Monday Dog Blog: Enjoying Vacation

All Strapped in for a Safe Trip

We're happy to report that the four of us have arrived safely in Sunset Beach, NC. 

The little ones traveled wonderfully, sleeping most of the way with only one little episode of carsickness. I was so proud of my little ones.

Too Exhausted to Stand Up and Eat

We're all a bit tired from the packing, traveling and settling in, but we're very content and are definitely in vacation mode, as evidenced by Tovah Rose and Gershwin deciding to eat lying down. 

Nightly Ritual: Asking to Join D and A on the Bed

At home with Dad and Abbie, Asher is experiencing his own form of R and R in the form of LOTS of spoiling. Dad sends daily reports and some photos, all with his trademark sense of humor:

"Asher is doing just fine. Home alone with me today, so lots of singing and bonding."

"Just challenged Asher to a "stand off" as to who is the "toughest". He bounced up sorta engaged like he used to. We soon became big buddies again. Amazing how he still has some memories of the old days and doing battle with me."

"Asher is doing fine, gave hints of wanting to wrestle me. Told him, but first you must not run when I sing for you! He is still thinking over the conditions. Will let you know the outcome."

Lots of Snow in PA!

"See what we have to put up with the companion and his BIG addiction. To SNOW!"

"Asher has had plentiful bites of snow and is doing fine, though a bit ambivalent about my singing."

"We lead by 6 at halftime. Asher is handling the cheerleading side, great somersault just a few minutes ago. G and T would have been awed!"

Tovah Cleans Gershwin's Ears (A Regular Grooming Routine)

As for Tovah Rose and Gershwin, they have had no problems transitioning to the new place and new routine. 

Daily Wrestling Match

Mom is walking them three times a day, since there is not a yard for them to play in. And they are exhausted! 

Sibling Negotiation

Watching the golfers (and barking at them) is definitely the highlight of action here.

One Tired Pooch

Tovah Rose, unlike Gershwin, rarely stops. We've caught her sacked out like this quite a bit since our arrival. We think 1. its all of the walks, and 2. she must know she is on vacation too!

It's so fun to have the little ones here with us to enjoy this very special time.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Snowy Send-Off

Winter Wonderland

Thursday brought us a gorgeous snowy send-off before heading to the beach. I love snow. Especially a beautiful one like this. 

I Wish I Could Have Ventured Out for Some Cool Photos!

The snow has been getting deeper and deeper and deeper. And these little ones are completely unintimidated by it.

Regardless of the weather, these two spend a lot of time at the fence jumping up and down with joy over passing cars, trucks, snow plows, people and dogs. Thursdays often bring a trifecta of joy: mail truck; garbage and recycling truck; and UPS. Add in a snow plow or some people and dogs and life is extra grand. 

I don't know if Mr. Pogo Stick realizes how close he comes to clearing the fence. Our neighbors report that they love watching our joyful little ones. So, today, I set the camera to take ten photos in ten seconds. Here's the result. :)

That guy can JUMP! 

Hemlock Covered in Snow

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Packed!

Tovah Wears Her Shades From Lanadoodles

Tovah Rose would like to announce that we're all packed and ready to go to the beach. 

Mom and Scott Expertly Pack the Car

As I sit here watching the gorgeous snow fall, I'm happy to say that it is Thursday and the car is PACKED and ready to go! Other than all of our last minute things, we are ready for our Sunday departure. (Waiting on dog harnesses to arrive, going out to a concert Saturday night, finishing up looking over maps, etc.). It feels good to know we can relax a little bit before hitting the road.

Thanks to Scott and all of his time in the Navy, we have a perfectly packed car!

Cheerful Help From Scott

To be honest, packing took way more out of me than I thought it would. Despite setting aside three weeks for the process, I found that maintaining my 'normal' daily schedule of appointments and activities of daily living and adding in what needed to be done to prepare for six weeks away left me exhausted and overwhelmed. A few days, it definitely tipped me over the edge. 

