Happy Birthday Bro...

Happy 32nd Birthday John! My birthday present to you was stopping mom from calling you at what would have been around 4am your time... I reminded her you took the day off work and that wouldn't be so nice :) Have a great day - I love you!

A morning at the beach - blog post #200

We took Skoobi to the beach Saturday morning. I've been wanting to do it for a while, but the dog beach is about a half hour away (the people beach is only about 10 minutes away) and I just haven't wanted to drive that far. It's also funny to me that the dog beach is directly across the road from the nuclear power plant... hmmm... But anyways, Saturday morning was beautiful, so off we went. As the above picture shows, we got there just after sunrise. Next time we'll try to get there for the sunrise.

I was hoping Skoobi would just want to jump right in (like the other two dogs that showed up after a while). But alas, she just doesn't seem to be a water dog. I think she is afraid of the noise the waves make when they crash. She's lucky it was low tide otherwise I don't think I could have gotten her this close to the water

There she is not liking the water too much. It's amazing how fast she could move when the waves came in. Maybe she's just a spoiled diva who doesn't want to get her precious paws wet.

Yep, she was not at all into the water. I'm not going to force her, we'll just go maybe once a month or so and hopefully she will get over her fear.

She did like the seaweed. Thankfully there were no jelly fish or crabs on the beach, or we probably would have had to stop by the vets office on the way home. :)

And there are her paw prints gracing the shoreline - at least till the next wave comes and washes them away.

Below is a video of Skoobi on the beach. I think I finally figured out what she is... part Dalmatian, part sissy-chicken! :)



Thanks for sticking with me through 200 blog posts... wow!

You Ain't Gettin' My Donut...

We try to take Skoobi to the river for a nice long walk 3-4 times a week. It's about a 7 minute drive to the inlet and is much more scenic than the neighborhood. We went Saturday morning, and as usually there were quite a few squirrels running around. Skoobi saw one before we did (as she let us know by doing her new 'squirrel dance and whine') - it was really blended in to the tree it was sitting by. As we got closer, my mom and I finally saw it and noticed it was eating something. The squirrel kept one eye on us and the dog, and one eye on the food she was munching down on. We finally got too close and the squirrel made a break for it up the tree - with a whole donut in it's mouth! It was so funny watching the squirrel scramble in circles up the palm tree with a whole donut in her mouth! We just laughed and laughed - we couldn't decide if Skoobi wanted the squirrel or the donut more! Ad that squirrel was NOT letting some well fed spoiled dog even get a sniff of her precious donut. It was really cute.

Besides walking the dog, I've been cleaning the two bedrooms I'm living in. They aren't "dirty" but they have turned into storage units for me and my brother and sister. I found a dress I haven't seen in 4 years, some CD covers I knew I didn't throw away, my birth certificate and some medical papers I've been looking for for years. The good news is, I think I'm on my fifth garbage bag of stuff. That's liberating. I also have a lot for an upcoming garage sale and a pile for Goodwill.

I've also been volunteering a couple days a week at my mom's school. I helped at the book fair last week. My proudest moment was when I talked a boy out of buying some plastic bracelets and into buying a book. My least proud moment was when I tried to give kid change from a twenty when he only gave me ten. But he immediately pointed it out "Uh... I only gave you a ten." So, I gave him a free pencil since he was honest. I really enjoyed interacting with most of the kids. This week, I am observing/helping out in an autistic classroom for the morning on Wednesday and then on Thursday I'll be helping the kindergarten classes decorate cakes for Mother's Day. That one should be fun!

This coming month I'll be filling out job applications, visiting friends and supporters, and doing some babysitting. I'll continue to clean out these rooms, do some volunteering and a bit of traveling to visit people. I'm attending a good Bible study and trying to do some reading. It's still very strange being back, but I decided to take it one day at a time and "be still and know He is God..."

My First Tagging...

I've been tagged by Germaine on her blog. I don't really know what that means, but I will follow the directions and comply only because it's G.

this is what I was informed that I needed to do…

Once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 random things, facts, goals, or habits about yourself. At the end, choose anyone you think may answer - to be tagged, listing their names & why you chose them. You can’t tag a person who has tagged you.

1. Sadly, I like reality shows like Survivor and Top Chef... It's so pathetic, I'm ashamed to even write it. I even go to the websites to get all the Survivor gossip and watch "after the show is over" video. It borders on addiction.

2. I hate do-it-yourself shows... most people just watch and never really do-it-themselves.

3. For those of you who don't know, I have a dog and I love her very much. I have come to realize though I am not the pack the leader and I have much to learn from The Dog Whisperer. Skoobi must learn she is not the boss of me. I like the Dog Whisperer.

4. I'm in a very strange place in my life now, being pulled in many directions and not knowing which way to go. And I have no clue which way I want to go. I have no clue which way God wants me to go.

5. One of my favorite things to eat is white bread dipped in vinegar.

6. I'd like to travel to the southernmost point in Chile. I'd also like to go to Iceland and Poland. I didn't travel enough when I lived in Europe - another regret to add to my growing list.

