Do Something.

Anything.

Just do something to help someone else.

It sounds so simple, but people come up with excuses to avoid it.

And I get it.

The weekend is your time.  

Time that you get to do whatever you want, 

and relaxing is high on most of our lists.

But have you tried volunteering for something that you love?

You must love something...

a passion that would benefit others?

You know what my main passion is...

this is it.  

My heart and my life...

it's all about the love of dogs.

Especially dogs in need.

No matter how stressful my week is,

when I get to Saturday...I can feel myself relax.

It's rejuvenating to help others.

No really...it is.

Try it and you'll see.

This week it is all about Moose.

Moose is a young Border Collie living life outdoors at the end of a chain.

Near his home is a very, VERY busy highway, so running free for this dog is extremely dangerous.

Therefore, tied up is the life that Moose knows.

His human loves him, and Moose loves his person, but like so many people

his person doesn't have the means to provide him a safe place to play and run.  Moose's human is struggling...and well, fences are expensive.

But, that's where Fences for Fido can help.  
And this is the build that is being built because of this...

 and because of YOU!  Yes, YOU!!  

This fence is being funded by all of you who have supported my bake sales 

and have consumed mass amounts of sugar and love.

THANK YOU!!

So many people have helped with this build, including my students.

A small group of dog loving kids painted this house just for Moose.

How cute is this?!

Phase 1: Post Setting for Moose.

It was a very wet day, but that doesn't stop us.

Nope. Not us.

We have waterproof gear 

and we are always prepared to use it.

Due to the heavy rains, there was a river running through the property...which actually worked out well for preparing concrete and washing tools.

Reusable and sustainable.

Boom!

See, we're not scared of a little water or mud.

We're here for the dogs.

Nothing will stop the dedicated volunteers with Fences for Fido.

The river may run through this fence, 

but I was sinking in the mud...that's what's happening above.

Ah...now that's a group.

Thank you to all my beloved friends here and all around.

You have made my life so full 

and I'm so thankful for every minute.

Want to learn more about how you can help us?

There are so many ways!

Check out the website at www.fencesforfido.org

or on Facebook

Believe me, little things make a difference.

Just because you don't have a lot, 

doesn't mean that you can't do something.

All my love,

Lori

Impact: Part One

Impact.

It’s difficult to know what kind of impact we have on the people around us.

Well, sometimes it’s easy because they react in laughter
or tears or love…

But that’s not the impact I’m thinking about today.

I’m thinking about the lasting impact.

The impact that makes me think of people in my own life
and smile at the memory of their smile
or laughter
or feeling of unconditional love. 
Most of the time it’s not one memory that floods my mind,
but instead it’s an overall feeling that I get at the very mention of their name.
I love that.

So I asked my students who in their life
had a lasting impact in their life...

This is what they wrote.

My dad:  He’s always telling me to follow my dreams and he helps me to do that every step of the way.

Jessica (Cousin): She taught me how to take care of other people especially family...To always look up and never be sad.

My dad: Made me more brave and adventurous.

Grandma C: She taught me that hard work makes you stronger and keeps your healthy.

Papa (Grandpa): He took me everywhere he went and taught me how to be happy all of the time.

My dad: Makes sure I make the right choices instead of bad so I can stay safe.

My dad:  He is my life, and he means the world to me.  My dad has taught me to be happy even if you have a horrible day.  You wake up and choose to be upset, your day is going to be bad.  You have a choice to be happy of mad.

Grandpa Ken:  He has impacted my life for a long time.   By teaching me that no matter what to believe in myself.  And how someone’s bad day can always change with a simple, “How are you?” and a smile.

Ashley (Cousin): I want to be able to be as confident in life as she is.  She has impacted my life by always being there for me.

Debby (Sister): They always show up.  My sister took care of me when my dad was going through problems with my mom.

Great-Grandma Shirley: She is sweet, funny, and happy. My grandma takes care of me when I’m sick and teaches me things.

My mom:  My mom is my #1 person that I talk to and she’ll always be my family.

Mom:  She is always there for people.

My dad (Jason):  He taught me to work hard and never give up, live life to the fullest because one day you won’t be able to.  He has impacted everything I do, I d o it for him.  He’s my inspiration and before this (her dad recently passed) I didn't really have one.

Mom:  She has taught me to be kind and respectful to others and that there is always a bright side to things.

Grandpa Danny:  He is what I want to be…a great cook, strong, smart guy that can do anything.

Uncle Ruben and Aunt Martha:  They have impacted my life because when there are problems going on, they would try to find a better place for us to live. 

Dad: He is always there for me when I need him.  When I think of the word “Dad” I think of my hard-working dad! He has impacted my life because without him I wouldn't believe in myself or have courage.

Ms. Eliot (2^nd grade teacher): She told me what subjects I’m good at and how to be a long-distance runner.  She taught me how to find a pace when running a race.

Grandma Linda: My grandmother taught me the meaning of love, how to count, great manners, and even how to sit on a toilet without falling in!  Without my grandma and family, I am nothing, but with then I am EVERYTHING.

