After Christmas and Starting the New Year!

We made it through the Christmas Holidays in pretty good health...  we also made it through the grandkids' school concerts, the tree cutting, the house decorating and the family celebrations.  It was wonderful....   and as it all came to a close, our health declined and the flu bugs and/or colds took over.  We are both sniffling and snorting and coughing and hacking today as I type this!

Our little Binney, the rescue dog, is fitting in nicely.  She is slowly learning all the rules and routines of the house. She has walked around on a harness and leash, and did a lap around the block.  She seems to want to cuddle a lot and hide out in the "safe spot" on the couch next to me. We are bringing her out of her shell slowly as much as we can, and Finnegan is teaching her to follow him around too.  She seems to be really attached to me, so Steve is bribing her with bacon and giving her lots of attention when he is around too. She is a good sport with the photos and dress-up.  LOL

She is not yet playing with toys, but we have gotten some tail wags, some raspy barks (she has been surgically debarked by her previous owners) and some twirls and whirls in happiness as we come down the stairs.  She also discovered that each morning is a great time if we plop them up on our bed for morning snuggles!

It will be a slow road to get her to acclimate to walks, people, other dogs, and camping.  We are sure she will adapt, but we will take on one thing at a time. While we were gone for Christmas Day and then again on New Years Eve, both dogs were safe and sound at Stockbridge Critter Sitters Day Care and Boarding Kennel.  Owner Lisa Martin took good care of them, and let them sleep together in the same crate at night too. Binney is still an escape risk, so it was best for them to be safe at the boarding kennel while we were gone. A strange dog in a strange house and people in and out can be a recipe for disaster.  Best she is at a secure kennel where she can be safely watched while we are gone.  We adopted Binney through the owner of the kennel, who also runs the Wisconsin Sheltie Rescue program.  Lisa is very aware of the needs of a newly adopted sheltie and takes great care of our dogs.

Before the holidays started, I was frantically finishing up three quilts for our grown kids... two king sized and one queen sized.  Whew! I was sewing almost every day, evening and into the night.  I managed to get them all done in time!!!

This is Steve's new toy that he got for Christmas. It's called the Flame Genie and runs on compressed wood pellets. Great for a portable campfire to take along camping!  We have emerald ash borer infestation in Wisconsin and cannot transport firewood for camping. It will also be good in the desert on vacation where firewood is scarce.  Lit up in just a few minutes. Full flames in 10 minutes.  Safe to cook on and smells like a real campfire but no smoke!  Nice....   we got it via Amazon from http://www.pelletfirepit.com/

Here is a little video clip of us lighting it in the driveway on Christmas:

Christmas Day was pleasant and great weather for driving.  We headed down to Belgium, WI to have a family celebration with the other Pfundtner's at Steve's sister Lynn's house.  We gathered for a nice meal, and lots of family laughter and some silly games and gifts of course too.  Since losing Steve's mom two years ago, we all have a sad spot in our hearts by not having her there on Christmas Day. It doesn't seem the same, but we forge ahead and create new memories. Sigh.

On the weekend after Christmas it was time for our family celebration with all of our children and grandchildren.  Our daughter Erin has a very big house, with more than enough room for all the kids and toys and food and sleepovers for everyone!   We dropped the dogs off at the kennel for an overnight and headed on up to Oconto.  It was raining and all of the snow has melted. We didn't get a White Christmas at all.  

It was so nice to see all of the kids and grandkids....  we piled up some presents under the tree and our daughter Erin put together a great meal, with everyone bringing something to share. The house was decorated nicely and the tree was splendid..... and started out like this:

and soon it was looking like THIS:

bwahhaaahaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

and here are all of our little Packer Fans in their jammies 

from Granmuddah and Granfaddah Pfun!   

TOUCHDOWN!!!

It took until midnight for the wee ones to slow down and I magically got them ALL asleep at one time... on sleeping bags on the floor of the kids' bedroom.  Shhhhhh  I tiptoed downstairs to join in the adult fun.  We played card games, drank, laughed and had a great time....  With Steve leading the way at the head of the table!

  

Erin's friend Waylen made chocolate pudding shots in these cute little tiny red solo cups. 

The card games were fun and the family had a blast...  

We are missing our son Mike on these type of family gatherings, 

wishing there was one more couple, 

a few more grandkids to add to the pile,

and more laughter and beer for Mike! 

