Garden Faries

I went outside the other day to check on Tyler. He was supposed to be raking the cottonwood leaves as a form of ‘behavior modification’ for pounding on his brother. Needless to say it didn’t work very well, because when I went out there he was enamored by the cottonwood trees. Just standing there with his rake with a ‘la la’ look on his face just watching the cottonwoods shed ever so gently down. So I startled him with:

Mom: TYLER!
Tyler: Uh, What?
Mom: Whatcha doin?
Tyler: I’m watchin the fairies!
Mom: What?
Tyler: I’m watchin the little floatie things, they look like garden fairies!
Mom: Oh, whatcha supposed to be doin?
Tyler: .....rakin
Mom: Yep, maybe you can ask the fairies to help!
Tyler: Yeah right!


he he he,,,,,,I’m such a cruel mother!
He dutifully raked up all the leaves, and low and behold 24 more hours of peace with his brother....Now if only the leaves needed raking EVERY day~!

luv you TY!

Project Runway and Owls

Project Runway and Owls

Whoops we did it again!
Hancock Fabric called just as we were moving from Rochester and said that they had a quilt show coming up. They wanted me to do some more quilts to show as examples of their fabric. I went WHAT, YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING, right?
Dutifully, I called my Mom who would be helping me move and unpack and she, OUT OF HER MIND, said SURE!
So, the day I’m leaving for North Dakota I run over to the store and they give me Project Runway fabric and Owl fabric to do some quilts with from the ‘Me and My Sister’ quilt book.


WoW, talk about a whirl wind. We landed in North Dakota, unloaded the car and WHAMO, we were quilting and waiting for the moving truck to arrive. Ya know, it’s kind of fun doing examples for the store because they challenge me to use fabrics I wouldn’t normally quilt with and patterns that are simple. The project runway one was fun because I actually WATCH project runway on Bravo! The backing fabric has all the shows slogans like Heidi’s “Your in, or your out!” and mentor designer’s, “Make it work” and “Carry On.” Too Funny!

The second quilt was a baby/toddler quilt with the cutest owls on it. That was a BEAR to do with dozens and dozens of tiny little pinwheels to sew, but with my mom’s help it was much MORE fun than sewing alone. Go Mom, Go Mom!

You’ll have to take a field trip to Hancock fabrics to see our handiwork in person. They are DONE and should be up!

Better Luck Next Time Cole

Today's Forecast:
Hi 72 F
Lo 64 F
T-Storms Likely, Some Strong

Weather REPORT:
Severe weather continues to move through the area this evening. We've had a morning filled with severe thunderstorm warnings, and this afternoon and evening, tornado warnings. Many reports have come in on tornado touchdowns, large hail, very damaging winds and torrential rains. Flash flooding is becoming a concern over some of the areas that have continuously seen the heavier storms.

Today was Cole's Canine Good Citizen test.

Outside

In the pouring rain

With no treats or incentives for him

Then the thunder came

Then the lightning came

Michelle:  Can we move this test to somewhere inside?

AKC Proctor:  No, I do all my tests outside.

Michelle:  In the Rain?

AKC Proctor:  We are under a shelter.

Michelle:  Did you see the lightening?

(THUNDER BOOOOOOOM)

Michelle:  Now?

AKC Proctor:  No, We have already begun the test, it has to be completed in one session.

Michelle: (Gulp) Ok

Cole: (cowering from the thunder)  Whimper.

Michelle:  Perhaps we'll try again in Fargo.

AKC Proctor:  That is always an option.

Michelle:  Thank you for your time.

(exit stage left at a RUN to the car before the next lightning bolt!)

So sorry COLE!

Not only did I make him lie down in the flooding-wet grass for the test (per the Proctors prompting), but then it starting pouring rain on us.  We moved to the park shelter (which a graduation party had just ended in) and Cole couldn't resist the 1000's of tiny candy sprinkles all over the ground from their cupcakes.  Well, then the thunder and lightening came and I knew I couldn't ask any more of the poor dog.  I called off the test and chose not to traumatize him any more and just try and take it in Fargo after we get settled in.  

I got home, I dried him from head to toe, then I gave him an extra special dinner with treats mixed in.  He had endured a great deal today!  We played tug of war, then fetch with his favorite squeaky-toy and he happily laid at my feet and fell fast asleep after the last throw as I rubbed his ears.

