puppy love

Sometimes Hope comes wrapped in tan and black fur, with floppy ears, a big lolling tongue, a long wagging tail and the name, Blue. 

We bought our first dog yesterday.
A 14 week old German Shepherd puppy.
My husband has wanted a German Shepherd since before we were married. 
That’s been over 14 1/2 years ago now. 
We needed something happy and hopeful.
A dog is both. 
He helps us look past May, when the chemo treatments end. 
He helps us think about the day that my husband is done with all these doctors and surgeries and make plans for a cancer free future.
We just knew he was our dog. 
From a google search my husband did on Monday, and the pictures of him playing with a kitten that were e-mailed to us later that day. 
A brief talk with the breeder on Tuesday to set up the appointment to meet him on Saturday. 
Thankful for a second call on Friday, before someone else came to meet him Friday afternoon. 
Gave us a chance to put a deposit down, to say aloud and with certainty, he’s going to be our dog. 
A visit with my parents, grandfather and cousins on Friday night and Saturday morning in Southern Illinois. 
Then on to meet our dog and bring him home. 
Oh, how we love him. 
He fits into our family just right. 
Keeping us all more on the go, more unplugged and more together, than we’ve been of late. 
My husband is talking about renaming him. 
The boys and I agree though, that Blue is just right too. 
Today is Day 2. 
So far so good.
Thank you for sharing our happy news. 
We are kicking off 2012 with Hope, and will be busy loving and chasing and training our new dog, Blue. 
Thank you for your continued prayers, as my husband gets hooked up to his third round of chemo on Tuesday. 
Unhooked on Thursday, which is when the nausea usually hits the hardest. 
We’ll keep in touch…and share puppy pictures too. 
Oh, he’s super great and wonderful and pretty as can be, handsome actually, as he’s a boy dog. 
The girls are getting more outnumbered all the time. 
One mom and one girl cat, who is Not Amused. 
One dad, two sons and one boy dog, our newest addition. 
Love,
Janean
P.S. We are so keeping his name…if I get to add any weight to my vote at all…and because I’m trouble enough to try to get you on my side to keep it as is. Happy Sunday! We’ve played all morning with our puppy and he’s sleeping in his kennel with the door open, in time for us to go to church in about 30 minutes. We’re going with a smile, always. But today’s is a little brighter, due to Puppy Love. 
NOTE: I originally posted this on Sunday, January 8, 2012, the day after we brought Blue home, on my husband’s Caring Bridge page. I’m posting it here today to explain where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing instead of Tumblr-ing. I’m A Dog Mom now. A Puppy Mom to be specific. We’re going for walks, playing with his rope toy AND doing the things that need done to take care of my family and household. Still figuring out how to do all that and write too…hoping to figure it out SOON. 

Today is a mystery

Today is a mystery

sort of wide open

with things that need done

not sure I want to do any of them

so I will do some

one appointment I won’t miss

and no, it’s not the dentist

I hope it’s filled

with family and friends

with laughter,

smiles, hugs and grins

the tears need to stay at bay

I don’t have time

for you today

so far

so good

© 2011 Turquoise Tangles 

the In Between

In reply to the question I posed in, “I think too much”, earlier today 

takingstockofwhatmattersmost wrote, “You must walk along the razors edge of reading and writing…not to mention family, friends, work, etc.”

I cut myself on razors. 

I am not good at juggling. 

I am not good at balancing. 

I am not good at boundary setting.

I tend to be All or Nothing.

All in.

Or all out.

A Balanced Life is the In Between. 

Striving for that. 

May take a whole lifetime to achieve it. 

I’m having a hard time with this lesson. 

Hoping I have more ahead of me, than the years I’ve lived to date.

© 2011 Turquoise Tangles

I walked alone

I walked alone last night

along the festive streets

families migrated downtown

to see the live window vignettes

with a holiday theme

the crescent moon was shining

the streetlights were brighter

a white horse ambled by

pulling a carriage

something special

out of the usual

I wish my family had joined me

at the art walk downtown

where I went to see my friends

for quick conversations

shared smiles and hugs

and to see their art

glad I went

for a bit

as I drove home 

alone

Elvis was crooning

“Blue Christmas”

from the radio

I got misty eyed

a lump in my throat

my head already hurt

maybe it ached

from unshed tears

accumulating

behind my eyes

I didn’t test that theory

and held ‘em back

a little longer

headin’ home

for rest

in the night

December 2, 2011 was F1RST FR1DAY in downtown Bloomington. How I love, and look forward to goin’ downtown on the F1RST FR1DAY of every month. Even if I go alone, I don’t feel lonely. The studios and galleries, and the artists within, are very welcoming and always glad to see you. Even if you’re just admiring, and not buying, their wonderful and varied works of art. ~ Janean

© Turquoise Tangles

December 1, 2011

Today’s the day.

My fortieth birthday. 

Glad you’re finally here. 

I’m baking a cake to celebrate.

It’s goin’ in the oven soon.

We’ll eat it after supper for dessert.

Taking my boys to school.

Lunch with my mom and sister in law.

We’re The December Birthday Girls.

Goin’ to Red Lobster. 

Seeing a friend about some cookies. 

They will be the Art Club snack. 

Settin’ up for Club. 

Makin’ art, with a roomful of energetic children.

My sons included.

Then Home. 

For the rest of the night. 

It’s going to be A Good Day.

How can it not be?

Family, Friends, Art, Cookies, Cake and Home.

Sounds like The Perfect Day to me. 

I’m plannin’ to ROCK forty…

it is The New Thirty after all. 

Love,

Janean

on Thanksgiving Eve

the sounds of children playing

drift up through the floorboards

and travel up the basement stairs

the sound of the television drones on

one room over

I am sitting alone

as darkness falls

all around

listening

daydreaming

e-mailing

thinking

time to wash the floor

time to wash the turkey

time to cook the cranberries

time to cook the giblets

time to think about supper

for my family

tonight

I see the sun set 

through the front window

from pale gold on the horizon

to the palest of rose 

moving skyward

the houses and bare trees

stand out in silhouette

this is me

procrastinating

on Thanksgiving Eve

© Turquoise Tangles