a terrible loss

Yesterday a little neighborhood boy lost his long and brave battle with cancer. We have all dreaded this moment, but knew it was eminent. I am broken hearted for his family, who I know are in such terrible pain right now. I am broken hearted for his friends, trying to make sense of something terrifying. I am broken hearted for every parent that has lost a child - I simply cannot imagine it - and every parent like myself who is thinking this hits just a little too close to home. I have lost dear friends and acquaintances and family members over the years, and it is always crushing and impossible to believe. But when death takes a child... it makes your very soul cry with anguish. My comfort is that I know this sweet boy is finally free from his earthly struggle, finally at peace, finally on the other side, in a better place. I am so relieved his body is no longer suffering. I know within my heart his flame still burns, and his spirit still lives. I know he is at this very moment, enveloped in loving, welcoming arms.    

girl can't help it

I know, I know - I admit it - I've already posted a plethora of photos of my front roses starting to bloom. And I apologize. But see, what you don't know is... how there used to be only sparse white iceberg roses there - until last January when my youngest son and I planted 12 pink Queen Elizabeth hybrid tea roses in between each iceberg rose bush. I've never, ever had pink roses before! And I've never had tea roses before - I will actually be able to have fresh cut roses to bring inside! And the more they bloom - so large and so gorgeous - the more delighted I become! And come on now... how could I refuse to post this picture of my precious Luna and Angel, posing so nicely in front of all these beautiful blooms!?!?

Have a very happy and very PINK day :)

Cow Pie

Oh my gosh, there was no way - NO WAY ON EARTH - I could pass up this old sign. What a score! Are you freaking kidding me? It was the red paint that caught my eye because I love red. But then I saw "manure" and it stopped me in my tracks. And then I read "no. 1 in no. 2" and I thought oh my lands - heaven itself sent this sign down to me. Raising three boys? And then all their friends? Who used to think it was funny to have toilet clogging contests? And half the neighborhood? Who used our bathroom as if it were a public facility? And all kinds of manure involved accidents that occur even after you think surely those years should be over by now? And my own precious dogs on top of that? With their own Poo Garden right outside? And little ailments that catch me unawares right when I think things are going just fine? My entire LIFE has revolved around no. 2!!!!!!! You best believe this sign is going to be displayed in a prominent place. It sooooo sums up my life on sooooo many levels.....  

Shell :)

There is no one in this world more beautiful - inside or outside - than my cousin Shelly. She is going to be absolutely mortified when she sees this post, but I had to. Shelly just turned 50 (if you can believe that) and her adorable family gave her the cutest Mexican fiesta to surprise her. Oh - I guess I should say that's her husband John in the picture with her - he doesn't normally wear a sombrero. Shelly has five wonderful grown kids and six precious grandchildren, soon to be seven - who all love her immensely. She would do anything for anyone, and do it with a smile on her face. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen Shelly without a smile on her face. I've adored Shelly my entire life and I'm blessed to call her my cousin and precious friend. Happy birthday Shell, with your beautiful smile and heart of gold. I love, love, love you :)

Traveling Buddy

I've been out of town for several days. This is Baby, my little traveling buddy. He belongs to my friend Diana. Baby is a great little guy. He's a long-haired chihuahua but he reminds me of a miniature reindeer. For reasons too long and boring to explain, Baby hitched a ride home with me, and thankfully, our road trip was long but uneventful. Don't let all these cute photos of him in his bed fool you though - he spent the majority of the trip on my lap :)

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Angel love

Happy Friday everyone :) Here is my precious Angel sitting in the afternoon sun.  Angel has endured so many health problems in her young life, yet most of the time remains the sweetest, happiest girl. Rarely is she not wagging her tail, even when I know she's not feeling well. 

Angel battles Cushing's disease and two intestinal diseases - and unfortunately, the medications for those diseases battle each other as well, which makes it near impossible to keep her health balanced at all times. Since I adopted Angel around age two, I don't know her history, but I suspect she is the product of a puppy mill - inbred and born under unthinkable conditions, probably sold in a pet store to a well-meaning family. 

I am so grateful Angel and I have each other - this little dog means the world to me. But I wish the public were more educated about the atrocities of puppy mills and the heartbreaking situations that occur because of them. If you would like to know more, here are two amazing places to start: ASPCA HSUS puppy mill campaign.

Just look at that precious Angel face :)  

 

Sunset to go

So remember my post several weeks ago when I was redoing my bookshelves and my collections of favorite magazines were giving me fits? I had some hard choices to make. As much as I love technology, I still love to hold something in my hand. Yet at the same time, I came to a rather profound conclusion: when something that was once a joy becomes a burden, it is time to let it go. 

I kept my 10 years of Country Home Magazine, and decided to let the rest go. But by letting them go, I didn't want that to mean contribute to a land fill - or even recycle them - when I knew others could still get enjoyment out of them. I donated my years of Dwell Magazine to a future design student who will appreciate them. I will probably do the same with my many years of Mary Englebreight Home Companion - I'm still on the fence over them (let me know if you're interested - they are no longer in print!). 

But it's time to let my 3 years (36 issues) of Sunset Magazine go. My only qualifications are that you enjoy them to the fullest, and then pass them on to someone else who will enjoy them equally as much. So if you are in close proximity to me here in the Los Angeles area and can swoop on over here and nab this hefty stack PRONTO, leave a comment here and then get moving! :)