~MOVING FORWARD THROUGH THE TEARS~

 It's been two weeks today since we said goodbye to our Miss Mollie Brown. 

Honestly...one day has run into another and if I didn't have to get up in the morning, well, I didn't.  I've lived in my pajamas for more hours than I can say and have cried more tears than I ever thought I could.

Our grief has been raw.

Unimaginable.

Unforgiving.

Those of you who have experienced loss of any kind will understand our hurting hearts.  There is no balm that can soothe or heal our brokenness and we understand that only time will help us move forward without Mollie's physical presence in our lives.

A few days after her passing we received a little box with her ashes and a pair of paper imprints of her very tiny front paws.  As I turned the cards over and over in my hands I realized that way back in 2003 she had stolen away my heart and the very essence of her will continue to live there for all my days.

I'm beyond grateful for that.

Fourteen years, seven months and seven days.  

So thankful for all those moments with our beautiful doggie...

And for God's GRACE.

His wonderful, unmerited favor has made breathing in and out possible.

Today I am going to attempt to return to the real world.  Two new things have entered into our lives and both are keeping me on my toes.

I will share more soon.

Thank you all for you blog and Facebook comments.  I'm overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown to Steve and I.  

Blessings...

Rebecca

~REST IN PEACE - SWEET MOLLIE BROWN~

 Dear Friends...

My husband, Steven and I shared the news earlier today via FB that our little Miss Mollie Brown passed away yesterday afternoon.  I'm beyond torn up over losing my furry friend and our hearts are completely broken.  I know for certain mine will never be the same.

Our girl was beyond precious and lived to be almost 15 years old.  She was truly one of my dearest friends, my constant companion and 24/7 shadow.  She saw me through many things and only asked of me to provide a warm place to lay her head and food and water for her tummy.  Gentle hugs, cuddles and kisses were optional, but she welcomed them always, but never demanded them.  She hated bath time, but loved how she felt after she was dry.  Her favorite pastime was hunting June Bugs and she could snatch them mid-air when she was younger.  Always the huntress, even when her eyesight dimmed she could scout out a Scada Bug, wings and all, and swallow it down before you could swipe it away.  She loved to give wet kisses and she would sit and politely beg for any scraps the minute you sat down to eat...

Such a little lady our baby girl was...

Last September I found a bump on her belly and it was a tumor.  In March she was was getting thin and by last Thursday was very frail and had lost down to a little over three pounds...  Her original weight was 6-7...depending on just how much people food she could convince me to pass her under the table.  

Late yesterday afternoon she passed away with both me and my Mr. AGP Man at her side.  Her little spirit is soaring high tonight and she is safe and sound.  It is my belief I will see her again...  I know I will.

Your prayers for Steve and I are greatly appreciated.  Right now we are both overcome with grief and sorrow...

Miss Mollie Brown

1-7-2003 - 8-14-2017

Love to you all...

Rebecca

~MOLLIE, OUR BELOVED YORKIE DOG~

~EARLY LAST SPRING~

Yesterday I took my little Miss Mollie, my now 14 and 7 month old Yorkie, to see her doctor as she continue to grow very, very thin.  My Mr. AGP Man and I know we must soon make the painful decision regarding her future and we are beyond broken up about it all.  Our time with her has quickly flown and we are facing the very end of our days with our beloved girl...

~AT HER SASSY BEST~

For those of you who are Pet Parents you know how difficult it is to say goodbye.  Do we continue to WAIT for nature to take it's course, especially if our pets don't APPEAR to be in pain?  Or do we opt to CHOOSE the humane approach and opt to put our babies down?

~MOLLIE AS A PUPPY~

Our girl still loves to sometimes hunt June Bugs on warm summer evenings, although walking is getting harder and harder for her and she sleeps all but maybe three or four of 24 hours each day.  She still loves to snuggle and cuddle and so we've been waiting...and waiting...and waiting...

~YEARS AGO WITH MOLLIE AND MY MISS K~

While our hearts our breaking.

