Last month was my mom's birthday. She, like most people, is not the easiest to shop for. Going out to dinner is not even something she would ever ask to do. So, to celebrate, we did go out to dinner! (Hey, I like to go out, what can I say?) We had a great dinner at Ruby Tuesday's because I love their salad bar and she needs to eat more salad!
For a "gift" we took her to an exhibit at the Museum of Science. This was a traveling exhibit of the human body, hence, called Body Worlds. Quick, check out the link, because I'm not sure how long it will work. The exhibit is up this month. A year or so ago, the exhibit was here and it was all the rage! During the final weekend they even open the exhibit up 24 hours. We couldn't even get tickets for sleeping hours last time. This year, I think the controversy (or the economy) caused a serious decline in the attraction. Who knows, maybe everyone who wanted to see it went last time? Anyway, we picked an week night to go this time and pretty much had the place to ourselves. It was gross. They are real human bodies on exhibit to "bare all". There were lots of bodies showing muscles and organs. Also, there were organs displayed -- of course the ever popular smoker's lung was there. The museum has advertised the human brain exhibit there, too. (It didn't look like much to me.) There was even a special section on pregnancy. Now, I thought this to be educational, but also extremely sad. I mean, these were live beings that somehow are no longer living, but had been pregnant. They also had several fetus/infants at various stages. I had issues with this, how did they really acquire these donated bodies? (Another topic, another day, I guess...) For our group, we had a heightened interest in the liver.
Just days before Christmas my mom was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. No, my mom is not a drinker, she never has been. At this time, they do not know the cause of the problem, and that's ok...I mean it's taken months to get an actual diagnosis out of someone! The doctor she's seeing has put her on some sort of liquid medicine that she only takes once a day, I think. The initial knowledge, I guess was a little shocking. Of course, it's serious, but so is anything that happens to one's body! The medicine made an almost immediate impact. Within a few days, my mom said her head "cleared out." (No she wasn't congested.) For months, she has felt like she's living in a fog, and the first thing she noticed with the medicine was that she could think more clearly. The energy level she had once the medicine had a few days in her system was also quite noticeable. Sadly, mom had been sluggish and exhausted all of the time. But, this medicine started taking the toxins out of her body that her liver is not filtering out. As with many medications, there are side effects. The most noticeable side effect was an increase in her sugar -- not good for the diabetes. Luckily, the medicine was adjusted and things have started to balance out better. Since December, she's been back to the doctor once for a repeat of blood work. The doctor would still like to do a biopsy and endoscopy to see how bad the damage is. Liver damage is generally not reversible, and in the most severe cases, transplants are needed. We don't know the degree of damage or the actual cause. One theory is that perhaps she was just born with poor functioning bile ducts and over time, the liver has just worn out. Only time (and more testing) will provide more answers.
We miss you guys so much...
Puppy Pals -- just hanging out together!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
New Beds
We'd been looking for the pups new beds. The old ones were, well, old. There had been many adventures for the old beds, and they wore well. But, it was just time fore new ones. Here's a picture of one of the new ones.
These are great -- they even have a Disney logo. No, we weren't that concerned with a "branded" dog bed. We couldn't beat the price! These are huge, fluffy, and seem to be enjoyed so far! Missy, seen below, seems to like to have her head on them during the day.
This is Daisy. I think she appreciates them most of all. I think the new beds are actually better than our human bed. Why else would the dogs prefer to sleep in them than with us?
These are great -- they even have a Disney logo. No, we weren't that concerned with a "branded" dog bed. We couldn't beat the price! These are huge, fluffy, and seem to be enjoyed so far! Missy, seen below, seems to like to have her head on them during the day.
This is Daisy. I think she appreciates them most of all. I think the new beds are actually better than our human bed. Why else would the dogs prefer to sleep in them than with us?
Man vs Squirrel
Wow, first of all, where have I been for the last 6 weeks??? I guess growing a new little human has taken over 99% of my energy. Plus, there's the stuff that I'm supposed to be doing to prepare for previously mentioned little human. Hopefully this weekend, I'll get a better update while I supervise the construction.
