One week from today is Thanksgiving. It's hard to believe it is already that time of the year again! The time when families come together, food is abundant, and bargains are everywhere! As hard as this year has been for me, I am trying to stay positive and look at all the things that I have in my life. And, there really are many!
I wrote many rough drafts of this blog, but I finally decided that short and to the point was better than a long drawn out explanation. No one likes to read something that is too wordy..especially me! So, here goes! And this is not necessarily in any particular order!! :)
1. My family. I don't know where I would be without you guys. You have always been there for me, this past year more than ever. Words cannot even express what you all mean to me. I am very blessed to have you all in my life! We lost Lacey this year which was (and is still) extremely tough. But we had each each other to help us get through it.
2. Brian. For the past 3 1/2 years, he has made me happier than I have ever been. He has supported me through everything and is always there to lift my spirits. He is truly my soul mate and I am so lucky that we found each other.
3. Beth. My BFF forever and always. Almost 20 years we have been best friends. I cannot imagine her not being part of my life. We have seen each other through so much over the years and she has helped me become the person I am today.
4. My health. This is a sketchy one, but even though I recently got diagnosed with a life changing condtion, I am thankful that it is something that can be dealt with without too much trouble.
5. Food, shelter, and clothing. Pretty much explanatory!
6. My job. Even though I don't particularly like my job anymore, I am thankful that I AM working right now. Many out there are not.
Have a great Thanksgiving and think about all of the things you are thankful for!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
I'm much to young to feel this damn old!
30 isn't that old, is it? I have come to the realization that I need to go backwards and start living like the young person that I am. Garth Brooks was right when he said, "I'm much to young to feel this damn old." For the past year or so, I have been living my life like an old fart. Let's think about this for a minute...
1. I get up early. Even on weekends.
2. I'm in bed by 10:00. Even on weekends.
3. The number of pills I take daily is quickly multiplying.
4. During the past month, I have bought more facial creams/moisturizers/anti-wrinkle creams etc, than I ever have in my life.
5. Pajamas are on sometimes by 6:30.
6. Lounging on the couch seems so much more appealing than going out.
7. I think about death on a daily basis. (not to worry, I'm no suicidal or anything. Just about death in general)
8. I'm already planning my retirement.
9. It is fun to hang out with seniors. Especially dancing with them.
10. I am not as concerned about my appearance as I used to be. I have kind of "let myself go" as they say.
What happened to fun Amy? I am NOT that old. Maybe it's time for her to make a return to the scene. Who wants to help me find her??
1. I get up early. Even on weekends.
2. I'm in bed by 10:00. Even on weekends.
3. The number of pills I take daily is quickly multiplying.
4. During the past month, I have bought more facial creams/moisturizers/anti-wrinkle creams etc, than I ever have in my life.
5. Pajamas are on sometimes by 6:30.
6. Lounging on the couch seems so much more appealing than going out.
7. I think about death on a daily basis. (not to worry, I'm no suicidal or anything. Just about death in general)
8. I'm already planning my retirement.
9. It is fun to hang out with seniors. Especially dancing with them.
10. I am not as concerned about my appearance as I used to be. I have kind of "let myself go" as they say.
What happened to fun Amy? I am NOT that old. Maybe it's time for her to make a return to the scene. Who wants to help me find her??
Thursday, September 24, 2009
All Dogs Go To Heaven
As everyone knows, our little Lacey passed away a few weeks ago. Jenny told me that Lacey was the closest "person" she has ever lost. I pondered that for a moment, but then realized it was the same for me too. Yes, I have lost numerous friends and family members over the years. But, I kind of feel guilty that the loss of my pet is the one that has upset me the most. Is that wrong of me? Maybe it's because she was always there for me no matter what. She saw me through the worst of times. She saw me through the best of times. There's not a lot of "people" you can say that about.
