Friday, October 31, 2008

Friday Foto for Skywatch





Better late then never.....


24 hours after the Parkersburg/Hazelton Tornado in Iowa.
Later gators...
C

If I didn't have a dog........


(author unknown)

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would have money and no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians,as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out,sit, down, come, no, stay, go couch, and leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'. 'Yummy yummy for the tummy'.

My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L, F-R-I-S-B-E- E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E, G-O, R-I-D-E, H-U-N-G-R-Y, C-O-O-K-I-E, B-U-N-N-Y.

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONEdog/cat ties them down too much.

I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season insteadof dreading 'mud' season.

I would not have to answer the question 'Why do you have so many animals?' from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.

How EMPTY my life would be!!!

Thanks Scot for sending that one my way---it's priceless!

Later gators.....
C

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Thoughts for Midweek...





This week I have opted for a guest poster-ie the hubby. He usually has a different take on things and yes, he makes you think.....


Politics and Plumbers



Joe the Plumber G. Gordon Liddy
White House Plumber

Sitting watching the endless Election ads and one can only hope for the election to be over. The problem is that what ever happens will be 4 more years of someone. It’s hard to tell who is best when all we have to go by are 30 second blurbs about a candidate. One of the more memorable ones is the Joe the Plumber adds by McCain. This stirred up memories of 1972 of all things.

1972? Yes, you remember. We have Joe the plumber in our politics in 2008 but in 1972 it was the White House plumbers. The five burglers caught in the Watergate complex going through the Democratic National head quarters. The ruin of Nixon and the Republicans in the 70’s. Seems we have come full circle in some way. Maybe loosely I must admit but we are forced to relieve the history we have forgotten or chosen to put out of our collective memory.

So, if we're back to political plumbers and dirty campaigns, then what else. Some of the comparisons are interesting. In 1972, the USSR, USA, and China conducted nuclear tests. Now we are concerned about Iran and North Korea conducting nuclear tests. US airlines had begun mandatory baggage and passenger screening. I'm glad we have progressed this. In 1972 Nixon and the USSR's Brezhnev signed the SALT accord for nuclear missiles. Now Russia is concerned about our anti missiles program that’s being deployed in Europe. Jerry Lewis had his 7th Muscular dystrophy telethon. I hope we are closer to a cure today. Mariner 9 sent us pictures of Mars and Apollo 16 landed on the moon. Now we have a worn out space shuttle program and vehicles on Mars transmitting fascinating images back.

1972 was a very serious time. We were beginning to leave Vietnam and turning over control to their government. We pulled out and the South fell. Cambodia later became a killing field for the Kamar Rouge in the power vacuum we left behind. Indo China became a mess as we left. Now we are looking at the aspect of an exit strategy from Iraq. The cost of the war is also bogging us down. Vietnam affected our economy in the 1970s as our war is today. Let us not forget the cost for freedom is high and the effort for it must not cease.

This year we enjoyed watching the Olympics from China. A totalitarian government has deep pockets for pageantry. I imagine the London games are striving to make a good showing compared to the opening a closing of the games in Beijing. I don't envy them. In 1972 we had the Munich games which were marred by terrorism. Luckily these games were kept safe but one can't help but notice that China has a zest and program to win medals. Reminds us of the old Cold War Olympics. East vs. west. It also reminds us that terrorism been with us for a while.

It is also noted that 1972 was the first year that West Germany and East Germany recognized each. That sounds odd. How can you not recognize a country next to you? You can fill in your own punch lines.

Yes, after the White House Plumbers we elected a person with little experience. We voted "the bums out" of the white house after Nixon and Ford. We voted a one term governor of Georgia to be president. Now claims that democratic candidate has too little experience as he was just elected to the senate in 1997. After 1972 we had the oil embargo. Large American cars were on the way out for a long while. American jobs began to go away. The farm crisis took hold. We began importing more oil than producing it. Banks and saving in loans collapse. There was slow economic growth, inflation, productivity was down, and slow economic growth.

This is why I think of 1972 when I hear about another plumber and politics. But why get worked up. It is late and I should see what old shows are on. Sanford and Son, Gun Smoke, All in the Family, or Mary Tyler Moore. Oh, but wait, maybe I should read a book instead. I’ll avoid those campaign ads and sleep better.
~~David
Later gators....
C

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Heads Up!

