So far so good...

Bad blogger...I've been busy and neglected my blogging... sorry!

On the no spending front things are going well. It helps to just stay home. I'm not much of an internet shopper so the web is a pretty safe place for me. I love to browse Etsy though. It's full of wonderful goodies. I love to see what other people are creating and get ideas for things I can do with what I have.

A few  weekends (maybe 3?) ago we had our first snow. Hubby and I stayed in our PJ's almost the entire time. I worked on my snowflakes (more on that later), made a pumpkin pie from scratch (I baked a real pumpkin first!) and generally just puttered around.

It was wonderful. Home is the best place in all the world. The only thing missing is my Sailor but he's off making us proud by spreading his wings. We just miss him a lot.
The Pumpkin Pie recipe I used was from Window on the Prairie. I had to cook mine longer than the time suggested (maybe 15- 20 mins or so before the toothpick stuck in would come out clean) and then pray it would set up a bit firmer. Maybe I should have used another egg? I'm not real sure what the consistency should have been when I started. Mine was pretty runny! Once refrigerated it was great though! I used fresh nutmeg that my mother in law gave me and seriously.... wow... I think it was awesome! I've never made a pie crust from scratch and it shrunk up a bit, but it still tasted good. I need some practice with crust making. I'm a long way from being good at it! We topped it with homemade whipped cream, too!

I've found it really neat to have heavy cream on hand in the fridge. It's useful in a lot of things from creamy soups and sauces to desserts. I'm really excited about learning for myself what staples I should have in my pantry at all times. It's good to know what I'll actually use.

Being frugal and choosing to spend my money thoughtfully is very interesting and fun to me. Hey, I'm a Virgo, we get excited about these kinds of things! It feels good to save instead of feeling guilty for buying something I don't really need in the first place. How old am I? Better late than never, right?

Snowflakes!  I decided to just hot glue them onto a canvas I had laying round. They look cuter in person I think! I feel like it needs something else. I had wanted to write or paint the words let it snow on the canvas but I got scared and decided not to do it for fear of completely wrecking it. So... I left it alone.

It's hanging above my bathroom toilet... I spared you that vision! ;)

Just say NO!

While my snowflake craft project continues to dry.... it's taking forever... let's talk about Shopping.Or rather, not shopping. I have just begun my No Spending for One Year journey but it actually feels really great! I think I'm making strides and I've figured out a few things. Not really anything we haven't heard before... but worth sharing to give you pause to think.

It's really made me notice how much advertising there is on TV. It's even on crafty blogs I like to read. Everyone is trying to convince me to buy something, most often because they get a kickback for the referral or something. They get a free product and then try to convince others that they need it. It's usually quite subtle but it plays on our emotions as women who like to buy to be like the people we admire.

But no more... not for me!  I'm just saying NO! NO! NO! NO! I do not want that thing! I do not need that thing! That thing does not fit into my ultimate goal to simplify my life and it definitely will not make me feel good in the long run.

Hubby and I watched Confessions of a Shopaholic on Netflix (30 day free trial!) this weekend. It was cute... but again... a reminder of why buying without purpose is a very bad thing. That initial high of finding a good deal is almost always followed by some guilt if the item was purchased impulsively and that adds more stress... which is what we are trying to avoid in the first place. It's NOT helping... no matter how much you try to convince yourself it is. It's not!

There's no question why we end up with such large donate piles when we finally decide we have too much stuff. It's sad really. Why didn't we just say no and not buy that thing in the first place. Basically, we buy something to "store" in our home because we might need it someday. Someday never comes and we never really need it... and then we figure out that we have WAY TOO MANY someday items and they've got to go.

Think of all the money you spent on things you didn't really need that you ended up giving away. Wouldn't it be nice to have that money in your savings account waiting to be used on something you really need? 

Here are some questions to ask yourself before you buy something:

• Is this something I really need?
• Do I already own something that could serve the same purpose? 
• Can I borrow one or make one instead of buying this new? 
• Will it serve more than one purpose? 
• Is it made well enough to last a useful length of time?
• Will it be easy to maintain?
• Where will I put it?

♥Don't go to the store without a purpose and a list. Stick to your list!

♥Don't be influenced by what others have. You're special even if you don't have the latest mascara. 

