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I've been following Pai's adventures, so I thought I'd give mom a break and tell you about my big day.







Mom came to see me at the doctor's and I gave her a big tail wag. She goes all mooshy for that stuff. I was trying to signal with my eyes, "Let's go home!"











She understood! Eeeeeeasy, dude. Home or Bust!









You drive.









Mom huffed and puffed my 60lb butt into the garden. Ahhhh...this is more like it. When the phone rang, I got up and took care of business. I know mom was peeking. She had to cut that dumb tee off of me cuz I had a tee of my own! Oh yeah! Who says I have trouble? That place just wasn't MY potty...you know what I'm saying. Oh, sorry bout the frame...Moms, ya gotta love em.









Now THIS is the life. My own fan and all my favorite sounds and smells. Waiter, iced tea, please!

COMMENTS

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sahahria
23:19 May 31 2008

I hope Meatball not only thrives on being home, but with your love- to a speedy full recovery.

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borked
23:27 May 31 2008

What a relief seeing that smelly present must be

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Joli
23:32 May 31 2008

You have no idea! I haven't even scooped it yet. :)

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Sevenn
01:21 Jun 01 2008

=)

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LadyChordewa
04:02 Jun 01 2008

Welcome home Meatball!!!

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LadyKrystalynDarkstar
06:53 Jun 01 2008

I know that feeling!! I remember when my cat finally did that.... I woke my husband up at 3:00 a.m. to tell him.... we both cried. MEATBALL IS HOME AND HE POOOOOOOOPED!!! Amen.

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Beastt17
11:50 Jun 01 2008

You wouldn't take a dump in the middle of a hospital room would you? Give the guy some credit. He's hurt, he's been scared, away from his family and in terrible pain but he still has his pride and the dignity to wait for his own yard-sized toilet to take care of business. That's Meatball; no whining, pure love and a bit too modest for some people to understand.



How long do these people actually expect a poor guy to hold before they finally get the idea? A little privacy, some grass and a proper yard where I'm king! (Even when I'm hurtin'.)



Thanks for bringing me home, Mom.

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Beastt17
11:53 Jun 01 2008

Oh! And thanks for saving my life... twice now. :)



*lick*

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Vampirewitch39
21:03 Jun 01 2008

Dear Meatball,



I am so very sorry to hear of your pain. No doggy should ever be hurt that way. :(



I am so very glad to see you have made it and have came home to your family. I am sure they will take care of you and you will be back to meeting your mommy at the door when she comes home in no time.



But till then- you rest, and enjoy the pampering. You do have to heal, and leave your mommy some more poop, as it makes her so happy. :)



Here is to a pile of poop and healing. *rubs your chest, and under your chin, kissing your nose* Blessing sent to you and your family. Welcome home.



:)

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birra
02:16 Jun 02 2008

YAY for the good pooping!

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POST COMMENT

I don't have very much time, but it was important that I write this first. I wish I had more time to talk about the impact on my life, but this will have to be brief.



I only shared with a couple of people I love what happened almost two weeks ago. I simply could not talk or write about it. My heart has been so broken. My sweet boy whom you have all seen in my portfolio and journal, Meatball, was run over by a neighbor's truck. It has been bad. He was very badly injured and three days ago, I was told that the prognosis was not good.



I trust this vet. When I rushed my boy there after the accident, all I could say was, "my dog was run over." They rushed into action and when the car door was opened, they gasped, "It's Meatball!" They love him, too. How could anyone not?



Just around the corner from my work, I visit my boy often. He never wagged his tail and he'd turn his face away. He was in great pain and medicated. Just not my Meatball. The great worry the last few days has been that when the cath is removed, he will not urinate. And other associated problems that point to possible nerve damage.



Today I received a call to go talk with the vet. I shook all the way there, certain that this would be the "put him to sleep" call. I waited in the lobby, trying to be brave while other pet owners loved and fussed at their healthy dogs and a young couple brought in a baby lab for his puppy shots. Finally, the receptionist must have seen my face and she let me in to visit with MB while I waited.



