Woof woof! Merry Christmas! Mom has been busy so I thought I would write the Christmas letter this year. I am the newest member of the Lawless family. I am Stuie, Jasmine's peanut detector service dog. I am trained to sniff out eleven of my girl's allergerins. I sit and point to tell my girl what is safe and what isn't.
Dad had surgery on his shoulder before I came here. Mom says he was off work for six months. All I know is it was fun with dad at home all day. Dad spent a lot of time in the garage rebuilding a cabinet. Mom has pictures of Dad working in the garage with his sling.
My boy and girl are seniors this year! I will go to college with my girl next year. I go everywhere with my girl. Both my girl and boy have different options for next year. They will figure it all out next month. My girl keeps busy writing for two newspapers, working with her jewerly business and school. My boy is always on his computer. That kid is a whiz!
My new family and I have been busy! We have had tv interviews, newpaper interviews....... it is a lot for my girl to take in. She still gets nervous around people. I am working with her to show her that with me, she is safe.
Mom has been busy keeping up with everyone. She started a family blog last winter. She is playing with digital scrapbooking programs. You should see the kids' senior pictures!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
May God hold you in the palm of His hand, until we met again.....

Professor Stuie

Jasmine had another checkup this week for her breathing issues. Poor girl, lots of poking. I hate IVs and Jasmine gets a hour long IV each trip. They help and that is what matters. We see the lung doctor on Jan 2. Now that the lung fuction test results are back we know what the problem is. Not asthma like we thought but trapped air in the lungs. Our NP doctor has been to DAAN conferences, she requested Jasmine and I read one book. Good thing I aced pathogoly and A&P in college! This book is written for doctors by a doctor. Gets a little deep at times. This is the same program Jenny McCarthy is using on her son who is austic. The program covers, autisum, allergies, asthma and ADHD. Some of my college books have interesting information on chakras, we are reading that. I am also signing up to take Level 1 Reiki classes after Christmas. Until then Christmas is comming!!! I need to get ready!

For fun and to take a break from the stresses of the holidays, I decided to take part in this questionnaire from Maier Memories


Have You Ever?

Just for grins and giggles. Copy this list and put it on your blog. If you've done it, bold it.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (and DisneyWorld!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill --ssshhh!
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping -TMI?
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run -- I'm guessing that one on the Wii doesn't count?
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied--most of the time
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke - if that's what you want to call it!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (not that I'm proud of it, but I have)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job --not proud of this, either!
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book ( a booklet on food allergies)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day - It's been a while...The Bridges of Madison County was the last book that I've read in one day. That's sad to me. I love to read but rarely have the time to do a lot of it in one day.

There are many more on this list that I hope to do one day!

Why not take a moment out of your busy day to post this on your blog! Let me know if you do. :)

I am cleaning, sorting and decluttering! Since I can't get a picture to post on craigslist, I started another blog. http://treasurechestitemstosell.blogspot.com/
If you are interested in anything, you know how to contact me!

Jasmine had her lung fuction testing yesterday. She flunked. The tech was burning cds to send to our doctor and our new doctor as we were leaving. Answers are answers no matter what we find out. We need answers.

I took some great pictures of Stuie this morning. He is so cute with his haircut. He is freezing so we have been sewing coats and sweatshirts for him. Yesterday Jasmine found a neat sweater for him. The browns match Stuies eyes. Stuie loves not having beard and the shaggy around his eyes. Cleaning his face is so much easier now without a beard!

The new meds are working for Jasmine. She has her lung function testing next week.

Jasmine is now on puffers, nebulizer and steroids. When she is feeling better she will go to the hospital for lung tests. Really enough already! I am getting upset.... all of this because of a package of mislabeled frozen green beans. Crazy!! The new meds are helping. She is feeling better and breathing is easier too.

Here is a link to the article
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1219&u_sid=10489839

The article on Jasmine and Stuie will be in the OWH tomorrow or Monday. I don't think it made it to the Sunday paper.

Back from the doctor in NP. Jasmine is having breathing issues again. Looks like there may be some serious problmes from the allergic reaction she had in Sept.


Gregg got good news from his doctor too!!!

I made this today. I have less than $3 in the large picture and less than $1 in the small one.

