1. Go to Disney World
2. Get a haircut (it may just be a trim, but I'm not even sure I got a trim in 2011)
3. Buy a new (used) car
4. Get a tattoo (probably not)
5. Read a book a month
6. Wait in line to see the very first showing of the Hobbit, most likely in full costume
7. Clean out my car (if you could see my car you'd realize how big of a deal this is)
8. Dress up and go to the Renaissance Festival (I do this every year, but whatever)
9. Move
10. Learn to preserve at least one fruit or vegetable
11. Go back to yoga and maybe learn a headstand
12. Blog more
What awesome stuff will YOU do?
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
The English Inn
For our wedding, Louie's co-workers gave us an "Ultimate Getaway Package" from the English Inn in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. This weekend, we FINALLY went there, and it was wonderful! Thank you!!!
We arrived just in time for our dinner reservation. We were seated right next to the fire (ahhhh) and given a bottle of champagne. Our meal included one appetizer, house salads, two entrees, and dessert. We split mushroom caps stuffed with Swiss cheese, watercress, onion, and bacon for our appetizer. The house salads were amazing! They were topped with this awesome olive tapenade - yum! I had a stuffed quail with a mushroom farce, Madeira cream, green beans, and whipped potato. It was SO rich! They managed to de-bone the entire quail except for it's wings and little legs that were sticking up in the air (hehe). Lou had the pork gratinee which was a grilled bone in chop with carmelized onions, gruyere cheese, port wine reduction, green beans, and crisp polenta cakes. It was also delicious. Then came dessert. I had a mango white chocolate mousse (oh my gosh!), and Louie had this fudgy chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate sauce. I have never had such a fancy dinner! It was delicious!
Then, we headed over to the Ivy Cottage. The Ivy Cottage used to be the estates milking barn, but now it's this cute little cottage complete with Jacuzzi, fireplace, and deck. The views were lovely! We could see down the hillside to the river.
Breakfast the next morning was just as impressive as dinner. We started with coffee, a muffin, and a fruit cup. I had poached eggs over a potato cake with a side of bacon. I cannot even begin to describe to you how delicious this was! The potatoes had this excellent herb flavor, and the eggs went with it perfectly. The chef even apologized for breaking one of the yolks. Seriously, I have never been to a place fancy enough for someone to care if a yolk is broken! Totally not a big deal. It was amazing. Lou had pancakes with an apple chutney and a side of bacon. Unfortunately, the pancakes left a little to be desired, but the chutney (and bacon, of course) was amazing!
Then, we took a walk around the property...
We checked out around 11 am and headed over to the Potter Park Zoo. Amazingly, it was entirely free! This, my friends, is why you must go to zoos in the off season. Not only do you avoid annoying crowds and get to see the animals actually moving, but it's cheap!
Momma tiger (I think), and the babies! They were so sleepy!
Mr. Lion was sleepy, too!
Even though the big kitties were pretty tired, we got to see lots of animals playing around including the river otters, snow leopard, camels, lots of the monkeys and lemurs, and the birds in the aviary were having an awesome time playing with their toys. The kookaburra even sang for us!
We had an awesome weekend! It was so nice to escape the craziness of everyday life and just get away with Louie for a while. The food was amazing, and I really love visiting zoos, so that really topped everything off. Thanks to everyone who made this weekend possible!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Farewell my friend...
One of my Dogs of the Week was put down yesterday. I am heartbroken.
This information does not get widely shared because some people have wildly negative reactions due to conflicting beliefs about euthanasia or the attachment they have formed with the animal. These people don't always see how much the HSHV staff tries to fix the problem, and the shelter has to keep a positive image. So please, if you have any issues with this situation, please contact me directly, and I will put you in touch with shelter staff.
HSHV helps thousands of animals each year. If an animal comes in with an illness or behavior problem, it is not automatically put down as they often are at other shelters. Instead, HSHV does everything they can to rehabilitate and heal these animals. A small percentage are terminally ill or have behavior problems that cannot be fixed. This is fewer than 20% of the animals they take in. Compare this to other shelters such as the Michigan Humane Society which only saves 20% of the animals they take in. It is truly an amazing thing.
Occasionaly during the rehabilitation process, the shelter staff determines that the animal is not treatable and will never get better - physically or behaviorally. This is when they have to make the hard decision to put the animal down. It has only happened a handful of times in the 2 years I have been volunteering with HSHV, and it never gets any easier.
This particular dog came in to the shelter with a rocky past and minor aggression issues that became more and more serious as time went on. He was reactive to other dogs, and eventually he turned his aggression onto a staff member. The staff tried everything. They tried extra exercise and enrichment. They tried training. They contacted dozens of rescue sites asking for help. Nothing could make this dog better. It is not in the best interest of the public or the breed of the dog (yes, he was a pit) for the shelter to adopt out an unsafe dog. It is so very sad, but it is necessary. I responded to the news with great grief and understanding. Apparently, many volunteers did the same. Our volunteer coordinator stated in a response, "...it is overwhelming how much people respect HSHV and the tough decisions that have to be made. We do all we can."
This was a wonderful dog who had a rough start in life. It is so sad that he was unable to overcome these difficulties. I wish I had known this was happening sooner so I could have taking him on one last walk and given him one last hug. I will light a candle in his honor and never forget this special dog who gave me so much joy during the time I was able to spend with him. <3
Remember King.
This information does not get widely shared because some people have wildly negative reactions due to conflicting beliefs about euthanasia or the attachment they have formed with the animal. These people don't always see how much the HSHV staff tries to fix the problem, and the shelter has to keep a positive image. So please, if you have any issues with this situation, please contact me directly, and I will put you in touch with shelter staff.
HSHV helps thousands of animals each year. If an animal comes in with an illness or behavior problem, it is not automatically put down as they often are at other shelters. Instead, HSHV does everything they can to rehabilitate and heal these animals. A small percentage are terminally ill or have behavior problems that cannot be fixed. This is fewer than 20% of the animals they take in. Compare this to other shelters such as the Michigan Humane Society which only saves 20% of the animals they take in. It is truly an amazing thing.
Occasionaly during the rehabilitation process, the shelter staff determines that the animal is not treatable and will never get better - physically or behaviorally. This is when they have to make the hard decision to put the animal down. It has only happened a handful of times in the 2 years I have been volunteering with HSHV, and it never gets any easier.
