tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324383894522569982024-03-13T01:26:13.952-05:00Old Black Cat BooCindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.comBlogger853125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-91843221622133803862017-06-08T06:25:00.001-05:002017-06-08T15:57:03.708-05:00Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLWBxnSiyYFCX1uMqjZ480KC4b7iaUpAgjL8adn-NyVaG_q4x0CF4W6Np9xqFoTrHxOGgzXN7qRKeCikoHV3gX2-cbhvPGriVN70ULu7wO5nJQAbVdY91A470PAc_RntgUkUxoortsA/s640/blogger-image-2009728854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLWBxnSiyYFCX1uMqjZ480KC4b7iaUpAgjL8adn-NyVaG_q4x0CF4W6Np9xqFoTrHxOGgzXN7qRKeCikoHV3gX2-cbhvPGriVN70ULu7wO5nJQAbVdY91A470PAc_RntgUkUxoortsA/s640/blogger-image-2009728854.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Blue went to Heaven last night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He could no longer breathe normally.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It had become constant gasping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had my vet release him to the next world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My heart is broken and my life will never be the same.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But I was blessed to have had him in my life for so long.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday he was eleven years, 6 months and 3 weeks old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As as bad as this is,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And although my heart hurts so much,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I would do it all again.</div>Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-45938519294630678032017-02-10T19:46:00.000-06:002017-02-10T21:09:59.487-06:00A LONG POST TO LAST A LONG TIME.I wrote a blog post at work while on my lunch hour.<br>
It was a long one.<br>
I read it over and corrected the spelling and tidied it up<br>
but somehow it wasn't right.<br>
<br>
I had tried to tell a story and tie it into how I was feeling.<br>
To show some parallels to my story and that story.<br>
It just wasn't working so I deleted it...<br>
<br>
So, I'll try again, in a different way, here ya go.<br>
<br>
I love blogging.<br>
I love telling stories and sharing ideas and plans and dreams.<br>
I love reading the comments and the friends who take the time to do so, take my breath away.<br>
<br>
I love visiting other blogs.<br>
I love the stories, the ideas, the thoughts and laughter and tears.<br>
I sit down with my coffee or pop and read about and listen to other peoples lives.<br>
It's like going to a cafe and "visiting".<br>
But it's perfect for a hermit like me and oddly enough<br>
I think we share things that we might not if we were face to face.<br>
Blogging means a lot to me.<br>
<br>
That being said, I have no time.<br>
I've talked about that problem all the time.<br>
Then the other day, someone who I view as indestructible<br>
suddenly has to have surgery.<br>
I'm sure it will all come out fine but still...<br>
it made me think about TIME and what I'm doing with mine.<br>
<br>
So I've decided to back away from the Internet a bit.<br>
I'm not going to blog for a while.<br>
I'm not sure how long but I need time.<br>
I can't guarantee that I will comment on other blogs either<br>
but I know that I will be reading posts on my phone when I can steal a few moments.<br>
<br>
I'm going to back away from Facebook too<br>
except for my Art page.<br>
I will be on Instagram because it's easy.<br>
I snap a photo and share.<br>
You are welcome to visit me there<br>
and if you have an account, please share!<br>
<br>
What am I going to do with the TIME?<br>
I'm going to work on my Art.<br>
Create stuff and get to work and finally write/illustrate my books<br>
that I have been talking about forever.<br>
<br>
Speaking of Art-<br>
I finished up 25 images and took them into the Art/Antique place that's going to sell them on commission.<br>
She told me that she would put them out but didn't have time until the next day.<br>
I said that was fine and then I mentioned I only had one that was really for Valentines Day.<br>
I pulled it out and showed her and she started to laugh.<br>
She said she loved it and set it on her front counter!<br>
Then she pulled out another and set that on her counter too.<br>
She pulled out yet another and burst out laughing and called over to a vendor to come look!<br>
She said she loved them and I felt rather good.<br>
<br>
I made up another batch and they are all hanging up at the clinic.<br>
If you'd like to see them, I've posted them in 4 separate posts on my Art blog.<br>
You can click the link to the right (on the bunny).<br>
<br>
I met my friend for breakfast the other day and told her my plans.<br>
How I was going to back away from the Internet a bit, so I could get some things done.<br>
Work on my book and things.<br>
I told her my name was still on the waiting list for the Antique and Collectibles Mall,<br>
the place I had my booth before.<br>
It's been about 8 months and still no call.<br>
I told her how I needed to call and cancel but....<br>
there was this part of me that still wanted to do it.<br>
I have a LOT of STUFF that I still need to get rid of but...<br>
I can still envision what all my booth could be.<br>
And I had a lot of Art ideas for the booth too, but....<br>
She shook her head and said - "Yes, let the booth idea go!"<br>
<br>
So today on my lunch hour as I'm typing out the now deleted blog post<br>
and telling the story and then I got to the part about time and Art<br>
and the booth and...<br>
<br>
My cell phone rings.<br>
<br>
It was the Antiques and Collectibles Mall.<br>
They had an opening, was I still interested?<br>
<br>
I gotta say, I mean that was a SIGN, right?<br>
I mean Hello! The Universe calling!<br>
<br>
So I said I was interested and I'd stop in tonight if I got off in time<br>
otherwise I'd be by in the morning.<br>
He said that was fine.<br>
<br>
So then my evening worker showed up a half hour early and I was able to drive to Mall.<br>
The guy was surprised I made it in and showed me two spaces that were available.<br>
I was happy I had come right away rather than wait and maybe not get to pick.<br>
As he walked me to the spaces<br>
I told myself that the location and the "number" would be a sign for me.<br>
Like, if it had the number 7 in it.<br>
Weird, I know but...<br>
<br>
So he showed me #17.<br>
It wasn't far from my old booth space.<br>
A very good location.<br>
And it was one of the very few booth that had electricity.<br>
He said only a couple of them had that.<br>
<br>
The other booth was 41.<br>
Actually it was the first booth in the place.<br>
I told him I'd take 17. The one with the electricity.<br>
I could see in my mind the lights strung across the top....<br>
<br>
I had to sign a contract and he went over the details.<br>
Obviously he didn't remember me.<br>
He told me how the place was shopped by a lot of dealers.<br>
How shopkeepers came in and bought for their own shops.<br>
He said they had buyers from all over the country and people as far as Australia<br>
and China have come in and loaded up containers to take back.<br>
<br>
He said that traffic was good and unless it was priced too high,<br>
most things sold.<br>
I had images of things I wanted to make for the booth<br>
flying through my head as he talked.<br>
<br>
We went back to the counter and I had to pay first months rent<br>
and get my tags.<br>
I recognized the woman working.<br>
She was actually the one who had taken over my old space.<br>
But she didn't recognize me either.<br>
Actually that happens to me often.<br>
I think because I'm forever changing my hair and I think it was shorter and very blonde back then<br>
and now it's to my shoulders and brown/grey.<br>
Anyway, they were both talking to me and suddenly she said I looked kinda familiar.<br>
Did I come in there often? she asked.<br>
<br>
I said no...<br>
I had a booth space there before.<br>
They looked at me quizzically and I added -<br>
"In fact you have my space now".<br>
"What?" she asked and then she said -<br>
"OMG you are the artist!"<br>
and they both smiled really big and laughed.<br>
I got to tell ya, that made me feel so GOOD!<br>
<br>
It was really nice to feel good.<br>
<br>
So that's what's going on.<br>
I'm kinda disappearing but not really.<br>
I'll post on my Art blog sometimes, but I will definitely be on Instagram.<br>
I've started Following a lot of childrens book publishing houses<br>
and authors and illustrators. (wink, wink)<br>
And like I mentioned in a prior post,<br>
alot of old blogger friends now are on Instagram.<br>
<br>
So.......I'll wrap this up.<br>
Just know that Blogland and the friends that I've made mean the world to me.<br>
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO<br>
<br>
I leave you with two images.<br>
The first is of Blue when he tummy has told him its dinner time and he turns to me and<br>
gives me the "look".<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nUNmsKLcNmBlXJDIG8bG3UqtRLhs_JR7e5zGPQgci6ynRoHE2TVfX7V4PbHBZjSTKJfkvPFQF3fedxX8y9EITimsi5Bd-rHf6o6vfsFspX1ok6M32FDf3Ic8AgeKv0P4RuO-9E0E_Q/s640/blogger-image-1189401575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nUNmsKLcNmBlXJDIG8bG3UqtRLhs_JR7e5zGPQgci6ynRoHE2TVfX7V4PbHBZjSTKJfkvPFQF3fedxX8y9EITimsi5Bd-rHf6o6vfsFspX1ok6M32FDf3Ic8AgeKv0P4RuO-9E0E_Q/s640/blogger-image-1189401575.jpg"></a></div><br>
The second one is him on his bed that's in the living room.<br>
(He has a twin bed upstairs.)<br>
He "almost" fits on it.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYifSKqHe3VVGBE8r5Bp9d9g5CMlZqkNnGI120XxmmPL8N0Q4O77d917YtkgAMaoHF_CLbGXBBd1VlUQK-ZMDTld-VKHgPBp4Q9IP_Aig9NbM1XDNKnNLTDDlpJaQE75u6wJHzeyDZNg/s640/blogger-image--1341315163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYifSKqHe3VVGBE8r5Bp9d9g5CMlZqkNnGI120XxmmPL8N0Q4O77d917YtkgAMaoHF_CLbGXBBd1VlUQK-ZMDTld-VKHgPBp4Q9IP_Aig9NbM1XDNKnNLTDDlpJaQE75u6wJHzeyDZNg/s640/blogger-image--1341315163.jpg"></a></div><br>
He's been doing well.<br>
I just keep him super calm and he hasn't had another episode.<br>
So.... Life is Good.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-47795627791420223082017-01-30T12:48:00.000-06:002017-01-30T12:48:27.855-06:00BUTTON 2003 - 2017Do you remember my dog Button?<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylptEjgUkQ5RchaHhb8KRzCxl3PxsADJFka8eH4r9mAnBPmNmY2Cr9t9ae8gf1Rg3QlUOwUPbRCsNq4lbGSroV7FpPH7evdyiNCNXteO2spP6x9l2O8SHw-bHnbsa8JhZQ_hI-Lh03A/s640/blogger-image-1463768145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylptEjgUkQ5RchaHhb8KRzCxl3PxsADJFka8eH4r9mAnBPmNmY2Cr9t9ae8gf1Rg3QlUOwUPbRCsNq4lbGSroV7FpPH7evdyiNCNXteO2spP6x9l2O8SHw-bHnbsa8JhZQ_hI-Lh03A/s640/blogger-image-1463768145.jpg" /></a></div>
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(this was taken after she recovered from the incident in 2010)</div>
<br />
The little Shih-Tzu who jumped up and bit Blue as he tried to get a drink of water, 6 1/2 years ago? And how he grabbed her with his mouth for just a second<br />
but her eyes popped out halfway and I had to call Doc and he put them back into her head?<br />
One eye had to sewn shut for a while because it wouldn't stay in.<br />
That eye never regained sight and eventually she lost vision in the other one too.<br />
But she continued to try to bite everyone.<br />
If someone came up while she was drinking or eating, she'd leap up at them.<br />
If she walked up to a doggie bed and start to crawl in, she'd attack whatever little dog was already there.<br />
If some dog brushed against her in passing she'd jump turn and be biting in the air.<br />
Her aggressiveness just had gotten worse with her blindness.<br />
Luckily most of the dogs just got out of her way when they saw her coming.<br />
Well... except for my Ping, my toy poodle who was always ready to fight back.<br />
But with me feeding her separately and kenneling her by herself when I left the house,<br />
it's been manageable for the last 6 1/2 years.<br />
<br />
Last night I was upstairs on the computer.<br />
Blue was with me and a few of the other dogs when I heard a loud commotion in the living room.<br />
I ran halfway down the stairs and looking through the banister,<br />
the dogs just were frozen like guilty kids but it all appeared to be ok.<br />
I went back upstairs and finished what I was working on and then came downstairs.<br />
It had been about a half hour.<br />
I got Button's eye drops out because her eyes don't really stay moist.<br />
I picked her up to administer them when to my shock her "good" eye, not the bulging one, but the kinda normal one was almost out of her head.<br />
Without going into more detail I'll just say there was blood and also a puncture wound on the side of her head by her ear.<br />
(I'm calmly telling you this now but that wasn't the case last night.)<br />
I took photos and messaged Doc about everything along with the pics.<br />
I told him I thought it was time to let her go.<br />
Unfortunately he could not meet me at the clinic but advised ice for 5 minutes every hour until the morning.<br />
I did that and went through my stash of old pet medication.<br />
Ironically I found pain meds for Button from her last dental procedure.<br />
I gave her double the dose.<br />
In the morning she was her usual spunky self, except for the gruesome eyeball.<br />
<br />
I'm not really sure who let her have it.<br />
I sort of suspect Nora as she was very nervous and hiding under the kitchen table but I can't be sure.<br />
I suppose it could have been Jimmy, as he busily chewed on his bone in the middle of the room.<br />
That would be just like him, to act like he had no part in it.<br />
<br />
So, I took her into work and I told Doc that if felt like I was murdering her,<br />
that I suppose I could have her eye removed.<br />
He examined it and looked so sad.<br />
He's never been one to easily put anyone down but he rubbed her head and said no,<br />
it was time to let her go.<br />
That removing her eye wouldn't change how she was.<br />
So he let her go onto the next world, level, whatever you believe and<br />
I cried even though I felt it was for the best.<br />
She was 13, almost 14... next month.<br />
I had her for 8 years.<br />
The breeder was done with her when she hit five years of age and brought her to the clinic<br />
and I took her home.<br />
She was the prettiest little dog I had ever seen.<br />
Black on top and white on the bottom and as cute as a Button, so I changed her name to Button.<br />
I suppose she acted the way she did because of her first five years of life.<br />
Anyway... that's what happened to Button.<br />
