Blah, Blah, Blair

random things in my head

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Today is a very sad day, well at least for me. I will be taking my little buddy, Ollie (little black dog on the right), in to finally get some peace. He’s 17 and for the last week, I believe he’s been in pain. I’ve had him on painkillers, but at 17 I need to let him go. I know Sam (golden mix on the left) will be excited to see him again, so that is comforting to me. I also know, that as a human, it’s the VERY least I can do for him for being such a perfect dog for such a long time. I’ve posted this before, but I’ve been reading it every day this week to remind me of why now is the time: FROM FRIEND TO FRIEND You’re giving me a special gift, So sorrowfully endowed, And through these last few cherished days, Your courage makes me proud. But really, love is knowing When your best friend is in pain, And understanding earthly acts Will only be in vain. So looking deep into your eyes, Beyond, into your soul, I see in you the magic, that will Once more make me whole. The strength that you possess, Is why I look to you today, To do this thing that must be done, For it’s the only way. That strength is why I’ve followed you, And chose you as my friend, And why I’ve loved you all these years…My partner ‘til the end. Please, understand just what this gift, You’re giving, means to me, It gives me back the strength I’ve lost, And all my dignity. You take a stand on my behalf, For that is what friends do. And know that what you do is right, For I believe it too. So one last time, I breathe your scent, And through your hand I feel, The courage that’s within you, To now grant me this appeal. Cut the leash that holds me here, Dear friend, and let me run, Once more a strong and steady dog, My pain and struggle done. And don’t despair my passing, For I won’t be far away, Forever here, within your heart, And memory I’ll stay. I’ll be there watching over you, Your ever faithful friend, And in your memories I’ll run, …a young dog once again.

Today is a very sad day, well at least for me. I will be taking my little buddy, Ollie (little black dog on the right), in to finally get some peace. He’s 17 and for the last week, I believe he’s been in pain. I’ve had him on painkillers, but at 17 I need to let him go. I know Sam (golden mix on the left) will be excited to see him again, so that is comforting to me. I also know, that as a human, it’s the VERY least I can do for him for being such a perfect dog for such a long time. I’ve posted this before, but I’ve been reading it every day this week to remind me of why now is the time:

FROM FRIEND TO FRIEND

You’re giving me a special gift,

So sorrowfully endowed,

And through these last few cherished days,

Your courage makes me proud.

But really, love is knowing

When your best friend is in pain,

And understanding earthly acts

Will only be in vain.

So looking deep into your eyes,

Beyond, into your soul,

I see in you the magic, that will

Once more make me whole.

The strength that you possess,

Is why I look to you today,

To do this thing that must be done,

For it’s the only way.

That strength is why I’ve followed you,

And chose you as my friend,

And why I’ve loved you all these years…My partner ‘til the end.

Please, understand just what this gift,

You’re giving, means to me,

It gives me back the strength I’ve lost,

And all my dignity.

You take a stand on my behalf,

For that is what friends do.

And know that what you do is right,

For I believe it too.

So one last time, I breathe your scent,

And through your hand I feel,

The courage that’s within you,

To now grant me this appeal.

Cut the leash that holds me here,

Dear friend, and let me run,

Once more a strong and steady dog,

My pain and struggle done.

And don’t despair my passing,

For I won’t be far away,

Forever here, within your heart,

And memory I’ll stay.

I’ll be there watching over you,

Your ever faithful friend,

And in your memories I’ll run,

…a young dog once again.

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Two things I think when I see this picture: 1)my family were the original “hipsters” and 2) I would pay a LOT of money to go back to these days. Growing up sucks. I want to go play in the fields at the farm or hang out in my treehouse that my uncles built for me. Now.

Two things I think when I see this picture: 1)my family were the original “hipsters” and 2) I would pay a LOT of money to go back to these days. Growing up sucks. I want to go play in the fields at the farm or hang out in my treehouse that my uncles built for me. Now.

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Great news: PET scan showed mom’s cancer hasn’t spread. Weird news: it showed she ha a compression fracture in her L2. To be dealt with after treatment. We’re all very happy w the news :)

Great news: PET scan showed mom’s cancer hasn’t spread. Weird news: it showed she ha a compression fracture in her L2. To be dealt with after treatment. We’re all very happy w the news :)

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Watching squirrel outsmart my mom’s “squirrel-proof bird feeder”.

Watching squirrel outsmart my mom’s “squirrel-proof bird feeder”.

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I still can’t believe it, and neither can the dogs—we have a FENCE! For about an hour last night we kept having to FORCE them to go outside without us. They had gotten used to us escorting them out there. In any case, the “dog side” is UP!! Obviously, still a couple of cosmetic things (like cutting off the tops of the posts), but I LOVE it! The farm fence will separate the dog side from the human side (notice the lack of grass right now on dog side…it’s on the “list”) and there’s a gate to go from one side to the other. Also, the path from the back door to the main part of the yard will be covered in crushed granite to try to cut down on mud/dirt that is tracked in. Now, if I can just keep the momentum going for the rest of the project! YAHOO!!!