This particular dog came in to the shelter with a rocky past and minor aggression issues that became more and more serious as time went on. He was reactive to other dogs, and eventually he turned his aggression onto a staff member. The staff tried everything. They tried extra exercise and enrichment. They tried training. They contacted dozens of rescue sites asking for help. Nothing could make this dog better. It is not in the best interest of the public or the breed of the dog (yes, he was a pit) for the shelter to adopt out an unsafe dog. It is so very sad, but it is necessary. I responded to the news with great grief and understanding. Apparently, many volunteers did the same. Our volunteer coordinator stated in a response, "...it is overwhelming how much people respect HSHV and the tough decisions that have to be made. We do all we can."
This was a wonderful dog who had a rough start in life. It is so sad that he was unable to overcome these difficulties. I wish I had known this was happening sooner so I could have taking him on one last walk and given him one last hug. I will light a candle in his honor and never forget this special dog who gave me so much joy during the time I was able to spend with him. <3
Remember King.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Dog of the Week: Aggie!
Meet Aggie!
Aggie is a sweet 6 month old pit bull mix. Usually, the youngsters are super rambunctious, but Aggie, though full of energy, is a sweet, smart dog that really impressed me. She walked nicely on the leash, knows her name, and knows how to sit! Not bad for a puppy!
Aggie's got an issue with her eye, and is currently wearing a cone. She doesn't let it get in her way one bit! It's pretty funny to watch. She runs through her doggy door full speed, "vacuums" the floor for food and treats, and slams her face, cone and all, into the ground to grab sticks. Hilarious!
Due to having a cone on her head, she can't scratch her ears. I gave her a good cuddle and scratch and boy did she LOVE it. Poor girl. I hope her cone comes off soon!
Another dog I wish I could bring home. Hopefully, she won't have to wait at the shelter too long to find her fur-ever home.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Welcoming Winter
Well, it looks like the cold weather is finally here to stay. This week's high will be a warm 37 with the low being 18 on Friday. Brrrr! Time to sort through the hats and gloves to find the matching sets!
I love winter.
A lot of people don't understand this. They live for shorts, sunny days, and the grill. I live for sweaters, tea, and soup. Winter is my chance for a respite from summer's hectic heat. I can slow down and rest. Because I get cold, I can enjoy being warm. And there's nothing better than putting a pot of soup on the stove to cook all day while you decorate for Christmas.
I will lament summer come February. Let's enjoy the snow for now :)
I love winter.
A lot of people don't understand this. They live for shorts, sunny days, and the grill. I live for sweaters, tea, and soup. Winter is my chance for a respite from summer's hectic heat. I can slow down and rest. Because I get cold, I can enjoy being warm. And there's nothing better than putting a pot of soup on the stove to cook all day while you decorate for Christmas.
I will lament summer come February. Let's enjoy the snow for now :)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thanksgiving
Last Thursday was Thanksgiving.
I went to my parents' house on Wednesday (hooray for a 5 day break from work) to make pies. I've been making pumpkin pies with my dad on Thanksgiving Eve for... a long time! This year we made some fantastic pies with the help of my little cousins, Mary and Emily.
What we did differently:
1. We put the pumpkin through a food mill. This made it SUPER smooth. No one likes a chunky pumpkin pie.
2. We added an extra secret ingredient (and by secret I mean accidental) - nutmeg!
Honestly, I think these were the best pies we ever made. Here is a picture of what's leftover in my fridge. I've been eating it for breakfast for almost a week!
There were lots of guests at my parents' house for Thanksgiving this year: me and Louie, of course, my brother, Pete, and my sister-in-law, Sandy, my Aunt Kammie (and inside baby Samantha) and Uncle Rob, my Aunt Sheila and Uncle Daniel along with their girls, Mary and Emily, and my dear Uncle Dave. It was really nice to see everyone. I am happiest in the presence of my family, and I cherish every minute I get to spend with them. They are all truly amazing people!
Before we had our turkey dinner, Lou and I had to make an appearance at "Chinese Thanksgiving" at The New Moon restaurant. Louie's high-school friend's parents own this little Chinese restaurant in Clinton Township. Every Thanksgiving they cook a feast of traditional Chinese dishes and have all of their family and friends take part. Lou has been part of this for a number of years, and I have been lucky enough to attend the last two years. It is so fun to visit with Alan, his parents, and any other of Lou's high-school friends that dribble in (Ed and Vicki :) ) This was the spread. Mind you, there were 2 tables of this size set up along with at least three smaller round tables.
Then, we made our way back to my parent's house for the traditional Thanksgiving meal, too much pie, a cozy fire, and some games. It was a busy, but wonderful day. I wish I had taken photos!
I went to my parents' house on Wednesday (hooray for a 5 day break from work) to make pies. I've been making pumpkin pies with my dad on Thanksgiving Eve for... a long time! This year we made some fantastic pies with the help of my little cousins, Mary and Emily.
What we did differently:
1. We put the pumpkin through a food mill. This made it SUPER smooth. No one likes a chunky pumpkin pie.
2. We added an extra secret ingredient (and by secret I mean accidental) - nutmeg!
Honestly, I think these were the best pies we ever made. Here is a picture of what's leftover in my fridge. I've been eating it for breakfast for almost a week!
There were lots of guests at my parents' house for Thanksgiving this year: me and Louie, of course, my brother, Pete, and my sister-in-law, Sandy, my Aunt Kammie (and inside baby Samantha) and Uncle Rob, my Aunt Sheila and Uncle Daniel along with their girls, Mary and Emily, and my dear Uncle Dave. It was really nice to see everyone. I am happiest in the presence of my family, and I cherish every minute I get to spend with them. They are all truly amazing people!
Before we had our turkey dinner, Lou and I had to make an appearance at "Chinese Thanksgiving" at The New Moon restaurant. Louie's high-school friend's parents own this little Chinese restaurant in Clinton Township. Every Thanksgiving they cook a feast of traditional Chinese dishes and have all of their family and friends take part. Lou has been part of this for a number of years, and I have been lucky enough to attend the last two years. It is so fun to visit with Alan, his parents, and any other of Lou's high-school friends that dribble in (Ed and Vicki :) ) This was the spread. Mind you, there were 2 tables of this size set up along with at least three smaller round tables.
Then, we made our way back to my parent's house for the traditional Thanksgiving meal, too much pie, a cozy fire, and some games. It was a busy, but wonderful day. I wish I had taken photos!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Dog of the Week: Max!
Meet Max!
