My baby Daisy died yesterday. When Don posted about his Daisy and the the Lovely Cats posted about Cinderella, I actually thought hmmm...I wonder if Daisy will make three... before deciding she probably wouldn't because, while she certainly wasn't getting younger, she wasn't sinking terribly quickly either. She was just being herself.
Lithus and I needed to be on the road for work so we called SuperSitter who was more than happy to come visit with them. But on Saturday, she called Lithus' cell phone. We couldn't leave Saturday but we were able to leave Sunday instead of Monday and made it home in time.
I think she was waiting for me. I picked her up about 4:30 and held her and rocked her and let her know I was there. We went outside and sat in the fresh air and the sun for a little while. We rocked and talked and sang for almost two hours. I told her she was going to meet my dad and he would take care of her until I got there and not to worry when it was a long time before I showed up; I wasn't going to ever forget her and would be there eventually. She was in my arms when she died. I have to think that she knew I had made it home to her.
When I got them, we discussed three years. I knew we were on borrowed time so figured three years would be good. Bless her, she managed to give me two and a half. I'll take 'em. Everyone talks about how I was the one who gave so much to her. How I saved her life. And that's true enough. I did. What people don't often get though is how much she gave to me, that she saved my life, too.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tagged, x2
The word is out: I love tags. Akakarma (http://myveryownkarma.blogspot.com/) and GNightGirl have both tagged me. Since I'm a little short on time right now, I'm combining them. Something tells me they understand time crunch.
Akakarma's tag is to list 7 weird/unusual things about yourself. Here goes:
1. I have a bachelor's of science degree. This is weird because 1. the thought of me accomplishing anything science-y on the level that would allow me to get a degree in it is laughable and 2. my degree is pre-law and I don't consider that science-y. Especially considering I have friends who accused me of going into it in order to avoid taking more math classes.
2. My baths have to be HOT. I've secretly wondered if I'm not one of those frogs that will allow itself to be cooked alive if you increase the heat of the water it's in slowly enough.
3. All my life, I have wanted to live in a hotel. This is because of the book, Eloise. Preferably, I would live in a Ritz. Yes, a Ritz would be ideal, thankyouverymuch.
4. When I shave, I shave my right leg first. Shaving my left leg or under my arms first throws the entire shower out of whack.
5. My favorite vegetable to add to spaghetti sauce is peas. Obviously, I prefer the really fresh, spring peas. However, I keep frozen ones year-round in order to have them in winter spaghetti, too.
6. I have seven email addresses. I check two of them everyday. I check one of them occasionally. I never check the other four.
7. I always travel with dental floss and a candle. They aren't related in any way except that I keep them in my suitcase, ready to go, when I am.
And the second tag, from Lori, the GNightGirl: Write your own six word memoir. It can only be six words. Here are mine ~
It was all true.
Believe everything.
Now, for the tags...
1. Krystal
2. Graziella
3. Real Live Lesbian
4. Don (in the hope that it will give him something gentle, easy and maybe fun to post about)
5. Dylan, from Out In The Middle Of Idaho
6. Anyone else who wants to play
7. You! (of course)
Take one. Take the other. Take 'em both. Or don't take them at all. Just let me know if you play. ;)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Akakarma's tag is to list 7 weird/unusual things about yourself. Here goes:
1. I have a bachelor's of science degree. This is weird because 1. the thought of me accomplishing anything science-y on the level that would allow me to get a degree in it is laughable and 2. my degree is pre-law and I don't consider that science-y. Especially considering I have friends who accused me of going into it in order to avoid taking more math classes.
2. My baths have to be HOT. I've secretly wondered if I'm not one of those frogs that will allow itself to be cooked alive if you increase the heat of the water it's in slowly enough.
3. All my life, I have wanted to live in a hotel. This is because of the book, Eloise. Preferably, I would live in a Ritz. Yes, a Ritz would be ideal, thankyouverymuch.
