viv

I believe you shot a guy's balls off for calling it cute... Just trying to aid in the spreading of the idea that anyone EVER doing that would be dangerous to their health Viv

So Rich wanted to take the kids to see Kung-Fu Panda. We all pile in the car, he whines that I'm driving with his usual, "Whoa, whoa, whoa... I'll drive," and I just giggle cause I'm already getting in the car and he's too late. Mwahahahahaha! We drive to The Block, and since it's Friday night... there's officially zero parking in this GINORMOUS place which leads to me faithfully driving up and down every aisle looking for an empty space we can occupy and getitng frustrated TWICE by some motorcycle rider who takes up a whole space by himself while Rich grumbles about how they are almost forcing people into valet parking by sectioning off half the parking lot for that. Anyway, at some point I wise up and find some people who are leaving and go into stalker mode as I inch my car along behind them as they walk to theirs so I can take their soon-to-be-evicted parking space. I've got my turn signal on, and by this time the ladies we're stalking have figured out what we're doing and then I see it... another car coming the other direction and they also want the spot and put their turn signal on. It was like a showdown! I even heard the eerie music that always plays as you stare each other down. Well, the ladies get in their car and start to back out and have seen what's happening so they even back out and then stop in front of the other car to let me pull inot the space since I was there first and Rich is yelling at me, "GO! GO!" and then the other car pulls around the first car and halfway into the space as I'm going to pull in. Rich about had a coronary, and the kids are yelling, and I'm irritated, but I just drive away as Rich is flipping these other people off and I'm grabbing his hand like STOP THAT! Just cause they are assholes doesn't mean we need to be. So we drive around about three or four more minutes till I see someone backing out and we FINALLY park. Now, obviously these other people were TOTAL JERKS, and Rich is MAD and he's saying things that are beyond irrational and would never even consider doing as people do when they are upset... Anyway, there were a couple great lines in the movie.... 'There are no mistakes' 'Wanna get something to eat?' Nighty! Viv PS. I got a few messages abotu how come UTBOS - Part 6 wasn't in the anthology that was just released... The answer is that the theme didn't fit the story. Hopefully I'll have it done soon and thanks for being patient with me.

HEY!!! I can totally iron! I even sewed (poorly) the pocket of your sweatshirt! And stop telling my bedtime secrets! Viv

**WAIT**!! Steve was on the dance floor?! HOLY HELL how did that happen?! Joey has a GREAT ass, he just wears large pants? Besides, Mason likes it, just ask him... I'm sorry I missed the chance to come and meet you since I've heard so many great things about you. I suppose the good news there is that we live rather close to one another and Steve said you were cool, too, so I'm sure someday you'll magically show up in the store I work at, if you haven't already, or we'll kidnap you along on one of our waiter scouting adventures. Hugs, Viv

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, 'I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed.' She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches. Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning. She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button. She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger, and put the telephone book into the drawer. She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket, and hung up a towel to dry. She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book out from hiding under the chair. She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse. Mom then washed her face, put on her age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails. Dad called out, 'I thought you were going to bed.' 'I'm on my way,' she said. She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on. She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TV's, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework. In her own room, she set the alarm, laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack. She added three things to her 6 most important things to do list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals. About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular, 'I'm going to bed.' And he did...without another thought. Night everyone! Viv

Again, I'm not sure why this is a gay/straight issue. It seems there are plenty of people of both sexualities who are judgemental, ignorant people... I know not every straight person out there is an open-minded, accepting, well-adjusted human being, but there are plenty of us out there, and further, I would venture to say that there are plenty of gay people who are just as closed-minded and judgemental. **Shrug** Viv