On to today's topic...Man vs Squirrel. Who will prevail? A few months ago, we noticed that we had a new alarm clock, the rap-tap-tapping of a squirrel. We would hear him coming and going through the screen just outside our bedroom window. It seemed that he would leave every morning around 7 AM. Now, I think they are quite cute, I even began calling our new attic-occupant Chester. He needed a name, right? So, at first it was cute. We're having a baby, hosting a refuge for a little squirrel. Well, maybe not so cute when you consider the rodent aspect of things. Definitely not so cute when you consider that we would hear him in the attic over the office -- all of those electrical wires may be in his way.
So, the man of the house decided to do the manly thing. We waited for one of those warm winter days. Surely the attic was too warm for Chester to stay up there. He took some new screen and closed up the "entrance". He's a thoughtful guy, so he was careful not to make it too difficult to re-open, should Chester still be up there. The next morning, we were notified as usual around 7 AM that Chester had not left the day before and was hard at work trying to get out. Of course, it was rather cold, and Chester seemed rather aggravated. So, he went to open up the screen. (Not only are we letting dogs in/out, now we've added to the chore of letting squirrels in/out!) Once outside, it was apparent that Chester was quite self-sufficient. The screen had been torn open and the intruder was no where to be seen.
We decided to call in back up. We brought Reno over. He's a German shepherd mix, and known "killer" to the rodent world. Among his greatest kills have been squirrels, birds and even the occasional opossum. Well, after a week or so, Reno decided he had more interest in chasing the squirrels on the ground than in the attic. He was returned to his rightful home, without the promised steak dinner.
This week, we began some much needed home repairs. (Another topic, for another day.) Honestly, I don't know the sequence of events this week, it's been rather chaotic around here. But, he thought the squirrel was out one evening. He and my dad boarded up the entrance. Then, the next morning, yep, he was trying to get out again. At least I think that's what happened. So, he must have let him out. Chester has already sprung forward, so our time schedules are not so well coordinated. I think Chester is now coming/going around 6 AM instead of 7 AM. The area was again sealed off -- wood and screen securely put in place.
Then, this morning at around 6:30 AM....you guessed it! We hear the "rap-tap-tapping". HE could not believe that the squirrel was back in the attic. In my sleepy state (I don't care so much that this little animal is there, in the 6 AM hour, I'm still eager to sleep.) HE jumps out of bed, opens the blinds, looks out the window, and has some choice words for this little rodent. (Yes, by now the cute little squirrel is officially an uninvited rodent occupying our attic, I fear the "gifts" he may be leaving for us up there.) HE then exclaims, "He's trying to get in! He's not trapped in the attic at all. Now, I have to get rid of him."
I wanted to sleep, but, if you could have been watching this, you would have been laughing, too! He leaps out of bed, asks how cold it is outside and begins preparing for his hunt. Well, it was a rather cool morning. It was like 49 degrees outside, and so there they went to hunt the squirrel...BB gun in hand. Within about a 20 minute time span, I hear about 3 shots go off. These were 3 of the weakest shots I've ever heard. I think if a BB would have hit the window, it would have bounced off. I do not think this will actually kill this squirrel. Now, I have to get up and look to see what I see, because this has to be kind of funny. Him in his PJ's, us in the city, him using a dinky little BB gun to try to discourage a little rodent from breaking & entering into the attic. I don't think I could describe this as comically as it appeared to me.
They came back inside. He tells me his story of the hunt. Apparently he's shooting at a squirrel that may be the one occupying the attic. He shot at the squirrel in a tree and on the roof of our house. He believes the sight is off on the BB gun, so next time, he will use the old faithful BB gun from his childhood. He did not actually see the squirrel(s) attempting to get in. Still, I'm sleepy, I just don't care. Then, rap-tap-tap again! Again, he jumps up, and opens the blinds. Chester is there! Chester is looking at us, we are looking at him! HE is off, with the other BB gun. He rushes outside, this time alone because even Daisy & Missy have lost interest. I see Chester is still outside our window. He shoots, the squirrel falls. I think it is over. Of course, this BB shot did not sound anymore powerful, or harmful than before. He comes back in reporting that he hit the squirrel, he claims the squirrel jumped down, landing on all fours, then took off under the fence.
My guess, Chester will live another day to wake me up, and attempt to break into our attic.
