The Hunt for the Next Top Bolster

From early on Payton always made sure her head was propped up on something. I don't know if she learned it from seeing us use pillows in bed (yeah, she was that smart) or if it's just pug instinct.  Regardless, she was always adorable resting her head on some kind of bolster.

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If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that I love a good chin support, or bolster.  In fact, recently I showed you how I love to lay my head against the armrest of our loveseat in my post Crazy Couch Sleeper.  This got me to thinking about the other things in the house that I can use as a bolster.

Let's start out with the obvious choices like a pillow (quite a while back I actually did an entire post dedicated to my love of pillows aptly named Pillow Girl).

My Bowser Donut bed, always a favorite, is surrounded by a bolster for my head AND feet.

Body parts can be relaxing too.

Shin/knee area

Arm

Thigh/knee area

Yeah, mom is pretty comfortable.  Her stomach isn't bad either, but no pictures of that yet.  I've even sleep-barked while resting on her and lucky mom had her phone handy so she got it on film.

Now onto some ideas that might be a little more obscure.  Like the floor cushion.  You might think to lay on them, but then your head wouldn't be supported, and that just won't do!

Or how about an overstuffed toy?

Lastly, and perhaps the most difficult is a jumbled blanket.  It is so hard to get it just right with the correct amount of "shelf" dimensions.

Regardless of the type of head rest that works best for you, don't forget to live as my good friend Sid says and the world can be your bolster too!

Love,
Payton

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Like the other recent posts, all of these pictures were taken in 2012, some even a week or two before she passed away.  I've been sorting through old fashioned prints, collecting some oldies but goodies to scan and share with you all later.

Thanks for all of your continued support and prayer through this very difficult time.  I am trying my best to get through each day, but it is tough adjusting to life without my girl.  I like reliving these memories and being able to continue to share Payton, but the tears keep rolling down my cheeks...they are just easier to hide in cyberspace.

Love,

Christy

The Wardrobe

Seems like forever ago that my mom promised Sid, his peeps, and Michelle + Myko that we'd talk about my wardrobe.  Notice I said *my mom* because I know that would mean modeling each and every item...not my most favorite past time.  But with the cooler weather this last weekend, it was time.  So mom opened the closet and started to sort through all of my stuff.

Oh, my pug!  It's a mess, isn't it?!?  While she was organizing, I made up my mind that I wouldn't move a muscle until there were signs of food.  Once I negotiated my rates and demands of a professional environment were met, I worked the camera.

First up, winter wear.  Specifically, coats and shoes.

You all have seen my pink "tough girl" coat before in a few posts (to see the pics, click here, here, and here).  And the pink and black ensemble (from Pug Snuggly) is what I wore for the December SYOP contest.  That means I only had to model the green jacket...

...and the shoes, Muttluks.  Mom and dad bought them to protect my feet in the winter time, but they were too difficult to get on me (hehe) when I had to go and are kinda obsolete anyway since I use the garage porch potty when it's cold out.

My mom forgot to include a picture of a related item in the group shot...socks.  Yes, I own a pair (or is that a quartet).  Anyway, since my back left leg is very gimpy and I slip and slide sometimes, mom thought that the rubber bottoms might help.

It may look like I might be smiling in that picture, but I don't like the socks, so I don't wear the socks.

Now let me show you my collection of fleece and hoodies (that doubled in size recently thanks to my friend Tiffy!).

I wore the pink one during my trip to Texas, but I'm not sure I've shown anyone the others.

How about sleepwear next?

I raved about my Pugjamas in my Christmas morning and New Year's Eve posts, but mom never got a picture of me wearing the penguin PJs.

Oh, and I can't forget about my special occasion wear!

My mom just recently got some great pictures of me in my cheerleading outfit and I wore my football jersey the first time I met Miss Tiffy!

So, let's get right to spring fashion (looks like *somebody* better do some ironing soon).

Since I haven't worn any of these recently, I was nervous that this section of my closet would take forever, but mom was nice and only picked out two for our photo session.

Last, but not least, here's my collection of everyday t-shirts.

You all have seen me in a variety of these throughout my blog, so I just picked out my favorites to pose in.  I like the stretchy, almost sweatshirt quality of my pink Cubs Princess shirt, and I get lots of compliments when I wear black so these are probably my go-to pieces. 

All of the shirts (except for the Cubs one) are from a company called Dog Love Art, but unfortunately they moved on and closed up shop.  I was bummed because it's so hard to find a t-shirt that fits my pug body.  Well, until I got a surprise in the mail from my good friend Sid!

When Sid found out that there wasn't an American Apparel close to me, he rushed to my aide, and picked out a confidence shirt just for me!

I am proud to add this awesome shirt to my collection.  Thank you so much, Sid!  I feel so good and assertive in this t-shirt that I want to renegotiate my modeling contract right away!

Love,
Payton

PS.  I have to give a big shout out to Michelle + Myko who surprised me for my birthday by donating money to a pug rescue in my honor.  That was so special, thanks!