WHAT a day!  Whew!

Better luck NEXT time Cole!

See you Later

The fact that we are leaving soon is starting to set in.  At first I said good-bye to everyone, and now I just can't bear it anymore, I have to say see-you-later.

The tears have found me as I continue to write 'see-ya' notes to everyone.  I didn't realize how much I had touched people's lives until all these stories started to pour out in the last week.  Emails from friends, well wishes from family, letters from jewelry clients, hugs and phone-calls, parties and visits....I'm overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for our next-phase in life.

I love you all and say a tear-filled thank YOU for all of your kindness and well wishes!  I will miss you all, and hope dearly that you will take us up on our offer to visit!

CAREFUL Cole!

Today was a BIG day for Cole.  After our Classroom Therapy Dog training lesson we went on a field trip to practice "careful".  Hmmm, not even my children have THIS one down!

First we went through an obstacle course set up at the church.  There were 1/2 dozen padded chairs with 1-2 feet GLASS vases placed on them.  If the dog even touched the padded chair, the vase would fall off balance and break on the ceramic floor.

NERVOUS?!  HECK YEah!

Allison the instructor had us use our body language (tiny dainty slow steps) and our voice, c--a---r---e---f---u---l to coax the dog to synchronize with us and pick up on what we wanted them to do.  She also said for us to dispel our fears that something would happen and just picture what we DID want to happen.  

Ya know what, a clumsy 8 month old puppy Cole and a 3 year old HUGE Belgian did just fine and had NO problems with the course.  Miracle I say!

Next it was on to Ashley Furniture store to practice 'say hello' (shake), 'leave it', and more 'careful's.   The employees loved the diversion to a slow day, and the dogs got great practice weaving in and out of furniture placements, glass vases, rocking chairs, and SO many other breakables!  Several customers watched us intently as we worked with the dogs, and we just explained what we were doing and what the dogs would be used for in the future.  It was fun to hear positive feedback to our adventure!

Next was Hobby Lobby.  We got very odd looks as we weaved in and out of the china and breakables.  Each dog took his turn and did remarkably! Several customers looked and stared, some even stopped to ask if they could pet the dogs. We took a break from 'weaving' and the dogs ate up all the attention. 

Lastly we wondered down to the UPS store.  There was a little 2 year old boy with his Dad in the store.  Cole LOVES little kids and came up and just sat while he was petted,  leaning just slightly into the boy so that the little boy could wrap his arms around him.  After the boy gave him a parting bye bye we pulled back and did a little show for him.  It was just hilarious to watch the delight in the little boys face as Cole did his 'highfives', 'shakes', and 'twirls'.  

Finally it was time, and we did one final trick, "wave bye bye".  The little boy squealed in delight and for the first time I actually GOT what it meant to be a therapy dog team. 

We've been training for weeks in our little classroom with a few visitors, but very little people-interaction.  Today was the first day we actively practiced their people skills in a formal setting.  Now don't get me wrong, every visitor to our house gets a highfive and a doggie handshake with a little petting mixed in for good measure, but to see complete strangers light up at the sight of a therapy dog was something all-together different.

I simply can't wait to begin our therapy dog visits to the nursing homes and hospitals.  After today I have no doubt that Cole will bring much joy to many new people!  He's already such a joy for us, and I am delighted to share that joy with others!

Stay tuned, I hope to get some video of him in action.  

He looks so CUTE in his formal 'working dog' vest!  

5th Grade "I am" Speeches

Today the fifth grade class at Harriet Bishop Elementary gave their speeches on a famous person.

It was amazing to watch how proficient each child was with the life and loves of their 'person.'

They spoke as if they actually lived the life they were reporting on and answered questions as well.  A very FUN event to attend!  I had a blast seeing all of their ingenuity!

Tyler Tointon as Davy Crockett

Brandon Noffze as Buzz Aldrin

Matthew Koopman as Thomas Edison

Brandon Ngeth as Wright Brother

Wyle Moger as Daniel Boone

Great JOB GUYS!

Matthew Koopman as Thomas Edison

Matthew Koopman as Thomas Edison

Brandon Ngeth as Orville Wright

Buzz Aldrin Speech

Today was the day~

Be kinder than necessary...

Someone sent me an email recently, and at the bottom was a very profound statement.  

