Austin surely rules.

In the two weeks we have had Austin in our lives, he has truly taken us to heart. From the five pound pup we brought home to now 12 pounds, he seems to grow in our hearts as the Grinch's heart grew in the movie.

The best and most blessed thing is that he's not only the little spirit that brought life back into my heart but also John's. I find him as attentive and loving to Austin as I am.

I came down with a dreaded cold, mostly due to working in retail. This means that John is truly the get up and take him out detail. He hasn't complained or given that dreaded big sigh that comes with....way too much work this Austin. So as I sniff my way to bed after work, he and Austin seem to go on with the daily work of training Austin to be the best dog ever.

I know now that I can release Timber's spirit and remember her with love, not mourning her loss. I am so loved and blessed.

This was the best event in 2010.

Carol

Austin is home.

First I must say that she is a he. Austin is a Cartahoula Leopard mix dog. We adapted him yesterday from the Greenville Humane Society.

Yesterday when John and I left for the adventure of 2010 we rode quietly. I'm sure we were both thinking that we had better be sure we were ready. I knew I was and yet I was just a little nervous. We never, ever, return a dog. The moment I put it in my arms, it was family.

Pulling up to the Humane Society was something I had felt before but only years ago; excitement. I held back the tears because I didn't know if Austin was present. As we walked the isle down to the puppy room, I worked so hard at not crying. Once we entered, this little spirit reached out to John, I wanted to view others, but every time I looked back, this little heart had stold mine.

Austin was coming home. With no more experience in his life than two and a half months old, he knew the heart strings to pull. We are once again blessed with a even tempered dog. The question is what was he mixed with and how big he is going to get. But once in love, that all seems unimportant.

What a great Christmas gift from such a great guy.

Carol

You warm my heart.

I don't think words are always needed when warm wishes are given so freely from all my friends here on the blog. Today we went to the heart doctor. His words were kind and clear. John's heart was not in trouble and his lungs were clear. This still doesn't answer the question of his breathing but the doctor is sending us to lung doctor and maybe it has more to do with allergies than anything else. We pray that will be the answer. He has been better since the humidity went down and that is also a good sign.

I thank you for the prayers and thoughts. Prayer to me is so powerful and understand that it's not always the answer you want but an answer you can deal with.

And we have gotten the answers that give us the next step. But learning his heart is strong and lungs are operating as they should for a younger man means we have learned to live and live better the last 12 years.

So in closing God is great, and those who believe are powerful.

Carol

When did it happen?

When did we look at each other and know what was lurking in each others head. What not to say, what to avoid and when to speak up? When was it that I found myself in him and him in me? When does it occur to you that you could lose the one you love?

For me, the relationship with John has slowly grown and with every breath I take he takes one with me. It's not only comfortable but loving. Is it boring? Sometimes it occurs to me that we have little to talk about, but on the other hand it's wonderful. Sitting on the porch, having ice tea and we are so comfortable with each other. We can shut the world out or we can talk about it. It's up to us at the moment.

I haven't been writing much lately because of health issues for my husband. John has had heart issues for years. And right off the bat we decided his heart had taken a down swing and we would do what was needed. That wasn't the issue. And unfortunately we still don't know. It's really hard on a strong man with vitality and than within weeks he losses some of that strength. We can't deal with something we don't know where it is in his body or what it is.

Prayer has been my outlet and I have to say, answers come from the world around you if you listen. That's what prayer gives you...an open mind. Maybe not answers but thoughts and maybe thoughts will lead to answers. John and I are now once again filled with hope that we will find the answers and move on.

God Bless those who travel through this little blog.

Carol

Valentines Day is a comming.

I think I mentioned that I decided that I miss designing the cards on the holiday. So, I decided to design for the next years sales around the holiday instead of doing Valentine cards in December for the February holiday. So here is my first 2011 Valentine card. I think it will be fun to design without pressure. However, I seem to work great under pressure. Giggle.

I hope you enjoy the card. I think it's so very different. I am trying to get away from just red hearts on white paper. What do you think, should I do more that look different or do you prefer the red, white and black look?

I need to take new pictures but wanted to share the card with you.

God bless those in Haiti and all of you.

Carol

Maybe it's bigger than the Jeep

If you read the last post you know why I am confused, why not sell it if you don't drive it? But maybe it bigger than just a jeep. See John, you know the great guy I am married to, is human as all of us. Mistakes, disappointments and just being tired of the hard work that goes with life. This story should brighten your heart. This story is the best part of life.

The jeep was delivered to may fix it up shops for welding, new seat covers, welding on the floor boards, mostly because you could see through the floor. And yet when he brought it home I just couldn't see it. From the depths of my heart I would say, looking better. Ya, right.

One thing that was not being fixed was an engine problem. After many a good mechanics looked at it, the problem was not clear. Then my nephew, Paul said he could figure it out if we weren't in a hurry. As we left it in his yard we drove off and over our shoulder waved goodbye. I new it was not going to look different but John would be happy.

Weeks later, my brother Marv called, and with a whisper said, "Don't say anything if John is there but does he want the jeep to be restored to an original look." With true trust I said nope, and the call was over.

Months later, my nephew called and announced the jeep was fixed and it sounded great, I shook my head and raised my eyes and said, sounds good but that won't help the bucket of junk called the jeep.

John was so excited for an French Indian hardly breathing man, but I could tell. Driving into Paul's driveway, John noticed the jeep was not in the yard. He wondered why, I said silly boy would you leave that piece of junk in the open. He smiled and said maybe not.

Funny thing is Marv, Paul and two other nephews, John and Leo were also there. When we came to the door of the garage, Marv and the boys lead John in. John just stood there, and then with a higher voice said, "those are my wheels. No one laughed, but Paul said that's your jeep.

John at that moment realized he was looking at a gift way beyond his dreams. They did this because, just because. It was a gift from the heart. At that moment in time he realized what family is, something special. The trip home was without words. He looked into the mirror and was in ah. And that my dear friends is maybe why the jeep cannot be sold.

I wish he would tuck me in like he does the jeep. Although I would have to sleep in the garage.