Lady Lizzy Love

It’s funny how life is a full cycle.

In the fall of 1999, I was given a choice between the two dreaded “D” words – dog or divorce. While we joked about this, there was an underlying truth. Sir had always wanted a dog, and I had always said NO. Well, moving back to the States from London gave Sir the perfect opportunity to use it as a bargaining chip with Daughter #1 and Daughter #2. After months of trying to decide which “D” was more wanted, I made the decision, and headed to the local pottery-painting store in London to help the Daughters make food and water bowls for the unhatched dog that lied in my future.

Lady Lizzy Love was born on August 25, 2000—a beautiful black lab with big chocolate-brown eyes. There I was, riding home from the breeders in the front seat holding this tiny pup on my lap, while she was scared out of her mind, whimpering the whole way! I was scared too and passed her off to Daughter #1. What was I going to do with this little tiny thing? It was everyone’s dog, right? “I will feed her.” “I will walk her.” “I will pick up her toys.” Do I need to say more? In the end, we all know who takes care of the dog!

Lady touched each of our hearts in a different way. Sir was always the master; always the one she ran to when he walked in from work and always the one who she went to in the evenings to beg for a walk. Daughter #1 loved Lady truly and thoroughly; forever the big sister making sure we were treating her right, taking pictures, and begging to see her on Skype while away at school. Daughter #2 had an eleven year a love affair with Lady, growing up together. In the beginning Daughter #2 dressed Lady in doll clothes and in the end Lady was Daughter #2’s fierce protector.

Me? Well, it is hard to say. For seven years she was a lovely thorn in my side, but for the past four years she has been my lifesaver. When Sir moved to Chicago, she was my faithful companion. After my move to Chicago, Daughter #1 going to college and Daughter #2 becoming more independent – Lady was the one that got me out of bed each morning. She was the one who didn’t say, I don’t need you as much anymore.

So today, I was the one holding her when she left us. Lady will be truly missed.

Really?

All I can say is . . . really?

Snow on April 18th?

My poor daffoildils.

Need Your Help

It is that time again in my life - working on a new set of note cards in time for Mother's Day.



Go to my web-site.

http://www.shellydoddsayers.com/



Click on Commercial/various photos.



I have posted 17 pictures taken when I was on the move in Chicago and Wisconsin.

Let me know the top 3 or 4 pictures you like best.



Thanks for your help!

I Spy

The thirst for travel and new adventures was one of the many things that attracted Sir and I to each other. Back in the early days of our relationship, we traveled to spend time with friends in New Jersey. On a trip to Atlantic City we each had $20 to spend to win the big money. Being the lightweight gambler, I chose the slot machines and doubled my money. I repaid the banker (Sir) and kept my $20, then went to the boardwalk to enjoy the ambience of Atlantic City. . . I had a plan.

Without a large budget for traveling and with the desire to “shop” on our trips, I devised a plan to acquire something small from each trip... I bought a shadow box with my $20 from Atlantic City. I found an organized approach to shop, yet keep our memories for many years.

It was hunt to find the right piece! What could we find that depicted our trip and fit in the multi-sized squares in the shadow box.

While unpacking recently, I found the dusty shadow box—many items broken from too many moves. What fun it was to go through piece by piece, remembering our trips to places all over the world. We are wondering . . .would they still take the chips in Vegas?

So, I spy something with my eyes – how many countries, towns and experiences can you find?

Valentine’s Day just passed. Loved by those in love, hated by those without love. $15.7 billion dollars was spent this year on Valentine’s Day. Items included: cards, sexy lingerie, flowers, Viagra (yes, there was a spike in sales) ecards, organic flowers, chocolate alcohol, and chocolate. Chocolate only accounted for 1.5 billion in sales. Humm . . .

Sir was very sweet to me. Red roses and a beautiful heart shaped necklace were presented to me at the end of the day. Don’t’ get me wrong here – a love receiving the flowers, eating Sirs favorite meal and getting extra kisses and hugs from Daughter #2 but settling in to watch my favorite movie is a pleasure I love on Valentine’s Day. I am a sucker for love stories. Stories from long a go up to my modern day favorites – Love Story (which was terrible advice), The Way We Were, Pretty Woman, The American President, Nottinghill, The Holiday, Music and Lyrics, Letters to Juliet, and . . .


I do enjoy a few minutes on Valentine’s Day looking through the previous generations of love birds in my family. Sure, they are not Robert Redford, Jude Law or Julia Roberts, but they were couples that passed the test of time. I look at the old photos wishing I knew more of their love story – but for now, I will keep making up their stories in my head. Who knows, it might be the next block buster!

