RIP

It was before 6 AM when I felt something tickling my left hand, waking me from a sound sleep.  "Grammy...  are you ready to get up?"  I wasn't.  Gracie was.  I was outnumbered.  

I needed to vacuum the floors today.  It had been too long and dust bunnies were no longer hiding.  I like to sprinkle baking soda on my carpets, so my vacuum cleaner won't smell doggie.  So today I was extra generous and poured baking soda thick, not caring that it was giving the furniture a fine film.  I'd be dusting afterwards so it didn't matter.  Vacuuming is not my favorite thing to do.  It's bend here, twist there, move this chair, crawl under the bed, pull this out ...  blah blah blah.  I noticed the red Panasonic vacuum was accumulating some white dust on the outside of it.  Hmm...  it doesn't usually do that.  It must be really dusty in here - I thought.  When I was 3/4 of the way finished (and it takes me about an hour all together to do the whole house), I decided to turn the vacuum off and investigate.  Maybe the bag came loose.  CHOKE - CHOKE COUGH - COUGH...  Dust everywhere!!  The bag had ripped and the vacuum was covered in white dust inside and out.  I wiped the sweat from my face and lugged it outside, scolding Gracie and telling her to "STAY" on my way out the door.  Pulling off the bag to put a new one on, I saw that I was going to have to clean it all out so I went inside and got a bucket of water and some rags.  After cleaning it as best I could, I put a new bag on and turned it on.  COUGH - COUGH - CHOKE!  Still, dust everywhere.  That's when I lost it.    RIP Panasonic Vacuum cleaner.

Dear Diary,


Good grief, the day I had was not fit for a dog.  First of all, Rissi was here last night and this morning.  It was all about her - of course.  'Rissi, let's pick flowers', 'Rissi, lets swing on the swings', 'let's play barbie castle, let's have cookies, let's go for ice cream, let's chase fireflies'  Grrrrrrrrr. 
After she left I was happy to have Mom's lap - finally!!  But she had other plans and one which I am not the least bit happy about- pushing that noisy machine around the house and causing me to run from one room to the other searching for peace and quiet.  Suddenly, something happened...  and she threw open all of the windows, then left.  She came back later with something called an animal.  Now, I'm an animal - or so they say - and I investigated this new addition and and if it's an animal, I'd like to know just what breed of animal it is.  Oh - and when dad told her he brought the beaten and battered Panasonic back to life, she said she didn't care, she was still keeping the animal.  What does all this mean?  Am I going to have to share Mom's lap?  Maybe not.  She took that animal all around the house and it made noise just like the other thing that she tried to murder teach who is boss.  I'm tired and confused.  Going to bed.  Gracie.

I Thought I'd Lost You!

I guess everyone's tired of seeing my wildflowers....  but that's all I have for now...  Nothing else is blooming yet.

Butterfly pictures, compliments of Gary.

It's been a busy time.  Next week is my final week of work, then a week off, then my new business will open.    Today we went to WCBC studio to record "Listen Up" segments for  radio.  This is just one form of advertising that we're going with.  

The newspaper will be covering our grand opening and maybe our ear carving.  

Our meeting in Fredericksburg,Va. was great.  The Hilton we stayed in was luxurious and clean and the meeting was top notch.  We met a couple who used to work for Miracle Ear, who had left there to go on their own... just as we are doing.  They had so much to offer.  We were given their card immediately and told to call anytime.

I'm starting to get really excited!!  

This morning I took Gracie over to the 'home office' and, as I often do, I turned her loose with her leash still attached, after pushing the door closed.  I started looking through some things on my desk and taking care of some business, then I turned around and called for her and I noticed the door was wide open!!  My heart dropped!!  We live along a busy highway and it's always been my fear that Gracie would get out and run onto the road.

Dear Diary,

Mom.  What can I tell you about her?  She's a little do-de-do-do ~insert twilight zone theme song here~  She came out of the office today first yelling "Gracie!"  

then it was "H-e-l-l-o  g-i-r-l. . ." i-n s-l-o-w m-o-t-i-o-n ~ ~  then she GRABBED my leash and hugged me real tight like she'd never let me go and  she kept saying things like, "I thought I'd lost you!"  Geesh.  I was just laying on the porch getting some sun and watching the guys cutting down trees along the highway.  She really needs to get a grip.  Gracie.

Party Time?

No better way to celebrate Father's Day than to spend time with Gary's family...  

Enter - Bethlehem Pennsylvania. 

We spent time at the Downs OTB with his Uncle Victor where I won over $100 on scratch off tickets.  

  

Gary's daughter Stacy and her boyfriend Vinnie met us there  and then we all went out to dinner.

After lugging our bags up two flights of narrow, filthy, steps - Hotel #1 smelled bad and looked dirty.  

 Hotel #2 was passable.  

The Casino was fun, but I'm sure glad I'm not a true blue gambler.  I'd be living in the streets.  I lost the money I won on the scratch offs and then some.  

Gary's daughter Stacy is always so thoughtful and never forgets her dad on special occasions.  I'm so glad she came from Jersey to spend the day with us!

Today before heading for home, it was brunch with Gary's mom.  After good conversation and a few good laughs, we were homeward bound.  

It's good to be home, but tomorrow we're on the road again.  Fredericksburg, Va. for a business meeting.  I'm tired.

Dear Diary,

I knew it would be ugly.  The word 'vacation' along with suitcases and a lot of belly rubs and cuddling could mean only one thing.  Mom and dad were leaving me again.   Lindsey and Rissi came to spend time with me and take me out to potty. But I was still sad. They're home now... but there's talk of them leaving me again tomorrow.  I'm torn between being sorrowful and sad or throwing a big 'ol 'my parents are away party'.  Who's in? Gracie.