| The beaver exhibit at the zoo was really cool- I could have stayed there all day! The exhibit is within the perimeter of the outdoor wolf area with an enclosed pond encased half in glass so you can see the underwater activities, the den and all the fish and turtles sharing space with the beavers. Very neat! |
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Yes, that is my son in the background- walking fashion statement. | ||
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Zoo adventures
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sleep in peace my sweet Benny Boy
Did you cry at the end of Old Yeller? If so, drag out your hankies...
Our sweet old Ben left this earth to be with his canine brother and sister in heaven this afternoon. B and Mr. FixIt took it the worst, even knowing for 10 days this afternoon's deed was on the horizon. His joints have been creaking and cracking on him worse than ever, making it hard for him to get out of his bed, and up the two steps into the house at night. Thankfully with warmer weather he's been spared those two steps twice a day for a while now. His eyesight was near gone- that coupled with his excellent hearing meant he barked at most everything lately...until you called his name out the window telling him it was "ok." He'd jump at his own shadow, even bark at us if we walked too far off from him until you said something. Then he'd tuck tail and run to your side, saying "Oh, sorry, I didn't know it was you" with lowered head and sad, cloudy eyes. The kids all know the "Ben rules": Don't get in his face, don't scare him, don't wave toy guns and swords around him, don't grab for him and lately- lock him up (sunporch) when the yard starts filling with kids in case someone slips and forgets he's there. You'd never know he was old from running in the yard nonstop after a tennis ball or a toy! He'd retire a little sooner than in his younger years and his joints creaked and cracked but to see him run in the yard, kids kicking balls for him to fetch- you'd never know he was an old boy. His hearing has never failed him though- when he heard the neighbor dog out (male) he'd stand his ground at the edge of our yard, fiercely protecting the kids- our kids, neighbor kids, me. He played with Lucy but that was the extent of his friendliness toward other animals. He even attacked her a few times, thankfully she would cower and let him win, then slink off out of his way until he'd cooled of and HE initiated a session of keep-away or chase.
Last week- it happened. Kids running through the yard, Ben following behind and the neighbor 4-year-old behind them all. Near the edge of the yard, where Ben cannot pass because of the underground fence, our little neighbor and Ben somehow collided with his teeth in her poor little face. Puncture wounds and instant bruising. B ran to get us yelling that Ben got Hannah and she's really hurt!! Mr. FixIt and I ran out the door to find little Hannah holding her face and Ben running off tail tucked like someone had just shot him- he realized what he'd done. He was as terrified as she was in shock. That poor baby ended up with stitches in two places in her face, which thankfully is healing well and hopefully won't scar. Ben was sentenced to the sunporch for 10 days, death row essentially. He knew he did something wrong. I'd take him out to potty and I'd have to force him away from me to go. He was like glue to my side- he knew. So horrible how he can be so sweet, but yet do something so horrible. The neighbor and I had talked several times. She cried. I cried. Kids cried. Ugh.
Yesterday was the day we've all dreaded. The vet tech cried. B cried. Mr. FixIt cried. I'd shed my tears the night poor little Hannah was bit as I knew right then the end result. Monster Man was upset for B but added some comedic relief. He told the vet that "daddy dug Ben a 'dying hole' in the yard" (if you've seen Madagascar 2, you know what he's referring to) then he hugged B and told her he was sorry, that Ben could fetch all day long in heaven and never get tired. Both kids were present with us and petted Ben as he went to sleep for the last time. No more achy joints. No more jumping in fear at something moving close from behind him. No more being held captive in the sunporch while neighbor dogs are out playing. We buried him with his favorite blanket and a tennis ball.
Ben had survived being abandoned as a pup, overcome a horrifying fear of men, battled heartworms for two years and won, increasingly failing eyesight and drastically worn-down teeth from fetching and chewing 5 bazillion tennis balls over his lifetime. He was a good boy, a very sweet boy. Very hard to let him go. I keep listening for him to jingle his collar at the sliding glass door, wanting someone to come play fetch. I checked on him out of habit this morning- still in shock that he's no longer there.
I'm sure Ben is happy to join Alex and Kari in heaven, the three amigos together again as they had been for more than 10 years. Take care of each other guys- we miss you all.
