Apparently Mother Nature forgot to flip her calendar over from April to May; she still has us stuck in “April Showers” mode, and it’s been chilly as well. The May flowers are there, it’s just that we don’t get many chances to get out there to enjoy them.
We had one nice day last week when I got the dogs out for a walk and we did some training too. We’ll tell you more about that this week. Other than that, we’ve been doing some nose works, lots of toy play, and running outside to play some ball when we get a twenty to thirty-minute window of sunshine, or at best, a break in the rain.
It’s not my preference to have the dogs running on wet grass, but most of the time our window isn’t that big anyway, so play times are shorter, and we limit jumping to avoid slips. We all long to get outside in the fresh air moving, even for just a little bit.
The weather, along with some other stuff going on, didn’t make for a good start to the weekend. I was supposed to be spending it getting ready for my mini-vacation to Myrtle Beach and the BlogPaws conference. Dealing with other stuff was not on my agenda, and contributed to a stress level that sent me into a mini-breakdown (which basically means I balled my eyes out!).
The Dadz helped me through that, a couple things resolved themselves, and I put off something we were supposed to be doing this week, because I was stressed about it and it was really messing with my focus. What started things out was a slight technical problem with the blog Friday morning, adding another thing to my already too long to-do list that I did not need! Luckily that straightened itself out Saturday, at least hopefully until after the conference.
The worst of it all was that on Friday afternoon, my hubby and I got our official notice that our jobs will be over at the end of the summer. The general store we work at is being sold, and the new owners cannot afford the generous salaries our current boss provides, nor do they need a bookkeeper.
That’s not a good way to start off the weekend. Other things piled on top of that, and by the time I got a message from my good friend on Saturday morning that she was taking her cat to be put down that afternoon (Henry, the sweetest cat, was older with some health issues and his time had unfortunately come), I could no longer hold tears back. I knew something had to give, and we figured out an upcoming appointment we needed to change so I could just relax and enjoy getting ready for my trip (which said friend is taking with me, and we both sorely need right now!). I don’t mean to be vague about all of that, and I will fill you in on it at some point, but right now I just need to put it out of my mind.
By Sunday things were looking better and I could go back to writing lists and getting out suitcases and clothes (we are leaving on Saturday – more about our planned road trip later this week). I’m doing my best to put aside thoughts of the fact that I’ll be needing a new job in the fall.
It always helps to have the crew to focus on. Keeping them happy by running outside for a few minutes in-between showers is good for all of us. On Saturday afternoon, at one point I just dropped what I was doing and we all got some much-needed fresh air and a few minutes of playing. The sun even shone on us for a minute or two! Even when things look a bit on the dark side (weather and other-wise), there is nothing like a happy dog to make it look brighter.
Gosh I am sorry about all of the stress. Sorry about your jobs. Will you be job hunting or are you going to work on your farmstand?
Thank you. A little bit of both, I guess? I’ll probably look for something part-time to start, so I still have time to put into the farmstand.
Oh my gosh, your chicks are growing so big! It’s tough when the weather is crappy to keep the fur-kids exercised. Good luck with the weather!
Boy Jan, that’s a tough one. I’m sorry to hear that. When it all comes at once, that makes it so hard, feels like you can’t catch your breath sometimes.
I’ll be sending good thoughts your way, (and boy, do I have a story for you when I see you next week.) 🙂
Yes, it’s that piling on thing that’s so tough. It doesn’t seem so bad when it’s just one thing at a time.
Looking forward to seeing you and hearing your story!!
So sorry to hear that Jan! Hopefully a better door is opening for you both, but meanwhile it must be terribly hard not to feel stressed.
Thank you. It is hard not to be stressed, but I do tell myself that things always seem to work out in the end. I think I just need some time to get used to the idea.
Looking on the bright side, I’ll have more time to work on the farm! 🙂
Yup chickens are messy, you should put them in your garage with a heat lamp. So sorry about your jobs. Exciting you have a trip planned.
They weren’t quite as messy at first, but when we separated them and took some of the cardboard out of the cages so they could see each other, we didn’t set them back up right.
The garage might have been better, but it was nice having them right in the house, as far as being convenient to check on them and feed/water them.
They’re out to the coop in a few days! 🙂
A nice long road trip with a good friend can work wonders, We aren’t leaving until Tuesday, so see you next week! Love Dolly
Yes, I think the road trip will really help my state of mind. Can’t wait to see you and your Mom, Dolly!
Holy chickens! Those chicks have grown so much! Wow. I had no idea they grow so fast. I’ve been stressing out over the conference too … only I haven’t really been preparing – because then I can’t deny that I’m going and the stress will hit me full force. It was worth all the stress last year … so I try to remind myself of that! I’m sorry about the job situation – that is scary – especially when everything else is changing in the rest of your life (the changes you announced a month ago). If you need someone to listen – especially at the conference, I’d love to listen.
