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I smile as I write this... it's always been one of my favorite scriptures. Papa read it when he married Greg and I in a small Chapel in Lubbock, Texas.
Tonight, as I've been reading blogs, doing laundry and getting back into rhythm of daily life at home, I wanted to leave some sweetness and tenderness for all of you that I love so much.
Yesterday was beautiful. I've never been so surrounded by as many Pastors and their wives. I know that my faith will continue to grow. Amen...
For everything there is a season
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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Mimi died tonight at 7:45pm, Texas time.
Please pray for all of us.. every family member and friend who loved her so much.
She is with God now!
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It is Monday morning, 12:19am, Texas time
Greg and I just came home after spending three nights with Mimi. Papa is spending the night with her tonight and will call us if she goes Home.
Hospice... we have come to love these women. We have cried with them and laughed with them. They taught me how to care for Mimi's mouth, and when to call them. Last night was the most peaceful night, after a very, very difficult day for all of us. I had asked the nurses to turn Mimi and give her more medicine, and she just cried out, and tears came from her closed eyes... (Greg has to leave the room when this happens). God is getting me through this... I stroked her hair and dabbed the blood from her mouth, and began to sing lullabies to her. Greg lingered by the door and came back in and he sang to her with me. We dimmed all of the lights, except for a snowman that Papa brought for her. It glitters and sparkles. Mimi loves Christmas. All three of us slept through the night, and I know the Lord has been right there in the room with us.
All of the family... we have gathered around Mimi and prayed for her, our grandchildren have been with her, and Angela, Mimi's eldest grandaughter laid Mimi's hand on her tummy, where the newest great-grandchild is waiting to be born in three months.
My sisters have called me. Thank you, God.
There is so much love and tenderness in the midst of all this pain.
I have cried with people who have lost loved ones the last three days, prayed for them, and mourned when there are people who have no one to sit with them as they die.
My heart... it feels like it is getting bigger and bigger. My marriage is getting stronger, and my love for God is growing deeper. I need Him and I am clinging to Him.
I know... we all know where our beloved Mimi is going. The hardest thing is seeing her distress.
Soon, I pray... Mimi will hear the Angels singing and we will be celebrating.
I love you, every one of you.
Please keep praying, I can feel your prayers. I'm going to go to bed now. I can't stop crying, because I'm with my friends right now, and I know you understand.
Joey
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Last night, we gathered as family as MImi was moved into Hospice Care. It was not easy... Greg and I stayed after everyone left, and I tried to help my husband understand what Hospice Care is about. One of the nurses gave me a book and I gave it to Greg to read. Then he understood that they would be helping Mimi, not hurting her.
Earlier that night, as Greg and I sat with his sister Cheryl, and her husband Gary... Cheryl made the comment that her mother has always held the family together.
After reflecting about this, I remember how many times this wonderful woman has held our children in her arms, and cooked hundreds of meals for us as we gathered together across the years. Mimi was always the one who called to check on everyone. She wrote the most incredible letters and notes... full of such love and care. She always had time to listen. I think that is what I miss most about Mimi. That she cared so much, and she wanted to know what we thought.
I just give thanks for the time I got to spend with Mimi this summer and Fall. I'm remembering all the times we laughed so hard, and when we sat side by side on the couch, covered by a pink floral blanket. We had so much fun. I loved Mimi, as she was before she had Alzheimer's and after she had Alzheimer's. We had wonderful times together. We spent alot time giggling.
My heart aches for my family; Papa, my husband and my daughters are in such pain. Cheryl and her family...
Last night, though... driving home it struck me. Mimi is going to be with God soon! All the other thoughts fell away from me. Mimi is going to go home! She will have no pain, only the beauty and love and wonder of God!
This is the time we show our faith. This is what our hope is all about!
