Tears

After 14 1/2 months, we are going to have to say "goodbye" to Eli Jackson, our dog.  We've fought to the bitter end but today proved...it is time for him to find another home.  I've written about Eli some but then the stories are so crazy it was almost too painful, almost commonplace to write about.

Today he got out...again.  I had only let him in the backyard for 5 minutes.  He dug out of our backyard and we drove to find him...only to find he had entered our neighbor's yard.  She was NOT happy about it!  He had dug in her trash and destroyed stuff...plus she had just vaccummed.  I took him from her backyard and was furious!  How could he?  (He had done the same thing 2 weeks ago and also peed IN the other neighbor's house).  I could go on and on with similar stories of Eli's antics.  Anyway, I called Jeffrey and started bawling!  I knew that was Eli's last time to torment our neighbors.  Jeffrey told me to call the Wheaton Rescue.  I've cried since 4pm today...it is now 10pm.  I didn't even like the dog...so I thought!

So, I now have to pick up another Wheaton on Friday then take both dogs to a "transporter" who will take both dogs on Saturday.  I think this will be an easier transition for the kids.

Oh, the kids!  We told them tonight in a "family meeting" that we are going to have to get rid of Eli.  We were all crying (well, except for Jeffrey).  It was the saddest day with my kids I have ever had.  We want what is best for everyone.  My kids love that dog (even though he still bites/mouthes them and he has attacked all of their friends...in a loving way that scares the crud out of them!).

I don't know the last time I have shed so many tears!  I am mostly sad for my boys who will no longer have a dog to call their own.  I am sad to see that puppy go.  He's been with us for a long time and we've endured a lot together.

Pray that the tears subside for our family...

It is going to be a rough couple of days ahead.

Valentine's Day...We Finally Got It Right!!

Sorry...this is long:

After 10 Valentine's Days together...we finally got it right!  There were no tears and no unmet expectations (at least on my part and I'm hoping not on Jeffrey's part, too).  

We actually spent Valentine's Day with my dad (wait...it gets better...I promise).  He came in town that night around 8:30pm.  Now, I'll back up to the beginning of the morning...

My boys were so excited to wake up.  I think they were awake by 6am.  They couldn't wait to give me their present!  They bought me a COACH PURSE.  I am not kidding!  (I haven't worn it yet because I still feel guilty and may take it back still because of the guilt)  Can you say "Extravagant"?  I made the boys mini pink/red (boys don't like pink so you have to say "red") blueberry muffins for breakfast.  They were off to school.  Melissa was still here so we went to Chick Fil A for Chicken Biscuits (we figured out we'd been eating them together for 8 years...crazy!).  I took  her to the new Walmart, had a brief meeting with my accountant, and then worked out to "Fat Blaster" (I love that video).  Melissa left and I was sad (although I'll see her in a few weeks).  A quick visit to the hospital where two of my neighbors were (one for a new baby and the other for complications from a motorcycle wreck...both are home now and doing great!) and then to the school Valentine's Day party.  I had to go back and forth between the two classes.  Lots of sugar was consumed by my two monkeys.  

That night, we went to dinner at Snuffer's (romanic?), sold Jeffrey's car (yippee), and then met my dad at the house.

What?  That doesn't sound romantic?

Well, that really didn't count as "Valentine's Day" because we celebrated for the next THREE DAYS!  

Friday around 2pm we left for Houston (just me and Jeffrey).  We arrived at our hotel around 8pm.  We stayed at the Hotel Zaza in the Houston Museum District!  Can you say G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S?  There was even a tour bus parked outside (rumor was it was Ashley Simpson).  We quickly changed clothes (because tennis shoes were not allowed) and headed to the Monarch where we got some appetizers and drinks.  Yummy food and amazing ambiance.  That hotel is probably the coolest I have ever been to!  Very Eclectic!  

It was an older crowd but we loved people watching.  Our waitress was drunk.  Yes, you read that right.  She was on something or drunk.  Every time she left us...we giggled.  She eventually fell and we never saw her again.  We also enjoyed watching the odd trio next to us (two college age girls with what looked like their professor...gross!).

