Mood:
happyNow Playing: Day 2890-Chapter 3... Happiness~My Silver Lining
You better watch out
You better not howl
You better not pout
Or start to meow
Santa Paws' is coming to town
Did you just say... SANTA PAWS'?!
Why yes, I did! Santa Paws' really does exist!
These photos truly do say it all! Not only do they warm your heart. But as well bring an instant smile that just can't be denied!
Ecstatic fur children tickled pink that Santa Paws' was able to pay them a visit this evening. Hehehehehehe!
I wasn't sure how Snoreo was going to take seeing Santa Paws' with it being such a long time since paying him a visit last year on Christmas Eve. That huge smile on Snoreo's face is not only priceless! But it goes to show that Santa Paws' really does bring a smile to each and every good little puppy and kitty in the world. Those really special fur children who have been exceptionally well behaved all year long as they anxiously await the arrival for Santa Paws'!
This is BabyBlue's first-year meeting Santa Paws'. As she was getting ready to doze for a early evening nap. She was awakened by some commotion and chatter in the kitchen. Seems Santa Paws' was able to take some time out from his upcoming busiest season! Delivering toys to all the good little fur children, girls and boys.
This evening was the most happiest yet! Being able to see how much joy and sheer delight a visit from Santa Paws' brought BabyBlue, Snoreo and the rest of our fur children.
How silly can one really be to believe that Santa only delivers toys around the world for human children. No way, this is most definitely not true! I heard from the elves myself that Santa Paws' really does exist! The stories are true! Just like Santa Claus does for children, Santa Paws' rides his sleigh around on Christmas Eve delivering gifts and all sorts of toys for all the good fur children who live with their human families.
As the legend goes and his story continues on...
There's a special kind of Santa named Santa Paws', who visits all of God's creatures both big and small.
Instead of just milk and cookies. You know what this means? Extra toys and treats filling our fur children's stockings this Christmas Eve! 
Signed, Kimberly/H
-Little ole me
bright
One would never have guessed such neglect and abuse this little guy had been through for the very first year of his life. We not only rescued him, but he rescued me. Unconditional love, happiness and joy that he has brought to our entire little family during the times when we needed it the most. Big LOVE reminds us of what is most important in life... unconditional love and family.
But as well my most favorite thing before Christmas... holiday baking!! YAYYYY! Did I ever tell you how much this gal loves baking! Especially during the holiday season with all of the super yummy smelling scents of homemade delicious treats. This is the year of out with the old and in with the new! I am not so sure if buckeye candies will be on the list of holiday treats. But I do plan on making something new this year with my very own spin on the popular holiday cake... Fruitcake!! No... not the kind that is hard as a rock and can be used as a boomerang. HA! I plan on creating a recipe that is super moist, not of the same ole ingredients used in the classic fruitcake and is actually easy on the tummy. I can't wait to share my new creation next week! Bring on the good days! Time for holiday baking with my new assistance this year... Beary kitty. Too darn stinking cute!
sharp
It's been almost a week since we have been able to hit the trails as a family. Eric has been keeping busy making sure that Snoreo and Babyblue still get their daily exercise and a breath of fresh air at our local dog park while I am back at home resting. But today was a good day! What an amazing feeling to be able to get my walking shoes back on this afternoon and later in the evening to enjoy some fresh air of my own out here in the country. Ahhhhhh... air... so refreshing! We also finally got to stop and take a few pictures of the beautiful mural that has been a painting project in the making of it's very own over the past few months here in our little, lazy, river town. Talking about a magnificent piece of art! The side of a very historic building has now turned into this incredible masterpiece! 
I love little old towns with a ton of history. What I love more is the little, lazy, river towns that don't feel the need to keep up with the big cities. It's a shame to say... but it seems this little piece of history along the river might be only a mere few images left of what used to be a little, lazy, river town. A tight-knit, family oriented community. Not only are the houses going up for sale around us lately at record speed. But today it seemed as if we were the last ones to know what really was about to transpire here in the country. A piece of history and beauty here among the wooded hillside went up for sale this evening. 7+ acres with a local real estate company. And guess where at? Right across the street! Yep... you know what that means... 
We now have a far bigger challenge ahead of us as the race to sell our property begins now, today, at this very second. The 7+ acres of land could get bought by someone or an investment company at any time. Our little, lazy, river town committee has already approved the land to be used for a new home development, condominiums and section 8 housing. This means if Eric doesn't get his head on straight and brain in gear, our home could quickly depreciate in value. This means you can forget trying to sell it, whether alone me living here among constant future construction. Medically, we moved on the wooded hillside here in the country for some peace and quiet. Far, far away from large developments back across state lines in the city. Needless to say... my anxiety has skyrocketed after seeing the sale sign go up on the wooded hillside this evening. All 7+ acres of gods country... soon to be gone. 
celebratory
chillin'
So... I got my awaited phone call today regarding Friday mornings surgery. In fact... I got more than just my one awaited phone call today. I got several phone calls today.
