please help

Penelope is considered a large breed but she is so short height. She is now about 7 yrs old and getting very white on her ears. She is not a very active dog. I always put her on a leash because the breed does have a tendancy to roam if they get a scent. She had been raised as a house dog before we got her. The lady we got her from called the number on the tag and the original owner had raised her from a pup but was unable to take care of her any more and given her to another family close to the lady we got her from. She said that the family she was given to, moved away and left her alone. She has been a great addition to my family. Jane I will give her a hug and an extra treat from you. If I was getting another dog, I would check out the animal shelters, my friend works at the local one and she says that some really great animals are dropped off and waiting for a forever home.

Sheila

Sheila, I always check out the latest dogs and cats on the net at the local animal shelter. I have always started off with puppies and kittens but this time, I think I would like a slightly older dog so I don't have to go through that rather difficult (though very cute!) puppy stage. Also, I would love to rescue a dog from death row.

Sue - how are you my love? I've been praying that you will have strength to prevail over this latest treatment. Big hugs to you, you gorgeous girl.

Ulla, we would all love to hear from you - are you ok? Big loves to you too.

Love to all my beautiful sisters here.

Hugs,

gb 

It's almost 8.15 am Sue. Poor darling - maybe a good cry would help. I wish I was there to hug you and dry your tears. (((((())))))

xxxxxx 

Oh - the animals next door! Well, the roosters have disappeared - maybe they  ate them! She told me once that there are so many dead animals buried in their back yard that she wouldn't know where to dig to bury another one! Poor dear creatures. I have repeatedly rung the RSPCA and they have done nothing as far as I know. Perhaps they rescued the roosters? They still have about 6 dogs and huge numbers of cats. Yes - you were spot on about cockroaches - I have to bomb my house regularly to keep them at bay and don't start me on the rats!! I often have to put half-eaten rats in my garbage bin - legacy of the cats' midnight dining! You will understand that I can't wait to get away from here. It's quite a nice suburb but the whole area knows about my neighbours! A girl was coming by to visit my son knew where to come because of the distictive "landmark" of next door!! They also have a small horse and numerous other creatures but most of them die or disappear.

Here's something I thought I'd share with you all because you are my sisters in all the important ways.

Sisters

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,

drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As

they talked about life, about marriage, about the

responsibilities of life and the obligations of

adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her

glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance

upon her daughter.

'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling

the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll

be more important as you get older. No matter how

much you love your husband, no matter how much you

love the children you may have, you are still going

to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now

and then; do things with them.'

'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...

your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other

women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women

always do.'

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman

thought. Haven't I just gotten married?

Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a

married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely

my husband and the family we may start will be all I

need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact

with her Sisters and made more women friends each

year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,

she gradually came to understand that her Mom really

knew what she was talking about. As time and nature

work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,

Sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world,

here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up...

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end.

BUT........

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how

many miles are

between you. A girl friend is never farther away

than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you

have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life

will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,

praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on

your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the

valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk

beside you...Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,

daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,

Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended

family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and

neither would I. When we began this adventure called

womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or

sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we

would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on

to all the women who help make your life meaningful.

I just did.

Hugs,

Karen

 

---

Hi Sue! Sorry you're feeling horrible. ROTTEN BOOTFACE! But Sue we are counting them down with you. Remember , you are down to one hand ! You are gonna make it! I'm so glad you got your disability. And your dad is gonna help. You take time off work if you need it. No one in there right mind would hold that against you. You have been through so much Sue. Listen to your body. If it says , " I don't want to go to work  , I'm tired , sick and I don't want to fricken go!" Listen to it. I love you Sue.xxxx How is Zippy doing today? Maybe he needs a yogurt lid.

Oh Sheila , I had tears in my eyes thinking of how that family left poor Penelope! I don't know how people can just up and move , leaving their pets behind. So sad. But I'm so glad she found a very loving and caring family in you. Treasures in heaven for you Sheila.xxxx

Jane , who in the world lives next door to you!?! Gosh , how creepy. Reminds me of "The hills have Eyes" people! I hope you get to move real soon. My best friend had some awful neighbors. Their yard looked like a junk yard and they fought all the time. They finally had to move. Thank goodness. Its very stressful and makes you not want to go outside at all. Will you have neighbors close by in the mountains? If so , I hope they are normal!lol xxxxx

Ulla , Mia , Lisa , Wren , where are you ladies? Please stop by and say hey when you can. We miss you. Lisa , you need to let us know you are OK. I know you are feeling down , but please stop by and just say hi. Love you honey.xxxxx

Hi Jule , didyougetlibbyyetdidyougetlibbyyetdidyougetlibbyyet??? No pressure!xxxx Mel

Aw , Karen thank you sister. I love it.xxxx

Karen. that was beautiful. I have tears. So much heart and emotion, so much truth.