♥Live within your means and stick to your budget. 

♥Save money for a rainy day.

♥Always remember how hard you worked to earn that dollar and then decide if you really want to spend it on something that you'll just end up giving away in a year.

Ladies, Just say NO!

Get your Craft On! Snowflake Banner

Photo Courtesy  http://www.mycutestamps.com

I found this really gorgeous snowflake banner while surfing blogs last evening.

You can find the tutorial here:  Snowflake Banner Tutorial

I'm definitely going to try this out. I bet you could use whatever white or winter themed printed fabrics you have in your stash, maybe doubling them up for thickness and machine or hand stitching them together.  I can even imagine a cute paper garland and using beads and glitter for more embellishment.

The options for this craft are endless. If you don't want to make the banner, what other crafts can you think of using the snowflake templates? Use your imagination and the supplies you have on hand. Try not to buy anything for this craft. Be frugal and use what you have!!

I'll post what I come up with on Monday, November 15th. So get your craft on and share what you create with me on Monday!

Veteran's Day

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

Thank you to all the men and women in uniform who have so proudly and courageously served our great nation. Thank you to those currently serving! Freedom is not free and we appreciate your great sacrifices.

Kitchen Keeping

A girl can dream...

Of all the rooms in your home, the kitchen is the one that needs to be the most well kept. For many families, it's the heart of the home and very often it's the place where visitors seem to always gather as well.

My kitchen is not big, but should provide ample storage; if I can figure out how to utilize the space it offers! My kitchen is very much still a work in progress but here are some of the organization ideas I'm trying to incorporate (or already have) into my design for my well kept kitchen. Maybe they'll help you, too!

Arrange your kitchen so that you keep items near where they will be used. Keep your baking supplies near your mixer. Storage bowls and plastic wraps and baggies are great to have near the refrigerator. Cooking utensils are best near the stove. Cupboard storage for everyday dishes and glassware should be close to the dishwasher.

If you have to have a junk drawer, know what's in it and keep it tidy. Use dividers or bins to keep like items together. Having a home for everything is the best way to make sure it gets put back in its place after it's used. Never just toss a handful of misc items in a drawer and tell yourself you'll deal with them later. Later is like "someday" it doesn't come around often and when it does, you're likely to be stressed about all the stuff on your later list! Not good... and not helping our goal of leading a simpler life.

Make the most of the shelf space available to you. I switched over to glass storage bowls with lids and eliminated my plastic ones. We don't often need the plastic containers and they were always cluttering up the space I kept them in. Plus they aren't that convenient because you can't use them in the microwave.

Try to pare down the amount of gadgets you have in your cooking arsenal. If you have never used that juice squeezer, why are you keeping it? If you have a small herd of rubber spatulas think about if you really need them all. I had  six and I always use the same two, so I donated the others to Goodwill. They extras were just junking up my space.

One way I got control of my gadgets was to purchase a hanging rack for the wall. I love to see all the shiny chrome "jewelry" hanging from it and it helped to free up tons of drawer space. These are my go to tools and they are right at my fingertips! It works great.

Hubby installed a pot rack for me and that has helped a lot as well. We love it. Again, it freed up cupboard space for things like bakeware, which was toppling over and crammed into the previously shared space.

I also have a glass holders mounted under my cabinet for some of my stemmed pieces. I like the way it looks and it's functional, too.

Keep your countertops as clutter free as possible. I can't stress this enough! Only keep out what you need to use on a regular basis and find a suitable permanent home for the rest. You'll feel much better when you walk into the kitchen to prepare a meal and don't have to fight for counter space to do it. Plus, it's easier to keep you counters wiped off if there isn't as much to move around.

Spice storage is a HUGE problem for me. This is an area that I haven't figured out a solution. But I will. My kitchen won't be the organized heart of my home until I do. If you have an idea for me... that's free... let me know! Remember my now spending pledge!

Don't buy more food that you can reasonably use and store. Believe me, I was an avid couponer and at one time I had so much extra food that I had to put more shelves under the stairs to store it all. I thought it was great to find good deals, but I often forgot about what I had down there and I'm ashamed to say I had to throw some of it out. I'm slowly going through it and using up the canned goods now and it actually feels great to have less.