Sorry to share this but I need to get this out of my head.<br />
Not as a tribute but just to tell her story.<br />
<br />
I really hoped to have this New Year be different from last<br />
but once again we haven't made it through a month without losing someone.<br />
Of course this span of time has been on the horizon.<br />
It's to be expected when you have a house full of senior citizens.<br />
Still...............<br />
<br />
I've decided to take a blogging break for a little while.<br />
Just to get well.<br />
Physically and Mentally.<br />
Thanks for always being there for me!<br />
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO</div>
Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-4001456758445043592017-01-28T16:08:00.000-06:002017-01-28T16:09:15.178-06:00FOCUS on What's IMPORTANTWow, I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted.<br />
It's the New Year and almost a month is gone.<br />
I've been struggling with some things.<br />
I really think I'm one of those people who needs sunshine in order to remain positive.<br />
I've been trying to remember to put it out there into THE UNIVERSE<br />
and while it seems so easy to do, it's not always for me.<br />
I forget.<br />
So, I'm writing this to remind myself and others that our thoughts<br />
can really have an effect on our lives.<br />
<br />
I HAVE been thinking POSITIVE about my Blue.<br />
He's been calm and so far, so good.<br />
That's my focus... on him doing good each day.<br />
<br />
Then there's Katy.<br />
Her previous mom calls weekly.<br />
I kinda wish she'd stop but I don't have the heart to tell her to do so.<br />
In our last conversation, I was sick and tired, seems like I'm always sick and tired lately BUT<br />
I told her that while Katy WAS using the potty pads as I had told her before,<br />
she was also using a spot under the kitchen table and close to the hutch.<br />
AND another spot in the living room by the bookcase.<br />
Since Katy is teeny tiny, it's just a small little circle.<br />
Still, it's PEE and I told her previous mom that she was now wearing a doggie diaper.<br />
(and I left out the part where I had bought some special cleaner for dog urine.)<br />
<br />
Her "previous mom" instantly told me how she had been so surprised when I had told her how Katy used the potty pads and didn't pee in the house because Katy had peed in HER house!...............<br />
.........................................................<br />
<br />
yeah.<br />
<br />
Then she offered to take her back.<br />
She said that she missed her<br />
and that it wasn't that she WANTED her back but<br />
she felt bad about her peeing in my house.<br />
I told her to let me think about it, that I'd let her know.<br />
She said for me to not feel bad if I wanted to give her back<br />
and the cash she had gifted to me, that I could keep that, not to worry.<br />
I was again caught off guard and said I'd think about it and let her know.<br />
<br />
So I thought about it and I cleaned the areas and then I had an idea.<br />
I have a lot of doggy beds and I put a small one on each of the "spots".<br />
I watched Katy walk up to them and look at them and then she'd crawl into them and go to sleep.<br />
So far, that's worked.<br />
But to be honest, her favorite spot is Blue's bed and then this happened -<br />
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<br />
Yeah, I can't give her back.<br />
<br />
I posted this photo on Instagram.<br />
I'm on Instagram a lot.<br />
I highly recommend it.<br />
Many of my Blogger friends who have quit blogging, post over there now.<br />
I also posted ALL my dog/cat photos that I'm working on.<br />
If you aren't familiar with Instagram, people will "LIKE" your photos.<br />
AND of ALL my photos the one of Blue and Katy has gotten the most likes!<br />
LOL!<br />
<br />
So anyway, that's some of the things going on.<br />
There's been some work things too.<br />
Things I thought had been resolved but I'm still working on.<br />
Let's just say, good help is hard to find.<br />
<br />
And other annoying little crap that is NOTHING in the grand scheme of things<br />
but has the capacity to drive a person insane.<br />
House stuff.<br />
Things wearing out and needing repairs and me trying to figure out how to do them.<br />
I know everyone deals with this kind of stuff but it gets exhausting dealing with it on my own.<br />
Whine, whine, whine.<br />
But I'm grateful that I have a home and that I have access to the Internet and YouTube.<br />
I swear there's a video about EVERYTHING on Youtube.<br />
Still, when you have to go to the Hardware Store for the same damn issue 3 times,<br />
it gets tiring.<br />
Yep, I need some cheese for all this whining!<br />
<br />
OK, so...<br />
Art related...<br />
The place where I had my Art before and now will take my stuff on a commissioned basis,<br />
is excited about my new stuff.<br />
(I sent her a message and a link to my Instagram.)<br />
I'm also doing the same ones for the clinic and I actually got my business cards made.<br />
I'm currently working on larger prints with quotes.<br />
So I'll do those up and put them at the clinic and then... forget about them.<br />
Just replenish as needed.<br />
<br />
Soon I will start on my dog/cat/horse stuffed animals<br />
and I'll work on my house that seems to have decided to fall apart all at once.<br />
AND in my lunacy, I'm going to work on packaging my Catmint that I have.<br />
I'm thinking I can sell that at the clinic.<br />
<br />
And maybe put it in an Etsy shop along with other cat related stuff.... maybe.<br />
<br />
A Blogger friend sent me an email a while back about my passion, my purpose in life.<br />
She didn't think my Art was my REAL passion but rather my taking in needy animals.<br />
Rescuing.<br />
She said something along the lines of how THAT was my purpose and<br />
how everything else is extra.<br />
I've thought about this for a long time.<br />
How all my Art is animal related.<br />
How the stuffed animals I want to make, how they will be made to look like little rescues.<br />
How the books I want to write, about Kanga, and Jimmy and of course Blue,<br />
are all about animals that someone at some point didn't want and how they are PERFECT.<br />
<br />
Yep. I've been thinking a lot about just enjoying life<br />
and not to stress so much and to stop being sick all the time.<br />
(I'm sick again as I write this!)<br />
Yep. Lots of thoughts.<br />
Just trying to get my head on straight and keep it that way<br />
and just dealing with life.<br />
<br />
So... How has your first month gone?<br />
How are YOU doing?<br />
I know we need to have faith and focus on the GOOD and focus it into being.<br />
I'm trying to do that with my small little life.<br />
Focus on the things I can control and not let what I can't control overwhelm me.<br />
<br />
and I'll just keep trying to be true to Myself and do what I feel I need to do.<br />
Even if others don't understand.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-17509008232856967612017-01-15T13:41:00.001-06:002017-01-15T15:16:13.350-06:00ROAR<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
The other day I scheduled a meeting for my boarding staff.<br>
We've never had a meeting with all the boarding staff and to make it possible for everyone to attend, it had to be scheduled for the end of the day.<br>
That would make for a very long day and it would be really pushing it to expect all my dogs to "hold it".<br>
Most of them are elderly and it's harder for them and I always leave down potty pads just in case they can't wait.<br>
They are used to this but the only one who would refuse to use a potty pad is Blue.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBskIbX0oIVWvRy5YbOND3voo3T_T8zyfRuIhvY8PAv67ePULUr-xFMeB4iaarjhss1RYe9wLCcTz5W0nCMpFlyLUr4wCPJRjXm9tsOIroYmlpi7BWVtkSye5AlW-zWc9fSKn5WvpeQ/s640/blogger-image-711075297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBskIbX0oIVWvRy5YbOND3voo3T_T8zyfRuIhvY8PAv67ePULUr-xFMeB4iaarjhss1RYe9wLCcTz5W0nCMpFlyLUr4wCPJRjXm9tsOIroYmlpi7BWVtkSye5AlW-zWc9fSKn5WvpeQ/s640/blogger-image-711075297.jpg"></a></div>That's a good thing I guess because I don't really want him going in the house!<br>
So since I would be gone so long, I decided to take him to work with me.<br>
<br>
I used to take him and Nora and Jimmy all the time but the last year or more, I haven't.<br>
They seem to enjoy just sleeping the day away at home.<br>
<br>
The last time Blue was at the clinic was when he had swallowed the sock and needed surgery.<br>
<br>
Blue hates to have me trim his nails so I just don't.<br>
Instead either Lily will stop by the house and do it or I take him to the clinic.<br>
When other people do it, he gets excited and loves the attention.<br>
With me, he'll "hide" under the kitchen table and grumble.<br>
<br>
So I asked the girls to trim his nails and Lily and one of the other techs came back to boarding to do so.<br>
He was so excited as he came out of the run and then he started to make a noise I have never heard before.<br>
It was hoarse and gasping and his lower chest/tummy were sucking in and out in big extreme movements.<br>
<br>
We rushed him up front and one of the vets hurried over to him and watched him and then put his hands on him. Finally the vet said it was his throat area.<br>
We got Blue to calm down and his breathing got better.<br>
The vet said to wait with the nail trim and let him calm down.<br>
I took him back to my office area and laid a blanket out and he finally slept.<br>
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I went up front and the vet said that he thought it was <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/respiratory/c_dg_laryngeal_disease">Larnygeal Paralysis</a></span><br>
<br>
If you click on that link it will detail it for you<br>
and also here is more info -<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/laryngeal-paralysis-not-a-death-sentence" style="font-size: 14px;">HERE</a></div>
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The vet said to Google it and I could find info on it about the causes and see video's of the operation that could be done to correct it.<br>
He said to be 100% positive that Blue had this, he'd need to be heavily sedated and....<br>
if he had it, he'd need an exceptional surgeon to do the surgery.<br>
<br>
While this was going on, Doc was attending to his appointments.<br>
I tend to go to Doc but he was busy.<br>
Doc prides himself as exceptional but I don't remember him ever doing such a surgery.<br>
<br>
And... Blue is a 11 year and 2 month old Great Dane.<br>
<br>
So later, they girls came back and very calmly trimmed Blue's nails and everything was fine.<br>
<br>
I moved Blue back to a run and then later, we had our meeting and he just slept.<br>
After the meeting, everyone except my worker that I call "Mini-Me" was left and the clinic was closed and the rest of the staff was gone too.<br>
I went back to get him and he got up and saw the leash and then he saw Mini-Me and got really excited and started gasping for air like crazy.<br>
I thought his tongue was turning a bit blue but no one was there and also I know they'd just tell me to calm him down.<br>
I loaded him up in my car and by the time we were a block away, he seemed fine again.<br>
<br>
This got me to thinking, how in the mornings he'll come inside from his morning potty and make gagging noises.<br>
I'm always annoyed because I assumed he ate a piece of poop.<br>
I've caught some of the dogs trying to each others poop and unless I stand at the door, someone will try. But with it being so cold and dark in the mornings, I can't always see what's going on while they are out there doing their business.<br>
<br>
Now I'm thinking it was just his throat.<br>
His excitement of waking up and rushing outside with the others.<br>
<br>
So I Googled the Hell out of this condition<br>
and read everything and then the next day at work as the vet was leaving to go to lunch<br>
I stopped him and gave him an update.<br>
He said there's a drug that might help with the inflammation and so I said I'd ask the techs to get me some and then he walked out the door.<br>
<br>
Doc was also standing in the lunchroom. I felt kinda odd because I usually go to him but the other vet was there when it all happened so... I went to him.<br>
I looked at Doc and said - "I read that if he doesn't get the operation, it could kill him"<br>
and Doc, who is always game for surgery rubbed his face for a moment.<br>
Then he said "And the operation could kill him too."<br>
<br>
I said that "I'll just keep him calm and he'll be fine."<br>
Doc pursed he lips and said nothing and I walked away to get the medication.<br>
<br>
My friend the vet tech looked up Blue's account and I told her I already had Blue on Metacam and Dasuquin.<br>
A few weeks back he had fallen down 3 times in a week.<br>
It was always as he came to the bottom of the stairs or when he hurried around the corner.<br>
The Dasuquin is a supplement and the Metacam is for pain and inflammation.<br>
Since he's been taking these, he hasn't fallen again.<br>
But Doc said if he was on Metacam, we didn't want to put him on the other drug.<br>
<br>
Then this Saturday, the woman vet worked.<br>
She asked about Blue and we talked a bit and she's going to do some more research.<br>
She stopped by boarding as she was leaving and asked me to record what he does and what he sounds like on my phone, if he does it again at home.<br>
<br>
So far this weekend, he's been pretty good.<br>
Just random gagging noises.<br>
But Saturday night he wouldn't eat his supper and just came over to my chair and laid his face on my lap.<br>
I just stroked his face and tried not to cry.<br>
I guess it's a blessing he can't hear, that his deafness could help keep him calm.<br>
When the other dogs hear something and start barking, most of the time he's oblivious to the commotion.<br>
<br>
Luckily he ate his breakfast like normal this morning<br>
and now he sleeps.<br>
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I thought about how he always did that ROAR of a bark<br>
and how that could have been a symptom of what was coming.<br>
The research said that most people don't realize what's going on until it's progressed.<br>
<br>
I oddly thought about my Dad.<br>
I thought about how so many years ago he stopped by my house<br>
and we were sitting there chatting when he suddenly pulled at his shirt and said<br>
"Oh! Look what I got!"<br>
I saw a patch on his chest and he said it was a nitroglycerin patch.<br>
I started to cry and he said "No! It's a good thing" but I remember thinking how it wasn't.<br>
