The Final Countdown

Just reading the title makes you sing the song The Final Countdown performed by the group Europe doesn't it? Don't lie, yes it does. And, if by some strange chance you don't know what song I refer to I suggest you look it up and listen to it.

Ok....discussing the real final countdown there are only 10 days between now and the time I make my final 9 hour trip taking me by the Dog Track, Marshall Univeristy, around the West Virginia turnpike and through 2 toll booths to Fort Lee, Virginia.


As many times before I will pull in to the Lee Gate at 12:30 am where I will provide photo ID, vehicle registration, insurance and state my business. I will then receive suspicious and awkward looks by at least 2 MP's. They will then make their way slowly around the vehicle peering in the windows making me feel I have done something wrong or have someting to hide. I feel so uncomfortable and don't know why. The only thing I feel guilty about or have to hide is the occasional snicker bar wrapper.


Once they give you a look over they walk back to the window with the biggest smiles on their faces, hand you your ID and paperwork and say "Enjoy your stay at Fort Lee Ms. Boggs". I'm like - WTH? A few moments ago you were looking at me like I was a terroist and now your gonna be nice. Whatever!


By the way. Those toll booths cost $2 to get through. For real, $2! I remember when the toll booth was on the BG parkway it was only cents to get through. I think. Or maybe that's all I ever had to through in the direction of the bucket as I sped through the turnstile to see if I could run the light and make the buzzer go off. Those toll booth attendants really, really didn't like it when you did that. But oh well, I had an excuse. I was a teenager and didn't know any better.


BB finally comes home after being gone for 5.7 months. Or, 24 weeks, 171 days, 4,104 hours, 246,240 minutes. How ever you want to say it. It's not like I have been counting down the time or anything. I CANNOT wait!!!

Until next time - Rose Baggs

A Lifes Lesson

I discovered this unposted blog entry in my drafts. I wrote it back in September 2009. Ooops!

Bb & Lou are 11 and 12 (7 months apart) and have really never suffered a loss of anything or anyone too close to them. Nothing or no one until a few days ago.

Trying not to go into a huge long story; one of the Kennel Club members, Rodney, my favorite to be exact, apparently had an accident. We are thinking he got bumped by a car. Now, I know every one is thinking - "Car? Out where you live? no way" but, believe it or not we have a few Mario Andriette wanna be's that feel our one lane gravel road is there personal version of the Pondarosa Speedway.



For you that are unfortunate and don't know what the Ponderosa Speedway is let me enlighten you. The Ponderosa Speedway is a dirt race track in the middle of no where in Junction City. Only the best of the best rednecks hang out there. Believe me it is nothing short of a grand time if you ever attend a heap at the good ole Ponderosa. I have been a time or two and even have my very own shirt! Oh, yeah. I'm that cool!



Back to my story - One minute Rodney was acting fine and the next he wasn't so we took him to the vet and the diagnoses was a diaphragmatic hernia (a hole in his diaphragm) which allowed his intestine to go through the hole and fill a lung cavity collapsing a lung. I think I got that right. Needless to say the kids and I were an absolute blubbering mess in the vets office. My options were to put him to sleep or surgery. Of course the kids are screaming "surgery, surgery" and honestly, that's what I was screaming on the inside. So, the vet kept him overnight with surgery scheduled mid-morning the next day. The vet assured us this is not uncommon and after he heals from surgery he will be normal ole Rodney. So, we leave feeling good about our decision. They did surgery and the vet calls me at work to tell me the little fella didn't make it. Omitting a lot of details, we buried Rodney out back and the whole event was the most gut wrenching thing I believe I have ever experienced.



Knock on wood - I am in my 30's (early, early 30's) and have never experienced the death of anyone close to me. Only animals. I believe God has spared me because I can't handle it.



I have had very, very sad times but nothing is worse than seeing your children experience an emotional hurt that you can't fix. It was awful!



BB feels I put myself and the kids through too much and thinks I made the wrong decision in bringing him home to bury him. But, sad times and death are unfortunately a part of life and they need to learn how to deal and grieve with situations like this. Plus, I couldn't stand the thought of the vets office disposing of him the way they do. No thank you! I'll bring him home where he belongs.

Until next time - Rose Baggs