After my play-date (which went very well, thank you), I stuck around to walk some dogs. I took a couple of pullers and needed a break. I saw "Max" written on the puppy room sheet. He hadn't been out for a while, so I figured I'd give him a whirl. I'm so glad I did!
I thought Mr. Max was an older doggy since he has a bit of gray on his tail, but nope! This little guy is only 9 months old. He walks perfectly on a leash and is super friendly. He runs in the most adorable little leaps and bounds with his hair floofing around him. Floofing is a word, right? He LOVES cuddles. In fact, he crawled up into my arms numerous times and laid his little head on my shoulder like a baby. He didn't want to get down!
If I could have a dog right now, Max would come home with me in a heartbeat!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A Day of Rest
I am home sick today.
Usually, I love being at home, even if it is because I am sick. I'm a homebody at heart. But I am finding today to be quite frustrating. Often times when I am ill, my brain goes into a kind of sleep mode while my body recovers. I am tired and can't really think or focus on anything. Yet, with this cold, my brain has been functioning pretty well for most of the day, but my body is still sick. I've had trouble keeping occupied because nothing has been stimulating enough for my brain that doesn't require the use of my body.
Maybe I should have suffered through work!
However, as the sun is beginning to set (it's only 4:15 - what's up with THAT?!), I'm trying to embrace today for what it is - a true day of rest. Today is a day where I rested my body and tried to keep a calm mind. I don't get many days like today, and I always complain about not having them. Even when I have days off I always fill them up with something, even if it's just dishes and laundry. Not today. Today I have done nothing.
It has been wonderful.
Usually, I love being at home, even if it is because I am sick. I'm a homebody at heart. But I am finding today to be quite frustrating. Often times when I am ill, my brain goes into a kind of sleep mode while my body recovers. I am tired and can't really think or focus on anything. Yet, with this cold, my brain has been functioning pretty well for most of the day, but my body is still sick. I've had trouble keeping occupied because nothing has been stimulating enough for my brain that doesn't require the use of my body.
Maybe I should have suffered through work!
However, as the sun is beginning to set (it's only 4:15 - what's up with THAT?!), I'm trying to embrace today for what it is - a true day of rest. Today is a day where I rested my body and tried to keep a calm mind. I don't get many days like today, and I always complain about not having them. Even when I have days off I always fill them up with something, even if it's just dishes and laundry. Not today. Today I have done nothing.
It has been wonderful.
Monday, November 14, 2011
A Year of Marriage
A couple weeks ago, Louie and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. It is amazing how quickly time goes by. It feels like just yesterday that we were staying up late together doing homework, walking the streets of Plymouth during the annual art fair, and making plans for our future together.
Many people told me that the first year of marriage is one of the most challenging. I didn't find this to be true. In fact, I found it to be very comparable, if not easier, than the previous couple of years we've spent together. I think for many couples, the first year involves a lot of change - moving in together, realizing that marriage always a fairy tale, finding independence and maybe a new job. For us, many of these challenges occurred before we were married, and our first year was a break from big life changes - we didn't move, we had no large events to plan, no job changes, we already lived together, etc. Not to say we didn't have our challenging moments. "For better and for worse, in sickness and in health" - those vows rang true. Yet overall, we became closer to each other and developed a deeper understanding of where our life together will take us.
We had some amazing adventures! Our honeymoon to Mackinac Island was a blast. It was the end of the season, so there wasn't much to do. That was fine because we have strong homebody tendencies, and we were able to spend a lot of time bumming around the city and our hotel without feeling like we needed to always be doing stuff.
We went to Chicago last winter to see Les Miserables and the art museum. I finally got to see some of Monet's works in person!
We attended the wedding of some of our best friends.
We went on our East Coast road trip which had been on our "to-do" list for years.
It has been an exciting year, and I'm looking forward many more together. The vastness of "The Future" lies ahead of us. There are unending choices to be made, challenges to face, and adventures to be had. I am glad I have Louie to hold my hand through it all.
Many people told me that the first year of marriage is one of the most challenging. I didn't find this to be true. In fact, I found it to be very comparable, if not easier, than the previous couple of years we've spent together. I think for many couples, the first year involves a lot of change - moving in together, realizing that marriage always a fairy tale, finding independence and maybe a new job. For us, many of these challenges occurred before we were married, and our first year was a break from big life changes - we didn't move, we had no large events to plan, no job changes, we already lived together, etc. Not to say we didn't have our challenging moments. "For better and for worse, in sickness and in health" - those vows rang true. Yet overall, we became closer to each other and developed a deeper understanding of where our life together will take us.
We had some amazing adventures! Our honeymoon to Mackinac Island was a blast. It was the end of the season, so there wasn't much to do. That was fine because we have strong homebody tendencies, and we were able to spend a lot of time bumming around the city and our hotel without feeling like we needed to always be doing stuff.
We went to Chicago last winter to see Les Miserables and the art museum. I finally got to see some of Monet's works in person!
We attended the wedding of some of our best friends.
We went on our East Coast road trip which had been on our "to-do" list for years.
It has been an exciting year, and I'm looking forward many more together. The vastness of "The Future" lies ahead of us. There are unending choices to be made, challenges to face, and adventures to be had. I am glad I have Louie to hold my hand through it all.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Thoughts on Home
When I was a little girl, I would dream of the day I would have my own home. I would picture it in my mind - a gorgeous 2 or 3 story home, complete with balcony, fireplace, spiral staircase, a horse barn and pasture, and acres of gardens off a bumpy dirt road, secluded in the forest. I thought I'd grow up, get married, move into a house, and start a family - very 1950s style. It would be an organic move from one home to the next. But what no one ever tells you is that when you move out you have to make a home. Home doesn't just happen.
I've been struggling for nearly four years to feel at home in various apartments in various cities. I'm embarrassed that it has taken me this long to accept that yes, I live in an apartment. This is our home. While it never automatically felt like home, I doubt that any place, even my dream house, would automatically feel like home.
Home is something you create through decor and tradition. Home is something you live through your actions and values. Home is love because of what you bring to it. Home is cozy because it's safe. Home is where you keep everything that is valuable to you - people, pets, things, thoughts, dreams... Home is just as much inside of you as it is a physical place, and whose to say you can't have more than one?
I'm not giving up on my dream house by any means, but I'm working towards creating a home to bring with me when I get there.
