We're All... Mad, 'Here'. ; )

This day... has been a 'Mad'... day, to say the least.

If... I could've stayed away from people, well...

let's just say...

today, shouldn't have been a 'Peopley' day.

I was either cold as ice...

or an absolute puddle.

There wasn't much in between.

This was one of 'those'... days, if I could've...

would've stayed locked inside.

but...

wanted to get Peanut's ashes Home, as soon as they were available, which...

was this afternoon.

I'd hoped they'd be ready this morning.

Wanted to get that 'drive' behind me... as early as possible.

When I learned... that wasn't going to happen, I... just sat here, thinking.

{that's rarely...a good thing. ; ) }

The Boys helped strip 'Christmas' from the house... yesterday.

Was gonna leave it up.... but, decided.... over the weekend it was time to 

put it all away.

'J'... did make me laugh, while we were taking everything down.

He said...

"So... are we gonna be putting this All Back Up, in November???"

: )

Reassured him... "No."

; )

A Dear... Neighbor called, about then, he asked what I was up to.

Told him what The Boy's and I were doing.

He said...

"Well... You're going to do Something... for Christmas, aren't You???

A... small tree, 'something'???"

: )

I assured him, that I'd do 'something'.

: )

Had another crazy dream last night.... about a Neighbor.

Nondescript, like the one with Jim.

{I've never had a 'dream'... about the Neighbor, either...}

Ever.

As I was sitting here, this morning... 'thinking'...

thought I should just pick up the phone, and call him.

I'm guessing what made me dream of the 'Neighbor'... is the way Jim passed away, which was the same way... Brother, Larry... and Dear, Peg's 'Michael' passed.

They each passed away alone, in their Homes.

The Neighbor... and I have had many, many... conversations, over the last several years.

We've sparred... big time over 'Fairfax'.

; )

Lord... Lord.

We've locked horns... over the years, concerning 

'Bike Trails'.....

and

much, much... more that 'happens' at 'City Hall'...

 AKA 'Harper Valley PTA'.

I dig in pretty deep, but... to his credit, I believe...

 he's... been, pretty truthful.

He used to call about once a week.

Haven't heard from him... in a while.

We had a pretty heated chat, a while back, figured he'd had enough of 'The Facts'....

concerning

'Fairfax'.

; )

While taking Miss. Peanut back and forth to the Vet, our path went past the Neighbor's house.

I noticed... over the days, the Neighbor's truck hadn't been moved.

{Even mentioned that to Peanut, a time or two.}

???

so...

gave him a call, this morning.

Gratefully... 'he' answered.

: )

Sadly... he's in a Nursing Home.

His health has been poor over the last few years, but... he's always been determined to get back on his feet.

Turns out... he was bitten by his cat, a while back.

The bite got infected, and the infection spread throughout his body.

It's been an ugly mess for the Neighbor.

Hated to hear that, but was glad... to 'hear' it from him.

: )

We may argue... and spar, but... he's a Critter Lover... not mean spirited.

: )

He was so happy I called.

Said it meant a lot... to him.

; )

I sure wish him The Best.

He needs to get back Home, on his Feet.

Told him,

I... just wouldn't feel right Pickin' on him, the way I so enjoy...

 while he's convalescing in a 

'Nursing Home'.

; )

That's...

 just...

'Bad Form'.

: )

So... there was a bright spot, in this day.

Gotta be Grateful.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Indeed.

; )

'Busy'... is a good thing.

The weekend was a pool of goo.

The house isn't right... without Peanut.

Sometimes... I feel like she's right beside me.

<3

Peanut... was never far from me.

I've been very selective about receiving calls, over the weekend.

Not because I don't appreciate kind thoughts, but....

I'm having big trouble keeping from melting down.

One of the calls I screened, on Saturday... was an unknown number.

I listened to the message, didn't recocognize the 'voice'.

I called the Man back, turned out it was my Nephew, Jimmy.

{Sister, Chery's Son.}

Apparently I didn't have his number in my phone, or it had been changed.

Jimmy... didn't sound like 'Jimmy'.

Didn't expect to hear, what I heard.

