Lessons...

Things I have learned by being the "mommie" of a black panther range from a soft purr doesn't always mean I Love You to black panthers are invisible when sitting in a black bag...

Lately we have been battling fleas. We don't have a huge flea problem, but even one flea is way too many for this pet mommie.

So last night after doing my 3rd flea check on the pups and successfully scaring Toby to the underside of the bed, I picked up the flea comb and the black panther.

She loves getting her hair brushed. When she thinks I have gone too long without brushing her, she lays on the brush and cries. So it was no surprise that she loved the flea comb going thru her hair. She only became annoyed when she was tired of the combing before I was finished. To let me know she wanted no more combing she rolled over on her back and promptly attacked the comb. This was a fun game for about 2 minutes. Then she was off and chasing her sister...

The lesson? Enjoy life for everything it throws at you. When you are tired of the present situation, simply attack it and run as fast as you can to your sister! She may growl at first but before you know it the two of you will be curled up on the blankie sound asleep.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is just a couple days away. As promised, I have compiled a list of things to be thankful for this year:

A "new" child. This was one of the easiest ways of getting a second child. I watched Ryan grow from teenage to adulthood alongside my daughter. Now he is officially my "son" and for that I am thankful.

Parents. My parents have had a rough year - yet out of sheer determination or stubborness they have come out on the other side of the bad. Mom is beginning to heal, even if it is slower than she wants. Dad is still mobile and able to care for himself and Mom. He even went deer hunting with Jimmy.

Sisters. My sisters are my grounding. Each has her own way of keeping me in "check" and showing the love that only a sister knows. Being in the middle I get the best of both worlds - I am the younger and the older sister. Each of us are on our own journey - yet we are never far away from each others paths - for the good and the bad. For that I am thankful.

Friends. You don't get to choose your family - friends some say you choose, I disagree with that. Friendships evolve over time. There are few you will have for the lifelong journey. I can count on one hand those that are on the ride for the long haul. There are a couple that have even been named officially as "family." You know the numbers you can call at 3am and the phone will be picked up. You know who you are and I love you very much and am very thankful you have chosen me as your friend.

Extended Family. Life since October 2007 has been a roller coaster for my extended family. We have re-established relationships that literally went from childhood to adulthood with no real evolution. On my dad's side we really only saw most of the extended family at holidays and funerals. That is now changing and I'm thankful for the cousins that I have. On mom's side we all grew up together. Things are changing on that side as well. New bonds are being established while there is still work on my end with others. Nicole was the one that pointed out how "lucky" I am a year ago. She never realized how many first cousins I have. She knew the Dellinger side but had never met most of the Smith's.

Employment. Another rough area in my life. But I am still employed. The station is at the top of my list of my favorite jobs. I am thankful for a wonderful workplace with a group of great people.

Here's hoping you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and find at least 5 things to be thankful for.

Long days and pleasant nights to ye...

Family Matters

The thing about family is that we don't get to choose them. Saying you don't belong to a family you were born into doesn't make it so.

This past year has been especially difficult for my family. We lost my dad's brother, the second sibling he has buried. It doesn't get easier with time or age. Both my Aunt Nova and Uncle Louis were younger than my dad. He just always assumed that they would bury him.

In January we lost the oldest of my parents grandchildren. Skylar was only 23. Probably the most difficult funeral any of us has attended. Then came the news that Mom has bladder cancer. That battle began in March.

The last day of August Daddy had a pretty major stroke. His memory and physical abilities have been greatly reduced by the stroke. He is doing ok, but every day is still a struggle.

Mom's surgery to remove her bladder went off ok. The cancer is gone, but she has had some issues with the actual healing part. Patty and I have learned enough about nursing to know that neither of us want to ever be one.

Jimmy and I both have had very stressful work experiences this year. Patty and Daddy have both now been diagnosed with diabetes...

You may be wondering why I'm bringing all this up... Well, the fact is family is where you go because you know they have to accept you, no matter what. Like I like to say - "we have to love you - God said so..." We all do our best with what we have. No one is perfect, and you can say that for a fact with my wonderfully dysfunctional family.

Thanksgiving is on the horizon. With all the losses and challenges of the last 12 months, I for one am really looking forward to finding the things to be Thankful for.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

My baby girl is 23 today!

It was very cold Nov. 9, 1984. Mom and Dad made me walk all over Tulsa the 8th to try to convince Nicole it was time to meet everyone. She began her life like she has lived it - doing things her way and on her time.

Seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital. Jeff was in the midst of studying for midterms so her first car ride was in Mema's car.

It has been a wonderful 23 years. 2009 begins the next phase of her life. New OU graduate and will have a teaching certificate soon. Newly married. Trip to Europe on the horizon. What a wonderful year.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Good Girl Millie...

Today at lunch I was on the couch trying my best to take a power nap. Toby and Millie had just settled in when Millie jumped up and ran to the window. She looked out into the backyard and barked once then turned and looked at me.

My reply was simply, go outside and see what's there. So she did. The back door was open since it was such a beautiful day and I thought the kritters needed some fresh air.

Once outside I heard two more short and distinct barks. They weren't barks alerting me to the fact that there was a cat in the yard, or Dopey was running the fence line or even that the neighbors were outside. No, these were new barks that I had never heard. So naturally I had to go investigate.

The first thing I noticed was Millie standing by the gate with her tail on point and "talking" in the direction of the neighbors front yard. The second thing I noticed was that the piece of wood keeping Oprah Mae in our yard was lying on the ground. It only took 30 seconds to figure out that the black panther had escaped! The whole 30 seconds I was looking in Oprah Mae's favorite hunting spots, Millie stayed on point. Please understand that is a very long time for my rather A.D.D. dachshund.

I found Oprah Mae "hunting" in the front yard under a tree. When I brought her back in Millie chased her around the house for a couple of minutes literally growling at her. I guess that was her way of scolding her for leaving the yard without permission. After all she gets in trouble for doing that!

Yes, Millie received two treats for this job well done!

Long days and pleasant nights...

King Albert

When the Cardinals were swept by the Dodgers this year it hurt. Only a little - there are so many things going on in life right now that finding time to watch more than 3 post season games has been difficult. And thanks to my boys, I haven't had to worry...

The post season has already begun to be interesting, however. Management for some reason decided to hire McGwire as their batting coach. They evidently understand the fans may have mixed reaction to this hire. Immediately LaRussa, Pujols and Schumaker released statements and were around town chatting about what a great decision that was... I am going to whithhold my opinion until around July 2010. Just hope that random drug testing takes place on a daily basis in the St Louis clubhouse.

LaRussa has also signed for one more year. Duncan is back and they say the bullpen is staying put. In my opinion the bullpen is a huge problem. I would like to see money spent on another starter that is Carpenter and Wainwright calliber - no Smoltz...

In the best news of the off-season so far, Pujols is again racking up the awards. Looks like may be another MVP year.

Long days and pleasant nights to ye...