12/25/14 Merry Pit-mas to All

I had my first holidays at home. It was wonderful to be warm, loved, and with my family.

I have a lot to tell you, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Til then, I wish you and yours and Merry Pit-mas.

Woof! Love, Maggie

“Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men”

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11/28/14 The day after

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with the human children over, some new smells I had never smelt before, some people I had never met, and yes, I minded my manners and didn’t jump on anyone or beg (too much) at the table.

I did, however, have to spend some time in the crate until all the humans were assembled and situated. Something about me being “a little too exuberant” in my welcomes. Stuff and nonsense, if you ask me!

Anyway, I was really feeling it today. The turkey and all. So I slept most of the day and took it easy:

However, when I woke up I was the Hairy Bullet! It was like a Jekyll and Hyde transformation!

Some snow had fallen outside, then it turned to ice, so the back yard is somewhat crispy.

Nonetheless, I lowered my suspension and took off through the dark yard with Jamie and flashlight at bay. I ran in a frenzied circle around the frozen lawn, slipping and sliding the entire time, then burst through the back door with a resounding BAM!, scrambled on the tiled kitchen floor, nearly lost what little footing I had, shot through the slot between the couch and the file cabinet, and slammed my big, hard, head right into the side table, nearly collapsing it.

I shook it off and ran for the upstairs landing, Jamie pounding on my pawprints, hollering, “Maggie! Maggie! Get over here and let me look at your head, for Christmas’ sake!”

My head was fine and I found my chew toy waiting for me, right where I had left it:

Once I got all the wiggles out of my bottom I was fine. I settled back in on my chair and napped while the humans played Scrabble.

Ah, life. It’s good to be a dog!

Woof! Love, Maggie

11/28/13 Mom Writes: Thanksgiving

This blog might be a little longer than some of Maggie’s.  We had some difficulty this Thanksgiving morning as Jim’s mom suffered a stroke or some other neurological event which caused her to collapse after eating breakfast.  She was taken by ambulance to the ER and, as of this writing, is awaiting tests.  She has a history of strokes, and all we can do right now is wait.

I am taking a deep breath and honestly writing:

I don’t know how to feel.  I’ve had a very hard time at my in-laws’ expense.  At the same time, I don’t wish ill upon anyone, especially my husband, for whom this morning has been very hard.  Some years ago, he lost his father right before Thanksgiving.

The nutshell saga is this:  Jim’s older brother didn’t want us to get married, and told lies about me to the entire family, which of course, spread like wildfire to all the nieces, etc.  Long story short, I was not exactly welcomed into the family; and for most of it, it’s been a rough ride.

Although I tell myself to move on, forget the past and live in the present, old wounds are hard to heal.  The holidays are especially difficult as my adopted parents have both died, so my side of the family is nonexistent.  Sometimes, I don’t feel like I have a counterweight to Jim’s family.  I get angry and resentful that I have to cook, clean my house, and be on my best behavior for people I am still uncomfortable around.  I tell Jim that I’m supposed to enjoy the holidays, too.  Then I catch myself.

I have come to accept that the best thing I can do is this: not to judge them.  (Although I will point out that my one brother-in-law has such….energetic children I had to kennel Maggie for the holiday until Saturday.  It wouldn’t have been a good scenario if my usually good-natured dog lost her temper around them.)  So for all of us, I packed her a turkey dinner and sent her off.  It doesn’t seem fair though, and like this is just one more hoop I have to jump through (not to mention Maggie!) for my in-laws.

So, it’s Thanksgiving.  Aside from everything else I’ve just mentioned about what’s wrong, what’s right?  What am I thankful for?

I am thankful and grateful this year that I have my immediate family:  Jim, Erik, Jamie, Jenny, Mike.  I am thankful for my canine family of Maggie, Rusk, and CoCo.  I am happy and grateful to have fond memories of those who have passed.  I am extremely thankful, mindful, humbled, and blessed, that we are all healthy.  I am thankful we are together this year and that my sons are not, for example, stationed overseas somewhere, with all the horrors that war entails; and I am indebted to our servicemen and women who sacrifice so much.  I am grateful for the roof that is over my head and the food that is in my belly.  I am thankful I have a warm coat and a reliable vehicle.  I am thankful I have a job and that my family is gainfully employed.  I am sincerely grateful that my youngest is in a good school.  I am thankful, grateful, and happy to have good friends in my life – you know who you are.  And I count myself lucky that I have a strong blogging community to share with.

I made pies all day yesterday, and I’m thankful they turned out just fine.  Here’s a picture of one of the pumpkins:

I  hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and had lots and lots of pie.

As far as the situation with Jim’s mom?  I will watch, wait, and be thankful for all that I have.  The holidays can be difficult and I accept that.  However, I am going to focus on the positive.  Happy Thanksgiving from me and Maggie.

Your friend,  Elizabeth

7/4/13 Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July!  I love everything about this holiday except for the fireworks.  Not a big fan of loud booms.  Or New Vacuum Cleaner.  Mom took him out today before company came over and I went into “football player” tackle mode.  Determined to out-bark the machine, I found myself given the boot to the backyard.  I don’t know why; I only charged the darn thing and tried to chew through his cord to shut him up! 

Mike came over and Dad made the most delicious food on the fire outside.  Mom lounged in the pool, but it was too chilly for Jamie.  His stomach is still tender, too; Mom says he had food poisoning yesterday and that is why he was so sick.  I chased Dad around with a stick and when I got pooped out, I lay in the grass next to Grandma, who reached down and stroked my back.  I watch over Grandma.

I was very good today.  I didn’t jump on anyone and I wore Dad out.  I behaved with company and didn’t eat any bones from the dinner table or the garbage.  I sat nicely with everyone outside.  It was fun to be included in the festivities. 

This holiday makes me proud to be a free dog in a great country.  The USA may have its ups and downs, but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.  The other day, we went for a ride in the car and Mom pointed out a bumper sticker on a van that said, “My son is a soldier in Afghanistan.  Enjoy your freedom.”  Mom told Dad she doesn’t like bumper stickers as a rule, but she liked that one because it reminded people that freedom isn’t free.

Happy Independence Day, America!  Thank you to all our military people, Veterans and those presently serving.  I tail-wag salute you!  We couldn’t have made it this far without your service and sacrifice. 

Now, if we could only get rid of the loud firecrackers!  Where’s my Thundershirt?!

Love, Maggie