Mothers

Today I sent flowers for mother's day. For my mother-in-law, a spunky 82 year old former school teacher. She makes every conversation an interesting one. The first Christmas present she sent us was a globe of the world. She forwards me email humor and photos. For her, there are no limitations. The second gift of flowers was to our daughter for her first mother's day. Pretty pink roses and chocolates...I guess I'm still holding the image of that younger girl who only wanted things in pink. We were at her house recently, and her bedroom was decorated in blue. That finally helped me know it was ok to change out her bedroom in our home to the guest bedroom. No more shocking pink bedding and pink flowers. Now it's cool blue and chocolate browns, very modern, no flowers. I will always see her enveloped in the white down comforter surrounded by pink pillows in that room. Will I ever let that image grow up? I think so.

I also think of my own mother, who gave her whole being to bringing children into the world and raising them. Six of us - 5 boys and a girl. She gave so tirelessly. She was equal in every way to my father. She was incredibly special, no words to really describe her. I remember her sewing little doll clothes for my dolls, letting me make tents under the dining room table with my girlfriends, taking me to see the Parent Trap and Elvis movies, eating Foster's Freeze soft ice cream cones together, teaching (or trying to) all the skills one needs to become a woman. I know she was proud of me, even if during my younger years I was a tomboy. She wanted a girl with frilly dresses, I wanted to play football with my brothers. Eventually I came around when I married my first husband. It all made sense then. She was truly a gifted woman, and I was very lucky. Thanks for all you did mom, and continue to do from heaven (I know that you still watch out for me). I miss you and have for many years. But I still think of you and love you.

What would we be if we didn't share between generations?

Georgie

This is Georgie. She is my first and oldest schnauzer at 13 years old. She came from a show breeder in Florida. She was 1/2 inch too short to show, so she was labeled pet quality. Strange designation, isn't it? I'd say she is a quality pet. She has been amazing. She truly touches my heart. We can communicate without words, just by looking in each other's eyes. I know what she needs or wants, and she knows how to get it from me!!! She's a typical terrier who is extremely smart, independent, often stubborn. Fortunately, she's not a yappy barker. She used to daily check the perimeter wherever she was. She was also a master squirrel chaser, although she never caught one. We have traveled across the US together. Georgie has been the leader of the pack. She had a sister who crossed the Rainbow Bridge and the 3 of us were inseparable. We previously had a golden retriever and our shihtzu with the 2 schnauzer girls. Although Boomer, the golden, was the biggest & strongest he always let Georgie have her way. Amongst the 3 little dogs, she was always in charge. She has had to put up with 2 younger male schnauzers over the past year. She seems to accommodate them into her realm. She's the Grande Dame of the Pack now, getting the respect she deserves although she isn't the leader so much these days. These days she's a little more relaxed, preferring to go for walks and to nap and to cuddle. She's happy to keep to herself and me or my husband. Winter was rough on her health. She had a string of illnesses and 2 hospitalizations. But now is back to normal although she's showing her age. I've learned a lot by living with her. Probably what gets reinforced every day of my life with her is unconditional love. She looks at me with those big brown eyes and my heart melts. I would do anything for her. She has taught me to relax, to be patient, to not be so worried about keeping the house spotless, and to find creative ways to deal with her stubbornness since she only weighs 11 lbs. Her stubbornness seems to be getting worse this past year. Probably because I started spoiling her after all of her illnesses. She used to be so well behaved! My final resort is to pick her up and carry her to where I want to go!!! Little bugger. I feel very lucky to have found such a wonderful quality pet as my first schnauzer. I love this little dog!

at the beginning

I really should say at the end, since it's almost 1:30 am on a work night. But this is that quiet time when often my brain kicks in to hear my own thoughts. Not the dogs running & wrestling & barking, or the parrots screeching, or the husband talking, or the tv noise, or the work scenarios running through my head. It's my time. Quiet time. No one wanting anything from me. I've always loved this time of night. I'm a nocturnal animal...if I could I'd sleep all day and prowl around at night. But I have to co-exist with others in the "real" world, so I sleep at night eventually and am up all day.

I really should go to sleep. Tomorrow I'm getting a citation for excellence in my work. I may have a photo taken with all of the nominees. I guess I'll just have bags under my eyes...ah, the baggage of many years of work, we'll call it. Then I have to take a 4 hr class on entering orders in an electronic medical record. My brain function should be interesting. I'd rather spend 4 hrs just playing on a computer instead of learning to order it around. Again, someone else's idea of the order of things.

Soon I'll be able to set my own time, my own agendas. This is the countdown to those days!

More later...