Christmas is almost here!

There's nothing like being with family during the holiday season. I spent a week with my Aunt Regina and Uncle Paul Haas in Estero, Florida, a week or so ago. It was so much fun. I loved being with them and listening to many stories. I also had the opportunity to ask a lot of questions about how things were in the world and with my family before I was even born! What fun that was. My aunt is the smartest woman on the planet. I love her down-to-earth style, wit and wisdom. I hope to see them again soon. Being retired and able to come and go (as long as we can find a dogsitter) is such a blessing. Merry Christmas.

Barney Joins the Family

Barney, formerly Rufus from Topeka, Kansas, joined our family as we moved to Mount Juliet, Tennessee, exactly a month ago today. He was rescued from a Kansas shelter, and we adopted him from Papillion Club of America Rescue. His foster mom Lori filled me in on what a good dog Barney was even before we picked him up in Topeka. He adopted us and Scooter as much as we adopted him. He's been a wonderful companion to both Larry and Scooter, but I think he loves me more. Shhh, don't tell Larry. I'm a happy mom of two furry kids again. We've worked out our daily routines and schedules. We all love our new home and are enjoying learning about our new locality. People are sure sweet and nice. I believe I have picked up an accent in the last 30 days. Blessings to all.

The Day Our Lives Changed...

My friend entitled her blog from yesterday, "The Day Our Lives Changed." I had been thinking about how fragile life can be and how change can occur with just a word. Cancer entered my beloved friend's life through a diagnosis of leukemia in her husband. A tummy ache turned into a life-altering, new vocabulary-learning thrust into a world of tests, doctors, medicine, diagnosis and realization that life truly is fragile. She's a trooper and I've read her emails and blog and am amazed at her strength and faith with her individualized touch of humor. I wonder to myself how I would react? What would I do? Could I be as brave as my friend or would I crumble into a pile of mush? Well, all I'm doing is preparing to move 1177 miles to Mount Juliet, Tennessee, in a couple of weeks and I'm worn out. My friend's situation sure is a kick in the pants for me and a bending of my knees in prayer for her and her family.

Scooter's 2nd (or 3rd, or 4th) Big Adventure

This is Scooter. He came to live with us in November 2006 the whole way from Bowling Green, Kentucky, via New York where he was fostered. He had 6 or 7 different transporters, including a 4-day ride in a trailer truck with 3 pit bulls and a Visula. It's no wonder that he won't get in the car (until this past Monday).

Scooter is wondering about all the boxes and paper rustling, and he has no idea that the security of his Fort Collins home is only going to last until September 22, and then he'll be on the road once again. Our move to Mount Juliet, Tennessee, happens when the moving van loads and pulls out on September 23rd.

Scooter is afraid of people, loud noises, fast movements, walking, and riding in a car. Little does he know that he will encounter all of these things when we set out in the car for Mount Juliet. To get him ready, we've had him in desensitization and cross training. I've also experimented with Bach's Rescue Remedy and 1/8 a table of Benadryl when he'd be distaught with our packing noises. Each new box is something for him to investigate and approve. Bach's seems to do a really good job at making him relax without the grogginess he has with Benadryl. After our experience with loosing Paxton from drug complications, we want to stay away from the hard core sedatives.

So, that's where we are today with 33 days and counting to blast off for Tennessee.

Paxton Goes to Heaven

We lost our 4.5 year old Papillion/Border Collie mixed breed rescue two weeks ago today. He was in intensive care at the Colorado State University vet hospital for 3 days and we finally had to let him go. It's hard to be without him since he was 25% of our family. His furry memories run in and out the doggie door of my brain. Last night I thought I saw him in the backyard chasing the drive-in theater cars coming down the road. But no. Scooter, his little brother, is finally getting over his depression and starting to act normal. Maybe when we get to Mount Juliet, Tennessee, we can adopt again for Scooter and for us. Paxton was too young to go to the Rainbow Bridge, but we did do all we could. In the end, pancreatitis, drug interactions and pneumonia took are dearly loved and highly cherished, faithful companion. We love you Paxton.

Sharing the Excess & Moving On!

Larry and I are downsizing and moving to a small house in Tennessee in a gated community. We are retiring our Colorado snow shovels, lawn mower, and weed whacker! In the process, the excess that surrounds our lives is being shed. We just need to find a good way to pass it on and keep it out of the landfill. I'm looking for a way to post pictures of things for sale. That's how I found blogger.com.