So, since she passed away, I have thought about death and heaven quite a lot. I was raised Catholic and still try to follow the Catholic teachings as best I can. Granted I haven't been to church in awhile, but nonetheless, I still consider myself Catholic. I was taught that God loves every man, woman, child, and creature on this earth. Now since God loves animals as well, does that mean that our beloved pets go to heaven and are up there waiting for us?
Well, according to the Catholic faith, animals are considered to be material things that do not have souls. Animals cease to exist when they die. It states that animals do not have an eternal soul and that we won't need them in heaven because we already have all that we need.
I'm not familiar with other religions, but is this what other religions believe as well? Or is it just what Catholics believe? I'm sorry but this is NOT what I believe! I believe that our pets are up there in heaven waiting for us. That they DO go to heaven. And why wouldn't they? They are our angels here on earth.
I would love to hear what other people have to say about this topic. I believe that all dogs go to heaven. (and cats, rabbits, bird, etc...) We will meet our pets again!!
So, since she passed away, I have thought about death and heaven quite a lot. I was raised Catholic and still try to follow the Catholic teachings as best I can. Granted I haven't been to church in awhile, but nonetheless, I still consider myself Catholic. I was taught that God loves every man, woman, child, and creature on this earth. Now since God loves animals as well, does that mean that our beloved pets go to heaven and are up there waiting for us?
Well, according to the Catholic faith, animals are considered to be material things that do not have souls. Animals cease to exist when they die. It states that animals do not have an eternal soul and that we won't need them in heaven because we already have all that we need.
I'm not familiar with other religions, but is this what other religions believe as well? Or is it just what Catholics believe? I'm sorry but this is NOT what I believe! I believe that our pets are up there in heaven waiting for us. That they DO go to heaven. And why wouldn't they? They are our angels here on earth.
I would love to hear what other people have to say about this topic. I believe that all dogs go to heaven. (and cats, rabbits, bird, etc...) We will meet our pets again!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Our Little Lacey
I remember the exact day that we got Lacey. My sister Jenny and I were in Marching Band and we had a car wash that day. When we returned home, we were welcomed by an unexected visitor...a puppy! My parents surprised us with this cute little pup..a lhasa apso. She was the smallest, cutest dog I had ever seen. She did the funniest things...from hiding under the couch, to chewing up our rocking chair, and chewing on shoe laces. Her name actually came from her love of shoelaces. As Katy stated, she always had a thing for shoes. With all of us around, there were always shoes on the floor and she used them as her pillows. She was truly a Robinson...stubborn and a little clutzy. But most of all, she cared for and loved all of us equally.
Lacey hated to be alone. She always wanted to be where her family was. When we were sitting on the couch, she would want to jump up and sit with us. When we were in our beds at night, she would take turns going from bedroom to bedroom. Sometimes I would wake up to find her at the foot of my bed, staring up at me with her tail wagging. Even though I knew she would lay in the middle of the bed, I picked her up and put her in bed with me. She would always make me feel better, and somehow safer when she was there. When one of us would leave the house, she would run to the window and whine. She never wanted any of us to leave her and you could actually feel her heart breaking.
Although small, Lacey was very protective of us. She hated mailmen, UPS drivers, basically anyone that came to the door. Her bark sometimes made her seem much bigger than she actually was. However, her bark was very distinctive and depending on the pitch, we could always tell how she was feeling. It sounds weird, but it was almost like she had certain facial expressions depending on her mood. She would smile, or frown at us quite often.
As she got older, she was unable to move around as easily, but still let us know when she was hungry by licking us, or if she wanted to sit with you, or go outside. Her usual dog food was often replaced by dad's "tube steaks" or whatever leftovers we had. We found that she was sleeping a lot more. She got a little shaky. Last year the vet told us she only had a month left to live at most. Miraculously, she proved them wrong and continued to live a happy life with her family. We knew one day, she would be gone. But, none of could imagine a life without our little Lacey.