I thought I'd share:

Be kinder than necessary...

 Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.  

 You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have positive impact on life!

All about Buzz

Our oldest son Brandon had a school report due on Buzz Aldrin. First he researched in his school's library....then the internet...then the public library. He made a time line and mapped out his visual aid on drafting paper. Then the conversation began.

Brandon:   Mom
Mom:   Yes, Brandon
Brandon:   I know what I want to do for my visual aid.
Mom:   You do?
Brandon: Yes, but I need a some things.
Mom:   Ok, what do you need?
Brandon:  This is the map...do you understand it?  Here let me explain...I need, red, white, and blue card-stock, glitter paper, felt letters, a rocket like the one dad and I build in Indianapolis when I was 3, remember that one?
Mom:  Yes!
Brandon:  Oh, and I need a styrofoam ball that I'm going to cut in half for the moon, a hammer, some paint, a glue gun, and an astronaut guy.
Mom: Ok?
Brandon:   Oh, and do you know those thingies that adults have in their drinks at 4th of july parties. I need one of those too!
Mom:   I'm sorry, I don't remember that one.
Brandon:  You KNOW the flag thingies with the toothpick ends....Buzz was one of the first men on the moon and they put a flag up there.
Mom:   Ok, I'm following you...
Brandon:  Next, I need one of those fold out things for presentations, I think blue would look nice, but black would work too...and I need a stabilizer on the top to make the Buzz sign, then I need string, ribbon, and I need to print out some pictures from the internet. Do you think you could help me with that?
Mom:   I think I can try!

WOW, what an organized mind! He visualized what he wanted, drew it out, stuck to the plan and created this beautiful visual aid. Maybee......being a public speaker is in his future!
We'll see!

Emily Buchanan's Banana Bread

Ingredients
# 3 1/2 cups flour
# 3 cups sugar
# 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
# 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
# 1 teaspoon baking powder
# 1 teaspoon cinnamon
# 1 teaspoon vanilla
# 4 egg
# 2/3 cup water
# 1 cup vegetable oil
# 2 cups banana, mashed
# 1 cup pecan, chopped


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 Combine ingredients in large mixing bowl.

3 Pour batter into 2 prepared bread pans or 1 prepared bundt pan.

4 Bake for 1 hour or until firm and golden brown.

5 Cool on wire rack for at least 15 minutes before turning bread out onto tray.

Life with our newest member...

Well, people have asked us, “How is life with your newest member.”

Absolutely wonderful, gratifying, and fulfilling.

I know, I know he’s a dog, but he’s added so much to our lives:

The walk home from school is WAY shorter when you have a four legged friend....

We have lots of NEW games to play!

 Saturday morning cartoons are LOTS better with a furry buddy!

We can have doggie play-dates now!

Who would we take to therapy dog training if we didn’t have our lovable little dog?

Yep, he’s just one of the family. He drools when he sleeps, farts when he eats to fast, and belches after every beverage....Yep, he’s a Noffze-Boy!

The BIG walk!

Today was the Paws and Claws Animal Shelter PET WALK!

Brandon and Tyler raised over $200 of pledges to help build a new shelter and they even got their friend Matthew do the walk too!

Cole was so excited to see all of his volunteer, worker and dog friends that he actually HOPPED and JUMPED the walk instead of actually w-a-l-k-i-n-g the walk. It was a big day for all! Local TV celebrities also participated Ted Schmidt and Jess Abrahamson were there as MC’s along with many other business owners from the community who donated services and goods to the cause.

The boys were entered into drawings to win goodie bags because of the amount of pledges they brought in, and BOTH of their names were drawn! Cole has all kinds of new squeaky toys, tug of war toys and treats. Cole says Thanks BOYS! :)

This was an awesome event, just to see all of the support for this needed organization in the city of Rochester and to see the 100’s and 100’s of successful rehomings of dogs at this once a year reunion. There were so many stories to hear and so much love!

What a blessed day indeed!

Day number 2 with Cole

Cole slept in the kids room last night in his kennel. He had a little whimpering at first, but the kids just talked to him and he was off to sleep in no time.

6:45am he was up and wagging his tail to go out. No accidents! Yea!

