My Brown Eyed Brother

You all are the best! Thank you to those who stopped by to check on us, and see how we were/are doing. Honestly, I think about blogging every day. And your checking on us gave me the needed nudge to get a post that I've been thinking about, written and posted. 

I will start by saying that I feel very lucky, and blessed. I'm grateful for my blogging friendships, and for my friendships that I have in my life. I'm also grateful for my family, in particular, my brothers. I was reminded of that when my oldest brother Steve passed away a few weeks ago. I do not have a sister, only brothers - Two of which have now passed away. With each of my brothers, throughout my adult life, I have been lucky to have different, but good, continued relationships with each of them. But of my 4 brothers, my oldest brother Steve was the one I was the closest to for years. I think it was because we were very much alike - It even became a family joke that it was because we both had brown eyes like our dad, while my other brothers had blue eyes like our Mom. 

Because Steve and I liked and disliked many of the same things, we always had great fun when we got together. He worked hard at his job with a commercial printing company, working 3rd shift which lent itself to our talking on the phone multiple times during the week while he was going home in the mornings, and I was on my way to work. Unfortunately that changed when his health started to decline during the holidays. It became very difficult for him in a lot of different ways. But I did my best to stay in touch and be a cheerleader for him. Some days I felt like I succeeded, other days, I know I didn't. 

I'd hoped to go to Florida to visit my brother to try and lift his spirits. A friend who travels to Orlando regularly told me how it could be done in a day, for less than $200. She knew it all, right down to where to park at "Dulles International Airport."  The plan was to leave early morning, fly nonstop, arrive by lunch time, spend the afternoon with my brother (and catch up with my sister in law) in the hospital, and take the last flight home in the evening and be home by 11 o'clock. I was all in and bought my ticket. Sadly my brother passed away the day before I could put that plan into motion. 

I am of course heartbroken at what is a sad loss for our family. But within my grief is my gratitude and thanks for having four good, kind, caring men to call my brothers. I love being their sister. And I'm grateful for my two younger 'blue-eyed brothers' that cheer me on when I'm feeling down, up or anyway in between - Just as I try to do for them when they need it. Together we have shared the loss of our oldest brother. I know this grief and the ache of this loss will ease for the 3 of us as life goes on without Steve as part of it.  But we will always miss him because he was our brother.

Thank you again friends for thinking of us! Your checking in gave me the needed nudge I really needed to get this post written. It wasn't easy because I just wasn't ready to share another loss that is felt deeply and personally. But I feel better having shared this with you, and I am looking forward to telling you our new-news.  Stay tuned! 

A Snow Day!

We were treated to one of my most favorite things last week. A snow day. I always find myself wishing for them - I missed out on snow days as a kid because I grew up on an Army post, and our schools were never closed -- but we were always so hopeful! 

~Ree~

So now, as an adult, I obsessively watch the weather reports, totally consumed with excitement and hoping for the projected snowfall total to increase. The magic of a snow day has truly outlasted my childhood—I feel it as strong as I did when I was a kid. 

~Milo, really loves the snow!~

So, when we got the snow - about 6 inches - that was predicted, I got to stay home from work! And so of course I pulled out my snow boots, and mittens, and the dogs and I played in the yard. And below, you can see that Jack-Jack (Pony) played with my mitten. 

I felt the magic of a snow day span through decades, and land in my lap. 

~Enjoying the snow, Lily (front), Daisy and Jack-Jack~

I savored it as long as I could.

~Daisy~

Because it was back to work the next day. At least our parking lot was plowed. --Can I confess I was hoping it wouldn't be? 

But I'm hopeful for another one ...... Sooner rather than later, which may come on Sunday. Stay tuned! ❄

~Jack-Jack aka Pony~

The Makeover

As we all know, it's almost the end of the year -- How can that be? Its been a long year but it’s gone by in a flash. A lot of things that I wanted to get done, I haven't and I have to accept that. There's always next year to do better, right?  