Midnight Ponderings

Sometimes, late at night when I can't sleep, I begin to wonder...

Is anyone out there? 

Does anyone read this silly thing that I write?

I know that they do...

But who are you? 

Do you like me, feel like walking around this big world just observing lives lived,
wondering about their stories? 

I'm not talking about the surface stories... 

"Hey, how's life?"

"Great! Yours?!"

Blah.

You know those because they have no depth, no real meaning.

Those stories serve a purpose, but that's not what I long to hear.

 I want the inner stories.

The moments that change your world.

The time when you, like me, looked around yourself and wanted something else.

The times when you felt like you lived a lie.

Hidden stories that break your heart, or piece it back together.

Your first love, first dance, first anything...

Or the time when the world stopped moving and you were alone.

and for one brief moment you were everything you wanted to be. 

Ahh...that's the best moment.

That's what I want to know.

You.

I want to know you.

Is that weird?

I use this blog as a glimpse into my world.

It's contemplative tonight...

but it's controlled in that I give you what I feel is right
for a time and place. 

Today I felt myself fading.

Just a little.

I felt the pull of my emotional ocean, dragging me out to sea. 

What you may or may not know, is that I've worked hard against that pull.

I've fought hard to not fade.

I've gained so many steps out into a world that is filled with sparkle and shine.

So I don't let myself sink into the deceptive pull of that ocean.

Writing is my solace and it acts as a shovel.

It helps me to find a way through all of the muck.

What is your solace?

Life is complicated.

So are people.

And so are their stories.

Take time to really learn about each other.

The stories we hold close are the ones that make us strong.

Share them with caution, but share them with trust.

Knowing that the past can help strengthen the present.

Together we can fight the emotional pull of life
and not fade away.

We can give each other purpose and hope.

Just a little midnight pondering...

Always with love,

Lori

http://youtu.be/JdXIHfcIfnI

My child is a honor roll student at...

You've seen 'em.
They're on the bumper of the car in front of you.
The mini-van, suburban, or SUV.
If you're like me, you sort of roll your eyes and snort, "Huh. Honor student. Do you have to advertise it?! Geesh!" Cue another eye roll.
I think, "I'd never put that on my car!"






But you see...shhh...this is just a secret between me and you...I'm a bit jealous.
I know.
Cue the eye roll.
Annoying? Yes.
Bragging? Yes.
Proud? Yes.
Now I'm not jealous of the kid thing.
Not now. I see teens every... working... day.
If I was to think about having kids,
I need to teach 1st or 2nd grade where kids still love their teachers.
 Sure, some like me, (I'm sure) but I know how rough the parents have it.
If that's not birth control, I don't know what is!
www.cartoonstock.com
Any-hoo...
As I was saying...
I'm a bit jealous because I'd like to brag about my pup.
No, he's not my kid..but I did teach him everything that he knows (with a lot of help).
Doesn't that deserve a bumper sticker?! Heck yeah.
So here it is...
My dog is a high honor roll student.

Ah. I feel better now.

What does he know you ask?
Well shoot, let me tell ya.
Words and phrases.

1. While at the beach I had to explain to my nieces and nephew that you just can't say certain words around Murphy. Dumbfounding they asked why. I explained that once you say certain things he is relentless until you fulfill it.
Leanna- "Are you going to run fast outside?"
Murphy looking at her, head tilting at each word. 
I know he's thinking..."Yeah I am! We're going now? Right? Right? Right? Etc."
You can see where this is headed.
Yes, I know that Murphy can't actually speak.
But if you saw his face and actions, you'd know.





2. He knows the names of his toys...here is just a smattering.

Tug, Mr. Broccoli, Sheep, Oliver, Bolt, Mr. Carrot...


Yes, I like to name things by putting "Mr." or "Miss" in front of the object or name.
Some times they get in fights...Mr. Broccoli and Oliver don't always get along.

 Mr. Broccoli beat the stuffing out of Oliver this time...hehe.

Murphy has a basket of toys and he plays with every single one. 

3. People
He remembers everyone and everything that they made him feel.
This is good and very bad.
Since he's a rescue, Murphy has very strong feelings about people.
You might call it a vibe.
 He doesn't warm up to new people quickly.
He has to study your behavior for a while...months even to see if you're trustworthy.
I can't blame him.
Once you've been hurt, you're going to try to avoid that pain again at all costs.
The good side to his caution is that once you're in the circle of Murphy trust, you're in.
The benefits are well worth the wait.



Now this is just the start to my proud list of honor "student"qualities.







No, I'm not going to make a sticker and put it on my car. But if I did it would say...

"My honor student can out run, out maneuver, and out play your honor student any day. Bring it!"

But I'm not going to do that...
it would be silly and I'm a grown-up.
Plus, it would be bragging and boastful and...well...
Much too small of a scale.

I'm just going to write an entire blog post and send it out into the world!!!

HA! Take that! (Sticking out my tongue in a very immature and awesome way! Nah!)

Bring it honor students. Bring. It.