WARNING: This is a tear jerker!
Read this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090122
Now I offer up my thoughts:
I read this article and sobbed like the giant emotional baby that I am. Having grown up with dogs all of my life, I have experienced this several times when our dogs got old and then some dogs that didn't live as long as they should have and all left us for the better place, the moon (I like that explanation). It's like losing a part of your soul and it hurts (badly) and another dog can help but never replace the one you just lost.
I dread this day when my baby girl, Sophie, who's currently six and has been my constant, my unconditional love and my (silent) support thru some tough times, has to leave me. I know it's a part of life but she's like my shadow, my sidekick and I laughingly say she's got more miles on her than my car because she pretty much travels with me everywhere (those of you that we've come to visit can attest).
She likes to be with me just as much as I with her. I've had some close calls with her that have made me question how much longer I have left with her, but then I realized I can't do that to myself. So we live and love each day and don't worry about anything else.
The day that dreadful day comes though, I don't know what I'm going to do. One thing I do know is that I'll be an absolute dreadful, teary mess. I know a part of me will die with her (I know she's a dog but she's been my one and only child for the past 6 years). If I make it past that day, I'll be surprised.
It'd be best to have my # on speed dial that day to check on me. Oh, I can't even type this without tearing up but I smile knowing when I gp home, my girl will be waiting, her gums/lips stuck to her teeth smiling, "talking" about her day and showering me with her affection.
Life is good! Dog's are grand!
Dog = GOD spelled backwards
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Long Overdue
So a lot has happened since I last checked in and at the current moment I'm exhausted so I'm going to make this brief.
I was on the job hunt for 7 (yes I said SEVEN) months and finally found a job. Actually, I was lucky enough to have found 2 and I went with Choice B. I was sent out of town for a week (which I did have 2 nights of fun - 1 catching up with a former coworker from my job that I just left and I did get to see some family that I haven't seen in several years- YEA) of orientation and learned that not only is this place different, I went one from extreme (read: laid back - as in I took 3 hour "lunches" every day) to the other extreme (read: "Um, yes I need to go to the bathroom, is that OK?") but I'm handling it. As is the case with any kind of change, you have to adapt and adapt I shall.
In other news, and I'm OH SO EXCITED about this news....my tennis team has made it to the first round of playoffs. This is exciting because a) it's been a long time since I've been there with any team I've been a part of and b) my team has some serious skillz and I'm excited at the potential of kicking some butt and showing our game. The other part to that story is, we actually don't know for sure if we've made it yet but I'm going for the power of positive thinking here folks. We have a bye this coming weekend but preliminary numbers show that we are in second place and the top two teams go to playoffs. Regardless, still fun and exciting.
Not much else to report and I know that brief little update doesn't make me sound all that busy but I have been. I do have to say that I cannot believe we're almost at the end of October. Seriously? Where did 2008 go?
I was on the job hunt for 7 (yes I said SEVEN) months and finally found a job. Actually, I was lucky enough to have found 2 and I went with Choice B. I was sent out of town for a week (which I did have 2 nights of fun - 1 catching up with a former coworker from my job that I just left and I did get to see some family that I haven't seen in several years- YEA) of orientation and learned that not only is this place different, I went one from extreme (read: laid back - as in I took 3 hour "lunches" every day) to the other extreme (read: "Um, yes I need to go to the bathroom, is that OK?") but I'm handling it. As is the case with any kind of change, you have to adapt and adapt I shall.
In other news, and I'm OH SO EXCITED about this news....my tennis team has made it to the first round of playoffs. This is exciting because a) it's been a long time since I've been there with any team I've been a part of and b) my team has some serious skillz and I'm excited at the potential of kicking some butt and showing our game. The other part to that story is, we actually don't know for sure if we've made it yet but I'm going for the power of positive thinking here folks. We have a bye this coming weekend but preliminary numbers show that we are in second place and the top two teams go to playoffs. Regardless, still fun and exciting.
Not much else to report and I know that brief little update doesn't make me sound all that busy but I have been. I do have to say that I cannot believe we're almost at the end of October. Seriously? Where did 2008 go?
