Life....

I have thought for days, even weeks, how I wanted to start my message to you. I know I have not written in some time, but yet I do not feel the need to apologize either.

Jessica in contemplation

Life got crazy, Life got hectic, Life got busy.
Life was happy, Life was sad
Life was EXPERIENCED!



To bring you up to date. Miss Winnie ended her earthly journey with us. It still brings me to tears to talk/write about it. Miss Winnie was a bright spot in my day and even more so as I became her caregiver towards the end. I can rest assured knowing she was very loved and that she knew we did everything possible for her. She had a few more seizures toward the end and we believed they robbed her of some mental capacities. Her quality of life was no longer. RIP Miss Winnie.

 In July we celebrated hubby's milestone birthday w/ a small party in which we debuted our home-built monkey hut. The monkey hut was built for our (at that time) upcoming journey to Burning Man. (I'll make a seperate post w/ pictures of the Monkey Hut)

August brought about crazy, hectic weekends. Busy work loads. Than packing up the truck for the 2400 mile drive (each way) to Burning Man in Black Rock City, Nevada.  Never heard of Burning Man? Don't worry, I hadn't either until hubby started showing me videos & playing a song called "Home". Want to know more about Burning Man...google it. You'll be pulled in...I promise!

Burning Man

We returned only this week from Burning Man and words cannot describe for you what an experience it was. Life changing, a journey, a pilgramage. New friendships were formed, love rekindled, uniqueness appreciated. Hubby and I managed the cross country drive in approximately 52 hours each way. Sleeping at rest stops, experiencing truck stop showers and lots of giggles.

a Hubby Original

I don't know what the next few days or weeks hold in store for me but I welcome whatever it is with open arms. I met so many wonderful people in the last few months and feel my life is graced to have felt their presence.


I look forward to the future with love and open awareness. No longer fearful. Not nearly as anxious. Open to new experiences. Open to new possibilities. Finding the expressive side of myself, once again.

Cheers!

a Hubby Original

OOPS!

Well...the pool had been open for exactly 24 hours. Slimy green, gosh only knows what floating in it and Miss Winnie decided to go for a dip!

This poor pup is not a swimmer. She really does not care for the pool at all. Well I am sure after her icy, cold dip followed by a shower to get the chlorine and slimy junk off of her, I am sure she will continue to not like the pool.

So needless to say Maggie ended up getting a bath as well. Both girls got a washing with Zum Doggie Soap and smell so much better.

Now mommy has a sore back and is ready for bed!

Miss Winnie Update

Well it looks like this is going to be trial & error with Miss Winnie.

We stopped the phenobarbital, stopped the antibiotics, put her on a diet as close to natural as you can get and she was doing well.

Being that our weather has been so un-winter-like, I wanted to get the girls their flea & tick medicine. That was 2 days ago.

Today, Miss Winnie had a seizure. I suspect it was the flea & tick medicine that caused it. She started having small tremors the day after I gave it to her. Seizure over, she seems to be doing well. I bought some Dawn dish soap on the way home & both girls ended up getting a bath.

Such excitement for a Friday. And to top it all of I broke another bra. That's 2 this week. I suspect this means it's time to do some bra shopping. I hate bra shopping. You can't go buy size because they don't all fit the same way. AUGH!  Willing to hire a personal shopper! Any takers?

By the way..this cute little boy turned 1 year old this week. Who would ever guess he made his appearance 6 weeks early. Happy Birthday Sir Liam.

Miss Winnie!

Sorry for not posting recently.  Our pup Miss Winnie hit a rough spot and it's been a very stressful time. She started out with seizures and from there moved onto what appears to be a pancreatitis. Today has been a good day and she appears to be coming out of it. Today was a big accomplishment with her drinking on her own and eating some boiled chicken.
Keeping my fingers crossed for no more seizures as we have chosen to take her off the phenobarbital.



As I write she lays on the bed watching me. I'm sure in anticipation of either my chasing her down with another squeeze bottle of water or in hopes of some more yummy, boiled chicken.


Miss Winnie is a beautiful 12 year old pup. Hubby and family got her about a week before I met him. At that time she was the youngest of 3 dogs in the house. In 12 years, she has become the oldest dog and sister to two more girls-Maggie and Scoobie Loo.

Silly Fact..I don't know why but when she started getting sick with the seizures, I took to singing to her. It seemed to help her calm down. Unfortunately for her the only thing I could think to sing at the time was Itsy, Bitsy Spider. So she's been listening to that for a little over a week now. Hand movements and all. Today when I saw she was doing better I changed her song to I Spy, with my little, little eye...She seemed happy with the change. I think she was getting tired of hearing Itsy, Bitsy, Spider.

Miss Winnie is our lover. She loves to give hugs and is vocal. I am so happy that she is feeling better.