Cuddles, Rest in Peace My Little Cutie

Last year in September, a little rat-looking creature was placed next to me in bed around 3 o'clock in the morning.  My initial response was "no way, no how, not into my bed!" But within a minute, the little critter was curled up in bed with me, close to my body trying to get warm. How was I supposed to say no? She was so cute and so cuddly :) And so started our journey for the next year of going for walks, cuddling in bed or on the couch, hiding under anything that would become a comforter for her, taking her outside to go pee and her laying in the sun instead and being frustrated with the fact that she was too stubborn to eat dog food or certain foods that we gave her. She hated meeting new people and barked up a storm, swearing she was much bigger than her four pound little self. I'm not really sure when she was born, but according to her previous owner, she was 2 when I got her. About two months ago, she started limping and not feeling like her rowdy little self, so I took her to the vet. They did some blood work and realized she needed further testing.  So, we went back for more blood testing, but the results weren't good. She was diagnosed with lymphatic leukemia and aside from chemo that would only help her stay with us for less than a year, there was really nothing that they could do for her. Over the last two weeks, we fed her pain medication so she would at least be in less pain and selfishly hoped that she would pull through for a little longer. Unfortunately, Sunday night, we came home to find her sleeping on a pillow in the corner where we knew that if she was laying in that particular spot, she was cranky. We took her to her water bowl and she took a few sips. I sat down with her in my lap, she laid down on her side and I rubbed her gently. She felt weak and looked up at me and my mom without being able to lift her little head. About two minutes later, as I rubbed her belly, she crossed her front two paws and let out one last breath. A few minutes before 11 o'clock on Sunday night, my baby Cuddles passed away in my arms. I would be lying if I said that I was able to write this without tears falling from my eyes like I have been for the last two days... I miss her little body curling up next to my leg to keep warm and sleep, coming home from work and taking a nap together since all she loved to do was sleep, her rubbing her little paws on the side of the bed begging to be picked up so she can go under the covers too... She was a brave little girl and held on until the very end, waiting for us to come home and see her one last time even if just for a couple of minutes. I love you my baby buggie, I miss you like crazy! Rest in peace, my snuggle bunny... Mommy loves you!!

Cuddles 2007 - 2010

 She was a tough girl... between mama's legs, she barked up a storm at anyone walking by.

 In her true "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" pose :)

 Perfect fit to stay warm...

 Say whaaaat? :)

 OK, not funny.... She's a little hot dog :)

 Bonding moment with grandma

 Santa's little helper... she hated that outfit, but I couldn't help myself.

Oh, what a terrible thing, this snow... hated, hated it!

 Why mama? Why do you put me on this white stuff? It's cold...

 Perfect Christmas present :)

 My two babies...

 Finally made nice...

 No Cuddle buggie, the tree skirt is not a comforter for you...

 Kangaroo puppy :)

 Loved, loved, loved her neck rubbed and kissed.

 I wuv you mama....

 Please let me get on the bed with you, please?

 I only take up a little bit of space, just let me sleep here.

 No? You won't let me sleep next to you? Have it your way, I'll crawl on top of you and sleep there :)

 You talkin to me??

 The car wasn't big enough for her, so she crawled in between my coat and my leg.

 Under the covers, favorite place

 TV time with grandma

 Strike a pose snuggle bunny...

 Will sleep anywhere... :)

 No mommy, don't let the little doggie get me...

 High 5, Ivan!

 Making sure no one hits us while we drive....

 Always cuddling up with someone...

 Pretty girl

 I say "come on, let's go home"... she stares at me with a blank look on her face...

 Making sure the cake was getting done right...

 OK, so she may be little, but she had a big bite if you messed with her food!

 I woke up to my pillow being extra stuffed on numerous occasions...

 Seemed to fit her perfectly :)

My baby's sad face... about a week before she let go of her pain...

I miss you, I love you baby girl...

Cakes, Cakes and More Yummy Cakes!

Since it's been a while since I've shown my face... Here I am. I was kept quite busy making some cakes, so here are some pictures of the work... Enjoy!

In March, came a surprise cake... Surprise, because the baby will be a surprise for the parents, they didn't want to know :) Cake safely made three car rides before getting to the baby shower, which worried me because it was so heavy.

