Sunday, April 29, 2012

A Merry Olde Tyme At the Renaissance Faire!

I'll be the first one to admit it, I'm a Renaissance Faire geek. Think what you want to think, it is what it is.  I can't help it, as Lady Gaga says, "I was born this way."

I love dressing up in my "garb," seeing all of the wonderful, colorful costumes and makeup the other people come up with to wear, I love the shops, the smells, the music, the food, the language, the jousting, the parades, the fairies, and most of all, the escape of reality it offers, if only for the day. 

When I walk into the faire, I feel like I am among my peeps.  I know it's silly, but that's how I feel. It's a wonderful group of completely non-judgemental, open-minded, fun loving, free spirited people of every age, size, and color. I feel like I fit right it - and honestly, I don't feel that way very often. It's almost as if it's a daytime Halloween party with 2000 strangers. Yup, that's the feel of it.  No wonder I love it so much! 

Below are some of my pictures from today.  I only took my little point and shoot, so they aren't the best quality, and some of these were actually taken with my phone - I had to send a couple to friends throughout the day to tease them and show them what they were missing (you know who you are, and you know you were drooling!)
Do any of you remember Phillip (the "Federal Agent") from Survivor: Redemption Island? Apparently he is a Ren Faire geek too!

I love a good turkey leg!
Anyone want a pickle?
Anything goes at the faire, and I do mean anything!
This was a DUDE dressed as little green riding hood - I think.
Boys, guns, and beer, oh my!
You go green chick!
Make way for the Queen!
Merry wenches indeed!
This was a hot costume, I mean literally, the guy must have been melting! It was around 80F today!
There are always good looking men willing to pose for a picture with a bar wench.
This fairy hung out in a tree ALL day!
This lady told me "I'm about to get married!" I said, "Congratulations, you look lovely." She said, "Thank you, it's the dress I wear every time I get married!"  Well, alrighty then!
Like I said, people of all ages enjoy the faire.

This was Bear's BF Barry's first time and he thoroughly enjoyed himself.  I'm sure he'll be joining us again. Don't they look great!
An old fair favorite - I see this gentleman everytime we come to this fair.
More fantastic makeup!

The "Washer Women" - Wet, dirty women, and good clean fun!
Every fair needs a knight in shining armour. This was ours for the day.
"Good day my Lord, my, what an interesting....cod piece you have." 
People may not understand the appeal of going to an event like this, and all I can say is - don't knock it till you've tried it! 


 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

What a Crew!

Kona and I had done quite a few visits this week already, so when Friday rolled around and it was time to go to the VA, I decided to leave him home so I could go to supervise a team in training.  The patients had plenty of four legged friends to visit with them though, and there was no lack of furry TLC being spread. 
Visiting on Friday from left to right we had Jenny the Greyhound, Bunny a Lab mix, Happy the Golden Retriever, Cabo, another Lab mix, and "Baby" Jake, a Bull Mastiff -- all of them, of course, leading their 2 legged partners around.

I am so proud of these and ALL of the members of my Love on a Leash Chapter! They are wonderful individuals who give selflessly of their time and energy to give comfort to others. I am truly blessed to have these folks in my life.   

Friday, April 27, 2012

Read to Me

Kona and I enjoyed another library visit yesterday. Kona made more friends, and was his normal "hammy" self.  By the end of the visit he was getting tummy rubs and thoroughly enjoying himself. What a rough job he has!

Kona's favorite girl from last month was there to read to him again this time too, and he was in heaven!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Reunited

My friend Robert shared this video with me and I'd like to pass it on to you. I don't know the circumstances behind the story, just the outcome. Wow! Talk about touching!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

Harley-you'd better not let Dad catch you on the couch! (But my oh my, don't you look comfy!)

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Practice

I got my new camera out and was just playing around with it a little bit. I snapped a ton of pooch pics and these are a few of my favorites. This first one cracks me up because Harley was on the prowl. Just after I snapped this she pounced on Kona and a wrestling match ensued.
Sweet ol Jill, aka Gigi.  This old girl is such a hoot and so full of a quirky personality!
My doll baby, Kona.
Jackie Boy, such a great dog, and the most loyal ever.



Monday, April 23, 2012

Hanging at the Beach!

We had the chance this past Saturday to hang out with some of our favorite furry friends.  I organized a beach meetup at Del Mar Dog Beach and we had a decent turnout of about 35 members and their pooches.  People came and went throughout the afternoon, so this was the best I could do for a group picture.

The dogs enjoyed themselves, as they always do at the beach.



 Although this isn't one of my dogs, I just loved this picture.  This golden was loving rolling around in the sand...sheer bliss indeed!
 This, my friends, is Kona's "Mom, I tired and I'm ready to go home for a nap" face.  I love that face!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Lazy Sunday?

