A Bump In My Road

It seems it's been about a month since I posted last. Sometimes when life throws in some bumps and curves, my creativity takes a back seat and I find it difficult to put into words what is on my heart. I can't say my creativity is flowing freely just yet, but it's time to try and shake the dust off and get back to a healthy routine. I say it all the time, but I do miss blogging regularly...most of all I miss all my friends here.  

The first week of June we finally had to say good-bye to our dear fur buddy, Gilmore. He let us know without a doubt that it was time. We originally acquired him for daughter #1 and upon getting word that we put him down, she wrote this on Facebook: 

"I remember the first day we brought him home. It was my turn to pick a family pet, so we went to the humane society to adopt a rescue. Being the indecisive teen that I was, I fell for 2 dogs - one of them being Gilmore. We chose to take him home on a trial run and I remember being in absolute hysterics the rest of the day - torn between him and the other dog I'd left at the shelter. Gilmore saw my tears and buried his head in my lap as if to say, "please choose me." He then sneezed so hard he hit his nose on the ground which only prompted a succession of sneezes that sent me into a fit of giggles. I knew then he was goofy and silly and belonged with us.

I'll never forget the time he ran away from home one early morning after being sprayed by a skunk and I spent the day searching for him on my huffy bike. I remember getting ready to give up after hours of searching in the cold when I finally saw him in the backyard of our friend's house across town. I screamed his name and he started to run away again, probably thinking that I was mad at him. I fell off my bike and sank into the ground, calling his name again hoping he would see I wasn't angry. It worked and he ran into my arms crying and whimpering from exhaustion and relief. It was a long, slow walk home, but I'd never been happier in my life.

He was goofy, sweet, loyal and a true friend. I'll never forget the unconditional love he showed me. My only hope is he enjoyed the short life he had with us and that we showed him so much love he forgot about his previous owners' abuse and felt just how much we loved him. The last time I saw him I knew he was in pain even though he tried to hide it and act like a puppy. I looked into his sweet brown eyes and told him it was okay. It was okay if he had to leave - it was okay and I'd be okay. I knew it was likely the last time I'd see him.

Today my dad took Gilmore to the vet to put an end to his pain. Its always hard to say goodbye, but I'm so comforted to know he's out of pain. I'll miss you so much, sweet Gilmore. I'm so happy I got to love you."

I miss him, but at the same time I'm enjoying less to have to clean up after and I'm enjoying a bit more freedom. We were so locked in to his schedule. I would like to go without another dog for a while....maybe a long while because I'd like to be able to pick up and go and do things we haven't been able to do. It always feels like everyone else gets to go on short trips and I was always the one to stay home and look after the dogs. Hubby on the other hand is already missing having a dog around the house and Sookie just isn't enough to satisfy him. 

About a month ago I was asked by our choir director to help accompany the choir as they perform an arrangement of And Can It Be which calls for both piano and organ accompaniment. I have never done anything like this on the organ and so I practiced my little fingers off in preparation. I also got a shot of energy and I was enjoying the weather and all and spent time working in the yard. I raked the entire yard -front, back and side - by myself, planted some flower seeds, weeded the flower beds, potted some flowers, oh and I added weight lifting to my work-out. Guess what?!? One evening I began feeling pain in my shoulder, so I rubbed it and when I went to bed that night I was in terrible pain. I woke the next morning and it was worse, but I just kept thinking I strained a muscle and I'd be better but it got worse. Finally the following morning I made a Drs. appt. because I could no longer lift it even the tiniest bit. I couldn't hold a coffee cup in my hand, much less get dressed by myself. Come to find out it's bursitis and I was given two cortisone shots and put on some heavy duty pain pills and told to sit for two days and do nothing but ice the shoulder. So I did...I iced and slept for two days and finally the afternoon of the third day which was the Sunday I was supposed to play with the choir, I was beginning to get some movement back. Tuesday I was doing well but I kept an appt. I made for my chiropractor to work on it some and I'm glad I did. I'm back to "normal" with the exception that I'm finding it doesn't take much to start feeling a twinge again, and so I have to really watch how much I do. I have been off my exercising now for over a week and I can feel the difference. I have lost all headway that I had made and I'm very frustrated. I hope to begin again this week, but I'm not sure exactly what to do since weight lifting is out for now. 

I guess this is enough of an update for now. I think even typing seems to have an effect on this shoulder. I have more to tell you but I'll spread my news out over several posts. Have a blessed Sunday everyone!