On to today's topic...Man vs Squirrel. Who will prevail? A few months ago, we noticed that we had a new alarm clock, the rap-tap-tapping of a squirrel. We would hear him coming and going through the screen just outside our bedroom window. It seemed that he would leave every morning around 7 AM. Now, I think they are quite cute, I even began calling our new attic-occupant Chester. He needed a name, right? So, at first it was cute. We're having a baby, hosting a refuge for a little squirrel. Well, maybe not so cute when you consider the rodent aspect of things. Definitely not so cute when you consider that we would hear him in the attic over the office -- all of those electrical wires may be in his way.
So, the man of the house decided to do the manly thing. We waited for one of those warm winter days. Surely the attic was too warm for Chester to stay up there. He took some new screen and closed up the "entrance". He's a thoughtful guy, so he was careful not to make it too difficult to re-open, should Chester still be up there. The next morning, we were notified as usual around 7 AM that Chester had not left the day before and was hard at work trying to get out. Of course, it was rather cold, and Chester seemed rather aggravated. So, he went to open up the screen. (Not only are we letting dogs in/out, now we've added to the chore of letting squirrels in/out!) Once outside, it was apparent that Chester was quite self-sufficient. The screen had been torn open and the intruder was no where to be seen.
We decided to call in back up. We brought Reno over. He's a German shepherd mix, and known "killer" to the rodent world. Among his greatest kills have been squirrels, birds and even the occasional opossum. Well, after a week or so, Reno decided he had more interest in chasing the squirrels on the ground than in the attic. He was returned to his rightful home, without the promised steak dinner.
This week, we began some much needed home repairs. (Another topic, for another day.) Honestly, I don't know the sequence of events this week, it's been rather chaotic around here. But, he thought the squirrel was out one evening. He and my dad boarded up the entrance. Then, the next morning, yep, he was trying to get out again. At least I think that's what happened. So, he must have let him out. Chester has already sprung forward, so our time schedules are not so well coordinated. I think Chester is now coming/going around 6 AM instead of 7 AM. The area was again sealed off -- wood and screen securely put in place.
Then, this morning at around 6:30 AM....you guessed it! We hear the "rap-tap-tapping". HE could not believe that the squirrel was back in the attic. In my sleepy state (I don't care so much that this little animal is there, in the 6 AM hour, I'm still eager to sleep.) HE jumps out of bed, opens the blinds, looks out the window, and has some choice words for this little rodent. (Yes, by now the cute little squirrel is officially an uninvited rodent occupying our attic, I fear the "gifts" he may be leaving for us up there.) HE then exclaims, "He's trying to get in! He's not trapped in the attic at all. Now, I have to get rid of him."
I wanted to sleep, but, if you could have been watching this, you would have been laughing, too! He leaps out of bed, asks how cold it is outside and begins preparing for his hunt. Well, it was a rather cool morning. It was like 49 degrees outside, and so there they went to hunt the squirrel...BB gun in hand. Within about a 20 minute time span, I hear about 3 shots go off. These were 3 of the weakest shots I've ever heard. I think if a BB would have hit the window, it would have bounced off. I do not think this will actually kill this squirrel. Now, I have to get up and look to see what I see, because this has to be kind of funny. Him in his PJ's, us in the city, him using a dinky little BB gun to try to discourage a little rodent from breaking & entering into the attic. I don't think I could describe this as comically as it appeared to me.
They came back inside. He tells me his story of the hunt. Apparently he's shooting at a squirrel that may be the one occupying the attic. He shot at the squirrel in a tree and on the roof of our house. He believes the sight is off on the BB gun, so next time, he will use the old faithful BB gun from his childhood. He did not actually see the squirrel(s) attempting to get in. Still, I'm sleepy, I just don't care. Then, rap-tap-tap again! Again, he jumps up, and opens the blinds. Chester is there! Chester is looking at us, we are looking at him! HE is off, with the other BB gun. He rushes outside, this time alone because even Daisy & Missy have lost interest. I see Chester is still outside our window. He shoots, the squirrel falls. I think it is over. Of course, this BB shot did not sound anymore powerful, or harmful than before. He comes back in reporting that he hit the squirrel, he claims the squirrel jumped down, landing on all fours, then took off under the fence.
