The day finally arrived!  Moved into MySpace.calm yesterday afternoon.  Oh what a glorious, joyful day.  Much yet to do, but I am and am not going anywhere.  Windows and trim need to be stained, electrical hooked up, ceiling fan installed, gas stove hooked up and blinds installed… but, I am so glad to finally be here, in my dream come true, a place to call my very own.

I will continue to move in and adjust as I go about my days in here, finding what works for me, what needs to be adjusted.  Trinkets yet to be placed here, there and everywhere, and pictures to bring life to the walls will evolve over time.  Hot water is kept warm in my periwinkle pot and tea brews in my periwinkle tea cup.

Holiday music plays on my computer (I know maybe it’s a bit early, but I was in the mood!  What can I say?), while Frankie is snuggled in her cozy little bed in front of the petite Heat ‘N Glow Stove, which will come to life with heat this weekend.  Might have to catch a few Z’s in my over-sized wicker chair sometime this afternoon.  I was awake from 12:30a until about 4:30a thinking about MySpace.calm and all the fun projects I am currently working on!  Life feels especially alive today and the details of all that is joy dance before me.  A very special thank you to my Johnnie for all you did to make this dream come true for me… thank you for bringing MySpace.calm to life.  You are one special guy.

Frankie and I did our first ever presentation for the annual meeting yesterday for the Lion’s Club, which was held at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton http://www.radisson.com/appletonwi.  Those Lion’s http://www.lionsclub.org were tame as could be and welcomed us with a gentle roar.

I was so nervous since this was my first time speaking and I could hardly eat lunch.  After I did my two presentations I wondered why I was so nervous!  Isn’t that the way it seems to work?  It was a new growth spurt for me.  One has to step out of their comfort zone, but I also feel when you are passionate about something, stepping out of your comfort zone is a bit easier.  I love to talk about Frankie and felt so honored to have been asked to share our story.  I made some great contacts with teachers who want us to come speak to their classrooms was so it was well worth stepping out in front of 100 Lion’s.  The reward of heart warming stories from others, as well as many kind people who embraced us with kindness is something which is overwhelming my heart today.  I feel very blessed.

At the end of the presentations I revealed the cover of Frankie’s book, which I share with you in this photo.  We are so close to having the book ready.  The book is at the graphic designer right now and the final steps are going well.  We should be going to print any day now.  Once it is at the printers it will take 4-weeks for them to print the book and then they will be on their way to my door step.

I am grateful for the opportunity Del & Shirley Peterson of the Elkhart Lake Lion’s Club gave me in speaking with their club.  As a fun thank you we shared this picture of Elkhart Lake’s newest Lion’s Club member, which is Frankie!  Everyone broke out in a thunderous clap!

It is the night before Frankie’s big debut!  We are making our first presentation for the annual Lion’s Club meeting in Appleton tomorrow afternoon.  So Frankie needs to look (and smell!) her best.  Her papa Johnnie loves to give her baths and he has dubbed it “spa night” whenever this occurs.  He loves this time with little Frankie.  This is a picture of Frankie having spa night with her papa.

He lathers her up nice and gives her a good rinsing and then it is cuddle time in a big, soft fluffy blanket.  And it never fails… she pooped in the sink during the spa!!  What’s a dog to do?

Once cuddle time is done, we set her loose in the living room where she flails about on her back, rubbing her ears on the rug and relishing in the good feeling of clean!

I’m so proud of my little Frankie as we head out tomorrow to share our story.  She is an amazing little critter who has brought immense joy and hope to my life.  I am honored to be known as “Frankie’s Mom” and will do my best to tell our story with heart and love tomorrow.  Wish us luck!