If you have an extra food storage spot, keep an inventory of it so you know what you have on hand. It may seem like extra work at first, but if you do it you'll avoid being wasteful and will actually use what you have. Which is the point of having it in the first place, right?

I've done a lot to make my kitchen more user friendly and I know I'm getting closer to my goal. However; I still have to store my bread machine and crock pot in the basement under the stairs which is not ideal. I use them less because they are not convenient. Likewise with my good china. I would like to use it more often. Even if it is just hubby and I we can use the good plates and glasses, what am I saving them for?

So I'll keep going and I will get it just right. Rome wasn't built in a day!

How's your kitchen coming along?

Buy More, Have More, Act Now & Get One Free!

Clutter... there is no way to make it pretty!

We live in a society that seems to think more is better: more toys, more food, more money, more cars, more collections, more everything! My husband and I laugh every time we see a new mascara commercial on TV. Half the time the models have on fake eyelashes and the advertisers must think we are idiots. Is it that much better than the previous version? I doubt it otherwise the models wouldn't have on fake eyelashes! Will it make your eyelashes look like the models? I am SURE it won't... but apparently someone is buying the stuff! It's amazing the things we spend money on! I bet the average girl has so many mascara's in her makeup collection... along with those lipsticks that looked great in the package but are just not the right color in real life! (ummm... just sayin'... cause maybe I resemble that person!)

Somewhere along the line, you have to step back and ask yourself if all the buying has enhanced your life or if it has directly or indirectly lead to decreased joy in your life. For me, it's been the latter.

I love to find a good deal! I mean... I REALLY LOVE IT! It's like a drug. It's fun and I enjoy dreaming up ways to use all my good deals. I'm full of crafty ideas and I love to run out and buy supplies to create... only to never get around to actually crafting. I have a CLOSET full of craft supplies: fabrics, scrapbook papers and embellishments, ribbons, floss for needle crafts in every color of the rainbow! It goes on and on... yet I haven't even finished the cross stitch I started for Kristofer when he was born. Umm...  he's 18 now... and a Sailor in the US Navy. The Harry Potter quilt I started for him when he was about 10 is still not done. Yet I buy more. Therein lies the problem.

I'm not a depressed or unhappy person but I am very anxious and unsettled a lot. I always have trouble relaxing. I finally realized that by not having my home the way I dream it to be I am setting myself up for a never ending cycle of being on edge! I cover up my angst by shopping for more things and daydreaming up crafts... which just makes it worse. So I've decided to get down to business and make changes.

What I really want is a clean and organized home! I don't want to feel overwhelmed anymore. I don't want my mind cluttered with To Do lists of things I should be doing. The first step in learning to control the clutter in my (and yours!) home is to NOT BRING MORE IN! Whew... I said it! Admitting the problem is the first step. Right?

My new rules:

• Do not buy something on impulse just because it's a good deal.
• Know exactly where you will put the item.
• Be realistic about how much space you have to store things.

Now that I have a No Spending For One Year Goal, I am in a perfect position to NOT BRING MORE IN!
So that leaves me with... you guessed it... all the stuff I have left.


Books:  It's free to utilize your local library, so curb your book buying buy borrowing the book first if you can. See if you really like it. If you do, then buy it. But be sure it's a book that you'll want to look at again and again. Otherwise, it's just taking up space, causing more clutter and taking you more time to dust around it.

I cleaned out my books and took a bag full to Half Price Books. I earned $10. It felt really good to clear out the space and make some money, too!

Holiday Decorations: This is the perfect time of year to start thinking about cleaning out those bins. My plan is to start my Christmas decorating a little early this year and make a serious dent in paring them down. Every year I pick through the stuff and skip over the same old items. This year... I will get rid of them instead of just stuffing them back in the bin and hiding them away. Avoidance just prolongs the pain! Clean the stuff out and donate what you don't use.


Clothes: Clean out your closets! You know you're not going to wear some things. They are the things you skip past every single day. Just get rid of them. Don't look back. If you buy something new, donate something you don't wear any longer.