How that patch told me he wouldn't be around forever.<br>
Some people might think it's wrong to think of my dad while thinking of my dog.<br>
But, I don't care.<br>
My relationship with my Dad and animals is very intertwined and complicated.<br>
So to me, it makes perfect sense.<br>
<br>
On Monday, Dr. H, the woman vet will tell me what she thinks and what ideas she has for medication.<br>
I will treasure every day and hopefully it is something that can be managed for a long time.<br>
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I wish I didn't love Blue so much.<br>
<br>
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-89537897671173317972017-01-13T12:57:00.000-06:002017-01-13T12:57:44.707-06:00Thoughts about Art and RETIREMENT plans.So...<br />
I had last weekend off.<br />
I didn't have to leave the house except for one time and<br />
I was gone for less than 2 hours.<br />
the rest of the time I worked on my paintings and thought.<br />
<br />
I had sketched out my illustrations<br />
and then outlined them in a thick black archival permanent marker.<br />
I have a hard time outlining with acrylic paint as I am never able to<br />
maintain an even thickness.<br />
Some may say that shouldn't matter but I want a consistent line<br />
and it bothers me to no end if it isn't.<br />
<br />
I didn't mind that part<br />
but then I had to fill in the background and use a very small angled brush to<br />
get in the nooks and grannies.<br />
Afterwards I could see all the brush strokes and I had to apply another coat.<br />
<br />
I spent most of the weekend doing this.<br />
I've finished that but now I need to go back and paint in the dogs and cats.<br />
<br />
I had the TV going, listening/watching a "Blue Bloods" marathon<br />
and thought about how some day I would be retired and could just stay home<br />
and do this everyday and I thought -<br />
I don't want to do this.<br />
Maybe I'm fickle or just plain lazy but<br />
I was so sick of painting.<br />
<br />
I will reveal that I came up with the idea of do these paintings on my own,<br />
for my work area.<br />
I could envision big colorful paintings on the walls at work<br />
and I was excited at the thought<br />
but now I was tired and bored.<br />
<br />
I came to the realization that I prefer to draw small and use my Inktense pencils.<br />
A friend who paints large told me next time to paint the whole background and go over it.<br />
so I will try that and maybe that would be better.<br />
<br />
But I thought about a lot of things.<br />
So many things that I will have to break into different blog topics,<br />
but for now it's about my Art and trying to figure out what I enjoy and also<br />
what I can make money from because I will need to make some money when I'm retired.<br />
<br />
I thought about what I WANT to create.<br />
What could I create and work on and enjoy doing so over and over?<br />
<br />
Now I know that ANYTHING will get old<br />
and need to have a new twist to it to keep it fresh and interesting.<br />
But I was feeling bummed because I had just started doing these big paintings.<br />
<br />
I must admit that I was getting depressed and just felt like going to bed.<br />
Maybe it's the COLD weather<br />
but I just want to snuggle up with the dogs<br />
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(and my cat Ghost)</div>
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and sleep.<br />
<br />
Monday at work, I kept thinking about what I wanted to do in retirement.<br />
I thought about the big paintings again.<br />
A couple of my friends at work said the paintings would be AWESOME.<br />
That was really nice to hear but it didn't change my feelings about any of it.<br />
Then I thought hard about what I'd do if money was no object,<br />
if I could just create because I wanted to.<br />
<br />
I guess that's everyone's dream, to just do what you want to do.<br />
<br />
But I need to get my head together and make stuff for NOW<br />
and not worry about retirement.<br />
<br />
So I decided to take a real short break and work on something else.<br />
I worked on some of the photos I've taken of my boarders.<br />
I altered them and added some quotes.<br />
I'm going to print these up and affix them to 4x4 block canvases like I've done before.<br />
I'm hoping that these will sell at the clinic.<br />
I'm thinking maybe the quotes will make more marketable.<br />
Maybe I'll make them into magnets too?!<br />
<br />
And I'll continue doing some seasonal small things,<br />
little illustrations and banners and things.<br />
<br />
Eventually I'll get to work on the dogs and cats doll/toys<br />
that I mentioned in a few posts back<br />
AND the ever elusive book(s) that I want to write.<br />
<br />
Yep. maybe it's the weather.<br />
The cold and lack of sunshine.<br />
I think a lot of people might be feeling the same.<br />
Do you feel like that too?<br />
Come on Spring!<br />
<br />
I'll share some of my photography that I worked on,<br />
altered and cleaned up a bit and added text.<br />
If you Follow me on Instagram, You've probably seen these<br />
and I'm still posting more everyday....<br />
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-32903803048851127242017-01-07T20:27:00.000-06:002017-01-07T20:27:57.516-06:002017 so far.....Just a quick check in.<br />
This weekend I hope to catch up on my blog reading.<br />
Sorry if I've been absent but I will stop by ASAP.<br />
<br />
This first week of the New Year started out very busy<br />
and now is slowing down at work.<br />
<br />
I hate to even admit this but the week has not been so great.<br />
I have had to deal with a couple of ISSUES at work that have made me upset.<br />
Things I can't talk about because this is the Internet.<br />
I had hoped that 2017 would have less DRAMA but alas...<br />
Haters gonna hate.<br />
<br />
Luckily for me, Doc had my back both times so that made it much easier to deal with.<br />
I found this quote and it helps me to deal -<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://tumblr.com/">(source)</a></span><br />
<br />
Then mid-week, someone in my extended family suddenly passed away.<br />
It's very sad and shocking and...<br />
also something I can't talk about.<br />
<br />
I refuse to let this affect my expectations for 2017.<br />
Hopefully this is it for the NEW Year<br />
and all the bad/sad is out of the way.<br />
<br />
I'm trying to finish up a "project" that I will reveal soon.<br />
Here's a sneak peek of the WIP's -<br />
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<br />
Then I'll be doing the Valentines stuff.<br />
Little painted fabric cats.<br />
Some illustrations<br />
and BANNERS! LOL!<br />
(Because Sugar wants banners.)<br />
<br />
Yep.<br />
<br />
In other news,<br />
Jimmy Chew, the hipster dog.<br />
Trendsetter.<br />
Has been sporting a new style.<br />
A combination Mohawk/Goatee.<br />
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<br />
Jury is still out on this one.<br />
<br />Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-25132133228429167622016-12-31T17:00:00.000-06:002016-12-31T17:10:17.505-06:00NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS? I've got FOUR.I'm really REALLY looking forward to 2017!<br />
I just KNOW it's gonna be a good year!<br />
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<br />
Some years I don't make too many resolutions<br />
but most years I just say the same things as I've always said.<br />
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<br />
Get Healthy<br />
Lose weight.<br />
Get Organized<br />
De-Clutter<br />
Do my Art<br />
Blah, Blah, Blah.<br />
So this year, what are my resolutions?<br />
Well....<br />
All of the above of course but most importantly it's to change my priorities.<br />
<br />
Yep.<br />
I never seem to have time for making my Art<br />
or writing my books.<br />
I have so many ideas and yet I never find the time...<br />
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<br />
So I'm going to find time.<br />
I might let some things fall through the cracks<br />
but I'm going to work it out.<br />
I might have to cut back on work hours.<br />
I might have to let the new girl take some of them<br />
and while that scares me, both in a financial way<br />
and in a caretaker way, (not to say she's not a good caretaker)<br />
but it's hard for me not to micro-manage.<br />
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<br />
But if I don't step back a little bit<br />
I'll never get the things done that I'm always talking about.<br />
And wouldn't it be ironic if something I create takes off<br />
and I don't have to work so many hours.<br />
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<br />
Also, I HAVE TO start taking care of MYSELF.<br />
I hate to whine about aches and pains but<br />
I've been having some problems with my knee<br />
and foot problems.<br />
I'm finding that I have to hold on to the stair railing in order to walk down the steps<br />
for the first time in my life.<br />
It might just be part of getting older but<br />
I've also put on too many pounds.<br />
I hate seeing photos of myself anymore and the other day<br />
I was looking at someone else's photos of Christmas Eve at my stepmom's.<br />
The photo showed the little kids opening presents and in the background<br />
was a woman I didn't recognize.<br />
It was me.<br />
I was shocked,<br />
Do I look like that?!<br />
Evidently so, although I don't FEEL like that.<br />
<br />
I need to get the weight off and stop eating fast and easy junk.<br />
Not a diet though.<br />
No, more of a conscious way of eating.<br />
I plan to go the Fork over Knives route.<br />
Anyway... that's the plan.<br />
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<br />
AND to start focusing on enjoying the NOW.<br />
I'm always careful with money but...<br />
I'm going to start going to the random movie<br />
and stopping and getting a yummy coffee<br />
and get a first ever manicure.<br />
<br />
If I've learned anything this year, it's that life is short.<br />
So many celebrities died young this year<br />
and several people I know quite well<br />
are stricken with Cancer...<br />
<br />
I'm going to stop worrying<br />
and THAT'S a really hard one for me<br />
and put it out to The Universe that things will work out and be OK.<br />
<br />
So that's my resolutions.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#1. </span>Re-prioritize my time and work on my Art.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#2.</span> To think about my health<br />
I will still enjoy an occasional treat<br />
but I'll savor it, and not just mindless snack.</div>
<div>
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<br />
And I will stop eating processed, packaged stuff<br />
and stop the emotional eating.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#3.</span> I will live in the NOW and ENJOY my life.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#4.</span> Stop worrying about everything and put in in<br />
The Universe's hands.<br />
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<br />
Did YOU make any resolutions for 2017?<br />
I'd love to know!<br />
<br /></div>
Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-52916708327625903222016-12-25T12:57:00.000-06:002016-12-25T12:57:11.140-06:00JIMMY CHEW FOOLED SANTA!Wake up Jimmy!<br />
<div>
It's CHRISTMAS!!! </div>
<div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I think there are a couple of presents with your name on them!</div>
<div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Well Jimmy, you did it!</div>
<div>
You fooled Santa!</div>
<div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;">MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!</span></div>
Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-80297312848411166572016-12-24T23:24:00.000-06:002016-12-24T23:24:08.424-06:00SANTA'S ELVES are BUSY TONIGHT!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y6NS77HLjEE" width="560"></iframe>Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-9538687699086780592016-12-21T11:35:00.002-06:002016-12-21T11:36:09.009-06:00Truly LAST MINUTE THOUGHTFUL Christmas giftsSince I am always running a day late<br />
and a dollar short, I thought I'd share some last minute gift ideas<br />
to people who are in the same boat as I.<br />
<div>
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<a href="http://allnewswallpaper.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: x-small;">(source)</a><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
I've read some suggestions on different design/decor type blogs<br />
and they are absolutely ridiculous in MY world.<br />
Suggestions like giving a plant to someone because they "have everything"<br />
or buying them some other knick-knack...<br />
that kind of thing drives me crazy.<br />
<br />
First, let me address this plant idea.<br />
If they LOVE plants, then by all means, get them one.<br />
But if you've never seen a plant in their home,<br />
don't do it.<br />
Most likely they have a brown thumb<br />
OR pets.<br />
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<a href="http://www.buzzle.com/" style="font-size: x-small;">(source)</a><br />
<br />
Many plants are toxic to pets,<br />
so think before you buy.<br />
<br />
OK, here's my ideas.<br />
First, before you leave the house,<br />
sit down with a pen and paper or your smart phone<br />
and THINK.<br />
<br />
Write down each person's name<br />
and leave a space for ideas.<br />
I think the object is to only write down 2-3 ideas.<br />
If you write down too many, if you are like me,<br />
it will make you indecisive when you get to the store.<br />
<br />
Now think about the person<br />
and what they need AND would actually like to have.<br />
I'll use my own family (because none of them ever read my blog.)<br />
<br />
But first I'm going to give a three examples of gifts I've received.<br />
One of which was very thoughtful<br />
and the other two, nice but...<br />
And what we all really want to give, is "thoughtful" gifts<br />
isn't it?<br />
<br />
First, the thoughtful one-<br />
I received a box a couple of years ago from a client<br />
that contained a pair of very nice warm gloves and hand lotion.<br />
In the winter, my hands are always cracked and dry from being outside<br />
and also from constantly putting them in dish water.<br />
She had also tucked inside the box a very cute card that she had obviously carefully chosen.<br />
The card had an illustration of dachshunds playing in the snow<br />
