Excessive Materialism
In our struggle to rid ourselves of this skunk odor, we've realized we are much more materialistic than we knew. We came to the realization that we needed to wash all of our clothing. It took over an hour just to bag it in large garbage bags. Then we took it to a laundry mat and used nearly one whole side of washers and $40+ dollars in quarters. Who in the world needs all that clothing? You can only wear one outfit at a time, and how many does one person really need? I know half of mine don't fit, but I swear one day they will! And we were worried about our home, and our belongings being ruined by the spray of a skunk! I mean seriously, that is attachment at a really poor level of thinking. We ALMOST threw all our clothing away and thought to live more simply. But can we just live more simply because of this lesson? Will we learn to not value 'things'? There is something tremendous to be said about the eastern philosophy of non-attachment to 'things', and even emotions. There is impermanence to everything in life, even to non-material things. Our feelings come and pass, our health comes and goes and comes and goes, our relationships can come and go. The only real thing that seems to leave a mark, is love, and sustaining that for all living beings. I think Love transcends all things.
Through suffering, it's said, we learn great things, we learn compassion, understanding, forgiveness. That suffering is our greatest lesson.
I know getting 'skunked' is not a huge problem, but we have learned a great deal through the process. It's amazing how God brings things into your life to teach you lessons, just when you need them most. I hope we are able to retain these lessons. To live more simply and care about the 'right things'. We have all that we need, and so much more that we don't really need. We live well, most people do in the western nations, comparably. We have huge developments, huge homes, huge cars, and stores to sell to the all consuming consumer. We consume and we waste, we consume and we waste, like an egotistical creature who's hunger knows no limits, without care to where it came from or the resources it took or those that suffered in the process or those who lack so many of the basic needs.
Who would have thought that a skunk could bring such lessons, ha!
Love, love.....
New Mexico Bound
We are headed on a trip out west tomorrow evening. We are going to Taos, New Mexico to spend five days to vacation, see the sights and relax. Thanks goes to my Dad who owns a condo where we can stay, how sweet that is! I hope you all are off to a good week and it continues into the weekend. I've been able to see pictures of the Horse and I am so excited! We've spent countless hours 'deskunking' the house, you just wouldn't believe all we have done! I hope it never happens to you! Who would know that an excrection from a pretty looking creature could cause such havoc! Take care, love, love....
You won't believe it! My dream come true!
Tony had to share with me, because he couldn't wait any longer, that he has gotten me a Palomino Quarter horse for my 40th Bday! Isn't that the sweetest most wonderful, most thoughtful thing? I had a horse in high school and have missed having one ever since. I thought I might never have one again,,, what a sweet man I married! We won't have him for a few weeks, but I'm so excited! I so love that man! Love, love,
Ode now, to being Skunked!
Well, we've been skunked!
We left the garage door open to outside and always leave the door from the house to garage open for our cat maisy (litter box) and so Lucy went in and outside through the night unbeknowest to us, and then we woke up smelling SKUNK, so strong, like I've never smelled it, and it can't be described,, yes, she got skunked.
It took us about 15 minutes to realize it was her, we thought she was just reacting to the smell and the smelly creature was on the deck or something b/c we didn't know the garage door was open, - we even smelled her and thought it was ok b/c we smelled her back, but was all over her mouth, neck area, she got it bad in the face! So we put her outside and we thought it might be in the house, but it wasn't, but sure smelled like it.
I stayed up shampooing the carpets, bathing lucy's head and then called the vet this morning, they gave us some formula to make at home w/ peroxide, baking soda, dawn detergent and vanilla,, I've bathed her twice and there is still an odor. I've gotten olfactory fatigue, so I don't notice how bad I smell or the house until I go out and come back in again.. .everyone was staring at the store.. tony never even handled lucy and he bathed and wore clothing in a different part of the house that was so bad smelling and his asst nearly threw up and her eyes watered!!... he's banished to his office w/ the door closed today.
Lucy rolled all around on the carpet before we knew it was her. I've put down baking soda and vacuumed, after shampooing the rug, and it's still smells like skunk ass... it's funny, I admit it, but I have no idea when we can return to mainstream society or when our house won't be rancid. I'm washing our clothes now that were in the closet that was open in the bad smelly room. We may have to get a professional company to come clean the house and carpets and couches... we can claim it on home owners and all that, but they have to come inspect and approve it... so if they don't approve it, we can't get paid back for staying at a hotel, but there is no where I could send lucy w/ a clean conscious anyway! Tony has to be in court in nashville tomorrow for a work thing and I told him to get new clothing and go on to nashville and stay in a hotel and he wants to come help me, but he will just smell that much worse if he does. The office is calling him Pepe.
I went to the store for some 'frebreeze', like that will touch it, but wtf, and asked the lady (mind you, this is after I bathed in dawn/baking soda and wore clothes deep from the dresser) if I smelled like a skunk and she came over to me and said 'yes you do'.. I told her I was sorry to make her do that and what a weird question, but thanked her,,, she and her coworker gave me all the lowdown on tips, but I've done them all sans tomato juice, which the vet and (called our groomer friend too) said covers it for a bit, but doesn't really get the oil out like that home remedy does. I bleached lucy's hair w/ the peroxide, it has highlights now!, that had to hurt her skin! I gave her an oatmeal bath after that to soothe it, then had to bath her again an our later b/c of the stench still! She's in the garage or on the deck, bless her heart, she doesn't know why she's having to go through all this.