~PLAYING IN MY POLYFIL~

I've asked God many times over this past year just what it is we are supposed to learn while traveling this journey...  Or maybe it is we are just supposed to enjoy the love we both give and receive this side of heaven...

~OUR FUNNY GIRL~

We aren't sure.

Anyway...your prayers are so appreciated as we decide...and ponder and pray.

~MY FAVORITE PICTURE EVER TAKEN~

I've so enjoyed sharing the antics of our girl with you all over the past eight or so years...  Saying goodbye...or so long for now...or see you again one day is, well, you know...

Blessings~

Rebecca

French Farmhouse Signs...Amazing Grace

A Gathering Place - Vintage Window
Amazing Grace

Hans Hofmann said
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." 

Today I am all about keeping my life calm and seeking peace, grace and comfort in all things. 

 A Gathering Place - Farmhouse Style Signs

Miss Mollie - A Few Years Ago

This morning I sat outside for longer than usual while enjoying the presence of my fourteen year old Yorkie, Mollie.  My mind wandered for a bit, remembering the sweet days when she would chase the squirrels that lived amongst our many trees here at my La Chaumière de Briarwood.  Years ago, after exhausting herself, Mollie would gently inch her way back to me, her topaz colored fur covered lightly in a dusting of our famed Oklahoma red dirt.

She was full of life...and attitude.

Today she was happy to lay by my side as the great-grandsquirrels (no doubt the offspring of those she once tormented) played around her.  I can't help but wonder if she misses the days of her youth like I do or if she is content to rest and just remember...

I'm glad I've had her to love for so long.

~*~

"I do not ask that life shall be
Forever care and sorrow free,
Nor that some distant morning I
Shall not awake to grieve and sigh.
I ask but faith to stand before
Whate'er the future has in store.

Let me be one whose courage springs
From all the countless little things
Of joy and beauty which abound
Wherever man may look around.
Let me exult in peace or strife
That I have had the gift of life."
(Edgar A. Guest) 

Blessings...

Rebecca

~MOLLIE and the HAWK~

 

Mollie at One Year

This post is a little unsettling, so please read carefully...  Our little dog, Mollie, is FINE, but had we not been watching our surroundings things could have turned out much differently.

I shared with you all sometime back that our Miss Mollie Girl, our 14.4 year old Yorkie, is dealing with some major health issues.  My Mr. AGP Man and I have wrestled for quite a while about how to deal with the inevitable, but we love her and as long as she's not in pain we are doing everything we can to make her life as wonderful as possible.  We know MoMo is living her last days so each one is a treasure.

Three Year Old Mollie

Mollie has her good days and days when she does little more than sleep.  Yesterday was a GREAT DAY for her.  She was spunky and alert and more like her old [young] self.  I love days like this when we cuddle and play a bit and she's excited about going outside.

Mollie in 2008-Ready for Vacation

Yesterday evening my Mr. worked hard out in the front yard and had just finished mowing and edging the lawn when dusk was almost upon him.  Mollie and I joined him outdoors for a few minutes as she still loves investigating and hunting for bugs (ugh!).  I freely allowed her to roam about in the front yard because she has never been one to wander off or go near the street.

While I was chatting with my husband he stopped for a second and said "Did you see that?"  I said "What was THAT?"  he quickly replied "THAT HUGE HAWK!"  The large bird had been circling above us before flying into one of our many low-hanging trees. As we watched the hawk we both immediately realized the bird was eyeing every move our little dog was making.

Mollie in the Snow - 2010

Honestly...I was totally freaked out and couldn't run fast enough towards our beautiful dog.  I scooped her up and ran back towards the safety of our front porch just as hawk came out from the branches and flew by us.

Because Mollie isn't much more than 4 pounds or so (thinner than her normal 5.5 weight) I keep a little shirt or lightweight sweater on her at all times.  Last night she was wearing a soft gray, almost white, t-shirt and combined with her light colored hair (which today is quite silver), I'm sure she was easily seen.