I know, right, wait until you see the next photos of the chickens – they just don’t stop growing in leaps and bounds!
Compared to everything else going on, I’ve been less stressed about the conference, so I guess that’s kind of a good thing!
Thank you so much for offering to listen! I can’t wait to meet you. Give me a glass of wine and I might never shut up though. LOL
It is amazing how our dogs can keep us on a more even kilter even when things seem to be swinging out of control! I’m glad that things seem a bit better now but I’m so sorry about the job news 🙁
Thank you! I’m sure we’ll get through this. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, as I think you know! ♥
I’m sorry to hear about your job. When it rains, it pours. Literally.
The chicks are getting big! Get those babies outside!
We want to get them outside, but the darn weather is not cooperating. They’re not quite 4 weeks old yet, and the nights have been barely above freezing, and the days in the 40’s and 50’s. We have a heater we can use, but we don’t really want it to have to run 24/7. If we could just get some sunshine that would at least warm up the coop during the day, that would help! Hopefully by next week…..
I’m sorry everything came crashing down at once – glad you found some time to chill. Have a good trip.
Thank you, Mary! When it rains, it pours, definitely seems to be an apt saying at times!
Ugh…sorry about your jobs. That’s not a good way to start the week. We hope some sunshine comes your way soon.
It’s so hard to feel optimistic when it’s dark, dreary, wet, and cold. But we’ll get out of this sooner or later!
Sorry about those dang jobs, but we have a feeling you are up to the challenge!
Thank you for the vote of confidence! ♥
Wow! I’m overwhelmed just reading about all of this. I’m glad that you were able to do a little rearranging and that the pups helped you get through things, too! We had rain all last week and I wasn’t sure that Rye and I would both make it out of the last week alive (I wasn’t sure which one of us was going to survive, but if it was me, I was pretty sure I’d be in the mental hospital anyway)–but then the sun came out yesterday and we got to take a nice long walk and play in the yard and things are better. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that your road trip continues to make things look up!
I’m so glad you got to enjoy some sunshine there! We’ve seen a little bit here, but barely enough to dry things out at all. It’s just so hard to feel optimistic when it’s so dark and dreary. But the forecast for Myrtle Beach says sunshine, so I’ll get some then anyway! 🙂
I am so sorry about your jobs. That is never easy but I’m sure that you will make a success of your farm. ♥ I hate that we aren’t able to attend BlogPaws this year.
Thank you, Melissa. I know, I am really going to miss seeing you and your boys (including Skipper) at the conference this year!
I’m so sorry you’ve got so much stressful stuff going on. I hope you and Sheryl can relax and have some fun. You both deserve it. Hoping everything else works out. Give Cricket and Luke lots of hugs!
Thank you, Karen. It has been a very tough week. We are determined to have a fun trip to Myrtle Beach. Lucy & Ethel will be hitting the road…I should post that famous pic of them in a convertible…Lucy driving…Ethel looking terrified. 🙂
Thank you, Karen! I’m sure everything will work out, it usually does. We’re going to enjoy our little getaway and put it all out of our minds for a bit (after talking it through on the long drive!).
Sheryl, you need to find that pic and put it on FB Saturday morning!
Yep. Nutty weather. It actually snowed in our local mountains
Lily & Edward
Yikes, if I had seen snow that might have really pushed me over the edge. LOL
Oh, my friend, I am so very sorry about your and Tom’s jobs!! I know how stressful it can be. But you’re a strong woman. You’ll be okay! You’ve been through worse moments and you’ll come through this, too. Go enjoy Myrtle Beach, relax, enjoy your mini vacation, and know that your friends are here to give you moral support.
I know you’re right. That is the perfect plan, and exactly what I am going to do!
I am so sorry to hear about your job, that is so stressful. I hope the right job comes along for you.
Things usually have a way of working out for the best, right? The last time I was unemployed I landed this job and it kept me going for over 20 years!
Jeez, what a stressful weekend. I would’ve been in tears too! Hope you’re able to relax a little and enjoy your trip to Myrtle Beach–get your batteries recharged a little, and worry about the worries later 🙂
Thank you. I am definitely going to do my best to put everything out of my mind and just enjoy relaxing!
Such a bummer with your jobs. It’s really nice to both work at the same place, but this is a big downsize. We saw that in the airline industry when Mom worked there. At least you have some time to figure things out. Hope the chicks don’t push you over the edge!
Ha ha, it could happen! They are like crazy little monsters right now. I’m hoping by the time I get back from BlogPaws, they’ll be out in their coop! 🙂
oh that were bad news… I’m so sorry that the new owner of the general store can not effort your jobs… and I cried for your friend…. but I hope for a lot of this bright moments when you can see happy dogs…it actually helps to look forward when we know our furkids are happy…
That you for your tears for my sweet Henry kitty…he was the best… xoxo
Sheryl