It has been too long since my last post. I have learned to just accept that my writing comes to me when it comes. Some days it's feast, other days it's famine.
In looking at my July post, I was beyond ready for cooler weather. Who could blame me with the triple digit temperatures our area was contending with. Several months passed with temps averaging 105 degrees. Our power bill showed 102 degrees as the average temperature for June, so you can imagine what July and August bore. Now it is the middle of October and we are finally showing signs of cooling. Our high tomorrow is 85, and I'm okay with that although I'd prefer the 70's myself.
Chief has shown a preference for cooler weather too as he can play longer without over-heating. He has become more gray in his beard these past months. At only 4 1/2 years old, it makes him look older. Now, J and I have noticed a tiny white spot almost between his eyes on his snout. It's getting bigger; more gray coming. But what a wonderful dog he is. He is still a puppy at play (especially with J) as well as a more confident companion. His love for chasing evil squirrels is unmatched. However, now that we have spotted a couple of armadillos during our early morning walks, he is beside himself wanting to know what those weird looking, squatty creature are. I want absolutely nothing to do with them.

My Boy smiles.

Our weekends are spent as a pack. The mornings start outside by the pool playing or reading, or both. J makes coffee and often lets me sleep in while he takes care of Boy. While we run errands later in the day, we have been able to leave Chief out of his crate for short periods of the time. We are very careful about this since "Maligators" can be very destructive if left unsupervised for too long. So far, so good.
Now as our weekend winds down, Monday is just a few hours away and I am substitute teaching. Boy will have his fun puppy time, but I do miss him when I work. I suppose I like my homebody routine during the week with him. But isn't being apart what makes us appreciate and enjoy that time together all the more? When we are all together watching a movie or sitting outside, I can look over at my boys and think, "This is happiness."

What makes you happy? For me, happiness is:
1. J (after 18 years of marriage, this hasn't changed).
2. Waking up and realizing I got to sleep in.
3. Having someone cook for me. 
4. Completing the list of things I have to do.
5. Chief 
6. A clean house.
7. Folding laundry.
8. Smelling fresh-cut grass or burning leaves.
9. J laughing.
10. Earning money for my family. 
11. Clean sheets on the bed.
12. Laughing til I cry (doesn't happen nearly enough).
13. Visiting with family.
14. Pack time.

Ready for a change

Is anyone out there ready for a change like I am? 
For the 18th consecutive day, the temps here in Texas are in the triple digits and there is no relief in sight as we are only half-way through July. We are also suffering from a severe drought. These harsher conditions aren't easy on Chief but he fares SO much better than I do lately. And I am ready for Fall! I am a huge fan of the Autumn season with all its colors and changes. The shift in cooler, more crisp air make romping outside with the Boy so much more enjoyable. Then there is the fall decorations which hit the stores followed by Halloween candy and costumes and yard ornaments - oh my! 
So here's to change! May it come sooner rather than later. I'm not just speaking for myself but for my dear puppy as well.

Can't you just smell the fresh fall air?

My blog is intended to help me remember. I can't remember every thing but I can keep a record to help me and my hubby look back fondly at our journey as a pack with Chief. I expect one day in the future, the far distant future I hope, I will not remember the past. We all forget details of our lives as nature takes it toll, and I've noticed this past year it has become more frequent for me.
My biggest fear is that I will be a victim of Alzheimer's which runs in my mother's family. If that is the case, this blog will not matter at all, but, if old age starts to dampen my memory, I will be able to read this blog and have my Chief right by my side once again. I will be able to laugh at his quirks and sweet personality while marveling at what an awesome dog he was (is). His facial expressions, fondness for food and treats, joy from being with his J, and his affectionate leaning into me are so tangible, I just can't imagine a time without him. But I know sadly there will be. The pictures are of the greatest value to me, and I'm sure J as well.
What I have here is the chronicling of a faithful, loving friend who will forever occupy a large space in my heart.

A Good Time Was Had By All

Our pack enjoyed a three-day weekend thanks to America's Independence day. We're pretty low-key so playing in the pool and grilling out was the height of our excitement. And the fireworks. Fireworks set puppy off just like thunder, only worse if that's possible. 

So we are all together, tuckered out and bedded down. My favorite place to be.

I'm just doin' my job, ma'am.

I sometimes grow impatient when my sweet but fierce dog is simply doing his job. Living in Texas, we are fortunate enough to have a pool. A salt water pool. It was built in 1999 and is in remarkably good condition, but a milky white ring has formed around the pebble-tech finish along with calcium deposits around some of the rocks. After researching solutions and calling several pool companies, I found someone to come out and solve the problem. Surprisingly, it wasn't easy either.
I contemplated taking Boy for a play day at Benny's because I knew he would be on high alert watching some stranger lurking in the backyard for a few hours. BARKING continuously, running around in the house announcing the intruder until finally the intruder leaves. Over the years, I like to think I've build up a tolerance to it, but if I'm being honest, I'm not able to shut out the barking and mayhem for very long.  And I do want anyone working in our yard or around our house to know that I have a large, tightly-wound dog that is willing and able to protect me. But the barking!
So this morning, as I calmed Chief when the pool technician walked around the yard, moving this and that, bringing in equipment and generally working, I reminded myself Chief is just doing his job. I chant it to myself: he's just doing his job, he's just doing his job. And he is very good at his job. As I sit on the couch, he hops up and stands over me, leaning in close, watching Tate - the pool tech - out the back windows. Chief growls and watches closely. To me this feels very good, very comforting. I love this dog. Saying those simple words sounds so common, but I can't express how much I feel for this dog who looms so protectively over my lap. I watch him just as closely as he watches outside. He is a breath-taking beautiful animal. I never doubt him. Never.

Our good neighbors recently adopted a puppy from Operation Kindness here in Texas. Holly, a mixed breed, is such a sweet soul. She took to me so fast, it was puppy love at first sight. We visit whenever time, and the heat, permits. While I love to take Chief for our visits, I secretly wish for time with Holly-girl and me only.

She's got such a sweet face. 

Holly grows every day and will soon be the same size, if not bigger than Chief.  As of right now, our boy sees Holly as a bit of a nuisance but one day soon I suspect he will be dumb-struck with either love or friendship for the girl next door.

A play-date between friends.

There is no "Over the Hill" in this house.

Another birthday has cheerfully come and gone, celebrated and honored by my pack. The day started with a fantastic breakfast made by my sweet hubby and was followed by a day of relaxing, swimming, eating and laughing. I've always enjoyed my birthdays, especially after I met and married J. When it comes to wishing me a happy birthday, he truly "gets" it. He has always wanted to mark the day to make it special for me. Love that man.
This year, Chief did his part by giving me a gift and card. Very sweet. His gift was a practical, yet bejeweled purse hook. For those of you who have never heard of such a thing, it's a literally a hook to hang your purse off a table in a restaurant. I have to say, I was a bit surprised he'd had the time to order my gift and pick up a card. He's a very busy guy. Plus, wrapping it without thumbs had to be complicated.
Now that I am 42 and our boy is four - he shares my birthday - we are embarking on another year of chasing our happiness. We will delight in every opportunity to play and work while looking with wonder at those experiences which fascinate us. Don't we all want to wallow in the delight of a sunny day, look for new challenges close by or far away, or just take a lazy afternoon nap? Of course there will be rainy days and slower, more thoughtful days when we will might struggle, but we will forever be together as a pack.
The Boy is stretched out on the couch napping beside me. Once I get up, it's game-on! A new year has begun so let the adventures begin!