and the client's pets, who I take care of, are of course dachshunds.<br />
Inside was a gift card to Starbucks and she had written a note about wanting me<br />
to enjoy a hot drink in the cold weather and she had signed her dogs names to the card.<br />
I love Starbucks but they are not in my budget so I really appreciated being<br />
able to treat myself to a hot beverage.<br />
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<a href="http://isfashionart.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: x-small;">(source)</a><br />
<br />
To me, this was the perfect Christmas gift<br />
and obviously I still remember it.<br />
<br />
Now to the other gift I received from a client.<br />
A BIG box of fudge.<br />
Now that was super nice of them<br />
and looking at me, I suppose they figured out that I enjoy sugar but...<br />
it was really the last thing in the world I needed.<br />
Luckily I was having a "strong" day and carried it up front<br />
so my co-workers could have some too!<br />
LOL!<br />
<br />
Another gift I got was from a good friend.<br />
I had mentioned how much I loved a mug she had gotten me several years back<br />
and how I use it every single morning.<br />
It's a HUGE mug that can hold 2 cups of coffee<br />
and on it is a photo of a Golden Retriever puppy.<br />
PERFECT Gift for ME.<br />
So, this year she got me another mug,<br />
???<br />
A one cup size mug that had a dog motif and very cute but...<br />
I don't really need it.<br />
What was she thinking????????<br />
I mean, it was sweet of her to give me a gift<br />
but I have a BIG mug that I love!<br />
(She doesn't read my blog either, so I feel safe posting this.)<br />
<br />
So, this is what I'm trying to get at.<br />
I think if we just sit down for a minute and THINK,<br />
just let that panicky time running out feeling go<br />
and think....<br />
<br />
This is what I came up with.<br />
My sister said not to get her anything.<br />
She didn't need more stuff.<br />
But, yeah... it's Christmas<br />
and because she is always misplacing her gloves<br />
I got her another warm pair that she can keep in her car.<br />
Also, because she has to go out in all kinds of weather, to go to work<br />
I bought some cute little ear muffs because she usually forgets her hat too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.target.com/" style="font-size: x-small;">(source)</a><br />
<br />
For my BIL, a very hard man to buy for,<br />
I bought him fishing lures off of Amazon<br />
for trout fishing.<br />
That's what he does in Vermont when they go up there.<br />
A cheap gift but something he will actually use.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/">(source)</a></span><br />
<br />
A word about Amazon.<br />
They have EVERYTHING!<br />
<br />
and while I bought several gifts at Target<br />
(this last Sunday I went, around dinner time, after everyone had mostly gone home from a day of shopping, I hate crowds but these gloves were 30% off! and might not be there for long)<br />
<br />
I got about half of the gifts from Amazon.<br />
Amazon has free two-day shipping, if you are in their Prime program.<br />
The fee pays for itself if you buy a lot throughout the year, which I do.<br />
I order my dog potty pads from there, monthly.<br />
Sometimes I will order cat food from there too.<br />
....and my paint water-pens and micro pens and of course BOOKS about everything!<br />
and Amazon is usually much cheaper than the store!<br />
I'm extremely fortunate that my sister put me on her Prime account<br />
and SHE pays that fee! LOL!<br />
That's the best bargain EVER!<br />
<br />
So there's another good idea, I think,<br />
an AMAZON gift card, which they will NEXT day to you!<br />
and then your person can choose whatever they really want.<br />
<br />
OK, more gift ideas.<br />
My oldest niece who is an Artist who travels all over the country<br />
and has gone to England and France a few times too for artist retreats...<br />
I got her a travel sketchbook and a micro pen.<br />
<br />
My middle niece was complaining how she cuts up her legs when shaving, every time!<br />
So I got her a gift box of a nice shaver with shaving lotion and body cream<br />
and then I picked up $3.00 super fuzzy purple socks.<br />
She loves purple socks.<br />
<br />
My youngest niece,<br />
I bought her a best selling dog book<br />
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<a href="http://target.com/" style="font-size: x-small;">(source)</a><br />
<br />
(that I might end ordering one for myself! LOL!)<br />
and then I included a block of the Sculpey clay<br />
that she uses for her little creations.<br />
(I'm going to do a post soon about the creatures she creates and her Etsy shop)<br />
<br />
Finally, every year my sister and I go in on a gift certificate for our Step-Mom<br />
and her hubs to a dinner theater.<br />
They both have said how much they enjoy going<br />
and they probably wouldn't have gone in the beginning it they hadn't had the gift certificate<br />
and now it's kind of a tradition now.<br />
<br />
So that's my suggestions.<br />
I don't think a gift needs to BIG<br />
or a lot of them.<br />
I don't think that's what Christmas is about.<br />
Not for me anyway.<br />
I like a simpler Christmas.<br />
One that doesn't leave you with a BIG credit card bill in January.<br />
<br />
Final note:<br />
If you can't think of the right thoughtful gift<br />
and the person has a pet,<br />
you can't go wrong in giving them something for their pet.<br />
In fact, that kind of gift makes me happiest of all!<br />
It tells me the person really knows ME<br />
and was super thoughtful!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/" style="font-size: x-small;">(source)</a><br />
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-24167066882328888482016-12-17T20:32:00.000-06:002016-12-17T20:32:59.616-06:00Jimmy Chew and SantaWe went to see Santa today.<br />
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Jimmy had some lying to do.</div>
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Afterwards I let him pick out a toy.</div>
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We had to go down three aisles before he found what he wanted.</div>
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He stood patiently in the checkout lane and waited.</div>
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Other customers laughed and told me I had to get him that toy!</div>
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He just ignored them all and waited until it was his turn</div>
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<br /></div>
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to be rung up.</div>
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When we got back into the car I asked him if he thought he had fooled Santa?</div>
<div>
"Do you think you're still on his "Naughty" list?"</div>
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When we got home I told him I'm sure everything would be ok.</div>
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But he seemed to still be thinking about it.</div>
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<div>
We walked up the front steps and I said</div>
<div>
"Seriously Jimmy! He knows you're a terrier. He knows it's just your nature to do what you do!"</div>
<div>
"If you are good this whole last week, I'm sure he'll put you on his "NICE" list".</div>
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I hope that reassured him some.</div>
Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-32746541136139237092016-12-07T20:48:00.001-06:002016-12-07T20:50:03.339-06:00MY CHRISTMAS DECOR<div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://papercards.com/">source</a></span></div>
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So many blogs are now posting beautiful photos of their Christmas decor.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://countryliving.com/">source</a></span></div>
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I have to be honest, I haven't decorated.<br />
In fact, I haven't done much decorating for years.<br />
I'll hang a couple of wooden snowflakes above my windows,<br />
and a little wreath on the front door.<br />
Maybe I'll put a tiny tree in a silver bucket on the front steps<br />
and set a couple of bottle brushes on a shelf and then I'm done.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://etsy.com/">source</a></span></div>
<br />
This year, like almost everything that happened this year.<br />
has me way behind and no time to catch up.<br />
But I've made the decision to make major changes next year<br />
so that I'm not always behind and stressed about it.<br />
<br />
I just really feel like 2017 is going to be my <span style="font-size: large;">YEAR</span>.<br />
I've made the decision that I'm not moving.<br />
I'm not moving to a different house<br />
and I'm not moving to a different state.<br />
I will do a different post about how and why I reached this decision but<br />
today's post is about Christmas decorating.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://theholidayhelperblogspot.com/">source</a></span></div>
<br />
Because of my decision not to move<br />
I've decided to work on my house and make it like exactly like I want it to be.<br />
And that is a simple, white but colorful, farmhouse, folk art, modern style.<br />
LOL!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://bijouandboheme.blogspot.com/">source</a></span></div>
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What kind of style is that?<br />
I don't know and don't care what it's really called<br />
but I call it my HAPPY style.<br />
Yep, I want to pull in the driveway and smile<br />
and walk in the front door and feel HAPPY!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://yvestown.com/">source</a></span></div>
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I'm a HUGE fan of <span style="font-size: large;">PINTEREST</span>.<br />
It never feels to inspire me.<br />
I've created "boards" of things I love<br />
but I found that some are very unrealistic.<br />
So I've decided to go in and start deleting some of my "Pins"<br />
and just keep what I really truly need for inspiration for MY life.<br />
Not my fantasy life.<br />
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So since I don't have anything set up for Christmas to show THIS year,<br />
I thought I'd share some of my Christmas PINS.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://birchandbird.com/">source</a></span></div>
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Yep, that's what I like.<br />
That's my <span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY STYLE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://curbly.com/">source</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE</span> on my <span style="font-size: large;">ART.</span><br />
I pulled my little canvases from the place I blogged about.<br />
I gave my notice 60 days ago as my "contract" said I must.<br />
But the owner asked me if I would be interested in leaving some seasonal pieces<br />
on a commission only basis.<br />
Meaning I wouldn't have to pay for a "space"<br />
but rather she would just set them around the shop<br />
and maybe now and then, something might sell.<br />
She wanted only seasonal items and that sounded good to me.<br />
I did a big group of "Vintage Christmas" photos and mounted them on canvas.</div>
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We'll see how that goes.<br />
<br />
I also am trying to fill up the vet clinic with little canvases<br />
in hopes that people will buy some for stocking stuffers and gift exchange type gifts.<br />
<br />
But with Christmas so close now.<br />
I'm starting on Valentines Day.<br />
<br />
Yep Valentines.<br />
Several years back I made Valentine's cats.<br />
Some were painted fabric cats.</div>
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And some were made of PaperClay.</div>
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<br />
I sold them on eBay back then.<br />
I remember that a blogger friend had messaged me and asked why they all had broken hearts painted on their chests.<br />
To be honest, I did that kinda halfway subconsciously I guess<br />
and was surprised at the question.<br />
I mean, of course they had broken hearts.<br />
<br />
So I'm starting to work on that <span style="font-size: large;">NOW</span><br />
because that's my <span style="font-size: large;">PLAN</span> for next year!<br />
To be <span style="font-size: large;">AHEAD</span> of the game and actually get my <span style="font-size: large;">IDEAS</span> created and ready for sell.<br />
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-39092643494987635942016-12-04T20:26:00.000-06:002016-12-04T20:26:19.201-06:00WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!Yesterday I did a post of two videos.<br />
It showed a massive amount of birds flying over my home.<br />
I've learned from my wise Blogger buddies that they were starlings.<br />
Those birds were pretty smart too and obviously they knew what was coming!<br />
This morning I woke up to this-<br />
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It's one of the trees I showed in the video.<br />
To be honest, I'm not happy about the snow.<br />
And it continued to fall all day.<br />
Here's a photo of the bush just outside my backdoor.<br />
All of it's leaves had not fallen yet.</div>
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It's kinda pretty, but it's still snow.<br />
I had some plans for today, including running some errands.<br />
Instead I just stayed inside all day.<br />
My back is hurting and I just didn't want to shovel.<br />
(Although I eventually gave in and shoveled out my car.)<br />
But my sore back didn't stop me from re-arranging the furniture again.<br />
<br />
Eventually I should post photos of the back bedroom that I'm decided
to use as my Art space.<br />
I emptied everything out of the room and then dragged just what I wanted back in.<br />
I still have Blue's twin bed in there though.<br />
My plan is to work at the big table and then slide my projects
into the empty drawers<br />
of the several dressers I have in there
when I leave the room to go to work or whatever.<br />
My reasoning behind that is because not only is Blue in that room while
I'm gone,<br />
but also Nora and Jimmy Chew.<br />
<br /></div>
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Yeah, he looks like a sweet, innocent good boy
but I know him better than that.
