Susquehanna Service Dogs needs our help

Susquehanna Service Dogs needs our help.  SSD is a Pennsylvania-based service dog organization that is accredited by Assistance Dogs International and is highly acclaimed for their ground-breaking work.  SSD breeds, raises, trains, and then partners service dogs with partners.  SSD is  almost entirely dependent on donations to fund this amazing work, and this economic downturn is really hurting them.  Their incredible work is done almost entirely by volunteers, but it still takes almost $20,000 to raise and train one service dog, who then goes on to change someone's life---priceless.

PittRehab posted recently about SSD and his service dog SSD Nala.  My family is greatly enhanced by retired SSD Wyatt.   Wyatt wasn't retired when he joined us, so we know directly how a service dog can change a life.    Please help SSD continue their work  by donating.   I'll match the first $100 of donations that mention my blog or Pitt Rehab.  Please consider donating today.

Thanks to a Friend

Thanks  Greg,  for the great Valentines Day present of the Friend Award.  Greg is the blogger of note behind the great blog, Pitt Rehab.

I was  away for a few days and when I came back this morning to catch up on all the news, I saw the post on his blog.  The criteria for the award are:

These blogs are exceedingly charming.  These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.  They are not interested in self-aggrandizement.  Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.  Please give your attention to these writers.  Deliver this award to 8 more, and include this cleverly written text in the body of your awards.

So, before I list my 8, let me just say that never before has anything I have done been called "exceedingly charming."  That's pretty darn cool!

My charming blogs are:

1.  A Small Group of Thoughtful Committed Citizens

2.  A Life on a Page

3.  Wendy Brandes jewelry

4.  Dogs on Thursday

And that's it!  Can I vote for each of those twice? 

thanks again, Greg.

on the road

My son, dog, and I have all decided to take a long weekend and go visit our husband/dad/companion (respectively) in Charm City ( the nickname Baltimore has given itself.) The weather isn't cooperating, and there is snow and sleet in the forecast, but we're loading up and heading out anyway.

The house presents a challenge for our dog SSD Wyatt (ret.) who is increasingly challenged by stairs. The house we are renting in the heart of CC, is a cute historic row house that is anything but accessible. Lots and lots of narrow stairs. We'll be looking for something a bit more suitable while we are there. This rental only lasts until early summer, so we need to find something anyway.

It's also a challenge for me--the Queen of the directionally challenged. Hopefully Tom, the new GPS, an get me there without too much angst. It will be an adventure, and fun to spend a bit of time with my son---a captive audience for a couple of hours.

It will be good to get away for a few days--although we have to be back on Sunday for the start of Lacrosse practice. Life goes on . . . .

on my way back

After a bit of a setback at work, I think I'm on my way back.  I was working on a project that was more than a bit consuming, and I think I lost my perspective.  To make a year-long story short, I suppose you could technically call all my efforts  a failure, but things are rarely that binary in real life.  

Dare I say that I learned a lot?  I did.  I am much more seasoned than I was a year ago. I am a soupcon more cynical, quite a bit more connected, and a great deal more grounded.  I'm trying hard to gather what's left of my wits, square my shoulders, and move on.

So, dear blog, if I've sounded a bit preoccupied for the last six months, I have been.  It's time to write more, reflect more, parent more, and get my head back into the real world.

a shadow of my former self

A consequence of living in Pennsylvania during February is the endless focus on Octorara Orrie and Punxsatawney Phil----the two competing groundhog prognosticators.  I don't follow these things closely, but it appears as though they saw shadows and we are in for six more weeks of winter.

two thoughts:  

1.  Don't they ALWAYS see their shadows?

2.  Why didn't I see my shadow?  

Remember me?

When I went to my blog this morning, being in possession of a rare extra few minutes, I was prepared to post about work, about winter, or about parenting. But then I was struck by the friendly question under the login box. Remember me? it asked, rather plaintively, it seemed.

I do remember you, dear blog, and I remember to follow the blogs I enjoy. I'm just a little underground at the moment. Big doings at work are doing a number on me, I'm afraid.

I'll be back, with some stories to tell, I think . . .

N

onward to 09

Christmas was lovely, and it was delightful to be with family.  One of my sisters gave me a gorgeous djembe, which was equal part drum and metaphor.  I can't really think through yet how to piece together a post on the Berlin mini-marathon, drumming, and metaphor, but I'm working on it. . . .stay tuned for the sound of drumming.