Hallelujah - The Voice

I love The Voice. This is a lovely tribute they did for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. May God grant their families and this town the peace and solace only He can. May these babies and the teachers who dedicated their lives to them know true joy and eternal peace as they touch the face of God.

12 12 12 Concert

Just a 'heads up' to watch the 12 12 12 Concert this evening. The concert is organized by the Robin Hood Foundation. The board of the foundation and all of the sponsors pay for all of the costs to put on the show, and every cent goes to the people who need relief from the wrath of hurricane Sandy. Go to the official concert website for details on where to watch and to make a donation. Please. Go. Now. I'm a New York girl, but the Jersey shore is near and dear to my heart. Thank you to all of the artists and people involved in making this happen. You are all awesome. xo xo

Fibromyalgia, Oh How I Hate You

Warning: post contains serious whining and bitching 

I have been living with Fibromyalgia for something like 11 years now. Sometimes I can't believe it has been that long. Recently I had to sit and think about when I was first diagnosed. I'm terrible about remembering dates. Two events that stand out for me that help me to recall those first wicked days are going to see Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie, which was the first of the eight films, and the terrible anthrax attacks of 2001. What a combination, right?  I remember the Harry Potter movie because I remember being in severe pain walking from the parking lot to the theater and not being able to get comfortable in my seat once there. I couldn't raise my arm high enough to pay for the popcorn and I remember the dull aches starting. I thought I had maybe pulled a few muscles or was getting the flu. The reason I recall the anthrax attacks was because I recall the doctor sending me immediately to Greenwich Hospital for a CAT scan after realizing that I had been using postage stamps that had a white powder (which turned out to be cornstarch to keep them from sticking) in the envelope. I had spent the days prior completely unable to stand or walk and in severe pain, so much so that I couldn't even get to the doctor's office, let alone turn the doorknob to open the office door. Yep, it was that bad. I remember when I was sent to the ER for the CAT scan, there were many employees who worked in Rockefeller Plaza in NYC who lived in the area and were sent there. I vaguely recall the area being sectioned off and being escorted in. And people dressed head to toe in safety garb that made me feel like ET just before his heart light went out. Rushing, panic, on their part. I was in too much pain to care. I also recall that after the scan and all of the people buzzing around me that a few moments later someone came in and said, 'not anthrax' and being just left there on the gurney as if I didn't matter any more. In hindsight, I guess they had a lot going on.

I was sent home and then the tests began that week. Finally my doctor brought me into his office and opened a medical book and asked me to read a couple of pages on Fibromyalgia, which he believed was the problem. Huh? I had never heard of it. From what I was reading it seemed like it was a diagnosis of exclusion "its not this, its not that," and there were some 'pressure points' that they used to confirm the diagnosis as well. I remember getting to a point in the information that said that until recently many doctors believed that because every conventional test they had would turn up normal, that they believed it was all in the patients head. I turned to him and said, 'so what, you think I'm crazy??'  He laughed and said 'Oh my God, no Cathy. I just want you to know what you are up against. The good news is that it wont kill you. The bad news is that there is no cure right now and the medication is pretty much all trial and error.'  He sent me to a couple of other doctors for more opinions, including a rheumatologist.  Diagnosis: Fibromyalgia. Three weeks after I started the medication, I was able to stand again. I remember being thrilled beyond belief and finally thinking there was hope and I could do this.

What I didn't realize it how much life as I knew it would change. I was the girl who would move entire rooms of furniture around by myself. I was the girl who worked three jobs plus volunteer jobs. I was the girl who would stay up till all hours of the night for weeks at a time to do crafts and artwork for weekend craft fairs. Suddenly I found myself in a body that held me hostage. As time went on I had to learn how to do everything at a much slower pace and learn to let others help me. I learned what I needed to do to get through the day and try to be as productive as possible. I had to prioritize, letting lots of things go that I no longer had the strength to do. I had to force myself to rest and nap during the day. I had to get over the embarrassment of feeling like everyone was staring at me or judging me or not understanding that you can look normal on the outside but be in pain and exhausted 24/7. There are days when I wake up and just can't move and I can't get out of bed and tears flow. Even my 'hair' hurts. LOL. I can't lie, it is that bad. But there are good days too. I never know really what each day will bring. But I remember the doc's first words to me that the good news is that 'it won't kill you.'  So if that which does not kill you makes you stronger, I guess that is the bright side to having Fibro. You learn to adjust and do what you can, when you can. You learn to prioritize. You learn to let go and accept help. You learn that it is really OK to use that handicap parking sticker when you need to. You learn to appreciate the good days, SO very much. I know so many people deal with so many illnesses and have it a lot worse. My mother told me that if we were all put into a room and everyone put their troubles in a big pile in the middle of the floor and were asked to pick a problem, we would all choose our own right back rather than someone else's.