This is what the wall above the stairs looks like now. I refused to take before pictures. We hadn't really done anything to this part of the house since we moved in sixteen years ago. lol It was past time to freshen it up.

One tired dog! It looks like he is wanting the tv remote.

Alyssa, Jasmine and Stuie during the photo shoot today. The article will be in Thursdays OWH.

Stuie loves the snow!

Saying goodbye to Mike after he had watched how we shop with Stuie in tow. Hummmm didn't realize we were getting snubbed..... I was concentrating on taking the picture and didn't see you.

This picture shows how much Stuie loves Jasmine. I know he will do a wonderful job of taking care of her when she leaves home. I wish Jasmine and Jeremiah didn't want to go so far away! Jeremiah has a few more years left at home. Senior or not he is not moving out until he is old enough to have a drivers license.

Mike taking pictues of Jasmine and Stuie.

Stuie playing with is toy ball. He is wild. You learn fast to watch your shins and ankles. We have had the bruises to prove Stuie does move faster than we do. This is a hard plastic ball.

We had another busy week last week. Mike O'Conner from OWH came to our home and interveiwed us. Mainly Jasmine and Stuie! After Mike interveiwed us, we showed how we train Stuie, then showed Mike how Stuie loves his ball. Mike wanted some pictures of Stuie and Jasmine in the backyard. Mike learned that Stuie does not have an off switch! More pictures were taken in the house, then Mike followed us as we went shopping in McCook.

This is Stuie showing off.

Tomorrow is the spaghetti dinner. I think we have everything ready! Hope to see some friendly Palisade faces there!

We will be interviewed in the next week or so by a large newspaper. The reporter would like to talk to people who have see a change in Jasmine's life. Jasmine said she didn't know who to ask so if anyone would like to talk to a reporter about the difference Stuie has made in her life, please contact me.

Jasmine and Jeremiah. What a pair they make!

Jasmine and Jeremiah. Yep, they should have been twins. As they get older they look more and more alike. I wonder what they will look like in ten years?

I haven't touched up any of the pictures yet. My computer was acting funny yesterday. With the spaghetti dinner on Sunday, I doubt I have any extra time this week to play on the computer.

Jasmine. She is quite the young lady.

I really like this pictue of Jeremiah. Oh my where has the time gone?

Here are the barbies and clothes.

Barbie clothes and stuff...... Jasmine is selling this too.

We also have for sale

child's rocker
CD tower that holds water and bubbles
glass blocks for building not playing
solid wood potty chair handmade, very cute, has a magazine and tp holder
Barbie doll house
toy bench
golf clubs, mens and youth

We are in a clutter buster mood!

Dolls and furiture Jasmine has for sale

Jasmine's doctors appointment went very well. She doesn't need to go back for three weeks.

We are finishing up details on the spaghetti fundraiser. I am behind in everything! Here is a neat picture of Jasmine this summer.

I have found the chinese herb the doctor wants Jasmine to try! Yeah!

We tried to stay out of the doctors office this week! Jasmine over did it on Sunday and has gotten worse everyday since. The guys stayed home. The problem is the allergic reaction has caused a JRA flare in the sterum/rub joints. Those were some joints that weren't affected by the JRA. We have been doctoring for five years w/o a dx of RJA, four years with a dx of JRA. Jasmine is better but she needs to be in a remission to prevent bone damage. So we will be having x rays done, trying some chinese herbs and checking into injections for RA. Now that Jasmine is 18, getting the medication might be easier. Or should I say getting the insurance company to pay for it. Jasmine understands the long term side effects. She accepts it, understands it. Like the doctor and I said, there is quality of life also. Jasmine does great during the warm months and not so great during the cool months. I don't like thinking about what she goes thru during the cold months. Time for some changes .........

New Date for Spaghetti Dinner

Spaghetti Dinner
Nov 2 11:00 - 2:30 pm
Community Hall
Red Willow Fairgrounds
McCook, Nebraksa
Children 12 to Adults $7
Children 6 - 11 $3
Children 5 and under free
proceeds to toward Stuie, a peanut detector service dog

Jasmine is still getting better. She is so tired. Sleep is good and healing.

Everything is working out nicely for the spaghetti dinner. I have the lists all made. I think! I ordered the french bread instead of baking all of it. Just the thought of baking that much bread.... and my freezer is full. I will bake some fresh to have the just baked bread smell in the hall on Sunday! I am hoping we can set up on Sat night. I will find out more tomorrow.