Parents

Paternal Grandparents

Maternal Grandparents

Those Old Oak Trees

I am snuggled up in my office with a hot cup of tea. White fluffy clouds are hanging in the beautiful blue sky but it is all an illusion. You see, it is freezing outside and a winter wonderland. Snow covers the ground and still sits on the trees and bushes. I keep looking out the window staring at the oak trees and reflecting on their history.

Pocahontas might not have roamed among my oak trees but the children from a Native American tribe lived and played here. My house is located on an oak savanna which was the site of a Native American encampment 1,000’s of years ago. Archaeologists and students excavated artifact from this oak savanna finding remains from life of this area earliest visitors. Artifacts they found included: stone knives, spears, arrows and tools for food preparations and to shape bone and wood. They also found fire-cracked rock from cooking and heating.

Sadly, the big oaks closest to my house and drive were hurt during the building of my house. The arborist I consulted told me it takes very little to hurt an oak and about seven years for it to die. In the front, two trees had grown together to reach over 70 feet high. The limbs and branches spanned the front yard. The tree in the back was even bigger; measuring over 54 inches around, taking the prize of the largest tree my crew had ever taken down.

After careful planning, the tree removal company and the tree harvester showed up with machines and men to start the three day event. It was an amazing process and I couldn't keep my camera put away!

It broke my heart to watch over 200 years of history disappear branch by branch but made me happy knowing that the tree has been harvested and will live on. Some of the wood went to the wood chips piles to be put back into the earth, some went for fire wood to sustain others on cold nights and what the crew could save went to Horigan’s Urban Forest Products. They take sections of the tree, cut it, dry it, prepare it for customers to turn it into furniture, wood floors, etc. Already, some of the pieces from our tree was cut and prepared for a popular coffee house for it’s tables. Urban renewal is the way to go!! Think about it for your next project!!! (No, I am not being paid to advertise – it is just a great company making the right choice to reuse our natural resources) www.horiganufp.com

I look out and miss those big old oak trees. The snowy view just isn’t the same.

Enjoy the pictures. It was a cool process!

Walking To The Beat Of The Fall

It is beautiful right now! The yellow, red and orange leaves are beautiful against the backdrop of the sky and the everygreens. Every where I look the scenery takes my breath away. Daughter 2 is probably getting tired of me continually stating "Look at that tree!" or "Do you see the sky tonight!"

I have been out and walking this fall. I have visited the Botanical Gardens - each time a new experience! I walked in a 5K over the week-end. It was great to get out and push myself - walking in the nippy weather with the leaves falling off the trees - felt like I was in a fall snowglobe. A recent trip to the near by savanah was breathtaking. My heart soars just walking around town seeing all the fall displays. Of course, I am grateful for all my walking buddies in my life. I feels exhilitrated after our dose of nature.

I suggest it for everyone - walk! Get out there. Find new paths. Explore your area. Experience nature at its finest.

The Concert Put Me On The Move

Thank you Disney and the Jonas Brothers. I spent Saturday with screaming fans, the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and the cast of Camp Rock 2. Sir and I drove 60 miles southwest of our home with Daughter 2 and friend in the back seat. As they watched Camp Rock, we drove through the Chicago traffic astonished at how long the 60 miles took us.

After the girls were settled, Sir and I took off to shop, eat dinner and wait to go back to the concert. While we were leaving the parking lot, the Jonas Brothers van pulled in. They stopped the bus and the Jonas Brothers got out to greet the few fans waiting for them. I started screaming. . . . Daughter 2 is going to be so made! I didn't have my camera so grabbed my phone and headed to get pictures! How fun.

While at dinner we were surrounded by kids everywhere! While we were paying the bill, the waiter laughed and said, I think you are the only ones in the restaurant not going to the Jonas Brothers Concert. We had to laugh back! We were going to the concert!

We found our spot on the lawn (Daughter 2 and friend had real seats) and made a home for the next 5 hours. It was a beautiful evening, the temperature was tolerable and the sun set while we watched the concert.

We drove home with two very happy girls. It put a smile on my face knowing the joy the evening brought them.

Signing off - still singing.

4th of July Celebration with Friends

It seems words never can convey the memories of a great week-end. Sir and I enjoys a great time with Daughter #1 and friends over the 4th of July. Our friends from Georgia arrived in time to go to dinner before heading back to the airport to pick up Daughter #1. Daughter #1 has been in DC this summer working at the Congressional Awards Office on the Hill. We were happy to have her home and enjoying Chicago with us.

