Oh, the memories of puppyhood! Isn't it wonderful how they can fall in love with their new family in an instant, and vice versa? Love those chubby little legs and the pink 'piggies'. If she's anything like my three, she'll worm her way into someone's bed soon, because they're such wonderful cuddlers, and then that's it! It's a three dog night every night, but I wouldn't change a thing. She looks like the consummate Good Girl! More pics - LOTS more, please?

I have a 1945 house with all original wooden windows which are in good shape. I noticed that the front and right side windows are in better condition since they are covered by porch. But the back and left side ones are not so great in the trim and sill areas since they are very exposed to the weather (sun, snow, wind, and rain). Half trims and sills have been replaced (not the panes parts-in good condition whew), didn't cost much since they were plain. We will have the rest replaced later. We do have storms windows, but all back and left side old storm windows are being replaced with new ones. Why I am doinf this? More protection from exposure in the back. If I were in your shoes, I would not know exactly what I would do. I guess I would find out how much it would cost to fix like Spewey suggested. One poster admitted that she had all back windows replaced so she could use some good ones to replace the ones in the front that cannot be saved at all.

Thanks for the welcome, Kathi, joansews4u, and Mary. The eye pillows were suggested by a friend. I saw some on the internet, and they were quite pricey. I put my first one in the freezer for a few minutes, then put it over my eyes. It felt wonderful. I'm sure you could also nuke them, but only for a few seconds, as you wouldn't want to burn your eyes. I did check out the quilting forum, but as I don't quilt, I didn't really stay long - but I loved the post about introductions. I sat there and read the whole thing. I felt welcome and I don't even quilt! Joansews4u, I actually thought about running a stitch around the nylon before I washed it. Too bad I didn't think about it longer. I was shocked at how much material I lost to shredding.

Clare, the hardest decision we have ever had to make in our life. Our decision is the right one for our son. No ands ifs or buts about it. If you go to the blog and read it, back for the couple of months we have been writing it, it is all there. Our son was running away about 5 nights a week as he had such a lack of communication. He was not safe. His fits of rage were dangerous for himself and for our 3 year old daughter. I don't want to see either of them to get hurt unintentionally. Our son's vineland test revealed that he was a three to five year in living skills in many areas, which also left him in some very scary situations. Him living in a home forever is most likely not going to happen. That is why it is called a transitioning home. A home preparing him to come home. He also started to harm himself because of frustrations. The assisted living is there to teach him some vocational training and also to teach him some living skills. Sometimes when such bad things happen and it is super scary, you can't go with your mothering instinct and be selfish to keep your child in your home for your own peace of mind. You have to do what is best for his/her health and well being. That is what we have had to do. Believe me it wasn't, isn't easy. I was out of work for months with depression and anxiety over it... lost a ton of sleep and a ton of weight. It hasn't been this rosy picture of we don't have to worry about it now. It is quite the other scale to be honest. We worry about him when he gets hurt, and we can't be there to comfort him. We worry if he is getting things to eat that are his favorite. We worry that he won't hear us say we love him near as much as we usually say. Each case of autism is different. I am glad as it seems that your son's must not be to the extent. I am glad as I hate to see others go through this. All of our friends and family see a huge difference in him since he is getting the help he needs with intense therapy and med regulation. I am also a mom that works full time as well does my husband and our son can't be unattended as his case is severe enough it is not healthy for him. Our neighbor is a therapist that works with autistic children also and she has a million times over come over to tell us how much of a change she sees in our son and we did the best thing for him. Thanks for asking. The blog has a lot of information on it. Here is a link that might be useful: Our journey through autism