Sadly... Jimmy found his Dad... my Brother in Law, Jim, deceased, at Jim's home Friday.

Jimmy is the Only Child, of Jim, and Chery.

They were a very close Family.

<3

I was closest to Chery... out of all of my siblings.

Spent a lot of time... with Jim, and Chery... until Chery passed away, in 2003.

Jim... was a kind Man. Easy going.

: )

He loved to sing... and was very, very... good.

Jim had a Beautiful Voice.

I remember... as a child, when we'd visit.... the 'visit' always ended with Jim pulling out his guitar, and singing for us.

: )

Sometimes... I'd join him, as did Mom.

<3

Mom always requested Jim play the tune...

 'Yellow Bird'

<3

At Mom's Celebration of Life, I asked Jim... to please bring his guitar, and 'Play'... for Mom.

<3

It was Beautiful.

<3

Jim Schafer's Celebration of Life....

will be at a later date.

Jim... will be Deeply Missed.

Picking up Miss. Peanut's ashes, tomorrow.

Been working on the house... trying to keep busy.

The Boys, and I... will be working on, and around The Rabbit Hole, this week.

Much to get done, before repairs can begin.

Contractor's are coming in, early September.

'Busy'...

is a good thing.

Indeed.

Love to Ya...Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

{The strange thing... Friday, early... morning, had my alarm set, to get up 'early', 

to take Miss. Peanut to the Vet.

I... didn't sleep well, throughout the night.

but...

had a dream, with Jim, Mom... and Dad in it.

: )

I've never had a dream with Jim in it.

Rarely dream of Mom, more often dream of Dad.

The dream... was nondescript. Nothing 'big'... just, us all visiting.

; )

but...

it struck me funny, that morning, that Jim was in my dream.

When Jimmy called, guess it all fit.}

Fairfarren... Jim.

<3

Be careful... for what ya wish for.

Perhaps...

we should be careful for what we wish for.

; )

It's been a Long....

 weekend.

; )

'Long'

'Journey'.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

; )

{the book... is coming.}

Almost.

That's a fact.

Received a text... from Dear Fellow 'Gold Rush' Vendor, and Friend, Doug, a bit ago.

: )

'Gold Rush'... in Rochester, MN. is happening now.

Doug... said how much he misses us. : )

We miss Doug, and Everyone... at Gold Rush.

Above... is Doug's Booth.

; )

{Doug... does Amazing Original Stained Glass Work!!}

; )

I... can see where our Booth was, as well.

We were always under the 'Visitor' Banner.

; )

That 2014 'Gold Rush'... was a Tuff one.

These 'Events'... are grueling, when everything in the world is goin' kinda right.

When 'Things'... are goin' kinda wrong, like life in 2014... and most every year since...

: )

for

 'Simply Iowa', 

well...

my fuse got a little shorter, and shorter, every show.

As did... my creative level.

'Life'.

 Damned Distraction.

I was extremely Blessed over the years... by Dear Friends, Family... and 'Customers'... also, Friends, who helped carry me through.

<3

Those who 'Truly'... 'know' me, know... I wear my heart on my sleeve.

That's a dangerous thing.

Probably... not good for 'business'.

; )

Had I been scheduled for 'Gold Rush'... this time, I wouldn't have been there, with Miss. Peanut being so ill.

Peanut... was one of the reason's I dropped 'Away' Events.

{There were Many Factors}

Peanut, in her own... Loving Way, made me see...

"Home... is Where The Heart Is"

; )

<3

{Trust me... I wouldn't drive back and forth from Des. Moines, every day... while doing Junk Jubilee, for just...

'Anyone'.}

: )

Peanut Carried me Through The Horrible Messes of Fairfax, and The Iowa Department of Transportation.

BIG LOAD}

: (

I... rescued Miss. Peanut... once.

; )

She 'Rescued' me... a Thousand Times.

<3

All of The 'Critters'... in my life, have.

<3 <3 <3 

I get kinda Sassy... about 'humans', sometimes.

Please Know... I Know... some Wonderful 'Humans'... 

that could almost, 

almost...

be 

nearly...

as 

Pure of Heart...

as

a

'Critter'.

; )

<3

'almost'.

