… and some prayers for my Penny.

My best girlfriend in the whole world is a sweet little Chihuahua named Penny (aka-”Neeners”). She was a gift from me to me when I found out 6 years ago that I couldn’t have any more kids. Well, obviously the doctors were a little wrong about me not having more babies. But Penny was the best gift I’ve ever given myself, I think. She’s SUCH a great friend.

But Penny has gotten really sick over the last 24 hours. She’s going to the Vet tomorrow. I don’t know what to think! She’s been kind of bummed out for the past week but I figured she was just being the emotional little thing that she is and was just mad at me for going camping without her weekend before last. Today I got home from running errands and it had gotten really bed. She won’t move. When she walks it’s very, very uncomfortable. It doesn’t appear to be stomach or nervous system related, but maybe muscular/skeletal.  She won’t wag her tail, she won’t come when I call her. These things really trouble me because she follows me around like a shadow normally and right now she’s completely withdrawn.

Say a prayer for my best little friend, will you? I just love her so…

We had the most fantastic week! Stacey and Justin came with their wee one, Niki, last Saturday and we spent the week playing, eating, lounging, laughing, reminiscing… It was just like old times! We enjoyed many games of spades while they were here. Anyone who partnered with me was sure to lose and Stacey seemed to be the only one who didn’t mind. You can see from our scorecard that she and I were the “Galloping Girls” and she named the guy’s team the “Bantering Boys”. They didn’t like the word “Bantering” apparently, insisting that the word is “gay”. Just so you know, never use the word “bantering” in the same sentence you refer to your husband. It’s a bit uncomfortable for those manly men!

Jeremy, Me, Justin & Stacey circa 1998

Jeremy, Me, Justin & Stacey May 2008

Just a little history: Jeremy, Austin, and I spent nearly every weekend with Stacey and Justin when we lived in Asheville. They were like family. We have so much history and we are lifelong friends. They are the only ones who know who I’m talking about when I mention ol’ “Hairy Mike” or “Crazy Judy” and they are the only ones who remember how cute Austin was when he waddled around in diapers.

Austin catching his first fish with Jeremy & Justin (circa 1999):

Me & Stace fishing off the tailgate (1999). True Southern Girls! Only we don’t hook the worms-YUCK!:

The whole time they were here we listened to 90’s alternative on Sirius Radio. It was the music we listened to then. It was interesting sitting around the table with our old friends… playing cards and enjoying drinks… laughing about some of the same things we did back then… observing the lines and changes in our faces… our laughter and fun reminding us of why we will always be close friends.

Jeremy & Justin (1999)

Jeremy & Justin (May 2008)

Me & Stace BFF (May 2008):

Stacey had tried to get pregnant for years, just like me. So you can imagine how completely awesome and ironic it was that we both announced our pregnancy (with Bella and Niki) in the same phone call to one another, and gave birth to our beautiful girls within two weeks of one another. Those girls were probably meant to grow up together. They were like peas and carrots:

I made Niki & Bella matching pillowcase dresses– They loved them. They played together so wonderfully and seemed to know each other for a long, long time– much longer than 3 years. They didn’t call one another by their names, they called each other “Friend”:

We had an unbelievable time. They left yesterday and it took me a few hours to get over the blues of them being gone again. We hope to plan a trip to meet with them in Florida this Fall. Hopefully everything will work out for us to do that.

Meanwhile, I am busy putting our house back together after 7 days of no house chores or laundry. I’m missing the sound of Niki and Bella playing in the yard, the way Stacey is always up for taking a shot of Crown with me, the games of Spades on our dining room table. What a memorable, wonderful week! Stacey, Justin, and Niki: We love you guys!

My darling friend, Steph, bought a bouquet for her mother for Mother’s Day. It’s going in the mail tomorrow, Steph! It turned out so very beautiful and I thought I’d share a picture. That’s such a sweet, lasting gift to give from the kids. And I soooo appreciate your support, Steph! There are 4 blue roses, 2 pink, and 2 white… It was so gorgeous with a mixture of the 3 colors and I wanted you to see the final product!

I’m so happy! I just sold my first 2 items in my Etsy store! The sweet and lovely Sissi bought the American Flag Quilt and the Pirate Painting. She also lives in France, so it’ll be fun to tell people (using an upper-crusty snobbish accent), “Our artwork is hanging in a lovely chalet in France.” Thank you Sissi!