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Two steps forward, one HUGE step back. While digging the last of the post holes, we hit the waterline to the house. The guys are still out there and, crossing fingers, will have it fixed tonight. If not, and you see me tomorrow, you may want to stay back :)

Two steps forward, one HUGE step back. While digging the last of the post holes, we hit the waterline to the house. The guys are still out there and, crossing fingers, will have it fixed tonight. If not, and you see me tomorrow, you may want to stay back :)

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Know what that is?!? YUP! A post hole digger. That’s right—progress was made today on the fence project! This, actually, was probably the biggest hold-up as it’s a pain. However, things should move pretty quickly now. YIPPEE!

Know what that is?!? YUP! A post hole digger. That’s right—progress was made today on the fence project! This, actually, was probably the biggest hold-up as it’s a pain. However, things should move pretty quickly now. YIPPEE!

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That, my friends, is how you do a birthday <3

So when the lovely Beth Bellanti-Walker announced that her new shop, Happy 2 You (http://www.facebook.com/Happy2YouShop) was going to have it’s grand opening on my birthday in Wimberley, Texas it took me about 3 seconds to decide that was where I would be. Then she said that Robyn Ludwick (http://www.facebook.com/RobynLudwick) was going to be playing…well, that was just the icing on the proverbial birthday cake.

I honestly don’t have the words to express how PERFECT this day was.  I’m horrible at remembering to take pictures, mainly because I don’t have a “good” camera and rely on my phone. I did get a couple, so here you go:

This little cardinal was sitting on the table outside of my cabin when I arrived. That, added to the fact that the only sound I could hear was the Blanco river, sealed the deal that I had indeed made the right decision.

When I got to the party at about 2:30 things were already rockin’….

A shot of Robyn playing with the band….

This is a picture of the whole family singing “Where, where are you tonight?” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfdnhnjlsAk) that Kathleen captured. When I’m reincarnated, I want to come back as one of their kids. They have a pretty amazing life.

Bonus: Nanette, Summer, Cole and Jen were there too!! After the festivities here, Michael, Dean, Kathleen and I went to dinner on the square. Chicken Fried Chicken, cause it was my birthday. Sadly, there is a picture that I’m missing here too: the sign in the bathroom that said something about the septic system and “softball sized balls of toilet paper”. Gotta love small town. LOVE.

After the much needed grub, we headed over to the “compound” where Robyn (and family) and Beth & Johnny now call home….we hung out, laughed, watched a herd of about 30 deer run across the yard, watched the dogs “secure the premises”, did some star-gazing (while discussing how you just don’t see that in the city) and the biggest treat for me, they all sang-Robyn, her hubby John aka Lunchmeat, Beth’s man Johnny Walker, Kathleen O’Keefe and Colin Gilmore. Seriously. Ah. Maze. Ing. Callie and the other joined in with backup vocals, I tried to not ruin it with my screeching :) I’m not sure how I held it together, but there were about 10 times that I thought to myself, “Who gets to do this on their birthday?!?”

Beth’s birthday is this week too, so really, it was supposed to be her party, but they let me crash it. Then they brought out this and I had no IDEA there was going to be cake! And, jeezus, it was GOOD! 

The most important lesson I learned in Wimberley: “Don’t be a turkey. Turkeys are mean. Literally. They’ll chase you.”

This is just a little something for Kathleen. Hee hee.

If you are reading this and you were there, I’ll leave you with a couple of thoughts:

1) “Time Warner”

2) Purple dress (someday someone is going to have to re-tell me this story :) )

3) If your birthday is any indication on how the upcoming year will be, I’m in for a HUGE treat. 

4) To everyone who was a part of it, simply, thank you. More than you’ll ever know xoxo

Oh, and from now on, if you are looking for me on the weekends, I’d check Wimberley first. Cause I can’t wait to go back.

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The Fence-Day??? I see this and think &#8220;YAY! It&#8217;s really starting!&#8221; Luke, the dog who is playing the role of the proverbial &#8220;straw that broke the camels back&#8221; by continuously breaking down the former fence, sees it and thinks &#8220;YAY! If I can just get out there, I can run FOREVER!&#8221; After finally getting the S Lamar shop open, we are once again able to start focusing on the &#8220;Greatest Ever Backyard Makeover&#8221;. 

The Fence-Day??? I see this and think “YAY! It’s really starting!” Luke, the dog who is playing the role of the proverbial “straw that broke the camels back” by continuously breaking down the former fence, sees it and thinks “YAY! If I can just get out there, I can run FOREVER!”

After finally getting the S Lamar shop open, we are once again able to start focusing on the “Greatest Ever Backyard Makeover”.