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

So, I'm not gay, or even bi, but this is a discussion forum so what the hell, right? I'd like to point out that ANY group of people who have similar issues or features or prejudices will bond and find a common ground and understanding about how they feel. Maybe you're far beyond average intelligence, maybe you have a HUGE... body part of some sort or another, maybe you only have one arm, maybe your ethnicity is in the minority where you live, maybe you're a woman that works with all men and trying to get beyond the stigma of being a coffee maker. If you put ANY group of people together like that who are experiencing the same thing, good or bad, they will find common ground and 'bond' and perhaps find a sense of 'community'. That said, it's not just 'gays' in bars that are shallow and assholes. It's all types of crappy people who feel the need to push someone else down while pushing themselves up. When you care more about what other people think about you and fitting in with everyone, or worse, climbing to the top of that popularity chain, than you do about what YOU think of you... that's when you end up with shallow assholes... or, you know, naive, ignorant co-habitants of this planet that I can't make any excuse for. It's NEVER okay to hurt someone else to feel better about yourself, and in fact, it's almost never okay to hurt someone else AT ALL. It's the uniqueness in us all that makes us special and people tend to throw that away to fit in and be accepted instead of embracing it and being themselves regardless of what other people will think. Now then, I know I'm not gay, but I can tell you what I like most about having gay friends We can talk about boys We can look at boys together When they say, "Let's go shopping!" I can say yes because we won't be shopping in a woman's clothing store and I HATE shopping for myself! I can snuggle them and Rich doesn't get wiggly about it We can make ridiculously obvious euphamisms and laugh about them We can use those ridiculous euphamisms to embarass Rich and make him wiggly in a different kind of way Mostly though, I love that I'm 'safe' to talk to cause I'm not a guy. Yeah so, I guess my list doesn't leave room for gay woman, does it? Well I have a few female gay friends, too. What do I love about them? They're strong people who do for themselves and I like that. It's odd, but at least from men who think being gay is wrong, these girls slip under that radar because most men think it's hot so it can't be wrong, and I love that someday that thought will challenge the fundamental thought that being gay is wrong. Hugs, Viv

... how many questions he can come up with in a day. And sometimes they're random, and sometimes observant. Sometimes inquisitive and curious, and sometimes silly and sometimes asked with the intention of annoying me, but no matter the type or the cause, it seems he has an endless supply. Some of the more recent have been... Q: Why do chips come in a bag? A: To keep them fresh. Q: How do you make water? A: Uhh, I don't. Q: How is your beautiful-ness? A: My beautiful-ness? Q: What happens if I squeeze this ball inside here? A: It will hurt, now go put your pajamas on, please. Q: How come it's raining? A: I guess the clouds got too heavy carrying all that water around. Q: Which one is our car? A: Cause you forgot which one ours was in the few hours since I dropped you off at school? Q: Why is it called a jaw breaker? A: Because the candy is really hard and if you try and chew it, you could break your jaw... I love that he wants to know EVERYTHING... how things work, why things are the way they are, what will happen if. I wonder if, as he gets older, if the questsions will become more complicated, or just stop since he'll know the ways to find the answers himself. So, Mother's Day came and went, and one of the most entertaining parts, for me anyway, was that my son made a plan... written directions with illustrations to follow. He clearly got his dad's artistic ability... since I have none. The book Billy sent me arrived today! I read a little already, and it reminds me very much of something he wrote... should be an interesting read... thanks, Billy! If anyone is interested in reading along with us, the book is called Fall on your Knees, by Ann-Marie Macdonald. I went and saw Steve earlier today... it's FREAKING RAINING!!! at the end of May... in California! My flip-flops got wet, we Jamba'd, and I made sad faces at him since he's broken and won't let me fix him. Plus side... totally didn't get lost going there or coming back... and getting to snuggle him Rich is whining cause we're waiting to go see Indiana Jones on Saturday with Steve and he wants to go toniiiiiiiiiiiiiight! I told him repeatedly he could go with his friends tonight, but he's refusing... and to me that means he isn't allowed to whine since he chose it. So, I ended up in a store today looking for a present for someone, and looking like a complete girl and walking out again. It's gonna have to wait until I can consult someone with a penis... that's all there is to it. Hugs, Viv

