Attentively Attentive to all Things

I find myself without adequate words to describe what has happened in the past week.  What started as a simple arthritic problem for Blitzen ended up taking her life.  A week ago, I never once thought she would be gone today.  I watched Piper get progressively worse for a few weeks, but I knew it was coming.  With Blitzen, though, this was a hip problem, and it would be easily treated.  I didn't expect her to deteriorate so quickly this weekend, and to not be able to walk or eat at all.  Last night was horrible.  She was restless, and whining.  After moving her into our bedroom, I hoped her pain meds would kick in, and she'd be able to sleep for a while.  After a trip outside (where she could not stand) and a few laps of water, I settled her down on the floor, kissed her head, and told her to get some sleep.  At some point around 3am, I noticed it was quiet, and hoped she was sleeping.  I think in my heart I knew she was gone, but...

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....I'm not sure if I'm a glutton for punishment or what, but I saw this post on The Pioneer Woman (amen) and figured I might as well give it a shot.  Goodness knows I could use some improvement! If you're like me, and love to take pictures but could use some pointers, or a challenge to motivate yourself, check out the MCP Project 12 Challenge!

Last year, on this very same day, I wrote a similar post. Clickie   These were my goals last year: 1. Keep up with homework, without sacrificing myself. 2. Don't let things stress me out so much (see #1) 3. Get out more...with husband, friends, me and baby...doesn't matter who. 4. Read more!  This may contradict #3, but the list of books read this year is pathetically small. 5. Strive to be positive, and avoid being negative, and avoid those around me who insist on negativity. 6. Take my lunch more. 7. Get to work earlier. 8. Post a blog at least three times a week when out of school, and once a week while in school. 9. Write more, and finish at least one started story this year. 10. Give more. Yeah....some of these didn't happen.  But, I can happily say some did, for the most part.   1. Well, I did and I didn't.  During the first semester, we lost Piper  and I got behind while taking care of her in her final days, and moreso after she p...

I'm taking a trip down memory lane this evening.  As I sit in my living room (that has puked Disney princesses, mind you), I think back to Christmas last year, and the year before.  It's very true when they say having a baby will change your life, but even more so when you go from just the two of you on Christmas morning, to three of you. Caris' Third Christmas 2011 This was the first time Caris actually ripped open presents and became excited when she saw what her present was.  It's a little bittersweet; she's growing up so very fast!  This year, we had to get out of her way!  After a brief misunderstanding that Santa was not coming to take her princesses away, but rather, to bring her some more, everything was as it should be.  How she came up with the notion that Santa was coming to take them away, I have no idea.  There's no photo with Santa this year...mostly because whenever she came within 10 feet of him, she became terrified and burst into t...

Okay, so yeah...it's been a while since I've posted. I know that.  Don't hold it against me.  :) Caris has a new obsession.  That's right...it's Disney Princesses.  I just started Cinderella for the second time today, and since 9am, we've watched Beauty and the Beast , Sleeping Beauty , and Tangled .   I didn't realize how easy it was to memorize songs from these movies, but I guess after watching them over and over, it's bound to sink in at some point. While I watch Cinderella , the current favorite, for about the millionth time, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the last few months.  They've been hectic; full of happiness, sorrow, anger, anxiety, and mounds of stress. Last month, I watched as many of my fellow co-workers lost their jobs in a lay off at my firm.  Over time, we've gotten somewhat back to normal, but I will always miss those I worked with who no longer have jobs.  I will continue to worry for them in this horrible e...

Why am I blogging instead of working on homework?  Well, I'll tell you why... - It's almost 10:30, and I can't look at another page that was written by Henry James. - I've decided I don't like Henry James. - While I'm on this not liking kick, I'm not fond of Madame Bovary either. - I don't like my literature class. - I'd rather work on my Drama assignments, but I can't because I'm behind in the literature class. - I do not have enough hours in the day. - I really want to go to bed, but I feel guilty because I've not finished by assignment. And...that's it.  Back to the nonsensical language of Henry James trying to review a French novel.  He. Makes.No. Sense. Whatsoever.