Christmas is a time

Just want to thank everyone for your wise counsel and comfort over the recent incident. I've spoken to the other neighbours and found out that they've been having issues with this man too. I was taken by surprise and really touched when they offered to come to my rescue should this man threaten me again (considering I don't know them well). Oh well, let's hope there's no repetition of the incident and this man realises his ways.

Don't think we'll be posting until after Christmas. Going to take the time to visit everyone and catch up.

Christmas is a time to love...

and be goofy too!

Hehehe...

Good thing this time around LS won't be dressing me up like a Christmas tree or putting me in a Rudolph outfit! Phew...

Here's wishing everyone

a Blessed Christmas

filled with love, joy & peace!

Peace on earth and good will to all!

Thankful Time

LS:

I'm behind in my thankful posting this week. I just wanted to say how thankful I am for:

God's comfort and protection

God's guidance and wisdom

A few days ago I was assaulted by my neighbour. Over a trivial parking lot issue. This man tends to park at others' parking lots. When I got home a few days ago, his car was at my lot. I went up to ask him to move his car. His wife said she would tell him and I assumed he would do so right away.

After waiting for 10 minutes, he didn't come down. So I went up again and knocked on his door, only to have him coming out minutes later and shouted at me. He said he was busy bathing his kids and couldn't I have waited till he's done.

I would have waited if he had told me earlier. It's funny that instead of apologising, he turned around and threaten to beat me up eventhough I asked him politely.

Still, he refused to move his car. I didn't want any trouble so I let it go and drove out to park a distance away.

Around middle of that night, he stood outside my door and shouted abuse and threats. I called the cops and they asked me to lodge a report. I was in two minds over it so I didn't. The next morning when I was leaving for work, there he was standing outside his place staring really hard at me and looking to pick a fight.

I ignored him and went straight to the police station. They wanted to call him in but I said hold on first. I wasn't sure whether that would make matter worse if he was just threatening me in the heat of the moment. But on the other hand, what if he intends to carry out his threat?

But God is good. He has been speaking to me these few days.

When I felt so unsettled and could not understand this man's behaviour and why this has to happen.

God said to me in Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." and Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing"

When I felt worried after been told that he could really harm me.

God said to me in Psalm 34: 7 "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them."

When I kept thinking of the incident and my anger grew.

God said to me in Luke 6: 27-28 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies , do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you"

When I wanted to go over to talk to this man again.

God said to me in Proverbs 9: 7-8 "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you"

This morning when I still felt upset for being wronged.

God said to me in Proverbs 11: 5 "The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness"

Phew, what a long post! If you're still reading at this point, thank you for reading till the end.

Be at peace.

Happy:

Hello everybody, sorry we have not been visiting lately. LS has a lot on her hands at the moment. We'll come by to visit soon.

Hope everyone is having a thankful time.

Have a great weekend!

Thank you Laurie for hosting Thankful Thursday.

Thankful Thursday

LS:

There's so much to be thankful for, even in the form of this email from my boss. It sure gave me quite a chuckle and help me to stay above water, especially when I'm stressed out with year end and what not.

Psalm 23
(For the Work Place)

The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without
murmuring and complaining.

He reminds me that He is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions
that I might honor Him in all that I do.

Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system
crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping
co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body
that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop---
for He is with me! His presence, His peace, and His power
will see me through.

He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens
to let me go. His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus cheque

His retirement plan beats any 401k there is!
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that

I BLESS HIS NAME!!!!!!

~0~

A Happy and Thankful Dog on Thursday

All of you were right, I met a friend! A new friend!

Isn't she sweet?

On another happy note, we received this friendship award from Sugar and would like to share with everyone, simply because LS and I truly appreciate your friendship.

Thank you Sugar!

Friends are so much to be thankful for, isn't it? The joy of meeting friends, new and old, and the blessings of their friendship.

I'm so thankful to have met so many wonderful friends. Although we have lost some along the way, their memory will always live on.

What are you thankful for? Hope everyone is having a thankful time!

Click here for more on :

Thankful Thursday
Dogs on Thursday

A Walk after the Rain

Finally I get to go for a walkie after such a long spell of rain. Does it rain as much at your place?

I was walking along...

