* SAD NEWS ABOUT CHARLIE *

Ron and I had to say goodbye to our beloved Charlie Thursday evening. We knew it was coming sometime soon, but he went downhill quickly...He hadn't eaten in almost 2 days, but drank water pretty much like normal, went outside always for potty, and was getting up and down the steps okay. But Thursday he began to really look confused and wasn't walking good and the last time he drank any water, he immediately threw it up...just the water.

(He had blood tests about 3 weeks ago and had very serious problems that no one was aware of. He had liver problems, thyroid problems, diabetes and a heart murmur! And he never seemed sick or uncomfortable before then.)

We had an appointment for this morning, so we could see our usual vet, but we didn't want Charlie to have to wait that long, so the clinic fit us in and they were all so kind, just like always.

I told Ron I can't go through this again and don't want another fur baby, and I truly believe it this time.

This was Charlie on his 12th birthday, this past February. 

I love this picture! This was earlier this year. Ron was walking with Charlie, and all of a sudden this stray cat decided he not only wanted to follow them home, he wanted to walk right next to Charlie and look at him as his new best friend! (Have you ever seen something like that?!) I think it's so adorable. Our next door neighbor already had a couple of cats, and she happily adopted this little guy, who she named Lucky!

Below are just a few of my favorite Charlie photos. 

~~~~~

And 2 beautiful quotes. 

* IT'S JULY 10TH ? *

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family. I think of all of you every day and hope all is well in your lives, as well. 

The only one who's doing a bit "poorly" is Charlie. He has some issues with his liver AND thyroid, but he's on some meds, so hoping he will be all better soon! (If these don't do the trick, he'll need an ultrasound, which costs a lot of $$$) 

Oh, our son, Mark, who moved to New Orleans last year for a teaching job, drove up and surprised the heck out of us on Father's Day!! I've never had such an awesome surprise. He stayed with friends and was here for 2 weeks, so we got to see him quite a bit. Next, he's on to Rochester, NY for a new teaching position. Nothing like going from hot and humid, to cold and snowy! But he LOVES snow, so he should love it there! 😃

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family.

* THOUGHTS ON A WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON *

Recently, I've scrolled through my blog looking at photos I posted, and the topics I wrote about. 

And I gotta say, I wrote some pretty darn good blog posts! 😀

It almost makes me sad that those days are gone now, for me anyway, 

and I can't seem to get back into it.

Some people are still blogging just as much as they did long ago. 

I noticed most of my posts were done from 2009 to 2013.

Those were the years I was so passionate about writing; Working to get my memoir completed. Submitting stories here and there for possible publications. 

And the beginning of some wonderful relationships with blog friends. 

Many I still have. Many I need to work on.

I did complete my memoir and published it in November 2013. 

A lot has happened between then and now. Some good, some bad. Some happy, some sad. 

Here it is...the year 2020! That really does sound odd, doesn't it? 

I don't make bucket lists or predictions or promises, but I can say this...

I'm going to do everything in my power to live this year, the best I can.

And this guy here, who is smiling, brings me happiness every single day. 

"Charlie's the name. Bringing joy is my game!"

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
― Oscar Wilde

ENJOYING OUR SCREENED-IN PORCH

Charlie finally believed me when I said he'd see much better from the love seat than standing on the floor.

If this works, you'll see part of the porch, my feet, a cup of coffee and the beautiful chirping of birds. 

We just love it here. 

So relaxing, beautiful, great neighbors.

* I haven't posted a photo of Charlie lately....have I? *

Charlie brings so much joy into our lives!

I think he looks pretty happy, too, don't you?  

~~~~~~

I was snacking on something and he's using his best 

Please share with me, Mom look!

~~~~~~

We've had lovely autumn-like temperatures and that makes me really happy!

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! 

* QUITE A FEW CHALLENGES *

You know how sometimes it seems like a lot of good things happen all at once?
No, me neither!

But, it does seem like challenges, crises, stressful situations kind of come in bunches. I'm going through some of those right now.

Charlie is getting surgery tomorrow morning to have a cyst removed and checked for cancer. (This is our first doggie to ever need surgery.)

My oldest son, Scott, has been going through A LOT for way too long and doesn't seem to think he needs help.

I've got some health issues that don't seem to be serious, but have been stressful and a bit worrisome.

Well....isn't this a cheerful blog post?!

I just felt the need to share these things tonight and to ask for well wishes/prayers/etc. I will post updates on Charlie as soon as possible, and on any other happenings concerning the above info.

And below are some favorite photos/jokes from long ago blog posts. 

* ICE STORM COMING MY WAY? *

Hello friends!

I've been a little under the weather since Tuesday morning, and glad I don't have any big plans for this weekend...for two reasons:

1) I haven't felt that great. I've been sneezing and freezing (when it was still warm out!)
2) We're supposed to be getting a big ice storm.

So, Charlie's been keeping me company, we're hunkered down, and trying to stay warm. J

Wherever you are, hope you are feeling fantastic and enjoying good weather!

*One of my favorite quotes below!*

"When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with glad cries of ‘ME, TOO!” be sure to cherish them. Because those weirdos are your tribe." - Nanea Hoffman

* MERRY CHRISTMAS 2016 *

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

 

 

(December 2008)

 

from Ron and me

 

 

 

and...

 

(December 2016)

 

Charlie (waiting for Santa to fill his stocking!

 

* SOMETHING FOR ELECTION DAY IN THE USA *

This is what I posted on Facebook early this afternoon, and decided I wanted to share it with my blog friends:


Just got back from taking Charlie for a walk. It's drizzling here, but not too bad and not really cold. Stopped and talked with a neighbor friend, who was sitting on one of the boardwalk benches, with a rain poncho on. From a distance, I couldn't tell who it was, but thought to myself.....Only _______ would sit out here in the rain and look at the lake! And yep, it was him! We had a brief discussion about the election....glad it's over, and hope "your" person wins, without saying who we voted for. And on the way back home, a calmness came over me, and I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. The weight of all the junk we have all endured the past few months. And I knew right then, that no matter who wins tonight, it is only for four years, and life will go on. I'm happy to live in the USA, and definitely will NOT be moving, no matter who the next president is!

* MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT *

I haven't intentionally kept my major announcement a secret from y'all, but with all the other things going on the past few weeks, it just didn't seem the right time to share it. But tonight....

 

 

 

After Ron and I had to say goodbye on May 16th to our beloved lab/mix Vern, we both said, "Never again!" We truly believed that Vern was the last of the Best Dogs in the Whole World. We didn't even want to look at other dogs. None could ever "replace" Vern, we knew that of course, but we didn't want to ever feel that devastated again...

 

But time has a way of helping people look at things differently. We discovered we did want and need another furry member of our family. We still had lots of love to give, and we wanted another "older" shelter dog. And once again, serendipity worked its magic...

 

We are delighted to announce the adoption of...

 

Charlie: an 8 year old Beagle/mix

(I've always wanted a beagle!)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the day he came to our condo for a "meet & greet" he appeared to feel very much at home with us. We've had him now for about a month and every day he gets cuter, and more fun, and more loving! Isn't he adorable?? (How could anyone leave this beautiful, sweet guy at a shelter?? Well, because they did, though, Charlie has a new, loving home, and Ron and I are so happy and full of joy again!)

 

 

 

Snoopy is a Beagle....Charlie is a Beagle/Mix.....

Get it?! Your comments will make Charlie happy! J