Now she's gone and done it. Darn you Sherilyn!

http://www.throwedrolls.com/

We aren't going down to the Springfield show this year so no rolls, honey, butter, goodness, time to wipe the drool off the keyboard. Drat, there went the diet too.


Later gators....
C

Friday, October 24, 2008

Friday Foto for Skywatch...


Figured that since it's raining, brown and cold right now, a summer shot might help me daydream about sunny, green and warm.

http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Later gators...
C

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Thoughts for Midweek.....

This week paranoia. I think it kind of goes along with David's UFO post, but also why is it so important that to some people that they know what everyone else is doing? Or that they have to be one up on them? Or or or... Gosh it's like leaving in 1984...........


Self Test for Paranoia: You know you have it when you can't think of anything that's your own fault


I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo.... In morse code.
~~-Emo Phillips

I sincerely believe people talk about me. Mine would be a pretty meaningless existance if they didn't.

"Why are you so paranoid, Mulder?" "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's because I find it hard to trust anybody." - Scully & Mulder, The X-Files, "Ascension"

Paranoia is not the belief that everybody's out to get you -- they are. Paranoia is the belief that everybody's conspiring to get you.

I am kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy. ~~JD Salinger

My two favorites.....

Paranoia is a social disease--you get it from screwing other people.

I envy paranoids; they actually feel people are paying attention to them. ~~ Susan Sontag


So until I see you, or is that don't see you again....
Later gators....
C

Late Night TV and Sleep Disruptions




I'm posting this for the dear hubby, poor guy, can't get a break.





I title and write the following as kind of tongue and cheek. But there is certain knowledge or skeptical belief's that I am not comfortable with.


Ok, here is the premise. I am in bed sleeping and the TV was left on to Night Line. A respectable news vehicle to many. Half a sleep I hear about air craft and things that where heard and seen. Then comes the end of the news feature. The punch lines that wrap up the story. This one as delivered by a older gentleman that sounds wise and distinguished. Half a sleep I hear something like this. The gentleman says, " The existence of UFO's has been buried and hid by the use of reticule. Gradually we are seeing the governments realize that discloser is the way that it has to be. This is being carried out now. We are being primed to the idea of the existence of UFO's. When the public is ready, we while be given the formal statement. "

WHAT!!!!???? WHAT!!!!????

To this I wake up wide eye and run to the TV. High stepping agilely around all the sleeping dogs which I sense are around. I did step on a chew bone. I ignore the pain. I grab the TV with both hands hoping it would rewind the news feature. I hope to hear more clarification. Instead, the next story comes on about Madonna's new clothing line or the most recent trend in cell phone use. So, I go back to bed. But not entirely asleep. Now I have a suspicious eye cast to the skies out side my window.

-D

And this gives you another sense of what I deal with each and every day.


Later gators.....
C

Thursday, October 16, 2008

N-S-E-W? Another Friday Foto for Skywatch


I couldn't wait to post this one next week!



What direction? What time of day?



http://skyley.blogspot.com/



Later gators....

C

Friday Foto for Skywatch



Again, I can't help but just step out the door and take a photo. I didn't have the camera with the panoramic feature on it so had to take it in several shots.


Later gators....

C

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

How old are you really?

A bunch of us have been passing along some fun websites-here's one for ya--btw--I'm only 22 and should live till I'm 95!

http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/VirtualAge.php

Later gators....
C

National what????

Yes there is a holiday for each of us! Did you know that today is .....
National Grouch Day

or that it's...........

National Roast Pheasant Day
What has this world come to??? There is an occasion or holiday for any one, any thing or any day you want.
Check out a few of these links:
Later gators....
C




Thoughts for Midweek....

Being competitive or competing?.....

~~Bill Maher and I are on against each other, and we're friends. He can do my show any time he wants, and I've done Politically Incorrect several times. There's no reason to think competition has to be adversarial. Jay Leno

Honestly, it's not bad to be competitive but we also have to realize that if we alienate the competition, then they won't come and play the game anymore.

~~A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. Emo Philips
(HA, I love that one-remember, we are not all perfect at everything we do-that's why I don't play tennis)


~~The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly. - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

~~"I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself." Mikhail Baryshnikov



I think this last one holds a lot of meaning. Competing is one thing but being competitive is a whole other ball game. Those that just compete will do so without a shred of concern for those around them-ie winning at all costs. But those that are competitive do so with a goal in mind and will train, learn, lose then get right back up and join the race again. They end up leading in order to achieve their goal.


