SDF seeking adventure

Now that I realize that there is nothing holding me here I have planned to move to Marble Falls in May. I wish I could just pack up and leave now but I will need to work a couple weeks to make the money to rent the truck and car hauler go. Sharon and Donald have been so nice to ask me to stay with them until I get on my feet and get my own place. I really love them for their kindness. Today Sharon called and asked me to accompany them to Branson in May for the Polio Survivor Reunion they attend every year then up to Pa. for their son’s wedding in June. I have never been out of Texas and I admit this would be a blast for me. I just hate that I would be putting off the job search for three weeks. This would mean three adults and four fur covered creatures will be making a long drive and sharing a hotel room.

Okay I must admit this does sound like a lot of fun and a chance for me to pull out the old cameras and have a ball taking pictures for my portfolio. The more I think about it the more excited I am getting. Then I begin to worry about the publishers possibly sending me the page proofs right when we leave and me not having the way to access the internet and check my email. They will only give me two weeks to review the pages and accept them or send in my changes. I just need to come up with a lap top within the next couple of weeks because I know for a fact most hotels have wireless service. Now that I have that solved I guess I just need to figure out what to take with me on my new adventure.
I just love how my life has taken a drastic change. I am hurt for the loss of my beloved Mickey and Domino but maybe that was what the Tower card stood for in my Tarot reading. The loss of my babies was the terrible event that was to shake me to my core causing me to make a drastic change in my life. I admit I am well over due and it is time that I stepped out of that comfort zone that has kept me a prisoner in my own life. It is time that I opened my eyes and looked at the world around me then see that there is a life after a long hard road. There is a life after a bad marriage and there is a life once you accept your past as a past and look forward to a brighter future. My lessons have been learned and I accept the path that I am on and look forward to each day as a new adventure.

LOOK OUT WORLD HERE I COME!

I stood Beside your Bed Last night

A tribute to Mickey, Domino and all those we have lost.


"I STOOD BESIDE YOUR BED LAST NIGHT" --Author unknown

I stood beside your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep. I whined to you so softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I
tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me to be so near you everyday
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew ...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning And say "goodnight,
God bless, I'll see you in the morning." And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me

Big Project day 3 Sunday

Day three started out with us heading over to Ace Hardware to buy nuts, bolts and washers so we could put the front clip back on. I also bought some window weather stripping to put on the body where the fenders bolt on because the body rubber was about gone. When we arrived back home we began putting the truck back together using our Texas engineered parts where needed. While Josh and little Justin were putting the front clip on I was busy pouring the transmission fluid in.
When Josh and Justin figured they had everything back in place and the hoses and wires connected Josh jumped in the cab to fire her up. Once the engine turned over we saw a geyser of oil coming off the back of the engine. Josh had failed to connect the oil sensor. With that mistake fixed we cleaned up the oil and started all over again. This time it was my turn to start her up. Climbing in behind the wheel I turned the key and instantly she fired up. I was so happy I was grinning from ear to ear. Josh said put her in gear and lets load test her. Reaching down I went to slip her in gear and I cracked they had not connected the shifter to the transmission.
At this point Josh had to leave so he could go look at a truck for his father so I was left to clean up the mess and put away the tools. Needless to say the project was not totally done but my part was through. I had to wait for Josh to get back to put the hood on and connect the transmission.
Once it got dark out I figured we were done for the day so I showered and went to bed. Around midnight Josh came in the room to wake me and let me know that my truck was done but it now had an exhaust leak on the drivers side.
That is okay because I had planned to get a pair of chrome stacks to put on her anyway.

Man I love my truck!

Big project day two Saturday

Once we gathered the gaskets and needed supplies it was time to take the engine apart and repair the leaks. While Josh and Justin busied themselves with unbolting the oil pan and valve covers I got busy painting the engine compartment. I decided to paint her a flat black so it would look cleaner. After the third can I was getting high from the fumes so I took a break. Then it was time to clean the oil pan and valve covers. Sitting in the grass I chatted with some of our teen neighbors and cleaned away. My daughter Kikki came down with the new grandbaby and chatted with Elizabeth and me while I did my part of the project. The yard was a bee hive of activity. When we took the valve covers off we were able to see the freshly rebuilt engine that had been put in my truck just before I bought her. She is in great shape mechanically. Then it was time to start putting her back together and fill her with oil. We checked for leaks and saw none but when Josh put the engine at an extreme incline we saw a drip from the rear main seal. I felt like crying because that was one job Josh refused to tackle. He explained that the drip was because of the extreme angle and once she was level it would be okay. I trust him but plan on having the rear main seal replaced in the future. Then as we started to put the engine back in place the ancient engine hoist decided to not want to work. Josh, Justin and Trey worked their hearts out as I was behind the wheel steering the stuck as she scooted forward sliding the engine back into place. This sounds easy but it’s not because the engine, transmission and exhaust were all connected giving them problems hitting here and there as the truck inched forward. Finally the engine was back in place and ready to be bolted in. Once the tired were chocked I was able to get out of the truck and help. I must admit the engine looked great in the freshly painted compartment. Then as we were ready to reassemble the front end and put the radiator back in we found out the radiator support bushings and bolts were shot. Josh tried calling around but no one carries them. Before we knew it the sun had set and there was nothing we could do. That was when ingenuity set in. I wanted to cut up a tire and use that rubber but Josh had an old arm boot with a thick sole that was flapping so he pulled it off and used the heal and my hole cutting bit to make a bushing. It was too late to go out and try it so now as day two grew to a close our two day job grew into a three day job.

