Bunni...Our Newest Family Member

So, it’s been a while since I have written anything and posted to my Blog…I figured it was high time I added a new story to the list. I really haven’t written anything about our newest member of the family, Bunni. We acquired her through a friend of Stefanie’s in April of this year. Yes, I know, April was 4 months ago, but we have been making some pretty neat memories with her during that short time.

Bunni is a cross between a Mini Dachshund and Jack Russell. She has all the coloring of a Dachshund, but is taller, smaller and stockier like a Jack Russell….you’ll see in the pictures. Wikipedia describes the Dachshund & Jack Russell Terrier as follows:

The dachshund is a short-legged, elongated dog breed of the hound family. The breed's name is German and literally means "badger dog," from (der) Dachs, badger, and (der) Hund, dog. While classified as a hound in English speaking countries, some consider the classification to be in error, speculating that it arose from the fact that the German word hund is similar to the English word hound.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small, principally white-bodied, smooth or rough-coated terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. The name "Jack Russell" has been used over the years to describe a wide array of small white terriers. As the Jack Russell is primarily a working terrier, their most important physical characteristic is their chest size, which must not be so large that it prevents the dog from entering and working in burrows.

With that said, Bunni has proved to be true to her form….a hunter. She does her best to keep the backyard rodent free, that would be squirrel and chipmunks. Alan informed her early on in her residence here that the Chipmunks were indeed mini Badger’s and she has kept up her part of the rent by disposing of two of them and one Squirrel. I’m very surprised that she won with the Squirrel since it was almost as big as she is. Now when we let her out, we at least give the rodents a chance to scurry away before unleashing our mighty hunter.

The first weekend we had her, Alan and I had a wedding to attend so we put her in the bathroom, shut the door, set the Security Alarm and hurried on our way. The young woman that gave her to us had assured us that Bunni would be fine in the bathroom…no worries. Well, I had turned my cell phone off before arriving at the church and when we got back into the car to head to the reception, we had two voice mails……the Alarm Security company and my Mother….who they call when they can’t reach us, even though she doesn’t drive and wouldn’t come down to check things out anyway.

So we altered our route, drove to the house, all the time wondering what in the world could have happened to set the alarm off, of course we just knew there was no way that Bunni could have gotten out, although she is very smart…she could learn to open the door knob??? When we arrived home, we found a whole in the bathroom door, just at the bottom corner, big enough for one Bunni sized dog to crawl through, wood shavings and such from the Luan door all over the carpet in the hallway and Bunni crouching out of the guest bedroom wondering what in the heck all the too do was about. Well, needless to say, when we aren’t home…..Bunni is in her Crate.

She’s a great dog. We really weren’t looking to have a dog, especially an inside dog, but we fell in love with her and the rest as they say, is history. I really don’t know what we did for so long without her. We did have an outside dog for a little over 12 years who we had to put to sleep about 6 years ago, so it wouldn’t be fitting to write a piece about a dog without mentioning Cally. She was a cross between Cocker Spaniel and Whippet (Mini Greyhound). We seem to like the mini dogs, could be because we aren’t mini people. I’m not sure about that one, but Cally was and always will be our McGribble. Just a nick name Alan had for her.

Moving on. Bunni, as I said is a great dog. She loves to play with one of her many toys, and she is spoiled, so she has many. She loves to go for a ride even if it’s just to the Hardware Store or to Mama’s, yes, Mama’s. For those of you who know my Mother, you know that she hates dogs. I guess she figures that where I go, Bunni goes. I do believe she looks forward to Bunni’s visits though. I have been going to Mom’s at least once a week now for the last two months or so and cooking dinner. Hey, we all have to eat and it gives Mom a good home cooked meal & someone to eat it with to boot. This past Friday night, the menu consisted of Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, English Peas, sliced Butter Carrots, frozen biscuits and Mama’s famous homemade Apple Butter. Yum, comfort food as Paula Deen would say.

During dinner, I usually slip Bunni an item or two off my plate, veggies mostly, not that she is a Vegetarian Dog, but the guy at the Kennel where Bunni is staying next month while we go to the beach said it was OK to feed her as many types of Vegetables as she would eat. I figured carrots would help her spy the Mini Badger’s with a keener eye since Carrots are supposed to be good for the eyes.

During dinner, Bunni had slipped over to the couch where Stef was eating her dinner and proceeded to bounce back in forth between begging from Stef and begging from Mom. To my surprise, Mom took a carrot off of her plate, put it on her napkin and fed it to Bunni. Pick yourself up now. Yes, it was the shear magic of a little brown dog named Bunni that had won the affections of a little old gray haired lady that didn’t like dogs at all. Could it be that Mom secretly likes Bunni. I know Mom looks forward to the visit each week, especially the cooking part, but I think Bunni runs a close second as far as Mom is concerned, I certainly have taken the back seat at this point.

