Lazy September Weekend in CT

We are having perfect September weather and it's my favorite time of year with bright sunny days, dry air and cold nights. I love being outside on the weekends and soaking it all in.

Yesterday Liesel and I went to an open house at her doggie daycare. We hung around outside with some of the people and she was a canine greeter. She loves people and being made a lot over.

Today we had several hours out on the deck.

That's my weekend. Nothing earth shattering but relaxing. Liesel is so relaxed that she's sound asleep under the down throw on the den couch.

Girls' Night Out

One of my close friends and I met after work tonight at the nail salon for manicures. I hadn't been for one since the same friend and I went on May 5th. It was the night before I flew to Moscow and also the night before my birthday. She treated me to a manicure and dinner for a birthday send off. What a special birthday gift.

We were talking last week about our nails and I was saying that I badly needed a manicure. We made plans to meet tonight and then go for dinner. It was such fun that we're making it a monthly treat.

What could be better to top off the first day back to work than spending the evening with a good friend, having a manicure and dinner that someone else is cooking, serving and cleaning up?

Handknit Bunnies

I have been knitting bunnies for Rachael (alwayswanted4.blogspot.com) to sell in her Etsy shop (Simple Wishes). Rachael set up the Etsy shop two falls ago to raise money for the orphanage in Russia where her daughter lived until age 7 when she became part of Rachael's family.

Last year I knit a sweater, skirt, hat set to fit an American Girl doll for her shop and made paper explosion boxes. The boxes never made it to the shop as Rachael bought all of them.

This year's project is 6" bunnies. I've been knitting them in pink, raspberry and light blue. I'm almost done with the knitting (a few more to do) and then will sew them all together and stuff them.

Watch for them in Simple Wishes and BUY!

Rachael and her sisters (and mom) are super crafty so I'm sure they'll have fantastic handmade items for sale.

All the money goes to the orphanage so it's a wonderful cause. Spread the word to all your friends.

Grandma Streusel on a Mission

When Annie clued me in yesterday about the American Girl historic doll activity books being given away as the McDonald's Happy Meal freebie, I went to the McD's in town and inquired about just buying the books as I didn't need 8 Happy Meals. They only had 3 of the 8 so I bought them.

Today I went in the opposite direction to another McDonald's to buy the other 5. They only had 3 and told me the promo ends on the 10th. Being a good grandmother and an American Girl lover, I drove 10 minutes to another town to check out their McDonald's. They only had 1 of the 2 I needed so I asked if they would get more before the 10th.

A manager came over (with a Russian - or Polish) accent and asked if she could help. She asked which character I needed and said she'd go in the back to check. She came back with Molly so I now have a complete set to bring to Moscow at Christmas.

I was Grandma Streusel on a mission. Mission Accomplished.

Vegging Out

Today was another perfect weather day here in CT with blue skies, sun, dry air and temps in the high 70's. Couldn't be better (IMO).

Since today was the first day since I was home sick around July 4th that I could enjoy reading on my deck, I did just that all afternoon. Of course I have tons of projects in my yard and inside the house that need doing but as Scarlet O'Hara said, "I'll think about that tomorrow."

I went outside with a stack of magazines, my portable phone and dog. She wasn't out there long before she wanted to be picked up so she spent most of the afternoon on my lap while I read.

I have to savor afternoons like this for when it's 11:00 PM, 5 degrees above 0 and I'm out in a blizzard shoveling snow off the steps, walk and path from the front door for the dog to use when she has to go out for her 2 minute stint.

My plans for tomorrow afternoon...a repeat of today.

My First Day of School

Dog Training School that is. Yes, I am enrolled at the doggie daycare's new training class for adult dogs. Tonight was the first night and dogs were not to come to the first class. It was owner orientation night.

We went around the semicircle telling the group which breed of dog we had, it's age and what we wanted to accomplish. When it was my turn, I immediately piped up that the doggie daycare owners told me that Liesel and I had to enroll. I also shared that my dog has so many behavior issues that they are too numerous to list. Her pluses are that she is so loving, social with all dogs and humans and the owners and trainers tell me that she is smart. Now half of my ancestors are German and Dutch so I am well aware of the strong (and stubborn) trait that is common to the nationality. Well, dachshunds follow suit along those lines. At least Liesel is not an alpha dog as my Streusel was.

I have great hopes for her. I came home with my clicker and we practiced sitting which I'd taught her earlier this summer. Tonight I did the click as soon as she sat and before she got her treat. Tomorrow night the homework sessions start. I want her to excel next Tuesday night at the Name Game and looking at me. I don't want to be the only owner whose dog isn't paying attention. I want Liesel to do well, gain confidence and progress with her training. Maybe one day we'll even get to the stage where she won't pee on the bathroom floor all the time. Do you think we'll ever get to the point where she'll ring a poochie bell when she wants to go outside? I can dream, can't I?