One Big Project but very little time Day One

I am moving soon and getting my life in order. It took losing my two best friends and a little advice from Kinky Friedman to realize that I was procrastinating. This weekend my son Josh, his friend Justin and I started the daunting task of trying to get my truck ready for the 216 mile move. I was offered the chance to move to Marble Falls and stay with some friends but felt like I was invading their privacy. I have this thing about not wanting to bother people so I don't call or visit anyone. Sharon wanted me to move in and be there for companionship and her husband Donald agreed. I enjoy spending time with them and I love their three Poms. I was concerned that Domino would get out up there so I had planned to only let him out when he was on his lead. Before I could even tell Sharon that I had decided to move Domino was killed. Now I have to try and find the comfort I need and move on. Friday we started the project in the afternoon. In order to fix the leaking oil pan the whole engine needed to be lifted. My son decided to make it easier we would remove the engine and transmission all in one piece. Okay that sounds easy but in reality it is a major job. Once we removed the hood we started to remove the grill, front clip, and the fenders. One by one I placed the parts all around the yard. I must admit my flowerbeds looked funny with red fenders sitting in them. When the front end was open we started to assemble the engine hoist only to find out that it didn't work. All the fluid had leaked out of the cylinder. Thank goodness our neighbor Trey came across the street to see what we were doing. I handed him the money and he ran to Wal-Mart to get some hydraulic fluid. Somehow he ended up helping pull the engine. When the engine was out I got busy scrapping off the old oil and dirt from the engine compartment and scrubbing down the engine. Trey called his uncle and he and Josh were off in his jeep to borrow a pressure washer. When they got back I cleaned the engine compartment while they watched. Then Josh sprayed down the engine. Once we saw that it was late we picked up the tools and called it a night. Then I showered and called it a night so we could get an early start Saturday morning.

BT Crew Memorial

This is my favorite spot of my yard. Mickey, Domino and I spent many hours in the shade of this magnolia tree. It was our place to sit and enjoy one anothers company. It was where I would sit and paint. Now it holds three graves. The first was Bonquetta two years ago just after her tenth birthday. Now Mickey and Domino lay side by side on the North side of the tree. The other two sides are reserved for Twinkie and Pookie. I hate I will be leaving them here but until the place is sold their markers will remain. Once I buy my own place I will get their markers and take them there. Right now they rest in the shadiest part of the yard. I love you boys you were my life. We miss you Bonquetta you were truly a light in all our lives. Thank you Mickey and Domino for being my boys. Thank you for the love we shared and most of all thank you for your devotion. You will remain in my heart forever.

No Hard Feelings

No hard feelings
I just wanted to post that I do not have any hard feelings against Pit Bulls. Some of the sweetest dogs I have met have been giant pits full of love. Haze just became a different dog after he turned a year. It started with him killing my daughters rabbits not once but twice. I blame his owner for not taking good care of him and letting him roam the neighborhood. I believe he was just doing what dogs do. This past Halloween he came in our yard and attacked Domino. If it had not been for my daughter snatching Domino up and getting bit in the ass Haze would have killed Domino then. I told his owner then that he needed to do something with Haze that he had changed from that sweet lovable dog that we all knew to a mean dog. The way he decided to handle the problem was to chain him up. I am so against chaining a dog I feel it is inhumane and the owner should be forced to wear a chain. Pit Bulls are not bad dogs if they are raised properly. As a matter of fact any breed of dog is capable of becoming mean and killing. I was just hurt and lashed out. I should not have written that a pit bull killed Domino I should have just said a neighbors dog. If Haze's owner had not insisted on teaching Haze to attack then I believe he would still be the sweet lovable dog that would come and jump in the back of my truck and sit with me, Mickey and Domino. For some reason the young men in my neighborhood think that it is cool to get these dogs and make them mean. They are the ones I want to slap the shit out of and you know who you are. Pets are not meant to be weapons. I may be a peace loving hippie but I will not hesitate to stop and tell these young stupid men what a problem they cause for such a fine breed of dog. Just hope I am in a good mood or I may cold cock them in the memory of Domino.