~~"Don't ever compromise on your standards or your objectives, because the worst thing is to compromise and lose." Michael Bloomberg

Later gators.....
C



Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Why is he using a heating pad?

Here's the rest of the story on the need for heating pad while sleeping. The loafing shed area had become ugly last winter-all the rain, snow, wind and well horse deposits. When you have large horses with lots of feathering on their feet, well, it's a recipe for a horrible mess.

So the solution-lots of gravel followed by a nice long stall mat. Dad brought over a semi load of gravel this weekend. David's been shoveling, wheel barrowing and raking it into the barn. Yes a skidloader might work faster but we can't get it into a couple areas of the barn. As you can see the horses are already testing out the new surface. The stall mat will get installed this next weekend after they have some time to pack down the surface and we can add more gravel where needed. Might I add, the stall mat was free. We have a local conveyor belt manufacturer here and you can get "remenants" from them. This one is heavy, thick and will fit perfectly into the loafing shed. Next time we go there, we will be getting stuff for the kennel floors and grooming room!



Later gators....
C

Puppies, why did it have to be puppies?






We are big Harrison Ford fans around here. Indiana Jones, Jack Ryan, Han Solo, etc. In a funny turn of events, David has adapted one of our favorite movie scenes to fit our house hold. Here's the original version.....
[Upon opening the Well of the Souls and peering down into it]

Sallah: Indy, why does the floor move?
Indiana: Give me your torch. [Sallah does, and Indy drops it in]
Indiana: Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?
Sallah: Asps. Very dangerous. You go first.


Ours........


David: Cindy, why does the floor move?
Cindy: Give me your flashlight.
David: Puppies. Why'd it have to be puppies?
Cindy: Cardigans. Very dangerous. You go first.





Later gators.....

C


Monday, October 13, 2008

4:30am


I send home instructions with all the puppies-how to feed, recommended toys, training tips and then a note that your puppy is adapted to our schedule and it might take a few days to acclimate to your family's routine.


Might I note that our schedule starts pretty darn early, as in 4:30am on work days with David getting up and letting the first wave of dogs outside. Ask Kim, it's not a pleasant experience especially when your not a morning person! So I often get calls or emails about how early the puppy gets up. Now, I have started warning new families, really early in the game, about this little quirk. Then I hand them Kim's email and explain that she has it down to a science after dog #2 from us. I think she might be starting up a consulting service for those new to the game.


See, David loves mornings, the earlier the better. Let dogs out, take shower, do barn chores, get Meredith going and then waking me up later, much later. If I have to deal with anyone, then I refuse to get up. If I don't have to seriously function, I can do early mornings, but really prefer sleeping in. Though this morning I was jolted out of bed when a wet Eddie sprung from the floor and landed on my head instead of somewhere further down the bed.


Now you might ask, does he use an alarm? Yes and no. We are both in the habit of getting up just before the alarm goes off, but if we fail to set it, need not worry. One or more the the dogs, when nature calls, will stand on your chest, stare at you from the edge of the bed or start huffing, moaning or in the case of the puppies-in particular Frank, howling. On weekends we attempt to sleep in. It can work, the key - don't move. Then moment your eyes flicker, you change position in the bed or yawn, it's over.


Yesterday, we were supposed to get up early to get out of the house by 8 to get to Des Moines to squeeze puppies. Frank, Torch, Dovey and Trouble all started a barber shop quartet-the harmony was awesome, the timing wasn't. I think David said it was 6am. He got up, let them out, laid back down on his heating pad(another post about the huge gravel pile in the pasture) and fell back to sleep. I think the rest of the crew was cold and had hunkered down in the bed. We got up at 7:50-so much for an early start.


So as a warning to anyone considering one of our dogs or puppies, if you are not a morning person, you had better talk to Kim about the 4 easy steps she's patented to train them to get up later. Or you better become one, 4:30am is awfully early.


Later gators....