Kitchen Supplies: I had about 10 knives taking up space in one of my kitchen drawers that I rarely use. I have 3 knives that I use all the time. They are my favorites. The others only got used when the faves were dirty and I was too tired busy lazy preoccupied to wash them. Tupperware... what a mess that can become! I switched over to glass containers recently and I love them. I am getting rid of the other plastic stuff. It's really not all that safe and doesn't work in the microwave... so why keep it? I'm not... buh bye plastic storage that I usually melt the lids for in the dishwasher anyway! Keep what you use, donate the rest. Just do it!

In general, here's what I'm doing to gain control over my clutter.

Decide where the item needs to go. This can mean it needs to be donated, it needs to find a permanent home in the kitchen, whatever... but decide and get it there. Don't set it aside to think about it. It's not rocket science and doesn't solve any world hunger problems. I know I have a habit of making piles that I will get to "someday". Someday doesn't come often... like almost never. OK, never. It never comes. Keep it simple and don't stress over it. Make a decision and move to the next thing.


Keep going until it's done. Don't take on a big task if you only have 15 minutes. Choose your tasks based on the time you have so you don't get discouraged.

Don't just hide things in closets and in junk drawers. Those are valuable spaces. Make them as neat and tidy as possible.  This becomes a lot easier when you have less stuff.

Keep only those things that you love. I can't stress this enough. Just because you got something for free or just because you paid a lot for it, if it doesn't give you warm fuzzies... let it go! Learn to not accept or take freebies if you don't really need them and always spend your money wisely to avoid being in this position in the first place. As Tim Gunn, from Project Runway (Love you Tim!!!) would say, "Choose thoughtfully... such great advice!

Tomorrow, let's talk in more detail about Kitchens... and spice storage! I need HELP with spice storage!

What Makes a Welcoming Home?

Have you ever looked around your home and asked yourself the question "What Makes a Welcoming Home?"

We all have and idea of what a welcoming home would feel like to us, but often we don't know how to get there. Some days we think we are on the right path and others we fall miserably behind.

Piles of laundry, stacks of paperwork needing filed and dust bunnies in corners all steal from us that special feeling we want to have when we enter our home. It's hard for me to relax when I know there are messes that I should clean up. Instead of feeling calm and at peace in my home, I often feel agitated and nervous. This is not at all the welcoming effect I want to have for myself or for my guests.

In the book, Simple Country Wisdom, the author shares 7 attributes that help to make a welcoming home: Harmony, Cleanliness, Efficiency, Self-Reliance, Generosity, Personality and Joy. These are the starting points I'm going to use to help me achieve more balance, simplicity and calmness in my home and in my life. It's seems a little silly to have to be told these things. In fact we really already know them in our hearts, but as I mentioned before, it's nice to have some direction and a plan on how to make something happen. Of course these are just ideas and our homes are deeply personal to each of us. Do what you love and use those ideas that work for you.

Harmony- "No room should be an island." This is something I'm already pretty good at achieving. It's my personality to choose a color scheme and style and stick with it throughout my split entry home. The upstairs is decorated in a brighter and airier way (more windows) than the basement which is a bit more dark and "cozy." I like to have a monochromatic base and then be able to change my accessories on a whim to whatever colors I like for that season. (Or in my case seasons because I don't change my color scheme that often.)

Also, furniture and accessories should be appropriate for the space. Lighting should be adequate for reading areas. There needs to be a flow from room to room. That helps provide a sense of calmness and we all need that in our lives!


Cleanliness- Your home should be a refuge from the stresses of the world. It should be a place to unwind, relax, spend time with loved ones and enjoy interests and hobbies. A home that's dirty or cluttered will hinder you from those activities. Learning to keep your house clean and uncluttered is a major key to having a welcoming home.

Efficiency- "An efficient home is one that runs smoothly and doesn't get in the way of the people who live there." Rooms need to be planned for the uses of the family who lives in them. Learning what needs to be done to keep a room efficient and sticking to the plan is the goal.

Don't be wasteful. Choose items you bring into your home with great care and treat those items as treasures.

Self-Reliance- "Households that preserve the do-it-for-ourselves tradition seem to be happier, livelier, and more interesting places to be." Turn off the TV and do something. Try making your own bread, homemade pizza or learn a craft. It's very rewarding to learn new things.

Generosity- A home must be comfortable to feel welcoming. Having too many museum pieces in your home that nobody can use will make it feel stuffy and very unfriendly. Real estate is expensive. You paid a lot for that living room and should use it more often than just when company comes for the holidays. Staged rooms are not comfy! Having comfortable spaces makes welcoming others into your home much easier.

