Baby Jack

Sad news to report this morning.  My favorite man dog, Jack, my niece's almost clone of Wigman, had to have an emergency laminectomy (back surgery) earlier this week, but is recovering nicely at home with his Grandmother.  My niece is in Medical School, doing a short rotation in OKC, so her two dogs were here with her mom.  Jack is the funny man and devil dog who brought us the butt whip, the donkey kick, and love claps, to name just a few of his tricks.  He looks so much like Wiggles that he could have had the personality of Cujo and I'd still have loved him.  Luckily, he doesn't. 

His post op pic is not for the squeamish so for those who might get the creepies seeing it, I decided not to post it.  Instead, I decided to show you him in his finer days, doing exactly what may have caused or at least contributed to his back issues.  Are ya feelin' the love??  I know you are.  How could anybody resist that?

On another animal note--even though birds aren't animals--we were doing a serious bathing business out front this morning in the curbside puddle.  One grackle drank several gulps of bathwater and then bathed, which I guess beats the other way around but not really, if you consider this is a communal bath.  Gross to the tenth power. 

After the recent rain, I have seen at least two hawks back  in  the neighborhood, and while I'm thrilled about that, the birds do not seem quite as excited and the crows are livid.  Nothing says hawk like a bunch of screeching crows. 

Sis is out on patrol while her dad mows, and couldn't be happier.  Some girls are sooo easily pleased.

Judge Judy

Has it ever occurred to you that people you don't like were put into your life to teach you something?  And more specifically something about yourself?  I know ...wrankles the holy crud out of you, doesn't it?  When I finally figured out that on some level they were simply holding a mirror up to me in order to see myself, that really pissed me off.  Me??  Like them??  No way.  Yes, way.

Does "spot it you got it", ring any bells?  Let's just say that went down my throat like steaming hot lava.  The things I most disliked in them, were the very things I had in myself.  Otherwise, why would it 1) piss me off so bad 2) would I see it so clearly.  Because I own it.  They are just like me.

  When I finally decided to embrace the lesson, and learn what I could about it, my dislike of them diminished somewhat (not totally), and when I'd see someone "doing their thing", I'd cringe knowing I looked just like them, when I did the same thing.  Ohhhhh, talk about torture.  It's like watching the worst movie ever and you're the star, acting like an ass, in front of everybody, only this time it's them.  You get to see exactly how you looked.  Bang...down goes the judgement I was carrying and plop, there went the criticism, and pshew, up comes the compassion. 

I'm learning more and more to ask myself "what's the lesson here?" and try to get it the first time.  I seldom do, and it keeps reappearing until I do.   Sometimes it's dressed up differently so I don't recognize it or worse, I don't wanna get it this time.  I just want to be Judge Judy.  I can.  And I'll see the same lesson again soon, only the next time its likely to be more painful--to get my attention. And did I mention I'm not real popular when I act like Judge Judy?  Nobody is.  Even she's not, so why would I want to act like her?

There are some people who choose not to get life's lessons at all, and I cannot for the life of me figure out how they have any quality of life.  Maybe they do.  Maybe they don't.  The good news is, it's none of my business. 

My stuff's mine and their stuff is there's.  Case closed. Bang!

Was that rain???

So, houwz about that rain last night?  I was doing the happy dance underneath my covers hoping it kept on going all night.  Judging from the looks of my front yard, everything sucked it all up with just a tad bit left over down by the bird bathing area at the curb.  No birds are bathing now--they probably got enough of a rinse  last night.  But fresh bath water is always a good thing.  Even for a bird.

I called a few minutes ago to check on mom's weight and she had gained some which surprised me.  It's either fluid accumulation or they've been making her eat.  I was ultra clear on the phone that they were not to force her to eat.  Ahem....repetition strengthens and confirms, so repeat after me "don't force her to eat, please."  When we ran by Sunday, mom was just finishing lunch, and one of the ladies there had forgotten she'd eaten, and was back telling the staff she needed to eat lunch.  Again.  I'm serious.  That's just part of what this disease does to people.  At the same time, Mom's next door neighbor was at it again, trying to break out, and was setting off the door alarm again, and several other ladies had fallen asleep at the table after lunch.  Luckily, mom was sitting with a lady who used to be in my water aerobics class at the Y, so we chatted her up, too, while we visited.  She was a total pistol and told Bruce and I that she had "visitors coming, too".  Or, at least we think that's what she said.  When it was time for her nap, she wanted to stay and visit, but I assured her she wouldn't be missing anything--we weren't that fun--and she laughed.

God continues to shuffle the deck.  One of Brian's friends was badly hurt a few days ago and is at Parkland in ICU, in critical condition.  He was electrocuted by a power line and fell some 20-25 feet out of a tree, landing on his face.  It's a miracle he's alive, so if you are inclined to pray for someone you don't know, his name is Brandon, and he could use all the prayers he can get.  I vividly remember him coming to see Brian after his crash, and I am sending loads of prayers his way.  I am hopeful to go visit him later when he is more stable and out of ICU.  Hey, once a momma (nurse), always a momma (nurse), and maybe I could be of help to his mom.  Who knows??  And speaking of the Big P, we were over near there last week and could see see how all the new construction is coming along, and it's going to be an incredible facility.  Yay, Dallas.  What a gift it will be to this city and it's citizens. 

Sis is snoring below me so that means I need to get busy.  Lots to do today and loads to be grateful for.  Let's all make it a good one.