He wagged his tail and lifted his head! It was the first Meatball act i had seen since the accident. I laid down on his smelly blanket and he licked my whole face, lips and all. I am here to tell you that you can miss the lick of your dog like you would miss the sun or your own breath. I told him how I wanted to take him home, to the garden and evil savvy cat. How much the girls missed him, and how he was my good good boy. He sighed and put his forehead against my knee and I dug my fingers again and again into that scruffy neck I love so much. What would I do if the doctor said the hateful words I did not want to hear?



The vet showed me his wound. Oh god, it is so bad, so so so bad. But that isn't his worry. MB needs to walk and he needs to get his pottying in order. Then he said, i want to see if taking him home will help. He needs his own environment and I can see he is very attached to all of you. He went over the care we'll have to give, It's extensive and scary. But I get to bring him home!



I have gone to the store and bought supplies, dismantled the dojo and put the padded flooring in my room which will double as doggy hospital, and I am ready now to go get my good boy. A neighbor helped me remove the seat from the van. I'm scared , but I'm so grateful he'll be home again.

Here are is an image of my transformed bedroom where he'll recover.

COMMENTS

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Sinora
20:25 May 31 2008

I'm sure he will feel better being home with you all. x

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STABB666
20:25 May 31 2008

I'm so glad to hear some good news.



My heart is with yours.

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TheHellequin
20:34 May 31 2008

I am sorry he has suffered but the news is getting better. I hope he makes a good recovery.

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Morrigon
20:46 May 31 2008

Very very lucky to be with your little one and to be taking him home...I hope all goes well...

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BLOODLIFE
20:46 May 31 2008

Don't hesitate hun, just make it work, you can do it. It's wonderful news, just bring it to fruition.

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birra
21:02 May 31 2008

All things are possible through love...



...Meatball loves you, loves your company, loves his home... healing will really start when he is in his own, familiar and comfortable surroundings. I'm sure of this.



In the meantime, my fingers are crossed for him! It is not easy to recover from such trauma.



I hope he's your old Meatball again very soon!

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SeleneTremere
21:13 May 31 2008

I'm so very sorry to hear about Meatball's accident. I hope he recovers quickly and is healthy in no time at all. I'm sure the TLC he'll get at home is going to make all the difference.

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LadyKrystalynDarkstar
21:28 May 31 2008

I know this pain all to well.....very familiar. I nursed my almost dead cat back to health and he is fine! I know you can do this!!! The love you have for him is intent!! I got chills reading your words! *hugs you* {sends out all good feelings and thoughts to you and Meatball}

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Scarlett
23:02 May 31 2008

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog." - Gene Hill

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Beastt17
11:40 Jun 01 2008

He's going to be such a SPOILED boy! And if I could, I'd be spoiling him right along with you. Get well soon, Meatball (Psssst, there's a whole loaf of bread in it for ya).

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Do you remember learning the word, "community?" In my career, it's a word that gets thrown around a lot. Professionals going to meetings and saying "we need to be cooperative and not just everyone doing their own thing separately." I'm going to tell you about my experience with community today.



When I was a little girl, I remember my mom reading to me from a book that showed the people in our community: mailmen, the grocer, the teacher, the policeman, etc... They were all smiling and recognizable. There was the message that everyone worked together to make the community a good one, where townspeople smiled and all was well.



OK, I know it's an idealized children's book. I meet and serve difficult people and I don't always have on my movie star smile. But I DO believe in community, and not in a Santa Claus way, but in an achievable, quiet way.



Today I stopped by the gas station at the corner of the street where the Center is located. The proprietor, Mr. Jimmy, has long been good to our Center. He is the only place that takes our gas vouchers when we try to help clients with that need. He gave generously to our Chicken and Fish Fry fund raiser, and a score of other unsung kindnesses.