Personality- Infuse your tastes and interests into your home. Display collections tastefully while avoiding a cluttered look. Your home should be a personal reflection of who you are. Themes are great, but don't go overboard. Just because you love to go to the beach, having a tiki hut in your living room is a bit too much. (Unless you are a college student!)

Joy- Celebrate the seasons. Little touches like scented candles, throws and pillows can make a big difference in how a room feels. An inexpensive bouquet of fresh flowers adds a touch of life to a room. Surround yourself with things that make you happy and eliminate those that don't.

Together, these attributes help to make a welcoming home and are the building blocks I will use in my quest for a more simple life.

Join me Monday for thoughts about CLUTTER control. This is going to be my starting point to achieve simplicity and create a welcoming home.

Simple Country Wisdom - Ideas to Simplify Your Life

I found another great book at the library! I think this is the perfect book to guide me through the process of finding simplicity in my life. I'm a Virgo... and a list maker... and I love having a "plan" for things. I'm sure I could do this on my own... but I find following a blueprint of sorts to be fun and easier than trying to think it all up on my own. I love books.

Here's the description from Amazon.com.

"Is modern life becoming too complicated and messy? Top-selling author Susan Waggoner is here to simplify it all. She shows how anyone can enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle filled with traditional country values—and save time, money, work, and frustration in the process—with household hints our foremothers knew well.

This ingenious and fun-to-read illustrated handbook presents tried-and-true household hints and practical solutions to everyday problems. And the superb organization—covering such topics as “Clutter Control,” “Better Living Through Baking,” and “In the Garden”—makes it easy to find the information you need. Whether it’s a no-scrub trick to make bathroom faucets gleam or advice on growing a garden guaranteed to attract birds and butterflies, Country Living Simple Country Wisdom is the key to creating a home that’s cheerful, welcoming, and warm."

 The first chapter is  "What Makes a Welcoming Home?" I'm going to read this chapter tonight.

Join me tomorrow for my thoughts.

Voting Day!

As a former US Navy Sailor, the wife of a former US Navy Sailor, the granddaughter of a WWII US Navy Sailor and the very proud parent of an Active Duty US Navy Sailor, I think voting is important. It's not something we should ever take for granted. Many precious lives have been lost to protect our freedom. So just do it!

Why I ♥ my local Library

Despite my love of surfing blogs in cyberspace, there's nothing quite like the fun of getting all cozy and settling in with a good book or magazine. But since a shopping trip to Barnes & Noble to buy 'till my hearts content {see rule #3} isn't an option, I'm going to have to once again make friends with my local library. It is, after all, free to check out books and FREE is what it's all about these days for this girl.

Well... let me clarify...it's ALMOST free. Ya see... my library implemented a plan over a year ago whereby a late fee of $.25 accrues DAILY on all non-juvenile books kept past their due date. I like to check out stacks of books and magazines at a time and I sometimes forget when they are due. Ah hem.... which means I have, on occasion, racked up some fines. So... in order to square up my situation with the library (my on again BFF) I paid my late fees of $14.20 that I accidentally accrued over a year ago. (FYI...They don't stop you from checking out books... but kindly remind you that you have to pay up... once it's been a year or so. Don't judge.) 


Once again in Miss Library's good graces, I felt compelled to check out some books and magazines. {Note to self: RETURN ON TIME!}

The list of books is as follows:

Shaker: Life, Work and Art - June Sprigg & David Larkin
Amy's Bread - Amy Scherber 
MaryJane's Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook - Maryjane Butters
Better Homes and Gardens 2001 Cross Stitch Designs
Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style
Simple Hospitality - Jane Jarrell
Crafts from Salt Dough - Audrey Gessat
The Simple Life - Larry Roth

Plus a whole handful of magazines: Quilting Ideas, Paper Crafts, etc.

I can't wait to dig in to these books. I can hear them calling my name! Check back in the days to come to see what I learn from these good reads!

My Year without Spending

OK... I've seen it done before and now I think it's my turn to limit my spending for next 365 days.

