The Yellow Raincoat

Rain was in the forecast—and a lot of it! So, I did what any other good dog mom would do: I scoured Amazon to find a raincoat for Bubbles. Yes, she wore it (reluctantly), and yes, it kept her dry.  

A win for this dog mom, even though the cockapoo was a bit humiliated.

 

This Hoarding Situation

 One of these days my computer is going to say, "Stop!  I can't take it anymore!"

I'm talking about how I load it up with photos and videos and emails and folders and...  well, you get the picture.  I complain about my husband being a hoarder of things, but here I am being a MAC stuff hoarder.  

Some fun facts about me:  

*I very seldom delete a picture or a video. 

*I'm afraid to delete a Word document even if I have seven thousand copies of the same document

*I will save pictures multiple times in different folders

*I do not delete emails.  I let them build and build and build till my account could burst!! (ya never know what you might have to go back and find one day)

*Oh, and I have multiple email accounts.  Maybe, eh, seven or so.  I'm a mess. But, I am blessed.  Bubble blessed.

WE ARE BACK!!

 I've been neglecting my blog lately.  Not on purpose, but it seems being retired leads to a much busier life than working.  

Okay, enough about me.  What about my new dog?

Bubbles will turn two years old in July.  That is hard to even say.  Two years old!!  Wow!  It seems as though we just brought her home.  

She has had some health issues, but I am hoping most of the more serious times are behind us for a while.  It's nice having a dog in the house again.  When you become a senior citizen and your kids and grandkids are growing into their own little lives, spoiling the dog is a great way to enjoy your days.

I keep saying I would love to get back into blogging - and I mean to - however, time just seems to slip away.  I'm doing a few things now that are time-consuming.  Ensuring my dog gets attention, care and exercise.  Ensuring my husband gets time, care, and ... well... he takes care of his own exercise. LOL!  Church, worship services, and Bible studies.  Writing another book.  Helping a friend who I met on TikTok to write her life story. Making TikTok videos and making actual money doing it!!  Yes, I kid you not, I am getting paid to do what I love to do.  I guess I am a content creator!!  Yay, me!  

So yea.  I'm busier than ever, and life is winding down.  I will turn sixty-nine this April.  My mom was sixty-nine when she passed away.  My dad was fifty-three when he left this world.  How much longer can I have?  

But here I am - making the best of God's time and enjoying and loving the blessings He has bestowed upon me.  I am truly grateful and absolutely unworthy.  But that's my God!

Remembering Dad on Veterans Day

Pulling Dad's letters from an old tin,  I feel his loneliness as I read his letters home. ( Jo was my mom)

Jan. 18, 1946

Friday

Dear Mom and Dad,

"Just a few lines to let you know I am well..."  

"I have been transferred again, this time on a ship..." 

"Have you seen Jo lately?"

July 15, 1948

"I got paid yesterday.  Boy, I sure did need it.  I got forty-four dollars....."

Tokyo:  Sept. 30

Dear Mom and Dad,

"Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope you all are the same.."

"How's the garden getting along this year?"

"I got a letter from Jo the other day...."

"Don't forget to send me some pictures..."

Monday, Aug. 13

"We sure have been having good news lately about the war.  It looks to me like it's almost over..."

"I haven't gotten any mail from you in about a month. I guess I'll get it all at once..."

"I don't want to miss this chance to get home for Christmas..."

"Have you seen Jo lately? I wrote to her tonight. Tell her to answer and let me know if she gets it..." 

"Well this makes almost 2 1/2 years I have been in the Navy.  It don't seem that long. I am getting to like it better than I did before. I get to see a lot of places and things.."

Dad, the sailor on the left.

Love, Bob EM 3R

Dad died when he was just 53 years of age, leaving me with many memories and a heartfelt gratitude to God for an earthly father who was quiet, loving, generous, compassionate, hard-working, and honest.

Two of my brothers served in the military as well, Jimmy, Marines, and Larry, Navy.     

God bless those who serve... who give of themselves...  to keep our country a safer place.  