So, this little brown bundle of joy who came into our lives just a few short months ago has managed to capture our love and affection, harness it all to herself and even managed to give a little of it back to a little old gray haired lady that will deny that she even gives Bunni the time of day….if you ask. She is quite a character and I’m glad she has come into our lives to bring change. It has certainly given me a new perspective on what is important and what is not…after all, dog spelled backwards is God!

In closing, I’ll leave you with the words to the last stanza of a very old song I found in one of Alan’s Grandmother’s old piano books: Because God made thee mine, I’ll cherish thee, Through light and darkness, through all time to be, And pray His love will make our love divine, Because God made thee mine. I’m not sure if it was Granny Margaret’s presence in the room when I sang these words to Bunni, but that dog knew I was singing to her and chimed in as only she can. God , thanks for bringing us Bunni.

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound……we all know the words to this old Christian hymn. It is popular with most believers because it seems to sum up in a few verses what we all seek as followers of a power much higher than we can explain in mere words….divine grace. The original hymn was written in 1772, by an Englishman named John Newton, but the last stanza wasn’t added until years later. It was actually included in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book; Uncle Tom’s Cabin and was written by a man named John P. Rees.

I’ve always loved this old hymn, especially the last stanza:

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.

It has been sung by all kinds of people from every walk of life, from Judy Collins to Leann Rimes. One of my favorite versions of it isn’t sung, but rather played….on the bagpipes. I used to work with a guy at AT&T who had been in a Gospel Group for a while. They had recorded a whole album of Christian hymns and the like which included their rendition of Amazing Grace. I purchased their album and used to listen to it all the time. I still have it lying around somewhere; perhaps I’ll dig it out and listen again…never hurts to be reminded of God’s abiding love and Amazing Grace.

I attended a funeral today of a man I never really knew, but it became apparent to me as my friend Donna and I pulled into the parking lot, that a lot of people obviously did. The cars were parked sometimes two deep and the funeral director of traffic motioned for me to go around to the front of the funeral home, which had no available parking either. We ended up parking next to a curb in between two small parking areas. My first thought was there was a funeral and a viewing going on at the same time. Not so.

How was it that this man, that I barely knew could be loved and known by so many. (Just to set the record straight, he was the husband of my “Red Hat” girlfriend Sheila’s sister, Laura) Jimmy was only 52 years old. A young man with so much life ahead of him, except that it was his time. I’ve heard that term so many times during my life…..his or her time. What does that really mean? I guess based on your belief, it could mean most anything, but to me, it just means that your time here on Earth is done. I have always believed that we are only here for a short time and that God has pre-determined that amount of time, even before we were born.

What I learned about Jimmy today was that he was an extraordinary man to the ones that knew him. He was a husband, father, son, son-n-law, brother-n-law, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. He liked to golf and watch Nascar Racing, was an avid Bulldog fan and could always be seen with a Skoal can in his back pocket. One of the great pleasures in his life in his younger years was his love for sports, especially softball. He loved his family and always taught his two girls to be strong and passionate about themselves and their goals.

He had touched many lives during his short walk here on Earth. It seems that he was loved by all who knew him. He will be missed by his friends and family, but above all; what matters most, is that Jimmy had “Amazing Grace”….

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

In Memory of James “Jimmy” Roan

November 16, 1955 / February 14, 2008

Reflections of 2007

Reflections of 2007

As I sit here and think about what 2008 is going to bring into our lives; mine, Alan & Stefanie’s, I just had to take a few minutes to reflect on all of the changes that have made an impact on my life and that of my family – both immediate & extended – in 2007.

One of the most joyous things that happened for me personally was the fact that God allowed me to experience all of these changes all year long by giving me breath each morning, for which I am eternally grateful. While I am on the subject of being thankful, I would like to thank Him also for all of the people that come into my life, each and every day, whether they are family or friends, and it is one of my hopes in 2008 that He will bring us all closer together.

One of the first things I got to experience in ’07 was finding some of our family that have been separated from us, for whatever reason, through this wonderful thing we call “Myspace”. Eric, Tracy, Nikkie & Ashton & last but not least, Alyson (on the Sewell side of my life). While I have only gotten to talk to Eric & Tracy through email, I am very thankful that we have been able to talk to one another. It is my hope and prayer that one day, I’ll be able to have a face to face meeting with them. I love them very much and I want both of them to know how I feel about them. I would like to know them better and one day, I know that God will allow that to happen. Separated from us, but never forgotten.

My next encounter with “on-line” searching brought me Nikkie. She is my brother Bobby’s daughter whom we lost contact with upon his death in March of 1979. Who would ever have imagined that she would keep her name - Nakeesha Starr Stroud - a one of a kind name for a one of a kind person. We got to meet her in June along with her son, my Great-nephew Ashton. God is so awesome. Not only did he bring Nikkie back to us, He brought her two fold. It is my hope and prayer that we will get to know more of Nikkie & Ashton. I want her to know that she is valued to us, not just because she was Bobby’s daughter, but because she is family - a Granddaughter, Niece, Cousin. She was separated from us, but never forgotten.

