Eat all of the cantaloupe.

Over the past few days, since Bandit's soul has left the Earth, I've moved through various stages of grieving. The first (now these are not textbook, I'm sure) was shock. He's gone... how did this happen so fast?! Then, I moved into pure sadness. My Bandit is gone... I miss him.. I'm cutting a cantaloupe and he's not at my feet begging for some. I'm walking outside and he's not running to be with me... the cats are running around like crazy and he's not coming to check it out... oh... there's some of his hair in the corner... where's his blanket? his food bowl is empty... I just ordered Advantage for him, it hasn't even come yet... where are all of my pictures of him... where's his leash, his collar, his toy? It was so strange and empty not having him here. Then I was mad... why did the vet leave me in the room for 1/2 an hour believing we could fix him!? I imagined him on the trail in the park.. walking him to the square... healing from surgery with my loving touch, hugs and kisses. How could they do that to me? Then guilt... I should have spent more time with him. I should have brushed him the other day.. if I'd known it was his last day eating cantaloupe, I would have given him the whole thing. If I'd known it was the last day that we'd walk to the square, I would have walked for hours.... if I'd known it was his last night sleeping next to our bed, I would have pet him longer before falling asleep. Then ... OK ... he's taught me so much about life and death. My little Bandit, without even knowing it... has reminded me to never, ever, ever take for granted the relationships that I have. Never go to bed angry... always pray for my family and friends... call them more... love them more... less anger... more joy and time spent together. Eat all of the cantaloupe. I love you Bandit! Thank you for all you've done for me. You made my life so much better by just being in it.

Bandit - My Love

Bandit - 1994 - 2009

My beloved friend passed away today.... here's a letter that my mom wrote to me

Dear Julie, Phil and Amelia-

My heart is sadden with the passing of our special friend Bandit. I remember him as a springy little young guy running like a gazelle around my front yard. Running as fast as he could, jumping as high as he could, running, running, running - jumping over our beloved Shadow - so high it looked like Bandit was flying. We would laugh so hard. The more we laughed the more he would fly through the air.

I remember how he loved Tucker. You would ask Bandit do you want to go to see Tucker - he was off and running to the car. And making happy sounds as he rounded the corner of the street heading to our house.

I remember just the other day how every time I would come over to your house and Bandit would hear my voice he would pick up his tired little body and come over to me. He would look up at me smiling waiting for me to say - “Hi, Good Boy! How are you today”

God has taken Bandit into his arms. He has taken Bandit’s tired little body and made it so he can run and fly again like he used to in my front yard. He has put a smile on Bandit’s face by lifting all his soreness and stiffness - he has taken away his cloudy eyes and made them clear again so he can find his friends Shadow, Emma and Mr. Bunny. Bandit is running in tall grass, through clear streams - running with his friends - he is feeling joyful with his newness in God’s hands.

We miss ou dear little friend - he made us all smile. He gave us many years and then hung in there a little longer. My love and hugs are with you all today as you work through this sadness. When you’re able go through your photo’s - and look for all those special moments with that crazy little dog Bandit and smile again.
Love,
Grandma (mom)

Overwhelmed With Joy

I was baptized in Nov. of 2008. Even though at the time, I was fully aware of my decision, I had no idea of the joy and blessings that accepting Jesus as my saviour would bring. I am so filled with happiness, filled with the feeling of love and filled with a sense of purpose... more so than ever before in my life. This is not something that I can explain... it's just something that is inside of me. Based on my studies, I'm pretty sure it's the Holy Spirit at work :) Never before has a tree looked so beautiful and intricate. Never before has an apple tasted so sweet and looked so artfully made. Even a glass of water tastes better than ever before. Realizing that God has put this all on Earth out of his love for me overwhelms me at times. God's creations continue to inspire me... I am in awe.

(the photo is of a moth that Amelia spotted during a walk in the woods)

My Peace Lovin' 3rd Grader

3rd Grade!?! When did this happen!? Today is Amelia's first day of school. She's starting the 3rd grade and gets to go to a special class once a week for gifted kids (don't like the name of that.. but that's what the government calls it). The morning was wonderful. It's a beautiful day, Amelia had her outfit picked out (we even did her toes and nails to match on Sat.). We walked to school through our little town square. Picture perfect :) I'll pick her up and bring Ruthie with me to surprise her after school. Can't wait to hear about her day....

Where Have I Been?

Hi! I've been away for awhile... my laptop broke, my Etsy shop was closed (temporarily!), I've started a new full-time job, I will be starting a new part time job at my church and we got a puppy! School starts for Amelia this coming week. Life has been busy and new. I haven't touched my jewelry for months... but starting to get in the swing of things.

Going forward, my blog will include new jewerly, thoughts about God and my growing relationship, news on our puppy Ruthie and updates about my family and friends.

My store is opened with a few items that may look familiar, but there will be new items to come.

This blog will be about Ruthie, our new pup. We adopted her on 7/4/09 all the way from Delaware OH. She's a Cattle Dog Beagle mix. She's adorable, but really a handful!

The first hug 7/4/09

First run in the yard

she's dreaming

sleepy pup

What's out the window?