We managed to stay up to about 2 or 3 a.m. before heading off to bed...   but the VERY BEST PART of the whole weekend was when five little Packer Monkeys came jumping in on our air mattress in the play room at 7 a.m.!!!  Oh JOY!!!! This is what I live for, of course!

New Years was the next holiday on the horizon...  we made some hotel reservations up in Iron River Michigan for the family and dropped the dogs off at the doggie daycare again for an overnight.  My sister Linda and her husband Fuzz, along with their brotherinlaw Dave bought the old Mid City Bar in Caspian, MI 2 blocks from where we grew up.  I recall going there as a child and getting penny candy in little brown bags and handing over a dime to old bartender Steve or Rose who counted out our candy to be sure we only took 10 pieces.  Great memories.  Now the bar is owned by my sister and family. This is their first week of operation since taking it over.... and we decided to surprise them! 

Facebook Page for Fuzz and Dave's Mid City Bar

We came in masked and decked out in New Years celebration garb... and shouting and hollering about where was the party!!! What a surprise!!! 

 We brought them an antique neon Old Style sign for a "bar warming" present that we all chipped in on.  Old Style is Fuzz's brew of choice, so it really fit the place quite well.  

Family and friends gathered for the evening at the bar

and soon it was time for MIDNIGHT

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I was the Designated Driver and got everyone back to the hotel safe and sound.  whew....  In the morning we headed over to my old stomping grounds, Mertin's Cafe.  I worked there from 1975-78 all during high school.  It's now called Main Street Cafe, but to me it will always be Mertins.  We gathered around the "big table" and had a nice goodbye breakfast before it was time to head on home....

and we drove back home to pick the doggies at the day care!   

Colds and flu or whatever overtook us now,

and we have been sick since. 

Made up a pot of chicken veggie soup

and we are taking it easy after a very busy two weeks! 

Stockbridge Critter Sitters Open House --- and a new member to our family????

Sunday we had the chance to attend a great event right near Chilton.  In the tiny burg of Stockbridge is a boarding kennel, groomer and doggie day care called http://stockbridgecrittersitters.com/     Facebook page for Stockbridge Critter Sitters.  The owner, Lisa Martin, also runs the Wisconsin Sheltie Rescue.  So beside the open house festivities, she hosted a silent auction with proceeds going to the Wisconsin Sheltie Rescue Organization.

There was a lot of fun stuff going on--- chili contest, pet photos, shopping discounts in the store, refreshments, and Lisa also let me set up my antique circular sockknitting machine!

I put up a sign that said 50% of my profits would go to the rescue fund!   Finnegan came along to keep my machine under guard of his watchful eye.... heh heh  he also got a huge doggie crush on a pretty gal named Merlot who also dressed up for the occasion.   I sold a lot of socks, a few hats and even a set of hotpads I happened to have along!

 Here are a few snapshots I took throughout the day

Finnegan was socializing with some of the other dogs and people too

(and begging for snacks!) 

Dogs of all breeds were schmoozing for snacks! 

Very polite and well trained dogs attended the event.

Lisa has a great setup with indoor exercise areas, two outdoor fenced in yards for small and large dogs, and a grooming area besides her little shop of pet supplies and gift items.  Stop on by and check it out--- by appointment, please.  Use the links up in the first paragraph for more information.

These kids were busy making doggie bone ornaments for their Christmas tree... and were using my little sock machine stand to color them on.  They were entertaining and delightful little people!

 And someone even brought a puppy that needed socializing! 

I sure didn't mind helping out----

The celebrity judges were fun, and there was a lot of laughter and dogs and people throughout the day. The rescue group made some money to help with vet bills and expenses for the shetland sheepdogs that end up in shelters or need rehoming in our area. Lisa does a great job finding the right dog for the right home for the right people.   Hmmmmm speaking of that.....

Went out to dinner on Sunday night with Lisa and Brittany, the owner of Finney's mommy, Daisy.  While at dinner Brittany asked if we were thinking of getting another dog since Duke has passed away.  I said "Hmmm not sure. I think Lisa would know that before we do!"  

Was I ever right! 

I had arranged for Finney to go to the Stockbridge Critter Sitters Day Care on Thursday while I went up to two of the grandkids school concerts during the day.  Since I would be gone for 8 hours, I thought Finney might like some company of other dogs at the daycare. He's been pretty lonely since Duke is gone.  It was his first time attending.

