Thank you!

I want to thank you for the Maddie-love. We miss her... but know that this is best for both her and us. We appreciate your thoughtful comments.

Take May for a change...and a little Mid-Week Inspiration...

This just happens to be a picture of my youngest daughter Emily and our dog, Maddie taken many years ago when they were both really just starting out in life. They were pals for a lot of years. As a puppy Maddie wiggled her way onto Emily's bed and slept there nearly every night for a number of years. They would spend hours together...playing in the back yard...or the front yard where Maddie could be seen pulling Emily on her rollerblades or Emily taking Maddie for walks over to the Elementary School. When Emily was having a bad day...Maddie was great listener and good friend. They really grew up together...girl and dog...buddies. As Emily grew older and more mature and so did Maddie. Just not at the same rate.

Emily will be turning 21 in a few weeks...and in about 10 days she is getting married to the man of her dreams and moving on to new experiences and a new life with Nate. We are so happy for her. She is so happy for herself. She's in love...excited about the future...anticipating all the new adventures coming her way.

Maddie on the other hand is 84 years old in dog years. She has slowed down considerably in the last little while and has experienced a few health problems. Well, not really a few...but a lot of health problems. The latest being a pituitary tumor. We tried some medication...gave it about 5 months to be exact...but her problems just couldn't be resolved and then the problems from the tumor became more than we could deal with{As in very little bladder control}.

I was thinking today that it was really my husband who wanted to get a dog for the girls. I did NOT want an animal. When he brought home this adorable beagle puppy I just melted. I actually got out a baby blanket and wrapped her in it and held her. She was Em's buddy for a lot of years but as Emily got older she really became my buddy. We had an understanding. She was in charge and I was there to satisfy her ever whim. I did my job well.

This morning I did one of the hardest things I have ever done. I put our beloved Maddie in the back of my Explorer and took her to the vet's office. She did not come home with me.

My Comfort Zone...

Well...if anybody is still reading my blog after my last post...here's a little inside shot of the great room in our new home.

After 2o years in the same house...we were ready for a change. The old house was a dream in many ways...but we love our new place so much more! In our last home we had a formal living room and formal dining room...we rarely used them. What we did use was the kitchen and it was so small we were always bumping into each other. When we were all together it became a disaster...similar to that game teens played in the 60's where they would see how many people they could cram into a Volkswagen Beetle! I would be cooking dinner...in would come my daughters...shortly after them came their children...and then the dog! Oh...and usually my husband looking for some grandkids to tease. The only people smart enough to stay out of the kitchen were my sons-in-law...they were just sitting in the other room (out of sight) wondering when the food was going to be ready!

In our new home we just have one big great room...appropriately named because it is so great! We can cook...eat...sit...talk...and the grand kids have plenty of room to run and play. They don't have to be in the kitchen with their moms because they can see them from the table or the couch!

This home only has 2 bedrooms on the main floor...a beautiful master with fabulous bathroom and huge closet...and a smaller bedroom just for the grandkids when they come to stay. Also on the main floor is an office and laundry room. In the basement we have 2 guest bedrooms...a large bath...a craft, sewing, tv watching room...a huge family room (now used for preschool)...and 2 large storage rooms.

It's a dream home for us and we are so grateful to be here.

Money, Money, Money...

From what I have seen lately...voicing political opinions on a blog can be a tricky business. You just never know when your readership is going to turn on you like a mad dog! But...I figure that my readership is so small and those who are going to read the following are my husband, daughters and a few friends so it won't matter to them if I spout off somewhat.

Recently I was talking to one of our tenants (as in she rents a condo from us) and she let me know in no uncertain terms that she was voting for Barack Obama...that Hillary Clinton is a liar...and that George Bush has ruined the American economy. I respect her right to vote for whomever she chooses...I agree with her on the second point with utmost zeal...but the third point I had to challenge.

