Let is snow, Let it snow, somewhere else (perhaps in Florida... .)

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training,  this will be my second time today for getting this Blog posted -- I screwed up the first one, there was an enormous picture of me and my cousin Harry's right eye, smack dab in the middle of everything - I press buttons when I'm not supposed to,  so, let's see how I fair this time... .                      
For those of us who live north of the Mason-Dixon Line we are all too familiar with the snow, looks beautiful when you are nice and snug in the house looking out at it, but when you have to get out there and shovel the driveway, it is a pain not only in the back but, well, you know.
Yesterday morning around 6:30a.m. I let my wee dog Susie out and couldn't help but laugh -- she was nowhere to be seen, she's white and so was the snow.  Today I have her red Christmas neckerchief (aka bandana - surprised spell check knew this word and didn't red line it.)  
I took Susie to the Doggy Beauty Parlour last week, she gets her hair done (trim) every 8 weeks, and she came out looking really lovely - I tell Shelley to make sure she comes out still looking scruffy - here's a picture of her sitting in the front seat of my car.  The bow didn't last long, it was off by the time we got home 4 miles away. 

Susie all ready for Santa

This isn't going to be a long blog, got the feeling I've been there done that just a short time ago, however, I do want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and of course, come the 31st of the month, we Scots will be celebrating Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) don't ask me where the word came from, wait, maybe Google can tell me, hold on.  All it said, amongst other things was that it probably came from the Scandinavians (anyone watch the show "Vikings")  those guys --  anyhow, that's how we Scots sing out the Old Year and Ring in the New Year with a glass of whisky, and a dark haired man must cross your  thresh hold, so Bob has to wear a black Babushka (his hair's silver, notice I didn't say grey).  It's a nice tradition and we celebrate it every year.
Anyhow dear family and friends, as I said, time to close out for the auld (old) year and I'll be talking with you all again next year. 
and, for good measure, I saw Rudolph out in the front garden the other night by the bird feeder and managed to snap a picture of him.  Hope you like it.  So, let me wish you, one and all -- "here's tae us, wha's like us, damned few and they're aw dee'd." the translation is "here's to us, who's like us, damned few and they are all dead... ."

     

It's that time of the year again... .

Hi to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training.  

With the weather in our neck of the woods cooling off, we are getting some, what I call, lovely mornings like this picture -- I don't know what it is, but I just love misty mornings, must remind me of Scotland.

Since I last spoke with you all last month, I've been busy -- on the 23rd November I had a Cataract removed from my right eye -- such a Drama Queen, I was fit to be tied with worry and no matter how many people told me there was nothing to worry about, I felt, Hey, it's not your Baby Blues that are being gotten at;  anyhoo, glad to say I came through it with flying colours and the nurses at the Heritage Valley Surgery Centre in Moon Township, couldn't have been nicer.  Terrific ladies.  That being said, I was back in again yesterday, 7th December, to have the same done to my left eye, am I the seasoned pro or what!!!  Went for my follow-up visit this morning with the surgeon and he was delighted with his handiwork.
So I am supposed to behave myself for a couple of days and then it's back to life as usual, really.

Got my Christmas tree up 10 days ago, we opted for a small tree this year, only 6' however, I really like it and it took less time to decorate it, sounds like Scrooge, but I wasn't in the mood for the big tree.  Don't know what I am complaining about, it's an artificial one and to tell the truth, it is the middle and top sections of our big tree, so, pleased with it I am. 

Hard to believe we are on the count-down to the end of this year 2016 -- hasn't been the best of times, nor has it been the worst of times, however, I feel good about 2017.  So, to cheer us all up, here's a picture of Susie after she got her spent her day at the Doggie Spa and has her Christmas bow and scarf - in case you are wondering, the bow didn't make it home.   Can't say she looks thrilled - my sister told me to be careful in case Susie decides to do me
 in as pay back.  

So, for the moment, let me say cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, ta ra and all that jazz.  Until next time.  All the best, Elizabeth, "Liz"  Beth etc., etc., oh, before I forget, have a look at my website at
                        www.thewrapofluxury.com 
           who knows, you might see something you just can't live without.