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Happy Early Birthday
So I'm early on this but I'd rather be early than late.
There's a very special someone's birthday this weekend, tomorrow (7/20) to be exact. We won't ask how old as that's rude, but it doesn't matter anyway because once you hit 30, birthdays are just numbers. What I do know is that he's a true kid at heart and for that we all love and adore him.
A quirky little story about how I met Richard. We were both working at the fabulous FLC but on different floors. I was always having to go upstairs to get the mail or to check on some printing and I would always run into this guy (Richard) on almost every trip I made upstairs. On my next trip up, sure enough here came this guy again so I just said, "I should probably introduce myself since I see you all the time. I'm Kristine." The look on his face was priceless and then he told me his name was Richard and we went about our ways. I can't remember exactly any indepth conversations we had but I know we went on a couple company outings and lived through the same hell (I mean fun), so we have those memories to share. It actually wasn't until after I left my job there that our friendship really blossomed and for that I'm eternally grateful.
Richard, you helped me in more ways than you realize get through some really dark, gloomy, ugly days and now look at me. Once a doormat now shark! I don't put up with no @#%^&! Seriously though, your sense of humor, compassion and sincere genuineness are one in a million and I for one am greatly honored to have you as a dear friend.
I don't know if I told ever you this or not but when my friend's dad died VERY unexpectedly several years ago, out of the blue I received a CD compilation from you of songs that had some kind of symbolism or words to get through the time of loss (I took this loss very hard as Mr. Brennan was a mentor to me and I had just seen him several days before and then bam, he was gone).
Your CD was by far the best and most thoughtful gift I have ever received in all my life, especially in that kind of a situation. I still cherish that CD and pulled it out again when I lost my grandfather. We share a passion for the love of music and honestly, music soothes my heart and soul. There's always a song for every mood or thought I have and I think you are one in a few who can actually understand, respect and appreciate that about me.
Anyway, sorry to get so mushy but if I've learned anything lately it's that no matter what, there's never a time like the present to let those people special to you know just how special you are.
Happy Birthday Richard. May all your birthday wishes come true. ;-)
In honor of you, here's a song by your favorite band...(can't even type that with a straight face).
There's a very special someone's birthday this weekend, tomorrow (7/20) to be exact. We won't ask how old as that's rude, but it doesn't matter anyway because once you hit 30, birthdays are just numbers. What I do know is that he's a true kid at heart and for that we all love and adore him.
A quirky little story about how I met Richard. We were both working at the fabulous FLC but on different floors. I was always having to go upstairs to get the mail or to check on some printing and I would always run into this guy (Richard) on almost every trip I made upstairs. On my next trip up, sure enough here came this guy again so I just said, "I should probably introduce myself since I see you all the time. I'm Kristine." The look on his face was priceless and then he told me his name was Richard and we went about our ways. I can't remember exactly any indepth conversations we had but I know we went on a couple company outings and lived through the same hell (I mean fun), so we have those memories to share. It actually wasn't until after I left my job there that our friendship really blossomed and for that I'm eternally grateful.
Richard, you helped me in more ways than you realize get through some really dark, gloomy, ugly days and now look at me. Once a doormat now shark! I don't put up with no @#%^&! Seriously though, your sense of humor, compassion and sincere genuineness are one in a million and I for one am greatly honored to have you as a dear friend.
I don't know if I told ever you this or not but when my friend's dad died VERY unexpectedly several years ago, out of the blue I received a CD compilation from you of songs that had some kind of symbolism or words to get through the time of loss (I took this loss very hard as Mr. Brennan was a mentor to me and I had just seen him several days before and then bam, he was gone).
Your CD was by far the best and most thoughtful gift I have ever received in all my life, especially in that kind of a situation. I still cherish that CD and pulled it out again when I lost my grandfather. We share a passion for the love of music and honestly, music soothes my heart and soul. There's always a song for every mood or thought I have and I think you are one in a few who can actually understand, respect and appreciate that about me.
Anyway, sorry to get so mushy but if I've learned anything lately it's that no matter what, there's never a time like the present to let those people special to you know just how special you are.
