True Love

Dear Mr. Boogie,

I can still picture that very first day when we met. The Pioneers club was hosting a Pet Adopt-A-Thon in the parking lot behind building 3. I can picture all the tents out there and the parking lot was buzzing with people coming to check out all the animals. I managed to drag your first Daddy there to "look". He was not a dog person, so you were destined to be a Momma's boy from Day 1.

You were hanging near the volunteers from the shelter. You always wanted to be near the people you felt safest with, scared to venture too far into the world without your security blanket. You had a bandanna tied around your neck. You were so skinny, only 35 lbs! I spent a good 45 mins with you, petting you, talking with the volunteers - you even ventured for a little walk with me! We went over to the edge of the lot by the trees so you could sniff around. I went off to lunch in the cafeteria and begged your first Daddy to let me get you. Finally he agreed and we went back to fill out the application. While I was in the middle of it, one of the volunteers came over and told me there was another woman filling out an application for you! I was suddenly so nervous that she was going to get you and I'd lose you, but the girl told me that they'd already decided that they liked me better. Yea!!! I've often wondered what would've become of you had that other woman gotten you. Would she have stood by you all the times you were sick? Would she have paid all the medical bills, given you all your medicines and drops, loved you as much as I did even when you were too sick to play?

We had a wedding to go to about a week after we picked you up. I had asked the shelter if they could hold onto you for another week so we didn't have to disrupt you after you just came home, but they said nope - if we wanted you, we had to get you ASAP. So we did and then I called Grandma. Thankfully the wedding was in Utica, so her and Grandpa met us at the mall in Syracuse and we dropped you off with them for the night. I'm sure they had no idea what they were getting into! Grandma loved you so much too. She was a founding member of your fan club. When we picked you up the next day we heard all about how you loved to run circles around the dining room table and discovered that the empty milk jugs were downstairs in the basement in the recycle box. You would disappear and next thing she knew you were coming up the stairs with a gallon jug in your mouth. Grandma and Grandpa also watched you for 2 weeks while first Daddy & I went to Australia. You took naps next to Grandpa in the recliner and went for walks with Grandma. You introduced her to Bob & Bob and your friends Nubby & Andy. Grandma still laughs about how when we returned home, you came down the stairs, saw us, and ran back up stairs because you didn't believe it was us! Finally you came back down and jumped the last 5 stairs so that you could greet us - you were so excited and so were we.

You had so much fun those first few years. We would often go walking in the woods, swimming at the beach, and there were always walks and play dates with the Bobs. Then one day I saw you have a seizure and I was so scared. That was when our lives changed. It was a long road to get the medicine regulated so that it helped your seizure clusters but didn't drug you out too much. At one point it even made you unable to walk! It was really tough and I was scared. But you were such a good sport through it all. You hardly ever cried or complained when you were sick and didn't feel well. You just wanted attention and to be loved.

When we met your real Daddy, he wasn't so sure about you either. You were confused with your life and missed me during the day. When you were upset - you had accidents where you weren't supposed to! You never chewed anything or misbehaved in other typical dog ways, but you certainly let me know you weren't happy! Finally you met your sister Blackie and we moved into the house. You were very happy then. There was room for you to run circles - our whole downstairs was a circle. You followed Blackie around trying to get her to play, but mostly she just bossed you around. You were such a goofball and she was such a little prisspot. You also loved the girls, you had such puppy dog eyes that they would always give you a treat even if they weren't supposed to. It was so hard to deny you. Even me & Daddy couldn't.

There were many times that you were sick or had clusters of seizures and each time I would get so scared. Especially when we couldn't stop the seizures and they just kept coming. And the time you had pancreatitis! Poor Dr. Barry didn't think you were going to make it and Daddy & I were really, really worried that time. I think you were like a cat with 9 lives. Finally when you lost your sight, that was when things took a turn for the worse. You were always so scared and nervous and not being able to see, you just didn't want to walk anywhere. You lost a lot of muscle strength and Daddy & I ended up having to carry you. Then you got colitis and were always so sick. You'd be ok for a little while, but then it would kick in and you wouldn't feel well for a few days. I think we knew for awhile we would have to say goodbye to you, but we were so sad we just couldn't admit it. Especially me. You were my baby and meant the world to me. You still do and I miss you desperately. I hope that you are happy now up in Heaven, playing with Blackie and Grandpa. I know you don't feel sick anymore, can see, and can run all over in circles like you used to love to do. I will see you someday and until then I remember all the wonderful things about you.