It's my 9th Birthday Bash and 1st Comment-a-thon!

 

Dearest Payton,
I just want to tell you how much I love you and how much I have loved every minute of our nine years together.  All of the ups, and even the down times, are so precious to me.  It is amazing that you are still in our lives, but I thank God for you every single day, and always ask Him to bless us with many more days together.  You are an inspiration, a miracle, and an angel on earth.  Happy 9th Birthday, baby girl.  Enjoy your day!
Love,
Mom

Sorry for the sappy note from my mom, but when she asked for the laptop, I didn't know what she was up to.  I probably owed her one, but now we're even.  Anyway, let's get this party started!!  First up, let me share with you an awesome early birthday gift from the Southern Fried Pugs.  You will not believe what they sent me...the sweetest, most thoughtful thing that has forever sealed them in my dad's heart...and made my mom leaky as she was helping me open the package...  My very own Chicago Bears cheerleading outfit!!

Yep, I'm totally ready for football season to start now.  Go Bears!  Da Bearsss!  Thanks so much Isabelle, Petunia, and Tallulah!!  Mom and dad are slackers when it comes to checking the mail, but they did last night.  There was a bunch of cards and such from even more friends.  I feel so loved...you guys are awesome!  Thanks!  Who knows how long they have been sitting in the mailbox.  Sheesh!  I'll have to tell you the specifics about them later because mom said I might as well wait until tonight to open them, so I will.  Although I don't really have a choice given my lack of usable thumbs, now do I?

Now for some more GREAT news!  My inhaler came in late Monday afternoon so Gammy and Gampy are coming over tonight!!  And mom promised me a very sweet treat!  This is going to be a great birthday party, so I better get some rest... 

Oh my pug, I'm up!  What a dream!  I was traveling the globe in my private jet with my frequent-flyer friends (Lola Pug, Sid, Suki, and Puglet) there to help show me the ropes!  Gampy better come through with his promise of a private jet for me tonight so I can visit ALL of my dear blogging friends, near and far!  My mom said not to hold my breath because Gampy promised her a pool a very, very long time ago and it never happened...although he says that my "training" pool from last summer counts.  Hmmm...yeah, good try, Gampy, but I'm not sure that cuts it.

Anyway, did mom just say it was almost time for my party?

I can taste the nomables already!

I should probably make sure everything is in order!

Mom, get your butt out of that chair and let's get to taste testing all the food before my special guests arrive!

Sheesh!  My work around here is never done.  I hope mom has it all together because I'm so excited!  I'll be sure to post pictures of my party and tell you all about it later this week.

Ok, enough about me.  Remember, this post is also my Comment-a-thon to help out Wilma's "Stuff My Doghouse" project that I told everyone about last Friday!

So please remember to leave a comment on this post today (March 21st) before the clock strikes midnight CST to help a good cause, specifically the Homeward Bound Pug Rescue and Adoption of Oklahoma!  And thanks to those of you who have already donated directly, especially those that said they would do so in my honor!

Love,
Payton

PS.  I just want to give a shout-out to Sid for the inspiration to visualize my dream using the Ken Burns effect!  If you haven't seen his studly potato video, it's a must!

Holiday Rewind...hotel fun in Chicago

After two detours (first Suki, then Sid) on the most fun drive to Chicago ever, we finally made it to our downtown hotel after dark.  The lights are just so sparkling and beautiful around the holidays, and our views were spectacular!

We especially like looking at the Water Tower right on Michigan Ave.  Here's a picture of it at night,

and one of it during the day.

We were lucky to get a corner suite with 3 large windows which meant that the sun's rays were all over the living room most of the day.  I can't help but try to soak 'em up!

Not only did we take full advantage of the large picture windows, but we also decided to test out the room service for breakfast!  YUM!

Every morning we'd get a fruit plate and I'd get to have some too!  I love the blueberries.

Although I am more than happy to admit we did our fair share of eating in the hotel room, I also made sure to spend time with my toys, like the skinneez ostrich that thoughtful Suki got me.

Oh, and you don't think I would forget in a minute that my friend Sid got me a little something, did you?

A brand new pack of potatoes, egg babies, squeaky balls...whatever you call them, they are awesome!

I like to kill the squeaker (that goes without saying) and then walk around with one in my mouth chomping on it.  Until I find another one, then I switch, and repeat.

Thanks for the great gift, Sid!  Oh, and last week I promised to tell you about the present that sweet Hank sent me, so here it is.  Besides a pink t-shirt, a super soft blanket with pups and candy was in the package!

As you can tell, I just love to lay on it, but enough pictures already mom!  You can never have enough cozy, snuggle blankies.  Thanks so much Hank!

There is so much more to share about my time in the city, leading up to New Years, but this post is long enough already.  Tomorrow I'll update you on the main reason for our Chicago trip, my PDE check-up.

Love,
Payton