Got a Happy Story? Stuck at Home Edition

Got a Happy Story is a community gathering every Friday night where we share stories large and small that have put a smile on our face.  It is a time to acknowledge the joy and wonder we experience.  The Happy Story diary exists as a way to anchor the community in hope and comfort while we do the hard work of taking back our country. Everyone and all sorts of stories and pictures are welcome. May we find joy and strength here.

The plan for tonight's diary was for Eddie and I to write it together from Netroots Nation.  We'd had a blast last year scrambling the streets of Chicago looking for free wifi to post Happy Story.  Alas, it was not to be this year.  Eddie is in Austin and I am stuck at home dealing with numerous life situations.  I figure that there are plenty of people who had planned to go to NN and weren't able to, as well as many for whom it wasn't even a possibility.  So I think we should just share our little happy stories with each other.

We've had a rough couple of weeks around our house but we've also tried to focus on what is going well.  One of the things going well is that with the warm weather we get to spend more time outside.  A few weeks ago we were in the midst of big thunderstorm warnings and I noticed that the clouds were unusual.  Here  are a few pictures of some funky storm clouds.

I've been having trouble with insomnia lately but one of the positives with that is that I often have the opportunity to see the sunrise.  Here is one from last week.

2 Thursdays out of 3 I get on the parent launch and watch my son sail.  Here is a shot of another observer who also watches me row in the morning.

I think our past few weeks have been focused on finding the positive in negative situations.  So...insomnia but sunrises.  I couldn't go to NN but someone who wouldn't have been able to go got a scholarship.

And on Wednesday my son was treated really badly by another sailor in his new class.  She kept calling out to him that he was a freak and a weirdo, and ramming her boat into him while he was sailing.  He got so rattled that he docked his boat at the wrong dock.  He was so upset.  But the sailing director noticed that he wasn't himself and asked what the problem was.  And then he totally handled it and made soberboy feel really good about himself.  So it's lousy that there is a cruel girl in his class.  But I'm really glad that a) they know soberboy well enough to know when something is different, b) they noticed rather than soberboy or us having to notify them, c) they handled it really well.  So he sees the sailing camp as a really safe and supportive place.  And that makes me happy.

What's making you happy?

•  Have a great weekend everyone

  We're due for more warm, sunny weather here.

  by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:25:14 PM PDT

  •  here at netroots nation

    My son is here with me, and having mostly a good time. We are going to the "chocolate fountain party" later but first, to the rooftop pool.

    As with previous meets, it is the quality of the people that means the most to me.
    And, my husband is in Niger and thought he might have malaria, but it turns out it wasn't, and he is better.

    And Jerome a Paris spoke to my son today. People here are the sweetest!

    by Chun Yang on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:32:04 PM PDT

    •  That was the highlight for my son in Vegas

      He absolutely loved meeting Jerome and told all of the cab drivers and airport people that he'd met "a man who came all the way from France."  I took a picture of him with Markos but he remains annoyed that he doesn't have one of him with Jerome.  Jerome is one of the nicest men anyone could meet.  He is so kind and gentle.

      by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:40:32 PM PDT

  •  Ecdie C says

    Oh crap! I forgot to post to "Got a Happy Story" this evening from the DailyKos party about an hour or so ago here in Austin. He's happy, but just forgot to post.

    by Ed in Montana on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 08:46:42 PM PDT

•  I wore my Obama '08 shirt to the zoo today

  And saw another guy with the same shirt (different color.)

  When we go out we play "Obama vs. McCain" and count bumperstickers. Our tally for the summer is Obama 12, McCain 0. (Ron Paul 2)

  That makes me happy.

  by NMDad on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:29:19 PM PDT

•  I'm happy to be here for happy story

  No, I didn't make it to Austin this year but after so many weeks of being away on Fridays, it's kind of nice to be home to see happy story go up.

  Other than that, though, I really don't have any happy stories for this week. However, since I was last here, I've seen my two best friends from college (always makes me happy), attended two good R.E.M. concerts, had a very dramatic week on Jekyll Island in Georgia, raised a bunch of money for our peace group at Laramie's 4th of July bash, and had a very productive board meeting of the Alliance for Historic Wyoming.

  Oh, and a tornado blew through Laramie and ripped up my roof -- which actually turned out to be kind of a good thing because we needed a new roof anyway and now the insurance policy will pay for some of it.

  Sorry to hear about the cruel girl and soberboy, but glad the director handled it well.

  by kainah on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:29:45 PM PDT

  •  You've been missed!