Beyond... Grateful, for Them.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

<3 <3 <3 

Peanut was beaten blind... as a Pup.

You'd never know that... by the way she always looked in our eyes.

'My Eyes'

<3 <3 <3 

; )

<3

Fairfarren... My Friend.

<3 

<3

<3

<3  

<3

Fairfarren...

Peanut.

Received 'the call' at 9:30 this morning, from Christine.

Peanut had a large mass of cancer in her stomach.

Christine was suspicious, but... Peanut's symptoms... and numerous tests, didn't match... so much.

All hope... was lost, this morning.

I'd like to think... we all did our very best for Peanut.

<3

She's gonna be Deeply, Deeply...

Missed.

Thanks to All... who've kept Miss. Peanut in your Kind Thoughts...

and

Prayers.

Barb C.

<3

Critter's don't have 'wood' hearts, in my opinion.

; )

Sadly... many 'humans' do.

: (

bless their hearts.

{Grateful... for Christine.}

<3

{Mona Lisa}

; )

Rainy Day.

<3

Miss. Peanut is undergoing exploratory surgery this morning.

After visiting with Christine, on Wednesday...

she felt... if Peanut were her Beloved... Best Friend, that's what she'd do.

I've struggled with this, but ultimately... we're out of options.

If all goes well, Peanut will be coming Home... to heal, this afternoon.

: )

I... Pray for That.

The weather seems fitting, over the last several days.

Especially... this morning, as we prepare ourselves.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

let it ride. {began this post last night. It's kind of graphic, so... Ya might want to skip this one.}

It's... certainly not easy.

It's... not 'impossible'... either.

; )

Still fighting the good fight, for Miss. Peanut.

<3

It's been a very consuming, and frustrating battle.

Peanut refuses to eat... and, drinks very little.

: (

Christine... gave her IV fluids, again... today.

We're continuing with antibiotic injections, because... that's our last option.

Took a urine sample in to Christine, this afternoon.

Just like every other 'test'....

no answers for her anorexia.

: (..............

It's heartbreaking.

: (

beyond.

Beyond.

: (......................

Seems 'Fairfax'... is up to their old tricks, again.

: (

{Not... The 'Good'... 'Fairfax' Elected Folks, and Great New... City Clerk. <3}

Been wading through some of 'that'... over the last week, or so.

: (

Council Meeting... tonight.

Something tells me, I... should let it ride.

Let them all... 

'ride'...

for now.

{maybe... forever. ; ) seems to me, ultimately... most of them... deserve each other.

Eventually... everything comes out in the wash.}

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{began writing this... much earlier.

Believe... Peanut gave me a 'sign'... a few minutes ago.

'things'

have

changed.

We'll see, what Christine thinks about it, tomorrow.

; )

I... have my own thoughts.

Guessin'... Miss. Peanut does too. }

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Actually wrote the above, Tuesday afternoon/Eve.

Peanut... wasn't doing well, at all.

wasn't sure she'd make it through the night.

She did.

<3

Peanut... isn't in pain.

She has zero appetite, and sleeps a lot.

We're going to continue with her antibiotics. I take her daily... for her injections. I... can't give them to her, myself.

Gave her one, on Saturday, myself...

but Sunday, Peanut was 'wise' to me.

Could only get half of her dose finished.

She fought me, to the point I was afraid I'd do her more harm, than good.

{Horses are much easier.}

The Girls at The Clinic, totally understood.

: )

They... also struggled, with two people.

Peanut is surprisingly strong... being so ill.

: (

 I have a sample of vomit, I'll take to Christine, today.

Peanut... throws up, daily.

Bile... 

: (

Last night... was 'different'.

: (

Told The Girls, at this point... I'm going to keep Peanut 'Comfortable'.

As long as she still perks up to her Squeak Toy, and gets excited when I pick up her leash,

we'll keep trying.

: )

<3

Skipped last nights Council Meeting.

Fairfax... is such a Mess.

: (

again...

getting pretty tired of some at 'Fairfax'... peeing on my boots, and telling me it's 'rain'.

Guess... they don't understand there's more than One way to test their 'Precipitation'.