I just read a story the other day that started like your one about the cop... cept he ended up being the guy's boyfriend and they were role-playing... something about a guy in uniform with handcuffs or something, but in the end, he made him keep the ticket... Umm, Joey... I'm gonna miss seeing you in a few weeks Send me some hugs home with Steve, kay? Love ya, Viv

Sounds like the right person is the one who will stop to notice you, fragile, craked, and leaking emotions, and then you'll know because you'll be absolutely perfect just as you are... just Jamie. It's hard to feel like needing someone or attention from people, or a certain person, is unnecessary. I go both ways on that... being loved by someone else for exactly the person you are is... amazing, but loving yourself for exactly who you are is something that isn't real easy to achieve, but it's a hell of a lot more valuable. Hang in there, cause tomorrow is another day, and another chance, and another smile, and another day to be exactly who you are and one of these days, that right person is going to come along and think you're perfect... ::kisses:: Viv

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great birthday and a fantastic year... lots of new things happening to look forward to! Oh, and cake... it's not a birthday without cake, so you gotta have some, okay? Hugs, Viv

It's about f**king time... I was just thinking 'when was the last time something happened that actually made me feel like this is going to be a progressive step forward and that I don't feel let down by the government?' Can't even remember, but this is a great start... Congratulations seems... a weird word for finally being given the right to do something that you have always deserved, should always have had, that I STILL can't believe anyone thought should be taken from anyone. Anyway... CONGRATULATIONS!!! Hugs, Vivian

Happy Birthday, Graeme! Wishing you a wonderful day and a fantastic year full of smiles and dreams come true Hugs, Viv

Alright, I suppose it's time for such a blog... After all, the running jokes are 'It's always about size with you guys' and 'I thought you said it was a good size'. Rich and I were just driving home and this commercial came on the radio that started out... "Does size matter? OF COURSE IT DOES!!! I lived with four girls in college and listened to them talking about men and their experiences, so I know, IT DOES MATTER! But it's not length they want, it's width and thickness, and now you can have that with new SCIENCE SHATTERING *name of drug here*" UGH! Can I just say... SO many things to say here... First of all... in case you all don't know, though I'm sure you do since you have your very own... dicks are cylindrical... or round... so wider and thicker means THE EXACT SAME THING!!! And... who is this guy to think he can go around SHATTERING science after hundreds of years of unmedicated penises... peni? And sheesh... if he's so great with SHATTERING science... please, use it for something that affects people in a way that I can support, like the cure for cancer, or HIV, or something. Also, stop making men who are perfectly equipped feel self concious about their bodies so that you can sell them some drug they don't need to screw up their bodies while you're already f**king with their minds... and as my angel pointed out... if you're a gay man, you have two orafices, orafi? that you can use to satisfy this penis... and at some point, enough is enough... and as a girl, I can tell you that we aren't bottomless pits so enough is DEFINITELY enough. Nuff said. So, I got SO MANY comments from you guys about the thing Tony wrote that I posted last blog, and first of all, thank you. I posted it so that maybe some people would understand a little more about me and what I find important in people and in life, and also to remember that life is short, and it's what you make it... That said, Tony and I had a conversation afterward that I thought I'd share with you since I mentioned that reading his version was pretty weird for me since I was there. Viv: psst... Tony: ? Viv: thanks for that Tony: oh, no problem Viv: it's pretty... interesting? reading what you remember when i was there Tony: yeah, ill be the first to tell you my memory isn