7. I hate walnuts.

8. I bought a $100 Liz Claiborne purse at the Salvation Army for $10. I usually wouldn't even spend $10 on a purse, but I needed a nice one to take with me on job interviews. The salvation army rocks.

9. I can't believe I have to go on job interviews. I never thought at 36 I'd be looking to start a second career... I'm having a hard time with that - should I go back to school, should I go right into teaching, should I take a year off and just work a 'mindless' job while I transition back to life here? I have no idea...

10. I used to be a morning person, but now I'm a night person - if I fall asleep, that is. Now it just seems I'm a perpetually groggy grumpy person.

Ok, so now I have to pick people to tag... I suppose they need to have a blog and read my blog... slim pickens...

ok, so, um, in no particular order...

Jana W
Janelle B
Belinda

I can't think of anyone else who wouldn't be annoyed with me for picking them, so I'll leave it at these three for now... :)

Skoobi the Explorer

I'm currently in Orlando for a few days, but before I came up I took Skoobi to the river by my house. She's never seen a big body of water before, and so I was curious how she would react. I don't have the funniest reactions recorded, but this should give you a decent idea...




The lapping of water is apparently not a soothing noise for my dog... She got a little better after a while. I'm really wondering how she'll react when we finally get her to the beach!

So where is the unwelcome friend?

I took Skoobi out for her walk this morning. I wasn't really paying attention, just looking around the yard and trying to wake up when I looked down...



Snake skin in and off itself doesn't bother me, but it was just the startle factor of not expecting it that kind of helped me shake off the "just woke up" groogies. I have no idea where Mr Snake went, but I really hope he doesn't feel he has to show me his beautiful new skin. There's a big difference in looking down and seeing shed snake skin and looking down and a seeing brand new skin on a live, slithering snake (or even old skin for that matter). Especially when you have flip-flops on... And even more especially when you know super-dog will want to go forward and investigate it while all whimpy-master wants to do is run in the other direction!

And if you hadn't noticed, it's a pretty long snake!

**Update a couple hours later...**

I hate Mr Snake.  He did decide I needed to see his pretty new skin.  I guess if I liked snakes, I would say he was quite pretty.  Very black, very long, very fast.  Skoobi didn't see him, thankfully.  We were just outside  and about to go over to the side of the house when he stuck his pretty little head up out of the grass about 10 feet ahead of us.  I froze, then with no shame, I freaked out.  "SKOOBI GET IN THE HOUSE!" as I drag her to the door - poor thing doesn't even know what's happening.  All she knows is that if I want to get in the house that fast, there must be something good going on outside!  :)   

Now I know black snakes are our friends and they can't hurt us and (according to my neighbor I just called to tell him about the snake) eat the poisonous snakes.  I just don't like snakes...  especially if they are long, and super especially if they are fast.   I just hope it doesn't get in the house.  That's never fun.  

I'd love to be sitting outside with Skoobi now.  It's a beautiful day.  And Skoobi really hasn't gone to the bathroom yet.  I really need to teach her to pee in the tub...  

Update

I know I haven't updated these last two weeks. It's still kind of strange being here knowing I'm staying. But it's been good hanging with the parents and just kind of relaxing and trying to figure out what's next.

I love having my clothes come out of the dryer. They are just so soft and clean and smell so good. It still takes e forever to go buy a (very expensive) gallon of milk. I just like wandering around the store and looking at things. I also love customer service here. Be it in person or on the phone, the worst customer service experience here is usually better than anything over there.

Of course, there are the things that I don't love... humidity. Is it possible to drown just by breathing? And it's only April! Ants... sugar ants, fire ants... ants! The lizard shock factor... the little booger jumped out at me in the bathroom. There is a baby lizard in my bedroom. I told him he could stay as long as he didn't jump on me.

Skoobi and the cat... oil and vinegar have a better chance of blending harmoniously. But we're sharing the house between them. It's interesting - we'll leave it at that. Took Skoobi to the vet and she passed everything with flying colors (except for getting along with the other dog in the the waiting room). I like the vet. They also have a boarding kennel and so we're trying that out next week.

The 'big' news is I bought a car. I usually wouldn't put pictures of it on my blog, but I know people overseas will want to see it and it's just easier than emailing everyone. It's weird because I've always paid cash for my cars, but now I have payments. I'm committed to paying it off early so we'll see how it goes.

Below are some pictures - enjoy!



Skoobi is happy being outside. We're buying a fence to put up for here, so for now she's chained up and someone has to be with her outside 1) so she doesn't terrorize people (she is a bit territorial, you know) and 2) so no stray dogs get her. We've had scary strays in the past and so I worry about her being attacked. But mom said we haven't had any in a while, so hopefully things will be ok. But I don't leave her outside alone.

Skoobi jumped right in the car -I had to really pull her for her to come out!

She just had a really cute expression here

Checking out the back seat

Where have we been? Oh, no where yet...

Here's the car, a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer... may it live long and prosper

I need to name the car something, but I don't know what yet. I thought about Lance, but that's kind of obvious... any suggestions, let me know!