What I didn't know until the night before that Lisa just got in 3 dogs from Michigan needing placement in homes!  Hmmmmm  Well, I saw a pic of a little sweetheart and my heart jumped up in my throat!  I couldn't hold back the tears at my eyes as I showed the pic to Steve when he got home from work.  Then Lisa posted a video of the little girl so I could see her in action.  Little Debbie was needing us.  I could tell.

That was it.

I knew she had a really rough start living in a dump with a hoarder in Midland Michigan. Finney's mommy was from there too!  He was actually conceived while still in that "hell hole" inside of his tiny 6 month old Mommy, Daisy. After the place was raided and the shelties seized, then a tiny 8 month old little Daisy gave birth to a litter, of which one was Finnegan!

Here are some links of that horrible situation and all of the work that the rescue groups did to take care of all those malnourished mistreated shelties... 38 live dogs, 2 dead dogs, and soon many of the pregnant females had litters after the seizure!   And the horrid woman who did all this? She pleaded insanity to avoid the felony charges!

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/07/38_dogs_seized_2_found_dead_at.html

http://www.abc12.com/story/22943763/midland-co-woman-facing-animal-cruelty-charge-38-shelties-rescued-from-home

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/seized-shelties-on-the-road-to-recovery/article_8e4372ec-f603-11e2-afee-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/09/former_owner_pleading_not_guil.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/08/an_adoption_story_rescued_shel.html

http://fourleggedfriendsandenemies.blogspot.com/2013/07/midland-co-woman-facing-animal-cruelty.html

http://www.wnem.com/story/22943638/dozens-of-malnourished-dogs-seized-from-home

Well, now back to Little Debbie-----  when she was seized she was skin and bones and had positive heartworms. She then got good vet care by the Michigan Sheltie Rescue Groups, those saints with gold halos!  It took a long time, lots of vet care, and of course lots of money to help bring her around. She was about 1 year old at the time, and now is between 2-3.  Michigan Sheltie Rescue leader Carol S kept her safe and fostered her in her home all this while.  It was time now for Little Debbie to have a real home.  A Forever Home.

Our home.

Another kind volunteer, Ginny, and a friend of hers, drove all the way to Grand Rapids, MI to get three dogs to take back to Wisconsin.  The dogs arrived in the afternoon on Wednesday, after I had already made a playdate appointment for Finnegan for Thursday. I had no idea they were coming! But when I saw the photo of Little Debbie that night, I just could not wait for Finnegan to meet up with her the next day at his playdate, and see how they got along.

Finnegan got to spend the WHOLE day with her at the Critter Sitters, and they spent time together in a crate too while the other dogs were doing their fun stuff.  Some "bonding time" Lisa said!  LOL  She is a little lighter in color and standing in the back, Finney is laying down up front.

After the Grandtot's Christmas concerts were over up in Oconto (more about that in another blog) I rushed back down to Stockbridge Critter Sitters to see the result of Finney's play date.  YAYYYYY  they liked each other!   Steve was able to stop by too on his way home from work. So he got to snuggle her and cuddle her up.  Lisa was going to head out on errands, so we made a quick decision to host a "sleepover" at our house... nice and quiet and see how they get along.  Like a "fostering situation"

Well, I admit it. I am a Foster Failure!   I decided that this little girl was going to stay here FOREVER!   Steve cuddled her and played with Finney so he wouldn't be jealous.  She tenderly explored our house a room at a time.  Finney wanted her to romp and play, but she is just a bit timid yet.  She slept in her wire cage set up alongside Finney's bed, at the foot of our bed in the bedroom.  Not a peep out of her!  I looked down during the night and Finney's body was pressed tight to the wires on her cage, and she was laying tight to him from the inside, fur touching. Awwwwwwww  I think tonight she can sleep out of the cage.

By morning, we all three cuddled on the couch with our coffee, computer and watching the news... Steveio had to leave for an early doc appointment, but came back to snap this pic of the three of us!

Yup... it's official

She is now a part of our family! 

We are considering changing her name from Debbie to Binney....  many times we would say to Finnegan : "Finney Binney, but we don't know what a Binney is?"    Well, now I think we know! It's our new family member!

Binney: named for someone who lived on land enclosed by a bend in a river, from Old English binnan ea 'within the river', or a habitational name from places in Kent called Binney and Binny, which have this origin.Scottish: habitational name from Binney or Binniehill near Falkirk, name in Gaelic. 