C

Friday, October 10, 2008

Snookie

Let me introduce you to Snookie aka Moose. For those of you who have never met him, you don't know what you are missing. This photo was taken when he was about 5 months old and no that's not a rat sleeping with him but Alec and Meredith's brussels-Ace. A big red brindle dog with a fairy kiss on his forehead. Solid, nothing fat about him(well he did have to go on a small diet after sucking up to the Head Cook at the Gibson Ranch this summer). Easily amused and equally at home in the show ring, the creek or my lap.


Early on, Moose and I formed a bond. I had lost my first heart dog some years ago and well, no one had really been able to fill the hole till Moose. Granted, I often joke that he has no loyalty-open an RV door and he's in and ready for a road trip-even if I am not going along. But he has become my shadow at home, always within arms reach. I've noticed as of late, he's always in the same room, sits so that he can always see me. Or launch himself onto my lap. Curled up in bed in the crook of my legs or stretching out his full length with his head on my pillow. Thank God he doesn't snore.


Yes he is BIG. His name suits him to a T. I even have moose themed collars for him and working on finding the tracking harness in the same pattern. 42lbs of cardigan. I totally know where he got that from, not his mom but his dad. And he inherited his personality from his dad too. Goofy, clownish, hugable, and that grin. Oh can Moose grin. Hit the right spot on his belly and it creases right up to his eyes.


Moose has both his AKC and Canadian championships. But those don't mean as much to me as the other titles at the east end of his name. He was a total goof in the ring but managed to get his Rally Novice-one leg by me and two legs by my dear friend Kerri Carter(substitue handler when I couldn't attend the show). He's got his Canine Good Citizen but more importantly he has his Therapy Dog International certification. Nothing better for a body then a big ol'dog. He loves to go to the library for reading sessions, demonstrations on dog safety with school age kids and the hugs at the nursing homes. You can see the joy in his eyes.


Last night we decided to tackle another title and after nuking the hotdogs and finding the flags, the gloves and the harness, we went out for a little refresher on tracking. I am blessed to have areas on both sides of the driveway that are hay fields and haven't been touched in about a month. I laid 3 tracks-one in short grass, then a 15 yd and 20 yd track in taller grass. Aged them about 15 mins then went to work. The first one in tall grass was just a refresher but it only took two strides for him to hit the end of the lead and start pulling me to the article. Good boy, Snookie! 2nd one was a little longer and even better, skipped the hotdogs in a few places and went right to the end with a good hard pull. Last one was the short grass and I just wanted him to have a good long straight shot-bam, by this time it was aged about 20 mins and he went along like a pro. A little refresher on down at the articles and yipee, I see another title looming in the distance for the big guy. Well three or four titles-herding lessons starting soon, more work towards his CD, then we will work on, gulp, agility? Definately not his strong suit but we can try. Oh and forgot, he's also jumping into the juniors ring now-Meredith is proud to finally be able to lift him up on the table, and of course, he eats up the attention.


I don't think he's ever meet a person he doesn't like, nor is there a person who's met him that hasn't fallen in love. I do believe that he has offers from about a dozen people who say, if you ever need to find him a home.... I thought about it once or twice, but then realized that my life would not be the same without him.


So here's to you Snookie! In my opinion, size doesn't matter, unless it's the size of your heart, which is as big as they get!


Later gators....

C

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Friday Foto for Skywatch




These are all photos taken the same day but from different angles and at different times that evening. Since everyone liked last weeks submission I picked out a few more that might interest you but none are as nice as last weeks.
Later gators....
C


Excuse me, we are in the middle of a wrestling match


I managed to get a dark yet focused photo of another of the nightly rituals that happens on my bed. Puppy Wrestlemania. What's wrong with this picture is that for once, Trouble has the upper hand on Dovey. I think it lasted about an hour with occassional trips to the other room to harass the big dogs then zoom back to the bed as though it were base.


Later gators....
C


Doggie Taco


And another photo from the camera. I have to double check but I think this is Phoebe in her typical bed hog pose.

Later gators....
C

No idea what to call this post


Downloading photos from the camera and came upon this one. We ALL know who it is, but what is he thinking???


Later gators....
C

UIHC

What a day. Spent the entire gorgeous fall day playing games in a maze called University of Iowa Hospital and Clincs, home of the Iowa Children's Hospital. I'm so glad that we have access to a medical facility of it's caliber in our area. Especially when it's your own child that needs their help. But please, could someone consider laying it out in a simpler manner? Labyrinth it is.

