Determined December

[papmom3]

Hey Dill-Mickey is my first dog. We had a dog when I was younger but he was my brother's dog. I was the cat person. When I became an adult I had only cats until I decided to get a dog in 2003. LM is my second dog. He's the one I almost lost in September and is being treated for kidney failure. Mickey is the one with the back issue. Devil Dog is my 3rd dog and is my agility star. They really are my kids and I would fall on a sword for them.

[dill]

Papmom, thanks for setting me straight about which dog is which. I admit I was confused about that. And now I totally understand how you came to have a dog so late in life....you were a cat person! That explains it all! LOL. I've always been a dog person, but later in life I came to appreciate cats and we had some barn cats here. My daughter has had cats her whole adult life and I have come to appreciate them much more. Still tho, if I had to choose one or the other, it would definitely be a dog for me.

[Lavande]

I have survived, I am a survivor, Ha Ha!!!
The boys left today & 2 hours later my daughter & her crew walked in! This has been a complete weekend, no kidding

Papmom, I hope everything works out OK for you & Mickey.
I know you have to do what you have to do for him :hug:

Star, hope you are on the mend!

Dill, I forget - did I mention the sweet potato pies on Cooking Light? I think I did yesterday. My mind is still whirling, LOL
I am grateful that my oldest grandson (EB) is as easy as he is these days because his little brother requires a whole different skill set, just as his daddy did at the age of 3. Grateful for past experiences

Cyn, hello to you too.

Wishing everyone a good night!

[Lavande]

Monday morning, wakey, wakey everyone
Not a drop of sunshine around here, oh well!

I'm off to Curves & possibly some cookie baking later, Ha Ha!!!
Have a great AF day everyone!

Lav

[dill]

Hey Lav, looks like it's just the 2 of us holding down the fort! LOL! I have the energy for it because I have had a full day without grandma duties and instead have been out having lunch with a friend and doing some more Christmas shopping. Hope your day was low key too.

Peaceful AF evening to all.

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Sorry for the absence, I have been so sick, just trying to feel better. Dramatic I know, but this has really kicked my butt. No Christmas shopping done, I am in big trouble. I still can barely function. They let me leave at work yesterday and I came home and slept. Feeling a little better though, not worse. Hello to all, have a great day.

[treegirl]

Hello all - so sorry to be AWOL!

Star - I'm sorry this bug hit you so hard, and that you didn't get the help you needed quickly - it's especially hard to be sick at this time of year. Forget everything else - your health is more important than any gifts - you don't want this to drag on into the New Year. You could wrap up 'promises' to give to people. Really, we all get so much stuff at this time of year (even when I try to tell people NOT too) does it matter? I've tried to move our gift-giving to New Year's eve...it's so much more fun shopping AFTER christmas! I'm so concerned about you being able to take care of yourself -- you've been through a lot this year, girl, rest and recoup...

PMom - how great for the outpouring of support! Dog-lovers are some of the most passionate people I know. I get the wanting to have answers about what is going on...and I get what a slippery slope it is in terms of treatment and $$...good luck with all.

Dill - sounds like you had a good but exhausting visit. Lav - you are a rock to take on those 2 for the weekend! Good thing you have previous experience to draw on with the younger one.

This has been a crazy crazy time here at the Treehouse. Lots of family drama, guests, trying to maintain my boundaries but also give people some of the experiences that they are looking for...I'm tired of the balancing act! I got used to being alone and taking care of things the way I want to, in the time-frame I want to. Having a big personality around (2 big personalities over the weekend) is hard on me. Lav - I had to laugh, did I say I was going x-country. Hah! I found the skis and poles, but no boots, they must have gotten lost or given away in the last 3 moves. But in the midst of looking for them, some other crisis broke out (don't remember what) and they are propped up on the basement wall somewhere.

Oh no, I hear that HB is awake now - I'll be called upon for action soon - it's been impossible to catch 15 minutes to myself for posting. Well, at least I got a little up to date...will be back on soon. Wishing all a great day!

[dill]

:hug::hug:Oh Star! I am so sorry to here you've been so sick! It sounds like the sleep helped you. Did you go to work again today? I hope you get well soon.

Hi Lav, what will you be getting up to today? I am taking my ex DIL out to lunch. Should be interesting.

I don't think I ever mentioned that my sweet potato pie was delicious! I highly recommend it. You just need 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes for a 9 inch pie. I have really been on a baking spree lately. Right now I'm eating an almond biscotti with my coffee. MMmmm. But all this baking has not been helpful at all for my waistline. If I keep this up I am going to have to buy a larger size! Yiikes!

Have a great AF day everyone.

[dill]

Cross post Cyn! Sounds like your house is so busy. I can imagine it's been very difficult going from your usual solitude to full throttle entertaining! Hope you keep some quiet time for yourself and remember: breathe.