We Made It... :)

Well, as you can tell from the above photo, we made it! Up until the people at the Atlanta airport lost my dog, it was a great trip.

We arrived at the Vienna airport early (of course we did, this is me we're talking about!). I was tired and very stressed about the dog and worrying I didn't have all her paperwork. I never worried about Skoobi herself. Well, as we walked into the cavernous Vienna airport, Skoobi pitched the biggest hissy fit ever. She was so scared, she was just crying and whining and freaking out. And did it ever echo throughout the terminal! Oh my gosh! I was torn between feeling so embarrassed and feeling horrible for my dog! I was almost in tears, but I was also very tired.

I was the first person to check in, and the woman didn't even look at any of the paperwork I had for the dog. None... nothing... not a page. Why I bother to do things the legal and correct way, I'll never know. But off they took Skoobi, and they reassured me she would be fine.

I got on the plane a couple hours later, and there was a sticker on my seat letting me know Skoobi was on the plane. I had the seat next to me empty, and so I was thrilled with that. The flight was fine. Long, but no complaints. I'm toward the front of the plane, so I hurry through immigration after we land so I can grab my luggage and find the dog. I was the first person the check in remember, and so of course my baggage is the last off the plane.

But I had all five bags, and I rush over to get Skoobi - but she isn't there. Ok, I'm fine... I just need to wait. the door opens and I ask the man about my flight and he said all the dogs from the flight have been taken to where they are supposed to go. Um... where is my dog??

Two hours later, I am still in the international terminal and no one knows where Skoobi is. I am so upset by now because while the people are nice and seem to want to help, no one knows what to do or who to ask. One really nice guy said i should go through customs and go to the main terminal because maybe they just took her there by accident. So I ruch through as quick as I can, I find my folks and without a hi or hello I just say - "go look for my luggage - five bags, they lost the dog!" So I rush over to where the dog might be, but no one knows of a lost dog and said I should go to the lost baggage office. Aargh!

So, now I'm in tears. It's almost been three hours and no one knows where my dog is. People are making phone calls but not getting any answers. Finally, someone says they think they know where the dog is... there were seven dogs on the flight and Skoobi was the only one who should NOT have been transferred to cargo, so they think that is where she is by accident. Four hours after landing, the finally find Skoobi and confirm she is at cargo.

They said I could wait for her and they would bring her to me... but alas - they can't because she was brought in from overseas. So I have to go all the way back to the international terminal to claim her - not that I cared, mind you. Five hours after landing, I finally got a very stressed and sad Skoobi.

And that was the very condensed version of the story. It was awful not knowing where she was. And the poor thing hadn't had any food or water in ages. We got the the hotel and she just drank three bowls of water right away - which she proceeded to throw up. So, needless to say she had a very traumatic day.

But our drive the next day from Atlanta to Ft Pierce was pretty good. There was no way I was putting Skoobi back in her travel crate, and she was exceptionally good in the car. She either sat by me on the seat, or got down in-between the seat to keep mom and dad company upfront as you can see below.



She also took a nap in-between the seats. It was rather cute :)



Here she is today, her first full day in Florida resting in the shade - it's already so warm and humid here! I left snow and cold wind, and now I am wearing shorts and sandals. :) No complaints here!

Skoobi is adjusting much better than I thought.... she still hasn't met the cat, although they have smelled each others presence. For now, we are sharing the house between them - a couple hours the cat is locked away and Skoob runs free, then a couple hours me and Skoob are in the room and the cat runs free. It's a pain, but it works for now. I think it will all workout.


Oh, and how cool is the eagle flying around the neighborhood? It was so beautiful flying around, I'm glad I got a picture of it while it took a rest on the power pole.

Thanks so much for your prayers. The Skoobi getting lost experience is not one I want to relive anytime again soon! I am just very thankful she was found and is safely sleeping here next to me. I was thinking about how well traveled Skoobi is - even more so than most people I know! She's lived in Bosnia, Croatia, and now the US and has traveled through Slovenija and Austria. Not so bad for a poor little Bosnian street dog!

Arrival...

Just a quick update...  the very good news is that we made it to Atlanta.  The very bad news was they lost Skoobi at the Atlanta airport and no one knew where she was for four hours, and when they finally found her, it took another hour for me to get her.  Those four hours were beyond horrible, but she's sleeping here next to me quite content, so I'm very happy.  Happy would not have described me yesterday...

I'll post the whole story probably tomorrow when we get back to Ft Pierce.  Thank you so much for praying, and please continue to keep us in your prayers as we drive to Ft Pierce today.

The final countdown...

I am about to take a nap, but just wanted to say hi from Croatia one last time. I'm ready to go, and am looking forward to having the trip behind me. I am still so stressed about the dog. I know I have everything, I just...aargh. I hate that I have to do this now. I wish I had the opportunity to travel with her before this big trip just so I know for sure I have everything and I know what I'm doing.

Ok, well, I should nap so I don't be all cranky on my trip :) Thanks for your prayers. See you soon!