Val's Quiz

Come , play if you haven't already!  I'd love to see your answers!

Merry 

Reactions Quiz:  Type the FIRST thing that comes to mind.

1.  Beer: Scares me

2.  McDonalds: Pretty bad & fattening mostly.

3.  Relationships: Wonderful mostly, but can be complicated!

4.  Purple: My favorite color!
5.  Power Rangers: They weren't popular when my son was young,so don't know much about them!

6.  Weed: Too often leads to other addictions, BUT should be legalized for cancer patients.

7.  Steroids: Dangerous and breaks rules!!

8.  Cartoons: Sorry, I draw a blank here.
9.  The President: Doing best he can with a Democratic Congress!!
10. Tupperware: I always lose the lids!

11.  Florida: Yeah, it's hot (my parents lived there for several years); if we move south that's probably where we will go, Dave has a brother wintering there.)
12.  Santa Claus: Is something we make up for children!
14. Alcohol: Drink with CARE, DANGEROUS, not worth the "high."
16: MySpace:I don't know much about it, but not heard good things.
17. Clowns: I hate clowns, (they are stupid to me,sorry if that sounds mean!)

19. Paris: Hilton (Actually feel sorry for her, she is not really happy.)
20. Redheads: My nephews were redheads when young. Wild and ornery, too.  My grandbaby Jack was reddish brown, but is turning blonde now.
21. Blondes: Usually have to touch up those roots very often!!

22. Pass the: Pepper
23. One night stands: Irresponsible and done by people who drink or drug, or longely, and to me are just SAD.
24. Donald Trump: Can be mean, but IS in fact, a good father (I saw a TV show with his grown kids on it.  They had to work for every penney they got!)

25. Neverland: Michael Jackson
26. Dixie Chicks.  They sing well but have no right to dennonce our leaders, like they did this last year.  I will never buy another Dixie Chicks CD.
27. Vanilla ice cream: is good , the ONLY kind I like
28. Vallarta:  Puerta
29. High school: Was fun, until I had to move my Sr. Year

30. Pajamas: OH my gosh, I wish I could wear them all day long!
31. Woody: An oddball guy who was once married to Mia Farrow
32. Wet Socks: I HATE wet socks!
33. I love: Dave

Okay, I have completed Val's quiz.  Why don't you?

HAPPY ENDINGS

Hi Everyone,

I want to share a wonderful "real life" story with you.  This one comes from Heartwarmers.com, and as you see below it is written (quite beautifully) by Michael Segal.  It tugged at my heartstrings and I bet it will yours as well!

HAPPY ENDINGS
by Michael Segal

      You could hear a pin drop.  Then, some sniffles in the mob of thousands.
      Eventually, after what appeared like an eternity, the crowd roared with applause as the ambulance took him away.
      His name is Kevin Everett and he was playing for the Buffalo Bills football team.  He was hurt -- hurt very badly trying to make a tackle on a kickoff.  The blow injured his spinal column causing a paralysis.  He could not give the "thumbs up" to the crowd, no matter how hard he tried.
      Meanwhile, back home in a small town near Houston, Kevin's mother was watching the game in a sport's bar.  Very few things in life are worse than watching your "baby" on television not being able to move.
      His fiancee was also near Houston washing her car.  Soon she would find out the horrible news.  Soon, everyone would find out the horrible news as the doctor reported in a TV news broadcast that Kevin was in critical condition -- his life was at risk, never mind the fact that he possibly might never again be able to walk.
      Luckily, Kevin's doctor who was in the ambulance with him, tried a new procedure to immediately cool his spinal column.  Also, he was fortunate he had a neurosurgeon waiting for him at the trauma hospital.
      Slowly, and very slowly, he began making progress.  Eventually, he was stable enough to be flown to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR), a rehabilitation hospital near his home in Houston.  At TIRR he continued making great progress.  He took his first steps there.
      Mind you, very few people who sustain that kind of injury are ever able to take a first step.  But he did, and he continues to keep proving the experts wrong.   When he appeared and walked on the Oprah show recently, he
proved to have made a miraculous recovery.  If you had not known him or his story, you would not have realized that he had an injury that almost cost him his life.
      Back at TIRR, many patients are obliged to learn to deal and cope with dramatic changes after those life altering experiences.  A person, often, is simply thankful for the small things -- like being able to brush one's teeth, tying one's shoes, combing one's hair, etc.  Quite often the small things in life are really huge.  Often, it takes much time to deal with the many losses.  However, with a positive attitude, support, as well as many other factors, life, after a spinal cord injury can be very successful.   The proverb, "Be thankful for what you have and do not dwell on what you have lost" is a great attitude.  The patients at TIRR realize this, and people everywhere should accept that proverb, since everyone in life experiences some kind of loss.  That is the
definition of being human.
      Kevin Everett and so many others are trying to show the world that life is not over when one sustains a major loss.  In fact, perhaps, for many it is just beginning.  Perhaps the reason Kevin Everett healed so miraculously was because of the care he received in the ambulance, or in the hospital, or in the rehab hospital, or because of his excellent conditioning, or because of his faith, or because of so many other reasons, or a combination of the above.
      Today, he is doing great and helping others.      Many people, who have sustained a spinal cord injury, as well as those who have not, possess the desire to get better.  For many, that equates to being more independent.  People want to believe that getting better is possible.  People enjoy stories with happy endings. And people want to be positive.      Kevin Everett's story reminds us that sometimes there are happy endings  

