Goodbye Woodvine?

I've been negotiating with another realtor on an offer on my house. It's been on the market for so long and I've been wondering where the love is for my cute little place. Well, maybe now it is finally getting some of the appreciation it deserves. The realtor called to let me know we have a deal.
It was a fabulous little place for me. Cozy, homey and I definitely felt safe there.

The kitchen was a tad small for all of my cooking gadgets, utensils, dishes and things, but overall, it was a great little house.


I'm taking a loss, but with the real estate market the way it is right now, I'm just going to accept it, cut my losses and move on. Now, just to get through the inspection process. That should go just fine and I really don't expect anything major to come from that. The new buyers want to close before the end of June which means I won't have to make another mortgage payment which is good news for me.
I'm saying a prayer and keeping my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly...

Good To Be Home

After spending the week in Connecticut, I'm home and it feels so good to be here. It has been a stressful and heartbreaking week for our family. Despite that, it was good to be around my family. I miss them being so far away. Sometimes I feel like I'm totally out of the loop on everything and sometimes I feel lonely. I'm envious that they can meet for breakfast anytime they want and that they call each other all the time. I want to be a part of that but I'm so far away.

However, I really don't think I could ever move back there. It's too cold in Connecticut for me.

A sad day for our family...

I received a call from my sister today with the news that nobody wants to hear. She went in for her 36 week checkup to find out her baby girl had died. What devastating news. It's almost too unbelievable to wrap my mind around. Our family is just devastated. I'm praying that God gives Manda the strength to make it through.
Douglas and I were scheduled to go up to Connecticut in two weeks for the baby's shower. Today, I had to call and cancel our trip and book a flight for myself to go and help Amanda get through this. I'm so worried about her because she is such a private person. She doesn't like to talk about anything and I'm afraid she will hold it all in. I just don't understand and I can't help but ask why. I just don't understand....

Animal Attraction

Well, good news for the bird. One of the local veterinary clinics took him in to turn him over to a bird rehabilitator. So, hopefully he will be back to flying real soon and back out enjoying the wild. Hope he learned his lesson and doesn't go flying into any more windows.

This morning, I was looking out my window and I saw a boxer with a leash attached looking like it was scared. Our neighbors have a boxer so I thought it might be theirs. I went out to see if the dog had tags (none) and then went to my neighbor's house. Nobody was home so I rang our other neighbors doorbell. That neighbor said she knew it wasn't anybody's in the neighborhood because the dog had been hanging around and they asked around and nobody knew anything. I have to say this made me SO ANGRY. So, let me get this straight: you just LEAVE the poor thing to fend for itself? People are such IDIOTS!!!! I guess some people just don't care. They can't be bothered to make sure an animal is safe. How about a little food and water? Nope.

Anyway, I put the poor, scared thing in my backyard, give her some food and water and start calling. I call the local vets, the local boxer rescue group and the dog pound. Then I put an ad on craigslist. The first few calls I got were from people wanting a boxer in case the real owner didn't claim her. Finally this afternoon, I get a text from the real owner. He identified her right down to the leash that is attached to her collar. He is coming to pick her up once he gets finished with work. I'll give him a little lecture about putting tags on her and let him know that next time he might not be so lucky as to have someone return her. Unbelievable.

So happy that both these stories have a happy ending.

Tomorrow, Doug and I are heading over to Guthrie to walk a 5K in memory of a man named Chris Cowden who was killed in a motorcycle accident last year. He was an animal lover and all the proceeds are going to Free To Live, a no-kill animal shelter in Guthrie. I used to be a board member for Free To Live and it really is a nice place for animals. You can find Chris's story here.

Everyone, please, make sure your dogs and cats have tags. You may think they won't ever get out but it happens sometimes. Also, please spay and neuter your pet. It is simply irresponsible not to do so. Thank you.

He almost bashed his brain in!

Around noon, Doug was working on his computer while sitting in the kitchen and heard a loud thump. A poor little birdie had smashed himself into the kitchen window. We went outside and there he was, completely stunned and breathing rapidly. He was standing on his little bird feet but he wasn't trying to fly away. I figured I'd give him a little time to get his bearings.

When I looked out the window a little later, he was gone. However, when I got home from work tonight there were birds at the feeders and one little guy just kind of hopping on the ground - it was our little brain basher. I knew I couldn't just leave him because apparently he is hurt enough that he can't fly. Eventually, I have to let the dogs out and although they wouldn't hurt him on purpose, I just had to do something with him.

So, I got a big box from the garage, put some newspaper on the bottom along with a bunch of shredded paper from my paper shredder (he needs a comfy nest you know!). Then the comedy show began.

I put on a pair of garden gloves and went out to put him in the box. Well ~ he didn't exactly like this idea and started to run and hop. He was fast! I chased him around and around the back yard for a good twenty minutes. I didn't want to just grab him and end up hurting him even more so I tried to get him in a corner and gently get him in the box. We got him in once and he managed to flap his little wings enough to get out of the box and start running around the back yard again.

