In Memory of Ringo, my sister Jennifer's Yorkie

Please keep my sister, Jennifer, and her family in your prayers... they are absolutely devastated right now. Their beloved Yorkie, Ringo, passed away this afternoon. My sister, Janet, and I just stayed with them all last week in SC, and it breaks my heart to hear that he is gone. :.(

Jennifer's husband, Lanny, got a call from one of their neighbors as they were heading home from work (they work together) and the neighbor said that he just saw their dog on the side of the road near their house... he'd been hit by a car. :.( Neither one of their daughters knew he'd gotten out of the house. He was a quick little boy, and must have gotten out the front door unnoticed in the afternoon. They are all devastated, of course. Makes me so sad for them, he was a precious little dog... with an awesome personality.

Below are photos I took of Ringo on Sat. 7/16/11, as my sister, Janet, and I were leaving SC. Ringo had jumped in the car with us, as he usually did, when we were heading back to KCMO... the loss of him just tears me up. :.(




7/21/11 - I cannot stop thinking about the loss of my sister Jennifer's Yorkie, Ringo... he was such a sweet little dog, and it absolutely breaks my heart that he is gone. :.( After spending all last week around him at their house, I have cried over him as if he were mine. It's so sad, I feel so bad for Jennifer and her family.

He was such a happy little dog that loved his family, and was completely loved by his family. Yoda Little Dog got along great with him and their Greyhound, Kink, I'm just glad it didn't happen while we were there last week... actually, I wish it was just a bad dream!

I took the photo below last Monday, July 11, 2011... Ringo was sitting in the chair next to his "Mama", Jennifer.


Ringo chewing on his (Greyhound) sister Kink's bone - Thurs. July 14, 2011


Ringo was definitely like a family member to all of us, and more like a child to my sister, Jennifer. He was her little shadow, he would follow her around everywhere, slept in her bed, cuddled up next to her on the sofa, etc. She is somewhat distraught over the loss of him, and so is her family. She said she has been wearing Ringo's tiny collar around her wrist. Makes me so sad. :(

Yoda Dog and Ringo - July 2009

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Listening to... Joe Bonamassa, Happier Times [ Royal Albert Hall ]

One of my favorites...



"Happier Times" - Lyrics

Shape that I’m in
Never let her down a day in my life
Tree’s all around me
As I see the time pass me by

Never trade you for the world
Never do the things I used to
I guess it’s not good enough
This I see

But I’ll remember happier times

Life it hits me
Comes faster now day by day
Places that I’ve been
Are not the place I wanna be

Never trade you for the world
Never do the things I used to
I guess it’s not good enough
This I see

And I’ll remember happier times

Friday comes and goes
I guess I won’t talk to you anymore
So many things unsaid
So many things i wanna say

Never trade you for the world
Never do the things i used to
I guess it’s not good enough
This I see

But I’ll remember happier times
And Now remember happier times

Album: Joe Bonamassa Live From The Royal Albert Hall

*Visit Amazon.com's Joe Bonamassa Store to shop for Joe Bonamassa albums (CD, MP3, Vinyl), concert tickets, and more!

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Furman Students, President Smolla Perform Flash Mob Dance at Falls Park in Greenville

On the evening of April 30, more than 200 Furman University students descended on Falls Park in downtown Greenville to perform in a fun and entertaining Furman Flash Mob. The participants, most of whom were wearing their finest purple, included Furman president Rod Smolla and the Paladin mascot.

The group danced to Cee-Lo Green's "Forget You," and the event was coordinated by Furman seniors Dan Weidenbenner and Julianna Battenfield. Furman videographer Becky Lane filmed the event.

You can watch the video on YouTube or right here, below:



This was going on in Falls Park in Greenville on Saturday as my niece, Sarah, was having pictures taken before prom... they didn't know anything like that was going to be going on when they went there, but really enjoyed seeing it. Pretty cool! My (now 22 year old) daughter, Whitney, used to be a cheerleader for the Furman Youth Association, and my Dad went to Furman University in the 50's and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration there. Great job, Furman... FU! ;)

Here are a few pics my sister took from where she was, of the flash mob...




Cee Lo Green - Forget You, from The Lady Killer CD

*Visit Amazon.com's Cee Lo Green Store to shop for Cee Lo Green albums (CD, MP3, Vinyl), concert tickets, and other Cee Lo Green related products!

Furman University - National liberal arts university founded in 1826 in Greenville, South Carolina.

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First day of Spring in KC!

What a beautiful day! Went down to the Country Club Plaza with my sister, Janet, and Yoda Little Dog... he was super excited to get to go for a walk down by Brush Creek. We also took him to his favorite store, Three Dog Bakery, to get lots of treats! ;) So glad Spring is finally here!!!





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Sisters Who Care - Diabetes Event

Seven years ago today, my Dad had to have his leg amputated due to Diabetes. I just registered and created a web page on the American Diabetes Association's website this morning, to raise funds to fight Diabetes... not even realizing today's date at the time. My sister, Janet, and I will also attend the "Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes" event (again) in Kansas City this September... we will be walking as a team (Sisters Who Care) in memory of our Dad, Jim Smith, who passed away on 4/23/04 which was just 5 weeks after having his leg amputated from complications due to Diabetes. This cause is very important to me, and I hope to raise a lot more money than last year (signed up late for the last event)... would really appreciate as many sponsors as possible. Thank you all in advance!! :)

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/SistersWhoCare_Karen

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Sanctuary gives senior pets second chance - TODAY Show

Must see segment, made me smile and brought tears to my eyes... what an amazing woman to love and care for these precious pets the way she does, very touching!

