the space between

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function over form {the bedroom}

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Happy Fourth of July everyone! It has been a crazy week around here, to say the least.

Warning:  This is not at all about a project, decor idea, tip, tutorial or other DIY relevant topic. This is about when real life happens and the desire for a space to be beautiful doesn’t even remotely exist. When a room’s one and only purpose is to function in real life.

When it doesn’t bother you in the least when your ‘master bedroom’ looks like this.
When you get some very tough news and one of your first thoughts is ‘we should put the bed on the floor’.

Even though you live in a breadbox, and use the space under the bed as storage and that decision means the items ‘in storage’, and even your box spring, end up here.

And it doesn’t even occur to you that a weeks worth of clothes are piled up on a chair, and sheets and a blanket are strewn on the nightstand who’s drawers aren’t even pretending to be closed, until you take pictures with an entirely different focus in mind.

When you can’t help but think of the days when your 90 pound puppy slept above your head on your pillow every. single. night.

Well, other than the nights she cuddled under the covers at our feet. And growled whenever we crowded her. 🙂

That sweet puppy of ours is now 9 years and 327 days old, and not as nimble, or agile and cannot leap onto the bed tall buildings in a single bound.

And we found out last week that she had a tumor on her spleen the size of a small melon. 🙁

So, we spent most of the weekend doing stuff like this and this.

And most of Monday like this.

And this.
That’s Mico still hooked up to her iv post surgery, a daddy looking lovingly on with our cooler of beverages propping up our laptop playing the movie “Crazy Stupid Love”.

If I’m gonna spend the day in a 3 x 4 foot concrete kennel, there’s no one else I’d rather do it with, that is for sure.

And I am so incredibly thankful that we take too many bad pictures, go to the beach in the rain and let her eat steak and eggs every once in a while.

She has always been the life of the party, in the ”Oh no, look who’s causing trouble again” kind of way.

She doesn’t make dog friends easy, but she never met a person with food she didn’t like.

She could not love us more if she tried. And the feeling is absolutely mutual.

I do apologize to all of you who have left unanswered comments, and whose emails I have not replied and whose blogs I have not visited. I appreciate it all and apologize for not reciprocating right now. Real life is happening, and I’m slumber partying on a mattress on the floor soaking it all in. 🙂

For those of you who are interested to see the one DIY project in the bedroom that does still look awesome, even though it is surrounded by the madness about please click here.

And, if you haven’t seen the DIY canvas silhouettes I made with our beautiful girls as models check them out here. No vinyl cutting machine or fancy tools required.

And, if you didn’t hear about Blogging without Borders and my plea for inspiration help, pretty please click here.

Here’s to everyone letting a little real life get in the way every once in a while. 🙂

Comments

  1. Oh no! I’m glad she’s ok. One of our pups, Coco, (she’s 2) was sick all week during Memorial Day…it was awful and she had to be on five medications. We like to call her a delicate flower 🙂

    And steak and eggs? My dogs should only be so lucky 🙂 we gave them steak one day and Coco threw it up in our bed. Lovely. Now they get tuna or chicken broth on their food for a treat.

    I’ll be thinking good thoughts for you while Mico recovers!

    • Hahaha, our Mico is no delicate flower … but it sure is hard to watch the aging process. We are thrilled she made it through surgery and are just treasuring everyday.

      We felt bad for her when she was a pup and came home from being spayed so overindulged her with treats … only to find them come back up in a pile. We have tried to learn the art of moderation as it relates to people food. A few indulgences every now and again. Like cake for me. 🙂

      • Thankful that Mico is doing well. My 13 year old sheltie jack had mouth surgery recently to remove some abnormal growth on his gums that were covering his teeth ! My (then fiance’) husband took Gastly to the vet and paid for the surgery and then babysat him til he was able to eat normal dawgfood again. Its amazing what a dawg does for the soul. ( this man has never had a dawg and you’d think it was from his own flesh and blood )

  3. Poor doggie. I hope her recovery goes smoothly!

    • Thanks so much, Kelly! So far, so good. But we’re still cautious. Any surgery is major surgery for a 10 year old.

    • Thanks Jessica!! We know we will most likely outlive them when we get them, but I didn’t realize how hard the aging process would be. We’re enjoying all the time we have. Hugs to Baxter! And happy 4th! )

      • I can totally relate to that. Our “puppy” died almost 2 years ago from kidney disease, and it got harder and harder to watch him age. He had lost his vision a few years before that, but bravely patrolled the yard regardless.

        • It is so hard, isn’t it Cherie! We feel so fortunate that 2 years later she is still with us. The aging process is near impossible to watch, but it has been such a powerful lesson in love and compassion. They rely on us for so much at this point.

  5. This is one of the things I like about you Karah – you keep it real. I’m sorry about your babydog. I understand being a cat lover myself and doing whatever is necessary to help them. I hope the surgery is successful!

