Walking down the....

Yep, it's almost time to take that stroll. You know the one. Soon I'll be walking down the aisle. And before you know it I will be Mrs. Scary Man.

This explains a lot. Like why I haven't been writing much. Well, I have, but just in my other blog http://secondchanceweddings.blogspot.com

I have been writing some, and traveling a lot. And trying to get my house ready for sale. So life has been pretty full. Some of our stuff is here, some is in a storage shed. We haven't listed this house, haven't found another house. Scary Man comes and goes, I stay put, sorta. If you rule out the 11 out of 14 days of travel recently. Hank and Mick were very concerned with my absence. Mick is a picky eater at best, so he totally dislikes when I am gone. Hank eats like a horse and will eat Mick's too given half a chance.

This week we take that leap of faith into married life. I do, he does, we do. There are things the vows say, like love, honor, and keep. I'm certain that means love honor and keep fostering. I refuse to obey, but would substitute negotiate. Scary Man has been practicing his vows, they include saying Yes Dear, I'm Sorry and Here is the Checkbook. So far he's been a quick study.

It's an exciting walk we're taking, and we are pretty darned blessed to be taking it.

Just Sign Us - Mrs. Scary Man & Mr. Crazy Dog Lady - I think we make a good pair.

Wandering Thots

"If she doesn't buy dog food before going to the airport we demand to be rehomed" ~Hank & Mick

Hmmmmmm, I sensed a pending uprising. They were getting nervous, asking for passport information, mentioning running on beaches far away. Concerned that food rations were getting slim and Mom was packing that funny bag with wheels on it yet again. They looked at me out of the corners of their eyes, gauging my every move.

Now, let me just say - I wouldn't leave home without the pups being in good hands. So off I went to get food. When I'm pressed for time I run to a nearby dog grooming store who also carrys my brand of dog food. Well, not my brand, because I don't eat dog food. You know what I mean.

So I'm talking to the owner, with food in hand. My mouth is carrying on normal conversation about the weather, the college world series, the government. We covered a lot of territory in just a few moments. But while my mouth is talking small talk, my mind is thinking...Wow - this guy needs his eyebrows trimmed. Oh look, he has nose hairs needing trimming too! Seriously, this guy is a groomer! Shouldn't he look in the mirror once in a while between dogs?? Couldn't he give himself a puppy cut in the name of good business practices??

So there you have it....the dogs got food, and my mind wandered the random world of grooming. It's probably a good thing I don't wander like this while operating heavy machinery.....oh wait, I don't operate heavy machinery. Phfeww......

Homeward Bound

There are many applications to this statement in life. Homeward Bound - ahhhhh..... That means today I get to see the dogs, Reno, home and savor the comfort of my own bed.

In the meantime, which is where we all are, I wait in the Portland Airport. Sometimes I need to be forced to sit still. I'm not good at sitting still. Understatement alert!!! I am sort of like Sophie in that way. I'm always just shy of settling and about to begin movement. Hmmmm...I'm not sure this is a good thing. If I was more like Mickey I'd be napping, or beginning to nap, or just waking up from a nap. Or hunting after the previously mentioned nap. If I was more like Hank, I'd be exuding happiness and soaking up affection.

I'm a little guilty this week of wanting time to pass fast. I'm eager to get home because I feel like I'm not doing enough. It's complicated isn't it?

Some of us are always on journey trying to find what home is. Some of us are home and don't realize it. Some of us are homeward bound and can't wait, some are homeward bound and dragging their heels.

Now, I have a long enough wait at the airport today to make a quilt, give birth (including gestation) or build a house. Or some combination of all three. Hurry up, wait, breathe, relax. Time for gratitude and anticipation. Okay, I'll embrace that.

Which World

This week I'm in my travel world and have to be away from home. I'm in the city with the largest number of dogs per capita than anywhere else. So, how come I'm needing a doggie fix in the worst way? Which leads me to the question? Why aren't more business meetings scheduled in dog parks? Why don't doggie day cares have meeting rooms for the public. It seems that would increase productivity.

I haven't seen a hunting dog since last Thursday. I've only petted two dogs, one an English Bulldog in the Portland Airport, and one a Boston Terrier at a Farmers Market. Cute dogs, both of them. Willing, dogs - both of them. Willing to receive the needy attention of a dog lover far from home.

If I'm supposed to ask and I shall receive...let me make this request. Lord, I need a hunting dog fix. Preferably a pointer. I think it's okay to be very specific. I need this for health reasons. Dogs are good for my mental health. I need it for comfort reasons. Their presence brings me comfort. I need it for humor reasons. They laugh with their tails, I laugh at their tails. I feel best in the company of dogs.

In my world, which sometimes includes travel, I need my fix of doggies. Here I am Lord.....send me a dog, or two. .....Amen

Random Life Thots

Twenty three days until the wedding. Did I mention one of the bathrooms has practically been gutted? Plenty of time and not nearly enough time. Add to that 13 travel days for me and only 4 days at home for Reno. Somewhere in this time frame I need to get the house on the market.

They say that moving, getting married and changing jobs are some of the most stressful life events we go through. So let's do them all this summer and get the stress over with.

I'd be lying if I said it's been easy lately. Reno is ready to pitch me into the river and I've been tempted to buy him a one way ticket somewhere...anywhere. I am so dreaming of the days when we look back on this time and laugh. And we will, we'll laugh at how stressed I was, and how hard it all seemed. We'll laugh because the larger plan was so much better than we dreamed. We will laugh and we'll give thanks.

Right now we're counting down. To the wedding, to the move - even though we don't know where we are moving to yet. To the end of the decrapping and the packing. It's such a time of who, what, when, where, why and how. Oh Lordy, someone tell me how.

Through it all my best friend (hello!! that would be Reno) and the dogs keep me from totally wiggin out. I come close, and it isn't pretty, but they anchor me. Thank God for that.

Still Here Somewhere

Ahhhh, did you wonder has she fallen off the face of the earth? Doesn't she love us anymore? Is life so dull there is nothing to write about? Since Sophie left is it completely peace and quiet there?

I'll just answer that with no, no, no and NO! Followed by some slightly hysterical laughter.

Lots going on, packing boxes, projects to get the house up for sale, wedding countdown in progress, huge 50th anniversary events at the store, upcoming business travel. All manner of activity going on.

Still I am compelled to stop and pull weeds whenever I go near the garden. This year it's not going to matter if I get those tree seeds pulled. Still I try. If only I was a productive as they are proliferous.

From the canine department Hank managed to get to the floral arrangement that Momma Robin built her nest in. She and I had been conversing daily about her eggs hatching. Honestly I loved greeting her every time I crossed the porch. The nest was high enough, I just forgot how high Hanks vertical jump is. He managed to get a paw on it and yank the arrangement and nest down. He even cleaned up the eggs. Oh so sorry Momma Robin. You have my permission to dive bomb Hank whenever you see him in the yard.

To say I've been a bit emotional about all the excitement in our life is an understatement. Alcohol consumption is up, as is the number of times I pray out loud. Do you realize how many ways you can finish the phrase "oh Lord...." I'm trying not to use a lot of expletives in sentences that begin with "Oh Lord". Sometimes I fail. I try to remember how exciting all this is and how blessed we are, and how I love adventure. I usually end up rolling my eyes and invoking a colorful "Oh Lord" or two. It's a good thing He has such a good sense of humor and a forgiving nature.

So that sums it up. Lots going on. More to come. I can hardly wait!