Then I started to run...

Can you guess why?

Talk to the paw

The weather has been really gloomy and wet. Although there's no interesting pieces on sunrise, sunset or blue skies, watching darkening skies can be interesting too.

Rain clouds looming

Bright lining on an otherwise dark horizon

Think LS got tired of watching the darkened sky because after a while she said to me, "Hey Happy, how about one for the camera?"

And I replied...

"Talk to the paw"

It's nice to be chilling out, away from the camera flashes, don't you think?


Have a great weekend everyone!






We're participating in Skywatch Friday with our *cough cough* gloomy entry.

Rain, rain and sun! A rainbow in the sky!

Funny as it sounds, rainbows always appear when I go through life's storms.

So it was in recent time when I caught sight of a rainbow from my kitchen window one evening. It's yet another unusual looking rainbow. A mere fragment next to the setting sun, just after a heavy downpour.

A coincidence? But there is no coincidence where God is concerned, is it? No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. I'm thankful for that.

I'm also thankful for skywatching. Gazing at all the amazing pictures brings such therapy to the weary soul. A gallery of nature at its best!

Rainbows appear after might storms

When things look their worst

Just when the sky is darkest grey

Out of Heavens does a rainbow burst.

A Happy Dog

As LS is thankful for rainbow after the rain, so I am thankful for walkies after the rain.

What about you?

A special THANK YOU to Opy and DWB for giving us the DWB Featured Blog Award. We're overwhelmed, humbled and honoured to receive it. Above all, we're very thankful to be part of DWB community and for such warm friendship from all of you.

Hope everyone is having a thankful time!

Feel free to visit and/or participate in:

Thankful Thursday

Dogs on Thursday

Skywatch Friday

When Visitors Come

I'm in dull park at the moment. Since there's nothing to bark about, thought I'd share this email.

We're reaching year end soon. A season when our homes are subjected to a lot of visiting... So here's something to help our humans cope with visiting guests. Especially the ones who has yet to have the privilege of getting acquainted with charming us.

Excuses for Your Dog's Bad Over Friendly Manner

1. Your dog jumps on little Aunt Millie at the front door.

a. Such a sweet doggie. He loves his Aunt Millie and can't get enough of her.

b. Now don't spoil her, Aunt Millie!

2. Your dog steals the roast beef off the counter.

a. I guess he was tired of waiting for us to stop chatting.

b. There must have been something wrong with the meat. He eats anything questionable so we don't get sick. (Funny, it is usually the meaty main course).

3. Your dog begs at the dinner table.

a. He never does that!

b. He must really like you.

c. He always pick the thinnest person at the table!

4. Your dog barks at each newcomer for several minutes.

a. Don't pay any attention to him.

b. He never usually barks at our guests.

c. What did you say to him?

5. Your *large dog jumps up on and lies across the sofa - and your friends.

a. Just ignore him.

b. Does he have enough room?

c. Just push him off if he gets too heavy.

*small dogs included*

Would you like to contribute an excuse for this?

Skywatch Friday

Recently we've been doing a lot of skywatching. Happy included. It's funny how she'll tilt her head to one side and stare intensely at the sky. I've yet to be able to capture her in that pose.

Here's a picture of a moon above a contrail

Close up

The moon in between two contrails

I'm still learning to use my camera. So the pictures didn't turn out that well. But you can get a better look by clicking on the images to enlarge them.

~0~

LS seems to be more interested in aiming her camera up at the sky instead of down at me. So I'm pretty much out of the picture now. I can breathe a sigh of relief.

Just in case she carries this phase in her life for a bit too long, here's a cut out picture of me. Hope everyone don't forget what I look like.

Have a great weekend!

We're participating in Skywatch Friday this week. Feel free to check out their site for more awesome skywatching.

I didn't do it...

Really, I didn't...

Do I look innocent enough?

LS always frown at me whenever she inspects her plants.

Well, I should not always be blamed for her missing flowers, partly missing leaves, dug soil...should I?

Nor should I be blamed for her not-so-green-thumb, should I?

It's not my fault that her lemon plant isn't growing all that well. The good news is, it's not dying yet. But it seems rather stunted. Do you think I should help her with the fertilising?

