vacation time... but no vacation!

Jeff and I both have been off work since Christmas Eve and will be off through the fifth of January. We have had a few days of r&r, but the all the rest have been hard work. We are finally re-doing all of the base and case in the upstairs of our home. We're replacing the doors and Jason is welding our custom railing! Jeff's dad is so graciously letting us borrow all of the saws and power tools. It's alot of work but will be so worth it when it's done. We are planning on selling the home in the spring and buying a new one in Herriman or South Jordan. I can't wait!!! It'll be a little sad to let this one go after all of our hard work and custom designs, but the next people to live here will have a very nice home! :)

FORGOTTEN DOG'S CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas
when all thru the house

Not a creature was stirring
not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nick soon would be there.

The children all nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their head.

And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap
Knew the dog was cold, but didn't care about that.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But Santa Clause with eyes full of tears.

He unchained the dog once so lively and quick
Last year's Christmas present now painfully sick.

More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name
and the dog ran to him despite all his pain.

Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen
On Comet on Cupid on Donner and Blitzen.

To the top of the porch to the top of the wall
Let's find this dog a home where he will be loved by all.

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa had made one thing quite clear.

The gift of a dog is not just for the season
We had gotten the dog for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing we missed

A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain.

And I heard him explain as he rode out of site,
"You weren't given a gift, you were given a life."

It is sooo true. Please, everyone, remember the little life you get is a lifetime commitment; not just cute for the moment. Please adopt, do not encourage breeders. There are so many that will be lonely this Christmas. Check the pounds, the humane society, look at all those loving eyes and faces. Open your hearts to the ones that really need a home and let's stop making it easy for backyard breeders to make a buck.

Microscopic Art!

Needle Sized Art Very incredible story! Not only is this mans art cool but he got a ton of cash for it!

The Social Security Office Experience

After a year and a couple of months, I finally got around to officially changing my last name to Lane. I had done it right after we got married on my driver's license, just not my SS card. I now realize why I had been avoiding this annoying process, let me share...

Yesterday afternoon I left work early and headed to the SS office in Murray. I had my name change form all filled out along with my passport and marriage license. I was all set, naively thinking I would be in and out because I was so prepared. Ha! I was completely wrong. As I arrived, I found a parking spot right away and it was a pretty good one! Again, a misleading sign as to what was to come. I grabbed all of my documentation and confidently walked into the office. The first thing I noticed was how nasty and germ ridden the door handle was. It's just a pet peeve of mine, I hate touching door handles and gas pumps. This door handle was the worst I had ever seen, it was GROSS! As I walked in, I saw way more people than there were cars for, where did they all come from?? I stood in a small line and got a number, it was A196.

I looked around the room to see if there were any empty chairs. I have to give you a little background first... rewind to earlier this week. I tried a new aerobics class on Monday afternoon and could barely walk the next day, no joke, my legs wouldn't even stand me up out of my bed, they wouldn't straighten!!! That being said, I was also wearing the tallest pair of heels I own. So.. Just my luck, there was one chair left in the middle of one of the rows. I quickly claimed it and sat down.

The first number to be called after I had sat down was A175. Augh! That's 21 people in front of me and each person took at least 5 minutes! After about 1 minute of sitting, I noticed an overwhelming smell of filth and pee?? I thought maybe it was the chair I was sitting in, maybe somebody had an accident? ewww! Then I quickly realized it was the two men, I would say somewhere in their sixties or so, sitting next to me on the right. I was overwhelmed by the stench and tried to turn my head to the left, hoping for fresh air. Nope, still breathing it in, I couldn't help it and I gagged! That was it, I couldn't stay there any longer. I didn't want to hurt any feelings and be obvious that their hygiene was non-existent. I kinda felt bad, maybe they didn't have any money for water or could only afford it every now and then? I don't know?? I nonchalantly stood up, legs aching, and walked the the back of the room and pretended to read some boring form on applying for a social security number or something.

While standing and waiting, I started to notice all of the other people in the room and really noticed how different we all are. How vast the habits and standards from one person to the next. I made sure to give a little smile to everybody who looked at me, not one person smiled back! Not one, not even the little kids. Finally after about 45 minutes of waiting my number was called and I was able to complete my mission. This experience has made me a little more appreciative of who I've grown to be, and how fortunate I am. I have a great mother, an amazing husband, wonderful in-laws, darn good pets, and a really great job, with really great people. I am so thankful for the life I live and the good fortune I've been blessed with and worked hard for.

Chapter 2 - Rocky Lane

Rocky turned 8 this year. He has experienced a wide variety of events in his life, most happy and fun, some scary and unsure. Rocky was one of 9 puppies birthed by Lacey Lane, a beautiful golden retriever who passed earlier this year due to cancer. She was 11. Lacey Lane belongs to Jared and Lindsay Lane who love her dearly. 8 years ago, on a camping trip Lacey hooked up with a Yellow Labrador Retriever and conceived our best buddy, Rocky. Jeff got to watch him be born and then fostered the 8 puppies (1 died) until they were all given away. Jeff would go home on his lunch break to take care of the puppies and picked Rocky because he was the most laid back out of them all. He says when he would get there, all of the other puppies and Lacey would rush to the front of the kennel and whimper and whine with excitement. Rocky, however, would stay at the back of the kennel and wait for things to calm down. Jeff knew that was the pup for him and sharpied his name on the inside of his ear! I met Rocky 3 years ago, we went on our first camping trip together to Flaming Gorge. I knew he was special the first time I met him. There was just something about him. Rocky is my favorite dog, I love him so much, I am VERY grateful for such a wonderful dog who teaches us how to be kinder every day. He has so much love to give, and he'll give it to anyone who wants it. He is great at loving everybody, no matter their faults or their annoying habits. Rocky once saved me from falling into a campfire, I had tripped on a rock and was going face down into the fire, when all of the sudden, he darted the opposite way, which pulled me away from the fire. His leash was around my wrist. I know he knew what he was doing. He is Jeff and I's best friend! Earlier this year, as some of you readers know, he was paralyzed. Click here for the story http://jeffandelise.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html You'll have to scroll down through the postings, unless you already know the story. He is about 98% recovered. He runs and plays just like he used to. He still has a tiny limp in his right rear leg, but that is small potatoes compared to being paralyzed. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting this sweet angel, I hope you get to sometime. Rocky has changed my life for the better and I strive to be as kind and loving as he is!