Thanksgiving...a time to remember

How many years ago was it? I would have to look it up. I was in California with two wonderful friends that had opened their home and hearts to me...the day after Thanksgiving I got the call...my Mom died. A heart attack. Getting ready for work. It was over...no longer did I have a Mom. No longer did my Mom have to worry about the bills, about feeling bad, about who loved her and who didn’t.


It's been a while since I allowed myself to think of that day. But tonight, my computer decided that it would put all the photos of me and my Mom on display in the automated photo display window. Thanks computer…I guess you think you’re a therapist now?

I don’t know, is there any value in remembering? Life is hard, death is even harder.

If only I could go back…if only…I would be more patient, more loving, more understanding. But, there is no going back, just learning from the past and hoping to be better.

I am thankful for the life I have now. I just wish my Mom was here to see it.

Time, Time, Slipping Away....

I know I have said this before, but where does the time go? This year has passed me by in the blink of an eye. I need to review my calendar to see what I have done with the time!



Once, I asked my mother, "Mom, when do you start to feel like an adult?" She couldn't answer the question at the time. Now I think it might have been because she was in her 40's and in your 40's, time doesn't seem to be slipping away so fast.

Now in my 50's, I feel like an adult most days; granted an immature adult, but still, an adult. I have started listening and watching the commercials for eye creams and wrinkle reducers! And yes, if I had the money, I WOULD get a face lift! And then maybe some big honkers!


Hahahahaha. But, rich I will never be so I will try to age gracefully and not be embarrassed by my laugh lines and “freckles/age spots”.

Is it the heat or a hot flash?

Oh boy, it is hot!  I went outside this morning to give the dogs a visit before I take off for the day.  I was hot, Rocket was hot, even the bees were hot!

Now, I sit in my office sweating...but wait, the A.C. is on.  Oh noooo, could it be a hot flash?  It is the end of October...

Which reminds me, should I have bought some candy?

Today's image is me, drawn using Expression Design...I learn just a little bit every day.

A Chill in the Air

I'm in Hudson FLORIDA today...no visits to do, just my family to care for...Rocket needed to go out at 7:00a.m. so I was forced to get up.  Out we go...and much to my surprise, there was a wonderful chill in the air.  Ahhhh, a chill and I wasn't sitting in front of the A/C vent.  58 degrees!  And the high today will only be 82 degrees!  This will be a perfect day!

All my little dogs have gone back to bed, well, they are now curled up in my bed.  They are happy little campers!  Kevin is in the other room wathing FOX news - very serious story about cupcakes for Halloween (maybe he'll make them for us...ha ha ha).

As for me...I just finished two big cups of coffee, previewed the book, "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and am thinking I need to start my day.

We need to go back to Palm Harbor and drop off the dogs.  Then Kevin & I will be going to a House Party hosted by a Microsoft Developer.  They are having parties to introduce/celebrate Windows 7.  As a side note, I never had a problem with Vista...but then I am just a typical "office" user, not a power user.  I wonder if its the power users that have had issues...  Hmmm.

What Day is It?

I can not believe that October is about to end!!!  How in the world did that happen?

This month, I have gotten to spend time with Rosa at her new home and have been so happy to see her.  It is a little bitter sweet...when I open the slider to let the cats get fresh air and think they are hunting, her siblings run out there.  Rosa follows me and will go where I go.  She purrs non-stop and talks to me.  She looks up at me and looks me straight in the eye and says, "mewwww".   Her voice is so small and sweet.

On a good day, I think she is telling me she is happy in her new home.  On a bad day, I think she might be saying, "where the hell have you been?  When can I go back to your house?"

But, we all know she is better off living in the house and having a family she can hang out with.  It's just my ego talking.

Race Results

Kevin finished the 5k in 22:56 minutes.  He was # 7 in his age group, # 44 overall.

Beth finished the race in 38:30 minutes.  She was #16 in her age group.  # 387 overall.

Beryl finished the race in 38:42 minutes, # 391 overall.

Race Results

The Dunedin Brewery 5k Oktobeerfest Run...

Kevin, Beth & Beryl

Kevin finished at 22:45

 

Beryl & I both finished at 38:??
(still waiting for the result to be published online)

Can you believe it?  Beryl & I did a great job.  Prior to race night, we had both only trained for a week or less.  We were averaging 45 minutes to go 3 miles....that is how we expected to run the race too.  But much to our surprise, we did much better and we didn't hurt ourselves!

On the other hand, Kevin was disappointed with his results.  He finished in the top 10 of his age group but he really wanted to win.  It's not easy being competitive!

It was a hot night, still 87 degrees at 8:30p when we headed home.  We sweated like pigs but replenished our fluids with free water and BEER afterwards.  I am not a beer drinker but I love the Dunedin Brewery Red Head Beer - you have to go try it!

