A New Adventure Called "Adoption"

April 23, 2013

Brrr!  It's downright chilly here today.  The temperature dropped about 30 degrees.  I must admit, it was very cozy listening to the rain drops hit the roof of the cottage.  I woke up early then thought I would shut my eyes for a few minutes ... two hours later, I sat up with a start.  Holy Cow!  Where did my morning go??

BTW, how do you like my bouquet of Lemon Thyme?  Need a little for cooking, just break of a few springs!  I think it makes a wonderful basket of edible fun!

Some time ago, the idea of adopting a rescue dog popped into my heart.  At 66, Michael and I needed to be mindful about a puppy because the puppy may live longer than we do.  Now, that was a sobering awakening.  Another fact of being in our senior years.  Boo Hiss!  Because we lost our beloved Pomeranian, Khelsea, last year, we looked into Poms as well as Yorkies.  My only requirement was that it would be a female, full blooded Pom or Yorkie, and small enough to fit under the seat of an airplane!

I had no idea about the process.  Before, I've always gone to a breeder, bought my dog, and gone home.  This go around, we had to fill out six pages of paperwork including references.  Some of the questions really made me stop and think.  What "would" happen to my companion should I pass away? Since small dogs can live 15-18 years we needed to take that into consideration.

On the TV show Hoda and Kathy Lee, there was an episode where Hoda adopted a rescue.  Petfinders found quite a few dogs that met her criteria and she picked 3 from the lot taking them home and seeing how they fit into her lifestyle.  All that was well and good and made for a good television show but, what I took away from the show was the web site, Petfinders.  It was there my real adventure began.

I immediately was drawn to a senior Pom named Bella.  Bella looked just like my former Pom, Khelsea.  I inquired before I even read her bio.  Since I am a visual person, I needed to learn that there was more to a dog that just it's outside cover.  The rescue group promptly said, "No, not a fit."  What??  I went back and read her bio - wanted to be left alone, didn't like other dogs and on and on.  Well, with egg on my face, I started over.

The process of adoption became more complicated than when I first thought.  It has been a learning process ~~ a process of being open minded to what dog God would lead us to.  I perused through hundreds of bios on dogs, tears falling as I read their stories.  How could I narrow my search down with all these sweet animals needing homes.  I decided to stay with my plan of adopting a female in the range of 5-6 pounds.   It wasn't long before I gave up on the female only; then, I gave up on the full-blooded Pomeranian idea and began praying and reading with fresh eyes.

Kennedy

All of a sudden, there was a little Pom/Chi that caught my eye ... Kennedy.  Six pounds (check), not a female (oh well), lap dog (check), loving/warm personality (check), good traveler (check), loved dogs (check), housebroken (check, check & check!).  Okay, next step contacting the rescue group.  I waited a few days then got an email with another application form specifically designed for Kennedy.  The rescue group (Cheri) responded with a positive note ... sounds like great fit.  I was then referred to the foster mom, Laura, and we talked on the phone.

Teddy

I learned more about Laura and her relationship with Kennedy.  She had had him for a long while and they were very bonded.  I could hear the stress and pain in her voice as she relayed information about her ward and how difficult it would be to have him leave.  Being a foster mom must be one of the most self-less jobs in the world whether for an animal or a child.  To be a great foster mom requires a heart for animals and dedication to helping that dog re-enter the world in a new environment.  I remembered when my daughter and her husband decided to be foster parents to rescue Corgis and they fell in love with their first rescue, Teddy.  I was there the day Tim brought him home, and I just knew that Teddy would never leave.  It was a situation, where they opened their hearts and God created the perfect Corgi just for them.

Kennedy seems like a perfect fit for our family.  On Thursday, Laura will bring Kennedy here for a visit and do a home study.  I can't see any reason why we wouldn't pass that.  Once, I gave my leading to the Lord, my road to adoption was a whole lot less stressful.  If Kennedy doesn't work out when we meet him on Thursday, there are many other dogs waiting for their "fur"ever homes.  Laura assured me that sometimes it takes meeting several dogs before that right fit happens.