    I'd forgotten about your REM tickets, shocking given how happy you were when you got them.  I'd wondered what happened to you.  I'm glad to hear that you've been off having fun.  Good for you.

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:49:23 PM PDT

    •  thanks, sobermom

      I've been all over the place -- SD, MN, WI, IA (right before the floods), NE, CO, and then GA. And since I've been back, every Friday has been filled with one thing or another.

      My R.E.M. story for this tour is that we were in the front row in Denver and I was wearing my STOP BITCHING, START A REVOLUTION t-shirt. Towards the end of the concert, I suddenly became aware of the fact that Michael Stipe was staring at me and saying, "Yeah, you. You." What had I done? Nothing. He just loved my t-shirt so he had to call it out to the crowd and put it up on the big screen behind him. Pretty cool. I even it on mp3 since someone smuggled recording equipment into the concert. littlesky labeled the concert "Stop Bitching" and that clip "Michael talks to (real name)." teehee

      R.E.M.'s new album is entitled "Accelerate" and that seems to be exactly what my summer did! This weekend, though, maybe take a breath and go up into the mountains.

      Medicine Bow Peak and Lake Marie in the Snowy Range, west of Laramie, WY:
      

      by kainah on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:57:27 PM PDT

      •  Nice pic to go with your story!

        And I like your sig line as well.
        I'm on Gary's email list, got one today as a matter of fact.

        by pickandshovel on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:37:22 PM PDT

•  I am so happy

  that the sailing director knows soberboy so well!  I hope that the sailing director is a teacher during the school year.
  Happy story - I got an "A" in my Advanced Psych class.  I'm on my way to a master's.  Yay!

  by I teach music on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:33:35 PM PDT

  •  He's actually

    a college kid majoring in marine science and geology.  He's ramping up to apply to grad school.  I hope he stays local or at least continues to have summers off.  He's a total gem.

    Congratulations on your A!

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:51:39 PM PDT

•  A happy moment of competence

  An unusually knowledgeable and competent cable technician came today, 20 minutes earlier than scheduled, found the problem right away and fixed it.  Two weeks of intermittent and degraded signals for video and internet are over!

  by welso on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:35:23 PM PDT

•  Sobermom - those are glorious photos.

  I am happy you chose to post them, and that's my happy story.  Oh, that, and the fact that I've beaten my two adult children at Wii bowling tonight!  Not bad for a 58-year old broad, eh?

  by klnb1019 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:36:27 PM PDT

  •  Most excellent!

    I hope they're good losers.

    by welso on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:38:16 PM PDT

    •  They are - we raised them well.

      They lose graciously but then return to kick our ... well, you know.

      by klnb1019 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:39:22 PM PDT

•  Is that a juvie Double Crested Cormorant?

  Oh. Birders. They never quit....

  Right now flying over the house: two Osprey, singing.

  There are at least two coyote puppies in the park.

  The heat has broken. I'm wearing leggings and a sweater. I love the cool.

  by bwren on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:39:40 PM PDT

  •  Well he has his back turned

    so I don't know if his crest is a single or a double. ;)  I'll horrify you by saying that I slapped it up onto photobucket quickly and just labeled it tern.  This one actually loves watching the boats.  We row by him in the morning and the kids sail by him in the afternoon and he keeps an eye on all of us.  How lucky you are to have osprey overhead.  I always feel fortunate to catch a glimpse.  Last week I saw a Great Blue Heron and I love how prehistoric they look in flight.  My favorites are the egrets and I don't see nearly enough of them.

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:47:23 PM PDT

•  got to go to a neighborhood picnic....

  one neighbor is leaving and sold their house to a friend so we all met the new neighbor and their children.  Cute kids moving in and a new baby border collie has arrived next door- soooooo sweet and smart- children and puppies!  Nice neighbors and pot luck.  Summer can be great.  Going on vacation tomorrow to visit Snow Country- 900 miles and a load of family furniture.  And we had good sales yesterday of products from the small and sometimes struggling company I helped start- and we had a press release that some of our product worked well in a new application!  Also, the lab confirmed we had our clone. So summer is good.

  by murrayewv on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:41:59 PM PDT

  •  Huh?

    Also, the lab confirmed we had our clone.

    by gooderservice on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:27:58 PM PDT

    •  Don't ask.

      They don't mean me, btw.

      by SnowCountry on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 08:26:47 PM PDT

      •  cloned gene....

        seriously good news for any molecular biologist!

        by murrayewv on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 12:15:54 AM PDT

  •  My parents are coming to visit!