So it's been two weeks since I crashed the burb and we started this odyssey of healing. I'm good for the most part. Going to have my right knee looked at in a few weeks if I continue to have that bone jarring pain when I walk, but nothing compared to the Ms. On Tuesday she had her stitches in her neck removed and it looks good. She laughs and says she could play Frankenstein and not need makeup on her neck. Yes her wicked sense of humor is back and overflowing. Yesterday we embarked on a trek to the UIHC.

First it's neuropsych. Just wanted to make sure that she isn't suffering from PCS like her dad(5 years now*#$&#*$&) 2 hours of testing. David and I took a nice stroll to the main hospital and got a cup of tea. Now for those of you who have never been down to this campus, it really is a campus. Walk out the front doors and into Kinnick Stadium-yes that's right football headquarters for the Hawks. Disability and Development Clinic is off to the west of the main hospital. Parking is a nightmare to say the least. Back to testing---yes 2 hours for them to say-you have an intelligent daughter. Duh, could have told them that and saved ourselves a trip. So no side effects, she's cleared on that front.

With a couple hours to spare, we did some errands. Duck food, new duckie slippers(they are the cutest btw) and a wander through Leash on Life. It's a really small but fully packed dog and cat store. Eddie, who has eaten his collar, got a new Lupine one. And yes his old one was a Lupine and yes it is in route to the company for replacement. Sidetrack here and plug. Lupine collars, leashes, harnesses are all guaranteed for life. Chewed, lost, ripped, doesn't matter. You have a piece of it left and they will send you a new collar. Done it 5 times now over the years. Eddie decided during this whole time frame of chaos to chew his up. Oh well, best investment I make with my dogs besides microchips. www.lupinepet.com

Back to UIHC, this time we have to find elevator "I". Now supposedly if you follow along the main hallway the elevators are all listed alphabetically. But "I" is at the end of the hall, a long walk from the main entrance. PappaJohn Pavillion. Then they send us down to the LL(lower level, basement what ever, it's underground). Fill out forms, go to this clinic, then this hallway, turn left, then right, spin a 360, doo-cee-doo your partner. Personally I was lost but thank GOD for signs. We got in and out of there in record time. She's got exercises to start in a few weeks, sling to wear for at least 4, though in 2 weeks she has to start leaving it off at home. The dr seeing us has a 10 yr old daughter too. Rides horses too. Nope, no horses for a time. BUT for all of you wondering about dog shows??????? We go back in November for another appointment but he feels that she will be cleared to show by December and...... will be able to show Moose or Eddie!!!

After a long day, we finally made it back to the truck. Time for haircuts. Neither of us looked like we had had one for months. And I need to thank the girls at Cost Cutters Marion, who did a great job on both our cuts but also threw in a shampoo and dry for the Ms and got all that ointment and junk out of her hair. Does a body good for a little pampering.

At least the next appointment will be short and sweet. She can get a full day of school in and I can get at least a partial day of work in. Crossing fingers that she gets the green light to lift her best buddies on the table again!

Later gators....
C

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Thoughts for Midweek.....

I know, I know, it's only Tuesday but how's this-don't read it until Wednesday?? I won't be at work or home tomorrow, but down at UIHC with the Ms for some appointments. Figured might as well post this now so that those that look forward reading it, don't have to wait ;0) Aren't I sweet to think of you ???


Figured this week's thoughts should be about who we are or maybe a reflection on who we aren't?

One of my favorites...

"My goal in life is to be as good of a person that my dog already thinks I am"

I was playing around last night with Moosie. He might be a big dog, okay, he's a huge cardigan, but he's also got a heart to go right along with it-big, forgiving, lays it right out on his paw. He doesn't do anything for himself, but for his humans. He is truly my heart dog and knows it. I don't know where I would be without him and I hope that I can live up to his expectations of me.


"What we think or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only thing of consequence is what we do. " John Ruskin

I go back to my FFA and 4-H roots--- "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve" or "To make the Best Better". It's what we do as the outward presence of our existance that matters, not what just we think or believe. Failure to act on our thinking or believing results in a static existence - do you want that to be what matters-a do nothing person?


So I challenge on this Midweek quest---who are you, what are you and what are you doing about it!!!!!!!! Let's live up to the expectations of our dogs--it's a hard road but I know we can do it.