Mollie was completely clueless as to what nearly happened to her.   After we came in (and calmed down) I googled "Hawks and Yorkies" and I was SHOCKED to see what came up.  I'm going to spare you the details of what I read...I'll let you look if you want to.

I just want to say PLEASE be careful with your animals.  Even those on leashes or living amongst citified homes are often visited by hawks searching for prey.

Today I have another reason to be thankful.

Love to you...

Rebecca

SHARING A LITTLE UPDATE....Missing You All!

Dear Blogger Friends...

It's been over eight weeks since I last posted an update for you.  Not sure how many of you are still checking in...  I know...it's been a long time.

At PINKS in Cali Last Month

Yesterday, one of my all-time favorite bloggers and friends wrote me the kindest message and I guess it just gave me the needed PUSH to fill you all in on what's been happening.

So...if you are still wondering where I'm at and what I'm doing, keep reading!

I've shared with you about the car accident that my Mr. AGPMan, our daughter, Adrienne, and I were in last May.  Well...for the most part the two of them have healed up and for that I'm so very thankful.  It goes without saying that they were, and remain, my greatest concern.  However...I still have some lingering issues that are proving to make me both overwhelmed, depressed and, well, kinda scared.

I will spare you the details and only say this:

I'm still under a doctor's care.

I'm still in physical therapy.

I'm still TRYING to create and list on my website (although I'm failing miserably at keeping up!)...

I'm still have my Booth at Serendipity Market in Edmond, OK...

and...

I'm still hopeful that I will regain my health and find wellness in my future.

I'm still trusting God for better tomorrows and remain grateful and thankful for my life.

I would be less than honest with you if I told you this entire ordeal hasn't caused me to reflect a great deal on my life.  I understand better just WHAT is important and the things that truly matter.

  At HS Reunion/B-Day

My big sister and I made it to our HS Birthday Party a couple of weeks ago and that brought me great joy.  Wonderful to see old friends and to reconnect.  Above is a photo taken that night.  I removed an old friend from the picture...it's the only decent one taken of me with my eyes OPEN!  (Ugh!)  And in case your wondering...this is what my HS friends remember me looking like!  Sure do miss my young skin!!!

 My Senior Picture 1976

(too funny not to share!)

Very thankful I was able to attend the celebration (it was my school's 50th Birthday and classes from 1966-1976 were invited!).  A big thanks goes out to my brother for putting me up and my sis for traveling with me so I wouldn't have to fly out and back alone.

 

 Our Miss Mollie

(a few years ago!)

Our little Yorkie, Mollie (who will be 14 in January) is ill and probably won't be with us too much longer.  I've been blessed to have this precious doggie in my home since she was just a few weeks old and we love her as any pet-parent loves their animals.  She's seen me through many, many things~both good and not-so-good...  Our prayer is that we will know the best time to say a gentle good-bye. 

Our Son, Brandon

(a few  years ago!)

 

Lastly...I want to share with you that my son, Brandon, will be having major surgery on Tuesday, November 1st.  As a momma probably does, I guess I still look at my grown children as "my babies".  I'm concerned, as any parent would be, but I know he's in capable hands...

Those here on earth and in heaven.

 And so...there you go!  I'm pressing on.  I appreciate any prayers you can offer up in my behalf.  I've missed you all so much.

May God continue to bless you all.

I hope to share more soon.

Love to you~

Rebecca

~GOT DOG?~

Yesterday we invited longtime friends over for dinner here at our La Chaumière de Briarwood and Miss Mollie, our nearly ten year old Yorkie, was required to dress for the occasion.

She looked so lovely dressed up to the nines!

You dress your pets up when company comes, don't you?

(???????????????????????)

:) :) :)

To welcome our out-of-town guests Mollie donned a vintage ribbon of soft white about her camel brown pony tail, further accented with a tiny white rosebud.  Around her neck she wore a vintage lace collar accented with French trim and ribbon.

So dog-on chic...