Last week I came home from work and noticed that she was laying in the kitchen and did not get up when I came home. I thought it was rather odd. My mom called to tell me that she was not doing very well, that her breathing was weird, she was having seizures, and would not eat or drink. I sat with her for awhile, and tried to give her water with a spoon. She eventually took a few licks, but that was it. A while later, she got up to walk, which was a struggle. I wanted her to eat, so I looked in the fridge and saw some ham. How shocked were we when she chowed down and ate it all up. However, she then laid back down again. Dad came over to the house and picked her up and we all sat in the living room, comforting her, and each other as best as we could. We weren't sure if she would be with us the next morning.
Friday, she was still with us! But somehow I knew that this was probably the last time we would see her. None of us were going to be home that evening, so I called dad to see if he could pick her up and take her back with him for the night. Of course he agreed. I will never forget when he took her outside and laid her in the grass. She LOVED being outside, but this time was different. She didn't get up. Finally, dad picked her up and I helped him put her in his truck. I said goodbye to her, knowing that would be the last time I would ever see her.
I was at Brian's Saturday morning when I got the phone call. I saw it was dad and let the phone ring and ring. I said to Brian, "It's my dad." Immediately he grabbed me and said "I'm here." So I picked up the phone and heard the words I was dreading. "You probably already know why I'm calling." I dealt with it as best I could, but I think now that I'm home it is harder because literally everything reminds me of her. The blankets she would lay on, where her dog bowl used to be, the gate outside..just everything. It's going to take us a long time to get over the loss of our Lacey. She was one of us. Although she is gone, she will NEVER be forgotten.
I know that she is up in heaven, playing with her new friends and thinking of her family back on earth. I hope that one day we will meet again. Actually, I KNOW that one day we will meet again. And when we do, she will look up at me with those big brown eyes, tail wagging as if to say, "What took you so long?"
Rest in peace Lacey! You will be forever loved.
Lacey hated to be alone. She always wanted to be where her family was. When we were sitting on the couch, she would want to jump up and sit with us. When we were in our beds at night, she would take turns going from bedroom to bedroom. Sometimes I would wake up to find her at the foot of my bed, staring up at me with her tail wagging. Even though I knew she would lay in the middle of the bed, I picked her up and put her in bed with me. She would always make me feel better, and somehow safer when she was there. When one of us would leave the house, she would run to the window and whine. She never wanted any of us to leave her and you could actually feel her heart breaking.
Although small, Lacey was very protective of us. She hated mailmen, UPS drivers, basically anyone that came to the door. Her bark sometimes made her seem much bigger than she actually was. However, her bark was very distinctive and depending on the pitch, we could always tell how she was feeling. It sounds weird, but it was almost like she had certain facial expressions depending on her mood. She would smile, or frown at us quite often.
As she got older, she was unable to move around as easily, but still let us know when she was hungry by licking us, or if she wanted to sit with you, or go outside. Her usual dog food was often replaced by dad's "tube steaks" or whatever leftovers we had. We found that she was sleeping a lot more. She got a little shaky. Last year the vet told us she only had a month left to live at most. Miraculously, she proved them wrong and continued to live a happy life with her family. We knew one day, she would be gone. But, none of could imagine a life without our little Lacey.
Last week I came home from work and noticed that she was laying in the kitchen and did not get up when I came home. I thought it was rather odd. My mom called to tell me that she was not doing very well, that her breathing was weird, she was having seizures, and would not eat or drink. I sat with her for awhile, and tried to give her water with a spoon. She eventually took a few licks, but that was it. A while later, she got up to walk, which was a struggle. I wanted her to eat, so I looked in the fridge and saw some ham. How shocked were we when she chowed down and ate it all up. However, she then laid back down again. Dad came over to the house and picked her up and we all sat in the living room, comforting her, and each other as best as we could. We weren't sure if she would be with us the next morning.