I've been struggling for nearly four years to feel at home in various apartments in various cities. I'm embarrassed that it has taken me this long to accept that yes, I live in an apartment. This is our home. While it never automatically felt like home, I doubt that any place, even my dream house, would automatically feel like home.
Home is something you create through decor and tradition. Home is something you live through your actions and values. Home is love because of what you bring to it. Home is cozy because it's safe. Home is where you keep everything that is valuable to you - people, pets, things, thoughts, dreams... Home is just as much inside of you as it is a physical place, and whose to say you can't have more than one?
I'm not giving up on my dream house by any means, but I'm working towards creating a home to bring with me when I get there.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Dog of the Week: Shades!
This week's Dog of the Week is Shades - a gorgeous7 month gray and white pit bull mix.
I saw Shades on HSHV's website last week (www.hshv.org) and immediately fell in love. She's SO cute! This week, I got the chance to walk her.
When I stepped into her kennel, I was bombarded by dog. She was jumping all over me and wouldn't stay still enough to get the harness on. I was a little discouraged. I'd been walking a lot of difficult dogs, and I'd been hoping she'd be as easy as she is cute. I held her still and managed to get her leashed.
Once we got to the play yard, my whole perception of this dog changed. What a goofball! She loved chasing after her kong and would bring it back to me enthusiastically. She looked up at me with those puppy dog eyes and smiled a HUGE smile. Then, she flopped over and let me rub her belly, her tongue lolling out of her mouth. What a silly girl! She was all over me with cuddles.
On our walk, she did great. She only pulled a little, but that's expected as she is still a puppy. She was super goofy - she kept looking back at me as if to say, "Am I doing this right?". She responded to all my ques with tail wags and smiles.
This is one of the things I love about walking dogs at the shelter - you never know what to expect. A dog can begin a walk one way - in this case, with a bad impression - but by the end of the walk you want to take it home with you. It just goes to show that you can't judge a dog by it's photo or breed. Each dog is unique and worthy of a chance. Shades is no exception.
I saw Shades on HSHV's website last week (www.hshv.org) and immediately fell in love. She's SO cute! This week, I got the chance to walk her.
When I stepped into her kennel, I was bombarded by dog. She was jumping all over me and wouldn't stay still enough to get the harness on. I was a little discouraged. I'd been walking a lot of difficult dogs, and I'd been hoping she'd be as easy as she is cute. I held her still and managed to get her leashed.
Once we got to the play yard, my whole perception of this dog changed. What a goofball! She loved chasing after her kong and would bring it back to me enthusiastically. She looked up at me with those puppy dog eyes and smiled a HUGE smile. Then, she flopped over and let me rub her belly, her tongue lolling out of her mouth. What a silly girl! She was all over me with cuddles.
On our walk, she did great. She only pulled a little, but that's expected as she is still a puppy. She was super goofy - she kept looking back at me as if to say, "Am I doing this right?". She responded to all my ques with tail wags and smiles.
This is one of the things I love about walking dogs at the shelter - you never know what to expect. A dog can begin a walk one way - in this case, with a bad impression - but by the end of the walk you want to take it home with you. It just goes to show that you can't judge a dog by it's photo or breed. Each dog is unique and worthy of a chance. Shades is no exception.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Dog of the Week: King!
Meet King!
King is a lovely black and white pit bull mix with a sad story. He was found locked up in a school yard with wounds on his face and neck - poor guy! Apparently someone dumped him over the fence! He's almost all healed up now and doing great. It's hard to imagine why someone would be so cruel to such a sweet dog.
King is a big fellow - as far as pits go - weighing in at over 50 lbs! I love big dogs, but I am slightly intimidated by them, at least until I get to know them. I was nervous about King. A beat up pit. A big pit. But he turned out to be a favorite. He is very obedient and smart - not to mention super goofy! When I asked him to sit, not only did he sit, but he lifted his paw up to shake as well. He really wanted that treat! He walks lovely on a leash and is a big, silly cuddle bug. Check out the evidence!
Be still my heart!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Celebrating Fall
Fall is my favorite season. You can't beat chilly days, sweaters, hot apple cider, leaves changing color, boots... The list goes on. Fall is a cozy time of year where I start winding down from the crazy spring and summer. My body is happier with the cooler weather, and my mind begins to focus on the coziness of the upcoming holidays.
This year, I have decided to celebrate fall daily in order to really make the most of it. Technically, fall doesn't begin until next Friday. However, last Thursday was the first day it really felt like fall to me, so I'm counting that as the first day of fall.
Follow my daily celebration of fall on Facebook, and watch for additional posts here.
Happy Fall!
This year, I have decided to celebrate fall daily in order to really make the most of it. Technically, fall doesn't begin until next Friday. However, last Thursday was the first day it really felt like fall to me, so I'm counting that as the first day of fall.
Follow my daily celebration of fall on Facebook, and watch for additional posts here.
Happy Fall!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
What I Learned on Vacation
1. I love being at home.
This may seem strange to some people who would expect to hear something like, "I love exploring the world!", but it's true. I learned, while being away from home, that I love being at home. Yes, I love seeing the world and experiencing new things, but nothing beats hanging around the house. Home truly is where the heart is. It's where you can truly relax, be with your family (or your cats), and have everything on your own terms.
2. I'm kind of a snob, and I'm OK with that.
I made (OK, Louie made) Super 8 give me a refund. The room was a little to... gross. Surprisingly, the guy behind the bullet-proof glass (that should have been our first clue that this hotel was NOT for us) refunded our $$. Then, we drove down the street and stayed at the Marriott. Much better :)
3. I'm a suburban girl.
I used to think I was a country girl. I grew up in a small town. I loved playing in the woods. I befriend all animals (except Muffins - sorry Muffins. It's just not working out). However, there's something about driving through the mountains of Vermont that really makes you miss seeing a Starbucks at every exit. I like convenience, what can I say? I don't think you'll ever actually see me in a subdivision, but I can guarantee I won't be too far from the mall.
4. I'm tougher than I thought.
I was sick for 5 days of our trip. However, I camped, I walked around, I drove, I explored. And I lived.
5. As much as I complain about my husband being constantly plugged in, I'm very grateful for it.
He made his phone our own personal hot spot. We could get internet in the car so we could get directions. His phone has video and GPS. I could search for a campground, hotel, or restaurant while we were driving. AND we had Netflix in our tent. Sweeeeet!