Stay tuned.  If you've ever adopted a wounded rescue, you know exactly what I am talking about.  There is such a need for foster parents and new homes for these dogs who have been abandoned, abused, and surrendered "just because."  Some surrenders are warranted as was Teddy's case and are deeply loved by their owners.  At any case, I am happy that Michael and I are going to be a family who welcomes a new member with open arms.

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... ya you!

Miss Dottie

PS  I REALLY like this quote:  "Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever." ~~ Karen Davison

     

If Tomorrow Never Comes

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ~~ James 4:14

April 20, 2013

It's been awhile since we've chatted.  The past couple weeks have been absolutely crazy.  I'm not sure I could blog about everything so I will pray, put my fingers on the keyboard, and let's see what happens.

I am sitting here in the cottage staring out the french doors.  The yard man mowed today and the lush green around my beds is absolutely alluring.  Last night, I put down the last bags of mulch and hung up my garden fork, rake, and shovel.  I thought about all the hours and hours of work I've put into the back yard and how I would feel if in a flash it was all gone.

Boston Marathon Bombing

As Americans we've just experienced an attack of terrorism at the Boston Marathon where many people were maimed and/or killed.  As Texans, we've just experienced an explosion in West that not only destroyed half the town but 35+ people were fatalities and over 200 were injured.  The folks standing at the finish line to welcome racers had no warning.  The folks in West had a few minutes to evacuate.  Who would guess their lives would be forever changed when the bomb and explosion went off.

Explosion - West, TX

I am a creative homebody.  I just love to piddle around in my cottage, the little casa, and my gardens. I can get lost in the project of the moment barely coming up for air until it's completion.  I stood on top of the storm shelter the other day gazing down on what had been so barren.  I was smugly proud of my accomplishments.

This day, I realized that poof (!!) I could be gone; and, I also realized that poof (!!!) everything I have worked so hard to attain could be leveled.  Would all my material possessions have defined me rather than my relationships with others and my Heavenly Father?  I am truly beginning to understand what the Lord has been trying to teach me the past 10+ years.

Not that long ago, I lived in a big elaborate home with every nook and cranny filled.  One night, I escaped to a shelter and in just 30 days, everything I knew and loved was gone.  I would also add that within that 30 days I was transformed and refined to a place of peace and serenity.

 "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ~~ Philippians 4:11-12

As a worker bee who can get lost in her projects, I need to remember what is really important in life: my relationships and my faith in an everlasting God.  If I had ten seconds to evacuate my home what would be important to me?  I can answer quite easily ... Michael, Toby, and Sadie.  Nothing else would matter.  If I were standing on the street and a bomb went off what would I do?  I know I would be a first responder ... if I was obliterated, it would be okay, I would be with my Father in Heaven!

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YOU & YOU & YOU TOO!!

Miss Dottie

PS  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the middle of the sea~~Psalm 46:1-2

What comfort there is in coming beneath the Father's wings and being wrapped in his grace!!

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, 

I have kept the faith..."~~2 Timothy 4:7

April 13, 2013

It is really dark outside, the dogren are snoring up a storm and I am finally sitting down and doing a little relaxing.  Nothing gives me more pleasure than sharing my day with you, my Readers.  In fact, I was thinking about y'all today when I was busy outside.  I started working this morning about 8:30 and before I knew it, it was after 7pm.  Michael kept feeding me and keeping me supplied with drinks and I kept on truckin'.  When it got too dark to work, I dragged my weary body into the cottage, had a great soak in the claw foot tub, got in my jammies, and decided to do a little writing.

My bones are a-shoutin', my muscles are a-achin', and, I'm feelin' a g-o-o-d kind of tired.  I've been ant bit, stung by a bee, and gored by rose thorns.  I wore my garden gloves this morning but they got sweaty and coated with dirt so I peeled them off ... my hands resemble brown prunes.  Oh well...

March 2012

I was thinking ... it was about a year ago that I sat on top of the storm shelter in the far back left corner of the yard and put together a plan for the dilapidated old garage and barren back yard.  There was this wish I had and, I would say, my heart really spoke to me and gave me a vision.  I was lucky that I was able to find a contractor who worked with me helping me to bring my dream for the cottage into reality.  It's been a crazy year for sure!