    Murrayewv and Dad are coming up to see me and we're going to go to the Walker and eat delicious food.  :)

    by SnowCountry on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 08:26:28 PM PDT

  •  Oh, boy, do I feel dumb.

    I just now get who "Snow Country" is...  

    I hope you have a wonderful trip and a great time.

    by gooderservice on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 08:32:57 AM PDT

    •  we are a parent child team....

      sometimes we communicate via blogging- check out her excellent Web Comics page from my links!

      by murrayewv on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 09:12:56 AM PDT

      •  That's great.

        This is the only time I've ever seen family members commenting in the same diary, let alone the same blog.

        It's very uplifting.  

        And I will check out the links.  Thanks.

        by gooderservice on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 09:30:09 AM PDT

        •  Mom's more active on this blog than I am...

          and it helps me keep involved in politics.  I tend to fall into the grad student bubble, so this helps remind me that there's other stuff going on.

          I think there's a lot of families on kos, but most of them don't use it as a virtual post-it note holder.  ;)

          by SnowCountry on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 09:49:39 AM PDT

•  I turned a lot of excess eggs

  and a lot of culinary angst into a delicious lemon meringue pie and some really good deviled eggs.

  How did I end up with two dozen eggs, anyway?  We don't eat two dozen eggs in six months under normal circumstances.  

  by escapee on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:43:48 PM PDT

  •  Yum! n/t

    by welso on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:45:52 PM PDT

  •  hmmmm, deviled eggs

    I love deviled eggs. And lemon meringue pie! Maybe I need to stop by. :)

    Your story reminds me of a few weeks ago when one of our younger peace group members was calling everyone, trying to get rid of 16 dozen eggs he'd found in the discard bin behind the grocery store. Nothing wrong with them but, for some reason, they'd just been tossed away....

    by kainah on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:49:27 PM PDT

•  I wore my Obama shirt today too

  

  I donated my Netroots registration so I am happy that a deserving fellow Kossack was able to go in my place. I went to a Science Center in Baltimore and saw the Body Works display. It was warm but beautiful at the waterfront where we had lunch. So now I will kick back and live vicariously through the attendees.

  by niteskolar on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:46:29 PM PDT

  •  That was nice of you. You look good in that

    shirt.

    by flumptytail on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:47:54 PM PDT

    •  [blushes]

      Thank you.

      by niteskolar on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:48:45 PM PDT

  •  You're very handsome

    I thought I would be bitter about not being in Austin, but you're right, donating the registration makes me feel okay about not being there.  I'm glad that kid oakland came up with the idea last year so that people could attend who wouldn't be there otherwise.

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:57:34 PM PDT

    •  I donated mine directly to Melody

      after her report on the TX caucuses -- "Si Se Fucking Puede", indeed! :)

      by Cali Scribe on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:29:03 PM PDT

      •  Land of Enchantment helped me donate mine

        to the scholarship fund.
        I'm glad someone got to go since I couldn't.
        I really enjoyed it last year.

        by pickandshovel on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:42:26 PM PDT

        •  She helped me too

          She was really great.

          by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:53:51 PM PDT

          •  yep,she did all the work.

            certainly made it easy.
            joannaleon got my hotel res., and we spoke briefly, and I'm glad I could help her out.

            by pickandshovel on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 07:01:00 PM PDT

            •  I'm glad that joanneleon

              got your room rez.  She was great last year and her guy seemed very sweet also. You do remember that you know her right?   I ended up just cancelling mine when I couldn't find someone to use it.  I had a twinge on Tuesday when I would have arrived in Austin but it was much better for me to be home.  

              by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 07:11:46 PM PDT

              •  um, no, I did not know that. ;-)

                I guess we both forgot, her and I. She said she was taking her son with her. Can you jog my memory?

                by pickandshovel on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 07:27:23 PM PDT

                •  She had some of her meals

                  at our table.  He had bright white hair and either an English or Australian accent.  She had straight hair just past her shoulder blades and it is kind of dirty blonde.  She has glasses and is very soft spoken.  If the table was a clockface with the 12 facing the stage and the 6 with their back to the stage, they often sat in the 4 and 5 or 5 and 6 position.  At the Saturday night thing they sat in the 4 and 5 positions.  She wasnt able to make it to the caucus because she arrived late on Thursday.  She's very nice.

                  by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 08:22:29 PM PDT

                  •  thanks for the memory picture Maureen

                    but my memory is shot apparently. I can't remember. I will mention it to her. She will take some pics there that I'm sure will remind me. Small world, eh?
                    ;-)

                    by pickandshovel on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:16:47 PM PDT

        •  Helped me donate mine as well n/t

          by niteskolar on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 08:02:19 PM PDT

•  Great photos of the clouds---how unusual looking.