I apologize for mostly going MIA in terms of communication the past few weeks. Some days this reminder of my limitations brought me down. Instead of simply adding in the job of packing, I needed to have it replace other daily activities, but this is difficult to do when I want to make sure that I get in some PT, massage, counseling, etc. before we are away for so long.

I am prepared for the first week at the beach to be a 'recovery' period from the trip preparation and the travel itself, which is never easy for me. We will be driving halfway, stopping to visit friends Sunday night, and finishing up the trip on Monday.

Ready. To. Go!

The good news is that hopefully all of our preparation and hard work will pay off. I've tried to think of everything we might need, even renting a recliner from a Rent-a-Center so I will have a comfy place to rest! :)

We're so ready for six weeks together in a new place. We're feeling incredibly blessed to have this opportunity that we never imagined might happen.

Here we come Sunset Beach, NC!

Blessings,

Emily

Happy Valentine's Day!

We just wanted to

WISH

YOU

A 

Happy

Valentine's Day!

Blessings,

The GREATs

Note: Thanks to Aunt Ellen for the photo shoot! :)

Monday Dog Blog: A Visit with Fuzz and Packing

Home For A Visit

Mr. Fuzz came home for a visit this weekend--our last before we head for the beach. We never thought he'd still be hanging in there, but he is. Asher never liked dog beds until old age kicked in, and now he loves his memory foam bed. Still, we're not sure how he finds smooshing himself up against the wall comfy?

A Favorite Spot

He'll be in excellent hands at Dad and Abbie's, where Dad reported this evening that: "Asher has adjusted, recalls the basics--where to go for the treats!!"

Helping Dad in His Study

I've taught Dad to iMessage and take photos on his new iPad, so we're making progress with technology and will be able to keep in good touch regarding Asher while I am away. (For those who know my dad, these are major technological milestones!)

Dad likes to 'compete' with Abbie regarding who Asher follows around the house and/or spends more time near. I received the above photo with the caption: "I'm winning".

Please Take MY Picture

Gershwin was particularly 1. photogenic today, and 2. eager to have his photo taken while I was trying to take photos of a knitting project.  He kept jumping up in front of the camera. 

This guy is a little concerned about all of the packing going on here. As we set up the front seat of the car for me today, Gershwin followed us out into the garage, put his paws up on the front seat and cried. I promised him he's going with us.

Maybe You Could Knit Something for Me?

Gershwin is the one to really follow in his big brother's footsteps, and has increasingly become my 'velcro dog'. I can barely reach a seated position on the sofa or in the recliner before he is in my lap! And how could I resist that sweet face anyways?

After last week's blog post, I did learn from Buddha's mom that the litter mates have the very same high pitched 'girly' bark! It would be so fun to reunite the two some day.

I'm not sure where Tovah was for photo ops this week. Probably going after a pair of slippers or something. 

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Monday Dog Blog: Super Bowl Conversation

Note: if you're receiving this in email, you'll need click over to my actual blog to view the video at the end of the post…

Bread and Chèvre? I Should Get In Trouble More Often!

These little ones keep us on our toes. Tovah Rose Trouble is a scavenger. I'm embarrassed to admit how many times I have called the emergency vet service because of something she has eaten. This week it was an emery board. Honestly, I think she mostly just chewed on it but I was nervous about the sharp edges.

Our Little Trouble Maker

The advice from the on call vet? Feed her a piece of bread to coat her GI tract and keep the sharp edges from causing her any pain. In trying to keep my sense of humor about my parenting fail, I took a photo of her enjoying her slice of local artisan bread and local goat chèvre. Clearly, she is just fine. But I fear Dayle may be a little nervous that I am this girl's mommy.

Settled In For A Nap

Goofy Gershwin somehow finds this comfortable and can even fall asleep with his nose sticking out of his crate.

Sweet Boy

I also continue to admire his ability to chillax at the end of a long, hard day of chasing cars, trucks and people; eating hearty meals; playing fierce games with his sister; and sitting on laps for pets.