There is something rather magical about birthing an idea brought forth through the heart.  I tasted it, I felt it, I saw it in my mind...  I knew it could be; I just didn't know exactly how but I had this passion to give it my best try.  What's your passion?  Do you get so excited about it that the time you give to it seems like endless bliss?  That's how I feel about creating beautiful spaces whether inside or out.

Today, I sat in the same spot, and I think I caught a glimpse of the finish line.  I tied vines to the back fence and sprayed most of the back part of the yard for weeds and grass.  Tomorrow, I will clean up the wood piles, and put down the remaining mulch.  The back part of the garden is mostly trees so it will be my shade garden.  It looks okay as it is but I know I will be adding shade loving plants next Spring as well as a few Azalea bushes.  Michael reminded me that as an artist, a creative soul, my work will never be done ... there will always something that will need tweaking!

Every path in the garden leads to somewhere!

Every now and then, I have felt rather frustrated thinking my project would take forever.  I tried to finish sections but it wasn't until I stood on top of the storm shelter today that I could see the whole picture and how much of myself I have poured into making my dream a reality.  I've laid every stone, planted every flower, every shrub, and even put in some trees.  I did leave some room for grass and purchased a bag of grass seed today.  That will be next week's project.

Another thought came to mind today as I stood looking below me:  God sees the big picture when we can only see small parts.  He has a plan, a wish for us that His heart has created.  He sees us as perfect, beautiful.  We are His Creation!  He loves us as we are; but, He tweaks us and refines us until we "get it."  Close your eyes for a moment -- can't you just see Him smiling?!  WE are His passion!

I am smiling and I feel so content.  My Casting Crowns CD is playing and I have every candle lit in the cottage.  I had a BIG SURPRISE today ... one that totally knocked my socks off.  I think God has needed to see me content in the "now" ~~ I needed to stop my belly aching about what I didn't have and concentrate on making my days count using what I had trusting the Lord to bring forth fruit in due time.  Anyway, back to my surprise ... some years ago, I met a young woman.  She and I were as close as any mother and daughter could be.  You know how it goes ... she moved, had children, and got involved in life as did I.  Gradually, we lost touch.  Today, I checked my Facebook, and there she was along with a note...  I sat down and cried.  I looked at her photo and she was as beautiful as ever.  Thank you Jesus for surprises!!

Thoughts of a blissful day swirl in my head and heart but, it's time to blow out the candles and climb into my cozy bed.  I just know my dreams will be fraught with more magical creations yet to be birthed.  Who knows what surprises tomorrow will bring!

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!

Miss Dottie

PS  "There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved."  ~~Charles Morgan

A Walk in the Rain

"Then I will give you rains in their season and the land shall yield its increase and the trees of the file shall yield their first fruit.~~Leviticus 26:4

April 3, 2013

It's been raining now for more than a day.  I couldn't bear not knowing if my roses and other flowers were enjoying the manna from heaven so I took a little walk in the rain.  I looked up as rain drops fell on my head.  "The taste of rain was, well, delicious!"  We are supposed to get more rain tomorrow.  Yay!  Along with the blessed rain feeding my trees and plants, it is also feeding the weeds!  Oh well, you gotta take a little bad with the good.  My neighbor, Don, is on alert that as soon as it dries up a little, he will be here with his trusty mower and edger.  "Not to worry," he says.  I told him to be prepared cause the weeds were going to be knee high.

There are many references to the rain in the Bible plus we all know that April showers bring May flowers!  Almost every time it rains for several days, I think about Noah.  The flood Noah experienced was devastating on one hand but cleansing the earth of sin brought forth new life ... new beginnings.

"This is the account of Noah and his family.  Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God."~~Genesis 6:9
(Underlining mine)

Noah was obedient and although he was criticized and made fun of, he built the Ark as God directed then loaded up his family, the animals, birds, reptiles, etc.  It definitely was NOT raining when Noah built the Ark.  If you're as old as I am you will probably remember Bill Cosby's tale of Noah and the Ark.  Pretty funny!  I (giggle) might not be praising God for having to spend so many days on a boat load of creatures with the rain outside lending to some pretty stinky living conditions.