Later gators....
C

Monday, October 6, 2008

Indian Summer

WOW-it's 78 degrees here today. After a weekend of 50's and 60's it's very much welcome. Though the forecast for tonight is thunderstorms, I'm not too worried. We need some rain, not a lot but some.

Looked up the term for Indian Summer-a stretch of warm days after the first frost, but usually in November? Even though we didn't have a hard frost last week, we did have enough to wilt the morning glories and hibiscus. In town it didn't get as cold. Once again, the joy of being out in the country-it's always hotter or colder then in town. More rain, more snow, more wind and more ice. I have the camera ready to get some good sunset photos tonight. I love autumn photos, the color range is amazing.

Hopeful I will also have time tonight to fix some agility equipment. Seems dogs racing around the yard at Mach 10, then leaping off the teeter, can cause it to bounce and glue joints to come undone. Also doesn't help that it's usually 3-4 dogs on it instead of one as per instructions. Same goes for the tunnel, it's a cheap kids one at that, but time for repair or replace. Collies are not meant to fit in that one and I am sure the capacity load is one, not five cardigans at a time?

This is the time of the year when I seriously wish I still had an outside job. Opening my window helps but man, I tend to daydream more then work. Sent the Ms to school with her shorts and tshirt, worried she would get cold. Nope, she had the day better planned then I. Oh well, shows you that grownups aren't always right.

Leaves are dropping all over the place. Nothing pretty yet though. Hoping that when we take our road trip this weekend up north that it will be worth it. Otherwise, I might just have to plan one for the next weekend too ;0)

Later gators....
C

Friday, October 3, 2008

A grudge is a heavy, unnecessary burden

Why is it that certain people are just inherently evil? Feel the need to constantly berate others, to pick at wounds or to say things that once heard or read make you not want to be anywhere near them? I was sent something today that once read, I shuttered and though-how can someone feel good about gleaning pleasure from causing misfortune on others? Have they so lost themselves in the need for revenge or one upmanship that they have let evil take such a deep root? Honestly, the "I've been slimed" phrase came to mind. I seriously felt the need to take a shower after that.


I do a daily bible devotional called the Upper Room. It's been around forever. I even have one of the monthly paperback books-used before the invention of the Internet, that has the most amazing Advent devotions, that we still use each year. But I digress, so I click on the link this morning, get myself settled and start reading. Kind of like that V-8 -bonk on the head, I immediately thought of a group of people I know. So this is the opening scripture to read:



Matthew 18:21-35 (NRSV) "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?"Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times."


Okay, again, I had a V-8 moment. After reading what was sent to me that I mentioned earlier, I seriously thought about how dragging it is to carry a grudge. The extra weight we feel the need to carry, the inability or the road block we place in our lives when we don't just own up to a mistake-and forgive. I kind of likened it to a favorite road "hazard" that my kids love to encounter. Why is it that we feel a need to continually hit the potholes, to not forgive and to continue going in a circle on the "roundabout" of life? Do we not realize that we can so easily get off with use of our forgiveness turn signal? I see so much of it on a daily basis-those looking out of #1, protecting their "friends" and will turn in a moments notice when it seems too hard to face up to the facts, acknowledge our shortcomings and just forgive?

The rest of the passage goes as such:

"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.

When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.

But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.

When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Just before this passage is another one - Matthew 6:15"... but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespass."

God is telling us that if we can't forgive other's, then he won't forgive us. When you fail to ask for forgiveness or forgive someone else, you are holding on to those past transgressions,. Evil then has a place to take root. Then comes a great little thing known as the attitude of revenge. And revenge is not ours to enact. By taking it into our owns hands it just plants the seeds of evil even deeper into our being.

Romans 12:19-21 says "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. "

Basically what God wants us to do is let it go. For if it is true evil and unrepentant, then in time it will get it's comeuppance. Let go by asking God for forgiveness, accepting the forgiveness of others and letting it go. As we are asked to forgive, we need to be honest, with no underlying intentions. For there are those that will ask without truly having the honest intentions that God asks us to have. Playing the part so to speak. Good with alternative intentions is no longer good but means that you have not completely let go of the revenge portion.




