Saying "Good-bye"....

Saying "good-bye".... I needed a few days to think about this post because I wanted to express the joy of loving a pet and a furry friend less than the loss. So I've been thinking about the early days when we first brought our Chesapeake Bay Retrievers "Annie" and "Spice" home. First of all, we had no intention of having more than 1 dog in a little Cape Cod style home. Things happen. But off we went to a breeder across the Bay Bridge of Maryland to see a litter of new Chessies.

My husband and I sat on the floor in a fenced in porch among a litter of furry, curly brown pups and chose "Annie".  Several weeks later we make the trek back to bring her home.

 all settled...

6 months later

 I went on an estimate for a friend of mine that had a cleaning business and was on maternity leave...

I noticed they had a Chessie like "Annie"

 and I commented that we had one too.

The owner said "Do you want another one?"

My quick reply was "no thanks" with a grin.

To which he said "we have her sister and too many animals for our neighborhood covenant. let me go get her."

He brought up a 6 month old dog they had been tying in their basement 

with a cord from a telephone. Her hind leg had raw, red, infected lines where it had grown into her skin and had been removed.

They had never taken her to the vet and were treating it with a horse liniment.

"Spice" came home with me that day.

"Annie" and "Spice" became sisters of the heart.

They ignored other dogs and cats that arrived.

Shared goodies...

We lost "Annie" to Cancer a few years ago. "Spice" has been plodding 

along doing pretty well for a girl of 16. An old gal.

Early this week she had a stroke and we had to make a decision to "say good-bye" and we did. 

Very sad and we miss her so. But knowing her and "Annie" - pure joy.

They give their love with such enthusiasm. 

Such a Life lesson.

She's wearing her signature red collar. "Annie's" is purple.

 Her tennis balls. Next to her sister.

My friend Sherri will

spread wildflower seeds on their graves again in the Spring.

My brown-eyed girls.

Love, Momma 

Have Yourself A Merry Everything! Part two.... There for each other

 

It's been a busy time for me...but then isn't that the way this season is?

And it's over in what seems like a minute! All the preparation, wrapping, shopping,

cards, visits, lists, shipping, baking, cooking - POOF!

Big trash bags of garbage ready to go out filled with balled up wrapping paper and loads of tissue paper. Stacks of washed dishes for meals that were made with love and memory filled. Coffee ready, pies laid out on the table, kids playing with their new toys.

My family holiday is a little different but different can be totally cool too!

My son Matt and his girlfriend Connie are on vacation in Thailand . They've taught kindergarten in a private school in Korea for two years and are finally coming home in Feb.. My older son Todd and his wife Ravy live in Annapolis. Her parents, from Cambodia, just moved here too. My parents are in Florida. Cousins at the Jersey shore.

Here is a photo list of our little family holiday...

the National Christmas tree in Washing D.C.

 

Annapolis Holiday Lights on the Bay

downtown Annapolis stores decked out

home-made stromboli for Christmas eve

smoked salmon and trout 

caught and wood smoke by a friend  

Spinach and cheese stuffed pork loin 

my son Todd made potato pancakes 

Ravy's fav Black Forest Chocolate Torte

So we have a small, scattered family, 

but boy can we cook!

****

Oh, Come All Ye Faithful!

Happy Holidays!

12/27/11

update....ready to drive home from my son's in Annapolis

have eaten Cambodian food, snacks, cookies, pistachios, a roast,

cakes, cereal, treats, slept, napped, watched videos and shows,

visited and called friends and family

a chill and overindulgent holiday

best kind

get a call from my son that his mother in law's been in a car accident

I'm home with her father in law who doesn't speak English...

we meet everyone in the ER -

minor injuries thank God -

lots of translating, green cards, passports...

I'm staying over again....

a must have for post stress relief....

Yummo = stress relievers

Todd and Ravy

see...it worked...we're distressed

Special Treats and Bountiful Blessings!

this is my computer at 7 am this morning....

I love my job and my students even more.

Grace is a student aide in the high school I work in and helps me endlessly and with great enthusiasm on a daily basis. She also tells everyone she is my daughter and hugs me when I don't expect it but really need it. Grace is a special gift to me. I have many in my life.

That has been how my story has been since I started to write it again on September 26th of 2010. I left a very traumatic marriage and fell into nothing but love from friends and family. The rippling effect has snowballed ever since. GOD is such a loving Lord.

I write this story because of joy, strength and wonder.

Wonder because I didn't have a clear understanding of the people that surrounded me and truly how full my heart could be again.

• Full Circle - Good Listener - Kind Heart
• Taking Time For Oneself
• Fearless
• The Beauty Within
• The Grace of God
• Faithful Friend
• Heart of The Home

So now I'm treating myself to gifts of healing,love and joy of the spirit. Seeing friends more... working a little less. School will be out on June the 16th. I will continue with my part-time job with with adults with special needs.

I just bought a size smaller jeans

had a pedicure with a pal

shared sushi with a sistah

savor the garden

root for the Yankees

enjoy a few outings with friends

not be afraid, make new friends, keep the old
and hang out during the summer and continue on with my story.... jennifer

THE PICNIC! Girls...We're Not in Kansas Any More!

So... I get a call from my friend Kathy about a plan for a "No Men Allowed Outing".

I love most outings and my girl Kathy has a unique sense of humor.

Me too.

So Kathy, Pauline and I decide what we'll pack up for our adventure.

Because you're never too old to be young!

We launch our plan.

It's unique.

the grounds

of the now closed

Springfield State Mental Hospital

We weren't in Kansas anymore.

Well, Maryland really...since we live in Maryland.

We dined on Hummus, fruit, crackers, veggies, cheese

and beer in a lovely wooden gazebo.

Not a soul passed by and we laughed and relaxed for several hours - just the girls.

Darkness crept in. We packed our little bag of leftovers.

The buildings stood like giant silhoettes keeping our private party a secret.

Dare to be Different!

Monday Morning All! My Mother's Day Moments....

restful

happy

joyful

caring

loving

mother's day

the best




I don't need jewels

or fruit basktes

breakfast in bed

now this is a funny story... momma is sleeping

soundly one Mother's Day morning when I hear

 my two lovely boys yelling at one another...

 "I told you it wouldn't work!!!!" "You jerk!" crying... yelling.."I didn't know!" I trudge down the

stairs to see my older son glaring at his brother

 who is in tears, totally frustrated.

 Todd yells "He's such a jerk!

I told him you couldn't make an omemlet

 in the waffle iron!".

My sons give me gifts with their love all the time,

but GOD gave them as a gift to me.

• 
  
  Matt & Connie called from South Korea 
• 
  
  We had Korean food and Sushi with Todd & Ravy
• 
  
  We celebrated Ravy's birthday
• 
  
  No dishes or cooking was done the entire weekend
• 
  
  Autumn didn't chew any electric cords
• 
  
  My friend Bobbie served me a delicious French Martini
• 
  
  I worked for my friend Colleen in her adorable shop

The Pink Poet Route 108 Laytonsville, MD

Happy Monday - Happy Week - Happy You - Happy Me!

jennifer  how was your's marveee I hope!