preschoolers and puppies

Day two at the gym went well today. The introduction of one of the puppies with a friend's adult dog went well also. Two items on my gratitude list. The one thing that I want to work on from today (that comes to mind) is to not take for granted my time with my favorite three year old.

I thought that bringing the puppy would be fun for her. I had hoped that she would like to play with him, and also that the puppy could get socialized. I was hoping for a win-win. As I reflect upon the afternoon, I think that there was guarded success and that the afternoon was okay. Nothing stressful or terrible happened,  I just think that the rhythm of the afternoon was different. It was too busy.

There is nothing like a child or a favored pet to help you stay in the present tense.
Thank goodness for that
.
I realized tonight that I did too much "adult stuff" with my friends this afternoon. Next time I will play more. Just like my puppy today who did not know the correct way to play with the new acquaintance, I will learn and be more deliberate in my time to play with my friends.. I will try my best to look through the eyes of the child-- or the pup-- and see what they may want. Give and Take. I learn so much from preschoolers and puppies.

a Sunday afternoon sweat

After a several month hiatus, we have rejoined our local YMCA. In our household it makes no sense financially, but it makes perfect sense from a health and wellness point of view.

I never thought that I could miss the gym but I did. No, I do not love the exertion or the heart rate increase. I absolutely hate the getting there and the warmup. But-- I do love the endorphins released and the sweat that pours. The cobwebs in my mind are cleared away and my shoulders are not so full of stress. I finally understand and can see it as an opportunity to renew.

This is the start of my birthday week. The actual day is on Friday, but I plan to find ways to be grateful every day. Last year I had grand plans of travel and road trips to take time out and contemplate. That did not happen. With car problems in two of the three family cars, I could not take away the only working vehicle. Life happens. 

The puppies turn ten months old on my birthday also. I am so pleased that they are in this world and we can watch them grow. The owners are great about sharing pictures and I love to see them develop. They are such markers for time passing.  

This week ahead (and the rest of this year) can be full of hope and purpose. It is about choice. It is about living fully -with intention. This is no dress rehearsal -so live it up now! The big things really are the little things of each passing day. Whether it is getting excited about "BLT season" or laughing in the park with friends, the time we have now matters.

Forget the measly checkbook balance, dirty floors, and smelly dogs.
We are enough. We have a safe home. We have wonderful children with fur.
Maybe this is what God has been trying to teach me this year?

I learn a lot by asking for help.

Being a loving, responsible pet owner is important to me.
I am also wise enough to seek help when something stumps me. My many years of life remind me that there is always more to learn-- about myself, my loved ones, and the world around me. I can be patient enough (and persistent enough) to ask the many questions necessary.

This summer is filled with lessons in humility for me. I know that God wants me to learn and I really am willing... I just wish that it wasn't so painful sometimes. 

One of our puppies is incredibly sick. Roughly half of his heart is in failure and he has been turned down by WSU Veterinary School for open heart surgery. We treat him with numerous medications and excellent care from a team of doctors, but it is not fixable. We work incredibly hard for a quality life, not for quantity life. 

Let me say that I would not trade one minute of time with LB for anyone else. I see the grace of our creator in his eyes often. His determination and appreciation of the smallest things is truly wonderful. I do not understand the reasoning behind this pathway in my life but I am trying to comprehend. The children with fur are appreciated and loved almost as much as the adult children.  We are those crazy dog parents, be warned.

As we approach the fall season, I hope that we can find some balance and happiness for our pup and for the whole family. There will be new "starts" in jobs for a couple of us, and changes in many areas of life. I want to be optimistic and thankful.

We are fundraising for the continued care of our heart patient puppy. This is how I am asking for help, on the site gofundme.com for Lil Blackie's Medical Bills. I am trying to loosen my grasp and open up to the Lord's plan. 

My birthday is coming up also, and I hope for laughter with family, friends, and loved ones. I hope it is sunny and warm and peaceful. It's not about things to me, it is all about the experiences. Feeling the love--

I hope that you do too..

when "Perfect" is the enemy of "Good"

I love it when you go to church on Sunday and the homily is still remembered on Tuesday.

I am pleased to say that I have been considering the Priest's words a lot during the last 48 hours. The readings were about Peter and his fears when Jesus walked on the water near the boat. Jesus called for him to come to him and Peter tried but fear got the best of him and he blew it. He called out "Save me Lord!" and Jesus did. He eased his anxieties and helped him. He loved him. He reassured him. All Peter had to do was ask.

I am a stubborn person who is used to doing things in my (mostly) orderly way. Like most people, I just have set patterns and behaviors that work for me. It really isn't that my plans are better than my friends or loved ones-- it is just that I will probably just carry on and try to "get my jobs done." 

Our Priest pointed out the importance of trying your best and being okay with the times that things are not perfect.  He challenged us to look at the times when we don't even try because we are sure that we cannot do it well. Those are the times when "Perfect" is the enemy of "Good." We dismiss new opportunities and challenges that we can probably do. We can learn to do it well or be good at it -in the future. We rob ourselves of the opportunity to suck at something, forgive ourselves, and try again.

It takes a lot of faith to wander into something that is foreign and to try. 

Here's to discovery! 

God still loves us when we blow it.    

Can we be that loving and kind to ourselves?  

banana Laffy Taffy

I went to the local WINCO foods to pick up a few groceries. It was a quick trip because I only needed some produce, coffee, eggs, and raw almonds. The raw almonds are kept in the bulk food section in the back corner of the store.
I had to go through the bulk candy. That is when I saw the bin filled with my latest obsession. Laffy Taffy-- specifically Banana Laffy Taffy.

I do not understand why this confection has caught my attention. It could be that I have baked my brain for too long. in the summer sun.  Perhaps the heat has caused this crazy craving? I will be kind to myself and let this run its course.

Dogs can have food cravings too. No, they are not able to satisfy their urge without human help, but they can enjoy specific foods with an attentive owner.  In our house, it is Lil Blackie who has a favorite food. His interest is more healthy than mine-- he loves WATERMELON. 

Adjusting to the changes in our house without our Kelsey may be the reason why I am having a hard time posting to this blog. I wish that I could write something with substance but it is not in me right now. The world seems quieter without her. The baying of a bloodhound is a sound that I love and that I miss.

Small summer joys are what we will work on at our house for the rest of August. I have got to force myself to laugh each day and search for more ways to make memories with loved ones. Whether we want it to or not- life goes on. Loss and grief sucks.
Hug your dog today. Let the sunshine bake your brain. Why don't you try to find a candy from your childhood that made you happy?     Give your pooch a cube of watermelon   -- he might like it.