My guess, Chester will live another day to wake me up, and attempt to break into our attic.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New Years 2009
We had a great New Years Eve with some of our pals. Again, we played as if we were all children. There was tons of good eating, and an incredible fireworks display. Now, we're preparing for another big firework display in July!
In the beginning of blogging, I thought it would be a good idea to use this blog to keep up with my new years resolutions. This year, I decided, who needs those darned ol' resolutions? I'll try to do better...I'll try hard every day, not just the first day of the year.
That's all I've got for the first 7 days of 2009. I've got so much to do...maybe I'll get my to-do list started tonight. Right after a nap?! I can be better tomorrow! :)
In the beginning of blogging, I thought it would be a good idea to use this blog to keep up with my new years resolutions. This year, I decided, who needs those darned ol' resolutions? I'll try to do better...I'll try hard every day, not just the first day of the year.
That's all I've got for the first 7 days of 2009. I've got so much to do...maybe I'll get my to-do list started tonight. Right after a nap?! I can be better tomorrow! :)
Christmas 2008
Ok, so it's a little late. Christmas was like, what 2 weeks ago? We slaved for two weeks before Christmas and the week of Christmas, much like the rest of the world. Fortunately, when Christmas did roll around, we were able to have a couple of relaxing days.
Christmas Eve was with his family. Christmas Day and through part of the weekend was with my family. This year HE decided to rent "toys" to take out to the family farm and play. I guess, it was HIS idea of a "grown-up" Christmas. Ever since his first trip out to the farm, he has thought toys were needed for real enjoyment. So, finally this year he made the plans to bring them on out! This is a picture of what we rented -- 2 ATV's and 1 RTV. The plan was that us girls may prefer the RTV to ride/drive more than the "adventerous" 4-wheeler.
At some point during the weekend, #58 got friendly with HIM. This is the only one that would accept "pets" from the humans. I saw my dad get close to him, but I wasn't as lucky. Every time I approaced #58, he immediately backed away.
I believe when the guys went to reserve the "toys" they were told that there would be no way of getting anything stuck in the mud. For the most part, there was no rain, but I guess the damp night air did provide enough moisture to get a little mud accumulation in this little area. And, yes, we did get stuck. Of course, for some reason, I was accussed of driving and getting us stuck, but I was not driving. I don't think I would have braved the entrance -- too steep for me! The mud at the bottom was the problem. He said, "I think we're stuck" and I replied with, "Well, we are sinking on my side." Of course, I thought it was incredibly funny!
Luckily my dad seemed to enjoy the toys as much as HE did and quickly came to our rescue! We sent him back for chains and the larger 4-wheeler. Here's my two guys getting us "un-stuck"!
Overall, it was a fun time. I remember being really tired and super ready to go home. We're looking forward to doing it again, but maybe in another couple of years!
Christmas Eve was with his family. Christmas Day and through part of the weekend was with my family. This year HE decided to rent "toys" to take out to the family farm and play. I guess, it was HIS idea of a "grown-up" Christmas. Ever since his first trip out to the farm, he has thought toys were needed for real enjoyment. So, finally this year he made the plans to bring them on out! This is a picture of what we rented -- 2 ATV's and 1 RTV. The plan was that us girls may prefer the RTV to ride/drive more than the "adventerous" 4-wheeler.
At some point during the weekend, #58 got friendly with HIM. This is the only one that would accept "pets" from the humans. I saw my dad get close to him, but I wasn't as lucky. Every time I approaced #58, he immediately backed away.
I believe when the guys went to reserve the "toys" they were told that there would be no way of getting anything stuck in the mud. For the most part, there was no rain, but I guess the damp night air did provide enough moisture to get a little mud accumulation in this little area. And, yes, we did get stuck. Of course, for some reason, I was accussed of driving and getting us stuck, but I was not driving. I don't think I would have braved the entrance -- too steep for me! The mud at the bottom was the problem. He said, "I think we're stuck" and I replied with, "Well, we are sinking on my side." Of course, I thought it was incredibly funny!
Luckily my dad seemed to enjoy the toys as much as HE did and quickly came to our rescue! We sent him back for chains and the larger 4-wheeler. Here's my two guys getting us "un-stuck"!
Overall, it was a fun time. I remember being really tired and super ready to go home. We're looking forward to doing it again, but maybe in another couple of years!
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