Then came a baby boy cake for a friend of a friend... This one was designed by my good friend Safi and I had the pleasure of bringing her idea to life. This was my first time using pillars, so it was quite challenging to keep this one together.  But a few sticks here and there did the job and still no diapers were ruined. Everything is still 100% usable! :)

And a week later, came a 1st Birthday cake for Baby Anna.  This one survived being mailed all the way to Arizona!!

Next up: a baby girl castle cake, which I need to get moving on since the baby is due in early March... a Christening cake... and a baby boy cake... Looking for some ideas... How about a car for the boy?

Stay tuned... More cakes on the way :)

Latest Creation... and More =)

Last week, a co-worker of mine was going to a baby shower, so I had another diaper cake to make.  Baby Damien came early, so he was able to attend his own baby shower.  He's doing much better and I wish him lots of love and health. Hope he's a happy little boy =)

Here is his basket =) 

Stay tuned for an Etsy.com shop coming!

Random Act of Kindness

When was the last time you did a random act of kindness?

When was the last time you received a random act of kindness?

Today, I received an email from a very good friend of mine ... who happened to become a friend by "accident." I've been having an off day today at work, so it was really nice to see a "just because" kind of email... 

Dear you,

I appreciate your honesty and support so much, and I cherish your friendship, and the bond that we share.

If you ever need me, I will be right here.

Love me =)

 

How about everyone takes a few minutes out of their busy schedule and does something nice for someone in their life? Wouldn't this be a better place for us all?  I know, just a thought... but maybe?  And remember...

Here are some ideas that I picked up from a website... Maybe some will get one's creativity and good-hearted nature rolling? 

14 Other Examples For A Random Act of Kindness To Pick From

If you are busted for ideas, here are 14 more examples to kickstart your intention for a random act of kindness:

1. Pay the toll for the person behind you.

This is perhaps the most common example cited. If you’re at a motorway toll booth, pay for the car behind.

2. Donate to a charitable cause.
Turn your papers today to look for a charitable cause to donate to. Forget about the tax break for larger donation sums, even if it is a small amount that you can afford.

3. Send an anonymous card.
Think about someone who deserves to know that he or she is worthy of love or as an acknowledgement of what he or she has done. How often have we been rendered good customer service and a “thank you” is all we give? How about taking it one step further? Send a card. You may not even want to sign off with your name.

4. Deliver a goodie basket made with love.
Bake muffins or cookies and send them to the old folk’s or children’s home.

5. Be kind to your environment.
Avoid littering your environment. Treat your environment with loving care and kindness. While at the beach, pick up the rubbish.

6. Cheer the disspirited.
Grab a bunch of flowers and give it to the cleaner of the toilets in your office building. He or she may be looking somewhat disspirited while slogging away at a less-than glamourous job.

7. Let the person in a hurry behind, go before you.
If you are not in a hurry but notice that the person behind you is, let him or her go first. Here you are showing kindness by giving up your time.

8. Lend a helping hand to a distraught parent.
Kids missing in shopping centers or in public areas occur very often. Parents are often distraught. Offer to help look for these kids.

9. Give up your seat in the public bus to the weary soul.
While it may not take all that much for you to give up your seat in a crowded public bus to the pregnant or the elderly, how about giving up your seat to just any passenger who looks weary or who is carrying a heavy bag?

10. Offer your hand in carrying groceries at the supermarket.
If you notice someone who is struggling with carrying bags of groceries, offer to help lighten their load.

11. Be kind to stray cats or dogs.
The practice of loving kindness should not just extend to your fellow human race. You should also show kindness to animals. If you notice a stray cat or dog, do the right thing and not kick it away!

12. Do a secret act of service.
If you notice a neighbour or a colleague in need of some assistance, how about rendering the help secretly? It can be mowing your neighbour’s untidy lawn or it can be sorting out some files for your colleague. Leave an anonymous card that says “please pay it forward”.

13. Give up your lunch to the needy.
How about skipping your expensive lunch today and donating the money away? Or you can buy lunch and give it to the begger on the street round the corner. Consider having just a salad for yourself instead.

14. Volunteer your help randomly.
Pick randomly a family or someone in crisis. Don’t know where to look? Search your local newspaper for leads. Determine if you can offer in kind or in service.