This may seem strange to some people who would expect to hear something like, "I love exploring the world!", but it's true. I learned, while being away from home, that I love being at home. Yes, I love seeing the world and experiencing new things, but nothing beats hanging around the house. Home truly is where the heart is. It's where you can truly relax, be with your family (or your cats), and have everything on your own terms.
2. I'm kind of a snob, and I'm OK with that.
I made (OK, Louie made) Super 8 give me a refund. The room was a little to... gross. Surprisingly, the guy behind the bullet-proof glass (that should have been our first clue that this hotel was NOT for us) refunded our $$. Then, we drove down the street and stayed at the Marriott. Much better :)
3. I'm a suburban girl.
I used to think I was a country girl. I grew up in a small town. I loved playing in the woods. I befriend all animals (except Muffins - sorry Muffins. It's just not working out). However, there's something about driving through the mountains of Vermont that really makes you miss seeing a Starbucks at every exit. I like convenience, what can I say? I don't think you'll ever actually see me in a subdivision, but I can guarantee I won't be too far from the mall.
4. I'm tougher than I thought.
I was sick for 5 days of our trip. However, I camped, I walked around, I drove, I explored. And I lived.
5. As much as I complain about my husband being constantly plugged in, I'm very grateful for it.
He made his phone our own personal hot spot. We could get internet in the car so we could get directions. His phone has video and GPS. I could search for a campground, hotel, or restaurant while we were driving. AND we had Netflix in our tent. Sweeeeet!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Summer in Review
One of my goals when I began writing this blog was to log all the awesome things I do and include photos.
One of my failures with this blog has been neglecting to log all the awesome things I do and include pictures.
Let's catch up and continue as planned... shall we?
Summer:
Summer began with a trip to Portland, Oregon for the American Peony Society National Convention. Louie got to come with me, which was really awesome! We stayed at the Holiday Inn where the convention was being held. The food was surprisingly delicious for a Holiday Inn! They even had a really neat coffee maker in the lobby where you could choose all your coffee options, and it would customize a drink for you!
We also toured a number of peony and perennial growers including Adelman's Peony Paradise. On our one free day, we toured some gardens in Portland including the Japanese Garden and the Lan Su Chinese Garden. I wanted to go to the Zoo, but Louie wasn't up for it.
All in all it was a great time!
Then, there was my birthday. Our friend's, Ed and Vicki, came up from Indianapolis for that AND the Peony Festival. It was great to see them, and we had a blast.
Later in June, I went to Bonsai in the Bluegrass, a symposium held by the American Bonsai Society and Bonsai Clubs International, in Louisville, KY. I went with a co-worker of mine which I was nervous about at first since I didn't know her that well. We had an excellent time together! Our eating/sleeping/exhaustion threshold are very similar, so that made everything easy! I learned a TON and saw a bunch of cool trees and met a lot of interesting and knowledgeable people. It was a great introduction to bonsai!
In July, Louie and I traveled up to Ludington to put in a perennial garden for his mom. I pre-ordered a ton of plants and had them mailed to her house. We had to haul and spread a TON of good topsoil into the garden area. Of course the truck that delivered the soil dumped it 20 ft. from the garden instead of IN the garden. And it was 90 degrees. We did it though. Everything got planted and mulched. It needs to grow into itself (almost everything was in 4" grower pots), but next year it will be spectacular.
Unfortunately, Louie and I didn't make it to the Plymouth Art Fair this year. That really bummed me out because that is where our relationship bloomed and where we got engaged. We go every year. This year, though, it coincided with the trip to Ludington, and it would have been too much to try to do everything. Oh well. Next year.
At the end of July, I helped to throw a baby shower for my Aunt Patty. It was so much fun to plan and decorate! Execution of the party was a little stressful, but everything went well. It is so exciting that she is having a baby because she has always wanted one. I'm so happy for her and Uncle Sam!
Two weekends ago - the middle of August - Louie and I went to Indianapolis to visit Ed and Vicki. They just got a new house! It's SO amazing! Three bedrooms, hardwood floors, AMAZING kitchen and big back yard. We got to explore downtown Indianapolis as well. I never thought much about Indianapolis, but that's because I'd never been there! It was clean and trendy and FUN! It was a great trip, and I can't wait to go back :)
OK - those are the highlights. Much more happened, but I don't want this to be TOO long of an entry. Upcoming events in my life include a vacation, the renaissance festival, and visits with family.
Let's see if I can keep updating so we don't have to do a "Fall in Review" entry!
One of my failures with this blog has been neglecting to log all the awesome things I do and include pictures.
Let's catch up and continue as planned... shall we?
Summer:
Summer began with a trip to Portland, Oregon for the American Peony Society National Convention. Louie got to come with me, which was really awesome! We stayed at the Holiday Inn where the convention was being held. The food was surprisingly delicious for a Holiday Inn! They even had a really neat coffee maker in the lobby where you could choose all your coffee options, and it would customize a drink for you!
We also toured a number of peony and perennial growers including Adelman's Peony Paradise. On our one free day, we toured some gardens in Portland including the Japanese Garden and the Lan Su Chinese Garden. I wanted to go to the Zoo, but Louie wasn't up for it.
All in all it was a great time!
Then, there was my birthday. Our friend's, Ed and Vicki, came up from Indianapolis for that AND the Peony Festival. It was great to see them, and we had a blast.
Later in June, I went to Bonsai in the Bluegrass, a symposium held by the American Bonsai Society and Bonsai Clubs International, in Louisville, KY. I went with a co-worker of mine which I was nervous about at first since I didn't know her that well. We had an excellent time together! Our eating/sleeping/exhaustion threshold are very similar, so that made everything easy! I learned a TON and saw a bunch of cool trees and met a lot of interesting and knowledgeable people. It was a great introduction to bonsai!
In July, Louie and I traveled up to Ludington to put in a perennial garden for his mom. I pre-ordered a ton of plants and had them mailed to her house. We had to haul and spread a TON of good topsoil into the garden area. Of course the truck that delivered the soil dumped it 20 ft. from the garden instead of IN the garden. And it was 90 degrees. We did it though. Everything got planted and mulched. It needs to grow into itself (almost everything was in 4" grower pots), but next year it will be spectacular.
Unfortunately, Louie and I didn't make it to the Plymouth Art Fair this year. That really bummed me out because that is where our relationship bloomed and where we got engaged. We go every year. This year, though, it coincided with the trip to Ludington, and it would have been too much to try to do everything. Oh well. Next year.