Sanctuary gives senior pets second chance
March 10: Animal advocate Jill Rappaport ventures to Gaithersberg, Md., to visit a very special place that provides love and care for older, abandoned pets and animals with disabilities.

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Happy Birthday, Jennifer!

Wishing my sister, Jennifer, a very Happy Birthday today! ♥ Wish my other sister, Janet, and I could be there in SC to celebrate with her!

Listening to... Blue October, Hate Me

This song never gets old...



"Hate Me" - Lyrics

(If you're sleeping are you dreaming
If you're dreaming are you dreaming of me?
I can't believe you actually picked me.)

(”Hi Justin, this is your mother, and it's 2:33 on Monday afternoon.
I was just calling to see how you ware doing.
You sounded really uptight last night.
It made me a little nervous, and a l... and... well... it made me nervous, it sounded like you were nervous, too.
I just wanted to make sure you were really OK,
And wanted to see if you were checking in on your medication.
You know I love you, and...
Take care honey
I know you're under a lot of pressure.
See ya. Bye bye”)

I have to block out thoughts of you so I don’t lose my head
They crawl in like a cockroach leaving babies in my bed
Dropping little reels of tape to remind me that I’m alone
Playing movies in my head that make a porno feel like home
There's a burning in my pride, a nervous bleeding in my brain
An ounce of peace is all I want for you. Will you never call again?
And will you never say that you love me just to put it in my face?
And will you never try to reach me?
It is I that wanted space

Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you

Hate me in ways
Yeah ways hard to swallow
Hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you

I’m sober now for 3 whole months it’s one accomplishment that you helped me with
The one thing that always tore us apart is the one thing I won’t touch again
In a sick way I want to thank you for holding my head up late at night
While I was busy waging wars on myself, you were trying to stop the fight
You never doubted my warped opinions on things like suicidal hate
You made me compliment myself when it was way too hard to take
So I’ll drive so fucking far away that I never cross your mind
And do whatever it takes in your heart to leave me behind

Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things I didn’t do for you

Hate me in ways
Yeah ways hard to swallow
Hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you

And with a sad heart I say bye to you and wave
Kicking shadows on the street for every mistake that I had made
And like a baby boy I never was a man
Until I saw your blue eyes cry and I held your face in my hand
And then I fell down yelling “Make it go away!”
Just make a smile come back and shine just like it used to be
And then she whispered “How can you do this to me?”

Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things I didn’t do for you

Hate me in ways
Yeah ways hard to swallow
Hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you
For you
For you
For you

[Children voices:]
If you're sleeping, are you dreaming,
if you're dreaming are you dreaming of me.
I can't believe you actually picked me

[Girl:] Hey Justin! [x12]


Blue October - Hate Me, from the Foiled CD

*Visit Amazon.com's Blue October Store to shop for Blue October albums (CD, MP3, Vinyl), concert tickets, and other Blue October related products!


3/9/01-10/20/08

Favorite Quotations

"Optimists think the glass is half full. Pessimists think the glass is half empty. Realists know that someone will have to wash the glass" —Unknown

"Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is." —Mary Anne Radmacher

"Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, whine less, breathe more, talk less, say more, hate less, love more, and good things will be yours." —Swedish Proverb

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." —Robert Brault

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." —Elizabeth Foley

"Life is like photography - use the negatives to develop positives." —Unknown

"Be grateful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." —Oprah

"My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at his feet." —Mahatma Gandhi

"Success is not measured by what we have. It is about who we are and what we give." —Unknown

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do." —Confucius

"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers" —Garth Brooks

"Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have." —Unknown

"The greatest challenge in life is to find someone who knows all your flaws, differences, and mistakes and yet still loves everything about you." —Unknown

"Show gratitude. Gratitude is a simple but powerful thing." —Randy Pausch

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." —Anthony Robbins

"Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to." —Unknown

"Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with? Fall head over heels. I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back. And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart. I'm not hearing any heart. Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived." —William Parrish (Meet Joe Black)

"When you have come to the edge of all the light you have And step into the darkness of the unknown Believe that one of the two will happen to you Either you'll find something solid to stand on Or you'll be taught how to fly!" —Richard Bach

...and some that make me laugh out loud:

You are constantly partially there for me...is there anything I can pretend to do for you? —Karen Walker (Will & Grace)

"I think fall is finally here. I just saw the first drunk of the season turn yellow and tumble gently to the ground." —Will Truman ... "I tripped okay?" —Karen Walker (Will & Grace)

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Gift Ideas: Mirror Mirror Image

Looking for the perfect gift for the one you love? You cannot go wrong with photographic jewelry from Mirror Mirror Image. My best friend since 1977 is the owner and creator of the company, Nikki Caldwell, and she has been doing quite a bit of business lately. Recently, my sister and I decided to have some old photos that really meant something to our Mom made into pendants as gifts for her, and she absolutely loves them! She has had more compliments than she can keep up with, as well as inquiries on where to have them made... thought I'd share with all of you!

Mirror Mirror Image - One of a kind photographic jewelry and accessories... customized pendants, charms, dog tags, ornaments and more! Amazing gift ideas for any occasion... Birthday, Anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, and so on. mirrormirrorimage.com



Antique Style Pendant (above)

Dog Tag Pendant (above)
Mirror Mirror Image on Facebook

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Guide To Gorgeous: Spring 2011

Beauty is in bloom at SkinStore! "See our Spring Guide to Gorgeous with the latest trends and best new products. Save 20% on the Guide plus your favorites with promo code G2G20. Some items are excluded from discount."

Guide To Gorgeous Spring. Save 20% on everything in the guide. Code G2G20

Offer good 03-01-2011 - 03-14-2011