Hey Mom...

...WHEN will Santa BE here?

*sigh* Even little kitties just can't wait...

Henry's Big Adventure

Fur Baby Friday

The 3 sweeties shown here, who allow the 4 humans to co exist with them at Rabbit Run Cottage, send love to all of you...

And the humans, never to be outdone (outwitted yes, outsmarted you betcha, outdone, NEVER) by their fur babies, wish each one of you a sweet weekend with those you love.

Love and Hugs,

Kipper, Lucy, Henry,

Grace, Dan, Bill and

ol' Susie Q

Fun Foto Friday

Stop Laughing Mommy! The Olympic Gymnasts Made It All Look So Easy!

Now, How Do I Get Outta This....A Little Help Please!

A Cat's Guide To Good Health

Eat Your Veggies Everyday!

This And That And Brian Dennehy

I want to apologize for not being able to visit as much this week. This will be one of those hectic ones I am afraid! Grace and I did not get home until after 7 tonight...art club and sewing class on Mondays. Tomorrow evening I have a board meeting at church (I know, I know, I volunteered. What was *I* thinking! But what were THEY thinking? They asked ME to be secretary!) and Wednesday we are going to see the Hannah Montana concert/movie. Grace decided tonight that she MUST see it since "everyone I know is going Mom! Pleeeeaaaaassssseeee?" Heaven forbid she be the only 10 year old NOT to see it. Oh the shame. The horror. The senseless embarrassment. And my sweet, little nephew has been SO ill with a stomach virus. He is just now beginning to mend and my sis in law has come down with the same thing. If you think about it, I would so appreciate a quick prayer that they all recover soon. Speaking of prayers, I want to warmly thank our dear Gretchen for her sweet messages and constant prayer on behalf of our military friends, The Burrells. You may remember when I asked that prayers be said on behalf of Chris. He has been at Walter Reed for several weeks now, being treated for wounds received in Iraq. You can send Chris a message or see some recent family pictures by visiting his space on Caring Bridge. Chris is experiencing horrendous phantom pains (His left leg was amputated) and they were so strong yesterday that he missed watching the Super Bowl. His precious Mom, sweet Debbie, has never left his side. She is still sleeping in his room and has been his constant companion since he arrived back stateside. His Dad Mike is never far away and his brother and sister come as often as they can. He gets many visits from friends and family and a few celebrities as well. These have included football and baseball players, the Secretary of State and a few Generals thrown in for good measure! Just recently Chris was visited by singer Stevie Nicks, actor Jeff Daniels and actor Jon Voight. I am sure these visits were a great diversion from physical therapy and discomfort. My busy days aside, I have had a terrible time getting ON the computer since our Henry has decided it is THE place to sleep. Uh huh. The keyboard makes an excellent mattress. Good for the back (or, in HIS case, the tummy) don'tcha know.

Henry? Get off please...

Are you listening to me Henry?

Oooh...don't you turn away when I am speaking to you Henry...

One last note...I just saw this auction on ebay. A vintage movie wardrobe place has a uniform shirt worn by one Mr. Dennehy. It's from a television film and yes. I want it. I crave it. It is one of the only things I do not have for my collection...an actual piece of *clothing* wardrobe. I have a watch and two lapel pins but no clothing. As you can guess, I was pretty excited until my husband gave me that, "Are you out of your living, loving mind Susie?" look. Sheesh...after all, it is ONLY $300.00. I just do not understand this man at all. Hmpf. I wonder if he has anything I can pilfer and sell on ebay....oh. You don't think that is such a great idea? Aw, not YOU too! Gee whiz...okay. Let's see how much change is in the jar...1,2,5 pennies...3 nickels...OOH! There's a quarter...that makes 45 cents right? Getting closer to that $300 all the time!

auction on ebay I will be visiting everyone this week I promise. Please know I think of you all and send lots of love and hugs. I hope your week is filled with smiles! Susie Q

Measure Twice And...

Huh? Who's hat? Has Santa been by already? Checking on Grace to see if she has been ever so good? Ohhh...he is measuring the fireplace surround to see if he can get Brian D. down the chimney! Good going Santa! Of course, since it is a Gas fireplace, getting down the non- existent chimney will be a feat in itself. But I digress... I just wanted to show off my Christmas cluttered mantel before Henry had a chance to destroy it. Hmm...it would seem that he has taken a liking to the objects on said mantel and is doing his best to bring each one, a little at a time, down to his level. Oh Henry...now. Where did I put that water pistol?

Sweet Surprises, Silliness and Tradition

Now, ahem. Henry. Oh, our Henry is quite the pill. Our youngest member of the family is a real character. At just one and a half years old, he is the reason that our biggest tree is not yet in place. Just ask each of the smaller trees why! They will be glad to tell you. I set Mr. Claus down the other day and Henry Fonda Higgins Ford Fred Mertz C.... (Yes, I do go a bit overboard with pet names. Just ask our Lucy Eleanor Moderatz McGillicuddy Ricardo McFadden C....) decided to give the poor old man what for. For what was this what for? I have no idea. Perhaps Henry was upset about his gift last year. He wanted to make sure the jolly old elf knew exactly what he wanted THIS year! Around here, it just is not Christmas unless the Zink family says so! This wonderful old barn overlooks a section of a local highway on land owned by Dr. Zink, a retired dentist. The barn holds sweet sheep and a llama and, during the holidays, this sign. The family has been doing this for years and, although Dr. Zink is unable to do it anymore, his family continues the tradition. Several newspaper articles have been written about this tradition and how sad the area folks would be NOT to have it. I love it and am so grateful to the Zink family for this treat every year. Merry Christmas Zinks!

Dear Andi sent me the sweetest package this week. I was so surprised and just tickled with the treasures inside! I don't seem to have a picture of the cutest blown glass mittens, all in blue and white, but I will show them when I post all the pictures of the house. Isn't this just wonderful? I had nothing quite like it in my Royal collection so I am thrilled! Bok Tower was a special place for us when we lived in Florida so I love this art postcard. And this calendar...now how did our Andi know I love New York City? Hmm...? Mary Englebreit is another favorite of mine. Do you think that our Andi knows me well? These soaps smell as sweet as they look. As I was placing them in a dish, Kipper decided to taste one. He took a quick lick and looked at me as if to say, "Thanks but no thanks Mom!" I guess he thought that anything that smelled so good had to be tasty... Thank you dear Andi! I can not express what is in my heart in words. You made my week!

Love and Hugs, Susie Q

And The Birthdays Keep On A Comin'...

Just when you think we could not possibly have anything left to celebrate, here we go again... Today was Henry's 1st birthday! He received several fuzzy mice, treats and lots of tummy rubs. Grace had us slice off some cake from her left overs and treat our 3 fur kids. Lucy LOVED her small piece, Kipper swallowed his larger piece in one doggie sized gulp and Henry nibbled a tiny bit, meowed his ever so polite thank yous and promptly fell asleep on the couch. These endless parties do tend to wear a guy out...

Miss Grace felt that the birthday boy needed a proper crown to wear. Henry is heard praying that this embarrassing picture does not get out on the Internet....oops! Too late!

He needed a little help blowing out his candle...