                  -- Michael Segal    <msegalhope at aol.com>

One more thing!

Hi Everybody,

Krissy has just informed me that the voting has to be done (for the above made fragrance I described) at  The poll is in Angie of Peyton's Water's blog.  She is the one who is making the lotion for her home business.  Please go here to vote:

http://journals.aol.com/peytonswater/Peytonswater/entries/2008/02/03/contest-final-4-names-for-new-scent/1152

I'm sorry I didn't understand that, people.  And I am sorry I goofed, Krissy.  I didn't mess up on purpose. LOL  Love you girl!

Merry~

Please vote for fragrance name

I have been asked to post what to name a new fragrance a friend of friend of mine makes.  It's mysterious scent.  Different. I don't know how to describe it very well.  I will tell you this.  This person writes passionately in purples and blacks and reds.  That's why I voted the way I did. 

Now would  you please post in your journal what you would like to name this? It's for a nice person!  Thanks!

Merry

Well, thanks for everyone that polled in the 4 catagories, here is the FINAL POLL! The winning names recieves a 4oz Balm with there new Name, a Foot Scrubby Pad and a 2 oz Whipped Body Butter and a Lip Balm!!!!

PLEASE PAST THIS POLL AROUND IN YOUR JOURNAL! The more votes the BETTER! This Poll will end on Friday!!!!

Here goes.........

 

Together For Eternity

TOGETHER, FOR ETERNITY
by PS Gifford

      Two nights ago I went to bed as I always did.
      I took up a hot milky drink and a good book and as my wife
drifted into her dream world, I drifted into the imagination of the
writer.  At some pint, I became defeated on my battle to maintain
keeping my eyes open, and with the final remnants of my waking state
somehow managed to switch off my reading lamp and bookmark my book.
      Typically, I am a sound sleeper.  The only thing that ever
awakens me is a storm or my dog needing to go outside.  But that
night I found myself wide awake.  Fragments of the dream I had been
having still flashed in my minds eye.
      I glanced at the clock.  It was 3:30am.  I desperately tried to
recall my dream which was fading by the second.  I remembered faces.
Family faces.  I remembered tears.  I remembered black clothing.  But
what I remembered most of all was a feeling of peace.
      It is difficult to translate this feeling into words.  I somehow
felt strangely tranquil.  I instinctively allowed my hand to drop to
Tasha who was asleep on her bed alongside ours.  As I scratched, she
wriggled contently in her sleep.  My eyes managed to adjust to the
light and I could just make out the silhouette of my beloved wife
cocooned in bed sheets by my side.
      Three and a half hours later the ringing of the alarm clock
sounded particularly harsh as it pierced the morning silence.  I
abruptly awoke.  I remembered I needed to take my father to an early
morning doctor's appointment.
      My father, at 80 years old, has overcome some severe health
issues.  He is well on the road to recovery although he has
difficulty getting about by himself.
      At precisely 8am, on my third cup of coffee, I arrived at his
house.  Traffic had been unusually light and I made it in ample time.
He was still getting ready.
      As he got dressed he shared with me a curious thing that
happened the night before.  He told me how at 3:25am he had awoken
and was so restless that he had gotten up and had a glass of milk
before returning to bed.
      I suddenly recalled my waking at the same time.
      Then it all became clear.
      "You remember what day it is don't you?" he asked.
      I stared at him blankly.
      "It is the day that Olive and Frank get cremated."
      I could not believe I had forgotten.  Olive was his older
sister.  Their passing had come as quite a shock.  They were both
discovered dead at the bottom of the staircase in their home back in
England.  They had apparently been that way for several days.  They
were found after their son had called authorities to check on them,
after he hadn't heard from them for over a week.
     The coroner report concluded that Olive had fallen off a stool
while attempting to change a light bulb.  She had landed awkwardly
and had fractured her hip and several other bones, rendering her
unable to move.  We can only assume that she called for Frank, who
was 85 and incredibly frail and battling many health issues.  When he
went to investigate he must have suffered a fatal heart attack,
brought on no doubt by the shock of seeing her like that.  They had
been married for over 60 years.
      My father was naturally heartbroken by the news, as was I.  We
had discussed flying over for the funeral services but the 11 hour
flight was much too risky in my father's state of health.
      Because the coroner's report took some time, and because of
issues with their son, their only child who lives in the States, the
cremation was held back for an incredible two months.
      My father continued.  "The service commenced at 11:30am."  He
looked at me solemnly and I gave him a hug.
      Suddenly it all became remarkably clear.  With the time
difference, that was the precise moment we both awoke the night
before.  Perhaps, in some sort of spiritual way, part of us was there
after all.
      Here is a poem I penned the day I heard the dreadful news of
their passing:

