oh, to be more like Fuzzy...

Medical reasons have caused me to slow down a bit lately, and in fact some days I've had to just plain stop! Generally speaking, I do not mind this. I love being home! I enjoy working, being outside, meeting people, being on the go, etc...but at the end of every trip - it is always a relief to me to be back home. My home is simple, but cozy. Filled with the love (and hair) of 3 cherished dogs, and 2 adorable cats! Both cats are easy going...just as happy with a snuggle or a scratch of the ear. They both will seek us out when they feel lonely, or ignored. Infact, if you don't give each of them enough daily lovin' before you head to bed, you can rest assured that each WILL wake you to get their just rewards. I love this. I love that they are honest enough to say "hey, I need a hug right now!" I think people should be so honest! :o) ~~~~~The dogs are pretty much the same. They are content to go play outside when they are feeling frisky. They will come to snuggle with ya when they need a hug, or a pat on the head, or play...but they simply like to just be in our presence. ~~~~~1 dog, the smallest, is tiny, and cute, and sweet, and 4 pounds. She is a rescue dog, who had been mistreated, and now by comparision lives in the lap of luxury. She was born to snuggle. She loves being with me, and seeks every chance to be in my lap. At night she even sleeps on me. She knows who her master is, but she will go to anyone with a cozy blanket. She loves us, but first things first! :o) When it drops below 90 degrees, she looks for ways to stay warm! Her adoration comes with limits. She is a sweet, loving, wonderful doggy, but whenever she is no longer comfortable, she's sets her focus on becoming more comfortable FIRST, then she will get back into adoration mode later, after her comfort level is tended to. ~~~~~1 dog, the chubby one, is also very loving and sweet & he also loves to be with us. He too is a rescue dog. He had been confined in a cage his whole little life, not able to move, stretch, run, investigate, or play. Now, he has all the love and freedom to do these things, and he even knows how to get out of the yard when he wants to visit the neighbors. Oh, He will hang out with you for as long as you like -JUST as long as he has nothing more interesting to do! If no neighbor needs to be barked at or checked on, or his belly doesn't growl, or his mouth doesn't get dry, or there is no couch that needs to be napped on, or there is no interesting noise for him to investigate, or a yummy smell for him to hunt down and inspect, etc. Oh He loves us, and adores us, but when it is convenient for him! ~~~~~And then there is Fuzzy. Also a rescue, he had lived in the middle of acres of woods, with no noises except their house and the wild animals. When we first got him, we took him to a groomer to get cleaned up. He had been ignored, and uncared for, and in serious need of some bath/grooming time. When we went to pick him up, a huge truck went by and startled him and he got loose. In the woods of another town a half hour away, for a whole week - due to a groomers error in replacing his collar after his bath incorrectly. He was now alone in a strange new area, LOTS of noises, no food, no water, no comfort, no safety, no idea where he was, no idea where we were, no idea how to find us...he had really just met us hours before he got loose, so probably not even sure he wanted to find us again. 7 days later, I found him. He was worn out, bone tired, thirsty, scared, and exhausted. When he saw me, I saw the relief on his face. I walked to him, and bent down and I scooped him up and he just melted into my into my safe, loving arms! I loved on him, spoke to him, hugged him, kissed his forhead, and then carried him back through all the fields, and hiked up to the road, and got into the van with him still in my arms... not to release him until we were safely in the house. When we finally got him back home, and I opened my arms, he still didn't want to let go of me. He was content to be in my arms forever. that was 11 years ago and He still is! Wherever I am, he is at my feet! He rests his head on my feet. He washes my feet. he curls up on my feet when I am cold. When I do dishes, he is at my feet. When I am on the toilet, he is at my feet. When I do laundry, he is at my feet. When I make dinner, he is at my feet. when I am in the tub, he is next to the tub. When I am on the couch, he is beside the couch. When I'm outside, he's at my feet. when I'm inside, he's at my feet. early mornings, he's at my feet. late nights, he's at my feet. When I go to bed, he is beside the bed. It doesn't matter WHAT else is going on inside the house, outside the house, in the neighborhood, etc... he doesn't care what the neighbors are doing, he doesn't care what the weather is, he doesn't care if he is sick, or old, or thirsty, or what the other dogs are doing, he doesn't care what is going on around us - as long as he is at my feet, he is pleased. He knows my moves before I start to take them. he knows me!! he is 100% faithful and loyal - no questions asked! ~~~~~WOW! Wouldn't it be great if God could say that about us?!!! As much as I love the Lord, I cannot honestly say that I am always 100% faithful and loyal - with NO questions asked. I sometimes question. I sometimes worry. I sometimes wonder. I sometimes feel lost. I sometimes lose faith. I sometimes see the storm, before I see the Master of the storm. I sometimes notice the danger in the waves, before I recall the safety of the boat. I sometimes see the mess from the crowd, instead of just focusing on loving on them and then cleaning later. I sometimes spend too much time online, and not as much time at the Lord's feet! LORD JESUS, please forgive me, and help me to again be SO close to you, that I feel your direction before you need to tell me! Help me to again linger at your feet, and to again be so deep in your presence That we may once again dance as one my Lord!!

http://2nd-cup-of-coffee.blogspot.com/ This is my first time participating in the Random Dozen Meme from a wonderful blogger at 2nd cup of Coffee. (see link above) ~~1. Are you pleasant when you're ill or are you a grumpy, fussy patient? I generally sleep, or just want to be alone, so I tend to be very quiet -> so I'd say yep, I'm pleasant to be around when I'm sick :) lol ~~2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction? oh how exciting for them, I remember those cherished days!! ~~3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve? not a loyal duster. probably because it makes me sneeze, so I don't do it often enough. ~~4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day? nope. just simple decorations for Christmas. ~~5. What song is on your mind today? "He's working it out for you" ~~6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic? the classics, or the older movies where chivalry, romance, and morality were more prevalent. ~~7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room. I work in customer service, so my entire work life is compartmentalized! not matter hw you felt before they came in, or after they leave...but when they are there, it's all about them with a smile your your face and in your eyes! besides, I have fibromyalgia, so I have spent my whole life compartmentalizing! if I waited until I were pain free, I'd have spent my whole life in bed. ~~8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your best friend? she adores Jesus!! I don't let many people inside my walls...but I can be 100% completely myself with her, & she just loves what she can, and prays for the rest! :) ~~9. When was the last time your heart raced? everytime I meditate on the love of the Lord for me, and how grateful I am that He ALWAYS "gets me"! ~~10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school? Not so much at school, but LOVED picking which valentine to give to who... ~~11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer? the good brand of buttermints, yummy! ~~12. Red or pink? red