[Lavande]

Good morning friends,
I was up & out of the house by 7 am to watch the boys for a few hours until my son gets home from work. Walked EB to the bus stop for his 8:05 pick up.,now I'm just hanging with Will until he goes to his 11:30 lunch bunch before his afternoon preschool. When I am kid free I'm going to see if I can get a hair cut.

Star, hope you feel better soon! You really need to push the fluids when on an antibiotic

Dill, glad your pie was a success!
Your lunch today does sound interesting, good luck.

Cyn, sometimes it is exhausting keep our boundaries strong but I know what happens when I let my defenses down. Don't want to go there again!
I've been feeling a bit crowded in my house after being on my own for four years. I keep telling myself, sttay calm, don't over react, etc. On the one hand I am glad that YB returned but then there's the other hand, LOL

I'll be back later

[SnoopyC]

Ladies,

Sounds like active fun....

Cyn, a houseful, and constant go go go. It gets to you after a while. I know, having had guests in the past. After two days, I wanted my life back!!! But, relationships are important too, and when you move far away from everyone, long distance relationships are the only one you have. They are intense in my experience. Thanks for the emotional support aboaut being ill. You too, Lav and Dill. I appreciate it.

Dill, baking sounds fun. I have gained 10 pounds since I moved and my clothes are tight, so I am leaving the baking alone this seaon. Except maybe next week. Sweet potato pie sound interesting. Enjoy.

Lav, I am drinking liquids constantly to stave off the cough. Made it through work yesterday, it was tough. Sounds like you are busy too. I can imagine it would be tough to have YB back, espeically if he is home alot. But, with a house and yard, grandkids, at least there is lots to do. Hope you have a great day.

Pap, hope doggies are on the mend. I understand, they are your family. My pets are always like that too. I still mourn my babies I had to rehome. It hurts. What a year!

Have a great day.

[dill]

Aarghhh~ I was in the middle of a post when my computer froze up! Now I must start over, but this will be brief.

Star I'm glad you are feeling better. Nothing like being sick to remind you to be grateful for your good health, eh? I am with you on the weight. I have gained nearly 10 lbs in the last 6 months or so. I am determined to get it off!

Lav, I often wonder at what an adjustment that would be to have four years on your own and then suddenly Mr. L is back in the house! He is still working during the day, isn't he? That would help some.

No big plans for the day. My lunch with ex DIL was ok. It was a small effort on my part to try to nudge her toward the light. She tells me she is on a waiting list for a bed at a treatment facility, but I will only believe it when I see it. I offered to drive her there when she finally gets in. It's an hour away and she has no transportation.

Have a good AF Hump Day!

[Lavande]

Good morning all!

Just heard it's going to 52 degrees today with sun - nice

Star, glad you are feeling better!
My DIL is now dealing with double ear infections as well - tis the season.

Dill, very good of you to offer a helping hand to your DIL. We truly help ourselves when we reach out to others!
I hope she is serious about seeking treatment, she would have nothing to regret, right?

I am happy to say that I haven't gained any weight recently but I also haven't lost any. I am doing my best to get to Curves 4 days per week. I do a lot of baking but I can't eat any of it if it's made with real dairy & milk chocolate. It's the vegan baking that I have to watch, LOL. I really wouldn't mind losing 10 or 15 pounds.
YB is still working a full time job but has been talking a lot about retiring next year - we shall see. Having him around all day will be difficult, honestly. I need to prepare myself emotionally for that day

Greetings to Cyn & Papmom. Hope you are both OK!

Have a great AF hump day everyone!

Lav

[treegirl]

Hi all -

Actually, no guests here except SD...sorry to give the wrong impression! All just family stuff - a big blowup having to do with financial matters, which is never easy in families, and a lot of buried 'debris' surfaced...all good to work out, but very taxing in the meantime. Between those 2 big personalities raising the roof, and some other big obligations, it has been a wall-to-wall handful of days. I went to bed a t 8 pm last night, with lots left on my 'To Do' list, but I just couldn't function, so better off in sleepy-land.

Dilll - the pie sounds delicious. What an angel you are in your family to stay in contact with your ex-DIL - stars in your crown.

I'd love to bake, but that's not in the cards this holiday. Cooking for the dogs is enough! I'll spend today and tomorrow cooking ahead so that I can make up their meals for the dog sitter - we're traveling to my home state for a long weekend of pre-xmas cheer. I'm off to try to make the window buntings for the grand-nieces...if they don't turn out, I still have a day to buy something!

Lav - was it really 4 years that YB was gone?! Wow. Yes, that would definitely be a huge challenge. When my guy is away, he is away, and when he is home, he is 24 hours home. With a big personality that doesn't have a lot of patience. Sometimes the days feel like 36 hours long! He's a gem at heart, but I must say that even after 15 years of marriage I find managing the drama a bit taxing. Boundaries - the Universe is giving me lots of practice time!

Star, I truly hope you are getting better - PMom, good luck with the dogs. To all - have a good day, and (thanks Dill) remember to breathe!

