Christmas Bah Humbug

Oh how I used to love Christmas, how I'd wait and get up so early. How much fun it was to decorate the house and tree, albeit a 4 foot plastic one. Waking up to a full stocking (or footy sock) and a brown paper bag with goodies. I would love trying to find where our gifts were hidden. Then we grew up, and had our own Christmas. I remember one at Graham and my house in Shoalwater on the beach. It was hot enough to swim, everyone was so relaxed and I had a huge lucky dip box for all my kids. Now, at 55, I struggle to find any Christmas spirit. My family is in Australia and David, the fur babies and I are in the USA. I have only a part time job, bad health, no money and a 1 foot undecorated christmas tree. No gifts anywhere, not even the dogs, cats or my darling husband will get gifts. I can't afford to even send cards to my family. My father and brother are no longer with us. What is the point when you don't even know where the next dollar is coming from? Immigration still has not sorted my green card out, and of course want $1040 and a 20 page form to tell them I have been residing in Illinois for 3 years. I am not sure how much more my mind can handle. I am so very very sad this year. I miss Eisha and Wally and all the fur babies that have left us. My fur kids are all getting older and I know we may not have some of them in a few years. I thank goodness I have David, but he isn't a Christmas person, he is a Bah Humbug, waste of money guy. Which this year I can relate to. Do I believe in miracles? Nope, I am way too practical and independent for that. Merry Christmas to those far and wide who are doing it hard this year and Joy to those having a family Christmas, please, never take anything for granted.

Life in the fur baby house

Honestly, it is like a madhouse around here! We can not seem to defeat the fleas, even after spending a fortune on products and trying essential oils. Max has had a fungal infection and Buddy has dry eye. Lissa fell in the pool and Snoopy has been harassing all the other cats. Our life is definitely not boring with eight pets. They are keeping us poor though!

Our baby has crossed the Rainbow Bridge

Our baby girl and oldest has passed over. We had to make the choice to help her over via our vet as she had no quality of life anymore. Poor love had bleeding paws and was blind and deaf, and her safety was more important than our selfish want to keep her. On a better note, I leave for Australia for a month on the 19th of April!! Yay!!! I am so excited to see my whole family and go to my niece's wedding. Poor David will have his hands full looking after the fur babies, but I am sure he will handle it. I have also started my own business with Rodan and Fields and will be promoting the new Australia launch while I am home in Oz. The skincare line is awesome and although I have yet to sign anyone up, I am not quitting! David is bored but will be busy for a month. ;)

March 2017 Eisha

All the fur kids are doing okay, except our oldest angel Eisha. My little girl turns 15 in May and is very ill. She has cognitive dysfunction which is doggy alzheimer's. Poor baby has lost so much weight and we can't feed her enough to keep it on. All she does is walk in circles for the whole time she is awake. She has sore paws from the walking. We are very sad watching her fade and we have to say goodbye soon. Buddy still has a conjunctivitis issue in one eye but it's healing we hope. I am itching like a mad woman, I think I have become allergic to the USA! Still having problems with immigration, they have now scheduled me an interview in Sydney, when I have been living in the USA since 2014. I am also having depression issues, but am going home for a visit soon so I am trying to stay positive. David did a trip to Arizona to see his daughter Michelle, and missed us a bunch, he may find it hard with me in Oz for a month! Photos attached of the family. :)

February 2017 already!

Happy New Year to all. I can't believe it's February already.I have had a busy few months with work, immigration, health and the fur babies. Buddy has conjunctivitis, Eisha is declining rapidly into dementia and is so skinny. She's 15 this May and is dying I fear. She just walks in circles all day and sleeps and eats. I get so sad for her. We had a horrendous flea plague this year and are still fighting it, even in 20f temperatures. Work is fine, it is settling into new ownership soon and we will see more changes. Immigration has been a pain and is still costing me a fortune. I am still waiting for my green card after 3 years! It only took me 14 months the first time. I am off home in April for a month and need a green card to get back. My babies are getting married this year. I will be in Oz for Danni's wedding but not for Cory's unfortunately. I am so excited to see Mum and the Mac mob. :)