How Cute is She?!

Thought I'd show you a recent pic of my not-so-little Baby B. 

I miss that smile.

She's growing up too fast.

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Just B...

...Compassionate

I like to imagine myself a compassionate person. Truly, I think I do pretty well at caring for others and their circumstances. I really do care. Unfortunately, it is easier for me to care about some people than others. Sometimes (shocking I know) that's because I am the one with the issue (not them).

 That's usually right about the time that I am slapped in the face by my own hardness of heart towards another's circumstances. 

Ouch.

The Face of Christ

by Chris Rice

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Freebie Friday!

Nothing too profound here today. Kind of the theme I've had going in my life lately.

If you want it, feel free.

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Saying Good-Bye

This summer will be the last one with our Great Pyrenees/Lab mix, Emmie.  

When I was going through chemo for Hodgkin's, I discovered a lump the size of a golf ball on Emmie's rib cage. I remember calling my mom in tears and telling her that Little Man couldn't lose his dog to cancer when I was in the middle of the battle myself. 

Who am I kidding, I couldn't lose my dog to cancer.

 When we brought Emmie in for her check-up, they told us it was probably bone cancer. The vet and I agreed that with her age, it was best just to let her enjoy her remaining time. We've been watching the lump, which has now reached the size of a softball.

Water has always been her favorite, but she started slipping last summer on the plastic of her custom 'pool'. This year I rigged up a geriatric model just for her. She is loving it, and she hasn't slipped yet!

 Emmie now hobbles around the yard at her leisure. We don't make her stay in the kennel when we are gone, because she can't roam very far anyway.

I have let Little Man know that this month we will need to say good bye. He's convinced that she will get better.  

It's not going to be easy. To add to the difficulty of making this decision, I first brought Emmie home right before a dear friend of mine passed away from cancer. Just a few days before she passed away, I brought my little Emmie over to meet her. My friend managed to say "That's going to be a big dog." as she cuddled her in her bed. It feels like losing Emmie is losing a link to my friend.

 I also really had hoped that Baby B would be home before we had to put her down. She is one of the most gentle dogs with children that you will see. 

Unfortunately, it's not fair to her to make her keep waiting. Her pain is increasing, and her strength is decreasing. 

It's time.

And I hate it.

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My Little Girl

It will be awhile before we get Baby B home. Our paper work is still sitting in the same office that it has sat in since May. This is our first real long delay and it is hard. 

Baby B will turn two next month, but we so wanted her home before her second birthday. 

I guess we will have to celebrate her birthday late this year.

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Just B...

...Eclectic

I am a bit eclectic. 

Example: I like to dress nice, and try to look put together.  But, truth be told, I feel super cool (or 'hot' if you will) when I'm wearing grubby clothes and running my dad's Bobcat.(I know, right?! It is totally cool!)

My parents raised an independent girl, who doesn't mind getting dirty and loves to make stuff.

 But, I hate the feeling of dirt under my nails...but, I love working with clay...but, I'm allergic to dust...

I am not much of a world traveler, yet I have two children from other countries.

You get the idea.

I used to feel a bit at odds with these idiosyncrasies of mine. But, as I creep closer forty, I've made peace with myself. Plus, being an eclectic has become a lot more 'hip' these days.

This morning, as Little Man and I drank our Ethiopian coffee (mine with a little bit of Vanilla Almond Milk), from the espresso mugs I made in college, while listening to Johnny Cash sing "Ring of Fire" on the radio...I had to smile. Then we were off for the day. Little Man fluffed up his mohawk, pulled on his railroad worker style pants, and we drove to Grandma and Grandpa's while listening to Adventures in Odyssey.

As you go through your days, I hope that you also feel free to defy easy labels and just be yourself.

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Freebie Friday!

It's all yours!

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