Cleo came home on Monday - she's on phenobarbital which makes it hard for her to walk but she's eating, drinking and using her bathroom so things are better. She's getting onto a better schedule with her meds so it will be easier to keep her on one every 12 hours! Quincy has not been happy - he seemed glad to see her but later Monday began hissing at her and acting silly. I've had to put his food on the bench (Cleo will eat all of hers and then scarf his down too - side effect!) and he's not been happy with that. Hopefully he'll adjust - after all it's only been a few days.
Monday night I slept downstairs - actually slept for about 2 hours then was up and holding Cleo - unfortunately the position wasn't good and when I stood up the back of my knee was VERY sore! I eventually gave up and went upstairs at 4 a.m. - got another 2 hours of sleep before going to work! I've been less worried lately but still haven't caught up on my sleep. But I keep trying!
Anyway, I'm hoping this weekend is much calmer than last!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Uncertainty
Cleo is still in the hospital. She had 2 seizures there (the last on Saturday afternoon) so it was decided to start her on anticonvulsants. Because they take some time to build up in the blood and she's home alone for longer periods of time, the vet recommended and I agreed to "phenobarbital loading" where she was given injections of phenobarbital (with IV fluids) to build the levels more quickly. She'll come home Monday morning (hopefully) and be on pills. A prescription has been called in so I'll pick that up later this afternoon.
I need to ask the vet about the puppy - I don't want to trigger more anxiety in Cleo but I'm hoping that we can go ahead - and the puppy will be kept away from her much of the time. SIGH - when things happen they certainly happy with a vengeance!
I need to ask the vet about the puppy - I don't want to trigger more anxiety in Cleo but I'm hoping that we can go ahead - and the puppy will be kept away from her much of the time. SIGH - when things happen they certainly happy with a vengeance!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Highs and Lows
What a busy, fun week! We were incredibly busy (Summer Reading Program started) with Crafty Monday and the kick-off program on Wednesday with Ryan the Balloon Guy (LOVE him!). 60+ attended the craft day where they made dream catchers and over 100 kids and 60 parents came to see Ryan and the Lion's Club. The building was hopping! We were a few staff members short but we all pulled together and things got done - tiring tho!
Then, I had my favorite meetings (tho I couldn't stay for all of one because of staffing shortages) where we always have a lot of fun and accomplish quite a bit. I only have another 6 months on one of the teams - I'm really going to miss it but all good things come to an end and change isn't a bad thing no matter how difficult it can be!
I started this post last night with Cleo sleeping on the sofa beside me. As I was typing she fell off the sofa (I thought she'd gotten caught in the throw) but she was actually having a seizure. Bryan and I took her to the Emergency Vet where they kept her. She had another seizure around midnight this morning and the dr. called me to let me know. She said that her blood and urine tests were normal but she had stool backed up. All day I've been waiting (I called this morning and she was ok and I decided to wait until 5) to call back. She'd had another seizure this afternoon and we're going to start anticonvulsant therapy. She was given an enema after the valium for the seizure took effect and apparently cleaned herself out! She is eating and drinking. They're keeping her overnight again to see how she tolerates the medicine (well I hope). To determine exactly why this is happening we'd have to take her to a neurologist (NC State or Richmond). She absolutely hates travel, she's 13 years old and I don't want her to be upset anymore than absolutely necessary. If the medicine works, she'll come home and we'll deal with whatever happens. I won't have her tested, poked and prodded just to make me feel better - if she's not seizing and is comfortable, eating, drinking and eliminating that's all I can hope for.
Needless to say, last night and today have been highly emotional - I did sleep but not very long and have done nothing all day but watch (or have on) mindless tv - I didn't even want to engage enough to actually watch anything that required thought.
Then, I had my favorite meetings (tho I couldn't stay for all of one because of staffing shortages) where we always have a lot of fun and accomplish quite a bit. I only have another 6 months on one of the teams - I'm really going to miss it but all good things come to an end and change isn't a bad thing no matter how difficult it can be!