Our sweet old Ben left this earth to be with his canine brother and sister in heaven this afternoon. B and Mr. FixIt took it the worst, even knowing for 10 days this afternoon's deed was on the horizon. His joints have been creaking and cracking on him worse than ever, making it hard for him to get out of his bed, and up the two steps into the house at night. Thankfully with warmer weather he's been spared those two steps twice a day for a while now. His eyesight was near gone- that coupled with his excellent hearing meant he barked at most everything lately...until you called his name out the window telling him it was "ok." He'd jump at his own shadow, even bark at us if we walked too far off from him until you said something. Then he'd tuck tail and run to your side, saying "Oh, sorry, I didn't know it was you" with lowered head and sad, cloudy eyes. The kids all know the "Ben rules": Don't get in his face, don't scare him, don't wave toy guns and swords around him, don't grab for him and lately- lock him up (sunporch) when the yard starts filling with kids in case someone slips and forgets he's there. You'd never know he was old from running in the yard nonstop after a tennis ball or a toy! He'd retire a little sooner than in his younger years and his joints creaked and cracked but to see him run in the yard, kids kicking balls for him to fetch- you'd never know he was an old boy. His hearing has never failed him though- when he heard the neighbor dog out (male) he'd stand his ground at the edge of our yard, fiercely protecting the kids- our kids, neighbor kids, me. He played with Lucy but that was the extent of his friendliness toward other animals. He even attacked her a few times, thankfully she would cower and let him win, then slink off out of his way until he'd cooled of and HE initiated a session of keep-away or chase.
Yesterday was the day we've all dreaded. The vet tech cried. B cried. Mr. FixIt cried. I'd shed my tears the night poor little Hannah was bit as I knew right then the end result. Monster Man was upset for B but added some comedic relief. He told the vet that "daddy dug Ben a 'dying hole' in the yard" (if you've seen Madagascar 2, you know what he's referring to) then he hugged B and told her he was sorry, that Ben could fetch all day long in heaven and never get tired. Both kids were present with us and petted Ben as he went to sleep for the last time. No more achy joints. No more jumping in fear at something moving close from behind him. No more being held captive in the sunporch while neighbor dogs are out playing. We buried him with his favorite blanket and a tennis ball.
Ben had survived being abandoned as a pup, overcome a horrifying fear of men, battled heartworms for two years and won, increasingly failing eyesight and drastically worn-down teeth from fetching and chewing 5 bazillion tennis balls over his lifetime. He was a good boy, a very sweet boy. Very hard to let him go. I keep listening for him to jingle his collar at the sliding glass door, wanting someone to come play fetch. I checked on him out of habit this morning- still in shock that he's no longer there.
I'm sure Ben is happy to join Alex and Kari in heaven, the three amigos together again as they had been for more than 10 years. Take care of each other guys- we miss you all.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Time?? Ha!
The past month around here has been a five-ring circus...
I truly intended to finish the "Shoulda" post and I have just been BUSY, but the gist of that post was, I did the most difficult thing of my life and made Mr. FixIt move out. More details forthcoming, but yes, I do honestly love him and I don't doubt he loves me-just some serious issues need worked out. He has still been around for the kids/weekend days/school and dance functions/etc. Though this situation is much more stressful for him than me (too bad), I am doing fine! On top of THAT fuss, in the past several weeks...HOLD THAT THOUGHT!
Ok, I'm back- I had to go log B's last few lessons that are DUE to be logged TODAY. Yes, today the 12th and it's now 12:08 in the morning on the 13th- CRAP!
See what life has been like?? Jeesh! Not boring, lol. Anywhoo, back to that list of STUFF that has made my cup overfloweth recently:
-Tossed husband. CHECK
(issues on the mend now, but that thought cracked me up, couldn't resist- hehe)
-Dance recital week-two nights of rehearsals and two recitals. T several numbers and B one number. Mom stayed with us for a few nights as a bonus to chaos. CHECK.
-Switched from TW-piece of doodoo-Cable and started DSL. CHECK!
-Workhorse Dell brought back from the dead after near a week of attempts and more than my quota of heavy cussing. CHECK! (due to P-O-S TWCable)
-Shoveled three layers out of the PIT/office, revealing the next 8 or 10 to be removed! CHECK!
-Worked like feinds to catch up three weeks of school lessons completed and attendance not logged due to lack of internet due to POS cable and down network due to crashing Dell due to POS cable!! AAARRRRGGHHH!! CHECK.
-Friend and Premier mom from SC arrived, stayed a few days (too SHORT!) to help train me in the jewelry business. CHECK.
-Near-blind, scared of his own shadow old Benny boy is on calendar to be put to sleep next week and presently in quaranteen. CHECK. (yes, he bit someone...not a good day)
-I discovered yesterday that our yearly Alex's Lemonade Stand to raise funds for Pediatric Cancer Research is THIS weekend, not next month!! So last night and this morning were spent getting cookies, 4 gallons of lemonade and materials ready for an afternoon stand TODAY! Phew! CHECK.
