Hello Again

Can't believe it's been nearly a year since my last post. Recovering from the car accident limits my screen time. That is still the situation, but I had to share with all (six) of you that I have adopted a dog. It's been fifteen years and three months since I lost my BJ, so this has been a long time coming.

Operation Kindness is a wonderful shelter here in Dallas, and they had "Lauren" (who is now Violet Lauren), a sweet 1.5 year old "Cairn Terrier mix". I think, due to her longer legs, that she is more Border Terrier. She's all terrier, though! We have chased A LOT of squirrels and cats in the last ten days! :)

She is 17 pounds and is very sweet and people friendly. She likes to "hide" her Nylabones and it's so funny when she "finds" them again! :) She can contort her body out of a collar, and even a harness once, to come with me (going inside to get water for twenty seconds). I'm sure that's how she became a stray. :( We are going to do obedience classes so we can learn to heel, stay, come, and leave it. She cries when I leave (very pitiful sound!) and is afraid of thunder. :( It was intentional to get a dog of her size so I can pick her up when necessary. She loves to be held like a baby. :)

I think she knows I love her. Now I want her to know she is HOME. FOR KEEPS.

Five Di's plus one

Because six di's (dianthus) doesn't really have the same ring to it.

Their friends the Purple Ladies are gone (fungus). Trying to water and will my girls through the brutal next two months.

Happy First Birthday

There is so much to write about when my neck and shoulder heal. But first things first.

This happy redheaded darling turns one today. She is our little peanut. What she lacks in size, she makes up for in personality!  Her big sister cried when Mommy gave her birthday cake. Pretty sure this one will shove it in with both little fists. Happy birthday, Alyssa Jane! Aunt Sarah loves you so much. Hugs and kisses from "far, far away". 

Well, helloooooooooooo......

 So, the reason why I've been away from here, is because my arms and shoulders and neck are still painful from the accidents. But, I wanted to give you a couple of pictures from my recent trip to California with my mom to take care of a little redheads while their parents went on an anniversary getaway.

A redhead selfie (two were sleeping): one current redhead, one former redhead, and one redhead want to be. :)

This Little gal was this happy most of the time, when those pesky teeth weren't bothering her. Unfortunately, The first night that granny and aunt Sarah had the girls by ourselves, Miss Alyssa decided that she liked granny but not me. So, my poor mother was the one that had get up two or three times per night with the baby. 

Three-year-old Kaelynn and I spent a lot of time together. She is growing up and trying to understand things. One of the most precious parts of the visit was at the beginning, when mommy, granny, and aunt Sarah went to pick her up from school. As soon as she saw me, Kaelynn ran to me, and said "I've waited so long for you!" I didn't want to upset her by crying, so I just whispered as I hugged her, "me too, baby, me too." :)

Hopefully, I'll be able to update you on the rest of our trip, and post some more pictures. It really is not fun to not be able to write with both of my arms now being so uncomfortable. It could've been a lot worse, and I'm thankful for good medical care. I'm ready, however, for some little elves to come in and do all the paperwork for me! The paperwork to get the medical bills reimbursed unfortunately involves all the areas that are injured. Sometimes, I just stare out my window, and look at these pretties. It makes everything better.

Purple ladies

About a month ago, my cleaning lady surprised me by planting purple petunias in my backyard. This is the first time I've ever had anything growing back there except weeds!

I can't tell you how much difference it's made to walk through and see these flowers, whom I call my Purple Ladies, each time I come and go from the carport to the house. 

Today, nearly four years after purchasing my house, I sat outside for the first time, just because!  :)

Positive messages

I been meaning to post this for a long time. The last time I had to order jeans (yes, a bigger size) I ordered my typical Lee jeans. I have always worn their jeans, and I also wear their twill pants to work. They just fit me. You know what will help a girl's low self esteem about getting a bigger pair of jeans? These messages on the inside, where only she can see. Boy, is it powerful! I may be ordering more jeans soon, (this time in a smaller size), and I need to tell them how much these affirming words have really made a difference. For all the bad retailer stories we hear out there, and they are well-founded, this one makes up for it, at least in my tiny corner of the planet. :) 

My littlest sunshine

It's been a hard week so far (yes, I know, first world problems)...finding out I sprained my neck in accident and perhaps pinched a nerve and being told by doctor to go down to 30 hrs/wk (from 45-55). Lots of pain from overdoing it the past three days.

Then I found out the guy that caused the accident was not insured. He took out a policy, but didn't make a payment so it was cancelled. This is actually good because my benefits under State Farm are better than they would have been under his. But my car is still not fixed because they keep missing spots and it's been over two weeks that they have had it for minor work.

And then when I got home yesterday after my first 6 hrs day turned into 7.5 hrs and counting, this was waiting for me. Suddenly all the other stuff just faded away, and I remembered its all about joy. I dare you to look at my littlest sunshine, Alyssa Jane, now 8 months, and not smile!

You're welcome.