joyfulpaws

Keeping the Home Fires Burning. Gidget on the Job Front and Center.

Posted by Barbara Techel

2014-01-03 11.50.12We are in for some nasty, frigid weather starting Sunday. Coldest its been in quite a few years around here. Windchills to reach 40 below. 

I always feel so sorry for Kylie having to run outside and do her thing morning and night. Gidget, on the other hand, having IVDD, has an advantage with me expressing her little bladder right over the toilet.  See?  IVDD does have its advantages.

The woodstove John installed on November 21st is going to get a full blown workout these next few days.  Miss G is right on top of things as you can see.

Each time John has left the house today and returns, he brings in a few more logs we have stacked in half our garage so that we can keep a good stock pile inside to combat the cold.

So, I’m sure some wonder, why we wouldn’t just turn on the furnace? Well there is a wonderful ritual that John and I are enjoying with our woodstove.

As I set my 2014 heart intentions for the year (I don’t like the word goals– too formal and stiff), one of my heart intentions is to keep living as simply as we can. We see the woodstove as part of that equation.

We hope it will help lower our heat bill by not running our furnace. A way in which we can live more self-sufficiently is how we have approached this.

There is also something of the experience of picking up and loading 4 cords of wood, which our friend, Cassy, helped John with earlier this fall. Both hard workers, it was also a fun outing of bonding and talking time for them both.

Also, not to mention the ambiance of the winds howling outside, nestled in front of the warm woodstove, reading a good book, Lil’ G nestled in my lap, and Kylie snoring on the sofa….and great conversation with the love of my life.

It’s in the experience of all of this that evokes feelings of a simple, happy life.  Sure, we could get up and move the lever over a few notches on the thermostat.  But what fun would that be?

So, ok, maybe not for everyone. But our woodstove has become an important part of our family and we love her dearly.

800 x 100

Time Out. Stop and Smell the Flowers.

Posted by Barbara Techel

It’s been a crazy week with challenges with my new computer and many trips to Best Buy.  The issue will hopefully be resolved with my new computer that I have to pick up on Saturday.  It is a week where I didn’t get much done in my office.  I can’t always sit with that feeling to well.

I started to get wrapped up in thinking that I’m now a week behind on things.  But then caught myself and stopped.  Maybe this was exactly how this week was to play out, I thought.  That’s okay.  Then as I was walking back out to my writing cottage I stopped and took a moment to admire the blooming flowers outside my door and the new little fun birdhouse I bought this past Saturday at the Farmer’s Market.  I love supporting small businesses and people doing creative things that they love to do.

So if you follow me regularly on this blog, you know that one of my favorite colors is periwinkle and then pair that with lime green and my eyes go into a magical, crazy dance of no return.  I just HAD to have this birdhouse!  So as I stopped to admire it once again, I felt myself relax that this was just the way this week was to play out.  I reminded myself that everything will all work out. It always does.

Tomorrow I will be spending all morning in a photo shoot with Lisa Lehmann for new author photos for my new book coming early next year.  I think it will be great fun!  One step closer to putting this book together and that feels good.  But in the mean time I’ll admire this special little spot outside my cottage and give thanks for the sweet little reminders of what life is all about.

Frankie Visited Me in My Dreams Last Night

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’ve wanted to dream about Frankie since she’s been gone, but had not until last night.  I happen to believe that when your loved ones come to you in your dreams, that you truly are together– just in another realm that our awake minds can’t seem to comprehend.

I woke up incredibly happy today because Frankie and I were together in my dreams last night. I got to hold her once again.  I also held her in her pink sling, like I often did.  It felt so good to be with her again.  I told her all about National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day, but I suspect she already knew about it.  But she listened intently as she always had when I talked to her when she was here.  I really think she was quite pleased with this day being created in her memory and that I am carrying on her message about how great all dogs in wheelchairs are.  I also think it is why she first visited me now… because she sees that I am strong enough on my own and is happy I am moving forward.

The road ahead for me still has more questions than answers and a friend recently asked me what my next plans are.  I said, “I”m not quite sure.  I will finish my book and release it early next year, but beyond that I’m not exactly sure.”

She said, “That’s okay.  You are marinating.”

I like that.  I am indeed marinating.  Some things have popped into my mind that I think I may like to do in regards to expanding the work Frankie and I did, but I’m not quite ready to share that yet.  I’ll continue to marinate and trust should this be the direction I am to take, I will know in due time.

With Frankie visiting me in my dream last night it brought me more comfort and just another affirmation that she is indeed with me all the time.

I know not everyone believes these things, but I can’t imagine not. It helps me to live in the here and now. It also helps strengthen my faith that we are all indeed together, no matter which side of the thin veil we are on.