Buh bye

Now that we are all done with the Olympics, is anybody wondering what the athletes do afterwards, besides party?  Seriously.  Do they start right back training or do they take a month off and just chill?  We know the Chinese don't, but wouldn't you think your body and your mind would need a rest after all that adrenalin?  I'd think you'd have to give yourself a nice long break or risk mental fry out and injury.  Me??  I'd be a couch potato.  I wouldn't move for at least a month.

After all of the excitement, I'm also having some Olympic with drawls.  Regular old life is going to seem a tad boring after all the fun.  Although I flitted in and out of watching the closing ceremonies, I didn't understand them much better than the opening ones, but that's OK.  I'm not thinking too many people did or really cared.  And the Spice Girls reunion?  Awkward.

Is it just me wanting a change of season or can you feel Fall coming?  I can.  I'm beginning to feel the beginnings of back to school-ness and change in the air.  Time for fresh Fall apples, mums on the porch, cooler temps, backpacks, kids riding bikes to school, carpools honking, and maybe even a little rain.  Bring it on.  I'm definitely over summer even though I've enjoyed it.  Sometimes you just need to change the channel and move on to something different.

With Fred's vacay now over, it's nice to reclaim my space, and the peace and quiet I enjoy being home.  I don't mind sharing--we are just complete opposites when it comes to noise volume, TVs on in every room, picking up, cleaning up, opening and not closing, etc.  I'm sure the other gal pals out there can relate.  What is it with guys and noise???  I know it's a Y chromosome thing but do you think we can maybe gene splice that eventually??  Golly damn....all that racket makes me homicidal.  I remember back when the boys were little and the more noise a toy made, the more they loved it.  Screeching sirens, blow up noises, you name it-- as long as the noise made your ears ring, they loved it.  Me...not so much.

Gratitude

Things I am grateful for today:

1)  Olympic coverage on TV and the incredible array of world wide athletes (especially American)
2)  HDTV so I can see even bubbles in the pool after a dive
3)  My dog for all the love, kisses, support, and laughs she unknowingly brings me
4)  LeBron James for his ability to fly through the air without wings
5)  Angels among us who appear at just the right time for coffee or whatever is needed at the time
6)  New clothes and the ability to pay for them
7)  The puddle out front by the curb for bird bathing each morning
8)  Haircuts, showers, and new fluffy towels
9)  Brushing my teeth with a new toothbrush
10)  Paper towels
11)  A clean house
12)  A loving husband who puts up with me and all my crap, which is considerable
13)  My sons, my wonderful daughter-in-law, and her fabulous mother and daddy
14)  God --He made all of the above possible

Asthma??

You know how some people are almost always good for a laugh?  My sister is usually one of those people and this morning I called her to give her some information about mom, and to compare notes.  Translation: check out feelings.  I told her every morning when I wake up, I feel a weight on my chest, and I asked if she did.  She said "No, not really...maybe you have asthma" and then she wanted to give me the name of a book on women and heart disease.  At this point I am about to spit my coffee all over everywhere.  Thank God only one of us is a nurse.  I told her "I don't HAVE FREAKING ASTHMA...I'M SAD....and I'm trying to FIND OUT IF YOU FEEL LIKE THIS, too!!!"  Her response "Ohhhhhhh......" and we both started laughing.

Here she's got me heading to an allergist or cardiologist and I'm just sad.  I told her after I have a couple of cups of coffee, do my daily readings and journal some, the feelings lighten up, and I go on with my day.  Jeeze, Louise.....I am still laughing.  Riding the waves of grief is like trying to surf in a tsunami, but an occasional good laugh can sure make for a fun ride. 

Dr. Chrane, in her office, diagnosing. 

Revisit to the SPCA

As Fred's staycation comes to a close on Monday, it seemed only fitting after yesterday's post, that we finally go back and visit the new SPCA.  We went before--the day it opened--despite the fact neither TV or the DMN announced the door's would open at noon vs regular 10am and we arrived at 10:30 am.  No way were we waiting an hour an a half or coming back since it's quite a hike to get there.  Today's visit was a hoot and there were lots of dogs for adoption --even an already neutered little boy blue heeler pup that was adorable. He was soooo cute we took this pic and emailed it to Bruce's baby brother, John, who is a big blue healer fan, hoping maybe he'd come get him.  As we watched him nap, his feet and legs were twitching while he was off in dream land, chasing or herding something.  No dachshunds, thank heavens, or I might not have made it out without one.

Sis did score another new snazzy pink collar on the way out, and as we paid for it, the lady said they usually get lots of dachshunds.  She saw Fred's white dachshund hat with the dog in navy blue, and knew we were "quality people".  She has three wieners at home and wanted a hat like his but we told her she'd have to head to the beach in Seaside, Florida since it was a gift from one of Fred's brother's.  Mwah, mwah.

I'm also glad to report that Jan Rees-Jones portrait in a ball gown holding one of her dogs, with the other one at her feet, has been replaced with one of her in pants and casual top, as I had suggested in an earlier post.  Thank you, Jan, for taking my style suggestion.  Somehow her ball gown seemed a tad bit much for a place like the SPCA.

We also checked out the kitties and found that they really scored when it came to cool play areas and living quarters.  They have a solid glass wall behind each area so it's almost like being outside, minus the heat.  They have toys, climbing areas, kitty condos--the works.  They can chase, run, and play and frankly have much better digs than the dogs, but then they use litter boxes, too.  Getting adopted may be a real step down for some of these cats, after shacking at the SPCA.  It's definitely high tone in their zone.

Now that the weekend is here, let's all nap, chill, and relax...ahhhhh.