HDA Medal Has Arrived in Washington State!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

On Thursday morning, as I was driving down our driveway, I noticed a postal truck driving slowly down our street.  Of course, I did not see that sign on the driver’s door, or I would have immediately turned around and went back home!

Upon returning home, I noticed a large box on our doorstep.  I have to be honest here, Janie, Jackson & Jilly had given me a heads up that it would be arriving, however, it was supposed to arrive Friday and it was a day early!  Can you believe New Jersey to Richland, Washington only took 3 days!  I was so excited.

I brought the box into the house, and Charlie and Beau were spinning circles to see what was in the box.   I decided to wait for my DH to come home, so he could help with photos.   While I was waiting for my husband to arrive, I started thinking about how I found the Doodle Kisses site and what it has meant to be a member.   Charlie was 9 weeks old when we brought him home Valentine’s Day 2011 and little did I know what impact a doodle would have on our lives.  One day I was googling doodles and found the Doodle Kisses website!  I immediately signed up and the first welcome on my page was from Donna and Quincy.  It was a photo of beautiful Quincy with the words “Warning, like peanut butter,  DK can be addictive, proceed with caution!"  As soon as I started navigating this site, I was hooked.  I have met so many wonderful, funny, helpful DKers who happily give their time, knowledge and energy to this site.  I visit this site at least once daily and yes, I am a Hopeless Doodle Addict.  So thank you Adina (and Clark) for creating this doodly site, a big thank you to all the fearless group leaders who help us each and every day, and to each and every member that makes this site such a wonderful place to just hang out!

My DH soon arrived, and I got the camera out.  As soon as I asked the boys to come up on the couch with me and I slit the box open, I could see that they were not going to sit politely while I opened it up so I set the box on the floor and Charlie & Beau immediately lunged into the box to see what was there!

Charlie quickly found the purple kong ball (his favorite thing in the world), and Beau found the red crab and they went running around showing us  their new treasures.    

Then we sat down and went through the rest of the contents. The boys were so overwhelmed because there was so much in that box for them:  2 kong balls, a blue Wubba, a red crab sqeaky and a blue lobster squeaky, a Kong stick, Oryjen treats, chicken jerky treats.   It was like Christmas!  When Beau saw the Blue Kong stick that was it, he dropped his crab and as you can see – he is in love with the kong stick!

I gathered up all the gifts and asked Charlie to drop his purple ball and put them all on the table for this photo.  Charlie did not want to relinquish his new ball for long.

Janie was so thoughtful in her choices:  There was a bottle of my favorite lotion Pure Grace by Philosophy (the best lotion around); a blue “life is good tee” for me; and very tasty  Meltaway from the Haisch Bakery in NJ (I have never been to NJ, but I so want to go there ( and to this bakery!!).   Then I opened the last box which contained the HDA medal, along with a list of recipients and the journal.  Before I send the award on, I am going to read each and every entry!  It is such a wonderful part of DK history. 

I quickly put on the tee shirt, made a cup of coffee and sat down to enjoy a piece of the Meltaway coffee cake.  It was out of this world! 

Janie ~ I hope to one day to meet you in person.  Thank you for choosing to pass this honor on to me.  I appreciate every ounce of thoughtfulness you put into choosing the contents of this gift.  Each and every item was just perfect!   You made this day a very special one - full of fun and laughter. 

As soon as possible, I will forward the HDA award to the next recipient.  You Janie, will be a tough act to follow!  

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Kyoko and Nicky.

[Mari Bezanson]

I am still getting to know this site, but I am in awe of how you treat your members! This is like none other and I am so pleased I stumbled upon this when I did. Congratulations Linda!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Mari ~ I felt the same way as you when I initially joined this group.  We are glad to have you and your doodle on board!  Welcome to Doodle Kisses! 

[Adina P]

Well, Mari, while I started this tradition, the 'treats' come from members. Our members are the awesome ones!  It started off as a small little gift and has grown into a whole care package! 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

From NJ to  WA :)  A big congratulations, Linda and welcome to the club!!!!  A well deserved honor and looks like you scored some awesome goodies!  I love the photos of you, and handsome Charlie and Beau!!!!!  So sweet that they are enjoying their new toys so much!  Enjoy the HDA journal - it's so special! Janie, you rocked it!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks so much Cheryl.  I am just now going to make myself a fresh cup of coffee and read the journal.  Unfortunately, the Meltaway coffee cake is all gone (we had company and shared) - I could really use a piece of that right about now!

[jenn D]

Congrats! You and the boys look so dog-gone happy!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Jenn

[Carol and Banjo]

Linda, Welcome to the Club.....so very well deserved!   I nearly spit my coffee out when I saw your Special Delivery Truck....soooooo cute!!!!!     Loved the photos of you and your gang.....and may I say, you have a very comfy looking home!  Enjoy all the wonderful goodies.    Nice job Janie!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Carol.  If you are ever up in the WA wine country, let me know, and we will get together!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Linda, you are such a kind and helpful voice on DK and it was truly an honor to be able to pass the HDA award on to you! You look so adorable in the tee and I love that you made a cup of coffee right away to have with the Meltaway! That's how to do it!! Charlie and Beau could not be any cuter and seeing them enjoy their goodies just warms my heart! And who knew you liked Philosophy too, I was crossing my fingers on that one! I had to smile when I saw our very familiar bakery box in your home all the way across the country in WA! I just now finished my cup of coffee and piece of Meltaway, it's a Sunday morning tradition around here! It's either that or bagels from the bagel shop, but you really need to come and visit us in NJ for the bagels, they are best hot out of the brown paper bag! So let me know when you'll be in town, we have a lot to get to!! I'm so glad that we both found our way into this awesome club!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Janie ~ We are still enjoying everything sent in that box (except the Meltaway - we had company and it was devoured!). Thanks again for your thoughtfulness and taking the time to make this day extra special for us.  It would have been spectacular if you could have delivered the package and then we could have driven over to Walla Walla to meet up with Adina! Ha Ha - you never know, maybe one day that will happen.  I hope I am able to make someone else as happy as you have made us.  Thanks again!

!