I'm back... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .  

The  clocks have been turned back so before we have our first snow fall, I just want to share this terrific picture of Pittsburgh taken from Mount Washington showing the Mon Incline Trolley and the three rivers, the Monongahela and the Allegheny flowing in to the Ohio (I believe it is  called The Confluence at the Point.  Nice looking city, isn't it.

I believe I told you that we rescued a little dog, she's a Parson Russell Terrier Mix (don't know what the mix is)  she is a great wee dog and keeps Bob and me on our toes - I had her to the Vet today for a check-up and Dr. Ted said she is nice and healthy so this is good, although we already felt this to be the case.   As you can see from this picture, she loves to go for rides in the car.
We have named her "Susie" - this is her sitting up on the sofa while I work on the computer.  When she feels I have been ignoring her, i.e., working on the computer, she will let me know it and starts to bark and jump up on my lap.    As you can see, she has settled in and  is quite content, I've even knitted her her own blankie, the colour Purple suits her.
                                                        
Didn't get too much done in the garden this Summer - as you know, I had my right knee replaced and this really curtailed my movement especially when trying to bend.  Had 4 months of physical therapy and am still doing my exercises need to, to keep the knee supple.  Seems strange to think there is an artificial joint in there, of course, this keeps my two artificial hips company - just call me the Bionic Woman, Lindsay Wagner in the flesh... .  I feel the knee hasn't been as good as the hips, still feels like I have sprained it - although I know I haven't - go back to see the surgeon in February so we'll see what he has to say.  On the other hand, both hips are great.

Well, I now need to get some work done on my Blog for my website, the Blog is http://thewrapofluxury.blogspot.com -  I also have a page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thewrapofluxury (looks like you'll have to type these links in as they didn't pop) so I'm going to say goodnight and get a move on for the website.  Why not have a look at it also, www.thewrapofluxury.com       In the meantime, let me say toodle pip, cheerio, au revoir, ta ra and all that jazz.  Until next time, take care and travel safely.  Elizabeth

Going, Going, Gone and Done it... .

This is going to be a short Blog to let you all know that I have been secretly building my Website and also Blogging about it at http://thewrapofluxury.blogspot.com

So, let me start out as usual --- Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training,you'll be wondering about the title of this Blog, come to think on it, it can conjure up a myriad of situations, but this is a good one - around 1:45p.m. today, Eastern USA Standard Time I clicked on the button and have now gone live and viral, do they have similar meaning??? let me check -- I hope it's a healthy virus.

I've been working on this online shop these past 9 months and after getting over new hips and a new knee, I am very happy to say, WHEEE, gone and done it - I'm now out there for everyone and their auntie and uncle to see.   There is a pun here in the word "see" since I am having Cataracts removed from both eyes in November. 

My products, sweaters, woollens/woolens -  jewellery/jewelry (depending on what side of The Pond you come from is how you spell it) are all made in the UK and Ireland and are of top-of-the-line quality.

I know you will find that special something, either for yourself or those special people in your life.  You'll even find Guinness T-Shirts and other ones sporting Scottish, Irish, English and Welsh designs.

I have a page telling you all about me and how I got started in "the business"  - e.g., back in 1987 I started a High Street Shop that was named A British Accent (r) and also a Contact Us page where you can type in your email address and become part of my family of patrons -- let me assure you that my Online Shop is a Secure Site so you have no concern about your information being kept confidential.  This way I can keep you updated on the monthly specials with really nice discounted sale prices - and for your convenience you can pay with all major credit cards, Pay Pal and Apple Pay.
Okay, it"s time for me to say cheerio, ta ra, toodle pips, au revoir and all that jazz... .  
I am happy to extend an invitation for you to  
                          Come browse and experience The Wrap of Luxury (r) 
                                                                  - at -
                          www.thewrapofluxury.com

Fun and Games... .

Hi to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training -- last Thursday I went to Sewickley for my allergy shots - on the way back I stopped off in Moon Township to say hello to the wonderful physical therapist(s), Carolyn, and her assistants - they were so caring when I was attending their facility after my Hip replacements and more recently my right Knee.

