Weekend Bliss

I have a new lily. I know, I haven't told you yet but there have been so many other inspirations. Rob has informed me it makes the house smell like old woman, but that's ok because it's so pretty! Here is a quick rundown of the lily life over the last week:

Much to Rob's amusement, I rescued a hibiscus today! Honestly, it wasn't that painful. Flowers will be red (I was hoping for yellow), and was half price. Most likely because it's in desperate need of repotting. I will take care of that tomorrow when I find some stones for the pot. This is our first one in this house so I'm pretty excited!

Rob and his dad went up to the cabin to deliver some wood for my dad yesterday. They saw quite the wildlife: 13 moose, about 60 caribou, a grouse, an osprey, a hawk, couple rabbits, 3 geese and a whack of ducks. He even nabbed some pictures!

and importantly enough today, before I forget

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

Did we ever celebrate! My hunny gave me a card from the animals and a new outfit! (Desperately needed some jeans). Then we went over to Mom and Dad's for a holiday dinner! Can you guess what we had?

Mom herself got these beautiful roses from Rob's dad:

and here is the pretty lady herself!

It has been such a wonderful weekend! Happy every minute that has passed. I took a few random photos of the animals that I will share with you before I take off:

I hope that everyone had a weekend as wonderful and loving as my own. My hunny is snoozing on the couch now, we are going out to a movie tonight - yay! Smile everyone, life is worth it!

Artwork Love

You know how you hear of people who feel like they are someone else on the inside than they are on the outside? As if there is a different inner person, struggling to be visualized on the exterior. That's me.

I want to be artsy and I'm not.

 

Perhaps I'm jealous of those that are.

 

I feel like I have it in me, I see beautiful lace, and ribbons, paints and pretty papers and I want to create.

I find inspiration everywhere.

 

And yet........

I have nothing.

 

Perhaps I just don't know where to start. I used to love crafts when I was a kid. Maybe I care too much about what people think. Or am too uncertain to spend the money on supplies.

What would I create? How would I start?

 

And at the end of the day, what would I do with the results of my artistic fever?

(All photos taken from: http://www.etsy.com/shop/abushelandapeck)

Like a champ!

Well she's done it! My baby girl couldn't have surprised me more yesterday, or made me more proud.

Late afternoon, I looked outside at the rarely sighted sun and decided it was time for us to get out for walk 2. And yet, doesn't a special day deserve a special outing? I sure thought so! (At this point I should've listened to my gut feeling, and taken my camera... all I had was my bb)

A few times now I have begun attempting to teach Remy the wonders of fetch. She hadn't caught on to the magic yet.

Now Bear, he loves fetch! Favorite game ever. EVER!

We drove out to the base of Marble Mtn, made up camp on the grass and started. Bear was gung-ho. Remy was confused.

Then I noticed something.... If I threw the ball far enough that Remy got there first, she brought it back just to keep it away from Bear. WIZARD!

After a few more competitive runs, she didn't need big brother! So I could throw one far for her and then toss one closer for Bear in the other direction. I was SO happy. She brought it back, dropped it about 3ft from where I stood, came and sat in front of me waiting for the next one. Proud mother beaming!

So we played until I had two pooped animals. They ran so hard! Tongues dragging on the grass. I figured, before I load them into the truck to drive home I'd take them over to the pond for a drink.

Bear went first, put his feet in and drank some. Remy copied him. I was happy with this, she's so timid with everything and overall it was a positive experience. Then I turn around and what do I see:

Remy is barreling towards me all she can suffer, running straight by me and launching off the bank into the water. Now, she has never swam before in her life - and she just jumped 12ft out into the deep end.

I took a quick stock and realized I had nothing on me that couldn't get wet. I figured when I saw her come up to surface I was swimming in my jeans today.I was laughing and giggling so hard out of pure shock!

When she broke the surface, she had a ~WOAH!~ look on her face and then swam right towards me. Like a pro! Crawling out of the water and shaking off

and then she started to ween a bit because I'm not sure she liked the whole being wet thing.

So Remy learned to play fetch and swam for the first time all in one hour!

The only downside was my hunny couldn't be there to witness it. That just means the next sunny day we will have to go do it again!

My Furry Companions

Live in the momment.

That's what I'm learning from Bear and Remy. This is my life, I'm living it right now.

I have to stop saying try, and instead mean that we are going to do it.

 

I love my animals and they are teaching me who I am as a person, allowing me to grow and know myself.

 

I've spent 7 years learning how Bear's mind works. What makes him listen, how his brain ticks.

Enter Remy, who is his complete opposite.

 

To focus Bear you must show dominance vocally: say it like you mean it the first time, no discussion.

To focus Remy you must show patience and politeness. If she senses frustration in your voice she cowers or flies in fear and any message you were trying to relay is gone.

She will be lost to you until you recenter, breathe

easily and ask her in a calm tone to listen. She only will when she feels you truly mean it. That girl can sense

when you're faking it a mile away - trust me.

Remy is looking for your forgiveness, but if you get angry with her she loses all understanding.

With her and patience, if you lose an inch you lose it all.

I've never had such a real and immediate lesson. Yet, when I do it right the reward is in front of my eyes

and warms my heart.

No one ever said growing as a person was easy. They are good animals, through the million times they have already made me laugh and the few times I've shed a tear at my own frustrations.

I know at the end of the day it is not Remy and it's not Bear. It's me.

And I'm learning.

Believe in yourself, the way your dogs believe in you.