Happy Birthday Richard. May all your birthday wishes come true.
In honor of you, here's a song by your favorite band...(can't even type that with a straight face).
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Spiritual Comfort
I'm writing this so that I never forget this one.
I honestly still can't believe it "happened" to me but I find it very comforting. I am a very restless sleeper and have very horrible sleeping spells. I've gone through one lately but last night I slept so good. I'm not one to dream or if I do I never, ever remember them but something happened to me last night.
I woke up early this morning from a dream that I had. My dream/message/premonition (whatever you want to call it) was this:
I was crying as I was standing over Grandpa and it appeared as though I was in a hospital or someplace similar. I believe Grandpa had just passed and I was hugging him and sobbing profusely as I told him "good bye & I love you always". Just as I got the last word out of my mouth, I heard Grandpa. I was staring at him and didn't see his lips moving so I presume it was his spirit talking to me and he said, "what the hell are ya cryin' for?" (It sounded just like the time we were all at Grandpa's bedside before he passed and we (the family) were all crying and he piped up, "what the hell are ya cryin' for" - with that faint Brooklyn accent he had).
Now back to my dream.
After Grandpa asked me what I was crying for, I told him that I was sad because he left us and just as I was about to go on further he cut me off and said, "Don't worry, I'm OK and I'm in a better place". Immediately after that I woke wide awake with tears streaming down my face and I couldn't go back to sleep. Honestly, I didn't want to go back to sleep for fear I'd forget this moment.
I seriously couldn't get over what had just happened and I truly believe in my heart of hearts that Grandpa wanted me to tell my family that he's watching over us. I know we all knew that but I'm taking my "visit with Grandpa" last night [dream] as his personal confirmation.
I honestly still can't believe it "happened" to me but I find it very comforting. I am a very restless sleeper and have very horrible sleeping spells. I've gone through one lately but last night I slept so good. I'm not one to dream or if I do I never, ever remember them but something happened to me last night.
I woke up early this morning from a dream that I had. My dream/message/premonition (whatever you want to call it) was this:
I was crying as I was standing over Grandpa and it appeared as though I was in a hospital or someplace similar. I believe Grandpa had just passed and I was hugging him and sobbing profusely as I told him "good bye & I love you always". Just as I got the last word out of my mouth, I heard Grandpa. I was staring at him and didn't see his lips moving so I presume it was his spirit talking to me and he said, "what the hell are ya cryin' for?" (It sounded just like the time we were all at Grandpa's bedside before he passed and we (the family) were all crying and he piped up, "what the hell are ya cryin' for" - with that faint Brooklyn accent he had).
Now back to my dream.
After Grandpa asked me what I was crying for, I told him that I was sad because he left us and just as I was about to go on further he cut me off and said, "Don't worry, I'm OK and I'm in a better place". Immediately after that I woke wide awake with tears streaming down my face and I couldn't go back to sleep. Honestly, I didn't want to go back to sleep for fear I'd forget this moment.
I seriously couldn't get over what had just happened and I truly believe in my heart of hearts that Grandpa wanted me to tell my family that he's watching over us. I know we all knew that but I'm taking my "visit with Grandpa" last night [dream] as his personal confirmation.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I guess I'll eat grass
So... I stumbled across this article today and my conclusion is this, looks like I'm going to look like a bloated, beached whale everytime I throw on my "tankini" (cause lord knows the bikinis have long since vanished from this girl's beach/pool attire) and head to the pool. N.I.C.E!
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/9196/the-6-worst-swimsuit-foods/
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/9196/the-6-worst-swimsuit-foods/
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Dreadful 3's
You know that saying that death happens in threes? Well I'm convinced after these past few weeks that it's not just deaths that occur in threes, it's just bad news in general.
Case in point:
1) May 31st, my Grandpa passed away shockingly and suddenly from pancreatic cancer.
2) A week after that, we find out my Grandpa's brother has been given 6 months to live.