So, the following is something that is intimately personal. Tony, my baby brother who isn't such a baby anymore at 21, wrote this for a writing class in college and I asked him if I could post it here because it was so special and means a lot to me. It's interesting reading his version of what happened when I was there living it too, and how much his memories are only a tiny sliver of everything that was actually happening. I'm glad I could protect him from remembering those things, cause trust me when I tell you, they weigh a lot, but I'm carrying his weight too, as it should be. What Family Really Means My sister, Vivian, has been many things in my life. She has been my sibling, my guardian, and my guidance. She took on the roles of sister, mother, and mentor without complaint or protest. I should have expected as much considering the type of person Vivian is. Throughout my life, my definition of family has always been variable. It changed over and over again as I got older and I would not be surprised if it continued to transform. We begin this story as a child. When I was five years old, my parents separated. My mother decided, for whatever reason, she didn

Happy Birthday, Comicality! So... the big 33 eh? Well, all I have to say is that you better have the best f**king birthday EVER!! or else somebody's getting their butt kicked... Lots of love and SMOOCHES!!! Viv

Hehe! It's not about patience... it's about endurance I see your point, Dan, that would be an overload methinks. That scenario, however, does not apply in my case so I'm still not sure how I'd react... but I really don't think I'd ever have to decide since Rich is boring and straight My Zoey liked Ocean, but she was mostly old and so it gave her a head start if Ocean was feeling feisty. I think it was fun answering all of those cause they were so random and an interesting way to spend some time at an obscenely early hour of the morning. Suck it up and TRY!!! Hugs, Viv

