Help??? Dog Dilemma

Last Saturday night my very good friend Cindy and I were talking on the phone. She sounded very sleepy, words slurred. She told me she had taken a sleeping pill cause she was very tired. She told me she had been drooling all day out of the left side of her mouth. I should have told her to call 911 that very minute but I didn't even though I was very concerned. I just attributed her symptoms to being so very tired.

On Sunday I called her at work. She works the info desk at the Winter Haven Hospital. The lady who answered told me Cindy was in the ER. I said no, she works the desk. She said no, she is in the ER. After 4 phone calls, I found out they were taking her to a room. When I finally talked with her, she said she had had a mini stroke. When she got to work Sunday at 11am, no one could make sense out of what she was saying, all garbled and gobbledy gook. She told them she was going to go home, they made her go to the ER. Thank God!! She had another stroke sometime during Monday night. This was all caused by the fact she has diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. She had been a ticking timebomb the neurologist told her after CAT scans and MRIs.

Meagan and I went to see her today. 2 weeks ago Cindy and I were at our GTE reunion luncheon. We were laughing and having such a good time. Today was a whole different story. Her stroke was on the right side of her brain so it has affected her whole left side. She is in the rehab unit now getting therapy several times a day. The doctor told her he thought she would be back 100% but it will take time. She wants it to happen now and I reminded her it will take time. She has suffered major trauma to her brain and body. When she is discharged from the hospital she will go her sister's to stay for the time being. I really don't know if she will be able to go home to live by herself. She told me she wants me to take care of her when she gets to her house.

This is the dilemma. She has 5 little dogs at home. Her family is helping take care of them now. She has 2 Schnauzers, a Chinese Crested powder puff, a Pug and her son, a Schnug. She told me today she will have to give up her dogs. She will be at her sister's for some time, the sister has 4 dogs of her own. Today she asked me if I wouid take Gidget the Pug. I had to hold back the tears and she had tears in her eyes, too. Cindy loves her dogs so very much and she hates being away from them. Her Gidget is a jealous little pug and so is my Fuji the pug. Both are bossy. Will they all get along??

I told Meagan tonight we would take Gidget on a temporary basis till Cindy can take care of her once again. As for the other dogs, her niece has Lucy the powder puff, her brother may take one of the schnauzers but that still leaves 2. I hate to see them split apart, they have been together for years ! I have 6 of my own, I need to find someone to take the others. Libby where are you when I need you!!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Hooray, it is Friday and that means a 3 day weekend for most everyone. The Today show today just made the statement it's the official start of summer. Newsflash!!! If you are in Florida, it started about 7 weeks ago. Actually I believe summer starts June 21 or in that vicinity. I think she meant to say it is the kickoff for the summer season.

This is our 11th day of rain in a row! I got a new neighbor the other day. The house has a very large workshop that goes with it. He has been hauling in loads of wood from the local lumberyard. And lots of animals, two by two. He has a wonderful wife who loves animals and 2 helpful sons. I hear lots of hammering and sawing going on all hours of the day and night. I noticed a dove circling, looks like she has an olive branch in her mouth. I went over the other day and introduced myself and so did he. His name is Noah and he is building an ark! That is just how much rain we have had. It's wonderful and eveything is so green. The Aquifer that runs under Florida should be close to being replenished I would think. We really need the rain, the lakes are so low and the lawns were so brown and crunchy. We have definitely gotten our money's worth! Thank you God for this rain!

Have a great weekend and remember to honor those who gaves their lives for us and our country in all the wars over the many decades on Monday, Memorial Day.

P.S.
I do have 3 sets of new neighbors but none named Noah that I am aware of!

Happy Mother's Day

I just wanted to wish all of you out there in blogland all over the world a Happy Mother's Day. I don't know all of you personally but in my heart I really feel that I do! Each of you mean a great deal to me. It's nice to know I have so many wonderful friends that care about me and vice versa, no matter what is going on in our lives, from the serious to the mundane to the hilarious. Have a wonderful and very blessed day! Enjoy yourselves!!

To all you wonderful women

By the time the Lord made woman, He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said, 'Why are you spending so much time on this one?'
And the Lord answered, 'Have you seen my spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart -and she will do everything with only two hands.'
The angel was astounded at the requirements. 'Only two hands!? No way! And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish.'
'But I won't , ' the Lord protested. 'I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days.'
The angel moved closer and touched the woman. 'But you have made her so soft, Lord.'
'She is soft,' the Lord agreed, 'but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.'
'Will she be able to think?', asked the angel.
The Lord replied, 'Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate.' The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek. 'Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.' 'That's not a leak,' the Lord corrected, 'that's a tear!' 'What's the tear for?' the angel asked.
The Lord said, 'The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride.'
The angel was impressed. 'You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing.' And she is! Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice. They don't take 'no' for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideals. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE TINY FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

If you like pineapple, try this!!!

If you like pineapple you might want to try this cake recipe. I have been wanting to share this for awhile just kept forgetting about it. I've made this cake several times for get togethers and they just about lick the pan clean, they manage to get every last bit of icing. Hope you try it sometime! I just might make one this weekend. The kitchen smells so good while this is baking in the oven. Just be sure the cake is thoroughly COOLED or the icing will melt. Be sure you don't drain the pineapple. I shared the recipe with Sharon at the Queen's blog for her luau themed birthday party this past weekend. Haven't heard if she made the cake or not. So easy! Enjoy!! Wishing everyone a fun filled weekend!!

PINEAPPLE DREAM CAKE
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1⁄2 cup oil
• 3 eggs
• 2 20-ounce cans crushed pineapple — undrained
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip
• 2 small packages of instant vanilla pudding mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly grease a 9x13 cake pan. Set aside.
Mix cake mix, oil, eggs, water and one can of crushed pineapple in a large bowl until all the ingredients are blended.
Pour batter into the cake pan and bake for 40 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.
Let cake cool in pan completely.
When the cake is cool, make the frosting.
With an electric mixer on low speed, beat Cool Whip, pudding mix and the other can of crushed pineapple.
Beat for about 3 minutes, making sure the pudding mixture has been fully disolved.
Spoon the topping on the cake in a thick layer.
Chill in the refrigerator before serving, or serve immediately.