Break In

Another stroke of bad luck - our little farmhouse was broken into during the day today while my husband and I were at work. We came in this evening and the thief or thieves had thrown a t-post through the back door double pane glass and came in. They ransacked the house and made a mess - didn't break anything - guess I should be thankful for that. They took our new flat panel TV, my brandnew $1200 laptop, AND, get this - my antique dishes that were my mother's and my grandmother's. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT! I have cried a river of tears over my dishes. The other things can be replaced easily, but the sentiment I feel about losing my dishes is overwhelming. They took a cordless drill, some walkie talkies, and several little antique occasional dishes, candy dishes, handpainted plates. They also took an old vintage green leather covered jewelry box full of vintage jewelry - mostly costume, but still it had some little 14k gold earrings with garnets and other semi-precious stones, some silver and opals and lots of 60's style jewelry. This person knew about antiques I guess. Wierdest thing I ever heard of. Even the sheriff's deputy said it was wierd. I'm wondering if it was a woman or women. I'm going to check around at some of the antique places etc., and see if any of my dishes turn up. The sheriff's dept. said they check regularly with the pawn shops for the electronics, etc.

My husband and I had talked about installing a security system in the house as late as last week, and I was all set to call and get estimates next week. You can bet your bippy I will be doing that. Is this what I'm going to be dealing with out here in the country? Do I feel so violated right now because this has never happened to me or us in my lifetime? Have I been that sheltered? Has this happened to any of you? I'm ANGRY, I'm frustrated, I'm hurt, and even a little scared. I should be glad that we were not home, or that this wasn't a violent crime. I should be glad that they didn't tear up the whole house or take any more than they did. Of course, with the exception of a few items, most everything is second hand. I imagine now that I will take anything of value back to my home and not leave it there. What I worry about now, is that they've cased our farmhouse and KNOW what we have and might be back!

But THAT was what my farmhouse was all about! Having all my OLD stuff there and all the remnants of long ago around me, my memories of my grandmothers & great grandmother, my mom, the quilts, the dishes, the pictures, the old furniture, all that goes with that. I'm so upset - my husband and I have had this dream, this vision, of what we're going to do with our farm, how we're going to live there, have horses and cows, have a big garden, maybe build a bigger more permanent home and keep the cottage for a guest house or an art studio, have a neat place for the grandkids to come and play and ride horses, etc. We have worked our tails off on this house for the last YEAR, and Tonight I just feel like someone popped our balloon, burst our bubble. I feel violated that someone came into my house and went through all my stuff, even emptied my dresser where my clothes are, and my closets, and my personal items.

My husband is my rock. He reminded me about "storing up treasures on earth where thieves break in and steal". I could care less about the TV and computer treasures - I just want my treasured dishes back. He said tomorrow will look brighter, and we may can still have our dream. We'll just have to think about it a little more. But you know, crime is all around us I guess. ANd I suppose that anytime you live out in the country, you are susceptible to things like this. Doesn't make me feel any better tho... My daughter's scared to stay home alone now. Guess we'll be beefing up security at our house, too. We've gotten too comfortable. Nothing's ever happened in our neighborhood in the 20 years we've been there. Our HOME home is close to the country but in a cul de sac and there was never any thru traffic. We could turn the kids loose and they would come home at lunch time and supper time.

What a week. It's definitely been one big pity party for me. And I'm not through grieving over my dishes and my feeling of loss yet. Maybe tomorrow will be better. I hope so.

LEND ME A PUPPY...

Lend Me A Puppy

I will lend you for a while

a puppy, God said.

For you to love while she lives,

and mourn when she is dead

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,

or maybe two or three.

But will you, till I call her back,

take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charm to gladden you

and should her stay be brief,

you'll always have her memories

as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,

since all from earth return,

but there are lessons taught below

this puppy is to learn.

I've looked the whole world over

in search of teachers true,

and from all the folks on earth

I have chosen you.

Now will you give her all your love,

not think the labor vain?

Nor hate me when I come to take

my puppy home again?

And my heart replied,

"My Lord, that will be done."

For all the joys this puppy brings,

The risk of grief I'll run.

We'll shelter her with tenderness,

We'll love her while we may,

And for the happiness we've known,

Forever grateful stay.

But should you call her back

Much sooner than we planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,

And try to understand.