Domino's Memorial Page from BRU

Everywhere By: Dave Crowther

I know that you feel my time here was short,
Tears show how much you care.
When your heart grows heavy and sorrow
consumes you,
Know that I’m everywhere.
I’m the air that you breathe, a flower in bloom,
I’m the warmth on a calm summer day.
I’m the gentle breeze that caresses your hair,
I’m the light when you can’t find your way.
Please don’t cry, for I’m still here,
Your life, I’ll forever be a part.
My body is gone but my spirit’s alive,
With my love surrounding your heart

Thank you BRU

http://www.geocities.com/rainbowbridgememorial/Domino.html

Today I lost my sweet little Monkey In Memory of Domino

DOMINO BISQUE

November 4, 2002 to April 15, 2008

Domino was my last link to Mickey he was trying his best to become my best friend now that Mickey had crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. This morning I woke to him snuggled up next to me. I pulled him up then kissed him on his little head and told him I loved him. My daughter called and asked me to come and watch the baby while she showered then ask me to take her to Wal-Mart. I guess once I left Domino found a way out of the yard. The big dog that lives down the street had just been given a new link of chain because his owners did not pay their water bill and did not want the utility company to take their water meter. Domino did not know that Haze's chain was now longer and as he went down the trail he always took to the woods Haze grabbed him and killed him. I know Domino was wrong for getting out of his yard but that was no way to die he deserved better. Now I sit here crying my eyes out because I have lost both my boys so close together. I don't know what I'm going to do. I had just started sleeping again now what will I do with no fur covered body to keep me warm at night. Domino was one of the most loving dogs I had ever known. He knew no stranger and loved everyone. Now there is nothing holding me here.

Mickey D Memorial Page

Good Night, Loyal Friend You rest now, old friend,

We have had to let you go;

But we will forever remember

The loyalty you always showed.

You exuberantly filled our home

Like an overflowing cup

With so much playful fun and joy

From the time you were just a pup.

You were faithful companion,

Watchdog, foot warmer, brat.

What we would gladly give now

To still have any of that.

Never a day went by

When you were strong and well

That we didn't look on you with love

And feel our hearts swell...

With such deep sorrow,

We watched you grow old

We watched your body become weak

where it had once been bold.

So, you rest now, old friend,

We have had to let you go.

We will forever cherish your memory

And we will always miss you so.

November 5, 2007 In Memory of A'Keelah copyright©2007 Cherie Thompson

I belong to several online message boards that are frequented by Boston Terrier people one of which is MSN Bostons R US. When Mickey crossed the Rainbow Bridge I had posted a message saying I had lost my best friend and everyone there sent me sweet words of comfort. The manager of the message board made Mickey a Memorial page and I wanted to share it with everyone. I know my sweet Mickey is gone but his love still lingers in my heart. You can view his memorial page at http://www.geocities.com/rainbowbridgememorial/MickeyD.html

DOG FOOD

I'm sorry but Sheena sent me this joke in an email so I had to share.

*I have 4 dogs & I was buying a large bag of Purina at Wal-Mart and was in line to check out.A woman behind me asked if I had a dog. On impulse, I told her that no,I was starting The Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry & that the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again.I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, particularly a guy who was behind her.Horrified, she asked if I'd ended up in the hospital in that condition because I had been poisoned. I told her no; it was because I'd been sitting in the street licking my ass and a car hit me.I thought one guy was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard as he staggered out the door.Stupid lady...why else would I buy dog food??

Do You?

Do you ever feel like you are lost and do not know where you belong?
Do you ever feel lonely in a room full of people?
Do you ever feel like you don’t really have a home?
Do you ever wonder if you actually have a soul mate?
Do you ever look at people going through their daily lives and wonder if they feel the same way you do at night when they turn out the lights?
Do you?
I do.

Missing You

I walked by your grave today as I do each time I come and go. I thought of how much I miss you bubba and tears came to my eyes. I sat there with my sketch pad in hand hoping to draw something new but my heart was so empty nothing came to mind.
Kikki told me that she told someone about your death and he cried because he knew how much you meant to me. Mickey you meant a lot to him too. You will never realize how many lives you touched and how many people loved you bubba. Did you realize that with each beat of your heart you made someone happy? Did you know that with each step that you took you carried someone’s love? You did Mickey you were my hope and dreams now I struggle to hold on because I don’t have your big brown eyes there to look at me and encourage me to stay on my path. I don’t have your silent comfort as you lie beside me and show me what true love is as I cry myself to sleep. I get up each morning and say thank you then I shower and dress but sometimes I feel like just going back to bed because I didn’t have you there to comfort me the night before. I am so lonely Mickey.
I know you are better off you are young again and enjoying your wait at the Rainbow Bridge but that still doesn’t ease the pain. I try to fill my life with positive things but they do not fill the empty place in my heart. Today as I worked on my next book I included you in the story because I want you to live on in my tales forever. You will be the constant that keeps the story alive for more books to come. I just wanted to tell you that I miss you and I’m lonely. Be happy bubba because someone will fill that empty spot one day and know that they will never be the friend that you were no matter how hard they try. You stayed at my side during some of the most difficult times in my life. Your unwavering love gave me strength. Now that I need that strength you are gone but I will still draw upon your memory because your love was that perfect. I miss you Mickey. Goodnight.