Friday, October 3, 2014

Movin' On Up

stilton jarlsberg, family, oklahoma city, uhaul, penny, pupdate, epilepsy, hope, change, hope n' change, moving
Officially, this truck becomes HnC One when Stilton gets on board.



News of ISIS, Ebola, the Secret Service, and Barack Obama's reign of error will just have to wait - today Hope n' Change is about some real Hope and Change for the Jarlsberg family.

Longtime readers may be aware that the lovely Jarlsberg daughter, now age 27, went through an extended rough patch owing to epilepsy and the long, slow search for the right medications to get everything controlled again. Those medications have powerful and sometimes nightmarish side effects, but finally - finally - the magic combination was found: no more seizures, and no debilitating side effects.

And so daughter Jarlsberg is ready to spread her wings again and fly the Hope n' Change coop. Specifically, she's moving from North Texas to Oklahoma City - and the whole family is doing the U-Haul "Adventure in Moving" thing this weekend.  For that reason, it's unlikely that there will be a Monday posting here because after returning home we intend to soothe our sore muscles in a hot bathtub for 48 hours or so.

This is a huge milestone in our lives, and one which we sometimes doubted would ever happen. The support, prayers, and positive thoughts we've received from Hope n' Change readers during this difficult time mean more than you can possibly know and we're extremely grateful.

BONUS: PUPDATE!


It's been too long since we've done an update on Penny, the official dog of Hope n' Change.  She's grown like crazy since we brought her home from the shelter back in February, and is now flirting with 50 pounds (all muscle, by the way) as she sneaks up on her first birthday this Halloween. And we still don't know what mix of breeds she actually is. Perhaps for her birthday we'll get her a DNA test (and pray that Bark Obama is no relation).

She's mostly outgrown the puppyish need to chew everything in sight, although she recently gnawed a good-sized hole in an area rug. And all bets are off if she's able to grab a roll of toilet paper: seriously, it will get shredded faster than Hillary's records in the State Department basement.


In terms of Penny's training, we've won some battles and lost some - a situation we like to think of as bipartisan compromise. "Okay," Penny said during a particularly tense negotiation, "I'll be good on leash walks, obey basic commands, and let you sleep through the night, but in return I get to drink from the toilet and leap from one piece of furniture to another like a gazelle on crack."


Penny is a sweet and loving girl, an occasional handful, and a constant source of playful energy. We're very glad she's part of the Hope n' Change family.

47 comments:

  1. Friends dont let friends move to Ok.
    Family members are completely different matter. (Yeah we got kin there too)
    Penny looks a lot like my famous north texas cheese hounds.Just sneak to the fridge try and get some cheese for you and they suddenly appear behind you demanding some. north texas cheese hounds don't beg, it's beneath them, they demand.

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  2. The best of luck to you all ,and try not to miss hitting any errant Jihadists you might see hitch hiking.
    Seriously, I'm glad to read things are better for your daughter, and your dog Penny seems like a real character.
    I will will do a toast with some Glen Moraingie or Aberlour to you, and wish you a safe journey.

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  3. That is really great news about your daughter. I pray for her continued success and health.

    And the critters here on Dog Hill in God's country, East Tennessee, send their best to Penny.

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  4. I believe the puppy is part Mountain Cur and part coonhound. I have one that has been bred to stand 20 inches max. and 25 pounds max. from a breeder in ARK. and mine is brown and white and called a Hemmer Feist, bred to chase down and kill squirrels. Dave Davis, Salem MO

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  5. So happy for your daughter. Have a safe trip. PS: Penny is soooo cute!

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  6. Congratulations all around, particularly for your daughter and her new phase of life. Penny looks smart and sassy, my wife and I can relate to the puppy trials. We are three weeks into life with our 11 week old female lab. What a sweetheart, then a microsecond later, perro diablo!

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  7. Wow. What a wonderful post giving perspective to life. Too often we seem overwhelmed by the bad news and forget that even in the worst of times there are rays of sunshine and joy! Thanks for sharing your sunshine and joy with us, too!

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  8. Thanks Doc.
    Just the kind of prescription we all needed.

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  9. This eition of Hope n' Change is just what we need--a spirit lifter. Joy unto the entire Jarlsberg clan!

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  10. Good luck to your daughter and the rest of the family!

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  11. Have a safe journey, and keep Penny away from those Oklahoma Tree Rats.