I started a few days ago... but have decided to go ahead and blog my progress. I think it will be fun to have a record of it... plus it will keep me accountable and less inclined to waver from the goal! This is a challenge for me and doesn't necessarily apply to my hubby... but by default he'll be impacted as well. Kristofer said he's glad he left the nest and gets his own paycheck now so he doesn't have to be a part of my experiment! LOL!

My Year without Spending ~ October 25, 2010 - October 24, 2011

Dana's Official Rules:

1. Buy no new clothes for one year. Use up my fabric stash and make some new things!
2. No fast food – It’s not good for me anyway.
3. Read favorite magazines at the library.
4. Purchase only ingredients for meals, no processed foods; make meals from scratch if possible.
5. Plan meals and shopping lists – only purchase what is on the list.
6. Give handmade gifts for holidays, birthdays, etc.
7. Spend time completing the many unfinished projects I have without purchasing anything new.
8. “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without” ~Katy Wolk-Stanley

Wish me luck! ;)

Twig Wreath

From a pile of tree trimmings to this... not bad, right?



It was simple. I just chose a long stick and formed it into a circle and secured it with a piece of wire. Then I added little bunches of twigs around in the circle secured with more wire. I found the green dogwood flowers at Target on a very long stem and just cut them off and tucked them into it. So for $8.00 I have a new wreath for over my bed. :)

Hugs,
Dana

Sometimes I find out about things late...

Like this fabric, for instance. I love it... but there's not much of it around at my local quilt shops anymore. I think other people loved it, too.



Anyhow, I did get my little hands on on Jelly Roll. She is all mine... mine all mine. She will, one day soon, have a happy spot on my bed as a comfy, cozy quilt. I just have to decide on the design for my quilt blocks and I'll be off and running or sewing... ;)

I have a few projects going at the moment that I can't wait to share. I saw this amazing chandelier redo and I hopped into the car just as soon as I could to snap up the 2 unloved fixtures I saw the day before at the thrift store. Phew! They were still there! Yippee for me! So something along along those lines in the works.

Also, a twig wreath for my bedroom inspired by the pile of branches my husband made from pruning various shrubs and trees in my yard.

Check back for the fun!

Hugs,
Dana

I don't care what anyone says...

I like Vienna... yay, Vienna! :)


and I don't like Ali.


Why, oh why, is she the next Bachelorette??? I guess they figured she'd bring more drama than the sweet, but boring, Tenley. But still... it might be tough to watch the mean-spirited, fake Ali. I'm on the fence about whether or not I'll watch. Guess time will tell.

Hugs,
Dana

Happy Monday!

Or this one...




There are lots of neat ones on You Tube! So fun!

Welcome Home Izzy!

Meet Izzy... our new fur baby. The above photo was posted on Minnesota Sheltie Rescue. How could I possibly resist? I mean, really, is she not just adorable?

This beautiful little girl was abandoned at a farm and forced to fend for herself. I can't imagine the kind of person(s) who would do such a thing. So incredibly sad.

Her given name in rescue was Liza, but her foster mom called her Izzy and we liked that, too. So we call her Izzy, Izzy Belle, Liza, Liza Belle, Izzyboo, Princess Izzy... ok, you see where I'm going with this. ;)

Here's here profile...

Liza

Liza came into rescue in rough shape. Her coat was badly matted, and she even had a wire tangled in the mats. But after some TLC and some much needed veterinary care, she looks great, feels even better, and is ready to meet her forever family. She’s cute as can be and social, and a real charmer! She will quickly draw you in with her adorable face and delightful personality.