4. When I shave, I shave my right leg first. Shaving my left leg or under my arms first throws the entire shower out of whack.
5. My favorite vegetable to add to spaghetti sauce is peas. Obviously, I prefer the really fresh, spring peas. However, I keep frozen ones year-round in order to have them in winter spaghetti, too.
6. I have seven email addresses. I check two of them everyday. I check one of them occasionally. I never check the other four.
7. I always travel with dental floss and a candle. They aren't related in any way except that I keep them in my suitcase, ready to go, when I am.
And the second tag, from Lori, the GNightGirl: Write your own six word memoir. It can only be six words. Here are mine ~
It was all true.
Believe everything.
Now, for the tags...
1. Krystal
2. Graziella
3. Real Live Lesbian
4. Don (in the hope that it will give him something gentle, easy and maybe fun to post about)
5. Dylan, from Out In The Middle Of Idaho
6. Anyone else who wants to play
7. You! (of course)
Take one. Take the other. Take 'em both. Or don't take them at all. Just let me know if you play. ;)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sunday Poll Question
The Sunday Poll Question is being preempted today for a request.
Today Lori, aka GNightGirl from "This Just In" is having an auction to raise money for her sister, Teri Pittman. Teri is fighting rare granulosa/germ cell ovarian cancer, which is inoperable. She is doing a magnificent and truly admirable job of fighting this thing. Only medical costs are rising in spite of the family's insurance.
The auction should be a grand party. Lots of laughter, music, some great items up for bid (full disclosure ~ I've offered up an item myself) and an overall celebration of life. Wouldn't you just love to be there? Yeah, me too.
Since most of us can't be though, instead of answering a poll question today, send some joy Lori and Teri's way. Sure, prayers are welcome (aren't they always? seriously...) but more than prayers, I'm requesting happiness, celebration, joy, kick-ass-lift-a-glass-open-the-windows-and-let-the-light-in kind of goodness. Leave 'em here. Leave 'em over at Lori's (I'm going to figure out why I can't link anymore and FIX IT, dammit!). Hell, leave 'em both places. And at some point today, lift your glass, your mug, your protein shake, whatever, to Teri and cheer.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Friday, April 18, 2008
My Fault
Remember last weekend, I said you could blame me if we got hit with more snow?
Yeah...
My apologies to anyone else who got hit today. Or who is still getting hit tonight.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Yeah...
My apologies to anyone else who got hit today. Or who is still getting hit tonight.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Interlude
I'm not fond of this song, honestly. It's a bit depressing for me. Usually, I'm more of an AC/DC type o'gal. That being said, I have reason for posting it that has nothing to do with the song itself, only oodles and oodles of pride. The picture is irrelevant as well, although I do thank Lithus for loaning it to me. Turn up the volume, click play and Enjoy!
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
<--------- Over There
Psssttt... There it is...
<----------- <----------- Over there.
In the "Places You Should Go" section. The new web site.
God, this is surreal. I'm grateful. To so many people. For so much. I'm blessed. I'm lucky.
Check it out.
<---------- Over there.
OMG, this is so cool. :)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
<----------- <----------- Over there.
In the "Places You Should Go" section. The new web site.
God, this is surreal. I'm grateful. To so many people. For so much. I'm blessed. I'm lucky.
Check it out.
<---------- Over there.
OMG, this is so cool. :)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday Poll Question
It's Spring and the weather has caught up with that fact here in the Pacific Northwest and I'm just not in a thinky mood At All. Yesterday, Lithus, Timber and I grabbed a bucket of chicken, went for a drive along the coast and settled in at a park for a picnic. Lazing in the sun, laughing with each other and enjoying the day. Yep, it was one of those days. Which got me to reminiscing about other of those days in my life. Which is about all the thinky I'm up for right now. So...
Question ~ What is a day or a moment in your life that sticks out as particularly special?