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Mar celebrated her first birthday yesterday. She got to go to the Beauty Shop, where they cut at least 30 pounds of hair from her little body, and then she got a new bone and frog. I compiled all of my blogs about this rascal, and then read them to see if Mar's behavior has improved... and to be honest with ya, that dog is crazier than ever. I just came from my bedroom, and found a brand new hardbound book chewed to bits. I asked her if she enjoyed the book. She just yanked it back and forth in her mouth. Mar is sorta half cat, half dog. She perches on the edge of the sofa like a cat, and pounces like a cat, but she plays like a dog. When she's playin, she makes this half growlin, half snarlin noise that is really strange. It really freaks visitors out. They just watch her, because she does this AT them, until she get used to them. Other than that, Mar is totally housebroken, and she sleeps with Sydney at night. Greg is still madly in love with her, but he pets my head when he goes by my desk. She is charming, disarming, cuddly, sassy, maddening, warm, loving and.... everything I could ever ask for in a Grandog. I must say that I never thought she would be taking naps with me. Most days, I have two dogs sitting under my feet.... and I am very blessed, indeed.
False Accusation
Some of you have read about my puppy love wars with Marley. Bless her heart, she will turn seven months on July 7th... and yes, she's still going to time out.
I want you to know that I've been wrong about something. Many blogs ago, I posted photographs of my little flower bed. Mar loves to dig in the yard; especially in that soft wet dirt. She noses the rocks away and makes a place for her chubby little body and just settles in with her nose turned up to the sun.
It is good for Mar, but not so healthy for my plants. I have replanted and replanted until I'm blue in the face. A few days ago, the girls and I decided to outside and see what the squirrels were up to. They ran out first and I followed behind. The first thing I saw was that my entire flower bed looked like some "puppy named Mar" had been dancing her heart out in it.
I looked at her and said, "Mar!!!!!! How could you????? No!!!!" And then I got the broom, swept the dirt back into the bed and replanted those poor babies once again. I turned and looked at her and shook the broom at her. She just tilted her head sideways at me. hmmmph!
Later that evening, I gave the whole incident some thought. I had been with the girls all day. The bed had been fine when we'd come in earlier. MY head tilted sideways. Oh my... it's the squirrels. Those ratty squirrels have been playing in the flower bed. Mar!!!!!!!!! I accused her of doing something she didn't even do.
I picked that puppy up and cradled her in my arms. Mar stared at me as I pushed her shaggy hair out of those black loving eyes. I told her how sorry I was for getting on to her for something she didn't do.
Talk about feeling terrible, and crummy. I gave that much thought.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- Exodus 20:16
Poor Marley...
I haven't written about Mar in some time. She was spayed on Thursday... and she is supposed to be in recovery mode for 14 days. The first day, she was very quiet and groggy when we brought her home. We all loved on her and she didn't want anything to drink or eat. She just wasn't herself. Dr. Hefner told us to keep her very quiet, and I just looked at him. Right... this is gonna be a challenge. When I say this, you have to understand that Mar is a thunder-ball. She walks around on her hind legs like a human, and leaps onto our laps when we are in chairs. She perches on our shoulders like a bird, and she fights her babies until they are just tattered and torn. She ain't afraid of nuthin. Nobody. The other day, I let her go out to the mailbox with me. Bad decision. She snooped around... did her duty, and when I went to pick her up, she scuttled away from me. She did this doggy dance for at least 10 minutes. I was running back and forth between my two next neighbors homes, tryin to catch her. I begged her, "Mar, please!", to no avail. Finally, I just sat down and put my head in my hands. That bloomin puppy walked up behind me and and started lickin me. I reached around and tickled her tummy, and then - I grabbed her. Now... Mar is in recovery, and as you can see, she is wearing her little lampshade thingy. She is not happy with me all. She looks at me with sad eyes, and I feel sad too. She's gotten her appetite back, and she walked on two legs until I chewed her out. She keeps trying to run and I tell to walk. She's bumping that lampshade thingy into stuff, but she's learned to eat, drink and play with her babies with it on. I will be so glad when we are past the recovery time and Mar can live it up again. I never thought I would miss it, but I do.
Hey, those are mine!
Some things are just personal. Specially if they belong to me.
How many lectures am I gonna have to give this chick? She's tryin to take the socks off my feet and it's cold in here! I can't even write a blog in peace. Jest a minute.... I put her in bed.
Now where was I... Oh, Syd took her to the vet and she weighed 3 pounds. She's puttin on weight like crazy and she can run like wind. I'm not kiddin. She has nerve too. She ain't afraid of nuthin. She back-talks me too.