  

It's Fall Y'all

One of the very few times I have went anywhere and taken very few photos - but this year I just savored the perfect day God provided to enjoy His beauty at the Springs Fall Festival in Springs Pa. The trails, the crafts, the food, the music, the smells (especially that kettle of apple butter throwing off the aroma of autumn through the air), the the beauty of summer turning to fall --- a perfect day created by God that I enjoyed immensely! I love these beautiful fall days. I miss Gracie on these days though, because she loved this time of year.

Yay!

 Surgery stitches are out and guess who got a new toy?

HUMP DAY

Bubbles celebrated her 1 year Gotcha-Day yesterday while still recovering from spay surgery.  She is now 8 days out.  She goes back to the vet next week to get the stitches removed and then she is free to be who she wants to be!!!  And right now, I must tell you - she is stir-crazy.  The first 3 days after surgery she was okay to be more laid back.  But she is feeling pretty good now and zoomies along with aggressive and vulgar sexual acts with her favorite toy bunny are making me a little nervous.  Next week after her appointment, we need to get her out walking or something because she needs to get out of this house and run off some energy.

She's beautiful though.  God's been good.

Husband bought me the most beautiful canvas wall hanging for my back room for our 21st anniversary.  It's called 'He Left the 99 for 1' (or) 'He Left the 99 for Me'.  It's the most beautiful depiction of what God has done for us!  I had put the hint on Facebook, and husband actually got the hint.  How about that!  I love it.

Side note:  I have turned off comments on my blog.  The reason is, I want people to feel free to come and read without feeling obligated to comment.  Life is busy these days and most bloggers have a variety of blogs they follow.  I personally have had trouble with blogger in leaving comments on many of the blogs I follow.  It's so frustrating.  But there are still blogs that I love to go to and read.  If you would like to reach out to me, use this email address:  aahear@yahoo.com.

Sorry, this is so long.  That's another thing I'm working on.  Fewer words.  That's me, a work in progress.  

God bless and happy hump day!  Speaking of hump day.  I need to go get my dog off this rabbit.  

Then

Now

LABOR DAY

 Now I know why they call it Labor Day!  It's a lot of work.

Being Neighborly

 My neighbor is great.  She is a hard-working, kind Chinese woman who speaks little English.  The other night our doorbell rings, and there she stands, sun bonnet shading her face, with a bowl of freshly picked tomatoes from her garden.

"Thank you so much!"

I had the most delicious summer sandwich!  Much appreciated.

In returning her bowl to her, she pulls me back into her thriving, amazing garden and fills my arms up with more veggies than I know what to do with.  "Here, take bowl. I no need. I have plenty."

Sweetest neighbor!  How about you?  Nice neighbors?

HEAT AND HEAT

Bubbles seems sad.  Maybe it's boredom.  Summer can be hot and uneventful when you're a fur ball in 'heat' who is suddenly thrown into no walks, no swimming, and *yawn* feeling tired and listless.  I'm not sure which heat she hates the most - the heat cycle that she is in, or the heat of the day.

I hope she comes to life when the weather cools, post surgery next month and going into October.  I've never owned a dog in heat before - so this is all new to me.  I think she's coming out of it though, slowly but surely.

Gracie tolerated summer but was not the biggest fan, especially in her senior years.  Fall always brought a spring to her step and she would become a puppy again as the air cooled and leaves turned and fell to the ground.  I'm hoping the same happens with Bubbles.

Bubbles Lament

It all started out like this.  Summer.  Not the girl Summer, but the season of summer.  

Mom and dad got in this thing they called a pool, and since I did not want to be sitting on the deck alone, I followed.  That's a lot of water!  

They thought it was cute how I jumped off the raft and swam over to be with Mom.  But really, it was me, clinging to my lifeline aka Mom.  I had to be with her and the only way was to swim over to her.

  So yea.  There I was swimming like a pro when BAM ~ ear infection ~ and doc said no more swimming for 2 weeks.  Oh shucks.  I was just getting the hang of it.  The 2 weeks were almost over when another BAM ~ heat ~ and so there I was, wearing a diaper and watching them swim from the bedroom window.  

Poor me.  

Mom said as soon as it warms up outside I will be back in the water with them.  She also says next month I will go in for surgery.

What's surgery?