Help or WARNING :-)

This was in the trunk of my husband's rented Camero (he was in Texas yesterday for a meeting).

 I think it's the trunk release catch, but I can't shake the the feeling that it's a warning that the car may try to eat pedestrians.

Be careful out there on your evening walks :-)

Reality Check

Abby - since I've lost some weight I think I need to try on that bathing suit I found in that old trunk of clothes. Those stars in Hollywood wear them at my age, right?

What do you think?

Abby?

Abby???

Sunday Black and White - Timeless Thoughts

Angel Barkley

Trust is not that which binds, 
but that which bonds. - LBJ

Abby

Thanks to our Sunday Blog Hop Hosts Nola and Sugar

Flower Friday

Today we are joining

• Dory's Backyard

For Flower Friday.

Bee Happy!

Wordless Wednseday - On our Constitution

Abby - do these white shorts make me look fat?

Abby wisely, and silently, pleads the Fifth.

Closing Ceremonies

Abby Lab here.  It's the closing ceremonies for the Blogville Pawlympics.  For a recap of the action, first visit Blogvilles former mayor Madi who will open the ceremonies.

• Madi

Then, there will be a speech from Blogville founder, my fella Frankie, from

• Frankie Furter and Ernest

And we can't forget to thank our organizers and hosts- Mayor Candy-Dates and Organizers, Arty, Christmas and Lexi

Now I have to go find my dancing shoes so I can attend the Pawlympic Wrap Up Paw-ty with Frankie and congratulate all the gold medal winners, because everyone in Blogville is a winner.

Go listen to Candy-date Arty's closing statements  at:

• Dory's Backyard

and then check back later for  the paw-ty fun.

For more Candy-date closing statesments click on:

Christmas 's Commentary

Lexi's Commentary

Attention - Kitty Lovers in North/Northcentral Indiana and Illinois

UPDATE:  "LUCY" HAS BEEN ADOPTED -  My best friend is sad to see her go but happy she's going where she will get a LOT of attention and loving. Also a  big thanks to my friend's sister who is a nurse practitioner and spread the word online to her friends in the medical community.

This little thing showed up at my best friend's country house in NW Indiana, near Valporaiso, likely dumped. My friend already has 8 rescues who had met the same fate who they then adopted but with extra vet expenses for the many seniors, she can't keep this little girl long term. This little soul appears to be and elf/kitten hybrid and is missing part of her tail (but it's healed nicely) and she has been to the vet for meds for worms and a wellness check. Other then the intestinal worms which are being treated, she's in excellent health and shot and spay expenses will be provided.   She is just a love and wants only to be held, purring even at the vet and she interacts well with other pets.

If anyone is interested in adding her to your family drop me a (do not post) message with a phone number or  email address and I'll have my friend contact you or drop me an email at cliodna58atgmaildotcom.

My friend is off  work weekends and could arrange a drop off if you'd like to adopt this sweet little girl (Abby the Lab thinks all small creatures are full of squeakers so a small kitty would not be a good fit in our house).

Pawlympic Smiles

It's our final event before the big closing ceremonies tomorrow (with speeches from all of the Blogville Mayor Candy-dates - Lexi, Christmas, and Arty.

Today Arty from

• Dory's Backyard

is hosting the Pawlympic Smileys event.

Here are just a few of those smiles in action.  Click on the blue link above to see ALL of them!

We'll see you tomorrow at the closing ceremonies! A big thanks to our Pawlympic hosts and event committee members for all of your hard work!

Friday Pawlympics- Freestyle Naps and Stuffie Deadings

Don't go out tonight, the Pawlympics are on!

The Pawlympics are wrapping up with two more days of events following by the incredible closing ceremonies on Sunday for all of Blogville.  We've so appreciated all the contestants, including a few we hadn't met yet, and our old friends, all gathered together.

Today's events start with Freestyle Napping Hosted by:

• Hailey and Zaphod

 Yang's got her nap on.

 Lassi and Benji going for goldzzzzzzzz

Is Abby Lab going to win this one by a nose?

And a wonderful memory of Abby's close friend Angel Joey

Click on the blue link above for all of the amazing nap athletes.

Next up:

Stuffie Deading (Angel Barkley would have SO loved this event.)

Hosted by Jakey at:

• Dory's Backyard

 Frankie and Ernie performing some quality control.

Chester knows what's he's doing

Bailie deads the bed

A Case(y) of Deading Denial

Click on the blue link above for all of the stuffie deading and come back tomorrow for our final event before closing ceremonies Sunday.

Thursdays Pawlympics!

Today we have two events

 Fly Fishing hosted by ReanaBella and Dezi at

• Dezi's World

They are new on our sidebar so stop in and say hello.

Here is Sammy in fine form.

Madi and the Catch of the Day

Ernie goes SuperFly on us.

