Happy Birthday To Clifford Reneé Davis!

March 27, 2002: Clifford was born in South Arkansas to an AKC Registered Breeder. He was delivered by C-section, which is customary for French Bulldogs. He had four or five brothers and sister (I cannot remember) that were all born healthy. Clifford was not.

Clifford was born with a cleft palate and not expected to live. The breeders could have just let him die, but they dropper fed him and when he gained enough strength, they got him surgery to repair his cleft palate. They still advertised him as adoptable on their website, but didn't really think he would ever leave their home.

July 2003: The Davis family was looking for a dog. I stumbled across this website and immediately fell in love with the little white and black ball of fur. After discussing it with the family, and the breeder, we decided to buy Cliff. And believe me when I tell you this, he was NOT cheap. French Bulldogs are expensive little dogs, but we did get Cliff 1/2 off. But honestly, he's worth every bit as much as one of the "healthy" ones!

Blakely and I drove over four hours to pick him up. He rode all the way home with us without ANY trouble. He did bring his "baby" (stuffed toy) with him. Little did I know how important this baby was to him. I'll get to that in a sec.

Arriving in FC, Clifford won the hearts of the whole family immediately. He was just so darn cute! In spite of his handicap, we thought he was just perfect. However, over the years we have dealt with and are dealing with the following "issues":
1. Cleft palate, while repaired, still causes him trouble eating and drinking.
2. Born with the red mange, a skin disease. He can't help that he stinks. ;)
3. One of his testicles did not drop down. So when we went to repair, discovered not only did it not drop but it was wound around his intestines. That was horrible.
4. While repairing his little tatas (actually spaying him), the vet discovered not one, not two, but THREE hietal (sp) hernias. One still remains distended on his belly, while two were repaired.
5. He passes gas often and out loud.
6. He likes to take his paw and rub on his wee-wee. You'd have to see it to believe it.
7. He has lots of trouble breathing. He cannot get overheated, he could die.
8. He has ground down/lost most of his teeth.
9. He has lost most of his hearing.
10. He now has cataracts and can barely see.
11. Oh, and his tongue is too long for his mouth.

I could probably think of a couple of more, but I think this gives you a pretty good idea of just how "special" he is....and we wouldn't have him any other way. :)

Back to his "baby," because he never got to nurse on his momma, his baby is his substituted teat. He is not loyal to any of his baby toys. Santa has to bring him a new baby every Christmas. Usually, the baby lasts all year. Sometimes, I have to buy one before Santa can get here. It can't be just any stuffed animal either, it has to have a certain size nose and paws for optimum nursing. Again, you'd have to see this to believe it.

Yesterday, he turned 8 years old which is 56 in dog years. We can tell he is getting older. Not so much from all his medical issues (we are used to those), but because he's slowed down... a lot. I hope he lives forever, but I know that within the next few years our worst fears could happen. For now, though, we won't talk about it.

I am writing this because I never get to be the lovey dovey Cliff owner. I am his Alpha Dog. I am the one who makes sure he is taken care of. He may love AD and Blakely more, but he is loyal to me. I just wanted to write that I do love him and taking care of him is my way of showing it. Somebody's got to keep him out of prison. ;)

Hope you enjoyed reading about the 4th member of our family. We love him. Later blog readers......

Steph's Top Ten List of I Should Be's.....

1. Writing ANOTHER paper instead of blogging.
2. Reading instead of Facebooking.
3. Dieting instead of pigging out.
4. Dancing instead of singing.
5. Drinking vodka instead of beer.
6. Ignoring instead of arguing.
7. Hiding instead of viewing.
8. Working instead of going to school.
9. Doing ab exercises instead of leg lifts.
and #10: Forgiving and forgetting. No instead needed. ;)

Historic Day

Like it, love it, hate it, or just plain don't care, TODAY is an historic day for our country. Following in the footsteps of the Emancipation Proclamation, Voting Rights Act, Civil Rights Act, ERA, and the Social Security Act, the Health Care Reform Bill is now law.

Yesterday, I ranted on my own blog for over an hour. I really spoke from my heart. My feelings had been hurt, and I basically poured them out all over cyberspace. I read and re-read it several times. Posted it anyways. Two hours later.....I deleted it. I sounded whiny and pious.....two character traits I absolutely despise. YIKES!  The Chicken Littles of the world (and Facebook) got to me yesterday and I let two of them steal my joy. That being said, I have come to my senses and am following my own advice. SHOCKING! ROFL! I cannot control others thoughts, actions, words, or deeds. I can only control myself and my response to them. Keeping that in mind, I am going to post a link to a very witty friend of mine. He eloquently puts into words what I cannot. I am not asking you to agree with him, or me for that matter, but I do believe in the end it's about how you treat people that truly WILL matter.

www.rare2go.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/jesus-wants-you-to-be-sick-and-poor

And just because I feel like sharing: I have paid for medical insurance for me and my family for 20 years. I have NEVER been without coverage and NEVER will be. I consider it a necessity like the mortgage, water, basic groceries and electricity bills. If I get to a point I can't afford it, well then I cut my extravagances: ALL other bills not mentioned. Hellllooooo, my cable, cell, eating out, gym membership, etc. are NOT needed and will be the first to go before I fail to cover me and my family medically. I think everyone should have access to affordable health care and if that means digging a little deeper in my pockets to help those who can't (or won't) help themselves....well, that's what I'll do. Honestly, I never want to trade places with them.

