Dogs Rule

Meet Bailey.

She’s a miniature schnauzer.

And we were blessed to babysit her for the night.

When she strutted in, she was like a pimpin'  Steven Tyler, pre-drug free days.  Wondering who she might conquer, and what she might destruct, all in short order. No mountain was too high, no valley too low, she had it faded.

I took one look at this bit of black fluff, and figured out I’d better get her bluff pretty darn quick or I would pay for it over the next 24 hours.  So I began to blow her mind.  With training, not drugs.  I know, you're still on the Steven Tyler line, aren't you?

Within an hour or two, she was sitting upon command, and downing upon command.  By the next round of training, I had her giving me 5 with one paw while sitting down.

She would retrieve a pig ear rawhide for me to throw again.

And before the night was out, she was asleep, upside down, in my arms.  

I’d better watch out.  She already knows how to order our favorite drinks at Starbucks.

 AND schmooze the Barista.

She’s so smart she’s already figured out how to steal our hearts. Or at least maybe help heal them a little.

A Little More Cracked

Damn you, cancer.

Michael and his Mom.

We lost my husband’s oldest living brother, Michael, last Monday night about 10:30 p.m.  My husband was by his side, as were his wife and children and another brother. I cannot imagine what they all felt that night.

ThatManILove immediately called me, sobbing.  My heart, already broken, broke some more, for my man and his family.  I know what it’s like to lose a brother.  Not fun.  Killer deal. And here I was, going through some bizarro rerun, though a little remotely.

Being the only family in our town at the time, I was sent to inform Michael’s mom of her son’s passing.

My friend Clara was still here, thank God, so she went with me to my Mom-in-love’s to give her the news at 11 p.m.. My heart? Broke completely as I held this small woman whom I’ve grown to love as a mom, and told her that her son hurt no more.  That her boy was gone. She sobbed.  I wept.  Clara wept.  

I know, I know. Death happens. 

For a mom to bury a child - it should not happen this way.  And it’s really hard when you’re a mom, to see not one, but two of your sons pass before you.  I remember watching my mom as my big brother passed.  I don’t really know what “the natural order” of things is, but this cannot be right.  It sucks.  It really sucks.

We buried Michael yesterday.  His beautiful wife and children put together the greatest video of photographs of his life, along with some of his most loved songs.  The service was standing room only.  This man, Michael, was an honorable man of great character and integrity.  A man who loved his family, above all else.

I want to be like Michael.  Heck, we all do. He was an amazing man.

I’m more than a little angry.  Perplexed.  Hurting, for those I love, who called this man Husband. Daddy. Pop-pop. Son. And Brother. I'm waiting and watching. Caring. Loving.

And I’m praying. Praying that healing will come, and please, Lord God, sooner than later.  And until then, that Love will dull, and soon remove, the sting of pain for all of those beautiful people that are Michael's loves.  


Happy trails, Mike.  Until we meet again.

Outa Da Closet

I need help.

My closet is a mess.

Here’s why:

My travel schedule, and habit of hitting the bigger stores when I’m in a bigger town, in order to get the most up to date business wear.

My up and down of weight gain/weight loss.

My supposed need for workout gear.

I worked off and on all day today, and I still have a bunch of clothes.

I have put two garbage sacks full in my car for further disbursement.

I have taken ThatManILove’s clothes out of my closet and put them in his.

Now, I’m trying to separate the closets between (1) work wear and (2) casual wear.

I might start drinking.  Again.

Meeting Myself Coming and Going

It’s been a busy time.

My eldest brother-in-love has been at MD Anderson, and we’ve been spending quite a bit of time with he and the family there.  And yeah - I still hate cancer.

I’ve been all over everywhere for business meetings.

And during this time, when we’re at the hospital in Houston, who decides to make his appearance in Austin, but our little grandson, Eli?  Weighing a sweet 8.8 lbs and measuring 20.5 inches long! He is absolutely gorgeous, and mom and dad are both doing well.  So proud of them.

Did I have my camera with me?  No.  We left so fast to go to Houston, and thought we'd return quickly, that I didn't take it.  Hopefully I'll get to take some great pictures of the little man soon!

I swore I would try to post every day, but our “every day” lately has been full of work/hospitals/flying/travel and of course, we went to meet Eli.  How cool it is to see ThatManILove hold his grandson!  And how cool it is to see YoungerSon rocking it as a dad, and his beautiful wife rocking it as a mom.  Isn’t it neat how parents just learn as they go, and they do an awesome job at it?  Awesome to watch. Awesome, I say.

We’ve had a friend in from North Carolina who ministers in Kenya during   a portion of the year...it’s so good to see her! 

So, faithful readers, I’ll get track on back soon, I promise.  Just hang with me here a bit while we get through this wee patch of taking care of business at hand.  And then, go pick up the Wonderdogs from the trainer.  God, I miss them so.

Until then, happy trails to you!