Pobble Answer ~ I have so many of these, it's really hard to choose only one. Interestingly enough, most of them include the Lovely Cats. However, I will choose one that doesn't, just to keep it interesting: My 18th birthday. The night before, my parents had thrown me a surprise birthday party. My best friend had spent the night. And we woke up to rain that morning. I realized that my windows were down on my car ~ a great little Mustang GT. (I loved that car. Still do. Digressing, Pobble...) Anyway! I raced down in my pajamas to get the windows up. When I turned the key in the ignition, my music started playing (very loudly as has always been my wont.) It was Superman by R.E.M. Instead of putting up the windows, I just started dancing. There in the rain. In my pajamas. On my birthday. I am, I am, I am Superman... And I can do anything... I could. And I have. That moment has stayed with me for twenty years now and its memory still makes me smile.
Your answer...
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Question ~ What is a day or a moment in your life that sticks out as particularly special?
Pobble Answer ~ I have so many of these, it's really hard to choose only one. Interestingly enough, most of them include the Lovely Cats. However, I will choose one that doesn't, just to keep it interesting: My 18th birthday. The night before, my parents had thrown me a surprise birthday party. My best friend had spent the night. And we woke up to rain that morning. I realized that my windows were down on my car ~ a great little Mustang GT. (I loved that car. Still do. Digressing, Pobble...) Anyway! I raced down in my pajamas to get the windows up. When I turned the key in the ignition, my music started playing (very loudly as has always been my wont.) It was Superman by R.E.M. Instead of putting up the windows, I just started dancing. There in the rain. In my pajamas. On my birthday. I am, I am, I am Superman... And I can do anything... I could. And I have. That moment has stayed with me for twenty years now and its memory still makes me smile.
Your answer...
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Busy Doing Nothing
It was decided that PT, my non-fiction writing persona, needed a website. Lithus has loads of experience doing just such things so he volunteered. Poor baby...
All weekend, "we" have been building my site. What this means is that Lithus has spent hours and hours in front of his computer doing things I will never hope to understand; making sketches at my request; uploading; downloading; spacing; gif-ing, jpg-ing and png-ing; tweaking; colorizing; scaling; coding; creating...you get the idea.
I am sitting next to him playing minesweeper on my computer.
See, every so often, he says "How's this?" and I have to look. Bless him, sometimes I smother him with kisses. Other times, I look and say "hmmmm...could we...?" At which point, his shoulders only slump a little bit before he agrees. If he's lucky, the next time I look, the result is kisses. Occasionally, it's been "hmmmm...but what if we..." or even, a couple of dastardly times, "hmmm...I liked it better before." And his shoulders only slump a little. At the end of each day, he is gracious enough to say "We got a lot done today." And I feel as busy as if we had. But I know we haven't done squat. Except lose a lot of minesweeper.
Did I mention hours and days?
I don't know if it's true that behind every good man is a good woman. I do know, behind every good writer is a good website ~ and an incredibly patient webmaster.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
All weekend, "we" have been building my site. What this means is that Lithus has spent hours and hours in front of his computer doing things I will never hope to understand; making sketches at my request; uploading; downloading; spacing; gif-ing, jpg-ing and png-ing; tweaking; colorizing; scaling; coding; creating...you get the idea.
I am sitting next to him playing minesweeper on my computer.
See, every so often, he says "How's this?" and I have to look. Bless him, sometimes I smother him with kisses. Other times, I look and say "hmmmm...could we...?" At which point, his shoulders only slump a little bit before he agrees. If he's lucky, the next time I look, the result is kisses. Occasionally, it's been "hmmmm...but what if we..." or even, a couple of dastardly times, "hmmm...I liked it better before." And his shoulders only slump a little. At the end of each day, he is gracious enough to say "We got a lot done today." And I feel as busy as if we had. But I know we haven't done squat. Except lose a lot of minesweeper.
Did I mention hours and days?
