst, you totally passed the TEST. Heh! You had no idea right?
Watching the little girls with my Mom and the dogs brought me great joy. Molly and Bridget LOVE the puppies. They love to hold them, pet them, cuddle them, and even drop them. Luckily they are close to the ground. Please don’t tell them they are not “really” puppies, especially old man Buddy. They were in heaven with all the puppy love.
Fred the Shih-tzu is one of my personal favorites. Cutest dog in the world. He is a love. I am not a little dog fan, but I would take him home in a second (Jason says no, hmph!). This weekend we carted around lots of dogs. Moving them back and forth from outside to in (even in the rain, right Jason?). Pictures galore were taken, adorable subjects, equals timeless shots.
Molly and Fred
Molly, Bridget, and Sydney – Can I just say this photo turns me to mush, awh!
Mom and girls walking together.
Then finally, we ended with ICE at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine. What a finale! That place was incredible. The decorations, the art, the imagination of it all, just wraps you up, like a living present. Plus the ice slide, a grown up child’s dream – FLYING down the ice – no holds barred – Weeeeeeeee! It was glorious fun. If it wasn’t so crowded, I would have done it over and over til my fingers and nose froze off (totally worth it by the way).
Did I mention it was nine degrees? Before you can go in, they wrap you up in these big blue suits made for Eskimos. I guess they know Texan’s don’t have “real” winter coats, nor do we need them, although some people think we do when it goes from 110 degrees to 60 degrees, phhsss. Either way, we got a nifty warm sleeping bag garmet to wear in the ICE. Awesome.
Without further ado, timeless memories..
Jason, Mom, Me, Sydney, Kyle, Molly, and Bridget in front.
Jason and his two beauties.
Sydney and the girls.
One of my favorites, Bridget and my Mom.
Ice sculptures.
Molly and an ice lamb.
Me and Sydney. I swear that’s a camera bag under my coat, not like one of Mom’s small dogs or something. Heh!
The Grinch and my heart after this weekend.
Sweet timeless memories, I am not worthy.
Living, Loving, Laughing.... 
Angelia,
Sounds (and looks!) like it was a completely wonderful weekend for all of you – woohoo!!
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What a wonderful fun-packed weekend. I love outings like that. And you’re right. So many memories attached to times like that. And so many girl-memories. Did you know I’m partial to girl-children? 3 daughters, 3 granddaughters.
The dog-stories warmed my heart. (Did you get to see “A Dog Called Christmas” on TV? Cried when I read the book. Cried when I saw the movie.) I sent my Sadie Vanessa to doggie heaven last January and my heart is still broken.
Thanks for sharing so much of your life. I love reading about it.
Weezer
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Sounds like you all had a lovely time. When you get time…give me a call. Please pray for Jeff….he needs it right now. And me as well, I love you sweetie….give everyone a hugs for me.
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YOUR.MOM.IS.MY.HERO!!! I want to be her when I grow up!! I want 27 dogs and then some, but I think I told you this already. She really is living my dream. ‘Cept mine will be labs. =D
And I totally want to go to that Ice Sculpture place!! How cool that looks!
You are a very lucky lady and I’m glad all is right/well in your world. It makes for a very nice holiday and life for that matter! lol
Cheers!
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Awwww…the doggy and girl pics are so cute! I have to admit that Jason sounds like quite a catch. And his girls are adorable! And kudos to your mom for her efforts on behalf of all those dogs. That Fred is a cutie! I’m the same way only with cats. We lost two this year, which brings us down to six. Almost all rescues. Only the one dog, but I’m really allergic to dogs. Otherwise, we’d have a housefull of those too. =]
Glad you had a great weekend!
♥Spot
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Sounds like it was a wonderful weekend.
Love the pics!
That Jason is a keeper and those girls total cuties!
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Wow…what a cool weekend you had! And, Jason…well, what a cool dude! He is certainly in a league all of his own!