On Saturday, we went for a walk around the hotel to Hermann Park.  It was pretty (although the weather had much to be desired).  We had breakfast together at Empire Cafe in Montrose.  We shopped for some honeymoon "goodies" for my friend Melissa M. and had a super time just hanging out.  We ate lunch at our favorite mexican place called Guadalajara.  Yummy!   I battled a migraine all day which was crappy!  I took a nap and then got dressed for the wedding (but got side tracked by the movie Jeffrey was watching called Into The Wild).  I ran into the bridesmaid room 5 minutes b/f the wedding (Jeffrey was steaming that I did that but I had to give her the honeymoon "goodies" I got for  her!).  She was happy to see me and her sister said it was perfect that I came back there!!!  Proved Jeffrey wrong (although this is not correct ettiquette to do to someone right before their wedding starts but she does call me her "BFF" so it is appropriate).

We had a great time at the wedding and went back to the hotel a little early...we had woken up at 6am b/c Jeffrey's internal clock woke him up.  We are old!  Ugh!  We had planned to go dancing with Amy & Stephen...sorry guys!  We are lame!

On Sunday, we woke up a little later and then left to come home.  I was so sad to come home.  I needed more time away with my man.  

I love those times with him to recharge!  I didn't have to compete with his job, our kids, or chores.  It was just us!  I'm excited about going to LA with him (and our friends Wes &  Shelly) in a few weeks!

So, it was the perfect Valentine's Day!  After 10 tries...we finally got it right!

Two Melissas & Some Nasty Colored Hair

Ok...as you know, I have been trying to go blonde since September.  To my disappointment (to my ego and pocketbook), it keeps having tinges of orange.  Why???

Last week I got to spend time with two of my dear friends who are both named Melissa.  Pretty funny, huh?

Melissa H. came to visit me last week.  We had a great time.  She is moving back and I am so happy.  She got to meet some of my friends, too!  It was surreal to have them all meet!  We ate LOTS but worked out too (went on a beautiful hike around the lake...watching out for bobcats and snakes).  We also looked at houses (which of course gives me the moving bug) and did a little business.  Here is a picture before we met some of our fellow coaches at Patrizzio's.

Melissa M. got married last weekend in Houston.  Oh, my!  What a stinkin' gorgeous bride!

  Melissa M. is a 8 year younger version of myself (although she is much brighter and prettier).  We always have fun together and I am so excited for her new life with her new man.  Doesn't she look beautiful?

As you look at the pictures, you will notice my hair.  Why is it so bad?  I thought I would keep it blonde until we got back from LA in March but I'm not sure I can make it to then.

Give me your honest opinion....back to brown or keep it blonde/whatever color it is?

I'll be back to give more scoop on my weekend away sans kids with my man at Hotel Zaza!  Wow!

Calling ALL People

Maybe you haven't talked to God in a while. Maybe you talk to Him all the time. Whatever the case...would you please talk to him on behalf of my sweet friend Stephanie Weber?
Here is the update...

Wednesday, February 13, 2008
We traveled to Houston Monday afternoon and had a MRI scan in the early evening. David, Dad, Mom, Bud Jan and myself all met with Dr. Jung to review the scan. To quote his first words, “It looks worrisome.” The flare ie. Tumor appears to be spreading. Not spreading into drastic new places but what is there is getting bigger. Dr. Jung doesn’t have any new silver bullets to eradicate this or attempt to blow this thing away. He feels that I might be resistant to the Avastin. Dr. Jung is going to dig in the current studies of MD Anderson, we are going to explore what Duke has to offer. We met with Dr. Fink. She confirmed the tumor cell activity sting that it is “creeping” into new areas saying that the Avastin is working there isn’t a tumor “balling” up but the creeping/spread needs to be stopped. She gave me a prescription for an antibiotic that could possibly work to slow the creep and won’t keep me out of any possible studies. She is going to forward David’s email to Dr. Friedman at Duke today to see if there are other potential options. I didn’t get chemo today as my platelet count is lower than the required minimum for infusion. Surprisingly, this upset me because I don’t want any time for this stuff to tumor up and grow. They took my blood to check again, we are doing the platelet dance for them to come up! The plan is to keep going on chemo as soon as I can.
Yes, I have had been flooded with emotions from all directions. Ya know, conversations with God like keep me here, I want to pour more into my kids and experience more with them, David, family and friends. Oh Lord, please summon your power to destroy this enemy that has been hanging out in my brain.
Isn’t the power of the Spirit cool when David and I opened up God’s Word last night to Isaiah 41:9-11 and these words from God spoke boldly and directly to us, “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” We are humbly asking for wisdom for the doctors to come up with a cocktail and Jesus’ healing power to make this enemy disappear.