Spaghetti Dinner

Oct 5, 11:00 - 2:30 pm

Community Hall

Red Willow Fairgrounds

McCook, Nebraksa

Children 12 to Adults $7

Children 6 - 11 $3

Children 5 and under free

proceeds to toward Stuie, a peanut detector service dog

Jasmine is on the mend!!! She still sleeps most of the day and will remain on steroids for a month. But she is feeling much better and she can breathe. Now I can quit worrying and put up some fruit we bought last week. And catch up on housework....

Not impressed with the brownies at all.

This is a recipe I got off foodnetwork tonight. I hope to try it out tomorrow.

Outrageous Brownies Copyright 1999,
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
This was adapted from a recipe for chocolate globs in the Soho Charcuterie Cookbook.

Ingredients
1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, divided 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee powder
2 tablespoons real vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (1 cup for batter and 1/4 cup in the chips and nuts)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups diced walnut pieces

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 13 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.

Melt together the butter, 1 pound chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate on top of a double boiler. Cool slightly. Stir together the eggs, instant coffee, vanilla and sugar. Stir in the warm chocolate mixture and cool to room temperature. Stir together 1 cup of the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips with 1/4 cup flour to coat. Then add to the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until tester just comes out clean. Halfway through the baking, rap the pan against the oven shelf to allow air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Do not over-bake! Cool thoroughly, refrigerate well and cut into squares.

Today was the same. Jasmine isn't getting better but she isn't getting worse either. She has never had a reaction last like this. I am staying calm about it, I think. I do trust our doctor, she is the greatest! I like using all types of medicence, not just allopathic. Doc has more holisitic than I do but I have more training than one of the PAs. When we see the doctor it is a brainstorming session. It works for us. I take whatever book I am studying to discuss with the doctor/PAs/nurses. Gives Gregg and the kids a break from listening to me!

Jasmine isn't getting better. Back to the doctor today. Chest x ray was okay. Jasmine had different treatments today plus she is back on steroids and other medications. Her body is trying to have a rebound reaction. An other reaction after the first one. We are watching her closely this weekend and she sees the doctor on Monday.

Hello everyone. I am tired! It was a long day. It was a good idea I listened to my 'mom voice' and took Jasmine to the doctor. She wasn't feeling well, coughing and her chest hurt. She needed more meds, as her lungs are inflamed from the allergic reaction. The headaches and dizziness were caused by not getting enought oxgyen. I am feeling very dumb tonight. Thankful that she is okay but..... this has never happened before. She needs to go back in a week if she isn't 100% better and in a month even if she is better. We think we will take her back in a week just to be sure. It was really fun, light hearted joyful fun today. Stuie does make life much easier! We did eat at Ruby Tuesdays. We were treated very very well. Found out that there is something in the whole wheat buns, Stuie says! They brought out white buns, they were for ds and dh. Jasmine ate okay. She really enjoyed the food. We had Stuie check everything before we bought it. Even clothes at Goodwill. Oh, Stuie was very good at the doctors office too. Ds doctor appoint went well. There are some things we need to work on and we are waiting for the blood work too. He needs to take more fish oil. Doc said he can't get too much with the way he is growing. I did get pats on the back for being a good mom. I really needed that. I really like our doctor!

Everlasting


The warm breeze blows and dries the tears on my face,
Why I keep asking myself ........ Why?
As I swallow another sob, at times it feels as if my heart will break into pieces
Tiny little bits that will fly away in the wind.
I long for sunshine,
A smile,
Something to hold on too
Hope.............
As the days turn into weeks, months and years,
The hope is fading.....
I feel all is lost.

A little over a year ago....
My dear sweet Margaret.
My rah rah friend.
The one person besides my grandmother.....
You could explain all of this to me.
You could show me the silver lining
In all my clouds.
How I miss you!

Tomorrow will be another day,
I will survive, I will cope.
My heart will not break into
Tiny little pieces
And fly away in the breeze.

I long to set thing straight,
Make things right!
Alas....... this is not my sin.
The broken heart is mine
The pain is mine.

