Lurking

I've been a cleaning frenzy. Part of it is a financial necessity as I've been selling off stuff I no longer use on various sites. Part of it is emotional... the fear that I'm becoming a hoarder. I just don't want my godchild or relatives to have to clean up such a mess.

The other day, I was up at 4 and in the attic, organizing and getting rid of old tax paperwork. I tossed anything older than the prerequisite 13 years. (I have several friends who don't admit to working for the IRS but have pointed out to me that the agency can audit back to 10 years. IF they find a problem, they can request and additional three in either direction.)

As I moved to the recycling bin, I was absolutely stunned that EVERYTHING in those boxes is ripe for some lurking identity thief. My bank in the late nineties (sold to other corporations several times now) placed my entire social security number ON EVERY PAGE OF EVERY STATEMENT!

My credit card receipts...printed on REAL paper...  contain the ENTIRE number.

So, I stoked a fire in the outdoor fire pit and started burning. I only managed about two years worth before the thing was full of ash!  As I minded the fire, I started cleaning the garage. I decided my shipping area was ripe for a reorganization. Just look at what I found lurking there... she's bigger than a quarter!

Yes, I smashed her dead! If only we could do the same with identity thieves!

Divergence

The rotten butt edition

Mabel Lou and Bart - the most interesting dog in the world (I think...Rottrover! Help???)

Creekhikers - A Video

My bestie has lots of fun with her Mac! The humans were discussing a not so pleasant topic, so she sped up the video and now... it sounds like we are listening to the high pitched inner thoughts of dogs! Check out Mabel Lou's sneeze!! Too funny!

A Message for Granny

The other morning, I phoned my mom as I often do. And, as phone conversations with my mother go, I usually say "Hi Mom!" and she's off and running. The next twenty minutes, I rarely do more than grunt until I say, "I have to go Mom." Since I have arm issues and back issues, I put Mom on speaker so I can get stuff done. I was dashing about trying to get breakfast for me and Mabel Lou.

I had the Mom phone in one hand and Mabel's kibble in the other when I lost my balance coming in the back door and dropped the phone right in front of Mabel's bed. Mabel looked at the phone, puzzled at first. Then she gingerly belly crawled over to it, listening intently. She reached down and kissed the earpiece where her Granny's voice was coming from...twice.

Sigh.... I LOVE MY DOG!

Versatile Blogger

Mabel Lou here. Our real life furiends over at RottRover gave our blog the Versatile Blogger award. I'm certain it's because all the posts I write around here!

I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about my human (That's hardly interesting but I suspect that since we k9s need human hands to post, and those humans are so overly interested in themselves... well, you know.)  Here goes:

• My mom loves to cuddle with me on the sofa. We don't do it as much in the summer. When she gets up and I stretch out, she often sits on the floor beside me.
• She loves the creek as much as I do. We both love to frolic with friends but we both love to just sit and listen to the water music!
• My mom loves taking me just about anywhere. I get sad when I don't get to go - mostly when it's hot. But she will run errands and buy groceries at night so I can go too!
• She loves to laugh. I love to hear her laugh.
• Mom worries too much sometimes; it's my job to make sure she doesn't.
• She never met a rotten she didn't like. She wants to curl up and play kissy face with dogs other humans label as vicious! She turned many a barking snarling dog into a tail wagger in a matter of seconds!
• Mom plays a mean game of bitey face with me!! I think she's really a k9 in a human outfit!

Update: Mabel was supposed to pass this on but it seems she feels the same way about that as her mom.... hmmm! So if you want it, take it!