You catch them taking each other's blood pressure. We were eating lunch at mom & dad's house Sunday and dad noticed that my niece and nephew were on the couch taking each other's blood pressure. :-)
Parental Warning
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
You know your kids are spending too much time at their grandparents' house when....
It looks like Daniel gave Laura a good report!
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Poor Balto. Two weeks ago yesterday (Saturday), he went to the groomer. Apparently The "Balty Dog" either has a skin allergy to the shampoo that was used OR he felt itchy in the area where he received his"sanitary shave". Long story short, he developed "hot spots". I have since read that this is a very common issue with Retrievers. He did it to himself by licking....(lesson learned; we now have an e-collar for him)
Due to unusual circumstances at work last week, I was unable to take any time off. I asked Scott to please take Balto to the vet on Wednesday. He didn't think Balto needed to go. Then, I asked him to please take Balto to the vet on Thursday. He didn't think Balto needed to go. So...we spent Thursday night at the Emergency Veterinary Clinic (cough, cough). Here's what he looked like when we brought him home. I even remember thinking at the time that this picture didn't truly show how red his behind was.
Our sweet boy was in misery. Despite being on antibiotics, painkillers and a cooling spray, no one slept in our house Thursday night. In fact, Balto RAN around the house for 24 solid hours. He wouldn't sit down or drink water. He did, however, have a great appetite. When I came home from work Friday, he stood in front of me, and all of a sudden his eyes started rolling back in his head and he started to fall over. I wasn't sure if he was passsing out, falling asleep or even dying from dehydration. Thankfully, he was falling asleep. Scott was able to get a prescrption from our vet for xanax and we just knocked him out for 2 straight days so he could rest.
Today our boy is feeling reborn! He is the happiest doggy around & wants to play constantly. Life is good again.
(Picture taken 30 seconds ago)
Sunday, January 11, 2015
I'm sitting at my desk staring at the monitor wondering what on earth to write about. Beside me are two sleeping, yet clean, dogs. Blossom and Balto went to the groomer pet spa yesterday. Here's Balto sporting the froggy bandana given to him by the groomer.
Blossom kept scratching at her rose colored bandana so I took it off before I could take a picture. I did take one of her with my dad last night.
My 5K training is going but I have a lot of room for improvement! I only worked out 3 days last week. And....while my diet was better than December, I took the weekend off and ate greasy restaurant food on Saturday and Sunday. Baby steps I guess.
My house is still a mess....I have made NO progress on that front. Our new Sleep Number mattress arrives on Saturday so I will need to get ready. We have to break apart the bed we have now and move it to another room.
Greta is still hating her fluids every night but as soon as she gets them she runs around like a kitten. Within 5 minutes she is purring on a warm lap, happy as can be. Since this post would not be complete without a picture of Greta, I found her sleeping in a spare bedroom and snapped a pic. You can tell by her face that I turned on the light and woke her up.
Wednesday, I start a Marriage Enrichment class at my church. The interesting thing about that is that Scott isn't taking it with me. I keep teasing him that my side of the marriage will be richer than his. I'll let you know how it goes. Have a happy week! My goal is to start posting 3 times a week....we'll see how that goes!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
#1 Run a 5K. My biggest goal for 2015 is to RUN a 5K. Not walk a 5K, RUN a 5K. I bought the ugly running shoes and downloaded the training app. I'm ready to go.
#2 Eat less processed foods and eat more "real" foods. I've been trying to incorporate Meatless Mondays into the mix for a while and now I'm ready to add 2 days, per week, of eating only "real" foods. Baby steps. Last year's resolution was to give up pork products entirely. I am proud to say that as of January 1, 2014, I have not eaten a single pork product! While I have no plans to cut fish out of my diet, I am trying to eat less animal meats. I am not doing this for health reasons but it will be a happy bonus!
#3 Take a French class. This is so that I can speak to my sister-in-law's family when they come visit for the summer.
#4 Keep my house relatively clean and visit-able. I'm pretty terrible at this one. I don't want to be. I'll keep you posted on my progress. I have decided to set my timer to clean a set amount of time each day.
#5 Love my people more. This is the most important one. I want to be intentional with my love this year. I want to stop the busyness and love on the people in my life.
I have other big/small "wishes" for the year, but for now, I'll start with those 5.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
As with every year, 2014 had its share of "high" moments and some "not quite as high" moments. I lost quite a few loved ones this year, some expected and some very unexpected. I will cherish every moment shared with them and will carry them with me forever.
I have made a commitment to RUN my first 5K in 2015. I have walked quite a few 5K's but I have never actually ran an entire 5K. Yesterday, Scott & I went to Run For Your Life and had my feet/gait analyzed by an "expert" for a new pair of running shoes. I'm so glad I did because I had no idea you are supposed to buy running shoes at least 1 to 1 1/2 sizes larger than your normal size. I normally wear a 7 but my new shoes are an 8 1/2. I'm on day 3 of the Couch to 5K app and am in the process of learning to run properly. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Not because anyone would particularly care but because I need to hold myself accountable somehow.
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of busyness, both at home and at work. Scott & I have taken our turns with the winter cold that seems to be sparing no one around our area. I'm actually looking forward to going back to work in the morning and getting back into the "normal" routine.
A couple of months ago, Scott decided he wanted us to buy a king sized bed. I'm one of those rare girls that really dislikes shopping. When the time came to go shopping for a bed I said, "Why don't you build one?" So, he did...
This is a picture of the bed before he disassembled it to paint. It is now an "off-white" color. Earlier today, we bought a Sleep Number mattress. Wow, I had no idea that buying a mattress could be as difficult as buying a car (and frankly, as expensive as some too!) I'm looking forward to our new mattress being delivered. I will post pictures of the finished product once it arrives. I guess I have to buy new sheets & a new comforter now.
Blossom still has her 1 1/2 roll per week toilet paper habit.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
It wasn't the weekend I would have chosen but I feel so blessed and thankful. Yesterday, we said goodbye to a beloved Uncle. Hollywood could not have written a more beautiful and touching ceremony. I just felt so blessed to be among such a loving family and I only wish that I could have spent more time with each and every one there. There were so many that could not make it and they were missed. God is good.
Yesterday, I found out that one of my favorite people in the world was not feeling well. Last night, I found out they were going to the hospital. Later in the evening, I was told that the doctors in the ER had discovered cancer and it "wouldn't be long". This morning, I found out that my dear friend had passed. God is good.
It has been a hard week/weekend and this week will bring some more hard days. All I know is that I am so thankful for such a wonderful and loving family and such good friends. There is always so much to be thankful for in each situation. As the song says, "Life is hard but God is good".