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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Where Have I Been?

I really have to apologize. I have been out of touch and so behind on everything. I am finally starting to get out from under it all, but still need another day or two until I can say that I am caught up.

For those of you who have been trying to reach me, I apologize that I have been unavailable. For those of you that have been waiting for things promised, I'm running to get my promises fulfilled. For those of you that think that I am a bit flaky, July has been a month when I definitely deserve the title.

Updates: My back is still a bit bad. Have to watch how I move, but I can sit up for more than an hour or so at this point and can manage the whole thing with Motrin (a lot of Motrin, but still with Motrin.) As far as our dog Megan is concerned, she passed on Saturday. She continued to have seizures, could no longer see, could no longer find her way back inside after being in the back yard, and was so anxious that she could not find rest. Our fabulous vet helped us give her rest. We gave ourselves the day on Saturday to cry. I am still tearing up as I am writing this, but I will never forget how, in the vet's office lying on the table, she looked up and licked my face as if to thank me.

Back from the kleenex run to the other room now.

Anyway, I have some help coming over today to help me get caught up on my listings. I have some one-of-a-kind books and papers that I am going to try to list. Things that I have picked up here and there that I think you will all appreciate. Vintage sewing patterns, cooking pamphlets from the 50's, children's books with fabulous illustrations, etc. etc. etc. My buddy Jake is gonna come scan for me so that I can do my listings.

In the mean time, mention that you are a blog follower and get 10% off your total order at www.itsalwaysfabulous.etsy.com . Consider it my way of apologizing for being so lost and far away the past few weeks. Just comment that you are a blog follower in the order comments and I will refund 10% of everything you order (does not apply to shipping charges. Offer ends Sunday July 18.

See the new Graphic45 Alice in Wonderland/Halloween paper I have listed. I listed the 8x8 paper pads, but if you want the 12x12, I also have that, just let me know if you don't see either listed.

Thanks to all of you who sent your wishes to us for Megan and to me for my back. You guys are the best.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

My Dog is Old, My Back is Spasming - An Ode to My Life

So first of all, thanks to all who stopped by the big 3000 Sale. So glad that so many of you were able to take advantage of those great prices.

Secondly, in a fit of cleaning late last week (proving once again that no good comes from a clean house) I did something to my back. Was mildly uncomfortable (read here high pain threshold) until yesterday....which brings me to the rest of my title.

My mixed breed Megan has been with me since 1995 when I got her from a shelter. When I got her, they said she was two. I've done the math and that makes Megan 17 this year, old for most dogs but unusual for 45 lb. dogs. So last year she had some kind of a stroke and we did xrays and blood tests and came up with nothing but we've had another great year with her since then. Her days have grown shorter as she sleeps more and more but is still around at breakfast looking for love and bites of bagels. So yesterday, in front of my tween niece and nephew who are visiting for a few days, Megan has a full blown seizure. I don't think there is anything as helpless as watching a dog who has given you nothing but love (and a house full of dog hair) go through something that you are unable to help them with. It was the first of 5 throughout the evening. After the second we went to the vet who drew blood and told me to call back today.

This all ties together because in order to get the dog to the vet she had to be....that's right....lifted in and out of the car, up and down from the table at the vet, in and out of the car to go home and up the stairs at home. 45 lb dog at awkward angles with an already marginal back. Not so much the lifting with the back.

Hard to predict, today, where the greatest pain will be..... in my back or in my breaking heart as I watch my baby go.

But enough about me....

I hope that you are all enjoying the summer heat. So hot and humid here there is little else to do but sit inside and be artsy with paper (any excuse for a play day.)

I will be shipping today I hope (back has been preventing me from the stretching and bending that my shipping and receiving efforts require) but I will be listing the latest collection from Melissa Francis - retro kitchen and very very cute. You can see the whole collection here http://www.melissafrances.com/products.php?cat=16&item=0

That's all for now. Going to go lift Megan on to the couch so that I can rub her belly. Falls under the heading of the least I can do for such a good friend....