What a big, beautiful boy Tanner-Jack is turning out to be...and yes he is just a mere 6 months old at 45 lbs and 22 inches at the shoulder, he's not done growing yet. I highly recommend a Standard Poodle to you all. Smart...wow so smart. Nice big dog for those men who don't want a little feminine lap doggie with the benefits of no shedding and no dog stinky for those ladies who don't want a big dog.

But...for the owner of a Standard Poodle, I can't even tell you how many times I've been asked "Oh is that a Golden Doodle or a Labradoodle?" The first couple times I found it amusing and just said, "nope he's a Standard Poodle". As it continued I changed the answer to "Nope, he's the real thing, a Standard Poodle". And yes...ashamed to say, now I have added a sigh and explained it is the real thing that they have bred DOWN to a Doodle. There have only been 2 people who have recognized Tanner as a Poodle; one was a man who had just seen a show with them in it, and he came to the window of the car to adore him. And the other was an 8 year old..."Oh look at the poodle mommy"...Bless his heart! Maybe that's why Tanner seems to adore little boys...hee hee.


Picture of mommy Daphne and daddy Jack

And another thing (see I told you it was a vent) Can't figure out why they would breed another into the Poodle in the first place, especially now that I own one. First of all the Standard Poodle (or poodle in general, "standard" is simply the original size of the breed, toy and miniature came later) is they are the #2 smartest dog in all breeds, next only to the Border Collie, who is of course #1. Golden Retrievers place #4 and Labs place #7. Why in the world lower the intellegence standards? In addition Labs and Goldens are big shedders and tend to get an undercoat oil doggy smell. Why put a shedder into a non shedder and a stinker into a non stinker. Whew....beyond me. So I suggest for those men who want a big manly dog and women who don't like the dog hair all over the place; get a Standard Poodle, they are awesome bird dogs, lovely house dogs, smart and lovable. What more could you want!

Oh and by the way, next time you see me just kindly say...'What a fabulous Standard Poodle you have Sherry! It will make MY day! God Bless Yours.

Until next time...........

 
Photograph by a dear brother in the Lord, Lloyd, from "the other side of the lake". Thanks Lloyd for the use of your wonderful artistry.

Well, I'm sure it comes to no surprise to anyone, what troubled times we find ourselves in. Whether it be finances, job loss, hour cuts, pay cuts...you name it. The struggles are out there and many are suffering. I too find myself in the percentage of those struggling. I am required to work a second job to keep our heads above water, and to just kind of keep things in the black. Even with the second job numbers will occasionally slip into the red, so I was very grateful for an additional benefit of a second job to be able to increase those hours a bit and bring things back up when needed. All it takes is a surprise in the budget and Boom!

As recently as this week that benefit was cut off, hopefully temporarily, but cut off just the same. My second job reduced it's hours, substantially, which for some was not a big deal, a few adjustments here and there. But for myself, and others that work it as a second job, means it will be quite a challenge. The cut reduced my personal possible hours per week by more than half. This coming the week after finding out that the kids dad was laid off, medical insurance was cut off for everyone, and unemployment on his end would mean a cut in child support on mine.

This in no means it a "poor sherry" or "sob story"...simply that things happen and how interesting it is when that heavenly kick in the earthly behind always seems to be a surprise. Some may think, well Sherry is a Christian, she knows it will all work out fine. Fair enough...BUT...my first impulse was to be affected by the "SPIRIT OF FREAK OUT" (a phrase coined by a dear sister in the Lord), in which of course I did. But now, after having a few days to calm myself and no doubt pray; I try to find as many of the good things I can about the situation. And today, I can finally see, though first in great disbelief, that there are many good and blessed things to be experienced by the change.

First and foremost; God Is In Control! There is a reason for the way things happen. I know He will care and guide my family and me through this. But in addition, there are also a lot of very apparent benefits. I don't believe I truly saw them before, but I was overworking trying to keep up, instead of trusting more and well, simply 'Letting God'. I even found myself the other night at one of my teens school functions, under so much stress that I couldn't even relax. There I was, at a function with my teens and friends. I should have been enjoying myself and the time I had out of the house with the family. But instead, working so many hours had been quickly programmed into my head and even my entire body and spirit, that it was focusing my attention on the clock. I found myself fidgeting in my seat with the distinct feeling as though I should be at home on the computer putting in "the hours". I see there is a real problem with that. It should be my eyes, my focus on the Lord, and spending time with my family that is programmed in, not the other way around.

So today, a simple four days later, I find many blessings in this change and yet another season of my life. More time for devotions to be had; more walks to be taken; more dinners with my children to be eaten. Yes indeed, my cup is half way full to overflowing once again, even if my wallet or bank account is not. I had simply failed momentarily to see the good in it. Thank God for His forgiveness in our short-comings, and gratefully, I was only in temporary "freak out" mode. 

Here we go, into the next season of change. Maybe the hours will be increased to normal again, or maybe this is it and adjustments will just need to be made...again...! In either case, I have been reminded where my focus needs to be. So, here it is, this life of ups and downs, a virtual roller coaster it seems at times. But that is the way of our earthly lives, and it is my honor to know that there is so much more when this stressful, chaotic and extremely short life on earth is over. An eternity that is beyond all measure or understanding; that narrow path walked and struggled down is rewarded later. Yes, I thankfully have that knowledge, and that is where my focus is. What a blessed life I lead. And what wonderful sites, sounds, and experiences I have to discover along the way.

What a joy it is to know we have a bridge over those trouble waters. A Lesson Learned....AGAIN!

 

I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point my life became a series of sticky notes. Quite a variety available for our all fading memory needs. There are the little mini ones that don't take up too much room, the normal size ones in multiple colors, the 5x7 size ones with lines so we can keep our reminders straight and proper, and my very favorite; the "Super Sticky" sticky note, for the most important notes that you want to stay snugly in place for extra long memory loss. What the heck happened? I have these colorful gems on my computer at work reminding me of things I need to do there. I have doctors appointments listed on them, grocery lists, friends and family birthdays and of course 'to remember the dog food' notes. Now, you would think if the dog is standing there pitifully, head tilted, drooling and staring at me by the empty container in the cupboard; that I'd be able to remember to pick some up...wouldn't I, apparently not. During a single day, I must put together between three and four sticky notes regarding what I have to do after work, on my way home, or before bed. That count not even including the stickies on the home and work computers, rear view mirror and key chain. Last night I even had one to remind me of the ever important and much anticipated American Idol two-hour season opener. Now there's something that was worthy and deserving of a fluorescent pink sticky.

Age certainly has a way of creeping up on us when we are least expecting. Lets not forget that I need to have my glasses on to read those sticky, wonderful, colorful reminder notes. Not sure when it was that my arms became too short to hold things far enough away for me to see.

I've blogged about 'memories' before, and how important they are to create and hold on to. I was watching a Hallmark movie the other night about a husband suffering through his wife's many stages of Altziemers. All the things they had shared through life becoming a blur to an otherwise healthy woman. Such a sad and tragic thought, losing such precious moments. This just one more reason to make sure we make lots of those 'memories' for our 'memory'. Make sure we log them down; journal them, blog them, whatever it takes to get them on paper, book, or CD. Get those pictures off our computers and digital cameras and into a scrap book, before our own memories get foggy. Before the brain database we've counted and depended on for years slowly shuts down. Do these things before it takes more than just a sticky note to jog it!