• I remember how you always used to tilt your head and give that eternal puppy dog look.
• I remember picking you up from Dr. Boden's with a perfect little red lipstick kiss on your forehead.
• I remember how much you loved PullToy and Bird.
• I remember when you ate all 2 lbs of my Williams & Sonoma Peppermint Bark!
• I remember when you wrapped yourself around the mailbox pole because you were scared of the UPS man.
• I remember how you used to fight Blackie for the spot in front of the door.
• I remember you sleeping on all our Christmas presents under the tree.
• I remember Grandma walking home fuming while you strolled along happily next to her, soaking wet and smelly from the creek.
• I remember you laying across the front seat of my car, your head in my lap while we took road trips together.
• I remember you peeking around the corner of the stairs trying to see who was at the door but not wanting to make yourself known.
• I remember how you'd always act brave and bark at strangers, but only after Blackie did first.
• I remember how you used to love to lay next to us on the bed or couch, cuddling with us.
• I remember your little prance you would do when you were excited and happy to see us.
• I remember how you stared at the automatic door during obedience class trying to figure out how to escape.
• I remember how soft and fluffy you were and how you always let me hug you.
• I remember singing to you before bed as I rubbed your ears and you fell asleep.
• I remember how your tail would curl up like a piglet and wag up & down instead of side to side.

I will remember it all Spencer and I will miss you more than anything. I love you more than words can say. You were the best dog and friend anyone could've asked for.

Spencer (2000-2011)

It's Official - I'm an Antique

While today wasn't really the start of our vacation, it was Monday which meant it was the first day we didn't have to go to work. We took the opportunity to head to Adamstown, PA, self-proclaimed "Antiques Capital USA". We are attempting to find something to put on the ledge above the front door - that horrible place that no one really notices because it's so high up, but looks terribly empty when you do look at it. We did manage to get a few ideas, but without the confidence to know how they would look (and without a return policy!) we decided it was best to come home, put a few varying sized objects on the ledge and see what looked good. However, in our shopping we have witnessed numerous items from our childhoods. Which makes it official - we're antiques. Course I also saw a 3 foot plastic Pete's Wicked Ale bottle for sale and I figure there's no way that's truly an antique, so clearly my childhood memories, and thus me, are not either!!!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Vacation

Ok, so this isn't exactly what awaits me unless the ocean show up in my backyard within the next 72 hours. However, that doesn't mean that I am not very, super-duper, incredibly, totally, a lot, majorly, really, looking forward to our first vacation in 3 years!!!! And while we're not actually going anywhere, we still have a list of items a mile long that we'd like to do, including plenty of eating, drinking, and relaxing. Should be really good for my recent diet, but oh well. Sacrifices will just have to be made!

Visiting NJ

Since moving to PA seven months ago, I've only been back to NJ twice and both of those trips were within the first month of moving. To be honest, I haven't had any desire to go back. I may have called Monmouth County home for almost 15 years, but I was ready to leave. I'd had enough of the traffic, the craziness, and the attitudes of people in general. I longed for the quieter, simpler life I had grown up with. Thankfully, Andy wanted the same.

However, there are things that I miss, and I knew I would. Mostly people, a restaurant or two, and my favorite outdoor shopping area. Yesterday, I ended up back in the old stomping grounds, spending the day in Ocean Grove at the beach and walking around. Course stepping out of the car into a heat index of 115 made me wonder how crazy I really was to be outdoors, but I had taken the day off at the last minute to come visit with Robyn and her sisters. Robyn was one of the first people I met when I moved to NJ and she has been a true friend - through good and bad, never judging, just supporting. Driving back, listing to DMB I couldn't help but remember all the wonderful times our crazy group of friends had during our 20s. To say I was waxing nostalgic would've been an understatement.

As I left Robyn's house last night, I took a minor detour past the old house, the roads I drove daily, and the stores I always visited. It was a very strange feeling and I'm not sure I could put my finger on it. Something so comfortable, familiar, and almost a part of me and yet not. These roads that my car knew almost by heart and yet I was just passing by, not stopping, not a part of it anymore. I actually kind of missed it all - something that I never thought would've been possible.

Maybe, even though I hate to admit it, there's a tiny bit of Jersey girl in me after all????