The only sad news of the night was that Kevin was too hot in his new shirt I made him wear.  So before the race, he took it off and sat it on a pole.  Upon his return 22 minutes later, it was gone.  So someone has a high quality, attractive  t-shirt with the Tampa Bay Pet Sitters data on it!  If you see them, tell them to give it back!

Beryl flying through the finish line!

Run, Lazy Girl, Run!

Well, I let Beryl influence me into signing up to run in another 5k race.  This wouldn't be a big deal except for the fact that I have not run since my big fall in the park running with Rocket in 2007!  Ouch, I hurt both knees and the palms of both hands.

Back then, I did two 5k runs and I trained, yes, I really trained, for a couple of months for each one!  My goal then was to finish in less than 30 minutes.  I did that, with about 30 seconds to spare!

Today, I will run with FOUR DAYS of running under my socks!  FOUR DAYS.  What the heck was I thinking?  My goal is to FINISH and do it in under 45 minutes! 

Kevin has reminded me that I am only racing against myself.  But its hard to pace yourself when all those people pass you!  Oh, and the kids, there will be kids that are not obese.  They'll beat me too!

The race is sponsored by the Dunedin Brewery http://www.dunedinbrewery.com/ and will benefit Dunedin Doggie Rescue - Dog Eden.  http://www.dunedindogs.com/.

If you are there, look for me in my new pink t-shirt I had made to support The Tampa Bay Professional Pet Sitters Network http://www.tampabaypetsitters.com/.    I had this made at Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and More http://www.bigfrog.com/.  The guys in Oldsmar are really good and very nice.  You should go check them out!

Check back later to see if I survive.

Rosa Found a Home!

I am so happy to report that Rosa Parks has a new family!

You couldn't ask for better...she has a Mom that works from home and a new brother and a sister too! She gets to stay inside where its nice and safe. She has a porch for getting fresh air and watching wild life. A family!!! She is happy.

As any cat person might guess, her new sister is a little pissed at the new addition. But she is such a sweet cat, we are very hopeful that she'll come around once she figures out that her Mama has enough love for everyone!

The best part of the story is that I'll get to see Rosa once in a while...when Mama needs a pet sitter - she calls me!

Rocket and Rascal, the two terrors who liked Rosa, keep going to the garage door wondering why we're not going out to see Rosa. I miss her little face, her running to meet my car when I come home and the love she gave me.

So for those of you wondering how I could let her go when I love her so much, well, sometimes you have to do what is best for the animal, not what is best for you. She now has a much better home than I could provide for her and she is no longer living on the streets!

Rosa Needs a Home

Here is the information about the cat I took in that NEEDS a great home. I appreciate any help…

Name: Rosa Parks

Age: About 2 years old or so…

Personality: Extremely sweet and brave, also very smart.
She loves to be petted and to play with her toys. She also enjoys spending time with small dogs (not sure about big ones). She tries to rub up on them…very cute. Rosa also comes to her name and will follow me down the side walk.

Medical: I had her spayed in May 2009. She also had rabies shot at the time. Rosa also went to Dr. Hughes in Palm Harbor for a checkup.

Her story: Rosa showed up at a door step in Hudson, FL one day. The people in the house fed her, gave her water and pet her once in a while. They let her run wild and get pregnant at least 3 times that I know of! Once I met her, she became my friend and I decided she deserved more from life. So she & her last litter of kittens came to my house in Palm Harbor. I fostered the kittens until they were 8 weeks old and they have all found homes. (See my blog for pics of the babies: http://www.bethyork.blogspot.com/)

Currently, Rosa lives in my garage! One of my dogs hates cats and for Rosa’s safety, she has to stay outside. She goes in and out during the day and is locked up for safety at night.

Rosa deserves a family that can take her inside and love her. She is such a great cat and it breaks my heart to only be able to give her visits and not let her be part of my family. I love Rosa and want only the best for her. Anyone that adopts her must agree to return her to me if they can no longer care for her. If you are interested in meeting Rosa for possible adoption, please call or e-mail me for more information.

E-mail: Beth@4myk9.com

Beth York Wolf
Palm Harbor, FL 34685
Phone: 727-415-1773

June Already?

How in the world did it get to be June?

Well, all the kittens have found homes. Special thanks to the Humane Society of Pinellas for taking them in and taking care of them for me!

However, Rosa is still living in the garage! She is the best cat you can image. She gets locked up at 8p.m. every night to keep her safe and let out again around 6:30a.m. In the evenings when its time to close the door, she is always out hunting. But when she hears me call her name, she comes running. She might be across the street, three houses down, but she starting running home. I can hear her bell and tags dingling all the way!

This cat deserves a home where she can be inside and be loved 24 hours a day.