Any way, back to the story.  When the rain ended, God put a rainbow in the sky as a reminder that he would not destroy the earth again.  What a sigh of relief Noah and his family must have had.

I love rainbows, don't you?  I haven't seen as many since my move to Texas but I sure remember them vividly as a kid growing up in Minnesota.  I never tire of gazing at their beauty.  As I have grown in my Christian faith, every time I see a rainbow, I think of the Biblical meaning of the covenant God made and smile 'cause God keeps his covenants.

So ... rain away!  I will enjoy my day indoors and will meditate on Noah's story and what it means for me and all Christians.

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!

Miss Dottie

PS  "By perseverance the snail reached the ark."~~Charles Spurgeon

Let us remember that it is in our one day at a time of perseverance that we mature as God's chosen.  My grandson wears a necklace that says, "God's army."  I looked at it and he proudly said, "That's me."  It is my hope that I will live to see this young man as an adult.  Somehow, I know that the Lord has big plans for him!

The Crystal Candy Dish

March 29, 2013

How can such a simple thing as a crystal candy dish create such wonderful memories?  Simple...  I love this song sung by Elvis Presley ... maybe you can listen to it as you read today's blog.

My Grandmother Maggie (Bestemor) kept a crystal candy dish on top of the console in the dining area of the parlor as long as I can remember.  Everyone coming in to Bestemor's home headed for "the" dish to see what kind of candy had been added.  We all had our favorites that we were hoping we'd find but if they weren't there, we feasted on what was.

Time has a way of passing but some things stay the same.  As long as Bestemor was alive, the crystal candy dish was full.  I ate from it, my children ate from it, and, I wish my grandchildren could have eaten from it.  No one ever had to say "Where's the candy?"  I never saw the dish empty.

Bestemor was a wonderful matriarch of Norwegian descent.  She read from the Norwegian Bible every day and was a quiet gracious woman.  She would cover her mouth when she laughed and always had a beautiful lace trimmed handkerchief tucked into her belt.  Funny the things we remember.  In later years, Bestemor had many bouts of skin cancer and wouldn't allow photos.  She would cover her face when she'd had spots cut out saying, "Uf da...no!"  To me and her family and friends, Bestemor was beautiful.  There were times in my adult life when I visited her with my children.  She would hold them and I would feel so proud placing them in her arms.

I'm not sure why Bestemor was thought of as such an amazing grandmother.  She didn't attend our sports or music events.  She never gave us money or a store bought gift.  She didn't run and hug us or be prone to any mushy gushy talk.  When guests arrived, they walked to see Bestemor in her chair and gave her a hug.  She responded with a hug and a hearty "Hello, Alida, get these people something to eat and drink."  Was it her confidence?  Sense of strength?  Was it her Christ-like demeanor of always caring for those in need?  All I know is that if you polled my cousins:  Dick, Gary, Darrell, Paul, Phillip, Jeanne, Ronald, Karolyn, Kathryn, Babe, Jackie, Brian, Bob, Dennis, Nancy, Jim, and Roger, they would all say that they loved and respected her.  I was proud to be called Maggie P's granddaughter.

The only time I ever saw Bestemor giggle with glee was when I gave her our refrigerator when we were moving from MN back to TX.  "Now, I can keep ice cream!"  Bestemor loved ice cream but had this little ice box that barely had room for a tray of ice.  At a time when we take so many things for granted (such as a refrigerator) it seems almost surreal now.

I don't know what happened to the famous crystal candy dish.  I hope it is somewhere being used to hold candy for a special family and friends.  What I do know is that, I found myself filling my own treat basket(s) to have on hand.  I love to love and gush over my guests and family ... I love to attend school and sports events cheering them on.  I like being a hands on grandmother but, most of all, it is my hope that my grandchildren will remember me as the matriarch of our family ~~ a lady to be respected and loved.  What will they remember about me?  Will I have value?  Time will tell won't it?

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!

Miss Dottie

PSS  "You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." ~~Malcolm S. Forbes  I read this today and, now as I think about it, I would say that my grandmother's children and spouses had good character.  In turn they taught their children the value of this woman.  My grandmother was a woman to be treated with love and dignity ... I grew up loving her ~~ just because!