1 + 1 = 3 in the Government

Labor Day weekend is thankfully upon us as I could really use an extra day. (It's amazing what 1 more day on the weekend can do.) Mom is coming down tomorrow and keeping me company through the holiday. We're off to PA to visit the house and see all that's been done which I'm very excited about. The onsite realtor has been really nice about sending me photos each week so I can see what's gotten accomplished, but I still can't wait to see it all in person.

Thankfully, all seems to be going smoothly now and life seems to have evened out. Spencer is doing better. He's still not great with his back legs, but he's at least back to where he was. Now if we can get him to walk some more and really build up those muscles that would make me feel soooo much better about the upcoming cooler weather. The girls are almost ready to start college and we picked up most of their books yesterday. Will be nice, at least for Andee, to get back to a routine after the summer months. She did manage to find a job this last week so that has helped give her something to do as all of her friends have now headed off to college.

On the downer side, Andy's trip has been extended 10 days. Originally 5 weeks, now 7. Major ughness. I've thanked my lucky stars that he's not still active military and it's not a year long deployment. Plus at least I get to talk to him pretty much every day. Still after working together side-by-side for the last 7+ years it's a little lonely, especially now that Andee's not around the house as much. I've gotten to enjoying my romantic dinners with Spencer. Very cute and cuddly, but still not the same. So in the meantime I continue to count down the days and be grateful that it seems to pass relatively quickly.

The girls bought silly bandz that say BRB (Be Right Back) and XOXO along with a few other text acronyms. So all of us including Andy are wearing them till he returns. Spence even has his BFF band on since it was the smallest and actually stayed on.

Time

Time seems to be flying right along in some aspects of our life and crawling on others. Specifically, the house is progressing very fast. The foreman even suggested it *might* be done the end of October!!! Andy and I were last out there on Friday Aug 6th. The whole place was framed out, the roof was up and the windows were in. Our wonderful front door was on backorder till the end of the month, but it will be worth it. Perhaps it will be in by Labor Day when I take Mom out. It was definitely nice to be able to walk through the whole house before Andy left for Afghanistan; made it seem all the more real, although it does still seem like a bit of a dream sometimes. I think it will even after we move in.

Since then Andy has left for Afghanistan. 37 days total this year, which seems like forever. Being the first week he's gone, these days are crawling even though I've been super busy. Suddenly seemed like everything hit with the house. Needed a decision on the dualzone for the HVAC guys, appliances had to be ordered, excavator needed to know about the propane tank. One thing after another. Add to that Mr. Boogie fell off the bed and really hurt his hind legs, so he's been down for the count. Thankfully the vet said he didn't break or dislocate anything and gave him some pain meds. He's got to get up standing and walking which he's gradually doing. I've bought all sorts of cookies as motivation to stay standing, so at least that's a bit of excercise. Still would like to seem him walking a bit more, but guess I should be patient. As the vet said, baby steps.

This weekend all 3 of the girls and I are off to the spa for massages and pedicures. I'm looking forward to that. The rest of the weekend will be far less exciting as I paint and clean so that the current house is in respectable shape for showing. Dear God I hope someone out there wants to buy our house and doesn' t mind closing on Nov 30th!!!

The Hole

It's official, ground has been broken. It was supposed to be on July 14th and we were eagerly watching the weather forecast. Here it has been a complete scorcher all summer with water restrictions rampant due to the lack of rain and what does the forecast call for on the 14th?! Rain.

However, we spoke to Steve (the foreman) on Wed. and learned that they had already broken ground. Guess perhaps Tuesday....Anyway, we said that we'd be out that weekend to check it all out. I was actually quite surprised to see the hole, as I had expected this massive thing. It really wasn't all that large. The perspective is very odd. Looking at it all, it seems the house is tiny when in reality we know it isn't. We finally figured out the placement of where the garage, front porch, etc. are and again it's just really strange. Seems like there's no driveway and the garage will be right up close to the road, yet when I stood on the road and Andy on where the porch would be we felt far apart.

We'll be back out the next few weekends to get our fill before Andy leaves again for Afghanistan. Until he comes back I'll probably only go out once or twice as the girls and I will be busy keeping ourselves occupied. This weekend they should have the basement walls in and possibly the concrete footing. According to Ed, one of the land developers, there's a chance (probably slim) that it will be under roof before Andy leaves. That would be neat for him to see, so we'll keep our fingers crossed. Hopefully the weather cooperates - come on no rain!!