At the end of July, I helped to throw a baby shower for my Aunt Patty. It was so much fun to plan and decorate! Execution of the party was a little stressful, but everything went well. It is so exciting that she is having a baby because she has always wanted one. I'm so happy for her and Uncle Sam!
Two weekends ago - the middle of August - Louie and I went to Indianapolis to visit Ed and Vicki. They just got a new house! It's SO amazing! Three bedrooms, hardwood floors, AMAZING kitchen and big back yard. We got to explore downtown Indianapolis as well. I never thought much about Indianapolis, but that's because I'd never been there! It was clean and trendy and FUN! It was a great trip, and I can't wait to go back :)
OK - those are the highlights. Much more happened, but I don't want this to be TOO long of an entry. Upcoming events in my life include a vacation, the renaissance festival, and visits with family.
Let's see if I can keep updating so we don't have to do a "Fall in Review" entry!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Walk and Wag
The Humane Society of Huron Valley will be holding their annual Walk and Wag fundraiser on May 21, 2011 at County Farm Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan! This is the largest fundraiser of the year for HSHV.
Donate at my personal fundraising page!!!
Humane Society of Huron Valley: Walk & Wag 2011:
Did you know that HSHV receives thousands of lost, stray, abandoned, abused and owner-surrendered animals each year? No animal is ever turned away. Last year, HSHV took in 6,147 lost, stray, and surrendered animals. Four thousand, one hundred, and two animals were adopted, 820 were returned to their owners, and 75 were transferred to other rescue organizations. That's a total of 4,997 animals, or 81.3% saved! Yes, there is room for improvement, but if you've been following the news, you'll know that HSHV was presented with the "Outstanding Large Shelter Award" by the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance for having the highest save rate of a large shelter in Michigan in 2009 with a save rate of 75%. They've already made progress by raising their 2010 save rate to 81%, and they have a goal of 85% in 2011.
Here are some other Michigan animal shelter statistics so you can compare for yourself:
The mission of HSHV is to support the loving, responsible care of all animals in our community by:
- Ensuring proper, nurturing care for the animals in our shelter.
- Placing all adoptable animals in loving homes.
- Reducing pet overpopulation
- Providing education and outreach to the community.
- Stopping animal cruelty.
HSHV is a private nonprofit organization. It is not affiliated with any other humane society, local or national. HSHV relies on the generosity of individuals and businesses to fund all of our programs.
The Walk and Wag is bound to be a fun time! This will be my first time attending, and I am greatly looking forward to it! Participants are encouraged to bring their dogs for the one mile walk-a-thon, followed by dog games. Stop by the "Kissing Booth" to get slobbered on by the Celebrity Spokesdog! Win prizes, get crafty, grab some chow, and see a dog show! To wrap things up, prize winners and top fundraisers are announced.
My fundraising goal is $125, and I'm only at $40!!! I need your help!!! Check out my personal fundraising page to make a donation, or you can write a check made payable to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Every little bit helps to improve and expand life saving programs and support high quality animal care.
Do it for the puppies!!!
Donate at my personal fundraising page!!!
Humane Society of Huron Valley: Walk & Wag 2011:
Donate at my personal fundraising page!!!
Humane Society of Huron Valley: Walk & Wag 2011:
Did you know that HSHV receives thousands of lost, stray, abandoned, abused and owner-surrendered animals each year? No animal is ever turned away. Last year, HSHV took in 6,147 lost, stray, and surrendered animals. Four thousand, one hundred, and two animals were adopted, 820 were returned to their owners, and 75 were transferred to other rescue organizations. That's a total of 4,997 animals, or 81.3% saved! Yes, there is room for improvement, but if you've been following the news, you'll know that HSHV was presented with the "Outstanding Large Shelter Award" by the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance for having the highest save rate of a large shelter in Michigan in 2009 with a save rate of 75%. They've already made progress by raising their 2010 save rate to 81%, and they have a goal of 85% in 2011.
Here are some other Michigan animal shelter statistics so you can compare for yourself:
Oakland County Animal Control = 56% save rate
• Saginaw County Animal Shelter = 29% save rate
• Michigan Humane Society = 28% save rate (3 shelters combined)
• Macomb County Animal Shelter = 26% save rate
• Genesee County Animal Control = 18% save rate• Kent County Animal Shelter = 17% save rate
HSHV is the only animal shelter in Washtenaw County that takes in all unwanted, injured, lost, stray,
abandoned and abused animals, helping over 10,000 dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals every
year
The mission of HSHV is to support the loving, responsible care of all animals in our community by:
- Ensuring proper, nurturing care for the animals in our shelter.
- Placing all adoptable animals in loving homes.
- Reducing pet overpopulation
- Providing education and outreach to the community.
- Stopping animal cruelty.
HSHV is a private nonprofit organization. It is not affiliated with any other humane society, local or national. HSHV relies on the generosity of individuals and businesses to fund all of our programs.
The Walk and Wag is bound to be a fun time! This will be my first time attending, and I am greatly looking forward to it! Participants are encouraged to bring their dogs for the one mile walk-a-thon, followed by dog games. Stop by the "Kissing Booth" to get slobbered on by the Celebrity Spokesdog! Win prizes, get crafty, grab some chow, and see a dog show! To wrap things up, prize winners and top fundraisers are announced.
My fundraising goal is $125, and I'm only at $40!!! I need your help!!! Check out my personal fundraising page to make a donation, or you can write a check made payable to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Every little bit helps to improve and expand life saving programs and support high quality animal care.
Do it for the puppies!!!
Donate at my personal fundraising page!!!
Humane Society of Huron Valley: Walk & Wag 2011:
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Dog of the Week - George!
Funniest dog in the world.
George has had me doubled over with laughter more times than I can count! What makes him such a silly dog? George bounces.
When I first walked George, another volunteer told me that I might just want to take him in the play room because he was afraid to go outside. I decided to try him out and see how he'd do in the big wide world. He did great! As soon as I got him out the door he began prancing and, literally, bouncing, along. Boing! Boing! Boing! All the way down the path. Up to my waist, down to the ground, up to my waist, down to the ground. OH A STICK!
Into the play yard we went. He was so cute! He followed me everywhere! Then, we played "fetch", I'd toss his toy, and George would run two steps and bounce the rest of the way over to the toy until he had successfully pounced on it! I call it "fetch" because whether or not George actually brings the toy back to you is really up in the air. Totally depends on his concentration level... which pretty much means you get the toy back 25% of the time. He'll catch on :)
I really need to get a video of this.