AGE/SEX: 4-6 years, female
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 16" and 24 lbs.
TEMPERAMENT: Liza is a friendly gal who likes people and will greet you with her little tail wagging. If approached too quickly, she will move away but if left to greet people on her own, she warms right up. She likes to sit near people and watch them closely. Liza enjoys attention and petting, and looks forward to a home of her own where she will have plenty of both.
FENCE: Preferred for her safety, as she does have a herding instinct and Shelties are a flight risk. We may consider a home without a fence, but only if the family is committed to always keeping her on a leash for her lifetime.
OTHER DOGS: Yes, but she prefers they stay put quietly :). If they move around or bark, her herding instinct shows through and she wants to control their behavior, which can result in scuffles. She really shows no interest in playing with the other dogs in her foster home. Liza enjoys attention and would like to be the only dog in her forever home so she can soak up all the love she deserves.
CATS: Liza gets along with cats and is respectful of them.
LEASH MANNERS: Liza walks well on a leash without pulling, and is a nice walking companion.
HOUSETRAINED: Liza is housetrained and has had no potty accidents in her foster home.
CRATE TRAINED: Liza loves her crate, though will bark initially when we leave the house.
OBEDIENCE TRAINING: No formal training at this time. Liza responds to sit and lie down on command. She is smart and would do well with positive training methods, either at home or in a formal setting. Minnesota Sheltie Rescue can provide class recommendations.
KIDS: Unknown-no kids in her foster home. We think she would do well with older, respectful children.
CAR RIDES: Liza rides beautifully in the car in her crate.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Liza has a relatively low energy level, preferring to relax in the house and in her fenced in yard, watching the activity going on around her. She does get excited and bark occasionally. She likes to chew on bones but doesn’t play with toys or balls.
BARKING: Low for a sheltie. Liza will bark when we first leave the house and if something exciting is going on outside the window.
HEALTH ISSUES: Liza had an abscessed tooth removed, has been treated for an ear infection, and completed treatment for Lyme disease when she came into rescue. Though she tested positive for Lyme, she showed no signs, and most dogs never have any related health issues. No other known health issues.
Liza is a very sweet and affectionate girl, and a very easy dog to have around. She is just a delight, and will make a special person very happy!

We went down to Rochester, MN to meet her and it was love at first site. She is so calm and just a bit shy, but she warms up and really likes attention and pets. Her foster mom, Donlie, was WONDERFUL and we could tell that Izzy really loved her and felt safe with her. It was hard to take her away, but we know we will love her so very much and she will love us, too.

She was chauffeured to her forever home (with us!) yesterday evening by a very caring and sweet MNSR representative, Susan. They are truly a wonderful organization and want to find the best homes for the Shelties in their care. We are blessed to have been given this gift!

We were all a bit nervous. After all she has been through, we didn't want to stress her out more than necessary so we sort of let her do her own thing... but I couldn't keep my hands off her. I just wanted to snuggle her and kiss her and eat her all up. Scotty had a card game to go to that he had committed to before we knew we'd get her so he had to leave. Kristofer was spending the night at his friends house (he drove there himself! -OMG!) so it was just me, Izzy and Sundae kitty.

I fed her her dinner at 6PM and then we went out for a potty. She's so SMART. She's perfect on the leash and didn't hesitate at all. Just did her thing and then wanted to go back in. Poor little sweetie... I think she had enough outdoors time being a stray. :(

We came in and snuggled a bit and stared at each other. She enjoyed being under the dining room chairs where she could see what was going on but be cautious, too. She'd wander out and look at me and I'd call her and she'd come. She even jumped up into my lap where I got to hold her and get kisses. I just wanted to cry. It was WONDERFUL!

About 8 PM she finally settled into her crate. Her foster mom sent us home with a blanket that was in her crate there and I really think that helped her feel comfy. She rested for about 45 mins and then came out for some more snuggles and hugs.
We had another potty break before bed and then turned in for the night.

She was so good. She slept in her crate most of the time I think. We keep the door open so she can come and go as she wants. I didn't sleep too well cause I kept listening for her little jingley tags. About 5:45 AM she woke up and I was so happy. I got up and gave her morning kisses and then fed her her breakfast. After a potty break, we went back to bed. When I got up at 8Am, she was laying oh so cute in the living room where she could watch the bedroom. Her little waggly tail is such a wonderful greeting.

This morning, we left her at home safely in her crate while we made a quick trip to Fleet Farm to choose a bed and get her dog food and treats. Scotty picked out some special treats to give her from just him so they can bond. Since I've spent the most time with her so far and will be home with her all day it will be a bit trickier for him. She is VERY treat motivated though. I'm sure it will take no time for her to bond with him. He's going to take over her daily feeding as well so she'll learn to trust him. Besides he is so loving, too.

Today we are going to just take it easy and hang out. I should run out to Petco and get Crickets for the Fire Bellied Toads... that's another story! Those little cuties need to eat, too. :)

More Izzy pics and Izzy happenings to follow. Stay tuned.

Hugs,
Dana