  No real happy story; though the photos have gotten me to dig out my 35 MM, and get back to doing some old-fashioned  photography---non digital variety.

  If I can find some B/W film, I'll do some of that too.  

  by Phil S 33 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:49:06 PM PDT

•  What a wonderful outlook on life

  you have!  I'm inspired.  Soberboy is an inspiration, too.

  My happy story is that I took our dog to the vet yesterday to get her teeth cleaned.  An hour after dropping her off the vet called to say she had an abnormal result on the pre-op blood screen and she might have kidney and/or liver problems.  He went on to describe what he recommended - x-ray, urine culture, antibiotics and postpone the procedure.  My heart was breakingm but Tilly is a greyhound and earlier in the  morning I had watched her joyously racing around the yard at top speed, kicking grass 6 feet in the air as she ran.  I couldn't believe she was sick.  I asked the vet if her vigorous exercise could affect the test results.  He brightened up and said yes, maybe it could.  He checked some literature and called back to say greyhounds in particular could have abnormal results after exercise.  So now Tilly has clean teeth and is perfectly healthy and happy.  What a huge relief.

  by myrealname on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:49:15 PM PDT

  •  phew!!

    I'm glad your dog is okay.  You must be so relieved.

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:02:59 PM PDT

    •  I didn't realize how much I love

      Tilly until the vet said she might be sick.  My heart just stopped.  She's such a sweet girl and tries so hard to please us and be good.

      by myrealname on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:19:29 PM PDT

  •  Good for you for thinking of that

    Saved your sweetie some rough procedures -- and yourself some money, most likely.

    by Cali Scribe on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:28:00 PM PDT

    •  No kidding

      It would have cost a fortune for what he was proposing.
      That was in the back of my mind, though.  Mostly I was thinking of Tilly.  

      by myrealname on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 07:06:09 PM PDT

•  I have a happy story. I was taking care of a

  stray momma cat and her two babies. The brats sweet little kids on my street stole the two kittens. I called the police and one of the kids said they threw the kittens in the woods about a block from my house. Around midnight the two kittens showed up and were jumping all over their mommy. Boy was I relieved.

  by flumptytail on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 05:52:21 PM PDT

  •  good thing this is happy story

    because it certainly didn't seem as though your story was likely to end well. Our kitty went missing last November for a couple of days and my biggest fear was that some terrible children had gotten hold of her and decided to.....  well, I still don't even want to think about that. Luckily, she came home safe and sound after worrying us to death for about 50 hours.

    I've never been as happy as I was that night to see this precious little face:

    

    by kainah on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:05:26 PM PDT

    •  That is a very beautiful little face.

      by flumptytail on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:42:25 PM PDT

    •  When I was in H.S. my cat went missing for days.

      Turned out she'd gotten herself trapped in a neighbors garage when he shut the door, not knowing she was in there.  He was an elderly man who was almost deaf, so if she meowed to get out, he probably didn't hear her.  It wasn't until he opened the door to drive somewhere that she made her escape.

      by FoundingFatherDAR on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:51:19 PM PDT

      •  that's what we think happened to her

        All of the evidence later suggested that she'd been trapped somewhere -- she wasn't tired, she wasn't particularly dirty and she came home right after 5 PM, suggesting someone came home from work and opened a garage door.

        by kainah on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 11:18:52 PM PDT

  •  I'm so glad that you have

    a happy ending.  I hope that those children get the help they need.  Those cats are very lucky to have you.  You'll have to post some pictures soon.

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:07:16 PM PDT

    •  I kind of doubt they'll get any help. Their

      mothers yelled at me for calling the police and told me they didn't like cats.

      by flumptytail on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:45:23 PM PDT

•  hi sobermom!

  We miss you here -- there are others who didn't make it, and of course still others who are here for the first time. We had our caucus meeting this morning with two new faces. It's time for the chocolate fountain party now... take care!

  by binkaroni on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:00:26 PM PDT

  •  Hi there

    I'm so glad that the caucus went well and is expanding.  I felt so blessed last year that we had such a tightknit group.  Every year more are added and that is a good thing.  Have fun with the chocolate!!

