Survival Mode

Many have taken to social media to list their favorite things about 2019.  What one word would you use to describe the passing of the year?

I think my word would be 'survival'.  That's kind of how I feel, like I survived it and now if I could just continue in survival mode 2020 would not look so scary.

This past year I've had to collect my thoughts and actions and regroup.  Ask myself, what's important in life?

I've given up on people who have given up on themselves.  I've drawn away (tried, anyway) from drama.  I've tried to take precaution when looking at the world around me and how others actions effect me. It's hard when those you care about choose a road that you are sure will lead to destruction.

I like the saying, "Let go and let God".  Easier said than done, but that's my goal.

Lately I'm lacking sleep, and my high blood pressure is returning after being good for so long.  It's kind of depressing.  Gracie has been night after night, unsettled and up and down and in and out of the house all night long.  Last night she was very sick with vomiting and diarrhea, so not only was I awake all night, but I was cleaning the floors as well.

I was successful in putting on my happy face for the Christmas chaos tho, but truly thankful to get it all cleaned up and put away when all was said and done.

A visit to the vet at the beginning of the week.  Gracie made friends with Emmitt, our vet's dog.  Who would have thought?  She's always hated black dogs.  Our vet says she is losing her hearing and we should get her a puppy.  Really?  A Puppy?  (Job security for him, maybe? LOL)

She might have picked up a bug of some kind at the vets office.  I'm hoping that's all it is.  I  would be so sad if it were more serious.  But she is 15 now, and when she gets sick like this, I think...  is this it?
*sigh*  I know, I need to stop thinking negative.

Hope you all had a good holiday and your 2020 started out awesome!

KIDS AND DOGS

Kids...  

And Dogs...

The closest thing to heaven on this side of heaven...

Gracie agrees!

A Howl - O - Ween Tale of The Mysterious Visitor

Twas Halloween Day, 

And a Howl filled the air.

A ruckus like no other, 

Drew me outside in despair.

The morning was damp,

There was something weird found.

See that gate at the far end?

It lay over on the ground.

Sasquatch had been here?  

Or a deer or a bear?

We searched the yard over,

There were clues everywhere!

The blood on the fence 

Resembled a large creatures paw,

Aha! A bear probably, maybe,

Or a raccoon - real tall!

More blood on the fence,

Poor thing must be hurt.

I searched for more clues,

And found lots in the dirt.

See the panel now taped up,

To keep together the gate?

Well that panel was kicked out,

So this thing could escape.

But it could not get out there,

What would it's fate be!?

So it pawed and ran wild,

Kicking the other gate free.

Yes, Halloween morning,

Remember the date.

When something peculiar,

Jumped our 6-foot gate.

It came in with a whooooosh,

And soon it was gone. 

Leaving us puzzled,

As to what really went on.

Dear Diary,  

I'd just been out to pee for the morning, and back inside when Mom and Dad started running around the house like mad-peeps.  Something was happening outside!  I wanted to go out but they wouldn't let me.  Mom said I dodged a bullet.  She said I was one lucky dog! She said I had an angel watching over me and that if I would have stayed outside one more minute that I would be history.  I'm not sure what all that means but I don't want to be history.  I want to be Gracie.  Gracie.