After that I headed towards Carnegie to drop off two computer towers to have the hard drives removed - pulled off the Parkway West and since Noblestown Road is being repaired I had to take Baldwin Road, a really nice country road, anyhoo, as I am coming up to the Stop sign at Fort Pitt Road my car engine went "thump" and stopped.  Fortunately I was able to coast over to the side of the road (more or less) - well, after a case of mild hysteria and yelling at the car, I called my insurance company and they arranged for a tow truck to come -- after sitting around, an hour went bye and this is what arrived  - was I happy to see it and the young fella named J.R.  towed me and the car back home and dropped me off in my driveway - there it sits until the garage can take it in this upcoming Tuesday.   So, that was my fun day in Thursday, oh, the computer towers are still in the back seat and they will be taken care of another day.

We are having lots of fun with our new wee dog "Susie"  she is the epitome of what Terriers are -- she has discovered Toads in the back garden and it is so entertaining just watching her jump about 2 feet up in the air when a Toad pops out of the tall grass - the other night I couldn't find her in the house so I went out in to the back garden and there "Susie" was hiding in the tall leaves of my Iris plants waiting for the pounce - I'm wondering what she would do if she actually caught one.

Well, time to scat and see what mischief I can get up to in adding stuff to my Family Tree in Ancestry.com, so, until next time "Susie" and I bid you all adieu, cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir and all that jazz.  By for now Elizabeth, "Liz" etc., etc.

I'm ba-ack... .

Hello to all you Fabulous Bloganistas, I am back with a new wee pal,  This is "Susie" she's an 8 year old Parson Russell Terrier Mix -- we adopted her, or she actually adopted Bob and me, on the 20th of July this year -- since wee Corey leaving to go be with his brother Buddy and all his other pals, the house has been oh so empty;  it is hard getting another pooch, makes you feel as if you are being unfaithful to the one(s) you just lost, but the one good thing is that although the other pooches are no longer with us, in person, the memories they left us with will never fade or go away.

Susie is quite the little madame, she gives Bob a hard time, always growling and barking when he sneaks up on us when we are sitting in our Gal Cave doing what Gals do (...nothing... .) so when Himself sneaks in to the hallway at the end of the house where our Gal Cave is, she's right there barking telling him he needs to announce himself, better still, telling him to bring treats.  I've asked him if he is worried in case she and I are having a wild party, ha, that happens when he is out of town.  Come to think on it, he even snuck (?)  around before she joined us at home -- such are the joys, I'll keep my opinion to myself.

I have been recuperating after the replacement of my right knee, hmmm!!! I had this op on Monday the 8th of February this year -- the physical therapy has been intense, however, I had an excellent therapist, Carolyn at Heritage Valley Rehab Centre and her assistant Monica, two great gals, not to forget Mindy who was the admin assistant - I had in-house therapy 2 times a week for 4 weeks, then I started outside therapy the beginning of March and just finished the end of July.  Don't know if I was supposed to be going for such a long time but the insurance company kept on paying and I kept on going... .  Although my stamina is not yet up to snuff, I am getting around really well and I keep in my mind that it will only get better as time goes by.

We've been having an extremely hot, humid Summer and a lot of rain to boot, however, come the middle of January I'll be wishing for some of the heat - I can hear the Thunder rumbling outside (beats rumbling around inside... .) so maybe there's more rain on the way.

Here's another picture of Susie having a doggy-nap (something like a cat nap) the day after she came home with us - she might be 8 years of age but I don't think anyone has told her, she is like a dog out the traps the way she dashes through the house, but that's okay, we love her and we are enjoying every minute of it.  Okay, time for me to scat and get something done, don't know what but that's okay, so until next time, Susie and I wish you all a safe and happy life - cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, ta ra and all that jazz love to all,  Elizabeth, "Liz" etc., etc., xox

Corey's Farewell

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training -- I meant to write this a few weeks ago but one thing and another had me postpone it, so here goes... .