The next encounter with this “on-line” experience has brought to us, the Sewell’s, Alyson Brianne Kilthau (always a Sewell to us). A meeting that has taken place, so far, with her Father, Greig, and hopefully with the rest of us in the near future - a meeting that I knew God would allow to happen when the timing was right. I guess it’s true when they say, good things come to those who wait. We want Alyson to know that she is loved and has always been in our hearts. It is our hope with Alyson that we can pick up on the bond that held her & Stefanie so close so many years ago only to be broken by the pains of divorce. Separated from us, but never forgotten.

Another thing I got to experience was helping my Niece Emily deal with some issues that she has carried with her for a long time. It was truly amazing to be a part of God working through her to help her overcome things that had been haunting her for a long time. It was wonderful to be a part of her Baptism and watching her grow in the Lord. Thank you Emily for sharing that with me.

Next, I’d like to say how thankful I am to the 4 new “S”’s in our lives: Sarah, Sandy & Scott and Samantha. I’ve been fortunate to meet all of you but Sarah and I hope that 2008 will bring the opportunity for those of us who haven’t meet you to do so. You’ve been a pleasure to talk to “on-line” and I know that it will be great to meet you face to face. I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again, welcome to our family.

It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t mention the newest, small additions to our family. Charley Kay Tucker, born July 17th, Owen James Parson, born September 19th, & Brayden Edward Stroud, born October 24th. All cute in their own right and as far as ranking goes, it makes them my 13th Great Niece, 14th & 15th Great Nephew’s. We’ll have to rent a hall somewhere if we ever ALL get together at the same time. Children are a gift from God - we are truly blessed.

I can’t let 2007 go by without mentioning my girls - my “Redhat Girls” as those of you who are near and dear to me know them as. For those that don’t know who or what they are, they are only my four best girlfriends in the world. We all worked together at AT&T and share a very close friendship. We try to meet at least once a month, every month, and we take one long weekend trip to the beach together, once a year. I wouldn’t trade the friendship that I share with each of them for anything. They help keep me sane in a somewhat crazy world and I love them all. I’m very thankful to have Cookie, Donna, Patti & Sheila in my life.

2007 brought many chances for me to spend time with my second best friend in the whole wide world, my Mother. She is one of the grandest things in my life and I wouldn’t trade a moment of my time with her for anything. March brought the success of her colostomy being reversed and a complete recovery for her. She spent her summer as usual, gardening, canning and taking care of her ½ acre lot, she actually only cuts the back yard anymore, but it keeps her busy. Alan or some of the Grandkids cut the front since it is too steep for her and a mower. November 26th brought her to a significant milestone in her life - 80 years old. She was sick on her birthday and had to ride in an ambulance to the ER to find out she had a UTI (urinary tract infection). We had a surprise birthday party for her on December 1st. I picked her up in the biggest white stretch limo we could find - could you imagine - being 80 years old and having your first birthday party, first ambulance ride and first limo ride all in the same week. I love my Poochski with all that I have. I’m going to miss her one day - a long time from now I hope and pray.

In winding down, my attitude of gratitude brings me to Stefanie - my first and last born, one of the loves of my life - my 24 year old young adult of whom I am very proud. She is one of the reasons I get up in the mornings, not that I have to do anything for her - it just gives me great pleasure to know that she is an extension of who I am and that God choose through all of His children and gave her to me. How awesome a responsibility to raise a person from infancy to adulthood and only have your hopes and prayers that they will turn out to be someone of honesty, integrity and above all loving. It’s still not easy being the parent of a full grown woman…it still has it’s ups and downs, but all in all - I wouldn’t trade a moment or a memory of Stefanie for anything or anyone. Thank you Stefanie for who you are. We love you very much and as we have told you many times before - we will always be here for you. It is our hope and prayer that 2008 will be your year. Make it work for you.

Last, but certainly not least, Alan. My Bestest Friend in the Whole Wide World. Fate brought us together - our love keeps us together. He knows everything, and I do mean everything, about me and loves me anyway. What a lucky person I am to have found the person that was created just for me on the first try. So many people spend their whole lives searching for what I have had for almost 27 wonderful years. He’s everything to me. “He’s my falling star, my line in the sand when I go too far, my swimming pool on an August day, he’s my every minute of every day.” He is “THE” reason that I get up in the morning. I could never imagine going through my life without him. Alan - I love you farther than my arms can reach.

So as for 2007, those are my most memorable moments. We’ve had a lot of garbage to deal with too, but I have been trying for a long time now to not let the “garbage trucks” of my life dump their trash at my door. I have always been a person of truth and integrity and I have realized that life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. I am going to love the people who treat me right and forget about the ones who don’t. I believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy but then, nothing worth having ever is.