      Sixty plus years spent together -
      With nary a single day apart.
      Through fine times and the dire,
      they stood by their sacred wedding vows.

      They raised just one single son,
       who fulfilled his dreams in the States,
      six-thousand miles from Birmingham,
      Where he was born and lovingly raised.

      He is a success in each and every way,
      Blossoming career, loving wife and three kids.
      His parents were overflowing with pride
      For everything their son had achieved.

      Fifty years spent in the same house,
      Which sheltered them from the elements.
      Yet, despite its diminishing condition -
      they stubbornly refused to ever leave.

      Yes, sixty grand years spent together,
      and a modest legacy to be proud off.
      For they lived, essentially as one - able to
      finish each others thoughts, with a knowing nod.

      And now they have passed on as one
      Unexpectedly and shrouded in mystery
      From this earthly physical plane,
      Carried up to the next spiritual level.

      They were uncovered hand in hand,
      At the bottom of their stairs,
      several days after their passing,
      by a shaken investigating police officer.

      We don't know the cause of their demise
      We will need to wait to Friday to discover,
      the results of their scheduled autopsies
      For the puzzling and elusive answer

      Yet, I know those sixty years together,
      were simply a beginning to their love.
      For now, it is undeniably destined,
      That they shall be together for all eternity.

                 -- PS Gifford    <psgifford at earthlink.net>

From Heartwamers.com

Goodbye TeddyBear

TeddyBear Kenyon

June 10, 1998 - December 15, 2008

Nine and a half years old.  Not a very long life.  But Teddy lived it to the fullest.   He played up to the end.  He loved his toys, he loved to "blitz"-as all Bichons do.  He was never really sick until that last week & weekend.  He had diabetes, and was starting to have several other organs fail.  We just couldn't see medicating him so he could live...that would be living for us, not for him.  Teddy got in trouble sometimes.  He'd wander away from home.  He nipped me more than once.  I wasn't "his boss" my husband, Dave was.  He was Dave's pal, the closest dog Dave ever had, and we have had several. Teddy knew he didn't have to mind me. But when Dave was gone, he became "my dog, my boy" within hours.  Funny how dogs do that.  He'd lie on my feet when I sat here typing at my computer.  He loved to cuddle. He cuddled more with Dave than me, but he did love it if I took an afternoon nap--then he always put his head on my legs and curled up into them.  He had a gorgeous thick white coat.  It was so thick we couldn't even comb it.  He didn't care for kids as my next door neighbors day-care kids had teased him all his life.  He sat in Dave's lap when Dave was home at night.  They were truly the best of pals.  Dave always called him, Pal, too.  We still have Kaycee, our Maltese who turned 8 on Dec. 23, 2008.  She missed Teddy horribly that first week especially and laid on the couch depressed.  She had no sparkle in her eyes.  Dave was with him when he was put to sleep.  I didn't know he was going to go in, but I should have, Dave would never have let Teddy go through that alone.  But I could have driven the car home.  Dave was not in shape to do that.  Dave told me later, he hadn't cried that hard since he lost his Mother when he was 12.  I took Teddy's kennel and his things and threw them on the heap of stuff in the basement we have of things that are going to the dump.  I didn't want Dave to come home and have to look at them.  But I forgot, all his toys were still up here.   Kaycee doesn't play with toys, sometimes Ted would get her to play tug, or blitz with him, but that's it. She is a quiet dog, she was the alpha dog over Ted, though. She started fights all the time over chews,and sometimes food.  