It Takes Two

Cup of coffee in my favorite holiday mug

 The latest in Spenser series-

Not the same as Robert B's

but good enough.

So Pretty

Anything to cheer up her mama

My grand-dog David

That's after only one deep brushing.

He looks younger and is dramatically thinner.

He's a sweetheart but THAT hair 

goes everywhere.

Christmas On The Porch

Twelve days of Christmas

My tables always have "quick removal" displays for dining

Reds appealed to me this year

Picks and House of Hatten collectibles

There is a light inside of the log cabin,

and red berries now on the greens.

I kept coming back after I snapped photos.

That stucco you see is the original rear of house.

View from the family room couch

That empty basket beneath the table

is now filled with greens and berries also.

As always, my decor is just loads of picks plunked

into existing decor. I remove nothing unless

 I need a little space.

This time I removed a pitcher of flowers 

from the table so I could lay down greens.

Merry Merry 

Z

Getting There

You don't get over it.

You get through it.

I am slogging thru life at the moment.

One bright spot is this visitor.

Kitty has been setting off my motion detector 

many times, day and night for months now.

Two days ago I opened the back door 

right after the "ping" on my phone 

and kitty walked right in.

I believe he lives in the same model

as I have, as he went straight to laundry room

as if looking for food or litter.

He roamed a bit and left.

I worry for him, don't know how far he wanders.

Local coyotes love kitties.

Today he was back and visited me on porch

where I am trying to find holiday spirit.

Slogging thru is correct term.

I am deep in a fog.

Pain so thick and heavy

 it needs to be shaken off and shed.

So much additional love

from kids and blog friends who know that

pain far too well.

In the past, doing my House of Hatten tree

 would take about 90 minutes.

Yesterday it took me hours as I kept 

wandering away or sitting down and just ...well

sitting.

Good thing I'm starting early.

I'm going to be awhile getting there.

Z

Howie My Love

I lost Howie yesterday

I am heartbroken

Inconsolable

My dear best friend was not even given

 the grace to go gently.

I won't be around for awhile I suppose.

My constant companion has left

me floundering out in this harsh world 

that I want no part of.

Howie Up Date

Howie turned south pretty quickly

 after I posted last night.

I decided to stay up and watch him all night and I

am so grateful I did. 

Vomiting and worse came on very fast and by 

2:30 am I was racing cross town to 

the emergency hospital.

By the time I arrived he was critical and they 

jumped into action. At 5:30am I had to

 drive home to get 

another 0/2 tank as mine had run out,

I was back at emergency by 7:00am

and then I transported him IV's and all

back to original vet hospital.

By now he was in serious condition but

even the short ride over spiked his fever and we

were dicey again. He has been admitted for 2-3

days and prognosis is still up in the air.

I'm a mess. Three hours sleep in 3 days

and I've cried rivers.

All I can think is he's in pain which 

he is and it's severe. They cannot give pain relief 

because of other issues.

He looks at me, when he can, to say

why Mom why?

I can't stay there with him,

even though they all notice his breathing calms

 when he can see me.

My heart is breaking.

He needs your prayers also, not just the hundreds

Hannah and I have been sending out, so

please if you would?

As soon as there is good news I'll write again.

thanks guys

Z

Poor Baby Boy Howie

That is what Hannah said when 

she called to check on Howie

tonight.

Here he is right after he came home

from his oral surgery.

His head so heavy he could not lift it up

from his water bowl.

He is one drugged up pooch.

It is now 9:00 pm and he has barely moved.

I was a wreck all day worrying

myself sick. He is nearly 15

so anesthesia is risky.

He has not been eating much

 at all these past weeks

so that has me worried also.

Perhaps it was his teeth.

We'll know in a week or so.

Meanwhile I have to get three HUGE 

pills a day into a dog who

 is too whacked out to eat and opening his 

sore mouth to push them down is an 

impossible feat on a good day.

Of course I'll be on the couch listening

all night to be sure he is OK.

My heart is breaking for my

Poor Baby Boy Howie

Z

The Studio

You would need to be very familiar

with my studio that made it into magazines and books

to notice the changes perhaps, but 

changes indeed have occurred.

Several cabinets that were either on the floor

 or hanging on the walls

are now gone.

Inside the cabinets studio materials

have been down sized and rearranged.

The curtains are gone from the loft opening,

bringing needed light. 

They were only there to hide the backs of cabinets

that could be seen from downstairs.

This small table sits where a triple doored cabinet

 and large easy chair used to be.

Now my Cricut and Gemini 

are always out and nagging me to use.

The table can be easily pulled to the end of my

work table for when friends come crafting.

The tablecloth is temporary.

I just found the mustard paint I want

 to re-paint the top which was 

severely in need after years outside.

I know folks who haven't changed

 a thing in their homes in decades.

This I find hard to imagine.

For me that would be like always eating

in the one same restaurant,

wearing the same clothes every day,

watching only the same few shows

eating the same meals,

sleeping in the same linens forever.

I am not the same person year after year

and my environment is crucial to my 

sense of comfort and peace.

I am not a fan of wastefulness

and it takes very little money to 

be creative. In fact I am making

money as I change over my home; 

selling off many items for what I paid and 

some even for a small profit.

The two carloads to donation 

and several hundred books to local library

make my heart happy.

go forth 

be bold

Make your corner of the universe

work for you

and please your soul.

Z