A Different Tide

There have been lots of changes around here.  Some good, some sad that turned out to be good, and some very good.  

We are one person less.  These two people deserved happier lives apart instead of mediocre lives together.  Sad, difficult, trying, but good in the end.

We are one dog less.  Charlie passed away a couple of months ago.  He had been thin and we beefed him back up.  He lost his weight again and started not eating.  No matter what we tried to feed him.  I had an out of town trip planned and had pretty much decided to part with him before I left, but he perked up and ate the morning before my trip.  I decided to give him the weekend and see how he did.  That Friday, he was listless and weak.  Saturday he went to the vet and they tried to keep him alive until I got home, but he sadly passed away Sunday evening while I was on the way home.  Very, very sad.  He is sorely missed.

Charlie came into our family in 1995, one year after my grandfather passed away.  My grandmother adopted him from our local humane society, and was told that he was already 3 or 4 years old.  So, that means the old guy was nearing 20.  I had him for just 3 years.  He brought my grandmother 12 years of companionship and happiness, and I will treasure the 3 he brought us.

The house is coming together.  I feel like I live here now and this is my home.  I dare say I have a few favorite spots instead of "places I hang out."  My yard is looking nice despite the hackberry attack in July, and my resulting sulking and denial.  Glad I came out of that one.  It was starting to look like no one lived here.  I would like to have a little get together sometime, maybe for the holidays.  Good.

I have a new outlook.  It amazes me how people come in and out of your life, usually at just the right times.  It sometimes seems like some people will be with you for the long haul, but they are only with you for a short trip.  It is upsetting to part ways with someone who held a significant position in your life for a long time, but you realize that that person was in your life, or you in his, for a reason.  You needed him, he needed you, but there comes a time when you have fulfilled your purpose and must move on to the next part of your life.  

I've sometimes (often, truthfully) focused so much on the future and potential that I completely lose sight of what is right in front of me.  I miss my life for hoping for more.  Since these changes were set in motion, I have tried, and succeeded, to be more in the moment.  To pay attention to what is happening right now and to be content with that.  I have a long list of projects, but am happy with the slow but sure progress I am making instead of stressing about all the things I "need" to do.  

A person from my past in back in my life, and is part of my life everyday.  I wish I could say that my new outlook is completely my doing, but I've had some help.  Quite appreciated, welcomed and wonderfully overwhelmed.  I feel like me again and have been enjoying things that I enjoy.  Never wait for someone to be happy.  Be happy on your own and enjoy that happiness with someone else.  Very, very good.

Such a Great Day

About a week ago, I noticed these in the yard:




That usually means my birthday is right around the corner. I love these spider lilies. I never know where they will pop up and they are so pretty.

About two weeks ago, Mom treated us to a fabulous pedicure, sort of for her birthday. Early for me, late for my sister, and right on time for her. The biggest gift for her was spending time with her girls.

This is what was waiting for me at work today:
Pictures of 1977 Couture at the top of the stairs, and new decorating. The girls are famous for photoshopping heads onto bodies, and the most-used body in Donatella Versace. Several delivery people that I have never even seen before wished me a happy birthday, AND everyone in the building knows how old I am.




And yes, that's silly string. Everywhere.

The girls also treated me to lunch at Newk's. It's a new-ish cafe downtown. I had a very tasty Pesto Chicken sandwich with goat cheese. Most definitely will be going back there. Later in the afternoon, yet another surprise with coke and root beer floats!

After lunch, a beautiful bouquet was delivered from Liza with a note that said, "You're not 31, you're 18 with 13 years experience!" There are also some really cool green beads in the place of ribbon. Perfect for my new hobby!

For dinner, Hubs took me to Firebirds, ooh la la. I ordered a glass of Honig Sauvignon Blanc. Lots of oak on the nose, but a very easy wine to drink. For dinner, I ordered the (enthusiastically recommended) Cilantro-Grilled Chicken Breast. Oh. My. Goodness! So good. And with the wine, it was even better. The spices in the tomato jack cheese sauce went perfectly with the oak in the wine. Then, we ordered this:
It was a piece of pure vanilla, creme brulle cheesecake with fresh berries and raspberry sauce. They even put a little candle in it! It looks like a mess on the plate, but it was oh-so-tasty.

Afer dinner, we walked over to the giant outdoor store and picked up the rest of my birthday present from Hubs. A speedometer and under-saddle bag for my new bike.

I had many well wishes and a really great day, and just wanted to say thanks to everybody!

So today

turned out to be a better day than I expected. A weird headache started late Monday afternoon, became a pretty bad migraine yesterday, and I figured I was going to feel like crap all day today. After lunch, things started to get better, and the headache lifted on its own.

One of the girls I work with put giant signs up on my windows, "Ask me how old I am today" and "This is what 30 looks like"

My mom surprised me at work yesterday with a new shirt and cute card.

The guys I work with from the warehouse all signed a funny birthday card for me.

I got lots of birthday wishes from all over today.

Hubby sent beatiful flowers to me....

Hubby also gave me a new radio for my truck!!! I'm really looking forward to getting it installed. Now I can change the stations!!

Thanks, everyone, for making 30 so much better than I thought it would be!

Thanksgiving and Thankswanting

I got to thinking about some of the stuff that would be really cool to have. Then I started thinking about all the stuff I already have. This is thanks for what I already have, and a wishlist of some of the things that would be really cool to have.

Early for Thanksgiving, but it's always a good time....

I love my husband. He puts up with me and our knack for collecting more pets. Since we met, the number of pets has doubled.

I love my house. Especially now since it looks more like 2 homeowners live here with pets instead of 2 squatters with a bunch of strays.

I love the family heirlooms that have found a home with us. They keep family legacies and memories close.

I love our pets. All 10. Each one of them has a very distinct personality that brings laughter to our home.

I'm grateful that our bills are paid, our pets are fed, our roof doesn't leak, and we have food to eat.

I'm grateful for family and friends that we keep close and that keep us close.

Now for some fun stuff....

Josie needs a cover to keep her from getting any worse. A fully stocked garage would be even cooler. Then she could really be the car of my dreams.

A new radio for my truck. Only 2 buttons work: On/Off/Volume and the Eject button. So I listen to the same station all the time. Good thing I like the morning show.

If I could find a way to quit working and afford to go to school full time and graduate in 2 or 3 years instead of 10.

An inordinate amount of cash to donate to the Wildlife Center to build or upgrade facilities. They're not bad off now, but could use some help.

Wouldn't we all want more time?