Inside dog

My mom got Arlo almost 6 years ago as a companion for her GSD who was almost a year old at the time. After loving them for many years, she got sheep on the farm and needed guard dogs, not pets. So she gave Arlo and Max (the GSD) to good homes (me and my brother). While Arlo was supposed to be Joe's dog, he brings me great comfort and I'm fond of the moat of Airedale in my backyard.

But it's so very cold outside and I haven't had an outside dog since I was very young. I felt so bad that Arlo was in the cold snowy elements and Rigel was curled up on a pillow on the couch. He was just fine when he was dry, but when the heavy snows came, Arlo became wet and cold.

 

So I made Arlo a great little bed in my garage and tested it yesterday. Fun fact, Arlo has never been in a house. Inviting him into my kitchen was a challenge. He didn't want to cross the threshold at first, but a treat helped motivate his paws. Let me tell you, Arlo is a big dog, but looks HUGE when standing in my kitchen. I lead him to my garage and put up a baby gate so I didn't have to shut the door. And with very minimal effort, Arlo laid down and made himself at home. He stayed there for a few hours until he was dry. Then we escorted him back outside. And the barking and whining and crying started. I left him there for a little bit so he could do his dog business and then let him back inside. He obviously loves the garage because he went right to the door and wanted in. He stayed there all night. So this morning, when the sun came out, we left Arlo back outside. He ran and jumped and did the dog thing, but when the temperature started to drop again, I let him back inside. He has an old comforter, some old pillows, and some old Army uniforms that, lets face it, will never see the light of day ever again, making him a very nice warm bed. I'm writing this because I let Arlo back outside about 30 minutes ago to do his business before we settled in for the night. And he's been whining ever since. I'm going to have to wrap this up so I can go let him back in the garage for the night. 

My dad says that Airedales aren't wimps; they are coyote killers and Arlo can brave the AR winter. Well, let me tell you, I have a 100lb Airedale that really wants to be an inside dog. 

Okay, I'm going to go let him back in now. Silly pup. Creating such a fuss at my back door.

Yep, he knows that the garage is his. He ran right to the door.

 

Here's to an okay Thanksgiving

I wasn't sure I had a Thanksgiving post in me. But I woke up this morning after spending the evening with my family and realized I do.

I am thankful for my family who love and support me no matter what. I have the best family I can imagine. And if I've learned anything in the last 107 days, its that some people do not have the family they deserve.

I am thankful for Rigel, my sanity. He's the best little pup there is.

I am thankful for my friends who had been there for me lately. Many have stepped up to make sure I'm okay. I will never forget that.

I am thankful for my job, co-workers, manager, and director. I work with such amazing, thoughtful, wonderful folks. I love my job and could not ask for a better group of people to work with every day.

I am thankful for my house. After renting for over a decade of my life, we had the ability to buy my dream house. I feel safe and comfortable there. It will be a great home for years to come.

Lazy Saturday

Well, its not been lazy for me, but Rigel has managed to do nothing all day long. Arlo had his dog house delivered today. Its huge! But so is he, so that's a good thing. Its gotten a bit chilly around these parts so he needs his house.

Beware of Dog

I used to get really angry when Arlo would bark. I was so afraid that the neighbors would complain. Its weird about what I *used* to care about that I just don't anymore.

And I find comfort in his barking. He's the protector of the backyard - a moat of Airedale, if you will. He doesn't bark as much as he used to when he was adjusting to his new digs. But now, if he barks, I just assume he needs to be barking. At a creature, a strange noise, another dog, or some weird guy at the end of my driveway. Its nice to know he's paying attention.

So I'm very sorry if any of my neighbors ever read this. He's a dog. He's just doing his job.

(I do apologize for the Earth-shattering howl though. Sirens hurt his ears.)

Origami Owl Updated and Giveaway!

As you might know, I LOVE giveaways!! And I have been wanting to start another one for a while now but I didn't know what to do. But I have an idea! If you place an order on my website CharmFarm.OrigamiOwl.com between now and July 20th and select "Sara's Special Giveaway Party!" you will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate!! That's right - place any order and select the party tab "Sara's Special Giveaway Party!" and you will be entered to win $25 of FREE Origami Owl products!

If you haven't already, you should head over to Facebook and "like" my page! When I reach 50 likes, I will host a GREAT giveaway!! https://www.facebook.com/CharmFarmOO

Tagged Collection
 

I also want to announce that I have a NEW member of my team! One of the most wonderful people I know joined my team this week. I am SO excited that she took this opportunity to start her direct sales experience with Origami Owl!

This is truly a ground floor company. What would you do with some extra money in your pocket every month?

The next step

I'm still giddy with excitement. After 10 months of job hunting, I have been offered a job. To say it is my dream job would be such a disservice. It is exactly why I went back to school and spent long hours laying on my apartment floor reading text books. I get to start my career this month. It's very exciting!

Joe will start school in the Fall and the house hunt has begun! I have 6 months to find, buy, and move into the perfect house. And.... GO!

Origami Owl Giveaway and Launch Party!!

It's official!! I'm an Origami Owl Independent Designer!! My website is CharmFarm.OrigamiOwl.com. I want to kick off this new venture by hosting a giveaway since my blog has also reached 30 followers!!! Enter to win 1 medium silver locket and 1 charm of your choice. That's a $25 retail value!! The entry details are listed in Rafflecopter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b315597/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Owl in Waiting

The news is out! I'm officially a designer in waiting for Origami Owl. I'm not exactly sure how fast the wait list is moving. I've been told I'll be signed up to sell in about 3 weeks.

Until then, if you want to order something I would be more than happy to help you design something special for you or your mom for Mother's Day or for your sister's birthday! Or that special friend who is expecting a child. Or someone who just got engaged. Or for your grandmother to represent her 10 grandchildren. Really, the designs are as endless as your imagination! The lockets start at $20 and the charms are all $5.

Check out Lovetheowl.origamiowl.com. That's my designer's website. I have a party going on until my number is drawn. Click HERE for the party information from Facebook.

And we all know how much I love giveaways so make sure you stay tuned for a giveaway as soon as I get my official paperwork!

I wanted to share a few pics from satisfied customers!

The Fiance



A love of vintage





The girl who loathes pink.





The proud momma!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have, if you'd like to place an order, or if you'd like information about hosting a party or joining my team! willow162001@yahoo.com

0220

There is a certain phrase I hear parents say that I will never understand.

"Stop crying or I will beat your ass."

I heard it again at 0220 this morning. It was being yelled at a 4 year old child who lives under me. My temporary apartment isnt really all that great and I can hear everything, especially at 0220 when the rest of the world is silent.

The child woke up crying and yelled for his mom. You could hear the whimper head towards his parents' bedroom. Then the yelling began.

I obviously dont know why the child got up crying, but the next 20 minutes of yelling from the father only made it worse. I've been here 5 weeks and this is the 1st time I've heard the child at night, so it's not like this is a nightly event that the father is tired of. Plus this "father" doesnt work during the day - doesnt do a darn thing - so getting up at night with a kid cant really put him out that much.

I laid in bed with Joe listening to this, with him hugging me, asking me what I would do with a crying child at 0220. Well, I certainly dont sit and yell at it for crying. I hate that phrase, Stop crying or I will beat your ass.

I spent my morning being thankful that I had parents who comforted and didnt yell at us at 0220.