Friends, yesterday February 4th was National Thank a Mailman Day. But the mailman doesn’t run on Sundays. So we need to make sure we acknowledge them today. Do you hear that pups? That means don’t chase the mailman on this date! Instead of chasing the mailman, today gives you a chance to say thank you. They deliver the mail six days a week regardless of the weather either by postal truck and walking routes. Do you remember the old Pony Express motto? “Neither rain, nor snow, nor death of the night, can keep us from our duty!” This motto is believed to be taken in part from a motto dating back to ancient times! You also hear it this way some times, “Through rain or snow, or sleet or hail, we’ll carry the mail. We will not fail.”
So pets near and far away, go sit by the mailbox today. Maybe bring a bone and give it to the mailman. Tell him thank you.
Today, February 4th is National Thank a Mailman Day. Do you hear that pups? That means don’t chase the mailman on this date! Instead of chasing the mailman, today gives you a chance to say thank you. They deliver the mail six days a week regardless of the weather either by postal truck and walking routes. Do you remember the old Pony Express motto? “Neither rain, nor snow, nor death of the night, can keep us from our duty!” This motto is believed to be taken in part from a motto dating back to ancient times! You also hear it this way some times, “Through rain or snow, or sleet or hail, we’ll carry the mail. We will not fail.”
So pets near and far away, go sit by the mailbox today. Maybe bring a bone and give it to the mailman. Tell him thank you.
Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.
Together we can do this!
Hello sweet friends. I won’t start this week about asking how your week was last week. Last week was one of the weeks that we just want to skip right over. So much loss in one week – heck let alone so much loss in 2016. This is definitely been a year of grief. Which brings us to eating – let’s just skip right over that this week – LOL
This past weekend was another working weekend. Sunday we did rest which was awesome but the day seemed to go by so fast. And then you sneeze and there you go – Monday all over again. Funny how that happens so quickly. This week though holds hope. I must finish packing up presents and get them mailed out on Friday… that is if the anipals here at the Hotel Thompson will give me a break. We *tried* to work on packages last week. Certain anipals here think they have to take all of the items for a test drive on their own before giving them to any of their friends. Funny how that works, right? So, if you get any presents from the Hotel Thompson, just disregard the stray hair here/there or heaven forbid a small tooth mark on anything – LOL.
So what are your plans this week my friends? I am trying to be nice to myself, trying to take care of myself and trying to watch the things I eat. It is the holidays and I’m watching but not watching – does that make sense? Now come January 1st, it will be full force. I promise that. ❤
Squeals with piggy excitement. Don’t you just get overly excited when you get mail? I know this little oinker does. Heck, I’m on a first snort basis with our mailman. I think he gets as excited as I do when he sees an envelope made out to this little piggy. And what was it and who was it from you are asking yourself?
Wait no longer. I got the world. Snorts with piggy laughter – okay maybe not the ‘world’… but I did get Australia. Okay maybe not the entire Australia – how about a snow globe of Australia. And who was it from? It was from my bestest Auntie Sharon in the entire world. You know Auntie Sharon from gentlestitches. Isn’t she the best and so awesome for thinking of little old me? I just want to jump in an airplane and go thank her in person… but there’s too many layovers and I might get lost. Wouldn’t that be something? Can you see it now in the headlines, “Traveling oinker lost in connections.”
So Auntie Sharon – I’m sending you loads of hogs and snout kisses. Forgive me okay if I didn’t send you an email right away. Mom has been under the weather. It’s hard enough to keep daddy in check these days but we all know when the mommy is down, the house is down. Much love my sweet friend ❤
There I was last night after dinner, minding my own business, curled up on mom’s lap taking a little siesta in the lap of paradise. That’s when mom remembered that I got mail. So she tells daddy to hand it to her so she can open it and share with me.
Oh my piggy heavens – it’s from my Auntie Sharon in Australia. You know her from her gentlestitches. She is amazing and such a super duper awesome friend.
So mom opens the envelope and it’s a card. Mom reads the front and opens it. Okay that’s when some pig ‘might’ have gotten a little scared, squealed, jumped off mom’s lap and ran down the hall to his room. I’m just sayin’. I wasn’t expecting it. That’s all… I’m not afraid.
So of course, mom had to video tape the after effects. Gee, thanks mom.
And thanks to my Auntie Sharon – you rock. I really appreciated the birthday car and mom is digging her boomerang key chain. Maybe now she won’t lose her keys – snorts.