Oil Change on the Motorhome and Chilton City of Lights Parade

Catching up on things that I meant to blog about....  since we were sick for so long, I really didn't feel like blogging much.  Now I have multiple topics to catch up on here.

First is the oil change and filter on the motorhome.  It needed to get done before we head out on a winter vacation, and best to be done while the weather is kinda sorta warm.  We picked up the oil on sale in large 5 gallon buckets, because our 3126 Cat diesel engine takes 28 quarts of oil!    Neither of us was feeling quite up to it, but a little warm snap was the most opportune time to "git er dun" ... so we did!

In preparation for the oil change, Steve saw this neat 2 piece funnel set at Menards for $3.00.  He figured the threads of the spout were the same size as the threads on the two buckets of oil that he purchased.  We took a chance and bought it and took it home.  Sure enough, the nozzle piece fit!

We had just driven home from staying the weekend up at Erin's house, so the oil was still warm.  That is the best time to drain it. Even though neither of us felt up to snuff, we knew it needed to be done. He drained the old oil out and he hauls it off for recycling, and then changed out the filter to a new one. We change the oil every year, even if we only put on 3,000-4,000 miles this past year.  Still good to change it.

Sure made an easier task by just holding up the bucket to pour it in, rather than dumping from the big bucket into smaller buckets to lift up and reach wayyy into the fill port. Less chance of contamination of moisture or dirl getting into it.  I was on hand to help guide the nozzle into the port without spilling a drop!  (and to take the pics once he got it pouring in)

ahhh liquid gold flowing in..... 

Good thing Steve is strong and can hold the big bucket up there until it's done draining into the engine. I could never do that.  I would be pouring out a quart at a time, or the most a gallon at a time?

Once he was done pouring in his calibrated 28 quarts, he started the motorhome up to let it circulate the oil through the system and checked the level to be sure.  Spot on.  But he will check it again once we hit the road.

At the same time he also ran our generator to exercise it and put a load on the output by starting up an electric heater inside. Set on high to draw a good load, and then he fired up a roof airconditioner at the same to draw more wattage.  Talk about contrast, heat and cold, but it kept the generator running with a load on which is good.  Good to do that and keep the copper windings and brushes from corrosion.  It's good to run it every month under a heavy load. Because we use our solar panels and battery bank so much, we didn't run our generator enough during the first few years that we owned the rig.  Without enough use, we had to do an expensive rotor rebuild.  Here is the blog post from that project:

Removing Rebuilding and Reinstalling an Onan Generator

Now the motorhome is ready to roll when our winter vacation time comes around.  Toss in some clothes, some food and the dog, and we can escape!

Next topic:
Saturday night our tiny town of Chilton, Wisconsin held a delightful event.  It was called the City of Lights Parade taking place in the evening.  We missed it last year because we were out of town for something. This year we made sure we were in town to catch it.  Waiting a few blocks from our house, we hung out on Main St. but didn't see much going on.  I did take a pretty pic of the lights on the little park in the city center...

After asking a few people and doublechecking the Chamber of Commerce website, we realized we were in the wrong place!  We found out the parade route was in the other direction and would be passing within 4 houses from our own house, on the corner of Grand and Madison!

We hoofed it on over and made it in plenty of time to watch the parade coming along ....  here is a video clip I made of the entire parade!  Yes, it's a small town, and it's a short parade. Pretty good for a town of less than 4,000 people.  The evening was full of cheer, good wishes, and Christmas Greetings from the parade people ..

If you don't want to watch the video clip, 

here are a few pics of the evening.... 

and most of all SANTA at the end of the parade! 

As we walked back home through the night, warmed by the love and joy from the event, we talked.  Talking about how much we enjoy this little town and all the spirit they show with three parades each year.  The Memorial Day parade passes right past our home.  The big Father's Day parade is quite large and we caught that down on the other corner.  And now this City of Lights Parade coming within 4 houses of our own home.  What luck!

The city workers had also come down our street this week to decorate the street lights.

This is the one right out in front by our own driveway... 

complete with pine garland, wreath, lights and a big ribbon! 

As we turned up our sidewalk, 

our own decorations were shining brightly into the night.

 The same evening as our City of Lights Parade, our son Dan and wife Heather and kids Allegra and Mason attended an event at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. It was a holiday themed light festival going on there too. Turns out they got to meet Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy!

Pretty cool eh?

