Of Ultimatums and Truths

Yesterday, being a conciencious employee, I filled out a vacation request form for 3 days for a very important family get-together next month. The office manager told me that I couldn't take one of the days off because a co-worker has already put in for that day. I told her that this family event was much more important than this job to me and she needs to find some way of accommodating me.

She told me that one of the owners (living in Palm Springs, no less) says that everyone is replaceable.

She doesn't get it. This is not an ultimatum. The idea of not taking this day off is not an option.

If I lose the job - so be it. Maybe it's God's way of telling me to start my own business.

HELP! I want to kidnap a Border Collie puppy!

This is taking a lot of will power. My husband is trying to be the voice of reason.

My husband's niece just acquired a border collie puppy. She has two little kids. Her 5 year old wanted a puppy. She is not, per sey, a dog person. They have a fenced back yard. My reflex is - I want to rescue this puppy before they really mess her up. There are already problems with puppy dragging stuff off of the tables and peeing on the couch and chewing shoes (hmmm - submissive urinating from being constantly screamed at?).

When my sister-in-law told me that her daughter has a BC puppy, my first response was "She better be prepared for lots of energy and lots of patience and training". She responded with "...but we remember your Crystal (my BC mix who passed away a couple of years ago) and she was so smart and sweet and wonderful with kids!".

Crystal took some work. I then explained that I was a dedicated "socker mom" for Crystal. We ran every morning in the park at 6:00. We went to agility, flyball, obedience classes and competitions. We did this to prevent our house from being destroyed. We did this to keep from murdering her.

She was my alter ego. She was the dog love of my life. Don't get me wrong, I love young Miss Trudy. She is doing very well and I love her to bits. I don't and can't ever compare her to Crystal.

After my explanation, I took a deep breath, smiled and said " It will probably be fine. If your daughter finds her too much to handle, I would be happy to take her. The Trudster could use a young playmate." I also suggested that her daughter get thee to obedience class.

Rocky Mountain High - Low - High - Low

We are back from our trip to the Rockies. It is beautiful there. People are friendly and active (oxygen deprived?). The only weird thing that I didn't like was that it was 85 in the sun and 50 in the shade .... and then would get down to 30 at night. What's with that?

I think that I am more of a beach person. Give me sun, sultry weather, miles and miles of white beach, cool clear ocean water, a comfortable beach chair with a canvas umbrella, a good book and a large frosty margeurita anytime and I'm set. I find it easy walking down that beach for miles and miles everyday, jumping in the water to cool down, vegging out in the shade and getting buzzed from the sun and the booze. heaven.

A very interesting place that we visited was Leadville. It's 10,000 feet above sea level. The people there are mostly lost in the 70's somewhere. Who needs weed when you brain is screaming for oxygen?

God called a kind, loving man back home

Today I sent beautiful white flowers to my X sister-in-law, Kay. Her husband passed away last Sunday.

Someone, long ago, said that the "innocent" are the ones that just can't handle the "stuff" here on Earth. My mother was an "innocent" much like my X brother-in-law, Pete. He wasn't the brightest bulb in the basket but he always had a smile and exuded warmth and love. He always had a flirty word or two for the girls. He loved America. When I divorced Kay's brother, Tom, Pete would not give up the idea that I was a good person and always let me know that he was thinking good thoughts about me.

When I went into labor with my second daughter, Pete was the one that I woke up at 3 in the morning. He bundled me into the car and, in his still sleepy confusion, started to drive to the wrong hospital. With an apologetic smile, he managed to get me to the right place and everything worked out just fine.

I guess he just wasn't gnarly enough for this world.

I will always remember him nailing a hankerchief to the door frame and practice his Greek dancing. He never had a lick of rhythm but he sure had some fabulous moves.

He's probably showing God a thing or two, hangin' on some sturdy cloud somewhere, and making the angels blush and giggle.