That ICE place looks awesome. Your pictures were great and you could really see the joy on everyone’s faces. Don’t you just love those kinds of weekends? =)
Mindy
http://www.thesuburbanlife.com
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It sounds like you had an amazing time! I’ve never seen Ice, but I love the new Grinch with Jim Carrey! His expression at the end makes me cry every time!
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I READ, AND I COMMENTED
SO DON’T GROUND ME THIS TIME!!!!!!
(she didn’t really but she was just like
YAP YAP, JASON COMMENTED, YAP AND U DIDNT, YAP,!!!!!!!)
so, HA
🙂
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Yay dogs! Though I think I might go crazy with that many…I also have never seen (or heard of) Ice.
BTW: Love the pictures!!
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Thanks for visiting my blog. I think Jason seems great! xo
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I can NOT wait until to make it out to the Gaylord to see Ice! Now that I know about the slide, it’s def. going to be this weekend :o) -Looks fun!
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wow all those dogs!!! you guys had some amazing memories, I loved the pictures too, that first one was tooo cute!!!
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Lance-Woohoo indeed! We like to live large. 🙂 Thanks Lance!
Weezer-Oh, I am partial to girl children too! I understand. That is so awesome ‘all your girls’. I haven’t seen that movie. I have super soft spot for dogs and we lost Jason’s dog of 9yrs in April. I miss her so much. I’m sorry for your loss. Our babies mean so much to us.
Sandy-Thinking of you!
Peedee-Yes! She is! She is mine too. I was so lucky to grow up with all the furry love that we had. Mine would be all labs as well,YES! :-)) Is there a Gaylord near you?
Spot-Kitties are precious. I always had a cat growing up. I didn’t fall head over heels for a dog until Salem. I lost my cat Gidjet over a year ago. This is the first year I have NOT had a cat. I really want one. I am hoping to talk Jason into it. 🙂
Heather-Thank you! I think so too. 🙂
Mindy-I do. They happen every weekend Jason has the girls which is every other weekend. We have such a great time. Mom visiting was a bonus. Woot!
Blond Duck-I want to see that movie! The display was amazing, all of who-ville was represented. It was too cute!
Syd-Wait a second….why are you being so nice, reading and commenting on my blog? Hmmm, you must want something! The answer is no, and the other answer is I’m broke. HA. 🙂
Jessica-She has a system to the madness. Pretty incredible. I couldn’t do it either. And thanks!
Lori-You are welcome, and thank YOU. He is and it was so nice to visit you, your blog is very funny! 🙂
Steph-Yes, GO! The adult slide is to the right of the staircase. Weee!
My Kashi-Thanks! I love that one too. It should be the poster for Shih-tzu rescue. 🙂
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Angelia,
I am so glad you had a marvelous weekend with your mom, Jason, the girls, and ALL THOSE DOGS!
(I love dogs, btw…love them!)
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What wonderful memories for you to cherish!
Beautiful photos!
Thanks for visiting me on my SITS day!
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Oh Angelia, it all sounds as wonderful as you deserve.
THAT time sure is packed with good memories for everyone.
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I beg to differ!!!! YOU’RE COWRAZY, ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OVER THE MOON TO INFINITY WORTHY!!!
There! It’s official. I’ve said it. It’s true! 😆
You and Yours are SO very dear. You are a delight. Adorable times a trillion. And the girls are so lovely. And You and Jason and Your Mom with her dog rescues….I can’t stop smiling. Thank You, Beauty! Big Hugs and Namaste. 🙂
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oh my good gracious! Did you really hide a small dog under your coat?
If so—you are my kinda fun lady!!
See ya tomorrow 🙂
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Peggy-Thank you! It was marvelous! You would LOVE my mom’s house. Lots of doggy love. 🙂
Lemonologie-Thank you so much. It was a pleasure visiting your blog. I really enjoyed it!
Wilma-You are so sweet! I will treasure those memories.
Bliss-Awesome, I believe you! You have special powers like that. 🙂 Big hugs back, mucho cheers, and Namaste ten-fold!
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