OK, I'm over my whole rant. On to a lighter topic:

1. I've got Prince's "Kiss" song on the brain and can't seem to shake it.
2. I've eaten vegetable eggrolls today and feel extremely bloated.
3. Mitts decapitated a mole right in front of me. I'm nervous. LOL

Have a great day blog readers.......later.

I Am the Worst Kind

I am the worst kind of American. I am a thinker that truly looks at BOTH sides of ALL issues. I try to see and understand the basic fundamentals of anyone's way of thinking. That being said, I am no pushover pansy. While I appreciate our differences, I still have a mind of my own. Normally, I would not share my political leanings (left, middle, or right) with my readers, but alas, I'm feeling the need. Here's why.

I have been reading, for almost three months now, several pieces of literature written about the Vietnam War. I have cried over non-fiction accounts of Vietnam vets, as well as bawling over fictionalized vet characters. These works have affected me in a manner I wholly did not expect. But one main theme runs throughout all the works.......with our warts and all....we are still America. So many people/pundits spend soooooo much time pointing out all that is wrong with our country. Who is lifting us up? Have we really come to believe that we are as bad as they say we are??? Do our soldiers, our best and bravest, fight for a country that doesn't deserve their effort? I refuse to believe it. I know we have problems, but this hate speech that has taken hold of our nation has got to stop. My wishes are as follows:

1. Turn off FOX news and CNN or any cable news behemoth for that matter. They suck.
2. Talk to your congressman or congresswoman. Find out where they stand on the issues important to YOU and your family. But more importantly, know why you feel the way you do about the issues and do a LOT of research on them.
3. Don't just talk to hear yourself talk. Don't send stupid spam/alarmist email to your friends and family. Please, I beg of you!!!
4. Listen and respect the opposite side's opinion, even if it is absolutely ludicrous to you. We can learn a lot from just listening to each other. You don't have to agree but sometimes we CAN find a middle ground.
5. If #1-4 are totally out of the question for you, move to Canada. ;) Just kidding.

Well, I feel much better now. Thanks for listening. Later blog readers......

Gosh, it's been FOREVER!

I've even gotten a year older since my last blog post!!! What?!?!? These past couple of weeks have been jam packed. I will catch y'all up in my famously boring "list" form..sorry.

1.  I turned 42 on March 8. It was one of the best birthdays ever!! I had so many well wishes from friends that my heart just about burst.....and my head swelled a little. lol My good friend, LBJ, came over from Memphis and took me to lunch. My mom met us and I hauled in a birthday gift! ;) Love my momma! *My dad and aunt took me out for my bday the week before....got cash....LOVE my auntie and daddy* I got a mani-pedi and my massage therapist, Lisa Douglas (the BEST), gave me a gift certificate for a 1 hour massage! YES!! The day just got better and better. AD and Blakely showered me with gifts from Chez Weenie, which I can't quite figure out. AD and I never get each other anything for our birthdays. But hey, I love gifts sooooo I'm quite okay with the change. It was a beautiful, sunny day. Perfect...just perfect. I am ready for birthday #43!

2. Speaking of age, if someone asks me how old I am, I usually add five years to my actual age. I say, "I'm 47." Ladies...never EVER lie "down" your age. You just look pathetic and really bad. Trust me on this one. If you add to it, they will ALWAYS say....You don't look 47!! But if you say, oh, I'm 39 or 29 and holding...they just politely change the subject. Trust me on this one.

3. Blakely was on Spring Break starting last Friday. Soooo, we lit out for Tuscaloosa, Alabama where my good friend from high school, BTJ, lives. It also happens to be the home of the Crimson Tide. Let me just say that I didn't expect to really like Alabama. I don't know why. I mean I love Gulf Shores, but I'd never been to northern Ala. It is BEAUTIFUL! I love Tuscaloosa....LOVE it! I would soooo live there. It is only a little less than 4 hours from here PLUS it is only 4 hours from Destin, Florida; 2 hours from Atlanta; 3 hours from Nashville, Tenn; 2 hours from Chattanooga and 45 minutes from Birmingham, AL! It's got location, location, location!!! BTJ lives on a peninsula so we enjoyed lake views. We shopped at one of three malls and found really cool clothes for Blake. On Saturday, we went to Westervelt Werner Museum which has the 2nd largest collection of American Art/Artifacts in the country! It was AWESOME!! I love history and this museum was a mini-American history lesson in living color. Very cool! Then, we toured the University of Alabama. OK...this is going to take up another paragraph...