A couple of weeks ago, I gave mom/dad a list of things I just needed to send off this year for Christmas around the world. Now, mom looked at the list and just dreaded it because the woman *hates* shopping. Can you believe that my friends? A woman that *hates* shopping? Rolls piggy eyes – I know unheard of. Now on the other hoof, dad LOVES shopping. He can’t get enough of it. In fact, personally I think he was a woman in a previous life – I’m just saying.
But daddy had this bright idea to come over him Sunday morning. He said to mom, “You know, I bet the post office won’t be busy today. Let’s go play Santa and Mrs. Claus and mail everything off.” You know friends that this is not going to end well, right?
So mom went through all of the shopping bags, made out all of her Christmas cards that she could remember and started bagging things up. Of course, us anipals here at the Hotel Thompson tried to help. So friends, if you get a card or a package from us and it has some anipal fur in it, you my friends just got a bonus – snorts with piggy laughter. Now you need to figure out which one of us it came from because we were all trying to help mom out. She might of gotten a little frustrated to say the least in our attempts to help.
This picture here to the right is one of the many bags that was loaded up in the Jeep for transport to the main post office that is open on Sundays. You see, last Sunday mom/dad went there to get some customs declarations and there was no one in line. Thus that is why daddy thought no one would be there this week.
Let me tell you something my friends, daddy was wrong… as usual. The post office was packed! There were 23 people in front of us and ONE teller. Yep 23 people – mom counted them. So they stood in line…and stood…and moved slightly…and then stood some more.
Finally mom had to walk because her back was hurting. She went outside and came back in laughing. Of course, daddy hadn’t moved that much in line.
He asked mom why she was laughing. She told him and I have to admit that it was hilarious. What was it? Okay outside of the post office there are several signs that fully enforces “Do not back into parking spaces.” The post office is really strict about this rule. Mom is standing outside, sees the sign and looks around the parking lot. That’s when she sees it and starts laughing… of course all the while whipping her camera out to take pictures of course.
On the other side of the sign is the car that is what – backed into a parking space. Oh dear Lord no. We better call the postal police on this situation STAT. What? Oh yeah – hits piggy forehead – *THAT* is the postal police backed into a parking space. What was I thinking? Talk about setting the example by leadership huh? Mom told this to daddy and he was just laughing up a storm. Why is that some people don’t have to follow the rules huh?
And we all know my daddy. He really doesn’t have a serious bone in his entire body. Maybe that is how he stays so young – acting his shoe size? There mom/dad are standing in the slow line progressing closer and closer to the one teller. Daddy gets this grin on his face, looks at mom and says whose envelope is this? Mom looks and tells daddy.
Daddy then says, take my picture. Mom says okay and clicks away. Daddy then tells mommy, “You can tell Fozzie I touched her package”.
Shaking piggy head. I told you my friends – he acts his shoe size!
Oh my sweet friends – I hope you had a wonderful LONG weekend – a happy one with lots of rest and relaxation. I did – snorts – but I can’t say the same for my humans. You see, my humans have been slackers lately. There I said it and they know it’s true. Mom has been playing catch up with so many things that she has been juggling in her life. Finally, I had to sit her down this weekend and have a human to piggy talk with her. She has to catch up… like NOW. So Saturday, I made her finish doing some shopping for me. I have so many things to get sent out… you know a piggy has to put his hoof down, right?
But first up – I think I have forgotten something to post about Bashful. I’m sure some of you saw where when he came back from Australia this past time he had a son named Chip. Who can deny that parentage with the matching grin, huh? You can check the post out here of when Bashful came home. He had a ball in Australia visiting Fozzie while they went on vacation to the Great Barrier Reef. But they also found out about Bimby having his baby out of wedlock when they did the movie “Rockadile Dundee”. Long story short, Bimby went into rehab (bless her heart) and Bashful signed paperwork taking custody of his son Chip. Chip was just a mere baby when he came home here to the Hotel Thompson so we’ve had to get him through the diaper stage – unbelievable how much water a little rock can make my friends. Shakes piggy head.
And of course when Bashful came home, not only did he have his son Chip but he also came home with Hudson. See, I don’t believe I posted about this. It’s been so crazy here at the Hotel Thompson over the past several months! Hudson is adorable, isn’t he? All the way from Australia and what a cute little accent. He has been hanging out here with the other pet rocks and has a cute little chemistry with Rockelle who is also from Australia – who would have guess huh?.
You see I’m telling you all of this because I *finally* got mom to get all of my shopping done so that we could send out not only Bashful but his son Chip to the next person on the list. So you see this bag to the right? There are four envelopes in that bag that got mailed out this morning from the good ole United States Postal Service. One of them contain Bashful and Chip.