As I travel down this road called life,
I see more and learn more....
Some with pain and heartbreak.
Some with great happiness and joy!
All with everlasing love.
Soon we will travel down another road.
We will say goodbye.
Trade this pain in for another look at life.
Joy ...........
Peace..........
Hope...............
Love ...............everlasing.

The bottled water is here! I am trying to post the label but it isn't working. Email me and I will send you a pictue of the water. We used the Jasmine and Stuie first hug photo I took for the label. If you want some water contact us. It is $1.25 a bottle or $30 a case. Nebraksa spring water! Johnny Scott is selling the water at his grocery store too! Thanks Johnny!

I think now that Gregg is on the mend, I will start having him do some honey dos around the house. Our basement and garage needs decluttering badly. Think I will be posting a lot on craigslist and yahoo.

Jasmine had a few spots on her back this morning. This is why she gets medication for days after a reaction. You can have what is called a delayed reaction. Sometimes if the delayed reaction happens during sleep, the person isn't aware of the reaction. It isn't a good outcome either. :0(

She woke up enough today to take her meds and to eat a little bit. She isn't very hungry today. I know I am not! I am tired, I finally got to sleep around five this morning.

Jeremiah seems to be doing better today too. This is hard on everyone in the family.

Tonight while Gregg and I were 45 minutes away Jasmine had a allergic reaction. Thank God for Stuie! The kids brought frozen green beans in to start for dinner. Stuie went into his mode as we call it. Jeremiah took the food outside, then the kids called us. Jeremiah opened the food outside to put some in a bowl, to see if the contents were contaiminated or the bag. There was a peanut in the green beans. Jasmine was inside the house. We kept calling and talking Jasmine saying she was okay, then she wasn't okay anymore. I was talking on my cell to Jeremiah to remind him what to do to take care of his sister AND Greggs cell to call the ambulance.

If it weren't for Stuie, pointing out the problem with the green beans, the kids would have cooked the beans with the peanut. This could have killed Jasmine. Gregg and I were so scared, Jasmine has never been by herself when she had a reaction. The kids were GREAT. They did everything like we had pracited. Jeremiah made sure Jasmine took her oral meds and Jasmine gave herself the EpiPen. The doctors and staff were so impressed that the kids knew what to do and stayed calm. During Jasmine's stay at the ER, we took turns staying with Jasmine. Including Jeremiah. He needed time with his sister to prove to himself she was going to be okay.

Stuie did great too. After the Jasmine took the meds and Epi, I told Jeremiah to put Stuie in his kennel. Stuie knew he needed to be in his kennel out of the way of everyone. He was excited to see his girl when we came home!

The next few days will be L O N G. As par we will need to wake Jasmine up every two to three hours for the next two to four days. We all take turns checking on her.

I have checked with FAAN to see how I need to handle this. I will be making phone calls on Monday.

Stuie has been WONDERFUL since we returned from the hospital. He is in super mode. He knows something happened and he is double and triple checking everything in the kitchen. As normal, we stopped and picked up some no cook and easy meals for the next few days. Stuie was in the kitchen checking everything. He is wanting to check everything more than once. I keep telling him he has done his job after the first check or sniff. There is no residue in the kitchen at all. Jeremiah took care of that along with taking care of his sister. Wow, he did a LOT tonight. What a great kid!!

Last night the email I had been dreading came. A good friend went home to heaven. I am selfish, I want her here, I want her back! No more emails, no husky voice on the phone "Connie do you know who this is?". I am thankful her pain has ended. My heart is breaking for her family. So I say goodbye until we met again, Godspeed Vickie.


Into each life some rain must fall but sunshine does appear.
It brings with it a rainbow and a message that is clear.
Please know that you are not alone that we all hold you dear
Let faith and hope into your heart and keep your memories near.


Rest in peace Vickie.

Tomorrow we are picking up the bottled water in Sutherland. We are making out first trip into North Platte with Stuie. Jasmine is so excited. We checked into restauants today and decided on Ruby Tuesdays. Honestly Jasmine is so busy I can not keep up with her. She also applied for a job this week! She is doing everything the trainers taught her. She is getting used to being able to be out and about. She sold more jewerly, a custom order, this week. We will be at the farmers market on Saturday too.