To end on a positive note :-D
*Husband is seeing a counselor to help deal with issues (more later) and has become a new man, an open, willing-to-show emotion man- I'm in SHOCK, but loving it!! If he keeps it up, he may be back home before too much longer.
* DSL is running great and near speeds of the cable even though it is supposed to be 10 times slower.
*I had a great visit with Ms. K, my Premier mom and learned a LOT this week!!
*The little girl Ben bit will be ok, thank the Lord!
*The kids raised $45+ during their 4-hour lemonade stand today! Woohoo!! They will set it up again for Sunday afternoon. Google 'Alex's Lemonade Stand' for more details.
*I just submitted an order to Premier for my training show held earlier this week!! My official 'first' show is tomorrow!!
That about wraps it up. Now I need to get my arse into bed so tomorow I can be prepared for some family visiting and to dazzle some gals into earning themselves some free jewelry!!
I truly intended to finish the "Shoulda" post and I have just been BUSY, but the gist of that post was, I did the most difficult thing of my life and made Mr. FixIt move out. More details forthcoming, but yes, I do honestly love him and I don't doubt he loves me-just some serious issues need worked out. He has still been around for the kids/weekend days/school and dance functions/etc. Though this situation is much more stressful for him than me (too bad), I am doing fine! On top of THAT fuss, in the past several weeks...HOLD THAT THOUGHT!
Ok, I'm back- I had to go log B's last few lessons that are DUE to be logged TODAY. Yes, today the 12th and it's now 12:08 in the morning on the 13th- CRAP!
See what life has been like?? Jeesh! Not boring, lol. Anywhoo, back to that list of STUFF that has made my cup overfloweth recently:
-Tossed husband. CHECK
(issues on the mend now, but that thought cracked me up, couldn't resist- hehe)
-Dance recital week-two nights of rehearsals and two recitals. T several numbers and B one number. Mom stayed with us for a few nights as a bonus to chaos. CHECK.
-Switched from TW-piece of doodoo-Cable and started DSL. CHECK!
-Workhorse Dell brought back from the dead after near a week of attempts and more than my quota of heavy cussing. CHECK! (due to P-O-S TWCable)
-Shoveled three layers out of the PIT/office, revealing the next 8 or 10 to be removed! CHECK!
-Worked like feinds to catch up three weeks of school lessons completed and attendance not logged due to lack of internet due to POS cable and down network due to crashing Dell due to POS cable!! AAARRRRGGHHH!! CHECK.
-Friend and Premier mom from SC arrived, stayed a few days (too SHORT!) to help train me in the jewelry business. CHECK.
-Near-blind, scared of his own shadow old Benny boy is on calendar to be put to sleep next week and presently in quaranteen. CHECK. (yes, he bit someone...not a good day)
-I discovered yesterday that our yearly Alex's Lemonade Stand to raise funds for Pediatric Cancer Research is THIS weekend, not next month!! So last night and this morning were spent getting cookies, 4 gallons of lemonade and materials ready for an afternoon stand TODAY! Phew! CHECK.
To end on a positive note :-D
*Husband is seeing a counselor to help deal with issues (more later) and has become a new man, an open, willing-to-show emotion man- I'm in SHOCK, but loving it!! If he keeps it up, he may be back home before too much longer.
* DSL is running great and near speeds of the cable even though it is supposed to be 10 times slower.
*I had a great visit with Ms. K, my Premier mom and learned a LOT this week!!
*The little girl Ben bit will be ok, thank the Lord!
*The kids raised $45+ during their 4-hour lemonade stand today! Woohoo!! They will set it up again for Sunday afternoon. Google 'Alex's Lemonade Stand' for more details.
*I just submitted an order to Premier for my training show held earlier this week!! My official 'first' show is tomorrow!!
That about wraps it up. Now I need to get my arse into bed so tomorow I can be prepared for some family visiting and to dazzle some gals into earning themselves some free jewelry!!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Little Heroes
Smiling. Happy. Ready to give their all. Ready to get on that stage and WOW the crowd!
Only a few pics for the moment. Just a teaser for ya!!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Shhhhh...
Don't read it too loudly...I'm blogging.
Don't repeat this out loud either or it may jinx me for the whole month...I'm blogging.
NaBloPoMo.
Heroes.
Heroes??? I have plenty of people I look up to and would consider heroes but how in the heck am I going to turn that into a month of writing??
Day one down.
Twenty-nine more to go! :-D
Don't repeat this out loud either or it may jinx me for the whole month...I'm blogging.
NaBloPoMo.
Heroes.
Heroes??? I have plenty of people I look up to and would consider heroes but how in the heck am I going to turn that into a month of writing??
Day one down.
Twenty-nine more to go! :-D
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