8:30am Matthew, his mom Erin, and his German Shepherd Cocoa met us to go on a walk. It was below 32 Degrees, snowing and blowing wind. COLD! The children had fun walking their dog with their friends dog and then we let them play at the school BOY that was FUN to watch! The boys ran around, the dogs ran around and everyone had FUN laughing at their antics!

The boys played with Cole most of the day, and allowed him to sleep a little. All the neighborhood boys came over to meet Cole too! I swear our door bell rang every 30 minutes or so today. Cole was a trooper and never even rushed the front door. He just sat back and watched until he was called. GOOD DOG!

About 5:30pm tonight we decided to take Cole on some field trips so he could get used to the car some more. Brandon and Tyler talked to him while we drove to the dog park, and he seemed to do pretty good....no FARTING this time!

The dog park was a hoot. Brandon and Tyler read all the rules posted, then let Cole into the first enclosure gate. All the dogs came over and sniffed through the gate, then after a few minutes I let Cole in on-leash. He was submissive and interested in the other dogs, but no adverse behavior so I let him off leash. POW! He was off like lightning! I swear he must have some Greyhound in him! I have ONLY seen racing dogs run that fast, he was in heaven! The other dogs tried to keep up, but he literally ran circles around them and then picked up a large stick. From then on out, it was the stick-game. First with the other dogs, then Tyler got in on the action when the other dogs went home. Little Tyler tried to keep up, but Cole was just WAY faster!

Being the Mom that I am, I periodically called Cole to me and took the stick for the children to throw again. Cole was great and came when he was called, then delighted as the boys threw it again. GOOD DOG! He drank like a gallon of water before we got back in the car. All that running had made him thirsty.

6:30pm we got back in the car and went over to PetSmart to let Cole pick out some toys, and to get dog-tags with his name and address on them in case all that running got him into trouble one day. The boys led him through isle after isle of toys and treats trying to entice Cole to THIER favorites. Meanwhile Children as young as 18 months kept coming up and wanting to pet Cole. I told them to ask their parents, then Brandon and Tyler taught each child how to approach Cole. It was so sweet. The random children were delighted because Cole has such a soft coat, and Cole was patient and submissive to even the littlest baby who pulled his hair. He never even flinched! GOOD DOG!

We decided to take Cole around the store and see how he did with other animals. He just sniffed curiously, but stayed right by our side. The cats didn’t even seem to notice his presence, and he was very good with them. Just looking, but not TOO much!

We checked out of PetSmart and the boys conversation lead to their delight in seeing their new dog do so well in all the different situations.

Anyway, I had called her earlier to see if there was anything we could do to HELP Loua succeed as a life-long therapy dog and she said, ‘No - she will make someone a really great rescue-pet!’

Then I talked to her about the dog we just rescued, Cole and his wonderful disposition with different situations, noises, distractions, dogs, and people. She was very interested to meet Cole and US, and perhaps teach him and US to work as a therapy team in hospitals, group homes, and nursing homes in Fargo.

The animals are taught basic obedience, and then skills to help them interact with people in appropriate ways. They are exposed to lots of different smells, sounds, people, and medical equipment before they are sent into ‘interaction’ situations so that they react appropriately and have good manners.

The graduation for the current therapy dog enrollees is May 17th if anyone wants to go with us! This graduation is for shelter dogs who have been trained by prison inmates and at-risk youth. By pairing these groups of people with shelter-dogs, they are able to evoke kindness and healing. What a neat program! This is a news story from the local TV station on the TriPAWd program:

Man's Best Friend
Jennifer Hoff
KTTC TV

ROCHESTER, MN -- It's a story of at-risk teens trying to turn their lives around by saving abandoned animals.

Jennifer Hoff introduces us to the power of this four-legged friendship.

The dogs - Pepsi, Riley, and others, visited the residents at Madonna Towers Thursday afternoon.
They are friendly, lovable, and well-trained.

Allison Sullivan of TriPAWd says, "They are shelter dogs and hopefully through some obedience training they can go back to the shelter and be adopted quickly."

The training comes from detainees from Olmsted's county jail.

And they're part of a new program called TriPAWd.

Allison says, "It has potential to not just strengthen the community, but change it. You have detainees that in learning to train a dog are learning employable skills and parenting techniques and not to mention giving back to the community."

Hank Pernu, detainee says, "I've learned a lot of knowledge on dogs; it even helps with parenting I believe."

Allison Sullivan, the founder of TriPAWd, says, it's helping at-risk kids learn the power of unconditional love and responsibility.