When I tell her no in my extra-mean voice, she gives me a chewin like I have never heard before. I have tried every voice I can think of. I tried showin her a rolled up newspaper and she just got on her back legs and begged.
I showed her the mouth (my hand) and I know she was laughin. I learned that on the Dog Whisperer. hmmph! It was supposed to put her in her place!
And today? My neighbor shows up with her grey Shih Tzu and HER dog sorta growled at me.
Well, it's late now, and this dog is gonna check on the others...
Just remember.... Love covers everybody and everything.
My Husband!!
Marley Fae has changed my husband. He is utterly captivated by this puppy. His voice changes to this crooning tone when he talks to her.
He's so excited when it's time to put the girls out for the early morning bathroom break. Maddie is asleep in our room, and she's not ready to get up that early. But noooooo.... Greg croons to her until she finally gets up and leaves. Poor thing!
Love does strange things to people...
Sydney has this Luxury Shampoo and Conditioner. She bathed Marley Fae on Saturday... and then today... she just popped Marley into the shower with her. Looks like we are gonna have the cleanest dog in town.
So what does all of this mean? Life is changing, my husband thinks he is Perry Como, and no, that puppy ain't gonna shower with this dog!
Chow for Now!
No Way!
I never thought it would happen. I've always been a one dog woman! Maddie and I have been together for a long time.
I don't know if was when I smelled her puppy breath, or when she learned to shake paws with me, but I fell in love with Marley Fae. This tiny black and white Shih Tzu Toy Poodle has made a place in my heart.
She's not house broken yet, but we are doing well. She leaves presents for Greg, and for Sydney and some for me, but I learned that it's part of being a tiny little puppy.
She's learned to beg, and dance around on her back legs. When we go to the back yard, she goes hunting in the Monkey Grass. Funny... she gets lost in it, but sooner or later, she finds a way out. It is hard for her run in the grass, so she bounces around. She attacks every stick and leaf she comes across.
She's lovable, and full of spirit. Maddie did bark a warning at her today. Marlie was trying to find milk where was none. I mean, really... Maddie puts up with the tail chewin and stuff, but some things are just PERSONAL !!
One thing Marley has taught my family is this. They don't leave their stuff on the floor anymore. If it's on the floor, it's Marley's.
Thank you, God for Christmas blessing. She belongs to Sydney, but Mom and Dad love her.
Duking it out...
So... this puppy chick and I have been having "POTTY WARS".
I was outside checkin the mail and I saw my neighbor. I called to her. Thought she might have an idea of what to do. I had been throwin the puppy out in the back yard hopin she would go. No... I don't actually "throw her" - I walk out and she follows me. I tend to exaggerate at times like this.
My neighbor already knew about Marley and told me how sweet and precious the puppy is. When I told about the wars, she laughed at me. The nerve of it!! She said, "Joey, that puppy is only 7 weeks old - they don't come out trained." Then she just threw back her head and laughed some more!
She told me to get a playpen and put in middle of the LIVING ROOM. My word!
I am not raisin another child. I don't get it. She has a cage. But she keeps it clean. She saves up everything for my carpets.
sigh.... she is still a blessing and we love her.
Christmas, 2008
Well folks... we have us a new member in our family. Syd got a puppy for Christmas, and now we have Maddie Mae and little old Marley Fae. She's seven weeks old and real small.
Yep, she she has no qualms about taking our stuff from from us. She just drags it off. She has some notion in her little head that it is all hers. This dog has a mind of her own. She and I are gonna go round and round. She needs trainin!
Maddie, my dog eyes her with boredom. She does give a bit of a growl when Marley chomps on her tail, and I don't blame her. Marley had the audacity to sleep in Maddie's bed! She's taken her toys, eaten her food... the ultimate insult was when Marley crawled in bed with Maddie! Why... she has her own bed. What is a dog to do?
I know that puppy is makin plans for Maddie. Big plans... poor, poor Maddie.
But what that sweet puppy doesn't know, is that Mom has plan for HER. Big plans.... training plans.... I just have to read up on it. We ain't never had a puppy. We always adopt. She has stolen our hearts, along with our socks. She smells good too. Puppy smell.
Thank you, Lord... for new life in our home, and for the past year, and for all to come.
God bless you all,
Joey
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