Friday, she was still with us! But somehow I knew that this was probably the last time we would see her. None of us were going to be home that evening, so I called dad to see if he could pick her up and take her back with him for the night. Of course he agreed. I will never forget when he took her outside and laid her in the grass. She LOVED being outside, but this time was different. She didn't get up. Finally, dad picked her up and I helped him put her in his truck. I said goodbye to her, knowing that would be the last time I would ever see her.
I was at Brian's Saturday morning when I got the phone call. I saw it was dad and let the phone ring and ring. I said to Brian, "It's my dad." Immediately he grabbed me and said "I'm here." So I picked up the phone and heard the words I was dreading. "You probably already know why I'm calling." I dealt with it as best I could, but I think now that I'm home it is harder because literally everything reminds me of her. The blankets she would lay on, where her dog bowl used to be, the gate outside..just everything. It's going to take us a long time to get over the loss of our Lacey. She was one of us. Although she is gone, she will NEVER be forgotten.
I know that she is up in heaven, playing with her new friends and thinking of her family back on earth. I hope that one day we will meet again. Actually, I KNOW that one day we will meet again. And when we do, she will look up at me with those big brown eyes, tail wagging as if to say, "What took you so long?"
Rest in peace Lacey! You will be forever loved.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I've Come to Realize...
I think I have grown as a person over the past year, more so than ever.
I've come to realize that...
*Life is what you make of it.
*Family is everything. Don't ever take them for granted.
*The older I get, the more I know what I want and the less I am willing to put up witih.
*Hold on to and cherish your memories. Think of the good times, not the bad.
*Good friends are hard to come by.
*It's ok to be sad, but eventually you need to snap out of it and start living.
*You are never too old to find a new hobby.
*God has a plan for us all. Even if we can't see it.
*Do what makes you happy. Not what makes others happy.
*Let loose every once in awhile. It'll make you feel good.
*Get back to nature, it'll sooth your soul.
*Don't ever lose sight of who you are.
I've come to realize that...
*Life is what you make of it.
*Family is everything. Don't ever take them for granted.
*The older I get, the more I know what I want and the less I am willing to put up witih.
*Hold on to and cherish your memories. Think of the good times, not the bad.
*Good friends are hard to come by.
*It's ok to be sad, but eventually you need to snap out of it and start living.
*You are never too old to find a new hobby.
*God has a plan for us all. Even if we can't see it.
*Do what makes you happy. Not what makes others happy.
*Let loose every once in awhile. It'll make you feel good.
*Get back to nature, it'll sooth your soul.
*Don't ever lose sight of who you are.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Please donate to the 2009 Memory Walk!
I am walking for all of those affected by this horrible disease. I lost my grandmother and great aunt to Alzheimer's. We must find a cure!!
I am determined to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. By participating in the 2009 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk®, I'm committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer research, care and support.
Currently more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and 78 million baby boomers are at risk – unless we find a way to change the course of the disease.
I want to do my part to fight this disease, but I need to ask for your support! Please make a donation to help the Alzheimer's Association advance research into prevention, treatments and a cure for Alzheimer's. For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide.
On behalf of the millions of Americans who are living with this disease, thank you for supporting my efforts. We're on the MOVE to end Alzheimer’s!
Please go to the webpage and sponsor me! Thanks!! :)
http://akronmemorywalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=306940&lis=0&kntae306940=CB2B73A323D748388CC736626AA5D225
I am determined to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. By participating in the 2009 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk®, I'm committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer research, care and support.
Currently more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's, and 78 million baby boomers are at risk – unless we find a way to change the course of the disease.
I want to do my part to fight this disease, but I need to ask for your support! Please make a donation to help the Alzheimer's Association advance research into prevention, treatments and a cure for Alzheimer's. For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide.
On behalf of the millions of Americans who are living with this disease, thank you for supporting my efforts. We're on the MOVE to end Alzheimer’s!
Please go to the webpage and sponsor me! Thanks!! :)
http://akronmemorywalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=306940&lis=0&kntae306940=CB2B73A323D748388CC736626AA5D225
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