I am not a fan of the Houndstooth nation. There, I said it. I am a Razorback and I can't stand Alabama...but I like Tennessee less FYI. So, here I am with the biggest Roll Tide fan I know...Bama Bev and her minion in training...my daughter!! WHAT?!?! If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know my baby loves Florida. Gasp! But now.....Alabama. Good grief. But honestly, I must admit, the U of A has a BEAUTIFUL campus and a very nice, homey feel to it. I actually enjoyed myself! Not to mention their new stadium is HUGE. We ate at a local pub/restaurant on campus, Buffalo Phil's, and I began to melt a little. My kid was having sooo much fun. ***cue sound of a record skipping/scratching*** BTJ insists we go next door to the Alabama Express where one can buy all things elephant. OMG. I did manage to interject WOOOOO PIG several times during our walk through the store. I like to live dangerously. LOL I refused to purchase any item, although they did have some cute stuff. With a tear in her eye, BJT beamed with pride as my kid purchased (with her OWN money lol) a BAMA t-shirt and several houndstooth bracelets. Good Lord. There really isn't much left I can say.

We come home after a wonderful weekend and I am actually ready to go back for another visit! It's a great town with lots to do. I think we will be enjoying Tuscaloosa for many years to come. ;)

3. My Spring Break is this upcoming week. Of course, I will spend the entire week writing papers and practicing stupid Spanish. I don't want to talk about it. I met with my advisor and if I can get the Spanish out of the way, I am on tap to finish by Spring 2011. Yay!!!!!! I am super excited, and a tad nervous.

4. Update on my butterfly sista: she is doing famously with her 2nd heart transplant. She looks great, feels great, and is showing NO signs of rejection. Thank you God!!! I am sooo glad she is home. We all are! She feels a little self-conscious  because  the prednisone she has to take makes her face "as she says..look fat"...Her face looks flawless and beautiful!! I think prednisone is the next best thing to Botox!! Not a wrinkle on her almost 41 year old face!!!!! Seriously!

Other than all of this, it's been a wonderful couple of weeks. I am sorry about the lack of blog entries but I just didn't "feel" creative. Honestly, this entry isn't that creative, either. Later blog readers....

SIDEBAR: I am sick of the health care debate and I will not espouse my political views on this subject. But I WILL say...shame shame shame on Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck for dogging out an 11 year old child who lost his momma because of her lack of access to quality health care. And yes, I realize there are reasons they are trying to point out...manipulation by Obama..whatever...right is right and he's only 11. Do the right thing people!!

52 Days and Another New Heart Later

52 days and another new heart later, my friend AJ is HOME from her SECOND heart transplant!!! A walking, talking, living, breathing miracle!!! We are so glad to have her home.....words simply cannot express. Here are some pics (as promised!) of her homecoming. And a special thanks to all who decorated. You know who you are. ;) Enjoy!

Now these are some HAPPY folks!!!!!!!! ;)

"The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart."

I Just

I just suck at blogging right now. I usually think of something to write about in the two a.m. hour but am too lazy to haul my butt up out of the bed! I read somewhere that one should keep paper and pen on their nightstand for times just like that! WhatEVA. I cannot even think about trying to literally focus my eyeballs in the bleary stage between being awake and asleep. I can barely see in the light, much less in the dead of night. Good grief. Writers must really be "special" and I'm not feeling that special. So, you'll just have to humor me through my dry spell. lol

I am just sick and tired of American Idol. I don't like ANY of them really. Of course the eye candy, Casey James, is my "Ace" and he's really the only reason I watch it. I don't like Ellen. I don't like Kara. I'm not real happy with Randy Dawg. And Simon is really too well behaved this season. What the heck?!?!? Bring back Paula who obviously drinks spiked Diet Coke. THAT was entertainment! I'm sooo over it.

I just love the Amazing Race! ***Jake, I am going to go on the show. I've printed the app! Be jealous*** I would so win this show. I can eat anything, drink anything, drive anything, and make friends! Look for me. I have no partner but whatever. LOL

I am just ready for Spring Break. Really there's no need for an explanation here. My teacher friends get this and even though I no longer teach, I still feel their pain. I have a 5th grader, remember? lol

Well, hope all is well. I hope to have a special blog entry on Friday with pictures. My butterfly sista is coming home. Yay! ;)

Later blog readers.......