 Un Beau Chien

~~*~~

Workin'-Workin'-Workin'

in my studio today and then down to spruce up my booth space at Edmond Antiques.  Tomorrow I'm going to show you some of my latest finds.

(Totally swooning over a couple of them!)

Hope you Monday is beautimous!

Love to you~

~DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ENDING SOON~

One of my dearest friends is a huge doggie lover.  Not only does she have three pretty pooches of her own, but she's also kinda-sorta adopted my Miss Mollie as well.  Last Saturday Miss Leslie visited us with presents in hand.  One of me and one for Mo Mo!

Now...Mollie loves gifty things~

Especially so if they are edible!

 But, designer doggie duds,

not-so-much!!!

I, on the other hand, love them!

Since Miss Mollie has an appointment today to be tortured beautified (aka: groomed) I decided to dress her up in her new fall attire.  I know you can't tell it from the picture, but she was throwing a fit VERY excited about showing off to you her new black, orange, yellow and white ruffly frock!  She's just pretending to be in a foul mood.  She does that all the time sometimes when I dress her up!

I think she looks spectacular!

Don't you?

Certainly gives new meaning to the term

"CORN DOG"!

(Teeeee Heeeee)

Oh...just for the record...

My son, Brandon, thinks that I've totally

LOST MY MIND

when I dress his baby sister up!

:):):)

 I'm back in my studio working today after taking advantage of the cooler temps and doing lots and lots of base painting!  It's been TOOOO HOT to paint and before long it's going to be TOOOO COLD to paint!   Sometimes I feel like I'm

NEVAHHH HAPPY!

 Lots of sweet things will be coming soon to my A Gathering Place website!  See those two Christmas Tree tins on the right in the picture above?

Yummmm-eeeeee!  My favs!

Hope you are having a great day!  A fresh new week is ahead of us!  So exciting!  The new COOL BREEZE PAINT is looking fab by the way!  One coat down and one more to go!!  New pics soon!

Blessings and love to you...

~SLEEPING ON A CLOUD OF FLUFFY WHITE STUFF~

OK Peeps...this was just toooo cute for me not to share...

I got up extra early this morning so I could finish the pillows I started yesterday for both my Shoppe and eBay. I had just stitched up the last of four when I realized I'd used the last of my PolyFil the day before.

Now...I buy Fiber Filling in large 10lb boxes (that is a lot of Fill!). If you aren't careful when you open up the inner bag it sometimes spills all over the place... and, that is exactly what happened. As a result about 3/4 of the Fill stayed inside the plastic bag and the rest made it's way onto the floor. Ugh!

Since this has happened to me before I know it is best to just repack some of fluffy white stuff into smaller sized bags for later use. So, I made my way downstairs to grab a few kitchen sized bags and then trekked right back up the steps to my studio...

Would you like to know what I found when I walked inside?

Now mind you I was only gone less than three minutes...

JUST LOOK!

~WHAT? I'M NOT DOING NOTHIN'~

Miss Mollie the Molinator (my 4lb Yorkie) had found a new resting place!

Yes she did!

A very comfortable one, I suspect.

~CAUGHT IN THE ACT - I'M SO EMBARRASSED!~

When she saw me she immediately turned her head away so I couldn't see her shame (trust me when I tell you she KNOWS BETTER!).

~I KNOW I'VE BEEN NAUGHTY!~

"MoMo! What are you doing in my Stuffing?" I scolded!

~PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME GO...I'LL BE GOOD!~

"Um...I"m just laying here Momma! I'm bein' good and it's soooooo comfy! Please don't make me move!!!"

Errrrr.........

I know this is sick, but want to know what I did next?

I picked MoMo up, Fiber Filling and all, and placed them on top of her own little bed. That was 3 hours ago and she is still there, quietly sleeping on a cloud of white fluff.

The life of this dearly loved pooch is sometimes greatly envied by her owner.

I hope this gave you a sweet smile for the day...:)

Blessings and Love...Rebecca