Y2-Day 28 – Updates on Cindi

“Each friend represents a world in us, 
a world possibly not born until they arrive,
and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” 

Anais Nin

Cindi had her vet checkup.  Fabulous J, the dog rescuer (she’s volunteering today as a matter of fact) accompanied me.

Cindi is 12.5 lbs and approximately 5 years old.  Some sort of terrier mix.  She has great teeth, great ears, etc. She probably had 2-3 or more litters.  Her incision from getting fixed in December at the shelter is healed.

“A gem. You got yourself a gem.” said the Dr.

I agree.  She crates herself, comes to her name and knows her comfy spots by mama.

After the third trip to Petco and the eighth million question to new and old friends with dogs, I think I can safely take her up to the treehouse for an overnight slumber party.  She has a new pink warm jacket and I will be taking her beloved pink crate with comfy, soft blankies.

Today I learned that in gratitude, I make the decision to see beauty and love all around me.  I have healed an ancient wound.  I have unblocked love’s awareness.  My heart is tender, my soul is open and spirit enters.  I am the co-creator of the miracles I see around me.  

This is a celebration!

 

Y2-Day27-lessons learned from Cindi

1. All new parents take tons of pictures and go on and on and on.

2. Attitude is everything.  If Cindi hadn’t had such a sunny, friendly, amiable disposition – the volunteers wouldn’t have chosen her for the Ducks show as an example of what you too can hope to find at the shelter.  If she had been frightened or angry or distant, I probably wouldn’t have chosen her.

3. Excitement and that certain electricity from the novelty is part of new relationships.

4. Volunteers are priceless.  The generosity of heart, time and effort given freely and the importance of being of service where needed is what makes volunteers true philanthropists. They do it for fun and for free and they work tirelessly.  This is true of most volunteers in all sorts of ways and in many areas of need.

5. Never underestimate the ability to love, expand and deepen your soul by caring for another sentient being.

6. Learning never ends, be open to being teachable and wait for the miracles.

7. Balance.  A little rest, a little play, a little food, a little walk, a little water, a little touching, a little adoration and attention make for a fine day.

8. Soft, cozy blankets feel best and wrapping ourselves up in them make us feel secure.

9. We can all get along.  Be cordial and polite. Respect each other’s space and personality. My cats and Cindi have a certain understanding that will allow them to live in peace with time.  They know about boundaries, have a sense of humor and want the same things.

10. It is a world of hope and abundance and that thought is our salvation.  All you need is LOVE; Love is all you are and all you give and receive.

Our first selfie.

One of my many teachers!

Y2-Day26-Back to College

My undergrads go back to their university campuses today.

Back to college for them and a new curriculum for the spring semester.

We are going to miss the laughter and their presence.  We are happy they will be continuing their personal journey and getting back to following and fulfilling their dreams.
Safe traveling and happy trails!  We will miss you!

My family surprised me with a thoughtful card congratulating me on my ‘new girl’.   It is timely to have an agreeable, adorable and newest member of the household introduced and to begin integrating her into the scheme of things.  Cindi gets her first real vet appointment tomorrow and hopefully all is well.

All tuckered out after a walk.  This is her bed by my feet as I write.

Y2-Day25-Pics of Cindi

About 24 hours ago – our sweet little Cindi coaxed her way into my arms.   I didn’t even know how to hold a dog.  She is teaching me.  Everyone said “Just like a baby.” Oh, I can do that, eyes closed but it’s been a while.  Is this my empty nest ‘baby’? You betcha!This picture above was once they released her to me after payment and paperwork, just like a real baby at the hospital and me wondering, “How could they let me go home with this child/pet when I don’t know the first thing about it?”

Some people learn a new language or how to play an instrument to ward off old age symptoms and keep their brains active.  I guess I needed to nurture and learn how to care for a sentient being that I was once afraid of.  New lessons, new rules and new comprehension.  I never understood ‘pack’ mentality.  I care to learn now and I am eager to express my alpha female self.  I required a dog who would train me, that’s all.  She is heaven sent, for sure.  Enjoying her brand new backyard!

Y2-Day24-Cindi

I just rescued and adopted a female 14 pound Chihuahua mix from OC shelter. Pics to come.

My friend J the dog rescuer was working at the OC Animal Shelter tent at one of our duck games out door events.  I am not a dog person.  “Who is that?’  I asked.  “Oh, that’s Cindy, I’m assigned to her today, she’s a wonderful dog but she’s old, they usually don’t get adopted out- but look at her, she is friendly to everyone and so happy!”  Yes, she is.

