Trips to Tractor Supply with the pup, 8/6/2023

Sammy. I have never loved a pet like I love my Sammy Sam-Sam!

He's an anxious little fluffer though. He barks because he's afraid of most things. I can't take him to the shop with me because he barks at everyone that comes in after him.

But, taking him out on trips is a different story. He's such a good boy! He doesn't bark at people then. He only barks when they come close or into his domains.

It is because of this that we especially like to go to Tractor Supply! He gets to pick out his own toys! What great fun!

It has become a tradition that any road trip also has to include a Tractor Supply store so he can get a treat and a toy for the trip.

August 6, 2023 - A lapse in time!

Oh my! Time passes.  Blogs go without attention. In 2018 I was trying to find my way without my anchor - my husband. A whole shit ton of situations and circumstances happened during my time away. 

The short bulletpoint presentation follows.

• Hubby and I reconciled, remarried and are stronger than ever.

• Family counseling is great for many reasons. I'm grateful for everyone's cooperation.

• My Momma died in October 2018. That's a whole other post to come.

• I rescued a sweet little male Bichon Friese. My little white fluffy fluff fluff! Grief purchase after my Momma died! Haha

• I had a colon resection, but the end result included a partial hysterectomy to remove cervical cancer. 5 blood transfusions later, we discovered that I now have Lyme disease, probably from a transfusion. Always save your own blood before major surgery! I am now 35# heavier than the day of my surgery, but cancer free. So, fuck off fatty tissues!

• Covid-19 shut down the world. I was glad. I had to work from home and thus I was able to get more rest after my surgery!

• My health didn't bounce back after surgery. Some of my co-workers decided i was either faking or milking it out... even going so far as telling me they recovered faster than I was. Comparing their surgery and recovery to mine. Forget the fact that they didn't have the exact surgery. Whatever. Anyway, skipping ahead about 9 months and I gave Boss-Man my notice... almost one year after my surgery.

• I quit working for someone else on a Thursday. I took the weekend off. Got a new haircut. Had my first official manicure, and went to work for myself, full-time, the following Monday.  It took me a month to decompress. 

• Dec. 2022, we expanded the giftshop into the shop next door. I now occupy the entire side of the building!

• In March 2023, we also lost my sweetheart of a Father-in-law.

I have always loved my life, even though there were some dark moments. My treasures are, once again, all in line. Things are copestetic!

It's been 4 years....

It's been four years since my last post. So much has changed.

At that time, my husband and I were reconciling; we had gotten my sweet Luna girl; I was a little lighter on the scale; I was living in the only home I ever had; but most importantly, I was with but if my sons. My treasures were where I wanted them. I was happy for a short 28 days after I came home.

To today, I've been living apart from one son for coming on a year; I had to re-home my sweet Luna; the only home I ever had is not where I'm living; and my husband and I have been separated for almost a year.

Almost a year ago I drank myself to sleep every night for almost 3 months. Washing down pain pills and anti anxiety medication with southern comfort.

It was a dark time.

Then I had to give my Luna girl back. Darker than dark.

Then my youngest came to live with me. Now I needed to be sober. That was easy since my doctor said my kidneys were struggling. I'm so blessed that he came to live with me. I wish they both would have....

Then I fell on ice; got sick; had a flood in my business; got my dog back; had to re-home her... again... again & one more time.... got sick again; joined a Farmer's market; 2017 Solar Eclipse; got REALLY sick; endured thru vicious gossip; had my heart broken three more times - just don't come near my heart or I will stab you! Fire at my Studio. Death ok f a nephew, I nursed my youngest son thru an emergency appendectomy; eyesight scare; nursed my older son thru the holidays; leaned on my counselor so much!!!! It was hell.

But there were good things.... Vacation, mopeds, laughter, Halloween on Main, friends, new ratties, awarded a business Grant, new products, road trips, walking in the snow, Darth Vader, summer days, curls, life long dream come true - I saw the Nutcracker!!! Holidays, hospice volunteer training; and my sons most and forever.

Daily I struggle with bitterness. Daily I tell myself to not despise 'him'. I try to not dwell on words like: rejection, bitterness, rejection, despise, rejection, porn, rejection, heartache, rejection.... I try to refocus on good words like: healing, healing, healing, breathe, laughter, love, healing, love, prayer, Reiki, healing, healing, healing, healthy, and love, love, love, and healing.

My wedding anniversary is this coming Friday. My first without him... I have to have a procedure to remove some nasty cells from my cervix this coming Friday. I will not make it through Friday sober. My sons are driving me to and from my appointment.

In the weeks to come it will be time for the paperwork. I'm sure he isn't looking forward to it either.

I don't know what else to say.... I had the world by the tail, then the death of his mother crashed our party. If only, if only....

Friendship that I hope will last.

Luna's last day with me.

Special times.

Luna Tic Tok

She likes her bath!

She also likes car rides!

Matt's Nose Surgery

Matt had nose surgery on
October 17th, 2014.  It went really well for him. No bruising and just a bit of internal swelling.

Newest Member to Our Family

It was a hard time without our Sophie Girl. She was the best.  I miss her so much.

We all do.  We decided that our house was just too empty without doggie footsteps.

The house was too lonely when all but one of us was at work.

The kitchen floor needed more care and cleaning without our crumb catcher. She was pretty good at that! Jazzy was the BEST crumb catcher, but Sophie did a satisfactory job at keeping the floor tidy of crumbs. :)

I didn't like being alone at night.

I heard things go bump in the night.

The cats were lonelier and cozied up to us more.... that was nice.

The lawn looked better without her burn spots from her potty. And, we all admitted it was great not having poop duty.

My clothes were in less need of a lint roller as was the furniture.

Admittedly, I don't like puppy duty. Especially now with my health issues, but, she keeps me active and moving. 

Also, I refuse to own a dog that I didn't own as a puppy. I'm all for the wonderful people that can rescue adult dogs and I donate when I can.  It's just my thing. I'm actually nervous around other dogs, that's why I won't rescue one. I don't know what trauma they endured and the dog would feel my fear of them. With my own puppy though, I will train her as appropriate for me and my family.  To each their own. Thank you to those of you that CAN rescue adult dogs!

But, we were lonely for a poochy-snoochy.  We decided on getting a German Shepherd next. I already named our future girlie, Luna. Matt asked if we could make her middle name Tic.  So, Luna-Tic she became.

We searched and searched. GSDs can be expensive! Holy cow! They can come with a comma in that price tag! But, we kept searching and when we least expected it.... we found our Luna!  And, her price tag didn't come with a comma! Her blood lines are amazing - all Eurpoean/German descent. Her dad has World Champion awards and her momma is just as awesome.  I stumbled upon a great puppy for a great price!

So, here she is.... introducing our newest lovie: Luna!

Me and Luna 10/2014

Matt and Luna

Luna. Middle name: Tic

August 1, 2014 - We Lost Our Sophie Girl

My Sophie Girl

Sophie was awesome. One of the best. I miss her already. I'm sure I will miss her more than I can imagine.