Mourning...

It's been a week since Eva left us, and I think I have finally made peace with the fact that she is gone. The hardest part of the mourning process this time was dealing with everything else that was happening around the house. Mikayla doesn't understand what happened and she still needed my attention. School for Mark and myself still had to be done. There was no where I could go or turn to have a moment to myself. The same goes for Mark.

Writing an email to my friends and family was the start of the healing process. The tribute video was not for me, but for Mark. Mark mentioned that Eva didn't look happy in her pictures. Eva rarely took a good picture. Don't get me wrong, she was a beautiful dog, but whenever the camera came out she is like Chandler from Friends taking a picture (see video):



I wanted to show Mark that Eva was very happy and that he gave her the best 13 years she could have asked for.

So here's to Eva, you will be missed!!!

Seeing Eye Cat...

Cashew, is a 14-year-old yellow Labrador Retreiver that is blind and deaf. Her best friend is Libby, 7, her seeing-eye cat. Libby steers Cashew away from obstacles and leads her to her food. Every night she sleeps next to her. The only time they're apart is when Cashew is taken out for walks. Without this cat, Cashew would be lost and very lonely. It's amazing but true: This is one cat that knows what needs to be done and does it day in and day out for her friend. -Terry Burns, Middleburg, Pennsylvania.

Does Not Feel Any Different...

Well happy birthday to me. Today 40 years ago I made a grand entrance into this wonderful world. To celebrate this day, we had a party this past weekend. On Saturday, Mark invited friends over (I wish all my friends could have been here) and we treated everyone to a wonderful meal of Thai food. Mark also spent the morning making me my favorite cake - German Chocolate. He made this from scratch. No box for me. It turned out to be the best cake I have ever had.

As with any party we had, we spent most (if not all) of the party in the kitchen at the table eating, talking, and having a great time. There were many conversations going at once, but that was OK since I got to spend the day with people I care about. We asked people not to bring presents. I hate this part of the birthday celebration. The only present I wanted (and got) was to spend the day talking and eating (over eating really). I had at no less than three full plates of Thai food and then tried to top that with the German Chocolate cake and cheese cake that a friend made. Later that night I waddled around the house.

So what am I doing today, spending time with my daughter and listening to Janet Jackson's new CD that Mark bought for me (actually I got it myself, but I like to say its from him). I haven't yet heard the full CD since Mikayla wants me to play with her, but I will listen to it in it's entirety before the day is out. Then since it is my birthday, I get to do homework tonight. The fun never stops.

So everyone have a wonderful day today and enjoy the people around you. And celebrate my birthday. One more reason to celebrate.