And last but not least,
3) My cousin, Rick in California, his wife, Susan, had a massive stroke very suddenly at 4:30 AM a week ago. Completely, totally and utterly freakin' ridiculous considering she's young (in her mid to late 30s) and she's in good health! Rick believes this is a side effect to a new birth control pill she recently started taking. Initially she was paralyzed on the left side and was having difficulty speaking.
My last update on her condition was that they went and opened her skull to help alleviate some of the brain swelling and that it appeared to help some but she's far from out of the woods. She's still in a coma like state but squeezes my Rick's hand upon request (1 = yes, 2 = no). This is just unbelievable! Rick and Susan are proud parents to 4-yr. old twins who miss their mommy and want to know where she is and when she's coming home. This is an extremely trying time for Rick who fears Susan has a 50/50 chance of pulling through this.
UPDATE 6/17/08 - Susan had her breathing tube removed and was able to get into a wheel chair and take a ride around the hospital. She's not able to talk due to the breathing tube but the first words she wrote were, "I want a Pepsi". Sounds like she's on a good road to recovery. We're sure praying!
Honestly, I'm beginning to wonder what I've done wrong to deserve all this. ;-(
Please keep my family in your prayers. Goodness gracious I'm tired of all this dreadful news!
Case in point:
1) May 31st, my Grandpa passed away shockingly and suddenly from pancreatic cancer.
2) A week after that, we find out my Grandpa's brother has been given 6 months to live.
And last but not least,
3) My cousin, Rick in California, his wife, Susan, had a massive stroke very suddenly at 4:30 AM a week ago. Completely, totally and utterly freakin' ridiculous considering she's young (in her mid to late 30s) and she's in good health! Rick believes this is a side effect to a new birth control pill she recently started taking. Initially she was paralyzed on the left side and was having difficulty speaking.
My last update on her condition was that they went and opened her skull to help alleviate some of the brain swelling and that it appeared to help some but she's far from out of the woods. She's still in a coma like state but squeezes my Rick's hand upon request (1 = yes, 2 = no). This is just unbelievable! Rick and Susan are proud parents to 4-yr. old twins who miss their mommy and want to know where she is and when she's coming home. This is an extremely trying time for Rick who fears Susan has a 50/50 chance of pulling through this.
UPDATE 6/17/08 - Susan had her breathing tube removed and was able to get into a wheel chair and take a ride around the hospital. She's not able to talk due to the breathing tube but the first words she wrote were, "I want a Pepsi". Sounds like she's on a good road to recovery. We're sure praying!
Honestly, I'm beginning to wonder what I've done wrong to deserve all this. ;-(
Please keep my family in your prayers. Goodness gracious I'm tired of all this dreadful news!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Lost Time
I'm a watch person. When I forget to put it on in the morning, my left wrist feels naked and I feel lost not knowing what time it is. When you stop to think about that, it's a little crazy considering there's clocks all around us these days - cell phones, computers, clocks in your car, etc.
Anyway, I bought this nice watch, oh I don't know, maybe 4 or 5 years ago. Nothing fancy - Citizen Eco Drive (means you never have to change a battery), two-tone watch with the date. But, I loved it and it suited my needs perfectly.
So I was playing tennis a couple of months ago at the tennis center and I accidentally wore my watch. I remembered taking it off and I thought I put it in one of the million pockets in my tennis bag. When I got home later that night, the watch was MIA. I tore my bag apart but to no avail. and then I briefly remembered getting a call on my cell and to get to the phone, I had to take my watch out - so I thought I might have left the watch on the bench.
After numerous phone calls and a couple of trips retracing my steps, I was forced to come to the reality that my irresponsibilitiness (not a word but just hang with me here), I lost my watch.
Fast forward two months Still no watch and I can't take it any longer. I march into Macy's determined to buy the same watch and get on with my life. Not so fast! They didn't have anything even close to the same model, or price for that matter but I had made my mind up. I was NOT going to leave without a watch on my wrist.
