Sunday, May 29, 2011



We will miss you Taiko. 5.28.2011 (She was 12 years old)


Our smart, sweet, devoted and loving friend left us suddenly today. Fine one minute and gone the next. She had a stroke from what they can tell.

My heart and soul are stunned. How can something that ripped drywall of the walls, flooring of the floor and peed on every piece of carpet for the first two years of her life ingrain herself into my life so much that this sudden loss has me up at 4:00AM writing this tribute to her?

Just today she was laying between Joe and I as we sat on the couch, asleep but all four legs twitching in what I'm sure was hot dream state pursuit of her favorite squirrel. We had made a game of it. She was suppose to keep the squirrel from eating the bird seed we put out.

There are nose prints on every window at her level, dog hair on every surface, there wasn't a blanket or pillow in the house that wasn't hers. She'd run out the front door at lightening speed for a momentary sense of wild freedom, get excited to go for a ride in the car but shake and pant the entire time she was in the car, and she hated thunder, lightening and the flash of my camera. I couldn't even turn the camera on without her knowing it!

She knew how to do all the tricks and would perform any one of them in order to get a snack. She had our grand daughter well trained in that department.

She loved to share my spot on the couch and my side of the bed. If I wasn't in them, she was. But, she knew to move at the appropriate time without a word from me. In the mornings I would make the bed and pull her blanket up over my pillow so she wouldn't get her hair on it. I'd tuck it down and she would lay on her blanket so I could cover her up with part of it. But, no sooner would I step in to the shower she would dig up the entire set up and snuggle her way between the blankets and my pillow. This was a daily occurrence. I wish I caught it on film.

She had Joe and I more wrapped around her paw than we ever knew until today.

We will miss and always love you sweet Taiko.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Special Celebrations II

























More pictures from Easter and the Tea.

Special Celebrations
































Our mom brought to my attention that nothing had been posted on the family blog since October. She was right! It seems that occasions are the only time I stop to think about writing something. I guess it's because they inspire me, make me happy, or sad, to the point that I feel I need to express myself and/or share with those that like to follow the blog.



I did start my own blog as well so now you have the family side and the crafty side of me to follow: http://www.kharenskhreations.blogspot.com/


Needless to say that there have been many occasions between my last posting and today but for some reason today and tomorrow have inspired me to blog.


Today we had a Mothers Day Tea Party at a little tea house in Eaton, CO. Victoria's Tiny Tea House. Sounds cute doesn't it? It is! Actually it's beautiful and very well run by some very nice ladies. They did a full on high tea for six women and two little princesses. The event was put together by my daughter and we had a great time drinking teas, nibbling on scones and finger sandwiches. Sounds delightful doesn't it? It was! The little girls got to play dress up and some of the big girls participated as well. Amber created the cutest Facinator that she wore to match her dress. Good job honey!


We celebrated today instead of on Mothers Day because the day was reserved to remember our Uncle Wingie who left us a couple of months ago...just 5 days shy of his 100th birthday.


We will celebrate him by bringing him together in the family plot with his bride and their son. What a special day it will be not just to remember them but to have another occasion to spend with family.



Pictures are from Easter and from the Tea. Enjoy!