Well~ this is going to be harder than I thought!

We adopted an Alaskan Malamute named Ryker from Northern Lights Sled Dog Rescue, this weekend. He is just delightful! And gorgeous, (red and white) I might add! I saw his picture and video on Petfinder before they even got the profile up, and applied quickly. And we got him! (the process to rescue a whole 'nother story... later.)
Ryker has obviously been in a home. He's housebroken, gets along with our cat Figgy, (as well as Figgy will allow,) and has a sweet, sweet temperament. I knew when I adopted Ryker that he has his own place in my life, and is his own doggy self... but tonight, I went to the front glass door, which we installed for Zao, and I was petting him and loving on him and suddenly I said, " do you know there was a big big dog who used to lie right where you are, and his name was Zao?" And I burst into tears.
I do already love Ryker for himself! He's a doll! He looks sort of like a Snickerdoodle, has a long drippy tongue, and he's sleeping at my feet right now.

But still, I miss Biggy Bud.

Free as a bird... in so many ways!

I drove again today for the first time in months. It was wonderful! I tend to be a homebody, so the "no driving restriction" wasn't as terrible as it could have been for some, (for instance my husband, who might have gone mad!) But autonomy is a marvelous thing!

I heard today that I have been replaced in my job. I wonder what I will do next... something fun I hope! There was a bit of concern about how I'd feel after "retiring," but I know I made the best decision. I'm so looking forward to "staying in" this winter, during ice and snow storms! I was much more worn out with that position, and the drive it entailed, than I realized.

We found a dog we may adopt, his name is Ryker. It should happen next week if all goes well, and if he's not the one, we'll proceed along.

It's all good!

Except that I wish our Biggy Bud was still with us...however, I'm thankful for the time we had together. ((**)) to you, Zaybeeozer~wherever you are!

Time for a change.

So many things have changed in my life in the last year...
My mother in law died of complications from Alzheimers.
My stepdad died of old age. (88)
My sister died at 68 of... well, I'm not sure~ multiple factors.
:({{
Zao died at 10 from diabetes and kidney failure.
:{{{{
And then, I was hospitalized with Grand Mal Seizures. Which caused my BP to drop to 68/42... my kidneys failed, and now I have many specialists, Neurologists and Nephrologists among them. I could have died but I didn't, but my ability to drive my car was taken away.
Because of this, I resigned from my job as Children's Director for CBS, a job I've had for 5 years.

Well, whoever knows what will happen? Autumn is my favorite season by far~ and truly, last year could have been my last autumn. And I felt so young, then! I wonder if this will be the last autumn for me.

I'm looking forward to a quiet winter of reflection, with no icy 5:30 a.m. drives, and spending time discerning what is next.
I really, really, miss my Biggy Bud,~ how CAN I replace SUCH a cosmic guy?
And Betty..... sis where are you???????? I need your wisdom! And if not that, your temper! lol

I GUESS THIS IS LIFE, TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT AS YOU GO.
It'a time for a real change for me, a change which will hold me in place for the future. No matter what. Cause "what" is on it's way.

((**))

PAULA