~A wreath making class a few weeks ago~

However, one thing that was on that "to do list," was getting Noodle groomed. It was put off for several reasons mostly because I wanted him to be at his best physically. With acupuncture and cold laser and a massage every couple of weeks, and a small area around the amputation finally healed, he was finally at his best. 

I didn't want just any groomer. I needed one that could accommodate Noodle's "handicap" of not being able to stand the whole time. So, I asked on a Facebook page and there was one that came recommended for a number of reasons. "Sandi" had a tri-pod and totally understood the limitations they have and as the shop owner she had no problem with spending the extra time Noodle would need. 

~Noodle before~

Finally the day of the appointment came -- I'll add that Sandi put us on her cancellation list and got us in pretty quickly. And fast forward to the big reveal and all I could say is "WoW!!" and then I said WoW again. What a difference.

~Noodle after - WoW!!~

Everyone at the shop treated Noodle like a rock-star and they could not have been more accommodating, any more friendly (to the both of us) and could not have made Noodle any more handsome - and made a bit cold too which is why he's wearing a coat and a tee-shirt. 

We are the groomer's newest fans and given their Facebook post that's below, I think they're Noodle's too! 

Recharging - Again

I am going to start this post by saying that I am feeling much better. Time has not exactly been a healer for me. Which is why I decided what I really wanted and needed to do was just to get away for a couple of days.  

~Our girl Ree during a conversational snow fall~ 

My longtime friend in Lancaster Pennsylvania who is a "shut in," was feeling very lonely and she needed some cheering up too, so I decided to go and see her. The "boutique-y shopping village" where I love to stay, and have stayed previously, was totally booked. So, after an extensive search of Airbnb's and hotels around Lancaster, I ended up in the town of Ephrata, (where??) -- about 10 miles from my friend and totally unfamiliar to me. A quick research on the area said that one of its claim to fame is that it's home to America's first communal religious society, the Ephrata Cloister.  

But it was really good to see my friend! I took her out for breakfast and our entire visit was great therapy for both of us. And this may sound trivial, but what also helped was the two nights spent at the Hampton Inn in Ephrata. The panoramic view from my room, especially at night, made me feel like I was overlooking a big city, rather than one that has a population of about 13,000. I loved it.  Watching the night lights from where I slept, was both relaxing and recharging. I'll also add that I when I checked in I was told I was "Guest of the Day," which gave me a parking space very near the front door of the hotel, and little bag of snacks ---a fun little charge for my inner batteries. 

The view of the town of Ephrata from my room during the day wasn't bad either! 

My visit to Pennsylvania also had an added bonus, when I finally got to meet a long time blogging friend who lives in York, which is on my way home. We've wanted to meet for a long time, but the timing has never worked out. This time it did. Longtime dog-bloggers may know Phyllis at "NAK's Khorner - Khome on By"   I truly felt like I was meeting a friend I already knew, instead of one I was meeting for the first time. I could not have enjoyed our visit any more than I did and I so wish our visit could have lasted longer. I look forward to the next time we can get together. It was the perfect ending to the weekend.  

~A fun, thoughtful and perfect gift from Phyllis and Willow~

On the home-front, new boy Jack-Jack is totally settled in. He's been given the nickname of "Pony" because well, he's the size of one and having 2 dogs with the name of Jack is a bit confusing for the two. He is eating his meals, but treats are not his forte, making me question even more his genetic heritage -- I don't recall ever having a Golden Retriever that didn't love an extra treat or two or three. But Jack-Jack, or Pony is really a nice boy. There's a fun and playful side to him, and when you pet him, he leans into you and always lets out a big sigh. He also has these soulful eyes that are really a window to his gentle soul.

So onward I go through the holidays with the hope my batteries stay charged for awhile, along with my gratitude and thanks for your support and cheering us on! 

~Two little holiday gifts from two kind friends~