The One That Got Away

Ok, it didn't get away as much as we had to give her back. She was just too much of a puppy for Jonah (and us) to handle.
To update you (although most who read my blog also read Shu's so they know about our trial-run doggy) we were trying out a doggy for a few days to see if this was the One for us. To be honest, she really was the perfect dog. She was sweet and affectionate and good with kids and gorgeous!! But she was a puppy. And we are looking for a Dog.
In her defense, she was housetrained which was #1 on our list. But that was pretty much it in the training department. She jumps up on people and furniture, she bites (A LOT - probably because she is teething), she doesn't walk well on a leash, she doesn't like to go in her crate at night, and she likes to wake up at 6 am!!!! She doesn't sit or stay or shake hands. But she does fetch. Maybe that is an inherent dog trait.
Jonah and I REALLY liked her. Shu......well, tolerated her, perhaps? He doesn't understand why people want to have animals live in their homes. If you would like, you can read his commentary on that at Just Shu.

The problem was, Jonah mostly enjoyed the dog from a distance. Like on the couch or on our laps. Every once in awhile he would sneak off the couch and grab a toy and quickly run to get back on the couch. He did share well with the dog and loved to give her her bone and treats. He also learned how to say "DOWN" which was cute.
But it wasn't really fair to let the new doggy rule the house and have Jonah banished to the couch.
So to recap, the dog would have been the PERFECT dog if:
A. She was older
B. Jonah was older
C. She was smaller (?)

That being said, here are a few pictures in tribute to our dog "Doggy" and Jonah and their few fond moments together. Just imagine some nice music playing in the background as you scroll through the pics. :)

Also, once the dog was gone. Jonah found a new playhouse.....................................................

As you can see, Shu joined him the dog house! JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am curious where this hatred of animals came from? Shu's whole family seems to have an unnatural hatred of animals. Except Dad? And Shev? And supposedly Sarra? Any ideas?

Broken Blog

Is anyone else having trouble viewing my previous post? For some reason, when I open up my blog, it doesn't show up. It is just empty space.
Anyone know what is up with that?????
Let me know if you can read it.
Thanks!!

What To Do??

The Kohl's Employees are having a campaign called "What to Do" or something like that. We are collecting toys and games for kids in Childrens Hospital. So if you have any extra games or coloring books or other "Things to Do", let me know and I will bring it into work. This campaign is running through April 1st. If you need more information or have questions, let me know. Thanks!!!

Yarzeit

David "Rick" Martinez

June 16, 1945 - February 22, 1997

Tonight and tomorrow is my dad's Yarzeit. His name was Dovid ben Avraham.

If you want to make a L'Chaim for an aliyah for his neshama, feel free. :) Or you can do something else and have in mind that his neshama should have an aliyah.

I think this will be the end of my depressing posts (at least for now). The blog is getting too dark.
Stay tuned for Purim pics of Jonah!!!!!

Death's Eyes

I wrote this about 3 weeks after my dad passed away. Same time as the last poem I posted. I was on a plane going somewhere when I wrote these. Maybe to New York? Possibly back to Pittsburgh?
Looking back at it, it's pretty morbid.

Death's Eyes
March 16, 1997

I look out into the darkness
And what do I see
But a pair of dark blue eyes
Looking back at me.
Who are you? I cry.
And why are you here?
What do you want?
Do I have cause to fear?
I am your worst nightmare
I have come to take you away
Come quickly now
For I cannot stay.
You claim you are my worst nightmare
Yet I am not scared
You've come to take me away
I have no belongings but am prepared.
Is your name Death?
Is that who you are?
If I have guessed the truth
Then please take me and take me far
For then I will find my father
The hole in my heart he can fill
And we will have found happiness
Yes I know that we will.

I'm It. Again.

I got tagged. Personally, I don't like this one as much as the last one but I will fill it out anway.
Oh yah, and I tag.............Malkie C., Shelley S., and Milaine. I know you don't have blogs but you say you read mine so you can post your response in the comments section. :)

Q: Who's the 4th person on your received call list?
A: Seth

Q: What's your main ringtone on your phone?
A: Latin

Q: What were you doing at midnight last night?
A: Working (medical billing)

Q: What did the last text message on your cell phone say?
A: I am so sick. Sorry for not replying earlier. Ill try calling u tomorrow. Good night. Lena.