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-61653202739616970692016-12-03T10:59:00.000-06:002016-12-03T10:59:11.611-06:00AS I LEFT FOR WORK THIS MORNING...A greeting?
Kinda eerie.
I sorta felt like Tippi Hendren.....
(two 7 second video's -)
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BeCxkett6es" width="560"></iframe>Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-17648091190926956322016-11-27T18:54:00.000-06:002016-11-27T18:54:42.350-06:00ALMOST THE TRUTH.I have this thing about lying.<br />
I hate it and I'm not very good at it.<br />
But... I guess I'm admitting that I do lie!<br />
Sort of.<br />
LOL!<br />
<br />
But my lies are usually half-truths.<br />
Things like when the cashier is checking out my items<br />
and I have cat related things and she asks -<br />
"Oh! How many cats do you have?"<br />
and I reply - "Two".<br />
Now that's true.<br />
I mean I do have two cats.<br />
She didn't ask me "How many cats do you have in total?"<br />
<br />
Or I don't share information<br />
and that feels like a lie.<br />
If I acquire a dog or cat and don't tell me sister<br />
or blog about it.... it feels like a lie to me.<br />
<br />
But I don't HAVE to share EVERYTHING right?!?!?<br />
and I usually fess-up at some point.<br />
I'll write a blog post about whoever and hope that no one notices that<br />
they suddenly popped up in my home.<br />
And my sister,<br />
she's pretty used to it.<br />
She'll come over and as the little ones walk around she might look down and say<br />
"Who's THAT?"<br />
and THEN I tell her.<br />
She knows it's useless to make any critical remarks to me.<br />
I get very defensive and sometimes I'll start listing off all the animals I've said NO to.<br />
Here are two just in the last few weeks!<br />
I just said no to this big guy but happily the owner is going to keep him -<br />
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<br />
I found a home for this little one year old terrier that was brought in,<br />
she was really hard to resist too<br />
because she reminded me of my Jimmy Chew<br />
but now she's in a home with a little girl -<br />
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<br />
Or... I'll get angry and hurt and sometimes I will point out who all that I've lost.<br />
But lately my sister has no room to talk.<br />
When her own dog had puppies, they ended up keeping TWO<br />
and both she and her hubs has each rescued a cat.<br />
(I'm going to write a post about one of those cats soon!)<br />
<br />
Anyway there's a definite stigma to people with numerous pets.<br />
It conjures up images of hoarding situations I guess and<br />
that's rather insulting to those of us who strive to make it as nice as possible for them.<br />
In my line of work, most the people I work have many.<br />
One of them has a raccoon and her home is spotless! (There's another post! LOL!)<br />
<br />
My employee that I've written about, the one that I call a Mini-Me<br />
is forever rescuing some ancient dog or calling me to help.<br />
(and THAT'S ANOTHER POST.)<br />
But we talk about how we pride ourselves in making our homes as pet friendly and yet stylish as possible. (THERE"S another post!)<br />
How almost every purchase we make, has them in mind, whether it's a new sofa or flooring.<br />
We both hardly ever buy anything for ourselves but think nothing of getting something for our pets.<br />
And we talk about how we can never quit our jobs because we get discounts on pet care.<br />
<br />
So the other day we were talking on Facebook about dogs<br />
during the Thanksgiving Dog Show on TV.<br />
We were talking about the different breeds and she got on the topic of how she has these little dogs that people have given her but the ONE dog she really really wanted she couldn't have.<br />
It was a little dog who had boarded with us and she fell in love with him on the spot.<br />
It was a little Border Terrier.<br />
She said they would never want to give up that little dog but she was madly in love with him.<br />
<br />
I told her to visualize it and it mostly likely would happen!<br />
I told her I was VERY careful about thinking about any pet and then saying it out loud.<br />
I said both my Poppy and my Ping were boarding dogs.<br />
Both had owners that would bring in lots of supplies and fancy beds and special food<br />
and have them groomed on a regular schedule and appeared to adore them.<br />
People who I never ever would think that they'd give up their pets.<br />
Both are perfect little dogs so why would anyone give them up?<br />
And to be honest, both of them were always my favorites.<br />
Then one day Poppy's owners called me out of the blue and asked me if I'd take her.<br />
<br />
And then a year later, I had Ping's owners return from vacation and asked me if I would just keep her!<br />
I was in total shock but I did!<br />
So I told my worker, Mini-Me to just think about that little dog and maybe it would happen.<br />
<br />
So I went to work the next day, Friday<br />
and it was very busy.<br />
The kennel was packed because of the holiday.<br />
Among my boarders was a little 14 year old Chihuahua that I've taken care of for years.<br />
She used to have a "brother", a little Yorkie that boarded with her,<br />
but that little dog had passed last year.<br />
Her owner is a wonderful older woman whom I'm very fond of.<br />
She shared a lot of things with me when we first met years ago.<br />
She went through a bad divorce and had to move away and had finally came back to the area<br />
and that's when I started taking care of her dogs.<br />
I took care of them all the time.<br />
<br />
Then she remarried a couple of years ago and they moved an hour away.<br />
She had called me to ask if I would be mad if they found a vet in their new town.<br />
I encouraged her to!<br />
I said she needed someone close in case of an emergency.<br />
She said they would still drive in to board her little dogs with me.<br />
<br />
So she brought in her little Chihuahua Katy and told me how happy she was to see me.<br />
It had been a while.<br />
She said she'd call and check on her little one while she was gone.<br />
She was afraid of how Katy would adjust to boarding without the other dog<br />
as she was always the timid one.<br />
<br />
So we put her little carrier in the run, so that she could sleep in there<br />
and have a safe place.<br />
My workers said that she was timid coming out<br />
and one of them had to take the top of the carrier to get her out.<br />
<br />
When I would come in to work though, she would get up and tiptoe out her carrier<br />
and her little tail would wag.<br />
So Friday I came in and she tottled out and sat the front of her run.<br />
I picked her up and took her out to the play yard.<br />
The other dogs had already been out and it was just me and her.<br />
I held her tiny body against my chest and looked down at her little face.<br />
I told her "You are such a brave girl! Yes you are! You are SO brave!"<br />
Then I set her down in the yard and she found her "spot" to potty and looked at me.<br />
"Good job Katy!" I said to her<br />
and her little bottom wiggled and she hurried back to me.<br />
I picked her up and held her to my cheek and I said,<br />
"Oh ! I could just take you home!"<br />
Yep, I said it out loud.<br />
I know I was tempting fate. that it was wrong of me to let The Universe hear me<br />
but I know her mom and how much she loves her.<br />
<br />
So I took her inside and fluffed her bed<br />
and kissed the top of her head and put her back in her run.<br />
She was the last one that needed to be let out<br />
so I walked to my office area.<br />
<br />
The phone was ringing and I picked it up.<br />
It was Katy's mom.<br />
I flopped down in my chair and was smiling as she asked about her little one.<br />
I laughed and told her I had just been outside with her!<br />
I told her how I told Katy how brave she was! and her mom was surprised to hear how she came and sat at the front of the kennel run.<br />
I gushed how good and sweet she was and I told her that I hoped she didn't mind but I told Katy that I could just take her home, that she was THAT good!<br />
I told her not to worry, that she was doing really well.<br />
I said she was eating and didn't seem stressed.<br />
That's when she started crying.<br />
<br />
She was crying really hard and at first I couldn't completely make out all her words<br />
but then she was telling me that she wasn't well.<br />
She was saying she had heart problems.<br />
Problems like what Florence Henderson had just died from.<br />
She was sobbing and was saying lots of things<br />
and she said that every single day she worried about if something happened to her,<br />
what would happen to Katy?<br />
She said her husband was a nice man but not a dog person<br />
and that if something were to happen to her, she feared that he'd just take Katy to a shelter<br />
or.....<br />
She was crying and saying things that had me cry too.<br />
I grabbed my kleenex box and wiped my face as she went on<br />
and then she said "Would you take Katy?"<br />
I answered that of course I would, that if she needed a home that I would definitely take her.<br />
Not to worry about it anymore, that she could have a home with me.<br />
<br />
She suddenly was overjoyed and told me how much peace that brought her, knowing that.<br />
She said she knew how much I had always cared for Katy.<br />
Then she said she preferred not to see her again.<br />
I stammered a bit, I think and said, "You mean Now?"<br />
"Yes!" she was adamant. Yes, she wanted me to take her NOW and<br />
that she just felt it would be easier not to see her again.<br />
I was really crying then and<br />
I asked if she maybe wanted to think about it but she said she was sure and<br />
they'd be in the next day to pay the bill and bring me her things.<br />
<br />
So.................<br />
Katy's owner came in on Saturday.<br />
Her husband went up and paid the bill and then carried in all of Katy's belongings.<br />
While he was doing that, Katy's mom handed me an envelope.<br />
It had her phone number on it and some cash in it.<br />
That's a first for me!<br />
No one has ever given me money when giving me their dog!<br />
I started to decline it but she interrupted and said not to be rude but she knew I worked hard<br />
and... They had money.<br />
So I said ok and after they left, I made a payment to my bill at work.<br />
LOL!<br />
<br />
I took Katy home and everyone smelled her.<br />
I held her as Blue smelled her butt and then he walked away.<br />
She just walked around the house with everyone following.<br />
She tried a bark with a jump at Charlie my cat but he just looked at her<br />
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and if a cat could roll his eyes, he did.<br />
<br />
It's weird but she's not scared at all.<br />
She follows me around everywhere and no one cares except Ping.<br />
Ping wants to be with me all the time and always on my lap<br />
and I made her take turns with Katy.<br />
<br />
Katy's walked close to Blue many times and I hold my breath but<br />
he just looks at her and then goes back to sleep.<br />
It's all very weird.<br />
It's like she just clicked into place.<br />
<br />
Last night I woke up to go to the bathroom and Katy stirred from her little kennel<br />
so I took her out and let her sleep with us.</div>
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<br />
She went right to sleep and didn't wake up and want out until the morning.<br />
I have dog beds scattered about the house and she likes sleeping in the kitchen as I'm at the computer.</div>
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<br />
Later I looked over and cranky fussy Button was snuggled in the bed with her.<br />
Button hates everyone.</div>
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<br />
I don't really know what's going on here but when her mom called this morning and<br />
I filled her in on how she was doing, she couldn't have been happier.<br />
But I kinda lied when she asked how many dogs I had<br />
and what breeds.<br />
I told her about Ping and Poppy and the cats<br />
and left it at that.<br />
I don't think she'd have understood and she sounded so relieved on the phone,<br />
I didn't want to ruin that for her.<br />
She said a huge weight had been lifted off of her.<br />
<br />
So, Katy is here to stay I guess.<br />
She's 14 and will be 15 in March but appears to be in good health.<br />
Yep.... so there ya go,<br />
I hesitated writing about this but then I read Tammy's comment on Kim's blog<br />
<a href="http://lifeatgoldenpines.blogspot.com/2016/11/better-days-ahead-for-evah.html">HERE</a><br />
and that made me want to share.<br />
Seemed like I should or I'd be in some way lying........<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for more "not lies".<br />
<br />
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-52929026735153659352016-11-24T12:42:00.002-06:002016-11-24T13:39:12.215-06:00HAPPY THANKSGIVING!I hope you have a great day filled with food and family!!!!!!<br>
Remember family doesn't always mean blood related.<br>
But rather people who you love and who have your back<br>
and you have theirs.<br>
<br>
I'm thankful to have my sister and her family here, for now.<br>
I realize that some day we might be all living in different parts of the country,<br>
so I'm thankful for TODAY.<br>
<br>
I'm also thankful you all of YOU,<br>
my blogland family.<br>
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO<br>
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And I'm thankful that I'm not a turkey!<br>