All these weird experiences 'seems to always happen to us' things that happen only make us stronger, i'm certain. And this too, soon, we hope, will pass...
Have a good laugh, love, love...
Ode to Sammy Grover
Sammy went to another home yesterday. He's the beautiful sheltie we adopted from the shelter in December.
We just weren't able to give him the attention or the space to thrive and felt he needed an environment that would suit all his needs. We are sad and miss him, we both shed many tears, but we know he's at a better place, with someone home all day, a huge fenced in yard and other shelties to play with all day. We tried out best with him, but I'll probably always feel a loss of missing him, and have a big place in my heart for him. I'm glad we rescued him from the kill shelter, so maybe that was our role in his life, to provide him respite and a home til his forever home came along that could give him everything. We struggled with the decision the last month, and as his behavior exhibited how much he needed that we couldn't give, we knew what we had to do. He would run at any sound or movement and chase cars, dogs, people. He still wasn't house trained. So he was in a crate all day, and had to be on a leash outside for fear he would get runover or hurt in some other manner. That's no kind of life for a spry little sheltie. Blogger won't allow me to put a picture up of him right now, but I'll try to post one later, he is beautiful. I've never had to give a dog to someone else. Sure, I've taken in lots of strays and found homes for them, but I knew I would do that at the onset. This is different. It feels painful and also a relief. I'm sad for us, but happy for him. I also am relieved I don't have to restrain him each day from running free, or putting him in that crate.
My husband took good care of me and made all the phone calls, the arrangements, and transported Sammy. I wasn't strong enough. He's a good, thoughtful man.
So, now we have Maisy the big cat and Lucy my sweet geriatric dog, who's on five meds now for arthritis, her thyroid and her stomach. I told the vet at her recent visit, her arthritis is bad and I won't have her suffer, let's do all we can for her. She is 13, that's pretty aged for a big dog. I just want her to enjoy her sunshine years. And Maisy, well, she presented a lizard at the door. We think it was a gift for her freedom now of having been chased for months by a playful sheltie longing for playmates. Things are quiet, it will take awhile to get used to this, we miss that youthful, playful nature of that young lad. It will take awhile for me to be able to bring another furry friend to the house, after loosing the Pup in the fall and Sammy now. It wasn't but a few years ago I had to help my little Iddy Biddy pom into the Light and then a few years before that, my dog of 11 years, Audrey went into the light. I get attached easily to these special babies. I know when the time is right God will bring the next one into our lives. For now,, here the quiet seems almost noticeably loud, as Maisy stalks the bird feeder and Lucy sits quietly in the sun on the back deck.
love, love.....
Camping
Happy Birthday to my husband yesterday! He turned a wee bit over 21 yesterday :)! We had a great dinner with my parents, brother, sis in law and niece! What fun! Today we are leaving for another weekend of camping. We are going to Obey River in upper middle Tn, on Dale Hollow Lake. I have never been there before, but have heard it's very nice. We have a campsite right on the lake! I hope you all have a great weekend, love, love...
Our trip
Well, we left last Thursday night and landed late at my cousins place... Let me tell you about her,, she had got up early and stayed up late and had the best food waiting on us! Her famous chicken and rice casserole... I had 3 helpings and I wasn't a bit embarrassed. And she served up the best hospitality and friendship. We sat at the table and told stories and had the best time. Then in the morning she had her also famous bfast quiche made w/ grits and we about swam in it we ate so much and even got out some of the rice casserole to get all we could of that good stuff before we left! Seriously, who stays up late, feeds you so good and sees you of early, if they ain't just the best kindest people in the world! We were so rude to stop by late and leave early and just take of her goodness, but we did and enjoyed it to the fullest!
Then we went down to the fla state park. Checked in, set up our tent, walked about the place. Then sat down to snacks and a rummy card game. Then the rain started. I kept saying, 'this will pass soon',, but it really didn't, ha! A park ranger came by and put us up in the 'YURT', which is like a dome canvas/wood cabin w/ power but no water. We were fine to be there instead of the tent, and finished our card game and I let Tony Win to feel good about himself, ha.
The next morning it had quit raining, then started again as we broke out bfast to cook and we headed into town and had bfast. It quit raining again and we decided to go to the coast and went to St. Georges park, then found a nice beach restaurant for a marg on the beach and a fresh grouper sandwich!! , and then went Apalachicola where despite the rain, they had a street festival w/ artists and restaurants and antique shops showing their wares and having a wine tasting from place to place. Then we had a great seafood dinner and headed back to the park. Then to our luck, when we arrived in the park, (thanks to Tony's cousin) a ranger who led us to a vacant ranger house to stay the night b/c of the torrential downpour. We never spent a night in the tent! Nor did we get to see Tony's cousin who we went down to see, I guess he was busy w/ family matters, but despite, we had a very MOST wonderful trip as you can see in the pictures from the park and the beach!
We are camping next weekend and I can't wait to really camp!
Hope you all are doing great..love, love...