And it's certainly no fault of mine that she has no idea what these sprouts are.

Yes, her memory is like a sieve nowadays. Everything just sieves through. Hope she'll learn to put markers in future.

We doggies have no problem with marking, do we?

An early entry for Dogs on Thursday.

Thursday is a time

To be thankful.

LS:

It sure has been really quiet in here as I've just realised that the last post was also on TT two weeks ago LOL.

Well, guess should never be too busy to spend some time to be thankful. I certainly have a lot to be thankful for.

I'm thankful that my mom is getting better after spending a week in the hospital. Her sugar level and blood pressure was so high that she almost went into a stroke.

I'm thankful that my dad's cast is finally off. Although his arm would take a long while to heal but at least he's more mobile now. Thankfully too it came off right before mom got admitted. It would've been harder caring for two patients.

God is so good, isn't He?

Dear Internet, Happy 40th Anniversary!

Couldn't have blogged without you!

To be a Happy Thankful Dog on Thursday

Hello friends! I've missed all of you. LS has been too busy to help me blog. But that's ok, I know she's making the effort.

You were right in the previous post. I'm thankful for walkies and Parlance is absolutely right too. What more could we be thankful for than the gift of life itself!

The weather has been awful lately. Well, can't really complain as I still get to go to the park. Although the park is half an hour away but at least I stay dry and mud free.

Here's me trying to camouflage.

"What's that you're saying?"

"I said...

I can see you perfectly clear

from a bird's eye view."

Can the bird really see me or he's pulling my tail?

My head gave me away?

Hmm...LS, can you dye my head when we go home? No.

Why not? How about a wig? No.

Why do humans always say no to a lot of things?

Hope everyone is having a thankful time!

Click here for more on:

Thankful Thursday

Dogs on Thursday

Thankful Thursday

LS:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

Have you ever watched a scene from the movies where everything surrounding the character is seen in a fast forward mode? The character? Dragging along ever slowly like a zombie.

Of late I find myself frequently acting out that part, until the pause button was hit (LOL). To tell me I've lost some of the joy. To ask me to look up to the sky. To show me these. So I've been doing a lot of skywatching. Thank you Lord, for the joy, peace and strength.

From the joyful rising of the sun...

...to the beautiful going down

At times it may seem that we're all alone

in the things we have to do...

But the Lord is around,

It's just sometimes

He's busy

painting the sky for us!

Wish I could blame it on the camera but the truth is my photography skill is terrible LOL. So these pictures really don't do justice to the real masterpiece.

A Thankful Happy Dog on Thursday

Guess what I'm thankful for?

Hope everyone is having a thankful time!

Click here for more on:

Thankful Thursday

Dogs on Thursday

Unexpected Visitor

Recently a stranger landed at our backyard.

Before I could safely give entry clearance, he flew past me into our house.

Hey stop!

Where are you?

You can't just barge in like that!

Of all the nerve!

Playing hide and seek?

I don't think so.

A terrier is going to get you.

Maybe not. Think I need some flying lessons. How do you catch these winged intruders?

Have a great weekend everybody!

How to... ?

Get rid of Monday Blues?

There, does this make you feel better now?

If it doesn't, try some workout.

Step 1: Stretch yourself...

Step 2: ...

???

Maybe we'll continue Step 2 another day...or maybe not. Some days it's just not worth the effort. Think we're better off doing what the pup is doing...Zzz....

How do you deal with yours?

We are stopping this blog...

...for a home security reminder.

This message is brought to you by the furry paws community.

Burglars beware!

We'll be back to regular posting once LS gets off her lazy bum.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Have You Ever...

...experienced this?

Sometimes I just sit and think...

Sometimes I just sit....

And try to remember what was I thinking about...

Am I getting old?

Thursday is a time...

To Be Thankful!

LS:

On a recent trip to the nursery, I spotted a scrawny looking plant, with barely a few leaves and no flowers, standing all alone at one corner.

When I asked the man, he was surprised that I would be interested. He said most people just walked past without a glance. They probably think that you can't revive a scrawny sick looking plant. But the plant was not sick, it was the only one unsold and then neglected. He told me it's a lovely plant with a lovely bloom. It's called Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow.