<br>
<br>Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-20647580964968034812016-11-20T14:38:00.000-06:002016-11-20T14:38:27.511-06:00TOPICSI've talked about changing around my blog.<br />
I want to zero in on some specific topics.<br />
Things that are on my mind most of the time.<br />
So... what would that be?<br />
What do I think about first?<br />
Food.<br />
I wake up and as I lay there I think,<br />
"What am I going to have for breakfast?"<br />
I LOVE breakfast food.<br />
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<br />
There was a time in my life when I didn't even eat breakfast.<br />
I was thin then.<br />
I've heard the research on the News and such.<br />
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!<br />
If you eat breakfast, you tend to be thinner.<br />
It's like filling your tank with gas and gets you going.<br />
You can't function on an empty tummy.<br />
Blah, blah, blah.<br />
I'm so sick of surveys and being told what works best.<br />
I grew up with the food pyramid that turned out to be a big lie.<br />
I now believe nothing.<br />
I used to have a cup of hot tea and I was good to go.<br />
I could go until lunchtime before I was hungry<br />
and now I'm hungry a couple of hours after breakfast.<br />
So... I'm gonna talk about THAT.<br />
Not healthy recipes or anything like that.<br />
That would be crazy! To think I might start "cooking".<br />
But yep, I'm gonna share thoughts about quick and easy,<br />
not expensive but maybe not healthy...<br />
Anyway, yeah. I will talk about food from time to time.<br />
<br />
So after I sit up I think about my pets.<br />
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(my toy poodle Ping Pong)<br />
<br />
I think of them because I have to get them outside to potty.<br />
I think about them as I clean up after them<br />
and as I get them fed and ready for their day while I'm gone at work.<br />
Or if I have the day off, I have them around me<br />
playing and cuddling and being adorable.<br />
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(my cats Ghost, Harry and Charlie)<br />
<br />
So, as ALWAYS I will be talking about MY pets,<br />
Other peoples pets, rescues and such.<br />
Pets all the time!<br />
<br />
Which segues into my home.<br />
<br />
and talking about my house and making it pet friendly<br />
and keeping it clean<br />
and the struggle.<br />
<br />
Which rolls into my actual house<br />
my location,<br />
my sometimes desires to move<br />
and my desire to stay put<br />
and all that it entails.<br />
<br />
And working on the house I have.<br />
(ok, THIS is NOT my house but it kinda reminds me of it, or the feeling about it...)<br />
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(<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/192247477816163586/">source</a>)<br />
<br />
Not the typical blog type of stuff with amazing makeovers.<br />
Nope, this will be about fixing stuff myself.<br />
No handy man or husband involved<br />
No big dollars spent.<br />
I think it's wonderful if someone has someone else to cut a board for them<br />
or lug an appliance and I'm not jealous but I am envious.<br />
<br />
I'll talk about my job, my work that gives me a paycheck<br />
and my safety-net and what enables me to care for my pets properly.<br />
<br />
I'll talk about my Art<br />
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<br />
and what I want to create and what I AM creating.<br />
I'll share ideas and what inspires me.<br />
I'll talk about the struggle of creating what you think might sell<br />
versus just creating what you want to create and the struggles of that<br />
and how, for me anyway, it leads to procrastination and sucks the joy out it.<br />
and<br />
I'll talk about artists that I love.<br />
<br />
I'll also talk about how to save money on some things.<br />
What works for me anyway.<br />
How bargains aren't always bargains.<br />
I'll also write about things I've found that I love and think they deserve a great review.<br />
<br />
I'll talk about NOT minimalism<br />
Which I thought I wanted to achieve and now realize it will never be for me<br />
but rather, I just want the "EXTRA" stuff gone.<br />
No excessive clutter but not spare and sparse.<br />
<br />
I'll talk about getting older.<br />
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<br />
The shock that only your body is old but it has nothing to do with your soul.<br />
Yeah, I'll talk about not thinking "young",<br />
because I was really clueless when I was young<br />
but rather I'll talk about thinking positive<br />
and being happy and not thinking OLD.<br />
<br />
And I'll talk about retirement.<br />
<br />
Not how to invest or anything like that.<br />
Lord knows I know nothing about THAT.<br />
There are a lot of books out there about investing and etc.<br />
No, I'll talk about different ideas,<br />
things I will probably NEVER do but might sound great to someone else.<br />
Just doing whatever makes YOU happy!<br />
<br />
I'm probably forgetting some important topic<br />
but that's what I've got for now!<br />
<br />
Yep, and with all this talk about TOPICS,<br />
I hope people feel free to jump in and leave comments<br />
and share their thoughts and ideas too!<br />
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-12517642414328542082016-11-14T19:09:00.000-06:002016-11-14T19:09:11.314-06:00THE GRUMPY OLD MAN TURNS ELEVENToday Blue turned ELEVEN!<br />
I took this photo just before leaving the house this morning.<br />
I used a couple of apps to make it more like a painting-<br />
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<br />
Yep, He's eleven and he is a grumpy old man.<br />
<br />
The grumpiness has been building.<br />
The occasional ROAR of irritation when someone is in his way<br />
or laying his spot.<br />
<br />
He's just low on patience.<br />
He'll do that bark growl that sends the other dogs into a tizzy.<br />
They jump up and bark at him<br />
and he storms through the herd of them like an angry bull.<br />
<br />
If anyone really gets in his face,<br />
he'll grab ahold of them and slam them to the floor and hold them there<br />
until they stop fighting and are totally submissive.<br />
<br />
Years ago when Jimmy Chew was very young, he challenged Blue<br />
and Blue body slammed him to the ground and held him by the throat.<br />
Jimmy was so terrified that his anal glands expressed themselves.<br />
Jimmy was fine, just wet with saliva but he never challenged him again.<br />
<br />
Sometimes when Blue is really in a mood and is stomping around roaring<br />
I can tell that Jimmy thinks he needs to protect me.<br />
He doesn't, I'm the Alpha dog<br />
but Jimmy will stand in front of me and face-off with Blue.<br />
He will bark with all his might as his whole body trembles in fear.<br />
Yep, Jimmy can push my buttons and sometimes really frustrate the Hell out of me<br />
but I know he's got my back.<br />
<br />
Lately though, Blue's fuse has been super short.<br />
The other day as the little ones ran through the kitchen for the laundry room to get their dinner,<br />
Blue decided to walk out of the kitchen and into the living room.<br />
I always feed Blue first, so it wasn't like he was hungry but<br />
all the little dogs rushing past him, must have annoyed him<br />
because I heard that ROAR<br />
and then a horrible little scream.<br />
<br />
It was my little Poppy.<br />
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<br />
She doesn't even weigh a full 5 pounds<br />
and he had her down.<br />
Now if it was one of the bigger dogs it would have just been a moment<br />
of catch and release<br />
but in this case, he caught her head and left a little small cut above her eye from his tooth.<br />
I was there in a second<br />
and of course I couldn't yell at him to STOP!<br />
because he's deaf.<br />
But I grabbed ahold of his head and neck and pulled him away<br />
and he instantly ran and hid up the kitchen table.<br />
He always hides there when he gets into trouble<br />
because no one can see him there....<br />
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<br />
or so he thinks.<br />
<br />
I realize that he's just being a cranky ass because if<br />
he really meant business, she'd be dead.<br />
But... it has me on hyper alert now.<br />
<br />
I talked with Doc and because we just ran all sorts of blood-work tests<br />
and did x-rays and everything on Blue when he was so ill,<br />
we know there's nothing physically wrong with him except as Doc says -<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He's a grumpy old man. That's what happens to us, we get grumpy."</span><br />
I told him about Poppy and Doc said, "She's just a mouthful!"<br />
and then he just shook his head and said "that's what can happen with a pack".<br />
<br />
Without going into extreme detail about pack mentality,<br />
I'll just say that I'm aware of that and that wasn't it.<br />
It wasn't the group of them in some sort of frenzy<br />
or them trying to weed out the weak<br />
or one or more trying to take over the group.<br />
They know I'm the leader.<br />
There's no doubt of that.<br />
Even Blue knows, that's why he hightails it to under the kitchen table.<br />
<br />
Nope, it's just Blue doesn't really care about the other dogs.<br />
They just mostly annoy him.<br />
He's a people dog.<br />
And if he sees Lily or my sister he jumps up and down in excitement.<br />
<br />
Yep, I think I'm living with a "Lion" (who I love with all my heart)<br />
and a houseful of "Lemurs" who like to run around and play<br />
and get in the way of the Lion who just wants to sleep.<br />
<br />
So I'm making sure to keep the lines of visual communication open with Blue and me.<br />
That's always worked before.<br />
He has always watched me to see what to do and not to do.<br />
I just have to stay very attentive to him when he gets up and moves about.<br />
<br />
As I type out this post, he's at my feet.<br />
Not on the dog bed<br />
or my BIG chair that he loves but on the wood floor.<br />
I do adore this grumpy dog.<br />
I brought birthday cupcakes in his honor to work<br />
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<br />
and wrote on the medical board for all to see that today was his Eleventh birthday<br />
and I thanked everyone who made that possible!<br />
<br />
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRUMPY OLD MAN!<br />
I love you with all my heart<br />
and I hope all the little ones just stay out of your way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-31415573608761703002016-11-06T17:27:00.000-06:002016-11-06T17:27:45.705-06:00The TIME isn't all that's gonna CHANGE!Now that Daylight Savings Time is here<br />
I guess I have to accept that it's actually Fall.<br />
I love Fall!<br />
But I dread what comes next.<br />
And now with the time change<br />
and most of the leaves on the ground...<br />
I know it won't be long before it's COLD.<br />
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<br />
The temps this weekend have been quite warm for the Midwest.<br />
Yesterday it was low 70's and almost that today.<br />
<br />
I worked in the yard, planting roses that I had bought and a few other discounted perennials that were waiting to get in the ground.<br />
I tidied up the yard a bit and moved things around.<br />
I don't know if you recall but I had my washing machine die at the beginning of the summer.<br />
I had rolled it out the back door, across the patio and then out the the yard.<br />
No one could see it as it was hidden from view by morning glories, vines, trees and fencing in some areas.<br />
But now that it's all dying down and most of the leaves have fallen, I needed to get it out of my yard.<br />
It was too heavy to put on a dolly and I wasn't able to wobble it back and forth because of the grass,<br />
so I rolled it.<br />
Yep.<br />
I could do about 3 rolls and I'd have to stop and rest.<br />
When I got it down part of the driveway to a spot not too far from the street but still partially hidden by the house, I waited.<br />
I live on a busy street and traffic goes by in spurts.<br />
I waited for a break in traffic and then rolled it like crazy to the curb.<br />
It's odd that I was embarrassed about being seen rolling a washing machine<br />
and yet I share the fact here on my blog for the world to read.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I got it to the curb and started weeding and planting up by the house<br />
and I kid you not, within 20 minutes a truck stopped and two people loaded up my broken, doorless washer with mud and scratches all over it.<br />
They will probably get a few dollars when they scrap that thing<br />
and i was happy to have it gone.<br />
<br />
So I worked in the yard for a while<br />
and finally went inside when it was time to feed the dogs.<br />
While outside I thought a lot about whether I really want to move<br />
and why and where.<br />
I came up with decision and I'm pretty sure I've got it figured out.<br />
I'll save those ideas for another post.<br />
<br />
Last night I spent a lot of time on Pinterest.<br />
That always helps me and motives me.<br />
It gave me several ideas about my home.<br />
Totally different ideas than I've had before.<br />
But I think that's what I need to do,<br />
to look at things from a whole different perspective.<br />
I'll share those later too.<br />
<br />
But that got me to thinking about writing posts<br />
and about people who read my blog.<br />
I must say, the comments I got, the condolences about Vera....<br />
Touched my heart and my soul.<br />