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  12. My heart sings with you concerning the good news about your daughter! What splendid news Stilt. You are all precious to us and we will continue to pray for only happen moments for you all. God is good.
    Penny is too cute. Our sweet Boxer, Lucy, died last August 1st. Penny and Lucy seem to have the same propensity to incredible cuteness. No wonder there's been compromises. It's nice not having an empty office, isn't it.
    All the best to the you and your family! Stay safe.
    Sparky ~:)
    Patterson, Georgia

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  13. Great news about your daughter !!!
    Have a safe trip.
    Penny will grow out of puppyhood in about 5 years.

    OC

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  14. Happy to hear the good news for your daughter.

    Your dog is just too cute.

    Have a safe move.

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  15. Absolutely delighted to hear the good news about your daughter. I hope things just keep gettin' better for her.

    Safe travels to you all this weekend!

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  16. I've become somewhat dependent on regular doses of Hope n' Change, but it's also nice to hear some genuinely good news. Congratulations to the entire family.
    And if things work out well for us all in 2018 but you encounter a shortage of material; you'll have Oklahoma.

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  17. God bless your daughter richly in this new phase of her life. But Oklahoma City? Really?

    And Penny absolutely rocks! Glad to see she's got you wrapped around her paw... right where you belong.

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  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. When I told my two dogs Mr. Obama may be part dog, they were not amused.

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  20. Echoing the sentiments of previous comments.

    While my taste in canine companions runs to red heelers as they are more suited to my life and work, your dog looks to be a joy to have around.

    Via con Dios. Be safe.

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  21. VAYA...not via...cold fingers, slow brain, here on the northern high plains this morning!

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  22. Glad to hear the news of your daughter. And that is a good lookin' pup.

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  23. Thanks for sharing this wonderful news about Baby Bel Jarlsberg with us. We, your Hope n' Change family, celebrate along with the entire Jarlsberg family!

    The Yanks have a new addition with our own five-month old pup and all I can say is, you mean we have at least seven more months of chewed rugs to look forward to?!

    God bless the Jarlsberg and the entire Hope n' Change community!

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  24. Hey Doc! Congrats on Daughter Jarlsberg. I knew something was going on but not what. Anyway, I am very happy for you and your family. I certainly wish her all the best. As someone who is dealing with family issues and uncooperative family members, I can understand how stressful this can be, although I suspect I have it easy compared to your (and her) struggle. Prosit! Or something like that. I know that's German but whatever.

    And Penny looks great. I see that she has all of the Jarlsberg genius - that foot on the ground thing is priceless. It's funny how dogs become family.

    Just steer clear of that Ebola stuff. The government is coming after you - a conspiracy!

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  25. I wish you the very, very best. I will pray for you daughters continued victory and your quick adjustment to the empty nest.

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  26. "Adventure in moving..." the guy that thought up that slogan must have also been the guy who named "The Affordable Health Care Act." But, it is good news that your daughter is doing so well; I pray it continues and she likes Oklahoma (me mudder's birth-state).

    Looks liek the Head Cheese Dog is growing like a weed. You may have to change her name to Nickel.

    And keep in mind that a nice bottle of whiskey or an ice cold beer goes very well with that hot bath. Like maybe some of what Ben Rumson is having...

    @Ben Rumson,
    Did Clint REALLY sing "I talk to the trees" in that movie you were both in?

    @Digital Hairshirt,
    We're practically neighbors (Western NC).

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  27. God bless you and your entire family. Very happy for the good news on your daughter AND I enjoyed the pics of your pup. Your page is the best, never stop.

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  28. EXCELSIOR!!

    And Bon Chance!

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  29. @Readers- Okay, the truck is loaded, I'm taking a break to rehydrate (seltzer water and lemon juice - MMmm!), and I'm finally able to read today's comments.

    And wow - I'm just overwhelmed by all the kindness and encouragement you've shown here. It really is nice to put the unpleasantness of politics aside from time to time to think about more positive aspects of life - and also just to talk to one another here in the HnC family on a more personal level, friend to friend. You guys & gals are the best.

    I've got more chores to do now, but will try to get back here at least once more before taking the big rig on the road Saturday morning. (I'll be the guy driving too slowly in the right lane while singing "We've got a mighty convoy...")

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  30. Very happy to hear some good news for a change. Congrats to you and your family, and best wishes to all for the future.