Could you forgive your best friend for sleeping with your partner? I don't think Rich swings that way... How old will you be on your next birthday? 29 plus 2... check out my math skills baby! Have you ever seen a live bat? I'm sure I have in some zoo or another. Is there anything/anyone you hate? It's hard for me to hate anyone, but lemme tell ya, there are plenty of things I hate. Are you single? Nope Do you like the color orange? On an orange, sure, and on my son... he looks good in orange. Do you find it in your heart to forgive? Yeah, I have to... it's too much to hold inside for me if I don't. Would you rather not drink or not sleep? Not drink... I *like* bed! Have you ever seen a real redneck? You mean like those guys on TV? Do tattoos and piercings excite you? Umm... I think certain piercings are pretty sexy, and some tattoos are cool, but it's not a requirement or anything... What's the meaning of life? I guess I'll find out when I'm done with it. What size shoes do you wear? Nine and a half... What's your favorite season? Hmm, I'm gonna go with fall... still warm out but a cool breeze. Do you care if people talk smack about you? What are we? In Jr. High again... Rich says... now it's defamation of character and I sue their asses! How long are you on the phone daily? Does this count texting? Cause then... carry the 2... A LOT! Sorry, I forgot to ask your name? Umm, thanks? Pay attention this time... Vivian. Are you in a good mood? I'm in a tired, I had to work on Saturday night, and now it's after 2 a.m. mood. Do you believe in luck? Eh... no? Everything happens for a reason, right? So I keep saying... Would you rather skydive or bungee jump? Uhh... sorta anti-death myself, but if I *have* to pick one... Skydiving. Do you like snakes? Sure, I like them just fine in their glass boxes they live in. Where is one place that you'd like to visit? Crap, I only get one? Hmmm. Do you like waffles? Heck yes, I do, with strawberries and whipped cream on top, please. Anything your looking forward to? My next day off... Do you have more or less than five best friends? Hmm, best implies nothing better so I guess by definition, I have to say no, but I really do have several really amazing friends. <3 What would you do if the friend you talk to most stopped talking to you? Umm, get a passport? Does the number 23 have any significance to you? Err, nope. Be honest, do you like people in general? Usually... but there are always exceptions... read: IDIOTS! Big or small dogs? Uhh, the only small dog I like is a dachsund with long, hangy-down, furry ears, otherwise big dogs that don't slobber all over everything are okay. Do you like Big Macs? Negative... I have issues with anything called 'secret sauce'... just saying. Did someone bother you today? Eh, it was an okay day on the bothersome scale... plus I was told banana man came into work last night and it was my day off so I didn't have to talk to him! SO YAY! Sometimes, do you wish you were someone else? No way... different circumstances, sure... but who doesn't? Does someone love you? Mmhmm! <3 Lots of people, and I love them right back... PS. I love you, Lisa, so you need to change your answer! Do you know anyone named Dave? HAHAHAHAHA! Absolutely! <3333333333 Recently kissed anyone with the name starting with a R? Again, YES! <33333333333 Has anyone ever mistaken you for a family member? Not that I know of, but my family is pretty limited so... Have you ever tried Gatorade? Ugh, yes, and only the red, fruit punch flavor will do in HUGE cases of emergency! Do you think that Starbucks is expensive? For coffee, yeah, but in comparison to gas... Are you named after a family member? Nope. Say you were given a drug test right now. Would you pass or fail? Perfect score... PASS! Are you taller than 5'6"? No, and thanks for bringing that up again... Ever see a dead body? Far too many times already. Do you like the color blue? Depends on the shade, I suppose. How are you? Okay, thanks... Who was the last person to send you a text message? Steve... Last restaurant you went to? Uhh, TOGO's... and oh my golly, the RUDEST girl was working there, too! What is the weather like today? HOT! 97 during the day, and when I was driving home at 10:30 p.m., it was 82 still. Last voicemail you received? JOEY!!! With Brendon Urie singing to me, live from the concert in Dallas! <333333333333 Thanks Joey! What did you do yesterday? As little as possible, and murder some more love... after all, I have a reputation to uphold. What's the first thing you would do with five million dollars? Hmm, start a controlled burn of my house and then rebuild it with one that isn't about to fall down. What nationalities are you? Italian, Romanian, Spanish, English, Irish, and German. How many hours did you sleep last night? Umm, well, it was really early this morning, and about 7. Any upcoming concerts you want to attend? Oh, yes! Panic at the Disco in Anaheim on June 14th! Who's the last person that you felt was stalking you? Umm, see that guy over there? *points* Nah, thankfully, no one. Have you ever been on your school's track team? *Answers the question with a question* Have you seen the size of my boobs? What clothes are you wearing? Pajama pants and a shirt... but not for long cause I'm going to bed as soon as I finish this thing. If all of your friends were going on a road trip, would you? Is this a trick question? Like, if all your friends were jumping off a bridge...? How much money do you have, in cash? I have $6.20 in my apron pocket currently, and I know that without having to go check... One $5 bill, one $1 bill, and two dimes. I know, I have issues. Do you swear at your parents? Like it would matter? Is your phone right beside you? Yep, cell and house. Have you cried today? Not today. Do you think that someone is thinking about you right now? Yeah, Rich is probably lying in bed grumbling that I'm still in here typing this thing. I'm almost done, babe! Do you untie your shoes every time you take them off? If they have laces, then yeah. What are the color of your bedsheets? Off-white. Have you ever crawled through a window? Mmmhmm. Are you photogenic? On occasion. What's your sign? Gemini, what's yours? Where do you spend most of your money? Umm, paying my mortgage. What was the last thing you did? Weird question... it keeps changing. Do you have a tattoo? Nah... Do you still watch cartoons on Saturday mornings? No, I sleep in. Is there a secret you've never told any of your friends? I doubt it. Have you ever changed your clothes while in a vehicle? Yeah. What are you doing in 2008? Wondering how it got to be 2008 already. What is your ringtone? Depends who's calling. What were you doing at 2 a.m. last night? Hah... having sex. Are your parents married/divorced/separated? D. None of the above. What are you doing tonight? Working. What are you doing tomorrow? Umm, grocery shopping, and working. Who did you last message on Myspace? My pal, Steve, from work. What did you dress up as for your first Halloween? Not a clue, c'mon, that was like... 29 years ago. What is the wallpaper on your cell? Uhh, the blue windows screen thingy. Who last made you smile? Zoey, my kitten. The "chosen one" whats his name? Depends who's doing the choosing, I suppose. What's something you MUST do before you die? Sheesh, how much time do you have? Are you single? Do you want to be? No, but if I was, then, still no. What's one thing you will not eat? Hmm, lots of things some people find to be delicacies. What color is your underwear? Tonight, gray... Also know that without having to check. What's your birthstone? Pearl or Alexandrite, depending on the chart. Can you hula hoop? Hehe, yep! Who's on speed dial ? I don't speed dial. What's the hurry? Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot? *nods* Do you have any friends with benefits? Not the sexual kind... Have you ever enjoyed listening to Jack Johnson? A time or two. Do you have a song by Ozzy Osborne in your library? Yep, courtesy of Jeff. Do you watch Family Guy regularly? No. What is your favorite Disney movie? Hmm, not sure... a lot to choose from. What sport do you dislike most? Ugh, honestly... probably boxing. Have you ever gone scuba diving? No, but I snorkeled a couple times. What's your favorite smell? Mmmm, Rich... and peaches. Do you care what others think about you? Not more than I care what I think about me. Do you follow college football? Not unless you count Tony's games. Where was the last place you went shopping? Albertsons Last time you drank alcohol? With Rich, Steve, and Snowy at Anchos. BEST margaritas EVER!!! Favorite football team? *shrug* Do you watch the Olympics? Parts of it. Were you an outcast in middle school? I don't think I've ever been an outcast, thankfully. Are you multitasking right now? No, it's my downtime. Could you handle being in the military? Negative. Do you believe in Karma? Possibly. What is your school mascot? Well, let's see, I know I was a Spartan for 2 years, and then a Rebel for 4 years. Hugs, Viv