Since last July 2015, the muscles in my legs have slowly been deteriorating,  I can still hear Mum saying I was staggering around like a Drunken Sailor.  My eye sight wasn't the best either - can't say the same for my appetite it was in top form.

Anyhow, as the months went bye it was obvious I wasn't going to get better - Mum spoke with the vet and he said my body was getting weaker, but I could hold on for a wee bit longer.  We saw Christmas in which, as usual was fun with lots of treats and pressies along with Robert's new dog Rika, and then Hogmanay and New Year's Day - so I made it in to my 16th year in people years and 112 in doggy years.

Then, Mum and Dad had to make the decision on what to do - so, on Saturday the 6th of February 2016, we made the journey to the Vet's office up in Wexford where we had to say our farewells..  Mum cuddled me and it felt so good (took the cuddles with me).  I fought the good fight but I was tired and wanted to be with my brother Buddy - at 11:20a.m. I made the journey towards the Rainbow Bridge where my Brother, and all my other family doggies were waiting for me and cheering me on with each step I took.

I want to share a few thoughts as I headed to "just this side of heaven to a place called Somewhere Over The Rainbow Bridge... .   Let me tell you about this place,  there are meadows and hills for me, Corey,  and all my family members who have gone before me - they are now all running around and playing. Healthy and free of the pains of growing old.  There is plenty of food (perhaps even the chicken, lambs liver, rice, etc., that Mum always cooked for me) fresh water and warm sunshine where I, and all my pals are feeling comfortable and happy and once again young.
All of my family pals, me included, who have been ill and old are restored to young, healthy puppies as we remember when we first became family members and Mum and Dad our caretakers.  We are strong and full of life, except for one thing, Mum is not there to take care of us as she has always done.  Mum and Dad know I had to go but that doesn't ease the ache this has left in their hearts.   I, Corey, am now running and playing with Buddy, Kya, Nessie, McTavish, Ginger, Kaiser, Tammy, Heather, Terry, Hotep, and the other doggies who have blessed Mum and Dad's lives.   My sight is no longer dimmed, my limbs now once again strong and I am  running, faster and faster towards my doggy family.  Hey, I can hear them calling my name and cheering me on, "...c'mon Corey, we've been waiting for you - I have been spotted - and when I, and my other pals finally meet, we will cling and cuddle in a joyous reunion never again to be parted. 
In parting, I leave these words in Mum's memories -- "... our wee kisses and happy sounds will soothe your aching heart,  and your hands, once again will caress our wee bodies and beloved heads.  You and Dad will gaze once again in to our trusting eyes and see our love and you both know that you gave all of us the best lives and love anyone could have given us.
It's me again, wee Corey, I am reaching the Rainbow Bridge - hey, I can hear them all calling for me to get a move on and, believe it or not, my wee legs are so strong and getting stronger.
One day Mum and Dad, along with all of us together, will cross The Rainbow Bridge together never again to be parted and absent from all of our hearts. 
It's now time for me to say my final farewells, cheerios, toodle pips, and all that jazz - I'll remember you all, always - here's a picture of me and my brother Buddy - he's the sleepy one to the front.  
Love Wee Corey  xox

Hi to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training, this is going to be a

short Blog  and I have inserted a picture of one of my favourite TV characters, ALF (Alien Life Form)  Alf loves to eat cats (sorry to all you ladies who love cats, as do I)  but this wee guy really puts a smile on my face.
Those of you who have seen the show know what I mean.  I even have a stuffed toy, courtesy of my family, hey, what can I say.

As you all know I had both my hips replaced last year --  now,  I said, this is going to be a short Blog -- next Monday 8th February I will be going in to hospital again to have my right knee replaced -- what a way to start out the new year.  One good thing to look forward to is that there will be no more pain and I'll be able to walk again, well, as well as I ever did in the past.

So ladies and gents -- toodle pips, cheerio, 'bye, au revoir, ta ra and all that jazz and, as usual my wee dog Corey sends you all his best woof woofs.    All the best and keep me in your thoughts.  "E"  "Liz", Elizabeth, Beth  and all the other names we can't mention here.