I started this post last night with Cleo sleeping on the sofa beside me. As I was typing she fell off the sofa (I thought she'd gotten caught in the throw) but she was actually having a seizure. Bryan and I took her to the Emergency Vet where they kept her. She had another seizure around midnight this morning and the dr. called me to let me know. She said that her blood and urine tests were normal but she had stool backed up. All day I've been waiting (I called this morning and she was ok and I decided to wait until 5) to call back. She'd had another seizure this afternoon and we're going to start anticonvulsant therapy. She was given an enema after the valium for the seizure took effect and apparently cleaned herself out! She is eating and drinking. They're keeping her overnight again to see how she tolerates the medicine (well I hope). To determine exactly why this is happening we'd have to take her to a neurologist (NC State or Richmond). She absolutely hates travel, she's 13 years old and I don't want her to be upset anymore than absolutely necessary. If the medicine works, she'll come home and we'll deal with whatever happens. I won't have her tested, poked and prodded just to make me feel better - if she's not seizing and is comfortable, eating, drinking and eliminating that's all I can hope for.
Needless to say, last night and today have been highly emotional - I did sleep but not very long and have done nothing all day but watch (or have on) mindless tv - I didn't even want to engage enough to actually watch anything that required thought.
Monday, June 18, 2012
SRP
SRP registration is via the web - and despite great trepidation among some of the staff, the public has apparently had little problem with the new process. And that's a good thing because ultimately I think the new process will save us a lot of time (I know it will for data entry alone) and I think people will be happy to be able to access their accounts from home.
Even tho I can't win the big raffle prize, I did enter! I can always use another pen (prize for finishing 5 books).
Monday, June 11, 2012
Decisions
I made a momentous (at least at this time!) decision today to get another dog. I called the breeder where I'd gotten Sasha back in 1991. She was such a fantastic dog, it was only natural!
We'd lost our first German Shepherd in November 1990. After Harry's death in January '91, I decided the boys and I needed a dog. I was reading the Washington Post one day and noticed an advertisement for German Shepherds in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I took a chance, called and made an appointment to go up on Mother's Day. We were able to pick out a puppy and take her home with us. She traveled very well and she was a complete joy for 11 years.
Obviously the breeder has grown over the years - now, waiting until a puppy is 8 weeks old probably means you won't get one! The puppy I'm interested in was born at the end of May and will be able to come home at the end of July.
I'm very excited - however, there is some concern because of the two cats who already are living here. I know they'll adjust - after all they adjusted to each other fairly well! - but it will still be traumatic for them. On the positive side, they'll be able to whip a puppy into shape and teach her quickly who's the boss(es)!!
It's been a long time since there's been a puppy (or even a kitten) in the house. Quincy & Cleo arrived as adults - but I'm sure we'll manage!
We'd lost our first German Shepherd in November 1990. After Harry's death in January '91, I decided the boys and I needed a dog. I was reading the Washington Post one day and noticed an advertisement for German Shepherds in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I took a chance, called and made an appointment to go up on Mother's Day. We were able to pick out a puppy and take her home with us. She traveled very well and she was a complete joy for 11 years.
Obviously the breeder has grown over the years - now, waiting until a puppy is 8 weeks old probably means you won't get one! The puppy I'm interested in was born at the end of May and will be able to come home at the end of July.
I'm very excited - however, there is some concern because of the two cats who already are living here. I know they'll adjust - after all they adjusted to each other fairly well! - but it will still be traumatic for them. On the positive side, they'll be able to whip a puppy into shape and teach her quickly who's the boss(es)!!
It's been a long time since there's been a puppy (or even a kitten) in the house. Quincy & Cleo arrived as adults - but I'm sure we'll manage!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Selfish or Self Aware?
At work, a co-worker mentioned a person who said that she didn't want to have children because she wanted to spend her money on herself. Another co-worker said that was selfish ...was it?
Is not wanting to have children (whatever the reason) selfish or is it self aware? And is being selfish a problem?
I think that having children should be a decision made for the right reasons - you WANT children, you love children and you're willing to make the sacrifices to lifestyle and life required by having children. In this case, the reason (spending money on oneself) may be shallow but it certainly isn't selfish in my opinion - it's a reflection of that person's realization that children don't fit into her preferred lifestyle. Will that change - could be or it could be this person actually knows herself very well.
I've never regretted having children. They've been a crucial part of my life and have helped me move forward during some very rough times. However, I have to admit that, looking back, my life would have been significantly different without them. Not better, but definitely different. I wouldn't be living in the house I am and probably wouldn't be in the town I'm in - because there wouldn't have been anything (other than my job at the time) to have kept me here 21 years ago when life changed so much.