I didn't feel so alone and it helps with the grief.<br />
I am so glad that I have this world, this blog world full of wonderful caring people.<br />
I'm blessed to have my blog friends.<br />
<br />
So.... I'm going to concentrate more on my blog.<br />
I'm not sure what all I'm going to do but I'm going to get organized,<br />
read and learn from some of the links I found on Pinterest<br />
and study some of the blogs whose layout and style I admire<br />
and change it up.<br />
I've got several ideas.<br />
So if you see some changes, you know what's motivated it.<br />
All of you!<br />
<br />
Again! Thank you for being there!!!!<br />
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO<br />
<br />
<br />Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-73354130046786564392016-11-01T20:59:00.000-05:002016-11-01T21:01:04.376-05:00Heaven has another Angel Dog.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had to let my perfect little dog Vera Wag go to Heaven this afternoon.<br />
I was lucky to have her for the last 8 years of her life.<br />
She turned 13 this year.<br />
I thought I would have had longer with her<br />
but she didn't want to eat and worse than that, she was giving me this "look".<br />
My friend/co-worker Katie, the one who went back and took care of Blue after his surgery,<br />
talked with me about Vera and how she was feeling.<br />
She came back to boarding this morning and I was holding Vera and I was saying how Vera was giving me this pleading look.<br />
I turned to her and found her crying and Katie said that maybe I needed to tell Vera it was OK to "go".<br />
So I told Vera that it was OK, that she could go to Heaven and she just stared at me with big frightened eyes.<br />
<br />
We had our monthly staff meeting today over the lunch hour and afterwards Lily came back to see Vera.<br />
She walked into the run and knelt down next to her bed and just started crying.<br />
"Why are you crying?!" I asked as I cried too.<br />
Lily said that she could tell that Vera was ready.<br />
That she wanted to go.<br />
I told Lily I wasn't sure if I was ready for her to go yet and Lily got up and told me to call her if I needed her.<br />
(She had the day off and left.)<br />
<br />
Katie had left early for the day and I texted her and told her about Lily.<br />
She answered back that she thought that Vera was trying to tell me something.<br />
She thought Vera's eyes were trying to send me a message.<br />
That she was ready.<br />
As I was texting Katie, telling her that I needed to call Lily, Katie walked in the door.<br />
She had come back to work to help me and Vera.<br />
<br />
I called Lily and she came back too, in just mere minutes.<br />
<br />
I'm so thankful to these two wonderful girls who helped me accept that it was time to end Vera's suffering.<br />
As I held Vera, Katie commented how she could feel the bones in her back and there was nothing to her legs, just skin and bones and<br />
Just the huge tumor that bloated her belly.<br />
Vera's little face stared up at me and Katie said<br />
"Can you see it? The way she's trying to tell you that she's ready?"<br />
Through my tears I said Yes.<br />
The three of us went outside and sat in the grass with Vera.<br />
Katie gave her an injection to relax her<br />
and then she went and got the vet, not Doc but the newer woman vet who helped me with Stretch.<br />
She came outside and knelt down in the grass with us and released Vera from her tired and swollen body so that she could go to Heaven.<br />
I thanked her and she told me she was so sorry and went back inside.<br />
<br />
Then Lily commented that now Vera would be with Raini,<br />
my little cat that passed at the beginning of the year.</div>
<div>
Vera loved that cat.<br />
Lily said "Now Raini can give Vera massages in Heaven".<br />
(Raini loved to knead on the dogs, especially Vera.)<br />
That made me cry even harder but then...the thought of them together started to bring me some peace.<br />
I thanked Lily for that, and for being there<br />
and I thanked Katie for returning and helping me.<br />
<br />
I held Vera for a few moments more, but she was gone.<br />
I handed her to Lily and she said she'd take care of her and I left to go home.<br />
I cried as I drove, I know it was for the best but...<br />
life is so damn unfair sometimes. </div>
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-24018877037635198572016-10-30T17:33:00.000-05:002016-10-30T21:41:40.583-05:00Day of the Dead and Chippiannock Cemetery<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">This post is in reference to the Day of the Dead, the day that follows Halloween.</span></div>
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<br />
I didn't used to know about Day of the Dead,<br />
the celebration of those who have passed<br />
and how they come out one night a year to visit and rejoice with loved ones.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.art-is-fun.com/day-of-the-dead-facts/">HERE</a></span> is a link to explain it better if you are not familiar with it.<br />
<br />
It's also about one of the local cemeteries here in Rock Island.<br />
A cemetery that is listed as one of America's top haunted spots.<br />
Chippiannock Cemetery.<br />
There's a lot of statues and monuments in the cemetery and I believe I've written a post a few years back about them, complete with photos but I will share a few of them here again.<br />
You can also go <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chippiannock_Cemetery">HERE</a></span> for more info.<br />
<br />
Here's a few of my photos:<br />
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These were taken with my old camera.<br />
I apologize for the blurriness.<br />
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<br />
It's a big cemetery and then across the road is another cemetery -<br />
Calvary Cemetery.<br />
Here's a couple of photos from there:<br />
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<br />
I went to find the post that I had written about the time my sister talked me into going to the cemetery at night during Day of the Dead.<br />
I thought it was just a couple of years ago but evidently it was FIVE!<br />
It kinda freaks me out how time is flying!<br />
<br />
Ever since then she's tried talking me into going back.<br />
Last year I can't remember my excuse.<br />
Maybe it had rained<br />
or it was really cold<br />
or I had to work the next day and didn't want to be out late.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately this year I just realized the weather it supposed to be in the 70's during the day<br />
and no rain<br />
and I have the next day, Wednesday off.<br />
I still don't want to go back,<br />
not after what showed up on my photos from the first time we went!<br />
But I have a feeling that my sister will really push me to go.<br />
Last time I was told it probably was moisture on my camera lens.<br />
If I were to go this year, I'd be using my iPhone....<br />
but I'm not going!<br />
<br />
Anyway, <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://oldblackcatboo.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-am-not-going-back.html">HERE</a></span> is the post.<br />
Complete with photos of what was in the cemetery that night.<br />
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-11384786381876171952016-10-28T22:24:00.001-05:002016-10-28T22:24:17.221-05:00Vera Wag<div>
I have a lot of dogs.</div>
<div>
Anyone who reads my blog knows that.</div>
<div>
I mostly talk about my Blue or</div>
<div>
Maybe about Jimmy Chew and whatever trouble he's got himself into.</div>
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I also don't talk about them all because I think it gets confusing and hard for people to keep track of everyone.</div>
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That doesn't mean that each and every one of them aren't special to me and hold a piece of my heart.</div>
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A sad fact too is that sometimes when they are absolutely perfect they might not get as much attention as the trouble makers.</div>
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"Good" dogs don't always make for the funniest of stories sometimes too.<br />
<br /></div>
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Perfect is my little Vera.</div>
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(this is Vera in 2008 after she got all groomed up fancy)<br />
<br /></div>
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I know that I wrote about her before but it's been a very long time ago.</div>
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She's of course another rescue.</div>
<div>
A beautiful grey miniature poodle hidden under dirty matted hair.</div>
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She's the kind of dog that no matter what, would never bite.</div>
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She sits silently and patiently as she's groomed.</div>
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They have pulled a loose tooth with her wide awake and she just let them.</div>
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All she wants are snuggles and kisses in return.</div>
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So...</div>
<div>
I went to shave Vera last Wednesday night.<br />
I've been shaving the poodles like Serta sheep with skinny legs and fluffy bodies.<br />
Because of that fluffiness I didn't realize that Vera's belly was extremely swollen and her back legs very puffy until I started shaving her.<br />
<br /></div>
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I brought her into work me the next morning and they did X-rays<br />
and then an ultrasound and they found a HUGE mass.<br />
Too big to remove and most likely attached to one or more organs.<br />
She's 13 years old.<br />
Since she's still eating and running around and even still jumps up on the bed, they don't think she's in pain.<br />
They say if she quits eating then it's time.</div>
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They also said she's losing some blood and there is probably some internal bleeding.<br />
They said she might end up bleeding out sometime but that it's not a bad way to go.<br />
Meaning she could just pass away some time.</div>
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I gotta say, sometimes it's really hard to focus on the positives and remain upbeat.</div>
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<br />
UPDATE</div>
<div>
This Friday (today) her belly was as big as a basketball and her hind legs and hocks were triple their size.</div>
<div>
I'm now giving her twice daily injections of Salix to get rid of all the fluid she's retaining.<br />
She was so bloated that you could lay your hand on her belly and it would become moist.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I asked one of the vets how long she had.</div>
<div>
She said it could be a day or it could be weeks.</div>
<div>
I added "or months?"</div>
<div>
But she sadly shook her head and said </div>
<div>
No, not months.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
So...</div>
<div>
I'm not asking for prayers or healing thoughts.</div>
<div>
This is not something that is going to get better.</div>
<div>
I hesitated even sharing this but...</div>
<div>
I do share just about everything and...</div>
<div>
well...if I didn't share I would feel like once again, Vera the perfect dog,<br />
wouldn't get the attention she deserved.</div>
<div>
If anything I guess I just want everyone to take a few extra moments out of their day<br />
and hug and love on those who don't get their fair share.</div>
<div>
Those who are so good that they don't get constant attention.</div>
<div>
I know that's what I'll be doing in these final days.</div>
<div>