Well, so a very Happy Birthday to Vance today! And another just as Happy Birthday to Toby... where he lives it's already his birthday, even if it's not quite yet here... *** Warning - Semi-computer challenged individual speaking beyond this point*** So, last night I installed some new Windows Live software thingy that allowed me to import all my MSN contacts to my email list along with combining all my email accounts into the one Outlook Express thing I use and it seems pretty cool, but I managed to sort of lose all my personal email contacts I had, but then Rich came home and I whined as usual about it and we exported the list from the one and then imported the list to the other and so far so good, I think. I did hear from someone though saying that they had been dropped off my mailing list and that was so what I'm gonna do is... if you don't currently get email updates for my stories, then please send me an email at Viv's Email and I'll add you to the list, okay? I'm pretty excited about all the changes happening here at GA. It's been such a great place and I've met so many amazing people, some of the most important people in my life today actually, and so I'm so glad to be a part of it and to see it grow into all the things it has become so far. I think congratulations are in order for the newest change or growth, and that is GA becoming a corporation. It's really fantastic to see something you imagined and worked to grow and build, and then have spent so much time making it become what you want, become something even bigger. I just want to say thanks to all the people who spend so much time making GA what it is. There are so many I can think of right off the top of my head, Dan and Robert, CJ, Kevin, Steve, Grame, Joey, and then there's Myr. When I read today that you left work early and spent four hours getting this place back up and running, I was really very glad you did, but also, it reminded me of the sacrifices you make daily to make GA a place for everyone to enjoy, so thank you. You and Joey spend an obscene amount of time doing all the stuff it takes to make GA run and be what it is, so thank you. I hope that if I can ever do anything to help, that you'll not hesitate to ask me. So, that's about it really... Happy Earth Day! Hugs, Viv PS. dkstories, I totally pimped you out to a friend who was looking for something sci-fi and good to read...