We eventually got him in the box. I put in a shallow bowl of water in case he wanted a drink or maybe a bath. I need to go put some bird seed in there so he has something to eat. We called the local bird sanctuary but unfortunately they were closed by the time I called. Hopefully, once they get my message tomorrow they will call me back and tell me what to do with this little guy! The website gave some information about keeping them in the dark and quiet for a while so they have a chance to recover. I hope this little fella recovers soon and is able to fly away.

Of course, after watching me run around the backyard the dogs were going absolutely crazy! It took quite a while for them to settle down and to forget about what was going on in the back yard. So, that is the excitement for tonight. We have an extremely busy week so I'd better get off this computer and do some other things. Good Night!

Happy Friday!

Welcome for coffee, Company Girls!
The week has flown by and has been a very busy one. Doug was gone part of the week and got back Wednesday afternoon. So happy to have him home!He had a good time but has been a little under the weather since he got back.
We've got a few plans for the weekend. Tonight we are going to a ball game at the Drillers Stadium to see OU vs. OSU. Should be lots of fun!
We were going to go over to the old house to take care of the yard tomorrow. Luckily, someone left a flyer on the door and I called the number. So, instead of us having to do it, I'm just going to pay someone else to mow, edge and take care of it! I'm praying that I get an offer on that house soon. It's a cute little place and I can't understand why it hasn't sold yet. There was a showing last night, one today and one tomorrow. So, come on offers!! It's a great little place:

On Sunday, we are going over to Edmond to take Doug's mom to brunch for Mother's Day. Sunday is also my brother Bobby's birthday. Can't wait to see my family next month!!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Trying to get my mojo...

I mentioned back a few posts that I need an attitude adjustment. I'm working on it, I promise. I think this rainy, cold weather is just really getting to me. I love sun and I NEED sun! And warmth...I'm tired of being cold all of the time.

So, when I'm feeling crabby to begin with, people just aggravate me. The smallest little things bug me. I can think of a million things to complain about. But really, I shouldn't complain because when I step out of my crabby mood and look at my life, it's a pretty nice life. Here are some of the things I'm thankful for at this moment:
I've got a man who loves me and who just put a beautiful ring on my finger to prove it...Not that I needed the ring to prove it, I already knew it in my heart :) But the ring is beautiful and I appreciate it. (I haven't been able to get a picture that does it justice, so you guys will have to wait a little longer to see it!)
We have four furry little dogs that we are crazy about. And yes, they are crazy about us too.
I've got a job and most days I really like my job.
I'm healthy.
I'm smart. Is it conceited to say that?
Anyway...The sun is supposed to come out in the next couple of days and Doug will be home tomorrow. The nicer weather is just around the corner I just need to be patient.

Random Thoughts

~I'm sitting here tonight watching Celebrity Apprentice and I have dogs sprawled all over the place. *THAT* makes me happy. One of our family members is missing however...Douglasssssss. He is in San Diego for work. Wish I was with him... Things are not the same around here without him. We all miss him.
~We picked up my ring on Friday. It is even more beautiful than I remembered. Can't wait for my family to get to see it! Now we have to set a date for the big day. It will most likely be sometime late this summer or early fall. We have talked about going somewhere to get married and then coming back and having a party. Sounds like a plan. :)
~Finally finished Amanda's baby shower invitations today and will get them in the mail to Connecticut tomorrow. I'm happy to have those done. I wanted to share a picture of all of them complete. Unfortunately, the weather has been dark and rainy and I couldn't get a good picture of them.
Have a great week!

Four Years

Four years ago today, I lost my mom. And I lost my best friend.

Many things have changed in the four years she has been gone. Changes I couldn't fathom at the time. Back then, I had to take things minute by minute because I didn't know how I was going to make it without her. In my darkest hours I would remember how she would say that she didn't want us to be sad, that it would make her sad to see us unhappy. She wanted us to smile, laugh and be happy and remember all the good things about her. I think that is what makes it so hard to be without her.

So now, I do smile when I think of her and I laugh when I tell stories about her. It makes me happy to think of all the ways I am just like her. Like when I say things that she would say, or I mix up a popular quote. For instance, instead of saying "someone left the barn door open" I have been known to say "someone let the horses out of the barn". Or, just the other day, Doug laughed at me when I said "he is seeing the handwriting on the wall." My mom was always mixing things up and how we would laugh with her!

I'm trying to be more like her by being more spontaneous and not letting things get to me. She would just roll with things. If an opportunity arose, she would jump on it. It didn't matter if she had limited funds, she didn't let that stop her. She lived her life, even though it turned out to be way too short.

Today, I think she is smiling down from heaven. There have been dramatic changes in my life in the past four years. Today: a new chapter. Doug and I are picking up my ring. I'm so excited! I know my mom is looking down from heaven and smiling. I can hear her saying, "See! You never know what is going to happen! God never closes a door without opening a window." I know she is excited for me ~ I am excited for me. So, I'd better get going. The sooner I get ready, the sooner I get my ring! :)