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Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-79338178725060932482016-10-25T20:39:00.001-05:002016-10-25T20:39:45.346-05:00WHAT I DID ON MY VACATION and my SURPRISE GIFT<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wednesday's are now my day off.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last Wednesday morning I met a friend for breakfast.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was kinda the official start of my vacation because</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had used the last of my vacation days and had taken Thursday through Saturday off</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and I had Sunday off too!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So that made for a nice group of a few days to get things done</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and to relax a little bit.<br /><span style="background-color: white;">My throat had felt a little sore the night before so I stopped after breakfast and picked up</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">throat spray, cough drops and NyQuil so that I could nip it in the bud.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">By Thursday I was sick.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Friday I was much worse.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Saturday I had the chills and was sweating and about to call for last rites.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Sunday I woke up still sick but mad</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and determined to get some use out of the wasted days so I</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">made myself do some work around the house and then went outside to finish some yard work </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in an effort to sweat my cold away and get some things done before the cold weather set in for good.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Monday I returned to work and was tired, dizzy and coughing so bad that I left a little after 1:00.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Fortunately the new girl was able to come in and cover my shift. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">I finally got home and when I walked in the door I discovered that Dewey had gotten me a little something.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">I'm assuming he thought it would cheer me up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel bad for the little mouse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The weather is quite cool now</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and cold at night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He probably squeezed his way into the basement</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">looking to get warm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">not knowing what waited for him inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Today I went back at work.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Several co-workers urged me to go home.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They thought I sounded worse than I had been on Monday.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know I was coughing more.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My voice was almost gone too.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally one of them, a friend, came back and said to me that she had decided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that I needed to go HOME!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I told her I would...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">after I gave a bath to a dog that I had promised his owner that I would</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and after I finish up a few things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course there's the financial issue of it as<br /><span style="background-color: white;">we only get 24 hours sick time and I burned that up at the beginning of the year.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">And I obviously just used up the last of my vacation hours.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally I got what needed to be done, done and left.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Luckily almost all the boarders had left</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and it would only be a couple of hours until my evening shift worker would be in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm lucky that I have tomorrow off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another day to recover!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm just bummed because I had so many plans for the last few days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One was a day trip with a friend to drive to a few cool places</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but she had to cancel last minute, so I guess that worked out for the best</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and at least I got the outside stuff almost done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I wanted to work on figuring out Etsy and set up my shop</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and of course work on making Art for Etsy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also had several things I wanted to write about and share in blog posts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Things that happened and I don't want to forget to share!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yep...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh well!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enough whining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I need to stop planning out specific times</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and just do things in little bits and it will get done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now though, I think I will curl up in my big chair</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">with a cup of green tea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and let myself be covered up with my furry critters</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and nap until it's time for bed and my Nyquil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but I mostly just wanted to pop in and let everyone know</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">why I haven't posted in a while.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">XOXOXOXO</span><br />
<br />
<br />Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32438389452256998.post-21786640637309657232016-10-12T18:19:00.000-05:002016-10-12T18:19:08.754-05:00How I am SNAPPING out of it.The last few days I've felt rather...<br />
DEPRESSED.<br />
I know I shouldn't be.<br />
That it's very self-indulgent.<br />
Things are better for me right now than they have been for quite a while..<br />
My work load is lightening up.<br />
A few vacation days are on the horizon.<br />
I'm healthy.<br />
I have a million creative ideas<br />
and yet....<br />
I've felt really<br />
BUMMED OUT.<br />
<br />
Usually when I felt like this, I started to count my blessings.<br />
There are so many people out there with<br />
REAL PROBLEMS<br />
I mean, how dare I!?<br />
<br />
In the past I would give myself a few days.<br />
Just wait for the feeling to pass.<br />
And I usually start researching things<br />
and looking at images that make me happy and feed me creatively.<br />
<br />
I'm not the most tolerant of self-pity<br />
and those who prefer to embrace unhappiness.<br />
Someone I know is always posting on Facebook<br />
about how her life sucks and how everything happens to her<br />
and she's exhausting.<br />
I tried commenting and leaving her encouraging thoughts<br />
but she's like -<br />
"Nope, I'm miserable".<br />
I just backed off and didn't bother to comment further<br />
although I wanted to say -<br />
"And that is how you will stay."<br />
<br />
My own father suffered from depression<br />
and let me say right now, I was not IN a depression.<br />
Just "feeling" depressed and kinda down.<br />
<br />
So yes, for me, time always helps<br />
and SIGNS.<br />
I always think that The Universe puts a sign, a message into my path<br />
to take care of the feeling.<br />
To motivate me, to make me<br />
SNAP OUT OF IT!<br />
<br />
So why was I feeling depressed?<br />
Well, the usual things.<br />
Things going wrong around the house.<br />
Things breaking and the irritation of having to figure out how to fix them and pay for them.<br />
Unexpected bills.<br />
Just the stuff that life is made of<br />
and the downside of being a responsible adult.<br />
<br />
And other stuff.<br />
Stupid stuff like dealing with clutter<br />
SO. MUCH. CLUTTER.<br />
and just making myself get rid of it.<br />
I mean how stupid is that?<br />
That clutter could overwhelm me<br />
when in reality it's something that could be easily remedied.<br />
Trash it or donate it or....<br />
Put it in my booth, when I get my booth.<br />
<br />
Is my booth a good idea?<br />
Jeez, now after a long post about the excitement of getting a booth<br />
I'm questioning it already?!?!?<br />
Should I take my name off of the waiting list?<br />
I had started writing down everything I wanted to do and BAM!<br />
When am I going to have time to do EVERYTHING?<br />
What's most important to me?<br />
When am I going to write?<br />
When am I going to illustrate?<br />
When am I going to learn watercolor?<br />
When am I going to Blog?<br />
When...<br />
Wow, WHT is wrong with me?<br />
<br />
Reading over some of the comments left for me,<br />
while they are all so super supportive, I feel like they mostly were<br />
urging me to set up my shop or at least list my items somewhere online.<br />
Rather than have them at a random booth in the middle of the Midwest....<br />
<br />
I found this quote and WHOA!<br />
This is TOTALLY me! -<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivj76W7VWzXy9UGdKD0va8MMdA6m3SoWy7v20lK41e0gCG3if1OPLYwlFcmxYSc35C0xU74V4u3KtN8gTDX7pvnIKvv5wryRHv-99ooResPQAkRhsm-yEY-wb0aI5HyTmm_aUOrxSLPw/s1600/IMG_1390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivj76W7VWzXy9UGdKD0va8MMdA6m3SoWy7v20lK41e0gCG3if1OPLYwlFcmxYSc35C0xU74V4u3KtN8gTDX7pvnIKvv5wryRHv-99ooResPQAkRhsm-yEY-wb0aI5HyTmm_aUOrxSLPw/s400/IMG_1390.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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(<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://elitedaily.com/">source</a></span>)</div>
I'd be long squished by now.<br />
<br />
And then there were much MUCH bigger things.<br />
The recent death of another person I know to cancer<br />
and now two more people, both beautiful and kind women with families, one being the best friend of someone I'm very close to and another is someone I knew when I was young, both are dealing with terminal cancer.<br />
<br />
Usually news like that immediately pulls me out of my "woe is me" mindset.<br />
The realization of MY good fortune to have good health<br />
kicks me in the butt and tells me to KNOCK IT OFF!<br />
I mean, really!<br />
How dare I whine about anything!<br />
But instead I felt overwhelmed with sadness and the anger at the unfairness of it all.<br />
Why is Cancer still here?<br />
Why can't they find the cure?<br />
Why does it take these wonderful people!?<br />
<br />
Then I finally got to thinking about how time is precious<br />
and how things can change in an instant,<br />
and how I needed to pull myself out of this stupid tailspin.<br />
<br />
Of course there was SOMETHING ELSE that occurred that also caused me to feel so down.<br />
It was a blog post that I had written a long time ago.<br />
I hardly ever go back and read my posts,<br />
but apparently I should.<br />
I had gone to my STATS<br />
and saw that most of my "views" actually were coming from Pinterest!<br />
If I had any common sense at all, I'd be setting up shop on Etsy or somewhere<br />
and then tagging them on Pinterest.<br />
I mean, DUH.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-7VthMuFEospUfeKCiNsBeK61UdvCHUl87MpbNg3x0p5kg59OM3S38w6nuanHE8vtR4TtXjVT3M0sBhjaPOGALBi73ktYwIX9SU62httI05nD9s8vuMo4mw4nEQfw8kYP2LajCkhqA/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-7VthMuFEospUfeKCiNsBeK61UdvCHUl87MpbNg3x0p5kg59OM3S38w6nuanHE8vtR4TtXjVT3M0sBhjaPOGALBi73ktYwIX9SU62httI05nD9s8vuMo4mw4nEQfw8kYP2LajCkhqA/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I went to see what my most popular post was<br />
or at least the one with the most views and this was it:<br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><a href="http://oldblackcatboo.blogspot.com/2011/07/ok-sotoday-is-my-birthday.html">HERE</a></span><br />
So far it has a total of <span style="font-size: large;">17211 views</span>!<br />
Now I realize that most people probably found it while searching for:<br />
Bike riding.<br />
Biking with dogs.<br />
Vespa's.<br />
Vespa's with sidecars for your dog.<br />
5 year plans.<br />
House fires.<br />
or something else, rather than my birthday.<br />
<br />
But this was a post from FIVE YEARS AGO!!!<br />
with my plan on where I'd like to be in FIVE years otherwise known as -<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">NOW</span>.<br />
And that's when I got depressed.<br />
Real depressed.<br />
<br />
Not much has changed from then.<br />
I've just been spinning my wheels<br />
and going nowhere?!<br />
I'm doing better than 10 years ago but....<br />
yeah.<br />
<br />
So, that's what really did me in for awhile.<br />
It stepped on some of my fingers hanging onto the ledge<br />
as I dangled over my Pity party.<br />
The feeling of all that wasted time.<br />
And the feeling of time running out.<br />
The realization again of my mortality.<br />
And... the feeling that my best days are behind me.<br />
<br />
Then I found this:<br />
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(<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.mobypicture.com/user/serenity22/view/19260593">source</a></span>)<br />
Helen Mirren at 71.<br />
<br />
Thank you Helen.<br />
<br />
and this:<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">''I think midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I’m not screwing around. It’s time. All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt – has to go.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.''</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">~ Brené Brown</span></div>
Thank you Brene Brown.<br />
<br />
I needed that.<br />
<br />
Time to stop THINKING and just start DOING.<br />
<br />
In closing, I'm sorry my Blogger friends.<br />
I know that I can be exhausting and majorly repetitive.<br />
Thank you for your patience and kindness.<br />
I hope you are all happy and celebrating Autumn.<br />
I hope you have your lives together and figured out and all is going well.<br />
But if you don't, know that you are not alone<br />
and feel free to share and/or give suggestions on how you SNAP OUT OF IT!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">XOXOXOXO</span><br />
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<br />Cindi Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475347748831862659noreply@blogger.com19