Insecure...

In the 23+ years that Michael was in the military I never had the fear that he would someday come home and tell me that he nolonger had a job...

When he retired and quickly entered the "civilian" job force I learned to live with a "gnawing" ache in the pit of my stomach... knowing that "we" nolonger had the job security "we" had in the military...

Michael came home today not looking too good...

And my stomach started to hurt...

HAPPY ("Belated") ME!!!

My parents arrived this evening for our "shy child's" 21st birthday celebration...

They came bearing a "Belated" Birthday present(s) for ME!!!

OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOSH...

My Mother came in singing "Happy Birthday to You"...

My Dad came in singing "Happy "Inheritance" to you"... My Mother wasn't amused... LOL

It had been a "wish"... that turned into a "dream"... Michael was about as excited as I was... My Mom commented on his "enthusiasm"... Michael said he was VERY HAPPY that HE didn't have to BUY them for me... LOL... SILLY SILLY MAN... he doesn't realize these are considered my STARTER SET!

Thanks Mom and Dad... I will THOROUGHLY enjoy these!

Yea... we'll be visiting the "showroom"... as Michael found out on the website that we are about an HOUR away from Canonsburg!!!

Thought for Thursday...

That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest - Henry David Thoreau

Desperately Seeking ADVICE...

It seems that our BELOVED ABBIE'S world has fallen silent... according to the vets (yes... we DID seek a "second opinion") our sweet sweet lab has gone totally deaf... although there IS some dispute as to whether it is age related (she will be 12 this September) or diabetes related (she has been a diabetic going on 4 years now)... the diagnosis was the same from both vets... she now has to be monitored "eyes on" outside (she's wandered off a couple of times recently)... we have been careful not to "spook" her (we realized pretty quickly that we need to be in FRONT of her so she can SEE US) to get her moving... the 2nd vet DID give us a couple of simple hand signals we can teach her (as a form of communication) and she's a quick learner... but our LOVEABLE LAB has turned into a NERVOUS NELLIE... especially at night (outside)... SWEET SWEET ABBIE... getting old STINKS huh?


If anyone has any TIPS/HINTS/ADVICE that we can use to help us and ABBIE make things easier for her I sure would APPRECIATE it... I know she's "just a dog"... but... she's OUR DOG... and whatever we can do (within reason) to help her we will.


Thanks everyone!!!