2011, another year of hope and promise

Dear friends,

May 2011 bring what each of you desire and need. May you never lose hope, may luck be on your side and may you look upon everyone with kindness.

Much love to you all,

Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

Sometimes...

Dear friends,

Sometimes our friends on Facebook are just plain mean. LOLOLOL

Look at this oldie from 19-something or other. I'm the short one on the far right in the skirt. Ahhh...to be a wee little tennis player again. Thank you dear Tanya for digging this little nugget of history up!

Best wishes and high hopes to all,

Jennie and the Pekes

Irish Christmas Wishes

Dear friends,

I wish each of you a Merry Christmas. May you all have a day of joy and full of hope!

Nollaig Shona Dhaoibh!

With love, best wishes and high hopes to you all,

Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

I couldn't have said it better...

Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you will be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Eleanor Roosevelt

This Woman's Work

Pray God you can cope.
I stand outside this woman's work,
This Woman's world.
Ooh, it's hard on the man,
Now his part is over.
Now starts the craft of the Father.

I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

I should be crying, but I just can't let it show.
I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking.

Of all the things I should've said,
That I never said.
All the things we should've done,
That we never did.
All the things I should've given,
But I didn't.

Holidays

Hello dear ones,

So this year I was excited about learning several new techniques and by being inspired by wonderful artists. I was certain that I would have these skills and ideas rolled up into fabulous gifts for my friends.

From Ann-Denise and Dawn I've learned how to use paperclay (which I LOVEEEEEE) and have been inspired to create my own versions of snowmen for the holidays. Now, they aren't nearly as wonderful as Dawn's however I'm proud of my mis-shapen, big-nosed little snowmen. Of course, I've only actually finished one. How many days till Christmas?

I'm also planning on creating advent garland for various friends. Haven't started that yet and it's well...December 7th.

I've started an altered book for my best friend. So far I've done nothing but put gesso on a few pages to get them primed for what? I haven't any idea.

How is it that last month I thought I'd have enough time? Sweet mother of Pekingese! I'm running out of time!!!!!!

Anyone else out there realizing that their best intentions aren't going to make the UPS truck? LOL

Best wishes and high hopes to my crafty friends with much better time management!

Jennie and the Pekes

One Lucky Day: Vintage Village

Wonderful kit to soon be available on Etsy from the Gypsy Girls.



One Lucky Day: Vintage Village: "Well, I admit with the last minute project thrown in this week and Thanksgiving it took me a little longer than expected to get this kit don..."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear friends,

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. Thank you for the support and friendship you've shown me. The girls and I wish you each have a day filled with laughter, love and hope.

Best wishes and high hopes,
Jennie and the Pekes

Some of my altered canvases..

Hi dear friends,

Rather than rambling for a change I wanted to share some of the canvases I'm currently working on as well as a couple of completed ones.

These two are finished; one was a gift for my Mom and has a picture of her as a small child
with her Mom. The other is of 3 of my babies.

The following are two collage canvases that are still "in the works".

Thanks for letting me share a little of my craft with you tonight!

Best wishes and high hopes to you all,
Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

I'm not an old woman!!!!!!!

Sweet friends,
Ya'll are not going to believe this. Ready? Are you sitting down?

Me, Jennie of The Pretty Pekingese, who has often been referred to as an older woman was asked for ID today when purchasing a bottle of wine. In case you didn't catch that...I WAS CARDED!!!!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! I was so excited I spun, looked at the woman behind me who appreciated my joy when I whispered - I'm being carded! Of course, the kid at the register was probably contemplating whether I had begun drinking already but I didn't care. I was carded and that was so dang exciting that I called my best friend to share my excitement.

I GOT CARDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Best wishes and high hopes to you all - may you each be carded tomorrow!
Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

Treasures Now and Then

Steve and Latresa

Dear friends,
Several years ago I had a booth at a local antique mall. I had the honor of getting to know Steve and Latresa. Well, they've recently opened their own store in Arlington, TX and it's so lovely. Both are incredibly knowledgeable of antiques and have beautiful furniture, glassware, clocks and more at their store. Please visit their website (click on Steve and Latresa's name above) and their store - you won't be disappointed!!!





Please vist their site, more pictures and details of their inventory. One other note, if you need replacement keys for any of your antique furniture pieces Steve can make them onsite for you!!!

Best wishes and high hopes,
Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

A great giveaway!

Dear friends,
The amazing Lesley Venable has opened a new Etsy shop full of amazing vintage items. AND...she's giving away 2 prizes from her shop to celebrate.

Please visit her blog and her etsy shop - the link to her shop is to the left. If you post her button on your blog she'll register you in her give-away.

Have a great day everyone!

Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

Wonderful finds...

Hello sweet friends,
I'm so excited by some of my finds today that I couldn't wait to share them with you!

Isn't this suitcase amazing! It's made of cardboard and paper; I'm guessing it is from the 1920's or 30's. It has a lovely age to it and must have stories to tell. I can't wait to store some of my crafts in it!




