My Girls, My Best Friends

"Aquiring a dog

may be the only opportunity

a human ever has

to choose a relative."

No truer words have ever been spoken.  My two little Westies are the best relatives that anyone could ever wish for.  They are unassuming, unpretentious, undemanding, do whatever I ask, mind pretty good (better than most kids I've been around-including my own), and they love me unconditionally!  They don't care if I'm in a good mood or bad mood, they don't care if I smell from being outside working, they don't care if I put on weight or fail to take some off, they don't care if I walk around without makeup and my hair a mess, they don't care if I wear old tee shirts with holes in them around the house, they don't care if I occasionally rant & rave, and they are totally loyal and trustworthy, and never tell on me for anything-not if I say something unkind about someone or something, have an occasional drink (which would be very rare-but a nice piece of gossip just the same), or even if I run naked from the bathroom to the utility room to fetch a clean shirt out of the dryer. They don't care if the house is clean, or the yard work is done; and they don't care what I'm fixing for dinner, or when I fix it.  I know that I can trust them completely - I can leave home alone for the evening and never have to worry about them throwing some wild party and inviting a bunch of friends in to trash the place.  Last but not least, they never criticize me for anything - not even if I forget their treats at the store!  They are truly my best friends.

Now how many human relatives fall into that category?  

 

Weekend Assignment

John Scalzi's weekend assignment is recounting the worst piece of advice that we've ever given, and the worst piece of advice that we've ever received.  The answers are simple for me.

The worst piece of advice that I have ever given:  well, since I have selective memory (this is a good thing because I don't have to endure reliving uncomfortable moments over and over), I honestly don't remember the worst advice I have ever given. I can tell you that I know I have given my share, I just can't remember any one piece specifically.  

The worst piece of advice that I ever received:  I am a classic Type A personality and without trying to be pompous I must admit that I listen to advice that is given but have rarely taken it.  I instead chose to walk the beaten path of the damned and make my own decisions.  Sometimes that has been good, other times (and probably more often) it has been not so good.  (the frustration that my poor Mom had to endure!)  Unfortunately, selective memory doesn't play a part in this one and I have had to relive my bad choices over and over and over again in my head.  Great on the old self esteem!

So much for that weekend assignment!

Daily Affirmation

Only I can change my life. No
one can do it for me. 
-Carol Burnett

The journey in between
what you once were and
who you are now
becoming is where the
dance of life really
takes place.
~ Barbara De Angelis ~

Potpourri

Against my better judgement I "played" yesterday instead of working around the house.  Jeri talked me into going to a couple of garage sales and some thrift shops, then we went for lunch at the Olive Garden - one of our favorite spots to eat.  I really enjoyed it, but now it's time to pay the piper, and I am once again playing catch up and trying to get everything done today so that when Monday morning comes I can start a fresh week without running around like a chicken with its head head cut off!  ha!

Hopefully Kevin will call and ask about mowing - that would be a Godsend!  Rain is forecast for Tuesday through Saturday so it is an absolute must to get done today.  Besides, I need to put more fertilizer on it and spray the perimeter of the property for weeds.

I haven't done any serious shopping for flowers yet this year, but will need to plan that very soon.

Another cloud that is hanging over my head is working on my Mom's house.  I've got to get over there and things going so we can put it up for sale.  It's obvious that if I don't make the first move my siblings aren't likely to.

Hope all is going well in your neck of the woods.  I've been reading journals in what spare time I have, and must say that I love them!  You guys are so darned talented at writing and expressing yourselves!  And the photos that some of you post are fantastic!  I am in good company, if I do say so myself!

I continue my evening prayers for those of you who want and need them.  I think of you all often.  Have a wonderful week everyone! 

Prayer Request

A prayer request from Cathy Mitchell, Batesburg Leesville S.C. area, whose husband, Tony, is an Air Force Commander in Afghanistan. She received an urgent email from him this morning. It said, "We need Christians to pray, pray, pray." Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.   Considering the increase in terrorist activity in Iraq, this prayer is more urgent than ever.  PLEASE pray always for our military men and women.


"Lord, hold our troops  in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.   Amen"

When you read this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground, air and navy personnel in every area of the middle east.

Daily Affirmation

"Kill the snake of doubt
in your soul, crush the
worms of fear in your
heart and mountains will
move out of your way."
-- Kate Seredy  

If you don't like something
change it; if you can't change it,
change the way you think about it."
-- Mary Engelbreit
 

When I came home from work Friday evening Brian and his 5th wheel trailer were gone - for good.  Brian, as you may recall in this entry, was in the process of losing his home back in October.  Since he didn't win the lottery his unfortunate fate was determined a few days ago when he was served with an eviction notice.  I think it probably gave him 3 days to vacate.  He knew it was coming though and was ready to leave. 

Karen, his wife left him last October and rented a nice little home for herself because she wouldn't let him continue to drag her down as he did himself. 

I spoke with them last winter for an hour or so when I noticed Karen was over helping Brian get packed up.  I took them a couple Krispy Kreme doughnuts and we stood around talking.  They told me then that if I had anything that I wanted to take to the dump just throw it in their yard.  Can you imagine?  They both seemed bitter toward the bank for taking the house back after they'd stopped making their payments 2 years before that.  I remember looking at them and saying, "You know, I am still going to live in this neighborhood after you are gone.  Why would I want to trash your yard?  You live next door to me, for God's sake!"  They just looked at me with blank stares and didn't say anything.  I was so shocked because they'd taken such good care of their place.  How could they stand to have people trash it?  It didn't make sense then, and it doesn't make sense now.

I'll miss them though as neighbors.  They were kind, thoughtful and respectful.  It saddens me that people let themselves get into these situations - at least Brian did.  There was opportunity for him to save his place, but he made the wrong choices.

Now I wonder who will buy the place.  Will they be nice and thoughtful?  Will they take care of their place like the rest of us do?