I'm getting ready today to go on a camping trip to the beach. I'll only be gone a week but I find that I'm already feeling sad that I won't be keeping in touch with all of you! This forum has been so helpful to me. I just want to take a minute and thank all of you for participating and sharing your thoughts and stories. I can't imagine how marooned I would have felt if I hadn't been able to reach out to you during this major change in my life.

I'll be making a special trip to the grocery store after we get the camp site set up to buy all the right things for me to be eating. I'm looking forward to mentally checking out for a little while.

Some of you know that last fall I had to go to Missouri because my mother and brother were in terrible shape. I ended up having to go to court to get guardianship of both of them. It was hard but it has worked out to be the best thing for everyone. The sheer amount of work and stress was something I never want to go through again.

This is the 1st vacation I've had since then and I'm really looking forward to relaxing. I'm going to take care of myself and laugh A LOT! And walk on the beach and listen to the waves crash....

Again, thank you all. You don't know how much you have helped me.

Edited July 2, 201016 yr by breezy

Something about the ocean is so calming, you deserve a vacation and we'll miss you too!

Thanks, Carla! I'm back. You're right, the ocean breezes calmed me down to the point that I forgot to worry about ANYTHING! I'm so mellow now!

I took a "rescue" dog with me. His name is Rootie (miniature schnauzer) and he was a very fearful dog when I first got him 6 months ago. He cowered whenever you touched him, was afraid of noises, and NEVER played, with my other dogs OR with me.

It was WONDERFUL to see him at the beach. He actually RAN with me and the other dog I took! I started just playfully running with Raven, one of my Shelties, and I was so surprised to see Rootie join in! Tail up, ears up, mouth open, tongue lolling out, and happier looking than I've ever seen him! See? The ocean is healing for dogs too!