Not to mention commitment; for seven weeks, boy and dog train for two hours, three times a week.
As a working team, they visit nursing homes and hospitals.

Hank says, "These dogs remind them of their own dogs, of other pets they've had, some of them just like the companionship."

Together, bringing man's best friend, leaving laughter, happiness, and smiles behind.

Research has found, along with other therapy, animal assisted therapy can increase social and verbal interactions and decrease loneliness and depression.



--------
That about sums it up. What a good DOG!

SPEACH!

Are you a blog fanatic?  Do you love to keep up with everyone through the blogs?

Do you have a MAC computer?

Quick multi-tasking tip:  

Turn up the Computer volume to an acceptable level

Highlight the text you want to read (its ok if it has pictures in it too)

Click on the 'SAFARI' button on your menu bar

Scroll down to 'SERVICES'

Scroll over to 'SPEACH'

Click on 'START SPEAKING'

Just sit back and listen as the WHOLE blog entry is read to you while you cook dinner, do a hobby, nurse the baby, whatever you want!

There are ways to change the voice that reads to you too.  If you want to know, just email me and I'll walk you though.. Way FUN!

Happy Blogging!

And then there was Cole Lua Noffze

Today I did as I promised and waited for the boys to get home from school so that we could go pick up Cole from the local shelter.  That’s them to the right of the stop sign at a FULL RUN once they saw my car!

When we got to the shelter we had leash and collar in hand for Cole, and had LOTS of paperwork to fill out.  The boys occupied themselves by reading the 'to be adopted' boards and telling the people in the waiting room all about the dogs (since they had walked quite a few of them).

Once the paperwork was complete one of the staff went to get Cole and another staff member gave the boys the honor of writing Cole’s name on the adoption board.  They chose to split his name in HALF and each write two letters so that it was ‘fair.’

Brandon got the first two letters ‘c’ ‘o’ and of course wrote them in BLUE (his favorite color).  

Tyler wrote the remaining letters ‘l’ ‘e’ and chose GREEN as his colors.

Hmm, number 18 for Cole, coincidence or NOT.  Number 18 is the boys’ favorite player on the Colts Football team, Peyton Manning!  Too funny!

Then the moment...the one they had been waiting for.  They were handed Cole’s shiny new red leash and he was THEIRS.  Of course, what did Mom do, I cried when I saw my boys overjoyed awestricken faces.  There was such joy is was overflowing and all the staff came out to watch the reunion between these two little volunteers and their first dog, COLE.

After hugs and kisses to Cole from the staff, and well wishes, and long goodbyes, we were out the door ready for our new life's adventure with the newest Noffze member.

Cole had a little trepidation in the crate and much to the boys LAUGHING surprise....he FARTS when he’s anxious.  They thought that was hilarious!  I just kept telling myself it was a SHORT ride home. 

Next, according to dog expert Caesar Millan, was the LONG walk.  We took Cole on a FREEZING rain 2 hour long journey around our neighborhood with NO affection, just rules, boundaries and limitations.  Cole is very smart and picked up on them in short order.  He learned quickly that he could not pull and his place was at our side.  We met two dogs off leash on our walk and Cole did great.  He greeted them in a submissive posture and instantly made friends.  Good dog!

We made it home free of traumatic events and we even ran across, a rollerblader, thunderously loud cars, cyclist, dogs, pedestrians, mud-puddles and rodents and NONE of them fazed Cole! Yea!

Next was the home coming and INSTANT bath.  The poor dog had never been bathed and at 10 months, let me tell you, it was TIME!

The water was pitch black just like the dog and we washed away all the shelter left in him right down the drain.  Figuratively and Literally!

He tolerated brushing, hair-drying and the like, and soon, it was off to start the LOVE phase of Caesar's plan.

He got his dinner hand fed by the boys and I to establish hierarchy, then a tour around the house to areas in which he could roam.  We played many games of fetch, and then started eating dinner ourselves.  He tried one time to come into the kitchen to see what we were eating and was “CHT’d” back out of the kitchen right away.  Like I said, he’s a smart one.  He stood two feet from the invisible boundary we had established and never tried again to interrupt our dinner.  Good DOG!

10:30pm the last bathroom break, and into the crate to go to sleep.  

WOW what a first day with Cole!