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!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Congratulations and welcome to the HDA Club! The medal looks great on you! 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thank you so much Karen.  And thanks for all your help over these last three years!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Congratulations Linda! Looks like an awesome array of treasures! I can't wait till its my turn for that gorgeous medal. That Meltaway cake looks great! I never would have thought it would make the trip in one piece.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Lori ~ I saw your name in the top 100 - so you never know when it will be coming your way!  I was amazed that Meltaway made it in one piece.  The USPS did a great job too!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Congratulations Linda (and Charlie Brown and Beau)...these pictures are awesome.  Janie sure did a good job with the "HDA package"....such great surprises.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Jane.  Janie is a tough act to follow!

[Rose]

Congratulations, Linda! Great photos!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Rose.

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Love the pictures! 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Congrats Linda, Charlie Brown & Beau !!!

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Congratulations!  Great photos - your doodles are so adorable!  My mouth is watering for that Meltaway cake and hot bagels!  Luckily I am in NJ and will make those my goals for next weekend!  LOL.  Hope the doods have fun with all their stuff!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Emily O, Barbara & Robin ~ Thank you for the kind comments.  Yes, we had a ball and Charlie continues to carry his Kong around all day and to bed at night and Beau is torn between the red crab squeaky and the kong stick!  He keeps getting stuck in the door with the kong stick and then goes to get the red crab. LOL  I will be passing the HDA medal along to the next lucky participant soon!