In our community, like in yours, we have some colorful characters. There is one gentleman who is mentally ill, always wears a reflective vest the police dept. gave him, carries a boom box, and sometimes decides to direct traffic. He wanders all around the neighborhood. He has definite hygiene issues. We've had him in the Center where the smell of urine was so overpowering that I worried I might gag and offend him. Very difficult. He is also incredibly hard to understand when he speaks.



Well, Mr. Jimmy also has a few tables inside the convenience store at his gas station. They sell po-boys, breakfasts, and plate lunches. I am addicted to the egg salad po-boy with tomato. (Don't look, Dan...I know where eggs come from.) He has made a safe place for our vested gentleman to sit in the cool air conditioning during the day. They look after him and have called us to make sure he's cared for.



Today, while I was in, I heard, "Ok put 'em both up." I turned and the vested gentleman had both arms in the air and they were spraying his underarms with deodorant. He was smiling and so were they. It's part of how they help. I grinned at Mr. Jimmy and said, "Hey, Jimmy, I didn't realize this was a beauty parlor, too!"



With a huge smile under his baseball cap, he called back, "We take care of everybody, baby."



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The second thing that lifted my heart today was my Program Coordinator's appropriate care for a client. The woman drove into the Center on a city tractor. She has epilepsy and needed her prescription paid, a non-convulsant. Kathy knew that where she has it filled would cost significantly more per month to the client. she told her that in good conscience, she could not pay it unless the script were moved to Winn Dixie. The original quote at drug store #1 was $79.58, and at Winn Dixie, it was only $57.95.



The woman was very concerned she'd be late on her break. But she took the check and we had the script transferred. We asked her to have them fax the receipt to us for our records. She came back a short time later, beaming. There was a special program at Winn Dixie and the medicine was only $26.59 for her! I wish you could have seen the look in her eyes when she handed us that change in cash along with the receipt.



Our Center could have done the easy thing. I would have blessed Kathy's decision to pay the higher amount to help the lady keep time at work. But because Kathy looked deeper and wanted to give REAL help, the client will save money in the long term and not struggle about the medicine she needs. Kathy showed a community care and the young woman felt that connection. She got it. It wasn't about inconvenience, it was and is about love.

COMMENTS

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Bones
20:28 May 28 2008

:)

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BLOODLIFE
20:32 May 28 2008

It's heart warming to know that some goodness is still surviving...

It's 'Trumpton' all over.

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birra
20:33 May 28 2008

So often.. it's the little things every day that make the biggest difference.

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Sinora
21:03 May 28 2008

Nice

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LadyChordewa
06:22 May 29 2008

Goes to show, just taking a little extra effort to help someone, or to do something nice, gets noticed and give everyone a good feeling.

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Silverbow
01:37 May 30 2008

It is all about the love. In both instances you have shown examples of a communities love for people.

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POST COMMENT

Wow, you guys comment fast! I realized I wanted to add an image to show you how amazing the opportunity for them is. THIS is one of the Permanent Supportive Housing units that they are being considered for:

You can read more about them at:



PSH Florida Parishes

Both are being taken care of by our Center until Wednesday. Meanwhile, we have made a connection with the Florida Parishes social services who have a housing program for seniors, etc... It's a beautiful facility that will base their apartment rent on income. They incorporate a stabilization program that also offers some Life Skills training and help work with Medicare/Medicaid to advocate for client health.



I'm optimistic. They should be receiving a visit and interview from Elderly Protective Services to assess their need. I cannot imagine that they won't be fast-tracked when they see the level of need there.



Once we get housing settled, I want to address the son's teeth treated. They are in such a state of...well, I'll leave that to your imagination. I'm worried that he is in danger of blood poisoning and infection. I'll feel better once a dentist is addressing that mouth.



My one concern is that after all of this, the clients may say, "No, thank you." Why would they do that? Because the housing facility is in an entirely different parish and this is their world, sad as it may seem. They have a network and community here and they may not wish to go someplace where they feel isolated. Also, there is a bit of a "country" attitude...having too many people helping, probing, and solving may feel intrusive and foreign to them. If that is the case, our hands will likely be tied and we'll have to offer a tent and grocery support. My prayer is that they are open to the help that is available, even if it is imperfect from their perspective.

