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.

It's Been About 4 Months Since I Last Wrote

What a roller coaster those four months were. I'm just going to say it was like I went to Hell.

But, now I'm back. I learned a few things about myself. I have no regrets. I have no guilt. At least, that's what I tell myself! LOL

At any rate, I'm back. That's all that matters. Here's a brief history in pictures:

How we were.

Unexpected Surgery

One of my Loveys

When the bottom fell out - My cute apartment.

Well, getting closer to cuteness.

Lots to unpack.

My "Loft" area in the background there.

And, after 5 months of being separated......

Talking Things Over.

Slowly moving back home.

Taking a break from cleaning out my now empty apartment.

We really did like it here. We learned alot.

My wonderful sons helping me in so many ways.

Closing the door on that chapter.

Me and My Other Lovey.

One of the friends that got me through. Not the only one, just the one with a current picture.

The only candid I have of us. I feel like a Kennedy!

Then something else to think about...

Trying to figure out what's up with my body....

I have a great Chiropractor....

The challenge isn't chiropractic. It is something else. But, that is for a different post...

To be continued.....

Some of Us & Me

Me & Benny

Benny

Ricky

Matt's D&D dice

December (2012) Photos

Peder snuggling into MY mane.

My 3 Snow Warriors - Dec. 2012

Six Great Men In My Life

Pop and Baby Danny 11-2012

There are six great men in my life. These men have taught me many things. Things that are good, bad, funny, necessary and even heartbreaking, but all very worthwhile and important to the woman I am this day.

I'm only including the men that are alive. While I could include my Grandfathers and a Step-Dad, I'm not writing about them today. Today is for the living.

Me & Pop - 1970

Starting with Pop. My Pop is in the photo above. He's holding my nephew, Daniel - Danny to me and forever.  This was taken yesterday, 11.3.2012.  Pop taught me how a woman should be treated. He taught me this by not only treating me the way a woman should be treated, but by treating me the way a woman should not be treated.  He didn't do anything immoral with me - don't go there! LOL YIKES!! I'm a total Daddy's Girl, but he was young and made plenty of mistakes with parenting. I love him all the same. Pop and I have a crazy telepathic bond. I kid-you-not. Pop just knows when I need him and I never fail to call, just when he is thinking of or needing my shoulder.  I'm a smart cookie and I don't sugar coat, I know he's a rascal of all kinds, but he's my Pop.  When I have cooking questions, depending on what I'm making, I'll give him a call.  If I need someone in my corner, I call Dad. If I'm crying and heartbroken about my mother, his first wife, I call him. He is the only other person on earth (besides my Auntie) that knows her like I do. Actually, I don't think my Auntie knows her the same way Pop and I know her, but she knows LOTS. Anyway! My Pop - the first man I ever fell in love with - the only way a Daddy's Girl can fall. He'd sing me to sleep and give me butterfly kisses. When I had a nightmare, I'd go to Dad. He became Pop when he stayed with us for a while - we needed a different title for him, for the boys. Pop it is!

Matt. My hubby. He taught me that just because we argue - doesn't mean that someone has to LEAVE. That's what I learned from my parents I guess.... every time they argued, Mom would leave.  Matt taught me to stay.  You hear the phrase, "Real men don't leave."  Well, yeah, okay, but what about women? Strong women know when to stay, when to leave and when to get her "Black-Chick Swag" on and take off her earrings!! LOL "Don't make me take off my earrings!"  Matt treats me like a lady. Matt treats me with love. Matt is AWESOME!!! He loves me in my Love Language (acts of service). That means he takes out the scary, smelly garbage when it's dark and scary outside.  That means he will help me with things when I'm too tired or hurting. Take a bullet for Matt? Drink poison for him? Wash his dirty underwear? YOU BET!!!

Me & Mario - 2009

Mario. My little brother. Mario taught me all about nature vs. nurture. Mario and I, at most, have had approximately 10 months of our lives in which we have lived together.  We are so alike! It's a crazy and creepy kind of thing! I mean, I don't mind people knowing that I'm alot like my brother, but I bet he isn't so crazy about people thinking he's like a girl - even if it is his sister! LOL When Dad had Mario with Claudia. I didn't want to be with my mother, I wanted to be with Dad and my little brother. It broke my mother's heart. At the time, I'd drink poison for him. Now, I'd just SLAP it out of his hands and say, "What the FUCK are you doing!?!?!! That's POISONED for crap sake!!! Don't drink that!!" LOLOL

Rick, Mario, Benny - 2009

My sons, Rick and Ben. I knew that I would love my children, but I did not know that I would fall in love with my children. I never knew that I could love another being as much as I love my sons. I love my brother alot - and I would have taken a bullet for him. Then I had children. Before my sons were born I didn't know I could love someone even MORE than I loved Mario. Then along came Rick and Ben. I didn't know I was capable of that much love!!!  I'd take a bullet for my boys. I used to say I'd take a bullet for Mario, but now that I'm a mom, I'd just shove Mario out of the way and duck myself. LOL My boys though - I'd lay my life down for them.

Mario and Baby Danny - 2012

Then! Along comes Baby Danny. I have yet to hold him physically in my arms. It's all virtual. I'm all about Auntie tears and tons of love. How can I love one tiny little man so much without holding him in my arms??!!! Baby Danny is teaching me all about loving someone that really isn't mine, but is related. Baby Danny made me love my Sister-in-Law more than I ever dreamed I could love her. I mean, if Mario loves her, that's enough for me - I love her too. Unconditionally. It's just that now she has expanded my family. Family is everything to me. She has given me a gift - the gift of being an Auntie. I ADORE my Aunties! I never thought I'd be an Auntie. I was my parents only child until I was 13 years old.  I'm a big sister and I love Mario with everything a sister who lives 1500 miles away can give.  Now he has made me an Auntie!!

I didn't know, growing up, that I could love with such ferocity.  I didn't know I could love so unconditionally.  I didn't know I could love.  I was loved growing up. I am a loving person and always have been. I've worn my heart on my sleeve my entire life, but these six great men have stretched my heart in ways I never knew existed.

Thank you guys - I love you.