You'd think she'd have known better, being 1/3 his size, but Ted always backed off usually without Dave even telling him too.  Ted could get into trouble, but you couldn't help but love him.  He was a demonstrative dog, an emotional dog, and we miss him so much that I can only now write about him and it's been 3 weeks.  We will never forget Teddy, he was a dog full of pep.  He loved to play, chase squirrels and rabbits, and birds and sometimes he caught them.  Oh TeddyBear, I hope you somehow knew how hard it was to let you go.  I know Jessi (Jessica Sue, his big sister, who was more my dog, who we had the first year or so we had Ted) met him at the Rainbow Bridge and welcomed him to be with her and play with her. Neither one of them have pain anymore.  This is good, but why then, does it have to hurt so darn much?  Teddy, Goodbye,my friend, and your Dad's best pal, and best friend.  Your life was brief but brought us much laughter and joy throught the 9 1/2 years we had the honor of having you in our home.  Rest in peace, boy.  A part of our hearts went with you.  Somehow we have gone on, but never ever are we the same.  I know you were a dog and some people don't understand the closeness we have with our animals, but fact is fact and we do!  We loved you, Teddy!

Mom (Merry), Dad, (Dave) & Kaycee Kay (your 8 year old sister,the "Wonder" Maltese.)

 

My Best Friend (Soft Whisper)

Did you see this? 

For 14 years, I had the honor of having "Joshua's Sister Jessica Sue" for my dog.  Josh was our last collie.  Jessi was our first Bichon Frise.  She was my soulmate.  I loved her with all my heart. We had her put down at 14 as she was suffering arthritis and digestive problems.  It's the hardest thing in the world when you have to do this, even though you know it's the right thing to do.

 

Well, sometimes I still hear Jessi whisper.  And I still miss her sooooooooooo....I still shed a few tears at times, but I know she's happy, and glad that we have Teddy (our current 9 yr. old Bichon  & Kaycee, our 7 1/2 yr. old Maltese).  Jessi loved other dogs, besides people.

xoxo

 

Merry

In a message dated 10/16/2007 8:15:44 PM Central Daylight Time, moderator@petwarmers.com writes:

SOFT WHISPER
by Lanie Blackmon

My best friend spoke to me last night
a soft whisper in my ear.
I woke up and looked around the room,
I was startled, yet I had no fear.

My best friend said that all is fine
Rainbow Bridge is so much more.
That there was so much love up there,
even a beautiful ocean shore.

There are fields and fields of green green grass
and the sky has different shades of blue.
There are flowers, mountains, trees and clouds,
everything they said it was, is true.

My best friend whispered in my ear last night
saying "Please don't cry or be sad.
That what was done, had to be done,
for me to live my life now, so be glad."

My best friend said that I did the right thing
an unselfish act on my part.
And that the pain and sadness I feel
will be gone soon from my heart.

I asked my best friend, "How could this be
I miss you so much everyday.
That my heart hurts so much for you,
I wish there could of been another way."

My best friend whispered in my ear last night
"You will always be in my heart.
Go on and live and love another,
because we will never really be apart."

My best friend whispered in my ear last night
"It's time for me to go towards the light.
I just wanted to stop and say to you
Go on my best friend, I'll be alright."

"I carry your unconditional love with me
I have done this from the very start."
I whispered back to my best friend last night,
"I'll always love you with all my heart."

"So goodbye my best friend," as I looked up at the sky
A shooting star I see in a straight line
Moving fast across the sky and out of sight,
I whispered, "Goodbye my best friend.  Now, I'll be fine."

         --  Lanie Blackmon    <lovemy4goldens at hughes.net>