If by our love we've managed

Your wishes to achieve,

In memory of her sweet love,

Please help us while we grieve

When our cherished puppy departs

this world of stress and strife,

please send yet another needing soul

to love for all her life

A fellow Pomeranian friend sent me this little poem when my Cookie died. We are in mourning again. Our little Bella fell ill this weekend and couldn't seem to get better. We had a really rough nite with her last night which I can't bear to talk about right now. We had to take her to the emergency vet and the decision was made that it would be better to put her down and not let her suffer anymore. My daughter and I are heartbroken, and it of course, brings back fresh memories of Cookie, too. We didn't have Bella very long, but we were deeply in love with her. She will be sorely missed.

My very first award! Thanks Sandy from the Quill! Sandy has been very kind to me since I've landed in blogland. I've enjoyed reading her blog immensely - she's so talented in writing and I'm glad she's taken the step of faith to reach for the stars in getting her work published. She has a God-given talent that she should use for encouraging others.

I'm supposed to give this award to 10 other people and tell something that inspires me about them and then they can pass it forward, but I hope you will forgive me. I am new to blogging and I don't feel like I know 10 people that well yet - But I would like to send this award on to 5 ladies whose blogs that I really enjoy and they are as follows:

1. Tina at Stitching in Texas -She was one of my first bloggie friends and is a great compadre and partner in crime to cruise Canton TX fleamarket! We have also have in common 2 sons in the entertainment business and can share in those concerns together!

2. Judy at My Front Porch - She is kind and caring and I love to look at her beautiful blog, as she relates her daily life, family & goings on through gorgeous photos of her lovely countryside and farm.

3. Tamy at 3 Sides of Crazy - I always love reading her blog - love the recipes and the Thursday Thirteen - it's never boring and always something different. I always get a chuckle and sometimes even expand my vocabulary!

4. Jamie at Simply Me Art - Her blog is just beautiful - amazing eye candy - I love looking at her creations. It's a neat place to visit!

5. Wanda at Snapdragon Antiques - I'm a big garage sale, junk sale, estate sale, yard sale, flea market fan, and I love how Wanda shows all the neat stuff she gets every week! I wish I could tag along with her on her jaunts around town. I'm rooting for her new antique store - wish I could visit in person.

Ok, perhaps when I get to know more of you better I'll add the other 5. You may have already received this award but you are going to receive it again from me because your blogs are regular places that I visit and I love to see what you all are up to. Thanks to all of you out there who check up on me! And thank you again Sandy for thinking of me with this award!

"There isn't enough darkness in the world to snuff out the light of one little candle" Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, founder of Buddhism, 563-483 BC

This little candle has traveled far, so let's see how much further it can travel...

Connie at Magnolia Street Style passed this little candle on to me. I have been amazed and touched by so many of you as I am new to blogging. I didn't know how this could go, and when it began for me I decided that it would be more of a diary or journal to myself of my thoughts. I guess that way, even if not many people read my blog I wouldn't be disappointed. But I have been touched in so many ways by so many of you - not just your comments to me, but by your lives, by your faith, by your love for your families and others, for your friendships in the blogging world. They are real, they are sincere, and I have witnessed by reading and following many blogs, that there is real concern here. I think it's a great outlet for women to share and speak their minds, for them to shine, to be appreciated and to appreciate, to encourage one another. I anxiously look forward to each time that I can get online and see what you all are up to and see what I can learn each day - about your talents, about your families, about your concerns and cares. Thank you all so much for being there. What a great support system this bloggie thing is!

I would like to pass this little candle on to Margo at Robolady blog because she is my first bloggie friend and got me hooked on this (like I didn't have enough to do already - but I'm not going to give this up!) She is so clever at constructing treasures from trash and I admire her talent so much. She is kind and encouraging to me and always is ready share her ideas, her home and her friendship! - thanks Margo!

The second person I'd like to pass this candle on to is Vee at A Haven for Vee. I always find inspiration on her blog as she has deep thoughts on all kinds of subjects. She also can always see the silver lining in the storms of life and her faith is strong. It strengthens me so. We also have great taste in names for our sons! I feel a kindred spirit there and I look forward to reading her blog every day.

There you have it - You ALL inspire me one way or another and light the way for others around you. Thanks to all of you for your "light".

New Laptop

Yea! I finally got me a new laptop. Everyone in my family had one except me. Bear with me - I'm setting it up and collecting my photos from the others' computers, my camera, etc. I'll be back soon....