Changes

I'm not a "change" kinda girl - I like things the way they are. But like it or not, I have been dealing with some changes - some big, some small, some welcome, some not. I look back over the last few months and all I see is change.

I am now a grandmother to a beautiful little girl named Makenzi. When did I get old enough to be a grandmother?? I've never thought of myself in the "grandmother" role. I chose to be called LuLu - a nickname my Dad had for me. It seems to fit, unlike all the other endearments reserved for grandmothers. DH is "Big", a name borrowed from a friend whose grandson calls him "Big". LuLu & Big - that fits!!

DH left the big, mega law firm this summer to branch out on his own - scary in this economic climate. But such the right decision. So we are running a small law firm out of the house for a while. I know the day will come when the comraderie of a law firm will beckon him back th the "real world" - but for now we are enjoying our time together and we can still pay the bills. Life is good.

I am now teaching jewelry making - WOOHOO!! I love to teach and I love to make jewelry - teaching jewelry making is the stuff of dreams for me. I teach locally at a glass studio, Blue Moon Glassworks, run by the most wonderful couple on the face of the earth - Jim & Rose Berry. They took a chance on this shy little jewelry maker and the rest, as they say, is history!! Then it was time to "man up" and submit some classes to Bead Fest and Bead & Button.... and I got accepted by both!! I feel like the dog whose been chasing that car and finally caught it - now what do I do!!!

Some changes have not been so much fun and certainly not welcome. If you've been to my blog previously, you will notice that I have changed the name. What was once "Missy & Sadie's Excellent Adventures" is now "Studio Gwen". The blog was originally named for my two dogs - sister mutts adopted from a rescue group 12 1/2 years ago. They have been some of the best friends a girl could have - I love that when I am alone here at the house, there is another heartbeat to keep me company.

Sadly, we lost Sadie to liver cancer on August 22, just 60 days ago. It still brings tears to my eyes to think about her. Fortunately, I have a beautiful picture of her that I snapped a few months ago when she wasn't looking - she hated to have her picture taken. I love that dog and smile everytime I look at the picture, remembering her fiesty self!! She was always the boss and guardian. She lives on in our favorite saying around here - "Don't make me go all Sadie on your a$$" - DH & I can't help but laugh every time we say it - thank you Sadie!!

Now comes another sad change - I will have to say goodbye to Missy very soon. I found out today that she has a very aggressive bladder cancer. Missy is my luvvy puppy - she is all happy and waggy-tailed. And she is no guard dog - LOL!! I have been trying to take some pictures of her today to have when she is gone. I'm afraid I will only see the pain and frailty when I look back on them. In my heart she will always be smiling and wagging her tail - always looking for the nearest creek to play in.

As a dear friend said to me today, this is so much for my heart to handle again.

Sigh....