COMMENTS

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Oceanne
19:53 May 16 2008

You are a good girl Joli..you truely are.

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birra
19:59 May 16 2008

You do an incredible job. How hard you work for those you wish to help is amazing and inspiring.



All you can do sometimes is offer people options... it is up to them to choose, even if you don't think they're making the right choice... it's still their choice.



So if they end up in a tent, that is what they wanted. I certainly hope you won't beat yourself up over it.



And I'm 100% positive you won't consider it case closed, or stop trying to do more for them. You have a beautiful, generous, compassionate and loving heart...

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Sinora
21:56 May 16 2008

Fingers crossed.

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LadyChordewa
00:59 May 17 2008

You are a wonderful person dear. To do this for so many people, I can't even fathom it. Good luck to you and your endeavors.

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Silverbow
08:21 May 18 2008

I hope that they will say yes to the facility and the help.



Your center does great work!!

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POST COMMENT

This afternoon when I got home from work, I went out into my garden and sat under my oak tree, as is my custom. My daughter, Caitlin came out and sat with me while the birds chirped. I listened to her tell me about her day, really listened - not that "mm hmm, that's nice" kind of listening while trying to do something else.



She looks so beautiful these days. I barely recognize my baby in the intelligent young lady she's becoming. She caught me all up on the who likes who at school and the funny things she said, and the skateboard she wants. Then she started telling me about an essay she had to write at school about her favorite place.



"Guess where I picked, Mom. I'll give you 3 guesses." My brain went straight to her father who is rarely in town these days, but always plans fun trips with them. Like snow skiing. I tossed that idea out.

"Nope," she said.

"Williamsburg?" mentioning what I think of as our last family trip.

"Nope." She grins coyly.

"Hmmm...Florida?" Our traditional annual vacations were there.

"No; you'll never guess! I wrote about my favorite place anywhere...my backyard. I said, you may wonder why I chose my backyard when I could have picked anywhere in the world, but it's a peaceful place where birds chirp and it smells like gardenias, and where my mom spends her time to make the garden beautiful. It's where my mom knows that I am there for her with anything she needs. It's where I read my book and lizards hide in the pinwheel I made in elementary school and my mom hung from the oak tree."



Be still, my poor melty heart.



We followed up with a ride to the snowball stand. Wedding cake for her, pink lemonade for me. We sat on a bench, ate our snowballs, and talked some more...ok, she talked and I listened and said, "no way!" a lot. All the while I was thinking, she sees my daily love. Somehow, this beautiful little creature I've been given loves and treasures me. I am so rich.

COMMENTS

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meeper
04:56 May 16 2008

~smiles~ You are indeed a very rich woman, Joli.

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LadyChordewa
04:59 May 16 2008

That is a wonderful thing to read. Thank you for sharing the precious relationship you have with your daughter, with us.

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Deity
21:11 May 16 2008

That is so amazingly beautiful -- the wonderful relationship you share with your daughter. I only hope I could be so lucky to have one the world's greatest riches-- my daughter's love. ♥



You've made my day. Thank you.

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Sinora
21:58 May 16 2008

What a beautiful thing to share x

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Ok, you beautiful people, you. I feel like this has been so much lighter of a burden for me with all of you who have walked with me and have been so supportive. I have current figures to share with you...so current, they are hot off the printer.



As you know, I was given a 60,000 dollar challenge at the end of January. With private donations (every last cent matters,) business pledges, the fish and chicken fry, the grant, some pledges in memory of, and careful fiscal management ...



We have reached the $44,654 mark of our $60,000 goal! That is a 3 month accomplishment! Sing with me...dance with me... It's a great day and so many people will benefit from the help everyone has given. Thank you all for contributions, encouragement, and prayer. Now we just have to take it to the finish line!

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birra
23:35 May 13 2008

That is because... YOU ROCK!