I thought about her but how do you bring an old dog into a cat lover’s paradise?  I really liked that dog, Cindy for some reason I told my husband.  I was drawn to her and had absolutely no idea why.  Was it the cute pink sweater?

Then, a few days later, J sent me an email.  It was a flyer for Cindy and a description from the shelter.  I was attracted and curious which was weird because I don’t like dogs, I am afraid of them.  I also had two previous, disastrous experiences with puppies.  I cannot be trained.

I mentioned the email to my husband and for some reason couldn’t stop daydreaming about her.  There was no way I or anyone also needed the disruption of a new critter and especially not a dog with my track record.

Then, unexpectedly, as I was getting out of my car to get a park license at Irvine Regional Park, my phone rang.  It was my husband asking if I really did want that dog I kept talking about.  Mind you, I had never even touched or gotten near her.  The thought to invite her in to our home had to be scratched.

But  – After that phone call and being assured it would be ok, I began to fantasize having a loving companion by my side, to run up to the mountains with, to walk around the town with, to be by my side and cuddle with, to go on short errands maybe even, to walk around the park with, to nurture and love on.

I had to be practical too.  I looked up on line how to introduce an old dog to a three cat household. I listened to advice from all my dog owner friends.  I called the shelter to get more information and I made a date with J, the dog rescuer/angel/volunteer to visit Cindy and meet her for really the first time at the kennel.

You take a number and wait.  Then you go to the actual cage and see your pet.  They take the stray dog out and put you in a pen with her.  She loved J.  J interpreted every thing Cindy did for me.  The woman who was assigned to us was generous with praise for Cindy.  She thought it would be a perfect ‘first dog ever’ situation. She wagged her tail the entire time, rolled over a few times and came three times to her name.  Smitten.  They walked the dog to the cat cages.  Cindy could have cared less but was enthused with other dogs and us.  I called my husband.  “Bring her home, it will be exciting, anything to make you happy”.

After the paperwork where I changed her spelling to Cindi with an I not a Y, she sat on my Iap on the way to Petco. J was amazing.  She got me and Cindi everything we needed to get started and showed me how to praise and train her to do her thing, how and when to feed and crate her and gave me countless tips.  So did my chihuahua owning friend.  Then she bathed her for me and I rinsed and dried her in the kitchen sink.  Neither one of us had eaten in hours and didn’t care because we were so excited with the new arrival.  My girls love her.  My husband has yet to meet her.

I sit here in my son’s old room, blogging about a new adventure and a new commitment. She is by my feet, next to me in her brand new pink bed, with her brand new blingy pink collar and leash, just exhausted and hopefully counting her lucky stars!  Wish me luck!!!

I am counting mine.

Y2-Day23- Breakfast in Bed

One of the reasons I will miss the girls when they go back to college this weekend is this lovely breakfast in bed we were served.  Grapes, rose petal jelly, fresh squeezed orange juice and homemade still warm from the oven bread. Flowers from the garden.  No wonder I am struggling with my weight these days!

When is the last time you made a similar tray for your loved one(s)?  How about for yourself?  With the weather so sunny and warm lately, if you live here, take a tray outside and enjoy!  Full moon again tonight- check it out!!  Plan your breakfast treating for this weekend!!!

 

 

Y2 – Day 22 – January bouquets

Aerial view of my January bouquets back to back.  Gifts from my husband -the love of my life.

White hydrangeas, hot pink roses, pastel pink spray roses and spiraling veronica – enhanced further with green Israeli ruscus and curly willow.  Charming, romantic and feminine.Hybrid lilies with a slight, sweet fragrance which open and bloom gradually.  The petals are pale pink around the edges and are the blooms are blushed with streaks of plum at their throats.“To love beauty is to see light.” – Victor Hugo

“Flowers – are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities in the world.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

And, may there be light.

May the giving of flowers to adorn, brighten and sweeten life, never be forgotten or taken for granted.

Y2-Day 21 – Self Reflect

It’s my coping skills of the past that sometimes become my character flaws in the present.

Good Living:  What I put on my plate, in my mind – What I put before me to listen to and to watch – What I put in my soul and in my heart – How I view and treat my health, people and circumstances – all this is a serious affair.  It matters.  My life, its quality and productivity depends on this thought and its intention.

Balance – That is my goal and that is where my Serenity lies.  To be in equilibrium within and without.