    JL

  6. Aw, poor, poor doggy! We have a few animal family members, and I can totally relate! {And our house has looked crazy a time or two because of them, as well!!} Hope things continue to progress in the right direction!
    xoxo Becca

  7. Hugs, Karah! Glad she pulled through. It’s a wonderful thing to see an animal so well loved.

  8. Karah, I SO understand. We’ve had to put down 3 dogs and a bit of me died with each one, especially the one we’d had from puppyhood, who only relaxed to let the vet inject him, when everyone but me was gone from the room. Then he laid his head exhausted on my arm, the pretense of keeping up a good show for the kids could be given up. He knew I didn’t want to see him suffer and he could relax, mom would take care. If his disease had given us the warning time to put the mattress on the floor, you better believe that’s where it would be. Take care, love you and your family.
    Janet

  9. Poor Mico. Hang in there, she will surprise you. Our 10 year old did. The first day after surgery was really hard for him and then, by the second day, the surgery was merely an afterthought. He hasn’t looked back.

  10. Ahhh Karah…that is absolutley the most wonderful blog I have ever read. SO real…so true…and so loving. Take care of Micro baby and love him good and hard. He will in turn pay you back by loving you the same if not more. I hope and pray his recovery is swift and easy….stay with him and you will be so at ease. The rest of the world can wait…Micro cannot 🙂 Hugs to you, your hubby and your fuzzy children 🙂

  11. I pray that Mico will pull through this and will be her same ‘ole fun loving self….She needs you now more than ever, so we shall be thinking of you and Mico…!!…Hang in there Karah!!

  12. i finally got here : ) my puter gives me problems and i don’t know why : ( now that i am in total tears — you and hubby are just beautiful people…i know i am a little over the top when it comes to animals — but looking at you guys with your sweet sweet puppy with those incredibly beautiful white hairs on her precious muzzle — my heart melts!!!! you are so right — all of those other things are not important — carpe diem should always be the mantra! make the best of each day and take the time to enjoy what is truly important! i am so happy that that thing is out of her and i sit here with my fingers crossed and the paws around me crossed — hoping and praying that it gives everyone more time to enjoy each other each and every day! those special treats that seem to be thought of as forbidden fruit are always fun to give out — the snuggles — the pets — the walks — the hugs and kisses are all things that make life (yours and theirs) worth living! Both of you have hearts of gold and it SHINES in this post — I knew it before but right now the glow is beaming and my heart is warmed Ghandi said that you could judge a nation by the way they treat their animals…well i think you are the definition of that statement in every day life! I thank you and I know those special girls do to! Here’s to much more time of wet paws…big kisses…smelly breath : )…wagging tails…endless walks on the beach…snatching treats and enjoying just being together! Love you all!

  13. karah,
    This just showed up in my feed….I hope your sweet pup is doing better now. You are so right….everything else pales when real life enters the picture. He is so blessed to have an incredible mom like you 🙂

    blessings,
    karianne

  14. So glad to hear Mico is doing well – we lost our beautiful Golden Retriever very suddenly earlier this year when a previously undetected tumor on her spleen ruptured. There was nothing to do – she was gone so quickly. You are fortunate to have caught it now have MORE time with your precious four-legged family member. God Bless, and I hope the healing continues quickly and completely!

  15. Karah,
    My thoughts and prayers go to you and your sweet baby.

  16. Oh Karah, I’m sorry you guys have been having a rough time. Sounds like the surgery was successful and I’m sure you are very relieved. Stay relaxed and hang loose with the family – and we will see you when we see you!

  17. Oh Karah … this post just broke my heart. I too am a dog owner (well, technically my dog owns me and this house) and fully feel your pain …

    Mico is in my thoughts and prayers …

    Linda

  18. Just catching up, didn’t know about the tumor … I’m so sorry but hopeful for a full recovery … I do believe love is the best medicine and you certainly have that on your side. And all our prayers too.

    Robin and Beaver

  20. Karah I’m so sorry for Mico. This breaks my heart, as I too am freakishly in love with my dog. I hope your baby heals up in no time. In the meantime, enjoy your slumber party because I know she’s loving her parents more than ever!

  21. Karah – I hope your sweet pup is doing okay – and I would do the exact same thing with my bed if it were my lovable pup.

  22. Just catching up since I was mia on July 4th! Glad to see Mico made it through surgery and is now recuperating while being waited on hand and paw!

    And my bedroom chair looks exactly like yours-piled high with laundry! Priorities (meaning there’s always something more interesting to do than fold laundry)!!
    Kelly

  23. Oh Karah – how did I miss this post? It’s so sad seeing your precious fur babies getting old and loving you just as much as they always did. Thinking of you all and hope Mico is on the mend. Big hugs from New Zealand xxx Nat

  24. Poor Mico! We had a black lab (98 lbs.!) that made it to 15. He became hard of hearing and his vision wasn’t the best, but he died peacefully in his sleep one night.. Hope that is the way that Mico can leave this earth, too! Another five years from now!

    The moment those gray hairs start covering their snouts, I cry a little on the inside, knowing how fleeting their time is with us. I now have Abbie and she is the best dog I have ever had. Loves me possibly more than my daughter or husband! She is so sweet and she has just hit the six year old mark and the gray has begun to cover her snout. Well, you know how the rest goes!

    Mico is lucky to have you and your husband who will sit with her as she recovers at the vets. Best wishes to all of you.

    Jenny

  25. Awe, sweet baby! I’m glad she’s doing better. I’ve been on vacation and just making the rounds. Hugs to you all, I know the love between a pet and it’s owner.

  26. She’s so adorable! Happy things are better. We spend two months with our mattress on the floor and Homer’s huge crate opened up {so we could step in and help move him} when he injured his back two years ago. We had rugs turned upside down to “slide” him from room to room. I admit I miss sleeping on the floor with him.

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