I don't know if it's true that behind every good man is a good woman. I do know, behind every good writer is a good website ~ and an incredibly patient webmaster.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Sunday Poll Question
Here's a little something about me: as good as I am with words and the verbal parry, if I'm not expecting something, I can be very slow thinking on my feet. Someone will say something and I will go into vapor lock. It can be hours, days or even weeks before I realize "Wait a minute..." When I was in my teens and twenties, I would let it go. I had the attitude that if I didn't say it at the time, I had missed my chance. Now, not so much. Now, I am perfectly comfortable going to the person and asking to revisit the conversation. This comfort, however, hasn't come in time for me to revisit all the conversations.
Which is the Sunday Poll Question...
Question ~ If you could go back and say something to someone, what would it be?
Pobble Answer ~ I would go back to the two other directors of the organization I worked for in Colorado and say, to Tami: Acknowledging the possibility of something is not the same thing as assuming that something is fact. Get over it. And yes, I did bring him to you for training so don't put it on me that he wasn't trained well. All I did was set him up with paperwork. After he got the paperwork, I brought him to your office and told you he was ready to be trained. Get over it. And to Sandra: You gave us personal days just yesterday. Don't get upset with her when she calls in and uses one. No, she shouldn't have to lie and tell you she's sick. "I'm taking a personal day" is a perfectly good call-out when we have just been told we have personal days.
Wow. It feels good to finally say those, even if it's not to the women themselves. Try it. ;)
Your answer ~
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Which is the Sunday Poll Question...
Question ~ If you could go back and say something to someone, what would it be?
Pobble Answer ~ I would go back to the two other directors of the organization I worked for in Colorado and say, to Tami: Acknowledging the possibility of something is not the same thing as assuming that something is fact. Get over it. And yes, I did bring him to you for training so don't put it on me that he wasn't trained well. All I did was set him up with paperwork. After he got the paperwork, I brought him to your office and told you he was ready to be trained. Get over it. And to Sandra: You gave us personal days just yesterday. Don't get upset with her when she calls in and uses one. No, she shouldn't have to lie and tell you she's sick. "I'm taking a personal day" is a perfectly good call-out when we have just been told we have personal days.
Wow. It feels good to finally say those, even if it's not to the women themselves. Try it. ;)
Your answer ~
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Oh. My. Goodness.
Here's an open secret for you ~ I write for a little, independent, freebie newspaper out of northern Washington and have since last summer. Every month, I write a column about whatever happens to be happening in my world. When I was in New England, they were things that were going on there. Since coming out here, they've been things that have been going on here. The style is very similar to my Pobble Thoughts. I've known they were running but, because of logistics, I have yet to see a hard copy of the paper.
Last night, Lithus and I went to the club where I first met the editor of this paper. She and I haven't caught up in person since the night we met and I got the writing gig, ten months ago. We were hugging and gabbing and all that when she grabbed the mic from the stage and announced my presence. And the evening changed.
People came up and introduced themselves. People wanted to meet "the writer from Boston." People wanted to shake my hand. People have been reading, enjoying and really appreciating the articles. People wanted to ask about Boston and the move here to Washington. People said that, as they read my articles, they felt I was speaking to and for them. People said they had hoped to meet me one day.
It was flattering and surreal. All I was hoping to do was have a night on the town with Lithus. I ended up meeting fans. All because of a monthly article I wasn't sure anyone was even reading.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Those are still stunned Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Last night, Lithus and I went to the club where I first met the editor of this paper. She and I haven't caught up in person since the night we met and I got the writing gig, ten months ago. We were hugging and gabbing and all that when she grabbed the mic from the stage and announced my presence. And the evening changed.
People came up and introduced themselves. People wanted to meet "the writer from Boston." People wanted to shake my hand. People have been reading, enjoying and really appreciating the articles. People wanted to ask about Boston and the move here to Washington. People said that, as they read my articles, they felt I was speaking to and for them. People said they had hoped to meet me one day.