My world derives from my perception but unfolds, proceeds and opens up with my attitude.  I would be wise to choose my disposition well.

“Does thou love life?  Then do not squander time, for that  is the stuff life is made of.” – Benjamin Franklin – June 1746

Y2-Day 20 – Tea time

My daughter E gifted me a sweet tea set that is darling.  Besides tea bags – loose teas and tisanes (herbals) are a great way to steep and enjoy water.  When I have a cup of tea, herbal, hot or cold, I count it as a water ration.

You can make a tea out of so many different flowers, herbs and leaves.  My favorites are rose, mint, ginger and licorice.  Yogi makes a flavor that is called Egyptian Licorice and Mint and needs no sweetener because it is naturally so.  Buy only the purest, most organic forms of herbals and teas and you will heal as well as drink a treat.

Pour hot water over your mixtures and then let it steep.  Having an adorable tea pot with a built in or removable strainer allows you to serve it right from the pretty tea pot or you can just put your combinations in a pourable item like a measuring cup and use an everyday strainer.

Try chopped up ginger with a few mint leaves.  Experiment with green teas and dried fruits.  I once made an outstanding coconut rooibus chocolate tea that tasted more like dessert using rooibus chocolate flavored tea bags and loose organic coconut flakes.  I then added coconut milk and stevia.  My friends still rave about it.  Add some cinnamon. Yum.

Y2-Day19 – Seattle goodies

Foodstuffs are always the way to our hearts. It brings back memories, enhancing your experience all over again with flavor, panache and punch.

Half the lure of New York is the restaurant scene.  Berkeley is teeming with multicultural manna from heaven.  Pasadena has the fortunate position of being home to a few culinary schools and chefs practice on diners every chance they get and diners get the benefits of their stand out or edgy trends.  Let’s not even start in on cruises, Hawaii or Europe.  I could write a travel diary solely focusing on meals.

I remember great moments in my life by what I was eating.   I asked for ten homemade pizzas for my tenth birthday.  I made seven for my son’s third birthday party although I am sure he has no memory of it.  When my husband and I were dating, he always ordered lasagna and we scoured Long Island and NYC for Italian.  We shared hot fudge sundaes at the Friendly’s in Commack and we were the first to try the ‘all you can eat’ promotion for breaded fried shrimp at the Sizzler’s in Smithtown, N.Y. in the 70’s.

My BFF in NY once brought garlic bagels and onion bialys on the plane with her and people on board were begging her and dying for a bite from the sheer intensity of the smell wafting throughout the cabin.  At the bottom of her magical bag she had NY Italian cannolis stashed amid heavy cold packs.  Now, that’s a good buddy.

I am sentimental about when I first tried this or when I last tasted that.  My first onion was raw and eaten like an apple once I had teeth.  I ate the lemon innards up until not too long ago.  I first and last had escargots served with drawn butter, garlic and parsley on a family Baltic cruise.  I had a field day tasting different animal meats for the first time but I swoon recalling about it now at Brazilian churrassquerias both in Brazil in my twenties and in the U.S.A. when the kids were petite and dared to dare me.

Every menu is an opportunity to celebrate like Thanksgiving and make it sacred.

For a few years, I threw themed luncheons sharing original, foolproof recipes demonstrating them in my kitchen.

Yes, food is vital and plays a big part in our lives.

So it’s no wonder that food gifts, food related products, gadgets or books are frequently exchanged in our family.  My nephew just got into pie making – perfect opportunity for a few pie centered cookbooks for his shelf.  My son’s girlfriend wanted to do some cast iron cooking,  a nice Lodge specimen and cookbook followed.  My husband loves popcorn (who doesn’t?) – hot air popper wrapped and under the tree.

I gladly visited Seattle and brought home food gifts and had tons of food stories (check in the Search box for Seattle to read earlier posts ).Thanks to my son and J, we have the best of Seattle that could be packaged and stuffed into luggage right here in our own Southern California pantry.  The rose petal jelly was the only thing I even wanted for Christmas when asked.  It is unmatched in quality. We visited the start up store and heard the story of Kukuruza popcorn on our chocolate lover’s tour.  I spent hours tasting Quintessential oils and vinegars before concluding which flavors to ship back home.  I munched and snacked on freshly roasted Ceres’ sugared pecans with M and J after visiting the needle and Chihuly gardens.  Fifteen months later, we were gifted with a huge supply that ran the gamut and covered every sweet tooth.

Yup, that’s Maple and Coconut Balsamic vinegars.