Now that my children are grown and on their own - is it selfish that I spend more money on myself? Basically that's the same as the person who doesn't want children in order to spend more on herself isn't it?
Anyway - it's just something to think about. I don't think, with or without children, that being a bit selfish is a problem. As long as others aren't hurt or suffer, your bills and necessities are taken care of first and you're not going into debt with things you can't afford ever - then pampering yourself once in a while and putting yourself first isn't a bad thing. Your children will grow and leave you - you have to live with yourself and be happy with yourself your entire life - might as well enjoy it if you can!
Is not wanting to have children (whatever the reason) selfish or is it self aware? And is being selfish a problem?
I think that having children should be a decision made for the right reasons - you WANT children, you love children and you're willing to make the sacrifices to lifestyle and life required by having children. In this case, the reason (spending money on oneself) may be shallow but it certainly isn't selfish in my opinion - it's a reflection of that person's realization that children don't fit into her preferred lifestyle. Will that change - could be or it could be this person actually knows herself very well.
I've never regretted having children. They've been a crucial part of my life and have helped me move forward during some very rough times. However, I have to admit that, looking back, my life would have been significantly different without them. Not better, but definitely different. I wouldn't be living in the house I am and probably wouldn't be in the town I'm in - because there wouldn't have been anything (other than my job at the time) to have kept me here 21 years ago when life changed so much.
Now that my children are grown and on their own - is it selfish that I spend more money on myself? Basically that's the same as the person who doesn't want children in order to spend more on herself isn't it?
Anyway - it's just something to think about. I don't think, with or without children, that being a bit selfish is a problem. As long as others aren't hurt or suffer, your bills and necessities are taken care of first and you're not going into debt with things you can't afford ever - then pampering yourself once in a while and putting yourself first isn't a bad thing. Your children will grow and leave you - you have to live with yourself and be happy with yourself your entire life - might as well enjoy it if you can!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Tuesday . . .
A long meeting this afternoon - but it was productive (at least I thought so). I enjoy seeing co-workers I don't see all the time and I really enjoy sharing information.
My next projects are fixing the fence (with a new gate) and getting a new front door. The biggest obstacle so far is getting someone to respond to my phone messages. I'll find someone somewhere to fix the silly thing! The fence is becoming a bigger priority because I really want a new dog!
My next projects are fixing the fence (with a new gate) and getting a new front door. The biggest obstacle so far is getting someone to respond to my phone messages. I'll find someone somewhere to fix the silly thing! The fence is becoming a bigger priority because I really want a new dog!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Rashes - still
Going into week three of the dermatitis - it's getting better - my thumb has all but cleared up and my face (where I must have wiped my face) is much better and no longer itches. However, between my fingers and on the back of my wrist still looks bad and my fingers itch! The rest are single blisters, like someone put one drop of acid on my wrist and it blistered - there are 5 of them! They itch some but mostly just look horrible.
I've been wearing whatever long sleeved (light weight) shirts I have - to try to hide as much as possible. Thank goodness it's another 4 day week for me (I'm off Friday for Saturday) so I should be able to cover up!
I haven't ever had this bad a reaction and I still don't know what it was - something that just touched the back of my hand - because there's nothing on my palms!
I've been wearing whatever long sleeved (light weight) shirts I have - to try to hide as much as possible. Thank goodness it's another 4 day week for me (I'm off Friday for Saturday) so I should be able to cover up!
I haven't ever had this bad a reaction and I still don't know what it was - something that just touched the back of my hand - because there's nothing on my palms!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Air Show 2012
The air show isn't usually at the Oceanfront - it's usually in the fall and at Oceana Naval Air Station but this weekend is the Patriot Festival and the air show was at the beach Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Today at work I was off the desk at 3, grabbed the camera and went straight out the front door (we're 5 blocks from the beach) and got this picture of the Blue Angels.
At lunch, looking out the lounge window, we saw some prop planes flying by and there were F-22s that put on a show too (no pics :( ) but I've always had a soft spot for the Angels and was glad I got to see them!
Today at work I was off the desk at 3, grabbed the camera and went straight out the front door (we're 5 blocks from the beach) and got this picture of the Blue Angels.
At lunch, looking out the lounge window, we saw some prop planes flying by and there were F-22s that put on a show too (no pics :( ) but I've always had a soft spot for the Angels and was glad I got to see them!
New Beginnings
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