Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Seaside

I love the water and the beach and the warm sunshine on my face. Picking rocks and shells on the beach reminds me of my childhood. My Mom was one of those people that could gather things from the beach or forest and craft something beautiful from that.

When I go to the beach or walk through the forest, I can't help but pick up things like moss, driftwood and colorful rocks to put in my garden.
Being at Seaside last November with my sister took me back to the days when we were very young and our Mother was with us. She is gone now and we miss her terribly. But at least we have each other and the memories.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Sushi

If a dog has a mother who is a Lab and a father who is a Dachshund, what kind of dog is she?

She looks like a miniature lab with short legs and a fat body. The lab in her makes her very strong and sturdy and the dachsund in her makes her a very stubborn little thing. Sushi loves to take walks but I never let her off the leash because I am afraid she will take off and not come back to me. She will run till the leash ends, stopping her in her tracks like the kid Phillip the Hyper Hypo played by Mike Myers on Saturday Night Live (1993).
Her favorite place in the house is on the couch under her blanket or close to my husband, who she just adores. At dinner she sits at the edge of the kitchen since we don't allow her in while we eat.
Once when my son thought it was a good idea to color his hair red (redder), he also put a red streak on Sushi's head (and the cat's).
My other son bought her a tag that reads "Please return this sexy bitch to:" and then added our address. Sushi is a good sport and has posed for many photos. She will also do just about anything for a treat.... as you can see.

Friday, January 27, 2006

If You Don't Know Which Road to Take, Any Road Will Do

Have you ever wondered why things turn out the way they do? Well, I believe that we all have a path to follow. It may not be an easy path that is paved with opportunities, but a path with cliffs and valleys that are difficult to pass. No matter what kind of path you are presented with, it's up to you to accept it and make the most of it. It's easy to give up and feel sorry for yourself. It's much more difficult to look at the bright side and adjust your attitude accordingly. Overcoming obstacles is never easy and hitting that brick wall too many times can really wear on you. Each time it's harder to get up and get back to the business of living life.

I am one of the fortunate people who has some wonderful friends and family willing to help me up again. Some people don't have that option because they keep their lives secluded and never reach out to offer a hand to others. When they need a hand themselves, there is no one there to reach out for. The point is that you get what you give.

Always remember, no one can tell you how to live your life and no one can keep you from being happy, unless you allow them to. And....If you don't know which road to take, any road will do.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Hoser the Cat

Hoser isn't one of those lap cats. He is pretty much a loner and only allowed petting if he was hungry, tired or sick. Most people were afraid of him and didn't like to walk past his spot in the hall he claimed. It was right near a heat duct and the warmest spot in the house. Even the dog Sushi would wine if she had to walk past Hoser until we coaxed her through it. Recently Hoser was sick and although he was on his third round with antibiotics, he stopped eating and wasn't getting better. We fed him water with a syringe but he only allowed that because he was too weak to fight. Last night was our last night with Hoser. We took him back to the vet only to be told he was too ill to recover. We lost him this afternoon. I will miss Hoser. He was one of a kind.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Life is a Beach


Life can be a bitch or life can be a beach.... whatever you decide, it's all in your hands.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Tourette Syndrome

When my son was seven he was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. Although the first seven years of his life were not without problems, with that diagnosis, I knew our lives had been changed forever. I know this may be hard to believe but when the doctor confirmed our fears, I actually was relieved. Many things went through my mind when my son started to blink his eyes and make little humming noises. My husband thought he was doing this to annoy him and felt it was his duty to break him of the habit. I felt that we should just leave him alone and not draw attention to the noises or eye blinking. The eye blinking and noises changed to other things and then other things. I found out these were called tics. It was true that we shouldn't bring his attention to the tics because when we did, they became worse. I learned all I could about the disorder and eventually joined a support group. It has been a strange and sometimes difficult trip but things are good now. I have met the most wonderful people along the way. Some of these people became my closest friends. My son is now an adult. He is a talented drummer and percussion instructor. He has patience and admiration from his students as well as from his mom.

To visit the Tourette Syndrome Association of Michigan's web site please visit: TSA-Michigan

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Distractions

I should go to bed (I've been working on this for too long and it's now 10:30pm) but I am determined to post tonight for the first time. It doesn't help that this computer is so slow, I keep getting distracted. That's why I call this blog "Looking for Attention". I am easily distracted and as a result of my genetics, have three children who are also easily distracted. It certainly makes our lives interesting.