Well, I'm glad at least one of us has had a nice, relaxing day...must be nice!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

In the Clear!

We got the long awaited results on Jill's biopsy yesterday.  She is cancer free! Can I get a "Hell Yeah!" ? The lab results on her toe were completely clean, and there was no evidence of more cancer cells.  She doesn't need any other follow up, no chemo, no nothing. It's about time things started to turn around in 2012, and hopefully this is the start of it! Goodness knows, I'm ready for some good stuff to start happening!

Here is how her foot looks without the toe. Its healing nicely.

She got her stitches out yesterday, and the lack of the 4th toe sure doesn't seem to bother her or slow her down. It's great to know that she is on the right road to recovery! Now she just needs a good grooming - she is WAY overdue!

Friday, April 20, 2012

On the Mend

After long months of trying to figure out what was bothering her tummy, many sleepless, painful nights, and countless days of worry and anticipation, Bear is on the mend. Come to find out, she was blessed cursed with a faulty gallbladder just like her Momma, and her Grandma. Ah, sometimes lovely attributes run in the family, don't they?

Sooo, yesterday, that sucker got yanked out! It was the first real surgery Bear had ever had. The only other thing she'd ever been "put under" for was to get her impacted wisdom teeth taken out. To say the anticipation level was high would be an understatement.  You certainly couldn't tell by looking at her though!

Always the fashionista, she rocked the hospital gown and robe pretty well.

As with any surgery, it was a long day of waiting, and worrying, and it was especially strange that nearly everyone else in the family was spread far and wide across the country and couldn't be there with us. Pickle had to work, my Mom was visiting with my brother and his family in Texas, Hubby was in Kansas for work, and of course AJ is still in Indiana, finishing up his first year at Purdue.  Thank goodness for Bear's BF, Barry (nope, I didn't make that name up!) - he spent all day with me in the hospital waiting room, and was wonderful company. Having him there certainly made the day easier to get through.


On a little side bar...you know how things strike you as odd sometimes, right? Well, I'm not sure if you'll remember (so I'll refresh you about it) but when my Dad was going into surgery, the last thing I said to him was that I loved him and  "I'll see you on the other side" and he told me he loved me and said, "I'll see you on the other side of this."  As you know, those turned out to be the last words we said to each other. Well, yesterday, as I was with Bear for a short while as she was getting prepped for her surgery, there was an older gentleman in the room (and I use that term loosely because they were only separated by a curtain partition) next to her getting ready for a procedure.  Before they took him out for his surgery he'd asked to use the phone. Not that either of us were paying much attention to his conversation, but since only a curtain separated us, it was hard for Bear and I not to over-hear what was being said. After a minute or two of talking, he wound up his conversation with the phrase, "Ok, then, I'll see you on the other end of this." Bear and I swung our heads around in unison and stared at each other. It wasn't exactly the same as what my Dad and I had said to each other, but eerily close. Close enough to give me chills. I didn't know what to think at first, but I settled in on the notion that maybe we overheard those words for a reason. Out of all of the ways that conversation could have ended, that man said something so close to what my Dad and I had said to each other....why? I've come to the conclusion that it was my Dad's way of letting us know he was there, and keeping an eye on things.


Things did go as expected, thank goodness, and all was well.  By mid afternoon Bear was out of surgery, had spent the required time in the recovery room and was ready to head home.
Other than the normal soreness that comes along with this type of surgery, she is doing remarkably well (thank goodness for pain meds!) She is getting plenty of attention and TLC from all members of the family, including the 4 legged ones!

I know in just a few days she will be feeling so much better, and will be able to start putting all of this behind her. 

Good riddance gallbladder. You will not be missed!


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

She's a Miner 49er

It's official, Pickle has decided which college she will be attending this fall. After many long months of deliberation, she has decided on California State University at Long Beach. I am happy with her choice for several reasons. First of all, it has both of the majors she is interested in -- which are Criminal Justice and Forensic Pathology. (You go Girl!) I am also happy because it is only 93 miles from home. That sure beats the 2135 miles away that Purdue (ah-hemmm, AJ!) is.

Pickle will still get the full college experience of living in a dorm away from home, but is only a short hour and a half away by car. I must admit, I do find myself breathing a sigh of relief knowing that she won't be terribly far away.

We took a drive up today to get a good look at the campus, and it was as beautiful as I'd remembered seeing it several months ago.
Pickle looks happy, doesn't she?

I was surprised at how much greenery there was on campus.


The dorms look like typical dorms...
This is the performing arts center.

I am confident that this is a good choice for Pickle and that she will be happy here. She is ready for the next chapter in her life...I'm just not sure I am! She's my baby!

My oh my, when did I get this old?