I bought it. Not because I have the greenest thumb and could revive the sickest plant. Quite the opposite actually LOL. Would you believe it if I said I felt sorry for the plant? Yes, on the way home I did wonder whether I was out of my mind for buying it. I'd probably drive the plant to an early grave LOL.

But the plant proved me wrong. With a little care and watering it gives me back some blooms and scent, only if I pay attention to it.

Such as it is with life too. A lesson I've learned many a times only to be reminded again. Don't judge a plant by its leaves!

Yesterday it was purple

Today it turns lilac

Tomorrow it becomes white

Everyday is a learning process, isn't it? I'm always thankful for the lessons and reminders. The article below was sent by a friend this morning and again it serves such a great reminder to me. Do read it if you have the time, if you haven't already read it before.

Washington, DC. Metro Station. On a cold January morning 2007.

The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes, a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried to meet his schedule...

4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar; a woman threw the money in the hat, and without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:

The musician played continuosly. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, and continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the Metro Station was organised by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

The questions raised : In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognise talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made...How many other things are we missing?


To be a Thankful Dog on Thursday!

Happy:

I'm thankful that LS has learned that lesson. So now she lets me stop and sniff as long as she could (she's still learning) on our walks. I've been trying to teach her from the beginning but in the end it took a plant to teach her that. Better late than never, right?

What are you thankful for?

Note: Just in case you have the plant above and/or you didn't know, the plant is poisonous to dogs. So keep them safely away.

Click here for more on:

Thankful Thursday
Dogs on Thursday

All the world is at peace

Zzz...zzZ...zzZ...

Until a furry bundle unfurled herself

And say, 'Let's play!'

Have you ever had a night

when you just couldn't sleep?

If yes, this poem is dedicated to you too.

Have you ever had a night

when you just couldn't sleep?

Even when you're so tired

you could fall off your feet?

You get up for a while

and then you lay back down

And just lie there

staring at the door all around

Have you ever had a night

when you just couldn't sleep?

And you remember that old adage

"Try counting sheep"

After some time has passed by

you decide you'll give it a try

And you start counting sheep

even their feet

Since sleep won't come

you get out of bed

And decide to have some

red mushroom instead.

Poem written by Ellen Bailey

Borrowed and re-written by a little furry bundle who doesn't know the meaning of copycat since she's a dog.

Bedtime Story

Hmm...to sleep or to ask for a snack

Do I look fat from this angle?

What about this angle?

Hey LS, can I have a bedtime snackie?

No? You're so mean.

Don't you think LS is so mean?

In the previous post, Honey asked "Why does it matter if your feet get wet? Did I miss something from previous posts?"

Honey, you didn't miss anything at all from the previous posts. The only things you're missing are my shortie legs *big sigh* and long hair *bigger sigh*.

So a bath is always inevitable after a wet and muddy walk. LS said she's doing both of us a favour by not going through the dreaded one hour long bath and blow drying ritual hee...

Glad you noticed the absence of my walkies pictures hehe...LS hasn't mastered the skill of juggling between my leash, keeping both eyes out for big fierce doggies at our neighbourhood park and a camera...tsk...tsk...

Guess she has to do better by driving me to a safer park further away, don't you think?

Thankful Thursday

LS:

Is it Thursday again? Time really flies! I've been so busy but just couldn't resist spending a bit of time doing a thankful post. It helps to keep me in perspective. Especially when there is madness aplenty going on around here lately LOL!

So this week I'm thankful for some sunshine. Such a refreshing welcome after a long hazy and wet days.

I'm thankful that my petunias have such a strong surviving spirit LOL! Although badly neglected, they seem to be telling me nothing will break their stride. They will keep on blooming!

Happy:

I am so thankful that LS has stopped teasing me about putting me on wheelies to go out. I was so afraid that she would do just that. I know she meant well when she sees my miserable face each time I have to miss my walkies due to the wet and muddy ground. But our legs are not meant to be on wheels except for car rides, are they?

So I'm thankful to go for walkies this week. Although judging from the picture below, I was more stunned, actually. I've not heard the word 'walkies' for so long that I didn't know how to react to it hehehe....

What are you thankful for? Hope everyone is having a good week so far!






Thankful Thursday is hosted at Grace Alone.