Three other envelopes are gifts for different friends in blogville. Just who will receive them? What do they contain? Aren’t you excited to see what goes where and who gets what? I know! The anticipation is killing this little oinker. I just hope mom remembered to pack everything I told her and to sign the cards – snorts. Wouldn’t that be hilarious? Maybe not… maybe I need to go ask her to double check.
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And of course after mommy finished going to the post office, filling out Customs declarations and spending money, she just had to come back to a nice gooey ooey Salted Pecan cupcake. She said that was her payment for standing in line and filling our forms for me. Sure mom – that’s fine. As long as you got my packages out – knock yourself out.
Snorts and oinks my friends. I’ll definitely keep you posted on the travels of my packages 🙂
My sweet friends at Nikitaland have started this monthly issue of Pay It Forward. We asked for you to keep this in mind all month and to share things here today on what you have been able to do. Paying it forward is not for bragging purposes – it’s an attempt to show how many different things we can do to pay it forward – lots of them don’t even include money. Gestures that we take for granite may be a God send to another person. So here we go – I’ll start on what mommy has done in the past month.
Mom *always* buys breakfast for at least one person during the month in a drive thru. This month wasn’t any different 🙂 She bought breakfast for the guy behind her in line at the drive thru and left him a pay it forward card.
Dad brought the trash cans up from the drive for us and the neighbor.
Mom left a card in the mailbox for the mail lady with a piece of chocolate once during the month as an appreciation gift.
Mom also fixed all six of her supervisors at work a treat bag for St. Patrick’s Day. They had green shot glasses and some candy. They were a huge hit and everyone seemed like they really enjoyed them.
AND, they were easy 🙂 All 6 shot glasses with candy wrapped in green paper cost only around $5.00
And this month mommy did something for daddy too. She surprised him with dinner one night to a place that he really enjoys. She took off work early, pick him up and they went off in Albert the Smart Car. She didn’t even tell him she was leaving work early that day. It was a great surprise and daddy had an awesome time!
Thanks my friends for reading and supporting the Pay it Forward mission. What did YOU do this month to make a difference? Please post on your page and link back so everyone can see that it takes everyone making a small part to do a great dent!
My buddy Nikitaland made up a good deeds sheet. You can get it here. You can print it, hang it on your fridge and just jot some things down that you do during the month. That way at our next meet up, you can share what you have done to PAY ITFORWARD.
AND if you are interested in getting some Pay it Forward bracelets, check out Nikitaland’s post here for ordering information. Believe me friends – WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Next meet up will be Friday, May 1, 2015 – mark your calendars!
NOTE: Due to Bacon’s Show and Tell coming out tomorrow (3/31/2015), I am featuring my weekly Tuesday edition of Dear Bacon issue today. I hope you enjoy my friends!
Dear Bacon – When you are tired, you are tired. What can I say? I’ve watched the humans here at my paradise. When they come home from work, they lay down on the couch and put their legs up. I thought I would give it a whirl. I gotta say, it’s awesome. So relaxing and peaceful. Have you ever tried this? Signed Forty Winks
Dear Forty Winks – You know you look so peaceful there my friend. I’m going to have bounce the purr things off of the couch here, climb up and stretch on the big boy couch to see what it feels like. I have gotten on mom’s love seat with her but somehow your position looks so appealing. Thanks for the tidbit of information. I’m off to see if purr things can fly now. Snorts
Dear Bacon – The mailman was being so rude when he snapped this picture. Yes I was taking a power nap. But let me set the record straight right now. If he had opened the gate or stepped one toe into my space, I would have been on him like a casing on a sausage. I’m just sayin’ – no joking around. I protects what is mind. Signed Power Pup
Dear Power Pup – You know my friend I believe you. How dare that mailman take this photograph of you and send it to your humans. I just know you will get even for that little mis-step… right? I’m sure a great sneak attack barking ferociously will set that guy in his place… in more ways than one. Keep me posted.
Dear Bacon – My human said I was quote, “Flying off of the rafters” and advised me to take a nap. Yes that is right. She sent me to her room while she had company. Hhmmphh – I was sore for a few minutes. That is until I pounced on top of the big bed and got comfy on her pillow. These humans have the life! What luxury they sleep in – and they expect us to sleep on the floor. I don’t think so. This pillow is now marked MINE… all MINE. Signed Spoiled Puss
Dear Spoiled Puss – Hey, I’m with you my friend. The humans do sleep in luxury. I agree 100%. That’s why every time I get a chance, I’m so on mom/dad’s Select Comfort bed right in the middle with *my* pillow. And yep, I would be a 65 on the Sleep Number bed – snorts. Happy Dreams.
