Juliepatchouli

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Laurel Falls Hike

I love East Tn in the fall! Here's pictures from a hike we took while camping at Elkmont - this is my friend Rob and niece Summer.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Introducing Ollie

I've been looking for a new little friend for Chewy. As I've mentioned, Chewy is so friendly. Never met a human nor animal soul he's not longed to befriend. My neighbors and I have become so close over the last many months and we talk often. They call me to see how I'm doing and I really appreciate that. My neighbor Bruce phoned me to say hello and said 'Did I know anyone who might be looking for a little Pomeranian'...He had a cousin who needed to find a home for hers little seven yr old guy. Well... as some of you might know, I've had two of the little fellas. I told him, have his cousin call me. We had a great talk and planned a few play dates. It didn't go so well initially, but she left him with me and after two weeks now, he and little Chewy are like Frick and Frack. He makes Chewy look like a Giant. He's found his position on the bed - at the top of my pillow! He's been shaved for the summer and my friend Rob says he's 'translucent'.. ha.. that we can draw his organs on him w/ a marker. He definitely is an odd little guy, but so are we, and he certainly fills a niche here at the house that was missing; he needed us and we needed him, so it just makes it that much sweeter. Chewy enjoys having his friend to pal around with, but he is very jealous of sharing his Mom with anyone and that is an adjustment for us. The wee one has become at home here and is fiercely protective of the house and his human. You can hear him bark from the road when a car pulls up. Chewy would probably (and probably has) licked any intruders. So, it's a good match. This wee one is only friendly to those we know, he's quite the little protective dog, like those little ones can be. And the big girl Maisy, well, she was already put out over Chewy, so she's really not too much different. I'm thankful to have the house filled with unconditional love from my baby boys - as we go through this adjustment phase despite- and then some regard from a cat.. :).... love love... julie

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Chewy the pup

Chewy the new poodle pound pup is the sweetest boy ever. He has really been such a wonderful companion through this difficult time. I believe he thinks he is my husband now. He is next to me constantly. He is the most friendly of dogs. He's friendly with every person and every other dog and cat I've ever seen cross his path. But he is no camp dog, that I can say! I have just had the most difficult of times taking him camping. It is because of his sweetness that makes him so difficult. He wants to meet and greet every person and every hound that walks by the campsite. It makes relaxation difficult for me and all those around us. It appears until he gets a little older, and maybe less enthusiastic, and 'relaxed', but hopefully never less friendly, he may have to stay home from the camping adventures. Camping always makes me miss my sweet Lucy girl. But I know had I not had my sweet Chewy, these past 10 months would have been terribly dismal and lonely. He has been a terrifically loyal best friend.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Fun...

Last night my sweet friend Lisy asked me to help volunteer with the YWCA Tribute to Women's Award Banquet. I had a wonderful time. Although it seemed I did very little to help out, it was wonderfully organized, I enjoyed being around so many wonderful women and community supporters and especially my friends.

This weekend I am going up to the mountains with some friends and am going to spend some time relaxing. It's good to untangle your mind whenever you can.

I hope you have some fun things planned this weekend for yourself.. take care, love love...

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Slowly but surely..

I'm slowly and surely climbing back into the flesh vehicle once known as lil Julie as I shed the last two years and the trauma of them. I've had to make amends to several relationships that I neglected. I completely committed myself to the marriage, but in an unhealthy way that cut me off - physically and emotionally- from most of my friends and family. They have been very understanding in allowing me to re-enter their lives and have been very supportive. My mother said she felt like she has her daughter back now after having lost her for several years.

It seems like my personality has changed, it will never be the same - hopefully it will be better, and smarter, taking from it what I have learned and letting go of what I don't need. I have been so sad for so long, I wondered if the silly laughing light hearted Julie might ever return, as I see her emerging more and more each day. The anger is lessening too as I see that he can choose to make these decisions to dishonor himself and our agreement with his own choices and it has nothing to do with me. It's not personal, it's just, in my opinion, who he is. Why let it bring me down and cloud my days and moods any longer. There is too much joy for me to feel and to give to others. I do have a huge heart and a great ability to love and for it to be weighed down by anger or sadness limits me and I refuse to allow him or this situation to do any more damage to me. Enough is enough.

I'm volunteering today at a special event for the YWCA, and doing some fun things this weekend. I'm going to have a test 'run' with a dog friend for my little boy Chewy next weekend to take in a little Pomeranian. I've made new friends. I'm getting more involved in church. I'm going to start hiking all the time. And looking into taking Tai Chi again.

Well, more later, love love...

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Hello Again!

Hello Everyone!
It's been along time since I have posted, or read and commented on blogs and I'm so sorry. It's been a difficult time as of late. I have had a bad patch after Lucy went into the light and we found out news it would be hard to have our own baby (or very expensive to say the least) and other stumbling blocks here and there. But we've had many other blessings - Christmas with family was wonderful, we got a new pup named 'Chewy' (after the star wars character Chewbecca b/c he was so hairy, he's a poodle adopted from the local shelter) and he is just a sweetheart.
I recently visited my family in Ga., and got to see several family members I haven't seen in a long time.
I'm very hopeful for this new year. I'm so excited about the new President. I do know we still have a long time to make up for the last 8 years and things won't change overnight, but I have a lot of hope in my heart about the future for this country and for us as a nation to embrace these changes.
I've been using facebook and enjoy that, you can look me up there if you use it as well.
I miss you all and hope to blog more, love love...

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Moving on.. and onto many projects

Well, we had a wonderful time w/ our friends in Tellico Plains and a most restful and relaxing time in the beautiful cabin in Northern Ga.
My mind is clearing more from the sadness about Lucy as I remember the joy of having her company with me for all those years. It's amazing how God can heal you in that way, replacing grief with the memory and blessing and appreciation of knowing what a gift you had for so very long.
We are going to start to work on some projects we've been too busy to really dedicate the needed time - a network to serve the needs of those in this surrounding area and a foundation to help 'other animals' and people. The first one will network churchs together to help meet all the needs of the parishioners so that just each individual church doesn't carry the burden alone. We have a meeting w/our pastor this next week to brainstorm with him.

The second has been a dream of mine for many years, a foundation to help animals and people. It would provide funds to adopt animals to elderly, disabled or low income people and some food/vet care to appropriate homes. We all know the value of what a pet companion can add to the quality of someone's life, and it would provide a home for the furry friend. The second part of the foundation would provide funds for vet care if an animal has an injury or illness that is treatable but the steward isn't able to afford it. We would ask that those funds be paid back in volunteer hours to the local shelters or in helping w/ the first component of the foundation. We are putting together the non profit status of this, have talked w/ a local vet who is very excited about this and soon we will be doing some fundraising about it. The first part of funds are called Lucy scholarships, since she was a rescue dog, the second are Audrey scholarships, my beloved peekapoo, since she was once run over and also had kidney disease.

We are excited about these endeavors and feel spirit led in doing them and hope they benefit a great many people in the process. Keep us in your prayers as well start the ground work for them. Hope this finds you well, love, love...