These past couple of years the Fibro has been really kicking my ass. I know that depression goes hand in hand with it. Hell, who wouldn't be depressed being in pain and exhausted from the pain all the time? My brain tells me that if I am having a bad day that I need to not fight it, but rather rest and take care of myself and it is really OK to do that. I wish my brain would tell my heart that though. I do my best to show the world my happy face, but I do still cry, a lot, when I'm having a bad day. I want my old body back. I want my energy back. I want the pain to stop. I have had a lot going on this past year and it makes me sad to think that I've taken such a hiatus from my blog and doing a lot of my artwork, which I love so much. It made me not attend quite a few dog shows as well. Dropping a Corgi as you are trying to lift it onto the table is generally frowned upon. LOL. But I'm doing the best I can. And that's all anyone can really do, right?

Anyway, so here I sit this rainy morning (don't even get me started on how the low pressure weather systems coming in kick my ass too...) bitching and whining to anyone who is still reading this. Sometimes you just need to vent though. I'm not looking for sympathy. OK, maybe just a little. LOL. But I want to give a shout out to everyone else out there who suffers with this crap. And I can call it crap if I wanna. And so can you.

I am going to try to blog more. I miss my blog. And my readers, if I haven't scared you all away! I promise I won't bitch. Much. LOL.

I am sketching out a few paintings today. Trying to get a few decorations up for Christmas, too. I love Christmas with all of my heart and everything about it makes me happy. Be kind to each other today. You never know what another person is dealing with. I think that is something wonderful about Christmas. People are warmer and a little kinder to one another. If  the joy of the season could last all year, what an amazing thing that would be! That's where The Christmas Corgi name came from. I combined my two favorite things, Christmas and Corgis. Pure joy, both of them.

I will leave you today with two quotes to ponder from Miracle on 34th Street, by Valentine Davies:

“Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” 

 and

“Christmas isn't just a day. It's a frame of mind.” 

I love those. 

Have a happy day everyone. I feel better now. (insert big sigh of relief here) Carry on. Love you all bunches. xo xo  CS

Happy Sweet 16 Bailey!

Today is a very special day, my dear reader. May I get a great big 'whoo hoo!' from you all please? Today is Bailey's 16th birthday. Bailey is my dear sweet Pembroke Welsh Corgi, who is the queen of all she sees. She has been here for me through the good times and the not so good times. Been there through raising my children, through holidays and seasons, through moves, illness and pain, sleepless nights, joys and sorrows. Many of my tears have been caught in her soft Corgi fur. She has been my muse, my model, my artwork mascot, my constant companion. She has taught me so much over the years. She can't hear. Can't really bark any more. Her vision is fuzzy. She has been completely down in the rear and completely incontinent for over a year. But she is not in pain. She enjoys her food, snuggling, and watching everyone around her, like she is the royal overseer. But she is getting tired. I know in my heart that this will be her last birthday. She has very few days left here until her angels call her to heaven.

I promised her I would take care of her, as she always took care of me. No girl could have a more loyal friend. I know she will tell me when she is ready to go and I know it will be soon. But today, we are not dwelling on that. Today is about ice cream! Bailey loves vanilla ice cream, so that is her first special treat of the day. Yes, she is dressed up in flowers. And we are celebrating her and all that she is today. Hug all of your Corgis tightly tonight. They are truly a gift. Happy Birthday my dear sweet Bailey Braveheart By The Sea! I love you with all of my heart, and always will.

(Raviolis for lunch. Steak and peanut butter cookies for dinner. You betcha, she's sixteen and can have whatever she wants!! xo -CS  ^..^ )

New Original Corgi Art!

