My Table Runner Gets a Friend

The new table runner I made was getting a bit lonely.  It needed a friend.  

So with the help of my handy husband, we made a centerpiece.  I looked to my good friend Pinterest to give me some inspiration.  I used this tutorial as my inspiration.  I love the rustic look of the crate and the homey feel of flowers in mason jars.  

I wanted 5 mason jars to fit inside my crate, so my husband whipped up a plan:  

Adam loves lumber.  He scours the messed-up wood bin (which I am told is called "cull lumber") at Home Depot and is always bringing home some piece of wood or another.  So, lucky for me, all I had to do was walk down to the basement and find a piece of cedar that would work for the project.  Adam was kind enough to cut the pieces for me.  I probably would have cut off some fingers had I tried.  

Then he nailed all the pieces together to create a crate.  He had a hard time accepting the rustic nature of the crate.  He wanted to hide the edge of the wood, make mitered corners and glue it together so you wouldn't see the nails.  I had to keep reminding him it is supposed to look like you just found some wood and nailed it together.

Next I put in the mason jars.  I kept the lids on, but took out the top circle thingy so there would be a place for flowers.  

Finally I added some $5 flowers from HyVee.  I don't plan to always have fresh flowers in our centerpiece.  I can use some branches from flowering trees or even faux flowers.  Candles would work, as well.  

I think it turned out pretty swell, if I don't say so myself.  And my table runner is no longer lonely.    

Jazzy's Getting Chubby

The last time my parents visited us, the first thing they said when they saw Jazzy was, "She's gained a little weight!"  Adam's mom said the same thing when she visited last weekend.  I can't really tell.  You would think I would notice, especially since I rub her belly each day.  

Even though I can't tell she's gained weight by looking at her, her harness has been getting a bit snug.  She wouldn't have to wear a harness if she didn't like to pull off her collar and run off.  She also likes to run out the front door when Adam and I aren't looking.  One time I even had to run after her wearing my snowflake pajamas and no shoes.  We've since worked on making her sit and stay before she gets to go out the front door.  Running around the neighborhood in my pajamas is not something I'd like to make a habit of.  

Since Jazzy's harness was getting too small, or Jazzy was getting too big for her harness, I went to one of my favorite stores to look for a new, bigger one: TJ Maxx.  It's kinda insane how much money someone can spend on their dog shopping at places like PetCo.  I have had good luck finding some bargains at TJ Maxx.  I get Jazzy's poop bags there.  I can't believe how much some stores charge for poop bags!  Do they know the bags are just for holding poop?

Anyways, I found this harness there for $5.99: 

I had to call Adam and have him measure her "breast girth" in order to figure out the size.  I'm sure Adam will be happy that Jazzy wanted a pink harness. She was very excited to model it as soon as I showed it to her.  

She was being a little ornery during her photo shoot.  This is my favorite shot:   

Jazzy told me she's very happy with her new harness and the fact that it doesn't cut off her circulation like her old one did.  

Confessions of a Dog Lover

Before Jazzy joined my family, I just didn't understand why some people did what they did in regards to their dogs.  I had a dog as a child, but having a dog as a child and having a dog as an adult are different.  

I have found myself partaking in some embarrassing behavior since getting Jazzy.  I will now embarrass myself further by sharing this behavior with you:

1.  Adam and I get up pretty early to get ready for work.  Jazzy would prefer to sleep in later than us, so she usually stays in one of her two beds after Adam and I get up.  The other day, I realized I still needed to put on some earrings before leaving for work.  Jazzy was still sleeping in her bed.  I didn't want to disturb her, so I used my cell phone as a flashlight and dug around my jewelry drawer until I found some earrings.  About that time, I realized I was standing in the dark just so Jazzy wouldn't be bothered.  And then I realized that I was a little bit crazy.  

2.  I have taken Jazzy for a walk each day since we've gotten her, with two exceptions.  Once was the day she had her teeth cleaned.  They had to put her under and when I picked her up from the vet she was still drowsy from the anesthesia.  She was stumbling around like a drunk and couldn't have made it on our normal walk.  The other time was the time I was out of town for the weekend.  Other than those times, we've gone on a walk together. Even if it was freezing or snowing or raining.  While on our walks, I like to talk to Jazzy.  She likes it when I talk to her, at least that's what she tells me.  I say things like: "Do you see the bunny across the street?", "Which way would you like to go today?" or "Why do you keep walking in front of me?  I am going to accidentally squash you!".  I didn't really think anything about this until I looked up from one of our meaningful conversations to see an old man looking at me strangely from his driveway.  Oops.  I guess it is a bit crazy to have long, one-sided conversations with your dog outside of your home.  

3.  Prior to having Jazzy in our lives, I was always a bit perplexed when I saw dogs at Home Depot.  I understood bringing your dog shopping with you at Pet Smart, but Home Depot?  Is your dog building a deck?  I think I had even told Adam how ridiculous I thought this was at one point.  Enter Jazzy.  Now when we go to Home Depot (which is a lot) we take Jazzy with us.  She loves it! Some of the workers even give her dog treats, which would be the reason why Jazzy loves it so much.  I'm sure we annoy some people and make others roll their eyes.  But Jazzy wants to go.  And whatever Jazzy wants, Jazzy gets.