We've been getting a lot of rain, over the last several days.

Again... throughout the night, and morning.

I'm heading out the door, to take a quick walk, and check for flooding issues.

Thanks to Everyone... 

for their 

Concern 

for

Miss. Peanut.

<3 <3 <3 

One day... at a time.

; )

<3

'Faint of Heart'...

Started this... 'Saturday's' post... early Sunday morning.

There's simply.... too much to put into 'words'... in a few,

 short hours.

The Truth Is... I'm still 'chewin' '... on Saturday...  and... so many, many...

'yesterdays'

'before'.

{'Today'... hasn't been 'easy', either.}

{'Today' rarely... 'is'.}

So many, many... 'things' to be Grateful for.

<3

So... many, many... 'things' to be not so much...

'For'.

'The Journey'...

ain't for the

 'Faint of Heart'.

I'll do my best... to write about the 'yesterdays'...

when I can.

guess...

again,

I think...

I need a moment.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{There's gonna be a lot... coming down the pipeline, this week. I'll post something... daily, tho... it may not be much more than a line, or two.}

<3

<3

'these'... days.

It's been pretty quiet around Home.

Picking up meds for Peanut, this morning.

Kind of a last ditch effort.

I'll be giving her injections, over the weekend, see if they help at all.

All we can do... is Hope.

; )

Don't want to leave Peanut... but, need to help Dear... Renate, for a bit, today.

<3

Shouldn't take long. Pal, Bill... and Grandson, Justin... will be helping as well.

: )

Had a go-round with 'City Hall'... yesterday, concerning more wrongfulness I watched unfold, on Thursday.

'These'... aren't the days to ruffle my feathers.

I'm a little 'short fused'... when it comes to 

'human' nonsense, 'these' days.

: (

Guess... I always am, after all of the years, being Jacked around... by these 'people'...

my 'filter'....

concerning 'them'... ain't holdin' up....

very well, concerning 'them'...

 'these' days.

Nope.

Reminds me of the old saying....

"Don't piss on my boots...

and tell me it's raining."

I'm getting pretty good at knowing the difference, 

'these' days.

Don't like to write... when there's no 'good' news to report.

'Life'

It is... what it is.

One Day... at a Time.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Indeed.

The Journey.

<3

The 'Surprise Lilies'... are Incredible this year.

: )

Long ago... Friend, Julie... gave them to me, 'Long, Long'... ago.

: )

There's another Bed... of them, on the other side of the entryway to The Hen House, behind The Rabbit Hole.

Was trying to remember when Julie gave them to me.

???

20 years ago...

?

Perhaps, further back than that... the way 'Time'... slips away.

They are Stunning... this year.

<3

; )

'Some'... 

people.

; )

<3

{IDOT, and Fairfax... 'people', in 2018, to date. ; ) }

{bless their hearts}

; )

Miss. Peanut, this morning... as we were heading to see Christine.

They ran all sorts of tests, again... today, along with a detailed ultrasound.

Did several other procedures.... and, came up empty.

We're all so incredibly frustrated.

: (

Picked Peanut up, late this afternoon, so they'd have a chance to 'observe' her.

We're going to visit in the morning,  over what our next plan of action will be.

<3

Indeed.

Think... we're all on the same page, tonight.

; )

Peanut... is Happy to be Home.

<3

She went Straight to her bed.

: )

She's been through Hell.

: (

On a Happier Note, spoke with a Dear... Old Friend, today.

<3

Haven't 'visited' with her... in several years.

She's an Amazing Antique Dealer.

Long, Long... Time.

: )

We laughed, and... visited about her 'Journey' over Decades... 

Chasing

 this 

Crazy...

 'Love of Old'.

: )

It's a Sickness!!!

Hahahahahahaha!!

; )

<3

The Hundreds of Thousands of Miles...

The Sleeping in her Van, while doing Shows across the Country.

; )

Yes... we compared a few...

 'Battle Scars'.

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

; )

When we went to say 'Good-bye'...

we both said...

in 

Unison,

"Love You... Girl!!"

<3 <3 <3 

Hoping... we can get together, soon.

It's been far, far... too long.

; )

oh... my.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3