It was flattering and surreal. All I was hoping to do was have a night on the town with Lithus. I ended up meeting fans. All because of a monthly article I wasn't sure anyone was even reading.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Those are still stunned Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Weekday Ramblings
* I am officially and formally a member of a guild and a trade association. This pleases me to no end.
* Target makes me disproportionately happy, to the point that it doesn't matter they are all alike, everywhere. I want to go in every time I see a new one.
* When people try to sound smart, they usually end up sounding really stupid. This annoys me more than if they just sounded stupid to begin with.
* GOML! bought my book. He didn't have to. He's not a businessman, let alone an American businessman. He just did 'cause he "knows" me. This makes me happier than Target.
* Happy Birthday to Jaded and the Lovely Cats.
* Knowing what your sister wants for her funeral isn't morbid; it's actually a bit of a relief because it means you know you'll do it right. Now I just have to return the favor.
* If I wasn't afraid to jinx it, I would say that the weather has caught up with the fact that Spring is here. If we get another three inches of snow, it's my fault. Feel free to blame me.
* Getting all the "little things" handled can be more of a weight off my shoulders than any of the "big things" ever are.
* Having a job that allows you to shop, get manicures, drink coffee, eat pastries and meet new people really doesn't suck. On any level.
* I can tell which dog has fallen off the bed based on the sound of the landing.
* Getting woken up from a nap by Lithus presenting me with flowers is a lovely way to wake up.
* Parents who don't put their kids first really piss me the fuck off.
* Only one of my male readers had any comment about the post on Things That Cannot Be Explained and the question about shaving balls. This intrigues me.
* I have less of a problem with people who stay in bad situations when they are willing to admit just how bad the situation is ~ and yet there is something that makes them need to stay for now. If the person tries to minimize or pretend the situation isn't what it so obviously is, I have to remove myself or else I become...unhelpful, shall we say.
* I didn't realize just how much I had missed my music ~ until I got it back.
* Peanut M&Ms are a gift from the Gods.
* As much as I hate being on the phone, getting a phone call from the right person at the right time is really nice.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
* Target makes me disproportionately happy, to the point that it doesn't matter they are all alike, everywhere. I want to go in every time I see a new one.
* When people try to sound smart, they usually end up sounding really stupid. This annoys me more than if they just sounded stupid to begin with.
* GOML! bought my book. He didn't have to. He's not a businessman, let alone an American businessman. He just did 'cause he "knows" me. This makes me happier than Target.
* Happy Birthday to Jaded and the Lovely Cats.
* Knowing what your sister wants for her funeral isn't morbid; it's actually a bit of a relief because it means you know you'll do it right. Now I just have to return the favor.
* If I wasn't afraid to jinx it, I would say that the weather has caught up with the fact that Spring is here. If we get another three inches of snow, it's my fault. Feel free to blame me.
* Getting all the "little things" handled can be more of a weight off my shoulders than any of the "big things" ever are.
* Having a job that allows you to shop, get manicures, drink coffee, eat pastries and meet new people really doesn't suck. On any level.
* I can tell which dog has fallen off the bed based on the sound of the landing.
* Getting woken up from a nap by Lithus presenting me with flowers is a lovely way to wake up.
* Parents who don't put their kids first really piss me the fuck off.
* Only one of my male readers had any comment about the post on Things That Cannot Be Explained and the question about shaving balls. This intrigues me.
* I have less of a problem with people who stay in bad situations when they are willing to admit just how bad the situation is ~ and yet there is something that makes them need to stay for now. If the person tries to minimize or pretend the situation isn't what it so obviously is, I have to remove myself or else I become...unhelpful, shall we say.
* I didn't realize just how much I had missed my music ~ until I got it back.
* Peanut M&Ms are a gift from the Gods.
* As much as I hate being on the phone, getting a phone call from the right person at the right time is really nice.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
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