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:04:56 PM PDT

•  a happy story about a lovely dog

  A Dog's Savior.

  Thank you, dear sobermom.

  by noweasels on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:07:27 PM PDT

•  Happy Story...Obama's sister campaigns for him

  in Tampa, FL.

  Most excellent video; she seems to be an extraordinary woman and very close to Barack Obama.

  by 99 Percent Pure on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:08:13 PM PDT

•  We miss you here sobermom

  Sorry to hear about the insomnia and sailing troubles, it isn't the same without you here.

  by proudprogressiveCA on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:21:17 PM PDT

  •  Hey there

    I miss you too and I'm so glad that you're back there this year.  I'm glad that the group has expanded and that you're all having a good time.  We are doing okay here, lots of unexpected situations cropped up for us and made it impossible to attend this year.  I know that Ben was sad to miss this year also.  We all had such a good time together last year.  But I'm glad that you're all carrying on the fellowship.

    Are you going to be on the Vineyard this year?  We'll be there for 5 days with my folks at the end of August.  I'm looking forward to it.  If you ever are back there let me know and I'll make a day trip of it.  I enjoyed hanging with you last year.

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:36:00 PM PDT

    •  :-)

      It is definitely a good time down here, despite the oppressive heat and humidity. Next year is going to on the East Coast, but most likely down South so it'll be hot.

      I definitely sweated a lot tonight at Maggie Mae outside but lots of free cokes helped that.

      No Vineyard for me this summer, its definitely a great place to be for a week, supposedly though I might be up there with the family next summer.

      I hope there's no unexpected situations next year so we all meet up again, it is great having the home away from home amidst all the liberal chaos ;-)

      by proudprogressiveCA on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:15:54 PM PDT

•  Hope Melody T. is having a great time

  with my registration. :)

  My happy story is one I've been relaying in other diaries throughout the past few days -- spouse's surgery went well, and other than some soreness he seems to have come through like the trouper he is. He's got to wear the dressing for a couple more days, and we have to wait till Aug. 4 followup to get the pathology report, but he's already feeling better in the area that was bothering him. Sutures should be dissolved by next Wednesday, and if he's not in so much discomfort that he has to take the pain medications, he should be able to return to work after his vacation with no ill effects.

  Spent today doing errands for him -- picked up his paycheck at work and some groceries we'd forgotten at the store, as well as going out to deposit the check after he endorsed it. Doing all of the above via bus (since I don't drive) made it extra challenging, as well as tiring -- I'll sleep well tonight.

  by Cali Scribe on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:25:36 PM PDT

•  I'm glad it turned out well for soberboy

  My happy story is I got a job! I'm waiting for the paperwork, so I don't really have it until I sign the dotted line.
  Its funny, because I have been a little 'anxious' lately, and couldn't sleep this past week. I finally took a 'panic attack' pill and slept soundly the last two nights.
  I too, was 'supposed' to be at NN'08, but alas, life goes on.
  On another note, I bought a used Kawasaki for commuting around, got my learners permit, license, insurance, etc...
  Its been more than 20 years since I putted around. But life is good! I don't really want to start working again, but...
  ;-)

  by pickandshovel on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:33:36 PM PDT

  •  Congratulations!!!!!!!

    Oh I'm so happy for you!  We've included you and others who were looking for jobs in our grace at dinner every night.  I can't wait to tell soberboy.  You must be so relieved.  And congratulations on your motorcycle.  Be safe.

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:41:14 PM PDT

    •  thank you so much for your prayers!

      Tell soberboy I said thanks!
      And great pictures up there by the way, those are amazing clouds.

      by pickandshovel on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:44:12 PM PDT

•  Home, Happy and Hunkered Down...

  For the evening here.  We've got possibilities for the weekend, which is kinda the way we like it.  When the time comes, we'll see what we feel like doing.

  No NN for us this year, either.  Other life things going on, my new (and much more enjoyable) job being one of them.  We'll use some time off later in the fall to go visit my family in CT and do an east-coast round.  It'll have been close to 2 years by then since we've been back there.  I'm excited, and happy, for that.

  Sobermom, I always so enjoy reading your stories and your perspectives.  You make me happy too.  :)

  by shermanesq on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:44:28 PM PDT

  •  We'll have to have

    some kind of shindig for you guys when you get to New England.  All of us NE kossacks are always looking for excuses to get together.  Thanks for your kind words.  I'm glad that the job is continuing to go well.