In addition to the suitcase, I found some great old photos, a flour sack (new/reproduction) and some great keys.








But best of all...I found a catalog from the 40's. So awesome!

Some pictures from Wicked Tea

Thankfully others remembered to take pictures!

A Wicked Tea

Spent Saturday having a wickedly good time at A Wicked Tea. This wonderful craft event was sponsored by The Paper Cowgirl. Ann-Denise and Cindy Mayfield worked so hard, as did their families and other cowgirls, to make this an amazing day. I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures as I walked in but I was so in awe I didn't even think of it.

Imagine a sweet pink cottage nestled in a quiet town full of homes with gingerbread trim and decorated for Halloween. When I walked into this adorable cottage I entered a sweet room, perhaps a former porch, dripping with crepe paper and beautiful items for sale from one of our lovely teachers,Lesley Venable. As I entered through to the next room I was in awe. On my right was a beautiful table of crepes, fruit salad and coffee. All around the room was spooky decor. But not spooky like our kids would enjoy. No Freddy or Michael here. No this was a sophisticated, shabby chic, vintage type of halloween decor. Crepe paper, aged mirrors, jars full of witch ingredients (candies) and so much loveliness. Each room was equally over the top and amazing.

There were 20 students and the teachers. We were each assigned seats and from the moment we sat down, we were spoiled. So many bags of gifts filled with the most amazing craft supplies. Throughout the day as each of our teachers came in to educated on techniques and projects were given our supplies in a way that felt like more gifts. It was an amazing day of being pampered. Cindy Mayfield visited and spent time with each person, making us feel special and appreciated. Ann-Denise prepared amazing food that had all of us licking our fingers and secretely wanting seconds!

At my table were 3 of the most wonderful women - I couldn't have asked for a better group of ladies to spend a day with. To my left was Ms. Cami. Dressed in a black witches hat that was amazing. We were each challenged to make a Halloween inspired name badge - she took it to a whole other level by using a wonderfully embellished hat as hers. Across from me was Ms. Jan. Jan was the neat one of our table. Her part of the table was orderly and controlled. The rest of us...well, not so much!! To my right was Ms. Grace. Grace may now be my favorite Yankee. She was visiting from NYC and made a badge that could compete with the biggest of mums from any Texas homecoming. I think she's Southern at heart.

The 4 of us bonded over the day, laughing to the point of snorting and making a mark as being the loudest table. We were a little bit sassy, a little sweet and at times a little mischevious! Cami's laughter rang out constantly, Grace couldn't stop singing "winner, winner, chicken dinner" and Jan had us roaring with her hilarious stories. She's "such a sweet little thing".

Shortly I'll post pictures of what I created and of the event. I can't wait till the next one!

Best wishes and high hopes to everyone!
Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

Dallas / Fort Worth Greyhounds in need of Love

Hello friends,
Margo from Margo's Junkin Journal posted something today that I can't help but share. Recently 28 greyhounds were rescued from an abusive situation. Their needs are great - rehabilitation, health care, love, trust and new homes. Please visit Margo's site and the Greyhound Rescue site and do whatever you can to help. Please!


http://www.greyhoundsunlimited.org/adopting/SpecialNeeds.shtml#fwacc

Best wishes and high hopes to you all. And my God bless each of these beautiful animals.

Jennie and the Pekes

Dear Dr. Howard Schneider

I'm sure you are a nice man and that the majority of the things you've done in your life have been for the good of those around you.

However.... I personally want to tell you that your evil robot creations aka self-checkout lanes at the supermarket are the most despicable things around. I don't personally have a desire to learn how to identify the product code so that I can weigh and enter my produce selections. I don't want to hear that bleeping robot tell me to return my items to the bagging center and least of all I don't want to wait in a queue while an attendant finds a moment from snacking on a Twix bar to assist me. I do actually have things to do Mr. Schneider.

And to that kid snacking on the Twix bar...you're lucky it was only a bag of peaches I threw at you to get your attention. I did have a watermellon in the basket.

My beloved Peanut

Saturday morning I had to make the hardest choice a pet owner can make - hang on to the hope that your fur baby will get better or let your fur baby go in peace. I chose to let her go but I miss her so badly.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

Yeah, I'm hot

Hello friends,
While catching up on everyone's lives I couldn't help but remember a dinner I had recently with my Mom at Outback. Sue Ann from Sue Ann's Journey wrote today about her lobster dinner and Baskin Robbins birthday cake which triggered this memory. Mmmm.....Baskin Robbins......

Not long ago Mom and I went to dinner and thought we'd try Outback for a change. We're more likely to be in a sub shop or Applebee's so this was a fun treat for us. I happen to be gaga for crab legs so naturally that's what I ordered.