Jeremiah insisted that all Jasmine's gifts be wrapped, put into larger box, wrapped, put into a larger box and wrapped. Stuie wanted to help unwrap!

yummy birthday lunch Jasmine and Jeremiah made.

this is before they baked it.

Only my kids would write'Time Flys' in latin and happy birthday in japanese on a birthday cake. The cake was so pretty! Dark purple, dark blue and medium purple. I think they did a great job on the cake too.

Jasmine turned 18 today. Where has the time gone?? Jasmine and Jeremiah insisted on making her birthday dinner. Here they are putting the finishing touches on the manicotti.

Stuie, Leslie, Sharon and Kenny

They are here! We had a met and greet this morning, went for a walk, Stuie worked our house. Yes, he found some peanut residue. Anyone want some magazines? We think I can clean my Winnie the Pooh bear.

Stuie!

Stuie, Sharon and Leslie will be here Sunday. We start training or class on Monday. Jasmine gave Gizmo a haircut and bath today. Gizmo is all ready to me the next addition to our family.

Stuie, Sharon ( the owner of Southern Star Ranch) and Leslie (Stuie's trainer) will be here late Saturday night or Sunday morning. We are very excited. I don't know if they are in NYC now or not. I will watch GMA tomorrow and the next day and the next day to see if they are on.

I think Jeremiah will be going in to see the doctor. He is still growing fast, he is so tired all the time. I am watching what he eats this week and making sure he takes his juice plus and vitamins. I dread jean shopping in the fall. He is in a pro rodeo super slim 29 x 36 now. I know they will not be long enough. I hope he has gained enough weight so he can keep up a 30" waist!


Here are some pictures of the backyard I took today. Guess no pictues tonight. Nothing will upload.

The tv interview will be on tonight at 10 on our chanel 3. wwwknopnews2.com is where the video will be.

Tomorrow we are being interviewed by the NP tv station. Today Jasmine recieved a package from a man in Stratton with a person air purefier. That was very nice of him. He included information about clean air, chemicals and such. I am so glad I started making my own cleaning products years ago.

