Merry Christmas!

From our house to yours, 

we're wishing you a season 

of laughter & fun!!

Much love to you, from me!

oxo,

Lisa

Part II: Drifting

Hey Folks, welcome back, thank you for sticking with me here.

Part II: Drifting

I last left off tell you about a friend that was killed right here in my home town while he was out taking a ride on his motorcycle.

Carl was a good guy, and taken far, far too soon. He was 33 years old, he just got married in March, and he was a daddy of a five year old little girl. To say that he'll be missed is a gross understatement.   

In all honesty, Carl and I weren't super close in the present day, I wish that'd been different, but we always stopped to say hello when we'd see each other around town or at the farmers market. I first met Carl back when we were just kids, maybe 1983-1984. My best friend's mom and Carl's moms were very close friends and as a result, Carl was around a lot when we were little. I remember him as a sweet little guy, very little, I think he was about 3-4 years old when we first met, he was adorable.

The week between Carl's death and his funeral was sad one. Gutted for those he leaves behind, his new bride and his daughter, and all those who loved him, I couldn't shake that drifting, discombobulated feeling.

The fact that he was just going about his business, taking a ride, enjoying the summer - doing the same thing I was doing the night he was killed just breaks my heart. This could have just as easily been me.

It's unfair. And I know, I know that life is unfair, but somethings are just unfathomable and seem so meaningless. Why? Why did this happen?

Carl's funeral service was last Friday. There were hundreds of people in attendance. A reunion of sorts, the worst kind. So many familiar faces, friends and family, all wracked with grief.

I know that for as long as I live, I will never forget the sound of Carl's five year old daughter, crying sorrowfully, sobbing and calling out "I want my daddy!" in the church that afternoon, or the wave of fresh sorrow that crashed over everyone who heard it, like a physical punch to the chest. It was just as horrible as it sounds.

But there was goodness too, funny stories and memories of those who loved him.

After the service a group of about a dozen of us gathered for a meal, not ready to let each other go just yet. Then later, we gathered at the home of a friend. We talked, we watched the kids play, we thought about him.

The next day, I felt numb. Wrung out. 

On Sunday I decided I needed to clear my head, to shake loose some of the sadness clinging to me. I needed to be outside, so I packed a backpack and my dogs and headed to the hills for a while. I needed to get some air and be in nature.

I went to a place my brothers and I used to go to a lot and walked and walked and walked. Took a few photos, and said goodbye to Carl.

You can't stop, you can only move forward.

I don't know what was in that guy's head as he was driving though town that evening, I don't know why he didn't see Carl's bike. Maybe he was distracted, maybe he was drunk (they're looking into that and news of such has been excruciatingly slow), but whatever the reason, he killed someone who wasn't doing anything wrong, someone who was out for a cruise, who should have gone home to his wife and little girl, all because he wasn't paying attention. Lyndzi and Nevaeh's lives will never be the same.

Please, please be careful out there friends. Be present behind the wheel. Take that extra second when you're driving to look in your mirrors, over your shoulder and entering intersections, lives really do depend on it.

Love to you all,
Lisa

Gotcha!

We hit a little milestone on Sunday, one year with Boswell! It was his "gotcha" day. 

Last year on St. Patrick's Day he came home with us and became part of our family, a lucky day for us both. It's been a bumpy ride with this little guy, let me tell ya. He sure is stubborn for a wee doggie, he definitely has a mind of his own (not to mention "Napoleon complex"). But he's also the sweetest, snuggliest little bugger you'd ever want to know. He's actually asleep under my elbow as I sit here writing this.

Boswell loves everyone he meets, men, women, children, and the feeling is nearly always mutual. People love him. He's a small dog, only 14 pounds, but he doesn't have that shaky nervousness about him. He's a happy, confident, easy going guy. 

He's so chill he even lets me do stupid things like this, hang great big, sparkly shamrocks on him and take his picture, not that he likes it. Notice that he's not looking at me in any of these pictures?

And how he keeps yawning? He was annoyed with me because I was giggling my butt off. But he endured it, he was humors me and I made it worth his while, he was paid in kisses and corned beef.

Here comes my public service announcement, are you ready?

There are so many hundreds, no, thousands of terrific dogs (and cats, meow!) just like Boswell waiting in shelters and in foster homes all over the country. Fancy purebreds and wonderful mutts alike, they are waiting for a forever home where they can live and love and learn and thrive! 

♥

When and if you're in a position to add to your critter family, I urge you to please consider pet adoption from an animal shelter or rescue group. This is a cause close to my heart, and I know many of yours. We animal lovers have to be advocates for our little friends because they don't have a voice of their own. Petfinder is a fantastic resource where you can  begin your search as it pulls information and pet profiles from shelters and rescue groups all over the country. Petfinder lead us to Boswell. 

♥

Lest you might think I've forgotten about my other dog, Lola... oh no, she's just not as patient as Boz, I tried to get a shamrock picture of her too... this was the best I achieved, which I caption as follows:

"Don't even think about it, lady!"

At any rate, we made it a year, yay us! Yay Boz!

Here's to a hundred more!

oxo,

Lisa

Easter Pups

From our "bunnies" to yours, we're wishing you Easter blessings and as many chocolate eggs as you can handle!

Hop, hop, hop!

oxo,

Lisa

Boz & Lola

♥

Meet Boswell!

Hi All!

Happy, happy news to share with you today! We have added to our little critter family and the wee prince is dying to meet you! Remember I said I'd been busy this last few weeks? Well, I was keeping a little secret from you, embroidery wasn't all I was up to, I was also arranging an adoption!

Everyone, meet Boswell!

I found Boz via Petfinder, there are SO many dogs waiting for a forever home, and this little sweetie was one of them. Boswell came to us from a wonderful organization called BARK. 

Boz is a happy, lively little fella. He's all the good things about a small dog, and none of the bad. He's not yappy, he's not twitchy, he's cool, confident, relaxed and pretty darn great. Cute too, don'cha think?

 Oh, and did I mention fast as lightening? Yeah, he's quick!

It looks like he's flying in this picture.

And that tail! It's absurdly long and flowing. When he runs, it looks like someone's shaking a pompom. 

I feel a gushing coming on! OoOoOoOoh, look at that face!

So. Stinkin'. Cute.

Here he is with my hubby and his new big sister, Lola, on his first trip to the dog park. Oh, and Lola? You might be wondering what she thinks of her new brother...

 Well... Lola isn't a deep thinker. She's a dingus.

Actually, they seem to be getting along just fine. There's some reordering of the pack going on, but you've gotta let the dogs work that out themselves :) The cats on the other hand... well, I think they'll get used to each other... eventually.  He's smaller than both of them, not much of a threat.

As I'm writing to you, Boz is sprawled on the couch between my husband and I, laying on his back, belly to the world, snoring like a tiny freight train. Adorable.

As much as we're falling for this new guy, we'll never forget this guy.

We miss him dearly, everyday, our beloved boy. I think these two would like each other, they are pretty cool cats, for a couple of dogs.

♥♥

♥

We're happy to be a pack of six again, two people, two dogs & two kitties.

Home sweet home!

oxo,

Lisa