    Penny obviously needs a companion to keep her occupied so she won't get into any more mischief...

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  31. She's moving UP to Oklahoma? Welcome! Beheadings-free for over a week now. Oh, don't mind the armed guards inspecting everyone on the way in from our southern neighbor, and the quarantine is just a few weeks.

    Sigh. It's not that funny.

    Sounds like you and the dog are working things through. We tried to train ours, and found out how much it's training each other. Give him a pet for me.

    Happy travels.

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  32. Joyous news indeed. Good luck!

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  33. What wonderful news. I am so delighted for your whole family.

    Stilt, I know you don't believe in the power of prayer, but I'm keeping the cheese charm on the rosary to remind me.

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  34. @Team Jarlsberg: Thanks for sharing the great news of your precious daughter and the update on Penny! Many prayers have been answered on behalf of both of them. Wishing y'all a safe trip, and a memorable hot tub rendezvous upon your return.(if Penny hasn't chewed a hole in it!)
    Mrs. SoCal and I have experienced the joy/sadness of our three wonderful children departing the 'nest', just once for each one so far. You have brightened our day with your touching story; thanks.
    IMHO: God has blessed you.

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  35. New day. More interesting news. Kim Jong Un appears to be "out of sorts" in North Korea and may have already been deposed, a House commitee called for Eric Holder to be jailed if he does not turn over F&F documents, and forget about impeachment - Larry Klayman of Judicial Watch has filed a petition to have the Conman in Chief deported:
    http://mobile.wnd.com/2014/10/klayman-files-for-deportation-of-barack-obama/?cat_orig=politics
    Even though it has recently seemed otherwise, not all current news items have to be bad.

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  36. How wonderful to read about your daughter. I hope her life is filled with positive experiences from here on.
    Hope, too, that Penny doesn't turn into Quarter and eat your furniture.

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  37. I didn't get a chance to check Hope n' Change yesterday, so this is a late comment, but what wonderful news about your daughter. I have a 30-year-old son who has been suffering (term not used lightly) from mental illness for the past 12 years. It has been a nightmare for him and he is still trying to find the right combination of meds and therapy to help him have a life, so I can totally appreciate the joy you must feel as things have turned out well for your precious daughter. It must be magnificent to know she can go out on her own now. Bless you and Mrs. Jarlsberg for your love and support during those very tough years. May all go well for all of you in the future. And may Penny bring you many years of love, joy and comic relief.

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  38. @Readers- A Sunday morning update; the move went smoothly and the drones didn't find our particular U-Haul truck in transit.

    I'm glad to say that the house daughter Jarlsberg has moved into is quite nice (she's sharing it with two friends) and it's in a nice neighborhood in a nice part of town.

    (15 minutes later) Wow - I feel like I should be sharing a lot more, but there just aren't words yet - or even really cohesive thoughts.

    So I'll do something I very rarely do here: shut up for awhile (grin).

    I DO want to thank everyone again for so many nice sentiments. And a special hug for Cookie; I hope things will get better for your son and your family.

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  39. Here's something I learned years ago when renting a truck to move. Always go to at least 2 rental agencies. If one is more convienient location-wise, but more expensive than the other, show them the quote from their competitor and they will generally match it.

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  40. Nice update Doc. As before, I wish you and your family the best.

    And yes, Cookie, what the Doc said.


    So, to be a snit, a bit if political humor, I see that "our" president is now being called "President Ebola". Run with it people.

    And Doc, let the back rest. Good work with the drones.

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  41. Congratulations, and have a safe trip!

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  42. Y'all are truly blessed that prayers for your daughter were answered! I'm interested in her meds as, unfortunately, my daughter,25,has yet to be prescribed the right meds.
    My good wishes to her!

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  43. @Cowgirl JJ- Thanks for the nice thoughts, and I'm sending a long distance hug to you and your daughter as you search for solutions.

    I don't think it would help for me to list my daughter's meds because there are so many variables involved. We went through a period of titration (basically trial and error on meds and dosages) of about 18 months before finding a combination that worked. It's a complicated and frustrating process, as I'm sure you know all too well.

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  44. Great news about your daughter! :)

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  45. @Cowgirl JJ- For what it's worth, the meds we tried include Depakote, Kepra, Neurontin, Clonazepam, and Lamotrigine. Some of those are newer drugs and might be worth asking your physician about. Hang in there and know that your family is in my family's thoughts!

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