Great job!

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TheHellequin
23:36 May 13 2008

fantastic work - you are a star :-)

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Joli
23:40 May 13 2008

I SO don't rock. The people who gave, supported, and worked toward this goal rock. I got to be on the stage. The heroes are the people behind the scenes and I won't ever forget that.

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meeper
00:45 May 14 2008

Almost there! Awesome work to you and your donors :)

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birra
03:18 May 14 2008

No, you do rock.



People want to help and they want to give because they can see and feel the passion YOU put into what you do.



They can see the tangible benefits of their help through the work you do and how you help others.



You are the driving force behind reaching this goal. You have inspired others to join you and help out however they can.



Please, don't forget that either.

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Beastt17
09:41 May 14 2008

Well all knew you could do it. Never doubted you for a minute.

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captainglobehead
13:43 May 14 2008

This would never have happened without you.

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Irony
00:37 May 16 2008

Squeeee! That just made my night!

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Oceanne
19:54 May 16 2008

WOW!! :D!!!!!!!!!!!

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I almost forgot to tell you all! For those of you who have been standing beside me with crossed fingers, good wishes, prayers, and even donations to the Center...remember that $10,000 grant I wrote for? the first one I'd EVER written for in my whole life? I got it!



It's a $10,000 grant from Starbuck's! Drink their coffee...they have done a wonderful thing and I am SO Happy! I found out on my birthday.

COMMENTS

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Morrigon
06:51 May 10 2008

Congratulations! That is awesome!!!

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Ockham
07:41 May 10 2008

How do they afford to do awesome things like this? By charging $5 a cup for frappaccino laced with [i]cocaine[/i].



Very awesome, Jo :) I'm happy for you!

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Ockham
07:42 May 10 2008

Whoops. Forgot that it's html, not BBCode here.

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birra
04:21 May 11 2008

WOOT! You rock! And a HAPPY birthday to you!

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Vampirewitch39
18:13 May 12 2008

Happy belated Birthday!! And congrats on the grant. :) *does happy dance*

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Silverbow
20:36 May 12 2008

Woohoo on the grant and happy late birthday.

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POST COMMENT

Old woman. Blind. Afraid. Poor.

Son. Near blind. Devoted. Poor.



He wants to take care of her until she dies. He is bi-polar. Very intelligent, but limited in what he is able to do to support them both. Their entire household receives under $800 per month. There is no transportation.



Once upon a time, they rented a trailer. It was no place you'd want to live. I visited it several times over the years. But it was home and sustainable to them. I believe the rent was $350 - 400. Even with utilities, their little money and food stamps got them through.



I would see them walking along 190, heading to the places they needed to go...always walking together. She is frail and thin-looking, but she has an amazing ability to rally. They make quite the couple...mom has her hand through his arm, like a movie star being escorted down the walk by her gentleman beau. Son wears coke bottle lenses in his black frames and talks to her all the way.



Someone met them and "helped." I know that the intentions were good. It was difficult to see their old home. "Humble" is a kindness that in no way describes the condition. This someone found them an apartment with an $800 rent. He covered a few months of living expenses. It was such an upgrade and they were so happy. But, if you've done the quick math, you can see the inevitable, too. Welcome to my job.



I now have incredibly sympathetic clients and no way to help them. They are evicted and homeless. There are no more $400 rentals. We are calling everywhere looking for ways to advocate. Hygiene is a problem. Special needs adaptability...problem. Problem. Problem. Problem. I'm blocked.



There are faces of poverty which tell of poor choices and cyclical behavior. There are faces of poverty which reflect violated trust. So many faces of poverty. I see them in my sleep. This is the face of poverty which cannot help itself but wants to.



The question is how does one give help. Help is noble, but when is help not help? When it creates an unsustainable situation. My two people are now in a motel I would not let my dog sleep in. I would pitch a tent for myself and stay in a park (it's cheaper and nicer.) We have given them good and nutritious food. They are there until the 11th. I'm incredibly worried. They are now isolated and vulnerable. What happens next?