While I will agree the President Bush has been the biggest spender of the American taxpayer dollars since Ronald Ragean, I do not believe he has ruined the American economy. I believe Americans have ruined the American economy. Americans, for the most part, have been living the good life for far too long...taking for granted the prosperity we enjoy. We have indulged ourselves...we have and are living beyond our means...paying with credit for perishable goods and self indulgent purchases...buying homes and cars and boats and vacations we can't afford.

Then when we lose our homes and our self indulgent lifestyle...when it all goes to hell in a hand basket (as my father would say)...we have to blame someone. We don't want to take responsibility for our poor spending habits...our lack of financial planning...our inability to live a modest lifestyle. Yes, I do believe the President of this country has a responsibility to be prudent and frugal with our tax dollars...and no, I do not believe President Bush has been a fiscally responsible president. But...I think the bulk of the economic problems in this country lie with the taxpayers themselves.

In the next few months all Americans who filed a income tax return will receive a modest "economic stimulus" refund from the government. What are your plans for your refund? Recently I saw a reporter on a news show talking to people about their plans for their refund...almost all of them had already decided what they were going to spend it on. Here's a thought...how about saving it for a rainy day...because from where I sit it looks to be pouring out there!

Mid-Week Inspiration...the writing on the wall.

I am going to add a new item to my blog. Mid-week inspiration! Hopefully some kind of post that will help us get through the rest of the week and on to the joy of the weekend. So here is this week's Mid-Week inspiration.

Lately I have been obsessing over chalkboards. I want one in a big way. Here is where my inspiration came from...

"Thanks...Country Living Magazine"

and this...

"Thanks...Country Home Magazine"

and especially this...(found in an antique shop in Paris)

"Thanks...Cottage Living Magazine"

I am not sure where I am going to put it...but put it I am!

The Wonder (for) Down Under...

LET ME START HERE WITH A DISCLAIMER. DO NOT READ ANYTHING INTO THE THE TITLE OF THIS BLOG ENTRY. DO NOT LET YOUR IMAGINATION TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE IT SHOULD NOT GO. DO NOT GO THERE PEOPLE! JUST READ AND BELIEVE!

Some experts claim there is a phenomenon that happens to people my age and I believe them. It's called a midlife crisis...I am in the middle of it. No...I don't want a shiny, red sports car...or long blond hair and bigger...ah...bigger. Well...you know what I mean by bigger. I don't want to quit my job and move to a tropical island. Okay...I do want to do that 'cause that sounds pretty good considering it snowed here today...but I DO NOT want to leave my family for some tall, dark curly-haired foreigner with an accent. NO...none of that silly stuff for me.

I am talking about the midlife crisis I am having on the bottom half of my body!
I do not know what has happened down there but it is ugly. Pit-bull kind of ugly! The kind of ugly that makes you cringe or want to look away because you are afraid if you stare too long you will embarrass someone. WHAT...TO...DO?
Is there a pill that gives you your waist back...some kind of therapy that shrinks the backside to pre-midlife size...some protein drink that will thin the thighs! NO...I AM TELLING YOU. NOTHING. NOT...A...THING! (Except for diet and exercise but who wants to take time to do that!!!!)

Do not despair, my friends of similar status. I have found the solution...and I am going to share. Introducing...the Wonder for Down Under...



If you have never heard of this miracle cure...let me share my testimony with you. I was in a dressing room, staring into the mirror and yet trying not to look. An angel from Coldwater Creek heaven knocked on the door and asked if I would be interested in trying a pair. It was if she were sent to save me...a poor sinner. I tried them...I rejoiced...I was saved! Hallelujah...Amen!

Out of the Ashes...

It has been nearly a year since I have written a blog post and what a year it has been! So many choices and changes...selling our home of 20 years...moving to a 900 square foot apartment...then moving to a new home a week before Christmas...a broken wrist and abscessed tooth...and a myriad of other new and interesting challenges. Life does seem to be settling down some though......well...except for another vacant apartment to paint and clean...my youngest daughter's wedding in a month...girl's camp this summer...and plans for a trip to Disneyland next fall. But what the heck! Bring it on I say...I can do it...I can do it and blog too! Just you wait and see!