Dear Bacon – Our human went to sleep while we were out playing. We heard them snoring. Dude, they can make the racket louder than any of us, right? Well, me and my twin thought we would just stare at them until it woke them up. Have you ever done this? It’s a fun game. The woke with a start. I think we have powers… secret powers. Signed Pig Powers
Dear Pig Powers – One pig to you two, I *know* we have super powers. The humans just don’t realize it but they will soon when we take over the world! Snorts – Pig Power
Dear Bacon – Oh dude. I went out last night with the boys and things got a little wild. Okay maybe a LOT wild. I woke up like this on a picnic table in a yard I don’t know with none of my friends. I don’t even know what we did. Shakes head – what a night! Signed Cat Calling
Dear Cat Calling – Oh my friend, you need to slow down and rethink your life. You don’t even know what you did, where you ended up at and no friends to help you in case something happened while you were sleeping. You might want to rethink that party life and focus on the future. Your college cat calling nights on the fence might be over. Take care of you okay!
REMEMBER FRIENDS – We can’t have Dear Bacon issues without YOU. Keep your pictures and questions coming to me via email 🙂
My sweet friends at Nikitaland have started this monthly issue of Pay It Forward. We asked for you to keep this in mind all month and to share things here today on what you have been able to do. Paying it forward is not for bragging purposes – it’s an attempt to show how many different things we can do to pay it forward – lots of them don’t even include money. Gestures that we take for granite may be a God send to another person. So here we go – I’ll start on what mommy has done in the past month.
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Mom did another adventure through the McDonald’s drive thru in February. She paid for the guy’s breakfast behind her. All he had ordered was a biscuit so mom added a drink to his order as well. She left one of my business cards with “Pass it Forward” on it. It *made* the guy’s day! Later on, I got an email stating, “YOU MADE MY DAY. Thanks for the breakfast. I will pass it forward.” See – little things add up to make someone’s day!
During the month, mom and dad try to watch out for the trash can out front once a week. They brought back the neighbor’s can a couple of times. In this weather, that was awesome!
Mom and dad went to Cracker Barrel for dinner one night. When they were checking out, there was a small boy that was at the cash register. He was wanting to buy a small toy – it wasn’t much. He was so polite! He didn’t have enough money. Mommy bought him the toy and let him keep his money for another one later on.
Now you gotta know that my parents eat out A LOT. Snorts and rolls with laughter – that’s definitely a post for another time. One night they went to IHOP. There was an older man sitting by himself. My mom in all of her southern charm, invited him to dine with her and dad. They talked and had coffee for at least an hour. His wife had passed last year and each week he goes to a restaurant to think of her. It was a privilege to spend time with him and hear about his life.
Now I want to tell you about some things that was done TO mommy this past month. Our great friend and co-chair of Pay it Forward, Valerie, is totally awesome! Mommy has been so sick this past month and Valerie sent mom a pick me up card. She enclosed a little something inside of the card for mommy to treat herself with a meal. Now let me tell you. That made my mommy smile and bubble with happiness. Valerie – you go way beyond being a friend. YOU are awesome and you rock!
And to the man at the theater this past weekend – you rock! You don’t want me to mention your name but you were a life savior. You see, when me and the hub unit go out sometimes it is difficult for the hub to go to the restroom. We went to the theater and the bathrooms were dark. There was no way that he could maneuver by himself. A gentleman standing nearby waiting for his wife saw our dilemma. He escorted Jim to the bathroom and out. What a knight in shining armor – thank you so very much!
Another Pay it Forward we want to throw out is to the Hilton Garden Inn located at 4801 Governor’s Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35805. If YOU are ever in the area and need a place to stay, mom and dad highly recommend this location. There are the nicest people at the front desk. The hotel is overly accommodating with any need or desire you may have. Not only did they let mom/dad check in early last week, they recommended some wonderful restaurants and was so nice! Thanks everyone – the stay was great!!
Thanks my friends for reading and supporting the Pay it Forward mission. What did YOU do this month to make a difference? Please post on your page and link back so everyone can see that it takes everyone making a small part to do a great dent!
My buddy Nikitaland made up a good deeds sheet. You can get it here. You can print it, hang it on your fridge and just jot some things down that you do during the month. That way at our next meet up, you can share what you have done to PAY ITFORWARD.
AND if you are interested in getting some Pay it Forward bracelets, check out Nikitaland’s post here for ordering information. Believe me friends – WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Next meet up will be Wednesday, April 1, 2015 – mark your calendars!
Miniature pot bellied pig and friends - Bacon, Houdini, Hemi and all of the Rock Clan with Journalist Rocky the Squirrel all out looking for adventures from the Hotel Thompson.