Washington Weekend . . .

The girls had a four day break from school over the second weekend in October so Eric took vacation time and we drove to Index.  We made it a five day break by taking the girls out on Monday.  Besides visiting family, we had a few other "must-do's" on our list.

Open, open, open . . .  Waiting to go in!  That suitcase is full of dolls that need to spend some time at the salon!  

Our dolls took up all but one of the chairs in the salon.  Three received new hair do's and two had their curls restored!  Emma had a fabulous time.  She spent the entire amount of money she had saved up for the occasion, plus a little of mine!  Katy had fun, too, but might not admit that out loud.  

Cute photo op set up in the store.  Emma is the proud owner of the featured doll, Kanani.  Kanani is the proud owner of a few new outfits!   

We eventually left the building!  I really should have taken a before/after picture of the dolls.  The transformations were amazing!  (Just kidding--having just spent enough to take my real family of four to a salon for haircuts, I feel the need to rationalize spending the money!  They did look better, though.  Really)  The dolls actually remained in the salon while we shopped at Nordstom (Emma scored the boots she is wearing!), ate lunch (Thanks, Etta),  discovered a Japanese dollar store, and enjoyed some posh looking cupcakes.  A good time was had by all!  

We ended our day with a great concert/fundraiser in Index at the River House Coffee Shop.  A "Scottish traditional fiddler" by the name of Ryan McKasson was in town with his friend, Dave Bartley on guitar, and were the featured artists that evening.  They were there to help raise money for the Index Historical Museum and they were amazing!  Unfortunately, Katy and Emma were worn out from shopping, so the three of us left early to get ready for bed.

I will have to add another post to fill in the details of the rest of the weekend in Washington.  Between the news and the baseball game, I got distracted while typing.  If only those Rangers had sealed the deal.  Baseball confuses me, so I usually only get interested in the last few games of the World Series, and then, only if one of my dad's teams (the Twins or the Rangers) makes it into October.  I tuned in because I had heard the Rangers could finish it all tonight and I would not have to worry about catching more than one game!  Darn those Rangers--I sure hope they win whenever it is they play again . . . 

Goodbye, old friend . . .

Our sweet little Lucy left us this morning for what I hope is a big, comfy dog bed in heaven.  (I started this entry on Thursday, the 13th but hit publish at midnight, hence the incorrect date!)  She had been ill for awhile now, so Eric took her to the vet in Mtn. Home.  She had cataracts and her hearing was all but gone. What teeth she had left were in bad shape and a sore had developed on her mouth, which was what prompted us to take her to the vet in the first place.  She did not smell good and her hair was falling out.  In addition to those ailments, her back legs were stiff and she walked with pain.  When all was said and done at the clinic, it was clear she did not have much time left on this earth.  The decision was made to ease her suffering.  It was not an easy one to make, and Eric made it with much sadness.  We had warned the girls of the possible outcomes of the doctor visit.  When we were able to talk to them after school today, it was one of the worst things we have ever had to say to them. Eric picked a spot in the yard near the new oak and we buried Lucy in the soft dirt and sunshine.  We'll miss her forever!

 Lucy came into our life in November of 1997, a few years before Katy was born.  A neighbor, Shirley, had found Lucy wandering Bacon Drive on a cold fall night and was going door-to-door looking for her owners.  She had already knocked on several doors, to no avail, before reaching our house.  I was home.  Eric was at work.  Shirley asked if I would be willing to keep the dog at my house and try to locate her owners, as she had two very large Huskies waiting at her home.  I said yes.  I called Eric and gave him the details of our new "temporary" guest.  He came home later and we set her up in our bedroom.  We even let her sleep on the bed!!! How did she repay our kindness?  She chewed a hole in our comforter during the night and when we placed her on the floor, she pooped on the carpet!  But she was so cute--all 10 pounds of her . . .

I can honestly say that I don't think we gave our best efforts in locating her owners.  We named her within a week, bought tags and paid to have her licensed in the city the following week.  We also took her to the vet, bought a dog bed and carried her around downtown to show her off to our friends.  She became a fixture at Gibson & Lane and attended more than one First Thursday those first few months.  Eric used to carry her in the large inside pocket of his warm, Pendleton jacket.  She even accompanied us on our ill-fated Christmas tree cutting excursion.  (We slid off of Mores Creek Road and rolled our truck into Mores Creek on our way to cutting down a tree, about four weeks after we took her in.)  Poor thing probably thought we were crazy!  Then we rocked her world by bringing home not one, but two screaming, attention-taking, pink bundles of joy.  Lucy finally warmed up to the girls when they began to drop food from their high-chair.  She did not want to play with Katy and Emma, but at least she thought they were useful to have around!

As the years progressed, Lucy grew to know the unconditional love of the girls, and of equal importance, Grammy.  Grammy allowed Lucy to sit on her lap, something I discouraged at our house.   Mtn. Home was Lucy's vacation destination!  Long naps on the couch, special dinner treats and sleeping in a real bed!  (I don't think she ever chewed on any of Grammy's linens.)  Lucy was also fond of Ryan, as he let Lucy climb up and lick his face, ears and neck.  So gross, yet she loved every minute!

I can think of so many more memories, more than I can type out in one sitting.  Instead of going on and on, I will just share a few pictures and items that remind us of Lucy's presence in our home.  She was a great dog, loved by all who knew her.  We miss her more than you know.

Lucy Goosey Hilburn-a silly little dog who loved barking at squirrels, riding in the car, snuggling in Eric's bathrobe, begging at the dinner table, jumping through our legs, dancing, sleeping on the grass in the warm summer sun and keeping us entertained for over 14 years!   

Halloween costume we bought for her last year!  

We took this tonight, while we were looking for Lucy items around the house.   Katy and Emma made these a few years ago for the Adams Art Auction.  Without consulting each other, they included an image of Lucy in their individual projects.  

Katy drew this when she was 5 years old.  It has been pinned to the bulletin board that hangs above Lucy's bed ever since.   

Cute cartoons from my Dad!  I think we have had these on the bulletin board for over 11 years.   Dad added Lucy's name--I think even he was not immune to her charms!  

This was Lucy in our kitchen.

Paul with his family.  (He is sitting on the grass.)   Eric is not sure when or where this was taken, but we like this picture a lot!  Update from Paul--"This picture was taken in the summer of 1940, in the back yard at #9, Kansei Gakuin University.  I had just finished the third grade, and shortly after, we would leave for the US, because of the threat of war, even then.  Dad came back (to the US) the next summer, avoiding internment."  

At the stables in Kona with Paul and MaryBeth, a little over 6 years ago.  

On the beach in Hawaii!  Is there a better place to be . . . 

 Happy 80th Birthday Paul!!!  Woo Hoo!  According to my onscreen dictionary, you now qualify to be called an octogenarian!   (I sure hope we all get that chance.)  We wish you a very Happy Birthday, with many more to follow!  With much love, from the Idaho Hilburns.