Q: Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
A: Mine

Q: What color shirt are you wearing?
A: Denim

Q: Most recent movie that you watched?
A: Closer (UGH)

Q: Name 3 things that you have on you at all times?
A: engagement ring, wedding band, necklace

Q: What's the color of your bedsheets?
A: Blue

Q: How much cash do you have on you right now?
A: 26 cents

Q: What is your favorite part of the chicken?
A: The part that someone else cleaned and cooked.

Q: What's your favorite town/city?
A: How about State? Israel.

Q: I can't wait to (til)...?
A: Be out of debt.

Q: When was the last time you saw your mom?
A: January

Q: When was the last time you saw your dad?
A: February 23rd, 1997.

Q: When was the last time you talked to them?
A: Mom, Thursday night.
Dad - see above. Unless you count talking to his "soul".

Q: What did you have for dinner LAST NIGHT?
A: Broccolli quiche, sesame noodles, and 7 layer cake.

Q: How long have you been at your current job?
A: Job #1 - 2 years and 3 months
Job #2 - almost a year

Q: Look to your left. What's there?
A: The door to the porch, cabinets, a stereo

Q: Who is the last person you spent over $50 on?
A: Our company- I bought food for Shabbas.

Q: What's the last piece of clothing you borrowed from someone?
A: Jocey's cute grey hat

Q: What website(s) do you visit the most during the day?
A: I am usually just trying to catch up with e-mail. Or if I am working, I am on the work website.

Q: Do you have an air freshener in your car?
A: nope

Q: Do you have plants in your room?
A: nope

Q: Does anything hurt on your body right now?
A: Nope, thank G-d

Q: What city was your last taxi cab ride in?
A: St. Louis - in the wee hours of the morning

Q: Do you own a camera phone?
A: Yep

Q: What's your favorite Starbucks drink?
A: Don't go to Starbucks. But if I did, it would either be hot chocolate or hot apple cider (I assume they have those)

Q: Recent time you were really upset?
A: At the doctor.

Q: Have you been in love with anyone?
A: Oh yes.

I Once Was A Daddy's Girl

I wrote this poem about 3 weeks after my dad passed away.

I Once Was A Daddy's Girl
March 16, 1997

Daddy's Girl
Yes, that was me
Daddy's Girl
Didn't you see?

Now he is gone
And I am all alone
I feel so lost
I have no home.

How will I get through
When he is not here?
Living on my own
Is what I fear.

How could this happen?
How could he die?
Why did he leave me?
Why, oh why?

I once was a Daddy's Girl
Did you look? Did you see?
Once it was me and daddy.
Now it's just me.

To Dad, With Love

I wrote this in January of 1997. My father had been diagnosed with cancer 2 months before, around Thanksgiving. In January, he came down with a blood infection and was not expected to live through the night. I was in school in Pittsburgh at the time and booked a flight home as soon as I could get one - which wasn't until the next morning.
I had to call my dad that night and basically say goodbye to him over the phone. What do you say in a phone call like that??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wrote this poem for him while waiting to go home. I read it to him in the ICU, while wearing a surgical mask. I was not allowed to give him the hug, kiss, or even show him the smile I wrote about.
But I hung the poem on the wall when I left.

And this is the poem I was asked to read at his funeral.

To Dad, With Love
To me you mean the world
You're my dad and you should know.
That I love you and I miss you
Although these feelings rarely show.

You're sick right now and in pain
It hurts me too, you see
I am your only daughter,
Your youngest I'll always be.

Things are rough right now
They have been for awhile
I don't know how to cheer you up
But here's a hug, a kiss, and a smile.

I try to be strong and keep my chin high
I daven, I pray everyday
I know my Tefilot will reach Hashem
I know they will find the way.

Around the world and back again
People are hoping and praying for you.
And no matter what happens,
Please know that I love you.

Poems

I was going through some of my files the other day and I came across a notebook of poetry I had kept while my dad was sick and after he passed away.
That was one of the ways I dealt with all the emotions raging inside of me. I wrote. I would not say it's very good poetry, but it's how I felt, for the most part.
Ever since my last post, I have been thinking of my dad a lot more often. Maybe I am building up for his Hebrew yarzeit (which is 2 days after Purim). In case you are confused about why the two don't coincide, when he passed away, it was a Hebrew leap year so there were 2 months of Adar. He passed away in the first one and Purim was in the second one. Does that help?
Well, I have been thinking of my dad more often and want to share things about him. I haven't decided exactly how I want to do that but I figure my poetry is a good start. So I am going to toss a few poems out there for ya. Once again, they aren't very good but they are real.
This is just my Introduction. And I will post poems separately.
Enjoy.
Or don't.
Whatever.