Why Blog??

A friend is doing research on blogging. Why we do it, how we plan it, what we get out of it.

Hmmmmm....good questions.  I blog as an outlet for the voices in my head.  Go ahead and laugh, but it's true.  I blog because I figure whatever I celebrate, struggle with, experience someone else might too.  It helps me realize I am not alone. Perhaps it does the same for you.

I wish I could say I always have a plan for my blogs.  Ummm, I think I go through life in the unplanned mode.  Sometimes I have a little thought that stimulates the writing.  Sometimes I have brilliant ideas for blogs, but usually I am driving on the highway when that happens.  I tell myself...self, you need to remember this and write about it.  Hahahahaaa...like that ever happens.  

Mostly the dogs are the impetus for the writing.  Dogs have taken me places I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams.  I owe a lot to the dogs.  Maybe we should line them up side by side and ask their opinion?  No doubt the term crazy dog lady would be a recurring theme.  Or was that crazy blog lady.  

Of course I could say "I blog therefore I am".  That would be a philosophical stretch though. I do know I dog, therefore I am.   I blog, I dog, I blab, I ramble on. It is just me reaching out to you.  It's what I do. 

Home Sweet Home

We've arrived.  Landed, parked, rolled up, dragged in, unloaded (not unpacked).  Will probably need to think up a name for this place we call home.           
But that is another whole blog.

The pups think we're living in the middle of a dog park.  It took six dogs to get us moved in.  Mickey, Layla, Jessie, Decoy, Hadley and Hazel have all christened the place. Only one, Jessie, aka Fatty Boomba has jumped the fence.  There had to be one didn't there? 

We, and our moving help will testify to this, have too much crap.  Should have realized this while packing up.  Definitely realizing it while unpacking.  Our help saved our butts I can tell you that.  You have to love people who will drive hours to help you haul your stuff (aka crap, shit, treasures). 

We have all we need here though.  Room to garden, to relax, to run (at least the dogs do).  Room to listen to the quiet.  And a house full of love.  Last night, as we lay our weary bones down in bed, we paused.  We prayed in thanksgiving for the journey here and the blessings it holds.  

So when time permits, come and see us.  Bring the dogs, the kids, bring some hugs. Help us celebrate home sweet home.  

Culling the Herd

Dear House, Pantry, Closet, Drawer, Cabinet, Fridge, Garage, Garden, and Shed.  I'm culling the herd.  Tomorrow begins the big move and some of you will not be going along.

I know we have history.  I know there are little bits and pieces that could be used up.  Some of you have been mixed with other like things in different boxes than you came in.  Get over it.  It's not the outside that is important, it's what's inside that counts.

You might think I'm being ruthless.  And you'd be right.  Dibs and dabs, pieces and what not.  Good luck in your new life.  I hear the land fill is culturally diverse.

Some memories are not even going.  It's time to put them to rest, so we can embrace the new memories we'll be making.

The important stuff....the dogs, the wine, the treasures we own will be packed into a big truck once again.  Seems like just a year ago we did this, oh wait, we did.

This little rental fostered us for a year, so to speak.  Now we have a forever home. At least until life leads us in another direction.  So for now, we'll let go  of some things.  And hold tight to the ones that matter.  Yes, Layla, Mick and foster dog Jessie.  You get to go too.  

Dog Park Preview

Mick and Layla got to visit our new back yard.  The are referring to it as The Dog Park.  They think they have died and gone to heaven.  

Finally, a yard worthy of their exercise needs.  Tree's, shrubs, acres, squirrels, a deck to crawl under (if your name is Layla).  Just wait until they see deer or turkeys. You will probably hear the racket from there.

We surmise Layla won't want to ever come in.  She much prefers the out doors to the in doors.  Mick is accustomed to the master bed, but he ran in the yard like there was no tomorrow.  You gotta love an old dog running for all he's worth, nose to the ground, peeing on everything, hunting for anything and everything.  Foster dog, Jessie, hasn't been to The Park yet, but she has heard the stories about it.  It's huge, it's awesome, there have been other dogs there before.  It's smells amazing, you can pee and pee and pee.  

I'm excited for the dogs and for me.  My take is I can garden and garden and garden some more there.  I have a list of things the yard needs, besides dogs, of course. Need to add a few more trees, iris, daffodils, perennial hisbiscus, lily of the valley. Roses, don't forget the roses, clematis.  Every year I'll add another clematis just like I've always done.  The hostas from my Mom's yard that have been planted in buckets since last April.   The rhubarb from my neighbor Ralph.  That plant originated in Maryland many many moons ago. 

It will be a park for dogs, and a garden for me.  And because I'm not stupid I'll plant carefully, so the paws don't try to transplant things for me.  That must be why God created fences.  Of course, they will get into a few things, but such is life.  Such is gardening.  Planting, growing, transplanting...blooming in new ways and places.

De-Light of our Life

You know the couple who has raised their children and finally get close to the empty nest stage and turn up pregnant? Let me stop the thoughts flying through your collective brains and say - no, this is not a birth announcement.  But you know them, maybe you were those people.  The ones who swore they were done with babies and end up with one more.  

They really didn't want another baby, they were too old, too done with raising kids, over it, completely and totally.  And yet, when the new baby arrives they find it to be the light of their lives.

Well, in doggy terms, that is what Layla is to us.  De-Light of our life due to her silly wiggle butt ways.  Hank is channeling his pure and joyful being through her and taught her to poke me with her nose.  And Pete, liver treats, OMG, liver treats channels his happy attitude as well.  Mick tried to channel dignity and reserve to her, but it was a lost cause.  What she lacks in dignity and reserve, she makes up in enthusiasm and excitement.  Kobe is probably just happy he missed out on the commotion she creates.  On a daily basis, I might add.

Funny how good things come into our life this way.  Like gangbusters they roll in and bring us more than we could ever hope for.  I hope you have your own "Layla" to enchant, delight and keep things from ever being dull around you.  

Things To Be Grateful For

So many things to be grateful for!

Surprise birthday visits from your kids.  Talk about making this Momma happy! Especially valuable for my first birthday away from home.  Saved Reno from sad water works.  He was as grateful as I was happy.

The generosity of strangers.  Found a lovely couple associated with the Grand Island Kennel Club who helped us hunt test our foster dog Jessie.  Had a fun evening in the field watching them work with Jess and seeing her in a whole new way.  We did this with another foster in Omaha, he wouldn't have been birdy if a pheasant flew into him.  Jess was another story.  She's been hunted before and has the drive.  There is a little pigeon in birdy heaven who gave her all for Jess.  Now we can find her a home with someone who hunts.  So thanks little birdy for your contribution. 

Then the icing on the birthday cake was time with Reno's daughter, hubby and their two sets of paws.  It was a twenty paw weekend.  We divided them up into the little girls, Hadley and Hazel, the big girls, Layla and Jessie, and Mick.  He stayed out of the fray as best as he could.  Mind you, the little girls took the big girls right to school.  Fun to watch that happen.  Still laughing at Hazel, who arrived all clean, white and pretty.  She's a Westie-Poo puppy.  She left a filthy mess.  Proof she had a good time in the yard with the big girls.

Hadley was more dignified during her visit.  Although she did climb on to the top of the coffee table and the crate.  Dignified does not eliminate goat-like tendencies. 

It was a dog gone, all around good weekend.  One for the books, one for counting blessings, loving family and our four footed friends.