(no subject)

[mamculuna]

A very nice week at the beach, in most ways. The weather was sunny, crystal clear some days, and the water was green, transparent, like a picture of an ocean. I saw eagles swooping low over the water.

But not the best. My sister can suddenly morph into my mother when it comes to keeping up appearances and is hell bent on remodeling I could live without, but I really want to keep things harmonious and find myself doing things for her that I don't really want to do--but cutting back four huge pampas grasses was not one of them, so I paid the guy who does our lawn to do them. If you've ever done that little chore, you'll know that you wind up looking like you've been in a saber duel, with long slashes of grass cuts that turn red and ugly, burning and itching. I spend my bad time dealing with contractors and estimators, and that was itchy enough for one week.

My friend who came down to visit is getting through colon cancer chemo and surgery, and possible spread to her liver, and onset of chemo induced diabetes (and retirement and divorce, and a cat that died last month, and an only daughter who's moving across country). Amazingly, she's still gorgeous and funny and great company. I felt that I should somehow do more for her, and at the same time should let her be as strong as she can be. The only sad moment was when she talked about getting a little dog, but worried that she'd die and leave it alone. I told her that a dog from a shelter would still have a longer and better life with her than if she left it there, but it hurt to hear her say that.

We built a nice fire and watched movies: Vanity Fair and I Heart Huckabees. Reese was an okay Becky Sharpe, but I really loved the commentary on Huckabees.

Comments

[midnightsjane.livejournal.com]

Nice to have you back on Lj, mamcu! Glad you had an enjoyable week. I know what you mean about the sister stuff. I have 2 sisters, one older, one younger. My younger sister and I have spent much of our lives squabbling about most everything, until we finally decided that we were grownup women now, and should just agree to disagree about things. We get on much better now! Also helps that I live far away from both sisters, so when we do get together, we're in good behaviour mode. ;)

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

I really do much better with my sister than I'd ever have expected--we pretty much agree on most things, but she's just a lot more frugal and a lot more into "looking nice" so we rub raw edges on those two. But she's really the only person I can bitch to about my husband without feeling guilty, and most of our old baggage has long ago been resolved. Of course I bitch about her to my husband...maybe I need to look at myself, no?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_skye_/]

That is a hard weekend. You both are strong women, and I hope you both are blessed with peace...and lots of salt and butter on your popcorn.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Movies seem to be a great survival tool.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

ummmmm.... beachhhhhh! We are having a *lovely* spring blizzard at the moment. I think I would be willing to come and try to cut that evil grass for you to get away from this yucky weather. ;-)

I hope your friend gets that puppy! And I hope that she has much better prospects that she thinks.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I think her great spirit is going to help her, and she sounded like she's headed puppy-wards. Actually mature trained dogwards--there seem to be a plenty of them.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I agree: she should have her puppy.

I'm glad she has you, too.

Good to see your post.

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

*hugs* it's hard with Dad too. I have known of people that make arrangements for their pups should something happen to them. I hope she decides to get one; I know that mine are a great comfort, and fun too. And that they seem to enjoy me so very much.

Actually, Nancy. I would be willing to gift her one of mine (either Cole or Sara,) if you think she would accept, and here to take care of again, either temp or permanently ahould that be wanted.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

What generosity and love! I'll ask her, but wouldn't that be very hard on the dog? I'm a cat person but have dog friends, and my impression is that dogs bond so much to people. From family members who've worked with vets and shelters, I know there are many sweet dogs who will be euthanized if no one takes them, so she could at least give them a chance of more life than they would have had without her. If my own life were more settled and didn't involve a city apartment part of the time, I'd have volunteered to take the dog if and when--and might even do that, in the event. But she also has a sister who has dogs and that might be the best bet.

But I will tell her of your kind offer--I know that just knowing about it will be a gift.

My sister and I split time and dealing with my mother's cat when she died--but since my sister had been the original owner of the cat, she wound up with custody.

I'm hoping for the best for your dad, still. And for my friend--we never know how these things will finally end, really. The waiting and watching with them is terrible, but also a wonderful thing in its way. It's as though they teach us and help us to be ready for the time when we are where they are now.

But seeing a parent go through it is so very hard. We always wish our compassion could be more than it can be, that we could bear some of the hard part for them.

Hugs to you also. And thanks from me and from K.

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the wishes. he's back in the hospital this weekend and much on my mind.

She should be able to make contact with a rescue group locally that would agree to take the dog also and find a good vetted home should she need that and you aren't able.

I wouldn't offer Rose as se came from a shelter and has both immune problems and personality. This is the difficulty with a shelter adoption I am afraid. Both Sara and Cole would be good prospects they are extremely friendly dogs. Cole is the best of the two; he's a purebred keeshond (his grandpa took Westminster a few years back) and and incredibly wonderful even tempered dog. Kees are used fairly often now as therapy dogs. Their personalities, and they are like furry teddies; but at 35lbs and needing some exercise. I am not sure that might be a contraindicator. Sara is a min dasch, actually smaller than a cat, and wonderful also.

Yes, I know what you mean about being able to be a part of things for people. It was an odd thing but on a personal level, as hard as it was to be with Dad, it was something I needed to do also.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

So sorry about your dad. Just wish so much it didn't have to be.

But so glad he has you.

And thanks for more on the dogs. I really will talk with her tomorrow on this. Sara sound exactly like what she wants, although the kees sounds like a love.

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

Re: Dad. Thank you. :-)

Re: Puppylove. Sure. This is an un-weighted offer, btw. She may not wish such a gift, or might like to pick her own puppy, or not be ready yet or many other things. Whatever is right for her.