I am so glad we have 'sisters' here. I wouldn't make it.

I also have two birth sisters and one daughter--and I am still lucky enough that my mother is alive. I would be lost without them too.

I have friends and former colleagues and neighbors and I am grateful that any of them have supported me so much.

I wish there was something I could do for all these people to let them know how much I appreciate them.

I am going to copy this and send it to my mom, daughter, and sisters though. Thank you.

Sue, I am so sorry your mouth hurts again and that the steroids have made you so wound up again. You are such a trooper! Thank you for sharing your rant here too when you were sreaming at bootface.  I am so glad you put a holler in there for me too.  I need to rant more sometimes... only I'm not so good at it... "darn bootface, I hate it" That's my rant... LOL, you do it so much better. Please rant away. I love how you do it... and I'm glad you were cussing when that mean nurse was poking and pulling at you--what a nasty nurse... you'd think they'd have training to be kinder...

Ulla, where are you??? 

Everyone else--I read your posts every day but seriously, by the time I am ready to post my mind is mixed up and I can't remember it all... I'd have to take notes! LOL... I didn't have chemo, but I think all the meds I take for pain and muscles do affect my memory--that and the mixed up sleep...

I am dreaming.... I would love a personal assistant right now--or just a buddy with free time to come sit with me and help me with some boring chores, like spring cleaning or organizing my closet...

I would love to shop for new clothes but my body is still changing so much from this that I dare not... I have no idea what my finished boobies will be like so I am just trying to make do with what I have. Plus, I'd be too tired to shop much... however, my mom did buy me some cute Ked's sneakers (all patchwork print in spring colors) and I got a new tote bag for spring so I'm not complaining, just missing my old body a bit. Darn bootface. I gained weight so I know none of my spring pants will fit either--I think I will live in stretch pants or skirts until I get the weight off...

Well, I had a great lymphedema massage yesterday by my new physical therapist and she helped stretch a muscle in my left armpt that has been really painful so I am feeling better. She did myofascial (sp?) release... ahhh... I get to go weekly or twice weekly if I want. The good news is she thinks once my reconstruction is done and all the cutting/stretching is done on my chest that the mild lymphedema will go away! Yay! My left arm is only a cm larger than the right so that is good news. Thank God!

Tomorrow I see the dentist for a toothache--why is it that bootface seems to make our teeth weak? I have had no cavities for years and years and now I have a zinger up there hurting...

OK, I've rambled enough.  I love you all sisters... You are in my thoughts and prayers.

~Wren

Sue , the pics is of all of us after you get done with tx and we have our get-together! I think we were at the beautiful beach all day and now we are going out for drinks , dinner and lots of laughs! Always Believe...

Hi Wren!  It's good to see you here.  I know what you mean about the weight gain.  I'm afraid to try on any of my spring and summer clothes.  I've been wearing mainly loose fitting clothes and sweats lately.  I refuse to buy a new wardrobe.  It may take a while, but I'm determined to get back to my pre-bc weight!

Hugs,

Karen

((((((((((Lisa)))))))))) - I am thinking of you and sending you huge, gentle hugs and lots of love. Please come and rant to us - if you feel like it. If you don't feel like it, just know that we love you and care about you.

Wren - I can really relate to how you are feeling. I didn't have chemo either but I have put on weight. My mastectomy sent me into instant menopause (well probably more like perimenopause) and, even though I have been going to the gym I can't seem to lose it. I think I have been a bit depressed on and off since dx as I have no 'get up and go' and have to really force myself to clean the house (last time I did some serious cleaning, it sent my le into an acute phase & am still trying to get the swelling down!). There is so much to be done before I can move...where to begin? We should try to give each other incentives to achieve a certain amount each day! I wish I could come to your place and help you - I find cleaning other people's houses so much easier than cleaning mine! My boys have left a lot of their stuff here so I am just going to put it all in one room for them to sort out.

Sue - 6 months already! That is the first of many milestones. Pretty soon it will be a year and then two years and beyond! I loved Mel's pic of the hand - how great to be able to count those tx down on one hand - still very hard for you but you are whittling them away. The rads will make you tired but it should be a lot easier.