Anyway, George is a cute little pit puppy - about 5 months old - who has been at the shelter for a while. No one can figure out why. He's so darn cute! His eyes are set a little too far apart, and his wrinkly face makes him look like a grandpa. He's a cuddly little fellow, if you can get him to stop bouncing. I'd love to take him home with me - honestly, which dog DON'T I want to take home...
If you're looking for a cuddly, silly cutie pie, George is your little man!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Dog of the Week - Deebo!
The dog of my dreams - Deebo!
I first saw Deebo about two weeks ago when he was still in dog holding - that is where the dogs stay before they are put up for adoption. They get vet checked, behavior checked, and get a chance to be picked up by their owner if they are a stray. I was walking dogs, as usual, and I saw David, the dog holding guy, walking this amazingly huge, scary-looking dog. It was love at first sight. The dog looked so calm and walked to well on the leash. I thought to myself, "Oh man, what a cool dog! WANT! Too bad he's probably too strong for me and probably too hyper/energetic."
This week, I saw they added Deebo to the adoptable dogs list. I was like WHOA! I made my way over to the shelter in hopes that Deebo needed a walk. When I arrived, he DID need a walk. I was kind of intimidated. He's a BIG dog. And the staff was saying he was a pit-mastiff mix. Turns out he's actually a cane corso mix - a type of Italian mastiff. However, I had read his description on the website, and it said he was a sweetheart. So, I walked him.
OH MY GOSH! I LOVE this dog! He was great on the leash. He pulled a couple of times, but despite his being at least 100 lbs, I was able to control him. He responded very well to correction. He knows how to sit. He's house trained. I went into his kennel to cuddle him, and he's an EXCELLENT cuddler. Sniffing in my pockets for treats, pawing at me for attention, laying across my lap, showing his belly for a rub. If I could have this dog, I would.
I have a thing for dogs who look really scary but are actually really sweet. I like the paradox of it. Oh Deebo - if only you could be my dog!
I first saw Deebo about two weeks ago when he was still in dog holding - that is where the dogs stay before they are put up for adoption. They get vet checked, behavior checked, and get a chance to be picked up by their owner if they are a stray. I was walking dogs, as usual, and I saw David, the dog holding guy, walking this amazingly huge, scary-looking dog. It was love at first sight. The dog looked so calm and walked to well on the leash. I thought to myself, "Oh man, what a cool dog! WANT! Too bad he's probably too strong for me and probably too hyper/energetic."
This week, I saw they added Deebo to the adoptable dogs list. I was like WHOA! I made my way over to the shelter in hopes that Deebo needed a walk. When I arrived, he DID need a walk. I was kind of intimidated. He's a BIG dog. And the staff was saying he was a pit-mastiff mix. Turns out he's actually a cane corso mix - a type of Italian mastiff. However, I had read his description on the website, and it said he was a sweetheart. So, I walked him.
OH MY GOSH! I LOVE this dog! He was great on the leash. He pulled a couple of times, but despite his being at least 100 lbs, I was able to control him. He responded very well to correction. He knows how to sit. He's house trained. I went into his kennel to cuddle him, and he's an EXCELLENT cuddler. Sniffing in my pockets for treats, pawing at me for attention, laying across my lap, showing his belly for a rub. If I could have this dog, I would.
I have a thing for dogs who look really scary but are actually really sweet. I like the paradox of it. Oh Deebo - if only you could be my dog!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Dog(s) of the Week - Misty and Roscoe
This week, I met two amazing dogs at the humane society. I couldn't decide which one to write about, so I'm going to tell you about both of them.
Misty is an 8 year old German shorthair pointer, and I'll admit, she isn't as easy on the eyes as some of the other dogs. She's a generic looking dog, and she's super skinny because she was lost for a while before she was brought to the shelter. She'll be more attractive when she gains 10 pounds. Hopefully, that will improve her coat, too, which is currently a bit rough.
Well, Misty needed to go out, and I was there, so I took her. My feelings about this dog did a 180 within the first 5 minutes I was with her. She knew her name, walked great on the leash, and her eyes showed how much she wanted to please you. In the play yard, she picked a toy, and brought it to me. We played fetch for FOREVER. She just wouldn't stop. She loved it so much! Then, as I was getting her back on her leash to finish the walk, she started sniffing around in the snow. She pinpointed a spot and dug down about 4 inches. Then, she stuck her whole head under the crust of the snow and came up with a toy. How clever! She smelled this toy under inches of snow and had the determination to get it and bring it to me! That sold her on me. Misty is awesome.
That was Wednesday. I walked the dogs twice this week, and I was lucky enough to take Misty out a second time on Thursday. What a great dog! Generally, her breed is high energy, and yeah, she has a lot of it. However, because she's 8, it's less spastic then younger dogs of her breed. If you want a smart lady dog who will keep you company and do everything in her power to please you, Misty is the dog for you!
Next - Roscoe.
So, it's Thursday, about 4:30, and almost all of the dogs have been out three times already... except Roscoe. I go take a look at him since I'm not familiar with him, and I want to be sure I can handle him. Roscoe is the epitome of a pit bull - low to the ground and super beefy. He's a blue and white pit, and he has light eyes which make him super cute up close but kind of crazy looking from a distance. He had to be at least 80 pounds.
Well, I have walked a lot of pits, many of which where crazy pullers, even if they were just 20 pound puppies. Despite my initial intimidation, I decided I would take him out. If he was too strong or rough, I'd bring him back in and let someone else take him. Wow, did I misjudge Roscoe!
What an angel! Roscoe was PERFECT on the leash! Granted, he was wearing a prong collar, which I am sure helped. It also made him look super tough. I really love juxtapositions - a sweet dog in a scary looking collar. It really makes my day...
Anyway, Roscoe was such a sweetheart! We did a couple of laps of the dog-walking path, then we headed for the play yard. Boy, does Roscoe love to play! He is excellent at "tug", and once he gets the toy, he loves to be chased. He needs a little work on "fetch", but the adorableness of him running around playing keep-away makes up for this.
If I was to take a pit home right now, it would be him. Amazing dog - super intimidating to look at! Hopefully, the positive remarks of the volunteers and staff will get people to realize he's not as scary as he looks.
It was a good dog week!
