The Saga of the Big Turtle Hand and How it Found It's Way to Karen and Jack's House!!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

 

Recently, I started a Photo Caption contest (now called Snap, Caption, and Post) and one of the prizes offered initially was a large hand holding a turtle.  After the contest started, I took that prize off the table because I thought I would offer it to Adina to lend her a helping hand since she has a lot on her plate right now.  Well, much to my surprise Adina very politely and very diplomatically said maybe it could go to the next Hopeless Doodle Addict. I wasn’t born yesterday and I know a brush off when I see one, but what Adina did not realize is that hand is big and huge.  I did not want to become known on DoodleKisses as the person who singlehandedly tanked the Hopeless Doodle Addict program because no one wanted to pay to ship that hand.  I knew the only solution was to find that large hand a permanent home.

 

Luckily, one member expressed interest in owning that hand and I quote:

Congratulations to the winners! Leslie's caption was my favorite, too!

PS: I love that hand! If nobody wants it, I'd be glad to.. (wait for it)..  take it off your hands

 

Whether she said it in jest or was serious made no matter to me. I ran it by my daughter, since she was the recipient of this gift from my sister, and she seemed very willing to let go of this beautiful hand.  I can still remember her startled scream when she first opened the gift and my sister saying she gave it to her because she collects turtles.  I thought about mentioning the turtle wasn’t the problem, it was the creepy large hand attached to it, which my DD has never expressed interest in collecting, but I have always taught my children to say thank you for any gift even if it scares you.  We did try and find a spot for it in our home.  I walked around with it for days saying things like, “anyone need a hand?......here, let me give you a hand with that…..I’ve got the whole world in my hand.....talk to the hand,” but after my DH said he was starting to regret asking for my hand in marriage, I cooled it for awhile.  So, until recently that lonely hand sat in the closet and was mostly forgotten.

 

Well, finally, this week, it has made its way to Illinois and to the person who was the only one that said she wanted that hand, Karen (and Jack).  I had help with my plan. One member (who for his/her safety shall remain nameless) reminded me Leslie (Leslie and Halas) lived near Karen. I knew if I asked Karen for her address and told her what I was sending her, I risked losing her as my friend on DK.  I contacted Leslie and we went back and forth with a series of Cloak and Dagger emails and we got Project Turtle Hand (named by Leslie) rolling.  I almost felt like one of Charlie’s Angels and I am sure Leslie felt the same. With Fudge and Vern’s help, I got the gift wrapped and quickly mailed to Leslie so she could hand deliver it to Karen. 

I am attaching the letter I sent to her and even though we are joking, Karen is a valuable asset to DK with her knowledge about a lot of things, but especially dog food.  I truly wish I had a rich, interesting, funny, and hand-some man with real hands not holding a turtle to send her way, but frankly, if I find that guy I will have to first consider my single DD that was kind enough to pass this gift on to you. Karen, I am disclosing this right now, so as not to appear underhanded. I hope you understand.

 

 

Dear Karen,

 

 

On behalf of DoodleKisses, we would like to give you a hand. No one has worked as tirelessly as you have to answer questions in the Food Group and because of you our Doodles have learned never to bite the hand that feeds them.  I am sure there have been times when you want to throw your hands up in the air at some of the questions and wash your hands of all of us, but you never let any situation get out of hand. Our biggest regret is we wish we had another enormous hand, so we could put them together and offer up a round of applause in your honor. I would have liked to write this in long hand, but my handwriting is atrocious, but nevertheless, you are the cream of the crop, the top of the line, and hands down, our hero.

 

I’ve got to hand it to you, when I first offered up this prize on DoodleKisses; you were the only one that expressed any interest in owning this large hand. You were the first to respond and that quick response gave you the upper hand.   I was thrilled to find someone to take it off my hands. On the other hand, the choice was so obvious and you are truly the person voted most likely to lend a hand on DoodleKisses. There will never be anyone worthy of working hand in glove with you!

 

Someday, I hope to meet you and hold your hand, but until then give that hand-some Jack Doodle a kiss from all of us here on DoodleKisses. It is my honor to hand this over to you. I know it has found the home it needs and it is now in good hands!

 

 

 

Heart in Hand,

 

Laurie, Fudge and Vern and All the Paws and Hands Across DoodleKisses

 

 

 

 

P.S. If my sister knew what fun we were having with her hand-me-down re-gift, she would probably want to give me another hand or maybe a finger.

So, without further ado, here is the new proud owner of the large turtle hand. Doesn’t she look happy?

[Bonnie and Kona]

Whatever it is, it sure is big and well, something. We do really appreciate you Karen. Lucky you.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Jennifer

Karen, I used a whole package of bubble wrap. I told Leslie to bring a scissors :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Donna, It is hard to stop once you start with the hand comments, isn't it?

Thanks, Nancie, Kaytlin, Jennifer, Anna, and Carla

Sue, I think the hand went to it's forever home!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I actually think it is a bird feeder.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Geesh...it IS HUGE!!!  I had no idea...well, congratulations Karen.  Hands down you are the best!!!  Kisses on the big black nose please!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

what a huge hand! What a wonderful (if strange) way of saying thanks on behalf of everyone on DK :)

[Jennifer and Jack]

You guys are so much fun, and I could not agree more about Karen.. who I plan on meeting at the doodle romp in IL next year!!!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Nice to see that poor re-gift found a home of someone who can appreciate it's beauty and purpose. Ahh...what would the purpose be by the way? Is it an ash tray? A candy dish? A piece of deco-art? Congratulations Karen.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Laurie, you should be a writer. This post was very entertaining:-)

[Donna K & Quincy]

Hands down, the best idea ever. Laurie, it must have been so difficult to hand over such a prize possession but giving some one a hand is always a good thing. I'm sure Karen will find a good use for it and it will come in handy. I can see where shipping this hand with the HDA trophy could become a handicap, and being able to have Leslie hand it off in person was a stroke of genius.

Congratulations Karen, an award well deserved. I hope you can handle the responsibility of finding a permanent place for your prize. 

These punny remarks are really getting out of hand!