(43-134) Hershey To The Rescue...

I LOVE my dog, I LOVE my dog, and by the way; I LOVE MY DOG!!!  We were blessed to meet Hershey almost 2 years ago; and she has brought immense happiness and love to our lives daily.  Although Lyndzi was the one who originally asked for a Chihuahua puppy; I honestly think that I'm the one who benefits most from having her.  Hershey is my constant companion while the kids are at school and I'm home working; and I think that I'd be very lonely without her.  Hershey is affectionate, and smart and her comprehension never ceases to amaze me.  At least once a day, I find myself saying to Luis "See, she totally understands me.  I just told her ___________ and she did (whatever the appropriate action would be.)"

I was dreading today, as it would have been my mom's 67th birthday.  I was hoping that I could find a way not to be sad and dwell on my loss, and once again; Hershey came to my rescue.  Now you have to understand that even though Hershey and I are very close, she is extremely protective over each of us.  IF Hershey sleeps in her crate at night; she and I have a routine that we go through in the morning.  Once she lets me know that she's awake, I open her crate door and then I rub her tummy as she stretches.  Then she comes out of the crate and lays on the floor in front of me; stretches some more and demands more petting and adoration,  Once she's yawned three times, I let her out so that she can do her business.  She comes in, I give her a treat and she takes off like a bat out of hell to go sleep with Nicky.  When I go upstairs at 630 to wake Lyndzi up, Hershey wakes up too and then it's anybodies guess as to where she's going to end up.  BUT, when I try to touch one of the kids, to wake them up or give them a hug, she immediately tries to protect them and she'll try to get in my way and deter me.  She's such a GREAT protector!!

Ok, so lets head down that BUMPY hill...  Lyndzi had been complaining of a sore throat for a couple of days, so the girls had made a "nest" on the floor in front of my bed last night, just in case Lyndzi wasn't feeling well in the middle of the night.  Lyndzi had gotten into bed with me around 3am and Kelsie remained in "the nest."  At 630am I went upstairs to wake Lyndzi up and Hershey came running to the room.  Lyndzi and I agreed that she'd stay home and I'd take her to the doctor; so Hershey got in bed with her, while I went back downstairs to continue working.  At 7am I returned upstairs to wake Kelsie and Nicky; but just as I approached Kelsie, Hershey gave a little perplexed cry and haphazardly leaped off the bed towards Kelsie, and landed right on her.  Kelsie then gave out a cry of her own, as Hershey stood on her ribs and tried to ward me away from her.  I tired to explain to Kelsie that Hershey was only trying to protect her; but she continued to cry and grab her ribs.  I knew that Kelsie couldn't REALLY be hurt, since Hersh weighs no more than 6 lbs.  and I'm sure that the impact of the Chihuahua landing on her unexpectedly was quite startling; but bad mommy that I am, couldn't help but laughing because the vision of it was so amusing.
 

Thank God for Hershey!  She not only came to Kelsie's rescue; but she came to mine too.  Just when I expected to have a difficult day, Hershey gave me a laugh that lasted all day long.  Anytime I started to feel sad; I would think of Hershey catapulting herself through the air and landing on Kelsie and I would laugh out loud.  I LOVE my dog; I LOVE my dog; and by the way; I LOVE my dog!!!

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING  

(43-99) Guess Who Sang?

This morning was not a happy one, as I read my friend Lori's Facebook posts, saying that the Peoria school district override hadn't passed.  I'm not going to get into the details of what this would mean for our school district as I'm told that there are still early ballots that need to be counted, and I want to remain positive and optimistic until then - but suffice it to say that before learning about the uncounted ballots, I was quite distressed.

I got the kids ready for school, and I told them that since both Lyndzi and Kelsie had art today; I was going to meet them on campus for dismissal.  I reminded the girls that I expected them to be polite and cooperative with the art teacher; but assured them that my purpose for meeting them on campus was so that I could go directly to the principal if I received any concerning reports from them. 

I dropped the kids off at school and got back to work; but school and everything about it was very much on my mind.  Have you ever had one of those moments when you were  absolutely miserable but then you receive the MOST incredible news and you are deliriously happy?  OK, well, I'd never had one of those moments before either - until today! 

When I wrote "The Art Thief," and followed it up with "It Aint Over...,"  I thought that I had shared that it was my goal to have the Art Nazi gone by Christmas.  But looking back at my posts, I found that I never put that in writing; I had just shared that fervent hope with some of my friends.  Well MY FRIENDS; Christmas has indeed come early; as today I received the news that the Art teacher from hell had quit.  YES, you read that right, the Art Nazi resigned today; and I am delighted to report that the children will not be subjected to her anymore.  Talk about the GREATER GOOD!  Let creativity, crooked lines and the love of art prevail!!

To say that I am overjoyed would be an understatement.  I am THRILLED, I am GRATIFIED, I feel VICTORIOUS!  I feel like shouting "Ding Dong the witch is dead!"  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  Thank you God!  AND EVERY OTHER proclamation that I can think of.  Yes indeed, the fat lady has sang!
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-70) The Protectors...

It's been said that as parents grow older, the roles become reversed and the children become the caretakers to the parents.  Although it's a hard row to hoe; I think that there is also something quite lovely about it. What remarkable reciprocity there can be in the circle of life.

Now don't get me wrong; I can tell you first hand that there is nothing pleasurable about watching a parent deteriorate before your very eyes.  No one ever wants to see someone that they love suffer.  And it is heartbreaking to think of what your life will be like without your loved one.   BUT, to have the satisfaction of knowing that you did your best to make someone comfortable, physically and emotionally is an experience that is a privilege to endure.

Although it was difficult to lose my parents when I was a teen; the burden is not one that I solely bear; as my children are effected every day, by my loss.   Despite their young ages, my kids are ALL very conscientious about my feelings, and how I may react to certain situations that involve the subject matter of cancer, death or dying; and they do an UNBELIEVABLE job of trying to protect and safeguard me.  It's not unusual to see one of my kids give another a disapproving, side glance if someone brings up a subject that another perceives may upset me.  Not that I get upset frequently or easily; it's just that to them, these matters are taboo because they are trying to insulate me from sadness.  I can assure you that I know how absolutely, blessed I am to have such considerate and compassionate children; but I must also admit that I hate that this is a worry that they have to have.

Luis was working at the pharmacy tonight and the kids and I were watching "GLEE."  This evening's episode was a little more serious than most; as Kurt's dad was in a coma in the hospital. Although it was a moving show, I didn't get upset; but I can't tell you how many times EACH of my kids asked me if I was OK.   To say that they weren't able to enjoy the show because their concern for me was so distracting; probably wouldn't be an exaggeration.  I was so touched by their attention and concern; and I knew in those moments what it was like to be taken care of by your children.  I felt SO proud to see that Luis and I have already parented them to a point where they can be selfless, sympathetic and supportive; and I know that I am the luckiest mom in the world; to be cared for and loved in this way.
I am so glad that I live my life with my eyes wide open; so that I can recognize the beauty, and marvel at the splendor of every special moment.  To me, being a member of a family means that we ALL take care of each other; and tonight I was fortunate to have my kids looking out for me.  Remarkable reciprocity, indeed.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING