Vote for Us

"Grady, Dyllan, Otis"

enter your own dog

Reflections

It is odd to me that I am somewhere high, high in the sky and writing a blog. But what should one do when the journey cross country has just begun. Four and a half hours doesn't see like any thing when I am on the ground but in the air the time seems to just drag.

I feel as though most people are wondering/ expecting some sort of expos`e about my reflection of another year gone by. I have ceased to discuss feelings, frustrations, and disappointments. Life is life. I was no sadder on November 8th 2009 then I was on November 8th 2007. The only difference between the two is that November 8, 2007 is when life as I now know it began. I live this reality day in and day out with an underlying feeling of sadness. But I will say, I do take steps to combat anything that might surprise me on specific dates. This time I went to a spa for the day and did not answer my phone. Thank you for all those who did call, text and facebook. Your thoughts and the fact that you actually remembered really means a ton to me.

I just spent 2 weeks living with a great friend and her family on a military base. It was easy. It was nice. They have a great house on post. During my time living a semi- military life for a few weeks there was a helicopter crash. My friends knew one of the guys who died and the shooting at Fort Hood occurred. Not a great military week.

Being in the military is tough and demanding but being married into the military is hard. Don't get me wrong it is personal choice for everyone. My friend is a strong Army wife. She knows the ins and the outs of the system. She knows what to do in the midst of a crisis and not fall completely apart herself. She ministers to younger spouses so naturally. On the home front she is homeschooling her two older kids and trying to keep up with a very, very busy and verbal toddler, all while her husband is deployed for 1 yr. 12 months, that is a long, long time. When I hear wives complaining about their husbands being gone a night, a few days, a week, ect, I think to myself you should really go visit one of my military friends,then you won't be so quick to complain.

This is just one story of one family but I was reminded how much the families of the service members truly give and sacrifice for the benefit of the country on a daily basis. And for that I am very thankful.

She is a RAT! A dirty, rotten, rat.

The Offense. For those of you who don't know what you are looking at, that is a 30 gallon, steel garbage can that houses the dog's food in my back closet. Dyllan has figured out how to open the doors. Last Friday she got into the extra food that was behind it and gorged herself to the point of vomiting while I was at work. Tonight, she opened the door, knocked over the garbage can and gorged on the food. The can was full of food, not light but I guess she was determined. I was SO, SO mad. Twice in less then a week. I guess she is fasting again for a few days. I also think she might spend some time in her crate while I'm at work tomorrow.

The consequence of Dyllan's action. Poor Grady flees to the crate when I am mad at them and I am pretty sure he didn't do this terrible thing. He is not that interested in stealing his own food. He usually only steals human food. I look at Dyllan and she resembles the Tomford's Pigmy goat. More round then it is tall. She looks terrible and I am really going to rage I awake at 0430 to multiple piles of vomit again.

Bulbs, Bulbs, Bulbs

May Romance Tulip Collection is housed in all these little brown bags.

A total of 108 bulbs planted in this bed amongst other baby perennials.

Hopefully mine will look something like this come May.

Tantalizing Tulip Duo- I have 72 of these bulbs yet to plant. These will go opposite the May Romance collection. All tulips are to be behind the gate to protect them from the deer.

Narcissus A Golden Legacy Mixture- 200 huge bulbs planted in the new front bed. These are poisonous to deer and squirrels so I think they are safe. The only problem is that it only filled up half the bed. I thought 200 would be enough but I underestimated the size and my desire to make a big statement. "Go big or go home".

I have unwilling started to put my pots away. This is what I got done yesterday and when I counted the pots still remaining out in the yard with plants in them, I have 20 more to put away. I just can't do it yet. My plants are all still alive and well. It makes me sad to rip them out and discard them just because. So, I wait a bit longer for the rest.

The Evolution of 34

Shortly after the winter thaw. Things were looking pretty bleak.



These were probably taken in June at some point. Wow. Even I am impressed as I look back.





End of the season. I took these a few weeks ago. Everything great wonderfully this season. The yard has come a long way.






The current back door decor.

Seriously!

This past week I have received 3 letters from the IRS in Christian's name. It was a survey. It had something to do with filling taxes and living overseas. The first letter told me a survey was coming and I ignored it. The next thing that arrived was the survey itself. Really! The next thing that arrived was a second survey stating they had send Christian one and that they hadn't received it yet, so here was another one.

I tried calling and couldn't get through so this was the email I sent:

I am the wife of Captain Christian P. Skoglund and I have received 1 letter and 2 surveys from your firm. My husband was killed in a blackhawk accident in November 2007. No taxes have been filled in his name for over a year now. That is pretty sad that the IRS doesn't even know who is alive or dead.

Please refrain from sending me any more survey's or letters for my dead husband.


This firm's response:

Thank you for letting us know and we apologize for the inconvenience. You should receive no further correspondence on this survey.

They need to do their homework a bit better. I have to admit I was tempted to fill it out and send it in. But I am a law abiding citizen and I figured that might be illegal. Perhaps since I am still alive I should refrain from paying anymore taxes and see what happens.

This never ends. I am always being reminded that I am indeed a widow.

Around Here

I've settled into the rhythm of summer here in Northern NY. I go to work on Monday and Thursday and sometimes another day here or there. I water and weed my gardens. Mow the lawn, exercise the dogs, go to spin class, attempt to run (mostly unsuccessful in this endeavor), hang out with family and friends that come to visit. I have braved the cold waters of the flow (with a wetsuit) to do some waterskiing and have taken my float out on the sunny days to work on my tan. I've seen several movies and dined out with good friends who live here. Life is good.

Overall it has been a nice summer. I know I and most of the people from the North Country have complained about the chilly, wet summer we have had up until this week but the rhythm has been pleasant. I was at a wedding shower yesterday morning and was asked what trips I have taken this summer and surprisingly I had to say none. Yes, I did head to Montreal at the beginning of July but for some reason that doesn't count as a trip, it was more like a getaway. But this week I head out to the west coast to visit a dear, dear friend and to attend a wedding ( an old, dear friend of Christian's). I am looking forward to the trip, to seeing Claire's new home and visiting a city that holds good memories for me. The dogs will head to the kennel for 6 days so yesterday and today they will accompany me to camp for the day.

I would write more since so much more has happened but I must sign off and head out to camp. The flow has warmed this week with all the 80 degree days and I am looking forward to an entire, uninterrupted day in the sun.