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 07:02:22 PM PDT

    •  We're hoping to get...

      some sort of meetup in place.  Gotta get our dates finalized first...  ;)

      by shermanesq on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 07:19:00 PM PDT

•  Driving my lawnmower around the

  pasture field made me really happy tonight.
  Sometimes it's the little things, eh?
  Slaying burdock.
  We takes what we can get sometimes.

  by emmasnacker on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:44:36 PM PDT

•  The tomato plant I bought is forming tomatoes.

  W00T!  Now to keep the birds and bugs away until they are ripe enough to pick.
   The diary I posted yesterday finally caught quite a few eyes and comments.  I was beginning to get paranoid that no one liked my diaries.
   Next week I turn the big five-o, but I'm not sure if that's a happy story or not.  I suppose I should be glad I made it this far, though the future is shaky.

  by FoundingFatherDAR on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:56:39 PM PDT

•  My scaredy cat dog is getting braver inch by inch

  year by year.  She arrived from Tawain 2.5 years ago...stranger in a strange land...with a leg pinned & casted and an undiagnosed case of heartworm.  

  When she arrived she did not speak human, much less English.  Obviously had never been in a house or walked on a leash.  She now has a vast vocabulary but is still something of a feral fanny..., suspicious, fearful and vigilant....all survival qualitites if you are a semi feral dog...but a bit much in a staid aging household.

  When she arrived she walked on hind legs like a meer cat...even with a cast on, wore a green elizabethan collar and white rimmed fear ridden eyes.  She can now actually walk into Pet Club with only few furtive looks behind her or above. A bit of a slinky sort.  Will sniff a strangers hand if they don't stare directly at her, and will curl up next to quiet visitors.  Her favorite pasttime, other than playing ball or keep away is to lie on a pillow  in front of me while I massage her.

  But her joy of joys is running wild in the Marsh area nearby.  There we meet other dogs off leash who she can play with, or not as her safety barometer allows, and she can bound through the pampas grass in the hope of stirring a rabbit, run unfettered as far as the eye can see leaping 3 feet into the air to get a view over the high grasses and then go jump in the ocean inlet if she gets too hot.  Her utter joy in this freedom is a wonder to behold.  

  by leema on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:59:46 PM PDT

  •  That's really beautiful

    Thank you for sharing her happy story.  She's lucky she has you.  And how wonderful that you feel fortunate as well.

    by sobermom on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 07:05:31 PM PDT

•  my ferocious edit beast ...

  Save your snark for DKos, for your editor will return it with a sizzling backhand if you send it his way :-)

  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by Stranded Wind on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 07:08:47 PM PDT

•  Oh do I have a happy story

  Like I'm at the party of the century.

  Picture Virgo Music playing Zidago.

  I wish I could say more but I can hardly see.

  I gotta go. Love ya, meam it, see you soon.

  by Eddie C on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 08:36:43 PM PDT

  •  I hope I see you soon

    I'm glad that you're having a great time.  We're just back from a funeral so I didn't see your comment until now.  It sounds like a wonderful convention.

    by sobermom on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:47:01 PM PDT

•  My happy story

  My minivan caught fire with me and all the kids in it, but we were right near home and I was able to get kids out, twins got the fire extinguisher from the kitchen quickly and I put it out.  All kids safe, engine repairable with minimal cost.  Its a long long story, but the happy part is above.  

  Oh, and a grateful student (I teach natural childbirth) gave me a nice thank you note with a $50 Trader Joe gift card at the last class, so I got some fresh mozzarella, chianti salami and other yummy splurgy type foods to have fun cooking with this weekend.  

  by prgsvmama26 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 08:51:56 PM PDT

  •  Wow!

    That's definitely a happy story that you're all safe and that you were able to put out your own car fire.  It's good for the kids to see that mom can remain calm in a crisis.  And congratulations on a job well done with your student.

    by sobermom on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:44:52 PM PDT

    •  well I don't know that I was that calm

      but, I got the job done and we learned a few things like buddy system to get little ones into the house is absolutely essential and glad we already had it in place and know HOW TO USE your extinguisher before you need it (oops).  But, again I did figure it out fast enough to handle it.

      by prgsvmama26 on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 09:14:46 PM PDT

•  My neighbor ran over to...

  give me $200.00 to donate to the Obama campaign!  Who knew?!  I consider him a closet Obama supporter since he has no Obama signs, buttons or stickers...but it's OK!

  by kemetcc on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:03:14 PM PDT