Detector dog: Spaniel, poodle mix will help keep Palisade teen safe from deadly reactions to peanuts, nuts and seedsThursday, July 24, 2008Connie Jo Discoe
Jasmine Lawless of Palisade is severely allergic to nuts, peanuts and seeds, and will benefit from a dog named "Stuie" who detects and alerts his handler to those products. Jasmine also suffers from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which is triggered by corn and corn products. The Lawless family has learned to read food labels religiously. They eat lots of meats, chicken, vegetables, fruits, pasta and Sarah Lee or homemade bread. Acceptable treats are "Sweet Tart" candies, Oreo cookies and milk chocolate Hershey candy bars. Despite her diet restrictions, Jasmine and her brother, 13-year-old Jeremiah, enjoy the challenges of cooking.(Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette, courtesy photo)[Click to enlarge] PALISADE -- Jasmine Lawless won't be able to take her new dog to soccer games because Stuie will surely want to join in the fun.
That's because Stuie's reward for detecting the nuts, peanuts and seeds that threaten Jasmine's life is to play no-holds-barred and 90-miles-an-hour with a soccer ball.
Seventeen-year-old Jasmine has severe allergies to peanuts, nuts and seeds. "I can't eat them. I can't be around them," Jasmine said. "I react to eating them, smelling them and touching them."
Jasmine reacts with hives and with blisters that leave behind scars. Her throat swells shut and she goes into anaphylactic shock. She's on a first-name basis with many of the ambulance personnel in and around Palisade. She's been in the hospital too many times to count, Jasmine's mother, Connie, says.
After a severe reaction, it takes Jasmine five to seven days to return to normal.
Connie said one of her daughter's most severe reactions came after someone who had been eating sunflower seeds breathed on Jasmine. Another terrible reaction happened when someone opened the wrapper of a peanut butter cookie near Jasmine. In class, a fellow student had a pecan in her pocket, and Jasmine went into shock.
Jasmine can't even touch a grocery cart that's been used by someone who handled seeds, peanuts or nuts.
The family has given up on eating out; Jasmine suffered a reaction when someone in the next booth had nuts on her ice cream.
"Even when Jasmine's not with Gregg and me, we can't take the chance of getting peanut protein on us and bringing it home," Connie said.
Connie has home-schooled Jasmine and her 13-year-old brother, Jeremiah, so she can control Jasmine's environment.
Jasmine's first reaction happened when she was 10 months old. She'll turn 18 on Aug. 28.
"There are no precautions she can take on a daily basis," Connie said, other than to avoid peanuts, nuts and seeds.
Jasmine seldom goes out. "I really have to be careful. My meds and a cell phone are always with me," Jasmine said. "I'm never alone."
Stuie the peanut detection dog will detect the peanuts, nuts and seeds that have kept Jasmine virtually locked in a world at home.
Stuie is a 3-year-old springer spaniel-poodle mix who was rescued by the Southern Star Ranch of Florence, Texas, and trained to sniff out and alert his handler to nuts and seeds and products made with nuts, seeds or peanut by-products. Even in trace amounts ... even if the product is in an unopened package.
Stuie has been trained specifically to detect 10 of Jasmine's allergies, and will point at an offending item.
Jasmine's excited about Stuie. "He's OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) when he finds peanut products," she said. "He wants to work all the time. I'm going to need to tell him, 'You need to take a break'."
Stuie's reward for finding peanuts and nuts is playing with a favorite ball. A video from the Southern Star Ranch shows Stuie playing wildly with his ball, chasing it around and around, never quite cornering it because it's way too big to fit in his mouth.
Connie and Jasmine believe that Stuie will make life so much easier for the Lawless family. Stuie's a service dog, identified by his brightly-colored vest. He will be able to enter all establishments, and steer Jasmine away from potential danger.
Jasmine foresees more independence ... developing more confidence. She says, "I'll be able to go to the book store in the mall ... I can't wait."
Insurance won't pay for Stuie, who is going to cost the Lawlesses $10,000, plus the expenses of trainers to come from Texas for a week or two.
The dog is expected to arrive Aug. 10, and Southern Star Ranch personnel will acquaint Stuie with the family dog, a fluffy dust-mop named "Gizmo," and train Jasmine to work with Stuie.
"We've had some donations, and we really really appreciate them," Connie said. She, her husband, Gregg, and Jasmine and Jeremiah are also more than willing to discuss fund-raising ideas.
Anyone wanting to help Jasmine and her family is encouraged to call, (308) 285-3592.
Accounts to help Jasmine have been opened, in Connie's name, at Pioneer Community Federal Credit Union in Palisade and AmFirst Bank, Hayes Center and McCook.

Stuie will be on Good Morning America Aug 5, 6 or 7th. That is as close as Sharon, the owner of Southern Star Ranch knows. We are getting very excited about Stuie coming home. Aug 10! I wonder if I should have a party before Sharon and Leslie leave? Who wants to come?

Newspaper reporters are wanting to interview Sharon, Leslie, Stuie and Jasmine. Gregg was asked today if Good Morning America would come to town and interview us. I don't have a clue.

I had another interview last night with the NP Bullentin. The article should be in the McCook paper this week, I think.

Gregg had a great check up. He doesn't need to wear the sling 24x7. He does need to wear the sling if he is around people who could touch his arm. The doctor also released Gregg so he can have a massage. The doctor forgot I was a MT. Gregg should have been recieving massages for the last month. Guess it is a good thing I have been cleaning and organizing the basement. My massage/sewing room was a mess.

Antiquities Portraits

July 17 and 18 in McCook, from 2 - 8:15 pm

July 19 in Palisade, from 10 am - 8:15 pm

Call Connie Lawless at 285-3592 to reserve your coupon today!

All proceeds will go toward the cost of Stuie, Jasmine's peanut detector dog.

Gizmo is a pig! She ran around on the sheets eating as many mulberries as she could. I really don't think she knows she is a dog.

Do you think Jasmine has enough books? These are the books she keeps in her room. Jeremiah has lot of books in his room too. Then we have books in the living room, in the basement..... I refuse to admit to how many books Gregg and I have. Jasmine and Jeremiah try to beat thier record everytime we shop at Goodwill. The record is 54 books per shopping trip.

These aren't in order.

Old icky carpet, gone!

Working on the first part of the new floor.

Floor is done!

I think I did a great job! Gregg is finally calming down and leaves me alone with the power tools. I think we need to buy a air compresser and finish nailer.

Our cats love boxes. This is Koko with the entertainment center we bought. Just a bigger box to Koko.