[papmom3]

Good evening all! Sorry I haven't posted in few days-its been so busy and exhausting. So the bottom line with Mickey is that the MRI showed 2 herniated discs. Borderline for surgery so we are trying continued crate rest and new meds. He's being so good and I do think the prednisone is making a difference. I just hope its a permenant one! It was a very long and most tiring day on Monday. Up at 4:30 to get him to Tufts by 6:15. Then to be told Front Desk doesn't get in until 7!! But the internist told me anytime to drop off would be fine! Waaaaa. I'm going to be late for work, he's shaking so bad in pain. Felt like I was losing control. Then an angel came from the back room. She was one of the receptionists who had come in early to work on something else. The tech asked if she could help me. Got us checked in in no time and I was off to work. The neurosurgeon called me at 10:30 to tell me Mickey's status was unchanged from Friday (duh) and that he was #2 dog to go in the MRI machine. By 2:30 I still hadn't heard anything so I called. They told me he was just finishing up with him and would call in 30 min. No call. Called them back at 4 and was told he was in recovery and if I could get there by 6 the doctor would have time to speak to me. I did just that and had a good chat for about 30 min with this Swiss doctor. Unfortunately it took another hour and a half to get checked out (given wrong meds, wrong directions, had questions etc). We didn't get home until after 8. By this time he was really coming out of the anesthesia and was in a lot of pain. By the time I got his meds in him, cooked him a bland dinner, took care of the other 2, called a friend back who had left me 3 messages, it was 9:30 and I hadn't even eaten yet!! Oh and did I tell you that the other job called and wanted to get a reference from my supervisor? EEEEK! I told her no, she didn't know I had applied. Then the person told me that she hadn't heard back from my last boss and was kind of panicking because they needed recent references and 3 of them. I texted my old boss and asked him to PLEASE call this woman!! So all that was happening in the midst of my work day!
Tuesday morning I went to take the bandage off of mick's leg and realized that Tufts had left the IV line in!! Ye Gods! I called them at 7:30 on my way into work and left a message with a lot of Laventude on it LOL!! I told them in no uncertain terms that they would be paying the bill I would incur at my vets that night to have the line removed. I got a very apologetic call back around 9 am and yes, they would take care of the bill, they were horrified this had happened etc. The good news was that Mickey already seemed a bit better when i left for work. At around 12 noon I received the call I had been waiting for from the other job:
:sohappy: I GOT THE JOB!!! :sohappy: They offered me my same salary and I will start on Jan 20th. I'm very happy with the level funding because I will save at least 2K in commuting costs each year. I told my boss at the end of the day. She was very unemotional about it. Very matter of fact but grateful I was giving her 5 weeks notice (now it is 4+ as I am taking the thurs/friday before the 20th as vacation so my last physical day will be the 14th). She did try the guilt trip thing by telling me I had no idea how hard she and her VP fought to keep my position after the grant ended in Oct. Remember I told you I thought I was going to be laid off? Well, it was more of a reality than I thought! I told her I knew it had been a possibility so I kind of deflated her guilt balloon LOL!! She has requested that we not tell the staff until we come back in jan. I 'm not happy about that. I think they have a right to know more than a week before I leave plus there are a lot of people at the college I want to notify out of respect and to light a fire under their butts to get stuff into me for the catalog before I leave. I'll have to talk to her more about this. But in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter because I GOT THE JOB!!!
Back to Mickey-line is out, he seems to be much more comfortable and I have raised over $2500 towards his medical costs ( a friend of mine donated a HUGE chunk of that $2500). I think that I will soon close out the campaign. I can probably deal with the balance with some good planning and saving. If he needs surgery in a month, well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I have been blown away by the people who have donated. Their generosity is just mind blowing. I am grateful beyond comprehension.
So that has been my life for the past week or so.

Tree-I hope your trip west goes well and that your hubby cuts you a few breaks in the next few weeks. It so hard to set boundaries with intimate loved ones!!

Star-I am so glad you are feeling a bit better. You really got knocked for a loop! Please take care of yourself and don't worry about the shopping! You can always do amazon gift cards!!

Dill- you are really special to keep reaching out to your DIL. I pray that one day she will open her eyes and really do something about her addiction. All your baking sounds like fun!

Lav-what a busy weekend you had!! It made me exhausted just reading about it! Good for you for keeping the Curves habit. So important. I unfortunately have not seen the inside of the gym for almost 2 weeks. I am going to make a concerted effort to get to water boot camp tomorrow now that I don't have to worry so much about Mickey. And next week it will be Monday gym time for sure. Not sure what their hours are for the 24th but I'll try to do something as I have it off. I have an oil change scheduled for early morning and I am also trying to get an appointment with an Integrated Vet for the afternoon to talk about acupuncture and laser therapy for Mick. And then its Christmas Eve at my sister's In Laws and then its Christmas Day!! Hoo boy!! Wasn't it July just yesterday??