15. Follow the example on the picture of this post (see above).
The photo opportunity was apparently spotted under the Aurora Bridge in Fremont, Seattle, Wash. If you’ve picked up something that you think may be of value to someone out there, write a short note with your contact details and place it at the location where you’ve found the item.

This list is by no means exhaustive. The idea is to be creative and spontaneous. Be on the prowl over the next few days for an unsuspecting recipient. Rise up to Bruce’s challenge for a Better Month of April and beyond!

 

Some Quotes

Every so often, I search for some good quotes, so I downloaded some quotes applications on my iToy =)

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face"

Eleanor Roosevelt

"By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve  hours a day."

Robert Frost

"In three words, I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."

Robert Frost

"Cause change & lead

Accept change & survive

Resist change & die"

Ray Norda

"If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you got a problem. Everything else is inconvenience."

Robert Fulghum

"When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters - one represents danger and the other represents opportunity."

John F. Kennedy

"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes."

Hugh Downs

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."

Aristotle

"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."
African Proverb

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."

M. Kathleen Casey

"If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another."

Tenzin Gyatso

"Arrogance diminishes wisdom."

Arabian Proverb

"Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get."
Dale Carnegie


"There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them."
Denis Waitley


"Always remember that the future comes one day at a time."
Dean Acheson


"A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams."
John Barrymore

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece."

John Ruskin

"God made woman beautiful and fooling. Beautiful, that man might love her; and fooling, that she might love him."

Anonymous

"Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best."

Henry van Dyke

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work."

Thomas Edison

"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction."

Blaise Pascal

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."Helen Keller

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity."

Ellen Parr

"Among men, sex sometimes results in intimacy; among women, intimacy sometimes results in sex."

Barbara Cartland

"A smile happens in a flash, but its memory can last a lifetime."

Unknown

"A hearty laugh gives one a dry cleaning, while a good cry is a wet wash."Puzant Kevork Thomajan

"Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius."

Fulton J. Sheen

Baby Laura =)

I am happy to report that baby Laura has been home safe and sound with her parents for a few days now. She is doing much better and getting stronger =)  

The baby's diaper cake made it to Europe without falling apart, and mommy took some pictures of the baby with the cake! Yay! 

I hope they like it =)

The Day I Chopped Off My Hair . . . Yikes!

Everyone who knows me, has known me my whole life with long, long, curly hair. Since my dad had it chopped off when I was three years old and ended up looking like a cute little chubby boy, my hair has been long. The older I got, the more I felt like it was a form of security for me. I would let it down and it would flow over half of my back and in a sense, I would feel safe.

Well, today, I went and had it cut. It went from half way down my back to just barely reaching my shoulders. I had it layered and I hope it starts to look fuller and healthier.

In the meantime, I need to get used to the shock to the system with how short it actually is. Once I overcome the shock, next up, is attempting weight loss this year.

Since the hair that was cut off was long enough (10 inches), I will be donating the ponytail to Locks of Love.  Yay! I'm excited!! =)

Here are some pics of before and after...

OK, so after looking at some pictures, I think it's starting to grow on me. Maybe... Maybe?  OK, I'll sleep on it =)

Happy Birthday Eve!

If you Google the word "friend," one of the finds leads to Wikipedia for the definition of "friendship."  Here is what the find is...

Friendship is the cooperative and supportive relationship between people. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship, which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, affection, and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as the exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for some, the practical execution of friendship is little more than the trust that someone will not harm them.

Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating the following on a consistent basis:

° the tendency to desire what is best for the other

° sympathy and empathy

° honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one's counterpart

° mutual understanding.

If at some point in life, you find a friend like that, you should count your blessings like I do every day for having the friends I have.  

 

With that said, I would like to wish a belated Happy 28th Birthday to an amazing woman who I met just about 5 or so years ago and didn't see her for the next 4 years.  Throughout the four years, we remained friends via phone calls and emails at work. Through that time, we both went through a lot of heartache and learned some lessons along the way.

I hope that your birthday was just as amazing as you are and that this year, everything that you wished for comes true. I wish you only the best and everything that you deserve! 

Happy Birthday!!