COMMENTS

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captainglobehead
23:14 May 06 2008

Without your journal, I would never have considered such a situation. You give me glimpses into a world I didn't know existed.

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KCRC
04:47 May 07 2008

These situations are so difficlult.



The Elders of our church recently decided to join in partnership with a program to help the homeless in our area. We live in a VERY affluent suburban area. Yet there are so many people who are unable to support their families that there are dozens of people who are in this program. Each month they set up a place for them to live in a different church in the community. They Eat dinner, are able to shower and sleep in the church, get up, have breakfast, and then they either go to their jobs or to job training. There childeren are either taken to their schools or to daycare at the job training center. In the evening they end up back at the church for the night. It is unfathomable to me that our Nation can't provide a decent life to these people who are willing to work.



Thank you for your journal, Joli. I wish everyone in the USA would read it.

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Sevenn
05:08 May 07 2008

Try the media as a human interest story. You have contacts; or make them. It's true that you can only even use the media so much. Human interest stories are a dime a dozen and violence is generally what sells their stories, but you never know. And if it solves that one problem, even for a while, its a victory. You have chosen a line of work where you can never "win" my friend. Therefore, you just have to fight against the encroaching hoarde. You can't let the despair of others subliminate your own hope and light, or no one will benefit. Your hope is all many of these people have left.

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POST COMMENT

A picture to go with my last post. If I added it there, I'd lose the comments.

My father is an artist. He once did a calendar for our parish (county for those non-Louisianians.) It featured hands at work in our community...postmen, laborers, farmers, and even the beautiful hands of my mother while she put up preserves for the winter.



I was gardening today, looking at my own hands and thinking about how they tell the story of who I am. I have long wanted small hands with long fingers that end in manicured and elegantly painted fingernails. I have even indulged in a few manicures and cultured nails.



It is always a mistake. I quickly chip them, or have to hold my hands in a different and unfamiliar way to keep them safe. I have hands that want to work the earth. Not just to clip a few dead limbs and rake...but to stick my hands INTO the dirt...to get soil under my nails and smudged on my face. I move worms I've disturbed to new homes and tuck my crooked finger under a root colony and scoop out the stubborn weeds.



I have scrapes often on my hands, and my nails are kept short. My hands say that I am happiest when I am in close and personal with the things that matter to me. I bled for my garden today when I rubbed my knuckles against a stone border. My leg wears a branch scrape. And my face wears the smile of a day well-spent.



These are the hands that feed me, rub the cheeks of my children, stroke the soft fur of a devoted pet, hold the hand of a troubled client, and come together in prayer at the start and close of all my days. There are prettier hands, but these reflect who I am. That will do.

COMMENTS

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captainglobehead
23:24 May 04 2008

Your hands reflect your character: you are not pampered; you have not been spoiled. Honest, hard-working, caring, capable and supportive. It all shows in your actions as much as it shows in your hands.

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Silverbow
17:35 May 05 2008

Within your hands hold the hearts of many.

Many who need your guidance and support.

Many who trust in you to help them and show them a way.

Within your hands are kindnesses and love to be shared with others.

Your hands lift up the spirits and hopes of those who need it, even if they do not realize it for themselves.

From your hands come many blessings.

Yours are the hands of love, compassion, understanding, and hope.

As you said yourself, they sooth and comfort those around you.

I happen to like your hands. :)

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Vampirewitch39
20:38 May 05 2008

Your journal is like a warm blanket on a cold night... it just gives me comfort.



Your parents must be proud of you.

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POST COMMENT

There are days that try to kill you. They get the scent of you in their nostrils and they hunt you down...sneaky and dirty. But I don't get down very easily. My life is too well seasoned with lovely people.



Thank you, Silverbow. Thank you for the message you sent. Thank you for being so selfless and giving. I was a bit focused on myself and you reminded me of what truly matters. You are the best of us. You help me to be the best of me.

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STABB666
01:45 May 03 2008

Amen for that.

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