Introducing my first pinup Corgi girl, Miss Bridget Barkdot. I was inspired by the gorgeous WWII (and beyond!) paintings and posters of the girls that graced military aircraft and pulled the heartstrings of our soldiers. Miss Barkdot is a little bit sexy, a little bit bitchy, has a rockabilly heart, and is 100% Corgi girl! I painted her on a fun little album that can be used for photos, special mementos, or ribbons or whatever your heart desires.

~~*This is a 3 day listing.*~~
Click the eBay button below to take a peek!
Have a wonderful day my lovelies!
xo xo ♥ muah ♥ xo xo ~ CS

Stolen iPhone. Pics of Dumb and Dumber.

My Sister-in-Law Katy had her iphone stolen on a recent Disney Cruise. The alleged thief decided to have a good old time and document his antics with the phone's camera. Unbeknownst to "Nelson," the Disney employee who has been having a great time with the stolen phone, every photo he snapped was sent to Katy's account with a special feature on the phone. Katy, who is a mastermind and funny as hell (she works in TV & film production) posted the photos to her Facebook account with hilarious captions. It has been shared thousands of times and is going viral. Here is one photo from the Yahoo news that picked it up this morning. Click over to their article and you will see the link to her FB pics of the high seas bandit and his pals. Funny stuff peeps. Way to go, Katy! Time will tell if he must walk the plank with Captain Hook. xo xo

New Original Miniature Art!

I'm on Cape Cod for a little visit. Just had to do a little painting today. It is an adorable framed miniature. I've just listed it on eBay for a 'buy it now' while I'm here. Take a peek! xo xo





Enjoy the evening my dear reader! xo xo CS

Happy Mother's Day, and New Original Corgi Art!

What a lovely Mother's Day gift 

my kids gave to me! 

 

And a very handsome presenter, I might add!

Surprise! New Original Corgi Art! Now available on eBay! 

Auction ends tomorrow. Click eBay link below to see listing. 

Rev up your engines! 

 Wishing all of my lovely readers a wonderful Mother's Day! 

xo xo

 Cathy

There will be no living with them now...

Yes, the rumors are all true. Our Reinwood Corgis are officially movie stars! The film Hope Springs premiers in August. It stars Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell. The furry stars are Emma, Kaizey and Grant, three very beloved Pembroke Welsh Corgis. If people only saw the driveway 'auditions' at Mary Elizabeth's house. If I remember it was hot as blazes out and Stella and Halo were wicked imps that day. Luckily Grant stood in and in the film you will see Emma (the tri), Kaizey (small red & white) and Grant, the lighter red. We heard that Meryl Streep loved them up and they were very well behaved, thanks to Mary Elizabeth's expert dog training skills. Of course the Corgis have taken to wearing sunglasses and have begun practicing their pawtographs. There will be no living with them now. Can't wait to see the movie! Watch the trailer all the way to the end! Its where you will see the Corgis! ♥

Farewell Darby!

It is with a sad heart that I must post a tearful goodbye to Darby. Ch. Windcrest Pilgrim's Pride. Darby crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge on Tuesday, April 24th. I remember fondly the day he was born. I remember Mary Elizabeth and I sitting vigil for the whelping with Chinese Food and a movie. I remember Miracle, his mom, having a bit of a hard time. We put Andrea Boccelli's "Sacred Arias" on the cd player and had low lighting to keep her calm. I remember the first puppy being 'stuck' and having the vet on the phone. It was too late to get her in for a c-section as the puppy was partially out, with the sac off of its face. Mary Elizabeth held her head as the vet guided me through getting the puppy out. Poor Miracle! To this day I still can't believe she didn't bite Mary Elizabeth through the process. Darby and his littermates all grew to be strong and happy puppies. We are so fortunate to have Darby behind some of our Reinwood Corgis. He was a lovebug and all boy.

Mary Elizabeth and Darby. Run free Darby Dog! We will love you forever and a day! xo xo CS

Lucky Corgi Egg

I hope everyone is enjoying daylight savings time today. Losing an hour sleep on a Monday? Ugh. Not my favorite day of the year, although having an extra hour of daylight is lovely.

Here's a link to my lucky Corgi egg, auction ends in a couple of hours but I thought you might like to see it!




Enjoy the evening my dear reader! xo xo CS

LOST CORGI ANDY

Please watch this video. This little guy who was visiting my area from Massachusetts is lost! Dogs have been known to travel many, many miles and through many states. Please watch and keep your eyes open for this little man! xo xo Cathy