Happy Birthday, Vancer! Wishing you a wonderful year, gorgeous! Lots of smiles and love and happiness to fill your days and nights! Love you, Vance! Hugs, Viv

Hey Gorgeous! God, it's been forever since we've talked... I really hope you're doing great and smiling and happy. Happy Birthday, Benny! Hugs Viv

Yep, April 12th is the big 21 for the beautiful boy with the amazing voice and the pretty mouth and the amazing hair and the fantastic smile! This is the best video... gotta start in about 1:40 though, but so great~ Panic at the Disco Live Okay, I'm off to bed... have to be up at way-too-early-o'clock for work. Hugs, Viv PS. Oh yeah! So, I took my car to get serviced today, and since my son is on spring break he came along, and then shuttle guy, Willie, drove us over to the mall to hang out while they worked on my car, and then when he came to pick us up, we got in the can and had some bags and he says, "Did a little shopping?" and my son says, "Yeah! I got this hat and shirt, and my mom bought underwear!" and shuttle guy, Willie, is giggling while I say, "Thanks, secret teller..." not that it was that big of a leap since I was carrying a Victoria's Secret bag, but still... thanks, kid.

Friday counts as part of the weekend, right? It does? Good... cause then I can include how I am now the mother of a fertile, almost-teenage girl... nuff said. Then, Saturday I had a day that I think I'd like to never repeat again if possible, and it was pretty weird for a lot of reasons. First, a guy I know and love, who's pretty young, asked me when the right time was to tell someone you love them. Then I took my kids to buy some books and a birthday present formy daughter's friend, and then to get their hair cut. My daughter has been wanting to get bangs cut into her hair since her friend has them, and so I told her next time we went, we would look at some pictures, and so we did. Now, instead of looking fourteen instead of twelve, she looks EVEN OLDER! I went to take Rich some lunch and managed to convince him to keep our son with him at work while I took our daughter to her friend's birthday party. It was a pool party, and she wasn't sure she wanted to go because she couldn't go swimming since the day before, her body decided it was time for her to become a woman for the first time, but we went anyway and dropped off a gift. Then we came home and I came inside, and then found my dog lying on the floor obviously sick, so I set the mail down to help her. She could barely stand up and when she did, she walked to the back yard and lay down by a tree and I was crying because I knew something was really wrong, and more because I knew that my daughter would come in the door at any minute from showing her friend her new haircut and then what am I going to do? Of course, she comes in, and sees me crying and freaks out and is crying too, so I tell her to sit with Ocean and pet her and talk to her while I call Rich, and then I call the vet and I have to carry Ocean to the car since she can't walk, and we drive over, and the whole time Annemarie is being so great! She was telling Ocean that she was going to be just fine, and that she's such a great friend, and that she's a big girl, and that's what Mom and Dad always tell her and they're right, and then I'd cry because I knew that she probably wouldn't be alright, and then she would see me and cry too, until she'd stop herself and say that we need to think positive. She was unvbelievable, really. So I get to the vet and carry Ocean inside and they look at her and tell us she needs some more tests and that they can't do them there and we need to go to the emergency animal hospital so back in the car again and I stop and get Rich and my son since it's on the way and I don't want to have to make these decisions by myself, and then we get to the animal hospital and Rich carries Ocean inside. So, the vet was looked at her and then came back and said she was very sick, and it seemed that she had an infection in her uterus, which happens sometimes to dogs when you don't spay them, and that it had burst and was infecting her blood and that he wanted to do some tests and left us to think about it, and then as we were discussing it, her heart stopped and she died. Lots of crying and sadness since we have had her as long as we've had our daughter. It's losing a member of your family, you know? We drove home, and my daughter wanted to be with her friends so I let her, and then my son was trying to figure things out and how he should feel and asked me if Ocean was never coming home again and I told him that she wasn't, so then he cried and I held him until he calmed down. On top of it, and feeling like an ambulance driver, we were only at the emergency animal hospital no more than ten minutes when she died, and all I can think is thank goodness it didn't happen in the back seat of the car with my daughter. And I think I hurt my shoulder/neck lifting and carrying her. She was a sixty-five pound Husky... and while anyone I've actually met will tell you that I'm ridiculously strong for someone my size... I dunno, I guess in my adrenalin-rushed freak out, I probably didn't lift her well and hurt myself. I'll be fine though. I'm not sure I say this very often, but thank golly the weekend is over and I can start over. Hugs, Viv