Around Green Bay, that is like meeting up with some Hollywood Movie Star! 

Blogging During the Packer Game - Allegra's Birthday Party!

Sitting here tonight watching the Packer / Falcon game (winning!)  and thought I should start catching up on some blog posts.  I have about 5 or 6 things to write about, so I will work on them this week and do one subject per post.

We had a chance to get tickets to go to the Packer Game tonight.  But we passed on them and decided to stay inside and stay warm.  We are finally both at the end of our cold/flu bugs and starting to feel normal.  No sense chilling ourselves at an outdoor game for hours on end and getting sick all over again. 

Oh a quick shout-out to our RVing friends Mel and Paula. They are leaving tomorrow morning to head south after a few unexpected delays.  They have a Safari motorhome like ours, and we often camp together.  We hope to run into them somehwhere this winter while on vacation, either in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, who knows?  But I wanted to wish a "Safe Travels" blessing to them as they get ready to head on out.

I am sitting here all comfy and warm as the snow is falling outside.  We have a fire going in fireplace, and I think it is really helping our heat bill this year having it going.  It's a gas log insert we added this past spring, in place of the faux electric pretend one that was there in the tiled facade and hearth. It sure feels nice and comfortable.  Plus we don't have to keep hauling in logs to stoke it, or haul out the ashes in the morning.  Nice!

The flash kinda blinds out the flickering flames behind it...

This past weekend had a lot of events going on.  The first and foremost was the FIVE YEAR OLD birthday party for our granddaughter Allegra!  Wow.. hard to believe she is five years old. I know everyone says that.  But for some reason I keep thinking of the day she came into the world, and waiting at the hospital while I was knitting pair after pair of baby booties! 

I like doing homemade gifts for the kids if I can.  This year I am making each child a quilt and matching sheet set for their twin beds.  For Jameson's birthday in July I did the Minecraft theme.  For Allegra I chose a sheet set of the Frozen theme from Disney, which all the little kids seem to love right now.  I remove the flat sheet from the set, add a thick batting and backing fabric---- and made it into a tied quilt!  

Most kids don't ever sleep with a top sheet, so by making the top sheet into a comfy quilt, they can get all snuggly at night, but one good flick of it and their bed is made in the morning!  Easy Peasy!!!

We drove on up to her party at noon in their home in Green Bay.  All of the family was gathered around as we ate "Macaroni and Trees" (mac n cheese with broccoli)  and all the trimmings for a birthday lunch.  I brought a crockpot of little sausage links in grape jelly/BBQ sauce to add to the meal.  The kids just love the "Little Weiners"   haha. 

I love it when all the little grandkids can get together. We were missing Jameson, as he was at his other grandma's house for his daddy's birthday.  But we will see him in a few weeks for Christmas!

It's so cute to see them huddling and playing and making up their own games.  They sure can get creative! It was nice to see them include the two 2-year-old little brothers.  I was eavesdropping on them from time to time to make sure they were playing good and fair.  And they were, making sure to include the little guys in their antics and pretend world.  Soooo sweet.

I also let Chelsea and Allegra take turns walking around with my camera and had them taking pics for me.  Oh boy some of the shots they took were sooooo silly.  Like---- a picture of the refrigerator?  The lamp?  The cabinet doors?  Not to mention the camera shots of each adult at the party, aiming right up their noses and including open mouths while eating or laughing.  Soooo I won't publish any of those.

It was present opening time, and Allegra had a whole stack of lovely wrapped gifts to open.  She plowed her way through the pile, gift after gift to rip open and squeal about.  After opening each one, she politely thanked the giver and delivered a special hug to each and every one as she said "thank you"...  her parents are teaching her right!

She opened a few other smaller presents from us, and then the BIG BOX.... Here she is whipping open the quilt and tossing it up in the air!  WHEEEEEEE!!!!

Her little brother had an eagle eye on that box!  He promptly climbed in and commandeered it for himself! Give a kid a box and they are happy for hours!

Soon it was time for the Happy Birthday serenade over the ice cream cake! 

What a pretty looking girl, surrounded by her family and friends on her special day. 

I happened to make a little video clip of the song too! 

The grandkids got all sugared up on the ice cream cake, and soon were bouncing off the walls!  While the grownups tried to talk and visit, the kids were zooming around and having a wonderful gleeful screechingly good time.

I THINK MASON'S SHIRT

SAYS IT ALL!!!