May

I have started doing volunteer work at the Humane Society of Pinellas...kitty cuddlier. My first day working with my mentor, four of my kittens were in the kitten room waiting to be adopted. I was so excited to see them again.

A very nice woman was in with the kittens and before I left, she adopted Areba. I was so happy...Areba was my favorite and I had told Kevin I wanted to bring her back home with me. So having her adopted right away, made it easier to leave at the end of my shift.

As for Rosa, she is fat, according to the vet. So now she is on a diet. She seems happy out in the garage and has decided she really likes Rocket. I will continue to provide Rosa with a home for the next month - until her check up with the vet to be sure she is healthy. Once he gives her a clean bill of health, I will start the task of trying to find her a good home.

And no, I can not take Rosa to the shelter. There are so many cats at the shelter now, I will do my best to care for her myself...wish me luck!

Thanks for Your Support

Areba says "thanks for giving me a helping hand"

On Monday, 4/20, I took Rosco and Runt to the Humane Society of Pinellas. It was so hard to leave them but it was for the best. They had been fighting the cat flu and I was very concerned for their health and the health of the other kittens as well.

Today, 4/23, I took Rudy, Riley, Randi and my sweet little Areba, along with Mama Rosa....Rosa will come back home with me after being spayed (thank goodness because she was coming onto Rocket the Rat Terrier).

All the babies will be up for adoption and I feel good that they will receive good care and go to good homes.

Thank you to everyone for helping me to support the Humane Society of Pinellas and their SNIP program.

I am happy to report that we raised almost $700!!!

Time to say good-bye...

Silent Auction Directions

Pet Quilts, Fabric Purses, Fabric Bowls

Your opportunity to bid on custom made crafts with ALL proceeds going to the Humane Society of Pinellas!

There are currently 20 items up for bid. You can view each item by clicking on the title, listed to the right under Blog Archive.

To bid on an item, click on "comments" for that item. Write your name, e-mail and your bid. If someone else has already placed a bid, you just have to place a little higher bid to win.

• Bids will close on April 19th.




• Checks made out to the Humane Society of Pinellas need to be to Beth by April 22nd.




• When checks are received, your item will be delivered.




• There are NO REFUNDS. These are CRAFTS, not fine art! ;-)




• This is for charity!

Rudy

WINNER - TONI Item 20 - Harvest Cat Quilt

Opening bid: $10.00

To bid on this item, post a comment with your name, e-mail and bid.

Bids will close on April 19th.

Checks made out to the Humane Society of Pinellas need to be to Beth by April 22nd.

When checks are received, your item will be delivered.

There are NO REFUNDS.

This is for charity!

WINNER - SHERRY RENDON Item 19 - Tropical Cat Quilt

• 

  Opening bid: $10.00

• To bid on this item, post a comment with your name, e-mail and bid.
• Bids will close on April 19th.
• Checks made out to the Humane Society of Pinellas need to be to Beth by April 22nd.
• When checks are received, your item will be delivered.
• There are NO REFUNDS.
• This is for charity!
  

WINNER - REBECCA Item 18 - Red & White Hearts Cat Quilt

• Opening bid: $10.00
  To bid on this item, post a comment with your name, e-mail and bid.
  Bids will close on April 19th.
  Checks made out to the Humane Society of Pinellas need to be to Beth by April 22nd.
  When checks are received, your item will be delivered.
• There are NO REFUNDS.
  
• This is for charity!

WINNER - JACQUELYN Item 17 - Pink Cat Quilt

• Opening bid: $10.00
  To bid on this item, post a comment with your name, e-mail and bid.
  Bids will close on April 19th.
  Checks made out to the Humane Society of Pinellas need to be to Beth by April 22nd.
  When checks are received, your item will be delivered.
  There are NO REFUNDS.
  This is for charity!
  

WINNER - REES Item 16 - Small Purple Dog Quilt

• Opening bid: $10.00
• To bid on this item, post a comment with your name, e-mail and bid.
• Bids will close on April 19th.
• Checks made out to the Humane Society of Pinellas need to be to Beth by April 22nd.
• When checks are received, your item will be delivered.
• There are NO REFUNDS.
• This is for charity!
  

WINNER - DAWN Item 15 - Dog and Cat Quilt

Opening bid: $10.00

To bid on this item, post a comment with your name, e-mail and bid.

Bids will close on April 19th.

Checks made out to the Humane Society of Pinellas need to be to Beth by April 22nd.

When checks are received, your item will be delivered.

There are NO REFUNDS.

This is for charity!

WINNER - COLLEEN Item 14 - Scrap Pet Quilt (Medium)

Opening bid: $10.00

To bid on this item, post a comment with your name, e-mail and bid.

Bids will close on April 19th.

Checks made out to the Humane Society of Pinellas need to be to Beth by April 22nd.

When checks are received, your item will be delivered.

There are NO REFUNDS.

This is for charity!