Next is Synchronized Walking and looking and here is a sampling of some of the athletes, these being from three separate continents!

Hosted by:

• Oreo's Cookie Jar

Roxy and I Macdui in Australia.

Abby Lab and her Dad in Chicago, USA

Bertie and a friend and Gail in Scotland

Go visit and see all the fine performances.  Gold all around!

A Quick Break From the Pawlympics - Driving Miss Brigid

A little break from the Blogville Pawlympics fun and yes, now you know what the "B" in "LB" stands for.

We live in 100 year old Village in Chicagoland.  The streets are small, and most houses have tiny garages that exit to the alley. With a lot that has side yards with lots of space between we and neighbors plus a long driveway exiting to the street, we are a bit unusual (we think the original owner bought two lots for the space, then added the garage in the 50's or 60's).

The problem is, people don't consider that we have to get OUT of that driveway to a narrow street. After the giant four door 4 x 4 truck and I moved in after getting transferred to our office here, there were many mornings I had to wait until the neighbors that park on the street left to get out.  That meant using precious annual leave to arrive late (with a 96 year old Dad living a thousand miles away, all my time off is dedicated to him).

The house across and one down had been a multi unit rental -  basement, first floor and second floor) with several parties living there with multiple vehicles. There's plenty of open space further down, but that entails driving further, even if it's not any further away from their door. After the incidents where I couldn't get out, I made sure everyone got homemade baked goods, an introduction to the bat truck and an explanation as to how much space I need to get out without whacking their vehicles. Other than having to sometimes put out cones when someone had  family member visiting on a weekend, everyone has been awesome.

But that house across and one door down has new owners - a family who is going to live in it with the exception of the tiny upstairs dormer rental, with multiple cars, including a new Ford truck that likely will NOT fit in their little garage.  With several cars there as their extended family helps get the house ready for final move in, some spending the night, it's been a bit crowded getting out.

Yesterday, rather than consider the thought of going through THAT learning curve again and having to use leave because I am late to work - when I came home and the new owner and what looked like (from the resemblance) either adult sons or little brothers were standing outside waiting for a contractor (since it's been a rental, I'm sure there's a bit of work before it's move in ready) - I HAD A PLAN!

They spot cute redhead in big shiny giant black truck and all hold their stomachs in, smile and give a friendly "hello new neighbor" wave.  I wave back.

I normally back in - in one fluid movement, as it makes it easier to get out in the a.m. Having flown for both the US Government and an airline as a Captain, I can usually back that truck in very quickly and very efficiently, in one try (unlike the Reno airport in the winter when there is an ice storm where you just use differential power to SLIDE into the gate and hope you get it right). Even my husband, always the first to poke fun at my driving (all in good sport), looking at me do that said "I'm impressed".

Yesterday, while the new neighbors and family all looked on, I deliberately, and less than gracefully, took about 4 wide tries at it.  I was less than gentle, stomping on the brakes, and on the last one deliberately took the truck THROUGH the lawn (that will buff out) and intentionally almost hit one of the spruce trees, before finally, getting the truck backed in with a screech of brakes.

Today, all the new neighbor's vehicles and those of their family were parked WELL down the street, away from my driveway.

My work here is done.

Pawlympics - Gold Medal Snuggling!

Todays Pawlympic Event is an athlete's favorite.

Snuggling~

Hosted by:

• Marg's Animals

Here is just a sampling from the many gold level performances  (click on the blue link above to see everyone.) 

 Calisto Jo and Lizbeth from "Cat On My Head"

Miller and Walter making a sandwich out of their Dad (would that be a "manwich" giggle snort)

 Lady Shasta from Beaglebratz with her adorable stuffie.

Noddle and Macy getting some quality snuggle time.

I think I need some quality snuggle time with MY stuffie. - Abby Lab

For the remaining days events click on the schedule below.

PAWLYMPIC EVENT PAGE 

Pawlympics Time!

The news is spreading all around Pawlympic Village - two more events today and they're bound to really bring in the international crowd.  People are flying, driving, and using all sorts of ways to get there.  Note:  Try not and mail yourself, especially if you are a snapping turtle, the USPS will not be pleased.

First up, hosted by:

• Oreo's Cookie Jar

Oreo's Mom made the cutest flag for this event.

its Bubble and Ball Jumping

 Charlie's going for the "gold" in an orange ball

And Ruby is on the alert

Oreo just LOVES the bubbles

After that we travel to Scotland for Munro Bagging - better explained as Scottish Mountain Climbing.  So many beautiful peaks to ascend to capture a medal.

This event is hosted by Scotland's own:

• Bouncing Bertie

 Bertie Demonstrates

Jessie is on top of the world.

Arty can see everywhere now.

Now go click on the Olympic hosts names above for a link to see all the athletes at their finest.