Now, I'm not a leg conisuer. I do enjoy a well toned leg on a man and envy women with insurance worthy legs. Wait...I'm off track, I'm not a crab leg conisuer. However there's a magic to knowing how long to steam those puppies so that the meat just pulls out soft and tender. Outback isn't quite the best at this because my legs were a bit chewy but they were still yummy. That being said, I was a bit challenged getting every last morsel. Don't worry though, I let my vanity go and dived in. There was butter flying, lots of cracking of legs and eating with my fingers. I didn't want to miss a thing. 3 drawn butter bowls later I was done and longing for more.

So, not feeling so hot since I basically ate a pound of crab legs as if I had never seen a fork or napkin before, managed to make horrible sounds while sucking the last of the butter from my fingers and pretty much grossed out the sweet waiter. Who cares...it's crab legs and I was feeling not so hot but I was way happy.

That feeling of not being hot soon passed. Mom and I went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream afterwards and again, I ate my food with relish. I was in chocolate fudge heaven! Soon after we finished eating I got in line to purchase a pint, who am I kidding, 2 pints to take home. While I'm standing in line a cute man keeps staring and I started thinking...I must look goooooooooood. I'm pretty self conscience so this man is really making me feel good about myself. I stand taller, stick the girls out further, suck the tummy in and start practicing my kegels. Then Mom walks up and points out that I have ice cream all over me. Not only do I have ice cream GLOBS down the front of my jacket, on my sleeves, drips on my camisole but I have butter stains.

I'm not hot. I'm a pig.

Well...

She threw a dog toy at my head...

She bit the nip...

Hello friends,
Ok ladies, it goes without saying that most, if not all, of us would prefer to not be bothered with a bra. Especially those of us that are required by southern standards of etiquette to wear an under-wire. I personally would prefer to wear a sports bra to a Victoria Secret special any given day. Forget lace and sexiness, give me cotton and comfort.

Perhaps my personal dislike for bras stems from my Mom's dislike for bras. Yep, she's a burn your bra in the 60's woman. Thanks to my Mom and women like her I have had more opportunities available to me than she did at my age. Yes, I am grateful for the obstacles she fought through.

She's learned many lessons over the years since but none quite so uniquely painful as the lesson she learned this week. In our house of 6 dogs (my 5 plus Mom's Chi) wearing bras is a bit like wearing body armour. A necessity to boobie survival.

Well, in the midst of breaking up a small fight between my innocent new Pekingese and my Mom's innocent little Chi her boob got in the way. Yes friends, my newest baby bit the nip.

Now, be proud of me. I didn't fall on the floor laughing; I displayed the appropriate level of concern for a day...then I lost it. Sweet mother of Pekingese, how do you not laugh at this? Her poor boobie nip is swolen and bruised from a tiny 8lb dog.

While I know she'll read this and probably throw something at my head within the next hour, I hope she has learned a lesson. If you're boobs are big enough to get in the fight, better wear protection!

Best wishes and high hopes to each of you,

Jennie and the boobie biting Pekes

Changes...

Hello dear ones,
What a year! I cannot believe that it's been so long since my last post nor can I believe how much in my life has changed. I've had my heart broken by the one person that promised he never would, family and friends have experienced medical hardships, I've adopted yet another adorable Pekingese and..oh yeah...my Mom has moved in with me. Yes, life is full of change.

Change isn't new to me. My entire life, your entire life, everyone's life is about change. But what is interesting is how consistently upside down my changes seem to be! ha ha ha

When I was young I knew I would be a criminal psychologist, married with children. When I was married I knew I would be divorced. When I was divorced I knew I didn't want children nor did I want to carry a gun anymore and pick up "perps." When I met my ex-beau I knew I wanted to be married, have kids and a white picket fence. Now, now I only know that I'll have extra dog poop to clean up in the morning. Is knowing that there is nothing to truly "know" a sign of wisdom or complete exhaustion?!

Most of the changes in my life are positive though sometimes I have to squint to see the good. Having a new dog in the family is wonderful in the sense of the additional love and joy. My job, while not a recent change, is a change that I'm still thrilled with. The change in my relationship status is painful and sad but I understand it and while I'm not happy about this change I do see the potential for both he and I to heal and move on. The biggest change of all, having my Mom move in is bittersweet. It's wonderful in the sense that I can care for her and protect her but sad in that I hate that she had to give up her home and make the move. My Mom is young but plagued with various medical issues that make living alone challenging. She's a trooper and will be able to maintain her independence living here, just has to put up with me and my pack of dogs.

The changes that aren't so positive are with me and my soul. I find myself restless in spirit. I've lost touch with God and I'm ashamed of the distance. I'm overwhelmed by the stress and anxiety I've brought on myself and shocked by the anger that seems to be so close to the surface lately. Fortunately, I can make it through this and fight to be better. Isn't that what life is about, fighting to be a better person?

May all of you find positive in change and see the hope in something new.

Best wishes and high hopes to you all,
Jennie and all of the Pretty Pekes + one lumpy Terrier