December's Illusion

I always hate goodbye, especially to my daughters and granddaughters. My heart feels so empty tonight, it echos like the walls of my apartment do in the quiet absence of those three very important people in my life.

Last month I wrote about No Help For Maggie and our heart wrenching search to find some one to help us give her the medical care that she so desperately deserves. I had been searching literally for almost a year for help with the funding for her surgery and it was coming down to us having to make a decision that we hated to make but knew in our hearts was the best alternative for her since we couldn’t bare to see her suffer.

We had finally agreed to have her put down 3 weeks ago and I was in our complex management office and happened to mention to them our decision. I was given a name of another place to seek help from and because my love for Maggie is so great I figured that it couldn’t hurt to try one more place.

That one more place is Maggie’s saving grace. The Top Dog Foundation has a program called the Bentley Grant Program and we were just told that they will fund Maggie’s surgery to remove the multiple tumors on her.

When I received the information on the phone I was literally jumping up and down with joy. Maggie is such a special dog and means all the world to me – I am so happy that we can finally get her the help that she needs – she is scheduled for surgery on the 27th of this month.

If any of you that might read this have charities that you donate to or are looking for a good place to donate funds to – Top Dog Foundation is definitely a great cause. You can read about their organization on their website and see for yourself. I know that when my financial situation turns around I am going to give back all that I can to this worthy cause.

This is mine and Tom’s tenth anniversary. Ten years ago today we said “I do” to better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. It has been ten years of worse, laced with some better and tons of sickness with very little health. But throughout it all, there has been an on going, loving and committed marriage. If I am have to have both crappy health and broke, I am so glad that Tom is the man he is who takes his vows as seriously as I do.

When I think back over the past ten years, there are a lot of things that I would do differently, if I had that chance to do them differently, but there are many things I would never want to change, and marrying Tom is one of those that I am so happy that I did.

With that paragraph, a cry from the other room calls out making me wish I would have started writing sooner. Work calls, my little day care bundle just woke from his nap…

Guess I’ll reminisce on this another time.

So last night Tom and I are lying in bed, me with my laptop looking at knitting patterns and he beside me trying to sleep and he tells me I can shut off the heating pad, the rest of the conversation went something like this…

Me: yeah, but I would like it on my feet if you are done with it.

Him: I didn’t have it on my feet, I couldn’t get it there.

Me: that’s because I’m lying on the cord, I guess.

Him: Yeah, but you know what I really want?

Me: Hmmm?

Him: I want you to roll over and snuggle up beside me…

Me: aww, well just a sec…

Him:…So I can snore in your ear.

Me: dork.

Him: Its only cuz I love you.

I thought that I would share some of my birthday pictures with you. Tom got a hold of the camera, so this is me…on my birthday, after caring for 4 kids that day in my daycare…I was wiped out, but I sure had fun!

Make a Wish!

I can’t think of a better picture to post for my un-organized attempt at posting a picture of the week – guess I should have named it occasional images, or picture of the moment or something similar… but anyway, this one gets my vote for this time.

My youngest daughter Steph after she has lost around 60 pounds. The girl has determination, and it certainly paid off nicely. I personally think she is quite stunning.

My Beautiful Stephanie

and to think people say she looks just like me – funny, I can’t ever recall looking this damn hot at her age!

This was during the month of December & January.