At Least He Doesn't Snore!

He even falls asleep with his mouth open!

I Think I'd Like G's Crate Tonight

Last night, Tovah Rose took Gershwin's crate in the bedroom. Gershwin was confused, but decided to just settle in on Asher's brown bed. Had it been the other way around, Tovah would have given Gershwin what for. When it comes to sharing, Tovah expects Gershwin to share, but she expects that she need NOT share!

Asher didn't visit this weekend, so I don't have any new pics, but daily check-ins with Dad let me know that Asher is doing well--blocking Dad's path in and out of the study or bedroom, going outside to eat snow and then coming in to beg for a treat, asking to play (!!!), and otherwise content.

I will leave you with a lively conversation held regarding the Super Bowl tonight. I'm not clear on what Tovah and Gershwin are discussing here, but clearly it's very important. Such 'discussions' take place several times a day in our house--and at least once when I am trying to sleep! We want to know where Gershwin got his 'girl' bark? We wonder if his littermate, Buddha, barks like this?!

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Six Weeks at the Beach!

New Weeping Cherry Tree

We got some extra good news about a week ago. In emailing back and forth with the owner of the house we will be renting at the beach, we found out that the house unexpectedly became available for the month of February and that we could come earlier if we wanted to instead of waiting until March 1st. 

Spring 2013

Mom and I decided that we could be ready by Valentine's Day weekend to head to the sunny skies of North Carolina, and we are so excited.

Planted to Replace Our 38 Year Old Weeping Cherry

Once we decided to leave earlier, I said to Mom: "I just can't wait to go to the beach. I'm just so ready for a break."

Mom said empathetically: "You're ready for some leisure time?"

I said: "Yes."

And I started crying. 

I didn't realize how much we needed to do something like this.

Going on this trip, taking six weeks for US feels like the very best thing we have done for ourselves in 15 years. It is also something we never could have imagined being able to do.

What makes me so overwhelmingly excited is that my health is stable enough for us to even think about making this trip. It feels so important to the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of both of us to take this trip. I'm really looking forward to having 'space'--space to go for StRolls, spend more time with the puppies, blog, watch movies and TV with Mom, eat yummy food, go out for coffee, and just BE.

As many of you know, our trip to Chincoteague didn't go very well. I pushed too hard. I had expectations that I would miraculously feel better as soon as I was away from the stress of home and medical appointments. I just ended up sad, miserable and disappointed for most of the trip, and I never had to courage to blog about what happened emotionally.

This trip, I am working very hard not to plan too much, not schedule anything but massages once a week, not take lots of activities to do, not set a bunch of expectations, and be open to what the experience has to offer.

 I want to be mindful of my mind, body and spirit--letting them guide me in the choices I make in how to spend my time at the beach.

Other than having my college roomie (and possibly her family) visit while we are there, we plan to basically hibernate. :) 

Asher is also doing very well and is stable, so we are hopeful that he will have an uneventful six weeks of R and R at Dad and Abbie's. 

My biggest hope for the trip is that my health stability holds. The way I am feeling now, I can often enjoy a nice outing or activity in the afternoons, especially if there are good rest times in between, which there should be plenty of at the beach.

We've started packing and will be leaving two weeks from today! I admit that the packing and planning part of things is not my favorite, and is what causes me the most anxiety. Otherwise, I just feel EXCITEMENT!

In honor of going to the beach, Ellen visited yesterday and I painted my toenails for the first time in over a decade (since I started wearing compression hose that cover my toes!). I'm ready!

This year has been, and continues to be, full of what feels like positive change and growth after 15 years of illness. I feel like we're finding new ways to navigate this path and possibly better preserve ourselves as we run this marathon that is chronic illness and caregiving. I have found all of this growth and change to be positive, but also very hard work! 

I can't wait to arrive in the state in which I was conceived, the state in which we went to the beach every year of my growing up and the state in which I went to college. It feels a bit like coming home.

Blessings,

Emily