After lollygaggling around for 20 mins. I finally decide on one and promise to give Macy's my first born child and off I go, new silver with diamonds timepiece flashing on my wrist. I got in the car and had a two-sided conversation with myself. (Picture the cartoon where the angel/good conscience is on one shoulder, the devil/bad conscience on the other shoulder.) First, I was happy that I finally had a watch and yes, it was nice. Secondly, the price I just paid was insane AND it wasn't my old watch. Fast forward a month. Watch is good and it's grown on me more and more.
Then it happened - I played tennis this past weekend in the most ridiculous heat I've ever experienced. Stamp "IDIOT" on my forehead, I sure wanted to.
In between sets I was taking a brief water break and reached into a pocket in my tennis bag. I was fumbling around for my chapstick when I felt something weird. I pulled it out and lo and behold, it was MY OLD WATCH!
I couldn't believe it as I had torn that tennis bag apart on multiple occassions making sure I didn't put the watch in a different pocket back on that fateful day. So I got home tickled pink that I've found my old watch and told my parents the story. Yay, happy day and now I have TWO watches.
Then I moved this past weekend and I remember putting my NEW watch, the $$$ one, in my jewelry bag and putting the bag somewhere "safe", but where that place is, I just don't know. Everything is unpacked in my new place but this jewelry bag is mysteriously missing along with my new watch.
UGH! I guess I'm out with old, in with the new. In with the old, out with the new. I just can't win.
PS - If you happen to see a new, shiny silver Citizen Eco Drive with diamonds watch - um, yea...that's mine and I'd appreciate it's return.
I think the lesson here is to keep me away from any & all jewelry.
Anyway, I bought this nice watch, oh I don't know, maybe 4 or 5 years ago. Nothing fancy - Citizen Eco Drive (means you never have to change a battery), two-tone watch with the date. But, I loved it and it suited my needs perfectly.
So I was playing tennis a couple of months ago at the tennis center and I accidentally wore my watch. I remembered taking it off and I thought I put it in one of the million pockets in my tennis bag. When I got home later that night, the watch was MIA. I tore my bag apart but to no avail. and then I briefly remembered getting a call on my cell and to get to the phone, I had to take my watch out - so I thought I might have left the watch on the bench.
After numerous phone calls and a couple of trips retracing my steps, I was forced to come to the reality that my irresponsibilitiness (not a word but just hang with me here), I lost my watch.
Fast forward two months Still no watch and I can't take it any longer. I march into Macy's determined to buy the same watch and get on with my life. Not so fast! They didn't have anything even close to the same model, or price for that matter but I had made my mind up. I was NOT going to leave without a watch on my wrist.
After lollygaggling around for 20 mins. I finally decide on one and promise to give Macy's my first born child and off I go, new silver with diamonds timepiece flashing on my wrist. I got in the car and had a two-sided conversation with myself. (Picture the cartoon where the angel/good conscience is on one shoulder, the devil/bad conscience on the other shoulder.) First, I was happy that I finally had a watch and yes, it was nice. Secondly, the price I just paid was insane AND it wasn't my old watch. Fast forward a month. Watch is good and it's grown on me more and more.
Then it happened - I played tennis this past weekend in the most ridiculous heat I've ever experienced. Stamp "IDIOT" on my forehead, I sure wanted to.
In between sets I was taking a brief water break and reached into a pocket in my tennis bag. I was fumbling around for my chapstick when I felt something weird. I pulled it out and lo and behold, it was MY OLD WATCH!
I couldn't believe it as I had torn that tennis bag apart on multiple occassions making sure I didn't put the watch in a different pocket back on that fateful day. So I got home tickled pink that I've found my old watch and told my parents the story. Yay, happy day and now I have TWO watches.
Then I moved this past weekend and I remember putting my NEW watch, the $$$ one, in my jewelry bag and putting the bag somewhere "safe", but where that place is, I just don't know. Everything is unpacked in my new place but this jewelry bag is mysteriously missing along with my new watch.
UGH! I guess I'm out with old, in with the new. In with the old, out with the new. I just can't win.
PS - If you happen to see a new, shiny silver Citizen Eco Drive with diamonds watch - um, yea...that's mine and I'd appreciate it's return.
I think the lesson here is to keep me away from any & all jewelry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