As Daughter #1 kept busy with appointments and shopping on Saturday morning, we headed to Lake Michigan for a stroll along the beach. We took time for pictures and to watch the activity in the marina. I would have loved to climb aboard a boat and head to sea for the day!

The 4th was spent at a good old fashion parade. We biked in the morning to my friends house just a few miles (Daughter #1 would say 6 miles one way is not a few) north of our house to enjoy a bit of breakfast, a two hour parade and then a great lunch off the BBQ.

After everyone left us on Monday, Sir and I headed to see the White Sox play and win. It was my first official game since moving to the Windy City! The evening ended with a beautiful fireworks display.

Just a few pictures of the parade!

Welcome Spring - Welcome Back

Okay. I have been away for a while. Sometimes it is hard to get back on the saddle. . . but here I am again.

At this time a year ago, I was frantically cleaning, sorting, packing, hosting company, planning two graduation events and making a move to the windy city. While my blog has not moved, I have been on the move. The move was just harder than anticipated. Sending Daughter #1 to college was harder than thought possible. Helping Daughter #2 settle in a new high school was difficult yet refreshing.

With every season change, I told myself I would get back on board. Okay, a few seasons have passed by but it is spring and new beginnings surround me. You see, my garden has been my inspiration. It is a constant reminder that there are surprises in life, life changes rapidly, and you can’t put off until tomorrow because a storm could come by at any moment and change the whole landscape.

Every day I watch new plants grow and blooms appear where I least expect them. I am thankful for my homes previous owners and their dedication to my yard – it has put the color back in my life!

My Editior Is Being Fired?

I don't know what to say? My blog articles are sitting in my editors inbox. I am in a big dilemma. What to do? Wait for weeks for the articles to get back to me? Or, take a deep breath and do this on my own. If I choose my own . . . . I guarantee you, there will be mistakes! My comas might not be placed properly and I might have a few run on sentences. There might be a few "things" hanging and dangling. Regardless, what I write will be from the heart. I was not an english major . . . just a woman on the move with a few things to share.

Woman On The Move Is Stuck At Home

Okay, this woman on the move is stuck at home! Sir will be celebrating our 21st Anniversary tomorrow by himself on a business trip to California (yes, I am celebrating by myself at home). Daughter #1 is enjoying the last days of her trip to Europe (yes, I was suppose to go, but it is a long story). Daughter #2 is in Florida with a good friend to play for few days before heading to nerd camp (no, I was not invited). Lady Lizzy Love (the dog) is even out in the country at the doggy spa (well okay, we call it the fat farm). So they are spread all over the globe and I am stuck at home!

Just when you are ready to cry for me . . .I want to tell you. I am on the move later this week. Stay tuned for the next round of Where Am I!

On The Move

The Woman On The Move was on the move today! Crossing 4 states, Daughter 2 and I arrived with tired butts and a smile on our face to our temporary home in the windy city! We had a great drive. The weather was wonderful . . sunny blue skies with fluffy clouds most of the drive. My book on CD was too . . "sexy" . . so Daughter 2 controlled the ipod! The music was loud but tolerable! The diversity of the country put a smile on our faces was we sang our way across the country. Here are just a few snapshots of our journey!

The sun set as we were just miles from home.

I Have Been Away A While

Forgive me, my loyal readers - I have been away for a while! My life has not been my own during the past months. You will see why when you scroll through the recently added blog articles. As the movers are loading the last boxes on to the truck, I have caught up on life. You will find the last two articles on India, all of Daughter #1's end of high school activities, Daughter #2's Middle School Graduation and Daughter #1's High School Graduation Weekend.


I am on the move - literally! I have packed up my goods and am moving to the Windy City to join Sir. He has been traveling to work weekly, so us girls are loading up and moving out.


Please follow my new journeys - I am sure there will be a story or two to share!

Moving #3 - It Is Over

I can't say we are not sad and depressed to be leaving our wonderful home. So many memories have been made here. I have watched my daughters grow and mature. I have hosted many parties both large and small. I have curled up in front of the fire many nights.

But here we are in the final moments, taking time to remincious about our life in our old home. We took pictures at the front door - the place we took pictures of the first day of school for nine years. We took pictures behind our favorite curtains! The backyard provided another great site to take pictures as we shared stories. The play house was built by Grandpa's, Uncles and friends the week we moved into the house.

So, we are off. We are on the move. Headed to a new home with new memories and, I am sure, wonderful stories to tell!