So I step back myself and ask what have I not forgiven others for? Is there still a need to "get even" ? Are there grudges weighing me down that I could so easily get rid of by asking for forgiveness, admitting my shortcomings and just turning on that turn signal. Getting out of the slow roundabout of revenge and merging onto the byway of happiness and enjoying the rest of my life?

Loaded blog post, I know. Don't you just love it when I get this way? I promise, Monday will be much better and I should have some great news to pass on.

Later gators...
C

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Friday Foto for Skywatch



We had some wicked skys that day. I love the rainbow effect - looks better when you blow it up. I am going to see if I can find the other pics we took that show the "ripple" effect that was produced earlier in the evening.

Later gators.....

C

http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Please don't feed the dust bunnies!



I sat on my butt last night and looked around the house. Yes there is a cobweb in the corner. And yes the Boyd's Mooses need a serious dusting. But I also saw a dollhouse all set up - all over the living room-ready for the next day's play. I saw a dog drapped over a lap receiving a welcome pet on the head. The floors are not swept, dust bunnies are multipling at an astounding rate and the sink has dirty dishes in it. But our stomachs are full with a well done meal, our hearts are warm with the knowledge of a house full of love and we rest our heads at night with the comfort of a new day.


The fridge is covered in art work, magnets and notes from school. I'm actually not sure if there really is a fridge under there anymore. The bed is unmade but a happy child and a dog wrestle in the covers and make tents for sleeping.


I would rather have an house in chaos with love overflowing, then one in order and not a sign of love around.



~~A clean house is the sign of a wasted life.

~~Remember a house becomes a home when you can write " I love you " on the furniture.


A few more points to ponder:





Two of my favorites....



Housework can wait,

my children need kisses.

They want me to play,

I'll put off the dishes.

When they're grown,

I'll keep the house spic 'n' span...

But children grow fast so I'll play while I can.

~~Leslie Prest


Babies Don't Keep

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow.

For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs...dust go to sleep,

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

~~Unknown


Later gators...

C

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Diary of a Foster Dog--tumor results

My foster mom just got the most exciting call - my tumor was benign!!! Yippeee, that means that once my stitches come out this weekend, that as FM Cindy says, I will be on the fast track to a forever home. WOW-still gotta let that sink in-my very own forever home.

So anyway, it's been a little crazy since my last post. Seems that the humans here-Cindy and Meredith got in a bad car accident last Thursday. Moose and Eddie were with them when she t-boned a farm wagon. Needless to say that neat suburban is toast, Meredith has some owies and FM Cindy has been worring a lot about her. That's okay, I've been on my best behavior. Moose gave me the details and yes, he's fine too. Always worry about my best boy friend ;0) So I've been not jumping and begging for quiet hugs.

I've also learned a lot in the last week. My new name is very becoming but there are times I totally forget that it is my name and go blazing through the house at mach 10 with someone calling "Carly-come". Nah, that thrill of slidding sideways through the kitchen is way too much fun. I'm also being a good girl and letting the humans know when I need to go out and go "busy". FM Cindy says that makes it much easier for me to find a forever home, especially if I have manners. Now the only thing that puzzles me is this huge box in the front room. It's always talking and changing colors and shapes and what not. Man, not my cup of tea. I'll hang out in the kitchen where all the good smells are.

So from now on it's getting myself ready to impress visitors. I really liked it when Auntie Kim came and visited last week--Moose said that she's the most awesome person and the perfect person to suck up too. Boy was he right!!! He said something about being a sucker for a cute and innocent face. Now I must beg to differ about him having an innocent face, cute maybe but innocent? My bunny butt he is!

Corgi kisses,
Carly

(Editor's note: Yes it's true, her tumor is benign, which means she now has a clean bill of health. With her stitches and staples out, Carly will be working on some obedience-sit, down and stay. Then it's just patitently waiting for her "forever angels" to come by and adopt her. If you are interested at meeting Carly or inquiring about the vacant angel position-please email me at fogebotom@aol.com)

Thoughts for Midweek......

Never explain yourself. Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it.

True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice."~ Samuel Johnston

The medicine of life is to have true faithful friends.

A true friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably. ~William Penn

For Kim, Kathy, Rus and Sherilyn~

"I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man's milk and restorative cordial."~ Thomas Jefferson


A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half cracked

"Misfortune shows those who are not really friends."~ Aristotle

When you look around and your world is crumbling, your best friend is the one to run to you.

Later gators....
C