Merry Christmas!

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Alexander

Vicki, Veronica and I are visiting Bill, Evee and Little Alexander in Statesboro, Georgia. Here is a video that Evee took a few weeks ago.

Vicki and I had a small ceremony yesterday and buried some of Cookie’s ashes along with her favorite stuffed mousy toy. She loved her mousy, it squeaked when she played/chewed on it. We also sprinkled some ashes on her “favorite” spots in the yard, especially by the mailbox. I’ve been thinking about her a lot since she left us on Aug. 28th, trying to make sure I don’t forget all the little things that she did that brought such joy into our hearts. Her spins and little dance moves as she prepared to get fed, lifting her her front left paw. Vicki putting her on the bed to wake me up in the  morning, Cook pawing at my face to wake me up. Her “pick me up” routine at the couch, turning around and backing up to you to make it easier to pick her up. We put a small blanket on the love seat for her and watching her nesting routine to get it just right was hilarious. Wish I had a video of it. Her nightly ritual of getting tucked in by Vicki was one of my favorites (did get a video of that). She would get so excited. I could go on and on with all the little things that she did that warmed our hearts. She was such a joy to have around. My good friend and ex-neighbor George Mason described her this way “She was a sweet puppy whose courage and stamina were far bigger than life.” Yes she was! I truly hope I will see her on the other side someday. Before I close on this post, I want to publicly thank Vicki for accepting little Cookie into her heart. I think Cookie actually liked her more than she did me even though she had only been with her a few of Cookie’s 14 years here on earth. Cookie was her favorite dance partner, watching them “dance” together was very special. Thanks Vic, it meant a lot to me.

Good-bye for now Cook. We miss you.

Tom

Music from Numb3rs – “Don’t Walk Away”

I heard an interesting and quite haunting song while watching Numb3rs the other night. It took a while to find out who the artist was. His name is Ryan Levine. Here’s the Amazon link. And here’s the song.

The Music of Audience

One of my favorite albums of the early ’70’s was from an obscure band called “Audience. Here is the link to their album “The House on the Hill” as posted on Amazon. One of the songs I enjoyed the most was “I Have a Dream”.

Tom

Sportie turns ‘13′ today

Wow!  I can’t believe Sportgirl (or Sportie as Tom calls her) turned 13 years old today.  I adopted her when she was around 3 years old from Jeff Turner.  He found her by a ropes challenge course in Copper Canyon and brought her home with him to pursue finding her an ‘owner’.  I met Jeff through the Fellowship Church sports ministry when we did one of Jeff’s rope challenge courses.  Jeff brought ‘Sport’ to the Petapalooza at Fellowship Church… and I knew then that I wanted to adopt her.  I promised Jeff I would find her a good home….and I think I did!   Sportgirl has been my ‘bud’ for the past 10 years.  We lived in Flower Mound for 6 years together, walking the green belt trails and going out to Grapevine Lake every so often to float on an air mattress.  Sportgirl became part of our home team that met at our house twice a month.  She did a road trip with me to Michigan and got to meet everyone in the family…even Casey (the cat).  Sportgirl was diagnosed with a brain tumor in early June this year.  She was in an extreme depressed state and couldn’t walk.  Her new ‘friends’ at Veterinary Specialists gave her 22 radiation treatments.  Sportgirl took brownies for everyone there to celebrate her last treatment.  I think she was sad to say good-bye to Mr Bob and Dr T.  She has a followup in early October.  She’s doing well for going through so much.  Sportgirl lost her BFFL (Cookie) on August 28th.  Cookie had a stroke and died shortly thereafter.  We’re thankful she did not suffer, but we miss her so much!  Especially at bed time, as that was a special ‘ritual’ to see Cookie come running to get tucked in her bed.  Sportgirl and Cookie shared so much during the last 4  1/2 years…even their kennel at the Big Dog House (their home away from home).   Sportgirl is known as ‘Kirby’ and Cookie was ‘Hoover’…. never had to worry about picking up any dropped food in our house!  Sportgirl is a good dog….she doesn’t bark… she wags her tail at me when I come home, regardless of how long I’ve been gone, and she likes to hear me sing.   Happy Birthday girly !!  (Vicki – aka ‘Momma’)

Thoughts on President Obama speaking to our school children

As I try and collect my thoughts on the uproar that has been created over President Obama speaking to our school children I am quite frankly puzzled and shocked. Have not previous presidents done this without much backlash, history would say so. So what has changed ? In my opinion it would appear that it is mostly for political reasons but most are saying it is because it is their right as a parent to say what their child can hear or watch. That’s awesome, I couldn’t agree more. But why now? And why would a parent have a problem with allowing President Obama to speak to their child about them taking their education seriously. What in the world is wrong with that ?? Here is an excerpt from the information that was sent to the schools. “During this special address, the president will speak directly to the nation’s children and youth about persisting and succeeding in school. The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning.” Now I really have to question why a parent would not want that message given to their child, “especially” when it would come from the president of the United States. Folks, we don’t have to agree with the political agenda of the president to allow our children to listen to this message. Here are some words I found in another blog I read and want to share them with you. “What is there to fear? Nothing can stand against God. I have to trust that God has ordained those who come into power. I am praying for President Obama, that his time in office will be purposeful, that his leadership will be respectable, and right now I am praying that his speech on Tuesday will be pleasing to God. Not pleasing to me. Not pleasing to you. Pleasing to GOD.”

As Vicki was reading more on this matter in another post she was reading it appears that many schools are not going to show the presidents message at all now. I’m sure many of you are smiling about that, that your mission has been accomplished. What about my mission, what about my rights ?… to have a president that against all odds achieved something that was amazing and became the first African-American President of the United States speak to our children. I don’t agree with everything he has to say or does but I do believe he is a good man. I also believe he cares about the future of this country and our children. Why would I not want my child to hear a message from this man? Makes no sense to me what so ever. I will just pray that those that have so passionately raised up this issue really understand what is at state here. This will only lead to more polarization. Please pray about this and listen to God, not what other “people” are saying . Only God is the “Voice of Truth”.

In His Name,
Tom

Remembering Cookie

It’s now been one week since Cookie passed on. It was a tough week, especially last weekend. Last weekend was Mission Sunday at Grace UMC and Vicki and I were given the opportunity to give the message at both services. God guided us through the day and hopefully our message was meaningful to those that heard it. Sunday afternoon when we got home, reality set in again that Cookie was gone. I plan on putting a slideshow together (with Vicki’s help) showing the many wonderful sides of Cook (as you can see she had many nicknames). The outpouring of love from all of our friends and family has been amazing. We thank you all from the bottoms of our hearts.

Tom (and Vicki)

Lookin’ Back

The loss of little Cookers has got me reminiscing a bit. Here’s some music from the early 70’s, a time for me of long rides through the country sides listening to the sounds of bands such as the Eagles, Crosby, Stills and Nash,  the Byrds and such. I made a 8 track tape called “Country Rock. These song were on it. Bitter Creek and Desperado by The Eagles.

Tom

Cookie

Little Cookie passed away earlier today. It will be hard not having her around, hearing her little pitter-patter on our hardwood floor. Watching her sleep in her bed. She will be missed.

Tom and Vicki