Yesterday we found out our beloved Labrador, Katy, has lymphoma. After studying the disease, I've learned that dogs with lymphoma generally succumb to the disease within 4-6 weeks. It appears this is our Goodbye Season with our dear Friend.
Katy has been my loyal friend, confidant, helper, pal and all around cheerer-upper for nearly 14 years. She is an inspiration to me the way she handles whatever life throws her way. Her spirit, determination and enthusiasm put many of us humans to shame. You see Katy NEVER allows anything to steal her joy or keep her from being utterly happy! Our Superdog has experienced much pain throughout her life, but has never complained. She had mast cell cancer when she was only about 4 years old. The vet did surgery and removed the tumor, but said very often these types of cancers come back or show up all over later on. A couple of years later she did have another mast cell and we chose to pray for a miracle instead of cutting on her again. God granted us a real life, modern day, bona-fide miracle. Some of my Christian girlfriends came to our house and we "laid hands" on Katy, anointed her and prayed. I felt God's spirit at work in her right then. When we took her back to the specialist the tumor had disappeared! She was healed! We also learned when she was about 4 years old that she had severe hip dysplasia. As the vet put it, "Looking at her hips, I don't know how she is even walking." Are you kidding? She never let on that she was in pain until she was much older. There was no way she was going to let a little thing like crippling arthritis get in the way of happiness! Run, walk, chase, swim - ahhh, the joys of LIFE! All with an amazing smile!
I will try my best in the time Katy has left with us to be as strong as she has been for so many beautiful years. I will find the joy in life even in the midst of pain and impending loss. I will be cheerful and be an encourager to those around me. I will try to have a Measure of Grace. Because if Katy can do that for me, then I can do that in honor of her. She is my pal and I'm happy to have THIS day with her. Thank you God. I love you Boo Boo! Be love and be blessed,
I'm 10 days into my 365 day journey of non-consumerism. I mean I'm not bragging or anything, but YAY me! Tuesday I managed to go to The Gap and to Target and didn't buy any forbidden items!
Lest you doubt the reason for the trip to The Gap - I had 2 gifts from Christmas to exchange for a different size. No money changed hands. The nice employees showed me where the items were, I picked the correct sizes, gave back the incorrect ones, and left the store with only a small amount of drool on my chin from the desire for a few of those darling outfits.
Oh, the super cute polka dot legging jeans were beckoning to me. "Try me on. Come on. You don't have to buy me. Just see how I look on you."
"No," I screamed (that was in my head, wasn't it?). The sales lady looked my way. Uh, oh.
"No, no, no," I told myself. "You will only feel sad if they look good and you can't buy them. Be happy with what you have."
Afterall, I was leaving with new clothes that someone else bought for me. Deep breath, I'm happy.
Next, was Target. Everyone knows Target has such great fashion at low prices. Did you see the new Neiman Marcus-Target partnership for Christmas? Oh my! Cute, cute, cute! And, reduced, reduced, reduced!
Is it wise to NOT buy this gorgeous black lacey party dress when it is 70% off? Decisions. Decisions.
"You don't need that!" Who said that? That darn conscience again! "Okay okay...walk away from the clothing section.... NOW!"
I accompanied my daughter and grandson to the baby section for necessities only (that was her purchase) and then on to the cleaning products, which was what I came to purchase.
It wasn't very exciting, but basket of cleaning products and I strolled to the front to check-out.
Oh, saving grace. My daughter offered to buy me a Starbucks drink! YAY! That warm Cinnamon Dolce Low Fat Decaf Latte tasted like a heavenly reward for a long hard day of intense shopping. Ahh...
Out to the car in the rain, I dash into the back seat with my grandson.
I've given this a considerable amount of thought and have made the decision to simplify 2013 by trying not to purchase anything new for an entire year.
There are groups of people on the internet who join together sharing this goal to be "non-consumers", and I'm joining their ranks. I'm not sure of each person's reasons for adopting the goal of dropping off the consumer grid, but mine are these.
I already have more than I need.
My world is lighter, happier and fuller with less clutter.
We are a "throw away" society and it really bothers me that instead of recycling, repairing or repurposing, we mindlessly toss our junk in landfills.
Living simpler and on a tighter budget will free me to retire sooner and have more financial resources to give to charitable causes.
I hate waste!
One group that I've joined is called The Compact. We individuals who join pledge to 1) not buy new products of any kind (whether from a store or the internet), and 2) borrow, barter or buy used. So, those 2 principles will influence my decisions this year.
There are exceptions (thankfully) to not buying new products. But, even these I will only buy if needed. I can buy new undergarments (whew!), socks, athletic shoes, toiletries and food. I've also decided that I will allow exceptions for some gifts for other people and for our grandson. Though I have and will continue to shop for baby clothes and toys at consignment sales.
Another part of this pledge is to support local businesses instead of corporate giants. I already do this quite frequently and have boycotted that giant unnamed "superstore" whose name begins with "W" for the past few years. So, this isn't all about money, or I would be shopping at so called "superstore" because they certainly do have the lowest prices.
But, what is sacrificed here and around the world for those rock bottom prices? In my humble opinion, "W" delivers low prices at the expense of it's own workers who are paid low wages and many are not provided with health insurance or other benefits, making them part of the "working poor." "W" can do better by its employees than that!
They also sacrifice quality for low price. Most items I've seen are cheaply made in China and many items are deceptively marketed as a certain product when in fact it is made to this store's own specs and not the original manufacturer's specs sold at other stores.
How much does superstore beat up their vendors to provide these low prices? Do they pay their suppliers a fair price? Do they care about unfair labor practices in other countries? Do they promote the advancement of women and children living in poverty in the countries from whom they buy?
Well, I'm off my soapbox for now, but stay tuned. I promise to keep you posted on my progress with "The Compact". Let's see how I feel in a few months when I'm dying for some new summer clothes!