Instead of our kitchen cabinets being taken over by post-it-notes as reminders of what's next with regards to major house repairs. There are now post-it-notes scattered as medical appointment reminders for the next several weeks. It's still looking to be a very busy month of December. That's not even counting Christmas, but we already plan on celebrating low-key. We still plan on doing our best to keep some of our holiday traditions, but as well starting a few new ones this year. Change... is inevitable. But as well... change can be good!
d'oh
We are finally starting to see our very first possums here in the country. Actually... early this morning while checking on our neighborhood kitties. We have a make shift safe winter haven set up in our spare garage for two of our visiting kitties. Papa kitty & Sweetie kitty who actually looks just like a little snow leopard. She is not only sweet, but super fluffy! Sweetie kitty and Papa kitty have actually grown to become close friends over the past few months. At least now they will be safe and warm through out the upcoming winter season.
blessing!
Today was another day of rest in attempts of snapping my body out of this constant pain and funk. Cutie Patootie Babyblue surprised me by pulling a first this evening. I woke up from a nap and looked over to see Babyblue sleeping in Littleblue's spot on the other side of the couch as she stared back at me. All I could do was look back and smile with sheer happiness. It was just what I needed to bring me out of this funk lately. Another instance of just how much she reminds me of our beloved Littleblue. She must had been sent from heaven... Babyblue
hehehe! 
happy
Christmas!
YY! 
I still have yet to get over this constant pain. It is also down right exhausting. Even with new medication that was called into our local pharmacy yesterday. I still have yet to find any sort of relief. My oncologist has been corresponding with Cleveland Clinic and hopes to have at least some sort of insight, possible help by tomorrow morning. This weeks surgery that got rescheduled yesterday morning is still up in the air until I hear back from my oncologist. I am already rescheduled for another scan and labs next month. The way things are looking, it might end up being a bit sooner than later. The only thing that I was told to do for now is rest, rest and more rest. 
~Joy
down
bad in a really long time. 
I should had known better to realize what was making me feel so horribly sick this morning. The cold sweats on top of pain, dizziness and feeling as if I couldn't catch my breath had Eric contacting my surgeons office and the hospital around 7:30am. I really did my best to get lots of rest and take it easy over the weekend. However, when the internal war rears it's ugly head through very unexpected symptoms. There is no warning. 
I have one final chance with surgery that was rescheduled for later this week. I have until then to somehow start feeling better. Internally speaking. Because lets face it. Mentally I am ready! My game face is on! Physically speaking is an entirely different story. If I can't maintain some sort of decent body temperature and blood pressure by the morning of surgery. Everything will officially be called off and not by my doing. But by my surgeons. Any future surgeries or future surgical procedures will as I was told on the phone... be no longer. That thought alone is frightening, because in my mind, it means having to accept being defeated in what I fought against for such a very long time. Yet, I will do everything in my power to somehow get myself physically back on track for surgery later this week. But the reality of it all still doesn't look very promising. Especially when my pain management doctor can't even get me to some sort of middle ground with the tumor pain. Endocrinology gave up on finding some sort of answers to help balance out issues with the inability to stabilize vitally important hormones that help to regulate normal bodily functions. My levels are off the charts due to the ovarian tumors continuing to feed from the hormones that I need in order to maintain some sort of normalcy. It's been that way for months now and it hasn't gotten any better.
snow?" 
I sure hope that it's not going to be another year with hardly any snow. I LOVE snow! The more... the merrier! We also can't wait to see how Babyblue reacts to the snow this year. It will be her very first time to literally see and play in the snow with Snoreo. Embracing her huskiness of such a little firecracker that she is quickly becoming! 
buddies!
While I am recovering next week from surgery. Eric will finally have a chance to make a whole lot of phone calls with regards to errors still being reported by the bank with all three credit bureaus. His VA mortgage loan is one hot credit reporting mess! We are now on complaint #5 with the Federal Consumer Protection Agency. I don't get it... not one bit. How hard is it to report payments being made to the credit bureaus on a monthly basis?. I mean... really! The bank has only successfully reported a mere 2 payments. Still yet to report the other missing ones over the course of the past year. The only post-it notes on the kitchen cabinet for Eric to deal with now is solely regarding the bank. I look at this entire purchase, from start to finish, as one huge disappointment. Although... there is always a silver lining. We have lost a lot. We have gained a lot. But most importantly, we have learned a lot! Maybe too much for my liking. Crazy enough, I have gained a world of legal knowledge that most likely I would had never had prior to this home here in the country.
CONEYS!
Who is the most difficult on the gift 
list to buy? Little ole me. As Eric always says, "You are impossible to buy for on your birthday and Christmas." What he really means, is in general. I don't need anything nor is there anything that I really want that is on the top of any kind of gift list. I assume it's nice to be able to say that in this day and age. But in all reality, what I have experienced through out my medical journey has really allowed me to appreciate the far simpler things in life. Less is more. I would much rather bring a smile to someone else's face. I would much rather hear a family crying for joy over their loved one coming to realization with cancer treatments actually put their cancer in remission. I would much rather see a child not have to suffer through surgery after surgery in hopes of removing cancerous tumors. I used to believe that Gastroparesis was one tough son-of-a-gun! However, what I have learned over the past two years is that there will always be something far BIGGER and much GREATER. 
Enjoy the good days! Learn from the bad days. Hope is a word that has no beginning and no end. Unconditional love and simple hugs go a very long way! I have grown more than most will ever know over the past few years. I am forever changed, but for the better. I have also become one tough cookie! You can't break my shell. Yet, I also know that some things in life can never be defied. What I continue to battle has only gained strength. A losing battle that has made me far more humble and a lot more appreciative for life in general. Amen.
YOUR EYE OUT KID!"