Misty is an 8 year old German shorthair pointer, and I'll admit, she isn't as easy on the eyes as some of the other dogs. She's a generic looking dog, and she's super skinny because she was lost for a while before she was brought to the shelter. She'll be more attractive when she gains 10 pounds. Hopefully, that will improve her coat, too, which is currently a bit rough.
Well, Misty needed to go out, and I was there, so I took her. My feelings about this dog did a 180 within the first 5 minutes I was with her. She knew her name, walked great on the leash, and her eyes showed how much she wanted to please you. In the play yard, she picked a toy, and brought it to me. We played fetch for FOREVER. She just wouldn't stop. She loved it so much! Then, as I was getting her back on her leash to finish the walk, she started sniffing around in the snow. She pinpointed a spot and dug down about 4 inches. Then, she stuck her whole head under the crust of the snow and came up with a toy. How clever! She smelled this toy under inches of snow and had the determination to get it and bring it to me! That sold her on me. Misty is awesome.
That was Wednesday. I walked the dogs twice this week, and I was lucky enough to take Misty out a second time on Thursday. What a great dog! Generally, her breed is high energy, and yeah, she has a lot of it. However, because she's 8, it's less spastic then younger dogs of her breed. If you want a smart lady dog who will keep you company and do everything in her power to please you, Misty is the dog for you!
Next - Roscoe.
So, it's Thursday, about 4:30, and almost all of the dogs have been out three times already... except Roscoe. I go take a look at him since I'm not familiar with him, and I want to be sure I can handle him. Roscoe is the epitome of a pit bull - low to the ground and super beefy. He's a blue and white pit, and he has light eyes which make him super cute up close but kind of crazy looking from a distance. He had to be at least 80 pounds.
Well, I have walked a lot of pits, many of which where crazy pullers, even if they were just 20 pound puppies. Despite my initial intimidation, I decided I would take him out. If he was too strong or rough, I'd bring him back in and let someone else take him. Wow, did I misjudge Roscoe!
What an angel! Roscoe was PERFECT on the leash! Granted, he was wearing a prong collar, which I am sure helped. It also made him look super tough. I really love juxtapositions - a sweet dog in a scary looking collar. It really makes my day...
Anyway, Roscoe was such a sweetheart! We did a couple of laps of the dog-walking path, then we headed for the play yard. Boy, does Roscoe love to play! He is excellent at "tug", and once he gets the toy, he loves to be chased. He needs a little work on "fetch", but the adorableness of him running around playing keep-away makes up for this.
If I was to take a pit home right now, it would be him. Amazing dog - super intimidating to look at! Hopefully, the positive remarks of the volunteers and staff will get people to realize he's not as scary as he looks.
It was a good dog week!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Self Worth
Self worth–noun
the sense of one's own value or worth as a person; self-esteem; self-respect.
Self worth is something I have been trying to figure out for a while now. The concept of self worth sounds so simple, but really, it's not.
Turns out that people base their self worth on a number of things: appearance, wealth, relationships, efficiency at certain tasks, academics, career, health,etc.
Turns out these have nothing to do with self worth.
Confused? Yeah, me too.
It seems so logical. You base how you feel about yourself and your status as a human being by rating yourself on certain things. If you excel at these things, your self esteem goes up. You're awesome, and your feeling of self worth rises. If you are "failing" at all of these things, you feel like less of a person. You feel worthless.
The problem with attaching your self worth to your accomplishments (or, more commonly, your failures) is that no one has the same scale. What is beautiful to me may be ugly to you. So, I think you look great, but you think you look terrible, and, of course, what you think is ALWAYS more true than what everyone else thinks (not really) so your self worth falls. You will feel bad and worthless when you focus on your weaknesses, and this may cause you to avoid those situations in which your perceived weakness is highlighted.
How many times have you rated yourself on your accomplishments? I touched on this in the paragraph above. People are more likely to focus on the negative - their weaknesses or perceived weaknesses. Why? Self defense. Fight or flight. If you rate yourself on your grades, even a score of 90% can bring you down. In the big picture, a 90% is awesome! But you expect more of yourself. You think if you are not smart, how will you get ahead in life? That's the self defense - you're looking out for yourself - or at least you think you are. Or, let's say you perceive yourself as doing pretty awesome at life - you have a good job, your financially stable, you look very professional on a daily basis, and you have good relationships. Then you fail a test. Do you focus on all of the things you are doing well? Generally not. You focus on your weakness and your self worth plummets.
There is also the alternative to this - although I perceive it as being more rare. There are people out there who think they have greater self worth than others. They believe they look better, they're smarter, they have a better job, they are handling their money better, etc. Their self worth is through the roof! The problem with this? They are ignoring the fact that there are other people on this planet who, although different from them, have worth. Also, they're super narcissistic and annoying.
OK. So, we've defined self worth. We've discussed how people generally rate their self worth. We've discussed why rating your self worth based on certain things is a misconception of truth. So then the question becomes - how do you rate your self worth?
That is the part I have always had trouble with. I get everything else. It all makes sense. But then it needs to come full circle. What gives a person self worth?
Simple.
You're a person.
That answer used to drive me crazy. So, what? I'm just supposed to feel good about myself because I'm a person? If any of you have tried to accept that thought as it is, it's really hard.
But last night, I got it. Good old analogies!
When I work with dogs at the shelter, I do tend to pick favorites. I generally prefer to work with the dogs that respond well to me and are able to bond with me on a certain level. However, that does not mean that I think less of the other dogs. In fact, I think each dog at the shelter is equally valuable. Each dog brings something different to the table. Each dog evokes a different emotion in you and challenges you in a different way. Each dog is valuable because it is a living creature who impacts your life.
What about the "bad" dogs or sick dogs that have to get put down? I've never been able to 100% accept euthanasia. Sure, I get that some dogs are terminally ill and it makes more financial sense and it is more compassionate to put them down. I get that some dogs are too vicious to adopt out, and there aren't the time or resources to correct the dog's behavior. Are these dogs bad? Are they worth less than the well behaved, cute, healthy dogs?
Not to me - and not to a lot of people who have trouble accepting euthanasia. They are still dogs. They are "bad" or sick because of their circumstances, not because they are inherently less of a dog. Each one still challenges you. Each one still teaches you. And each one still impacts your life. Each dog is valuable.
Apply that to people. Yes, you tend to like and bond with certain people over others. But does that mean that all of the other people are not as valuable? No. You still donate to charity to help the poor. You still love your kid who failed a test. You still love and support the family member who lost their job - you recognize the inherent goodness and worth of the person separate from their circumstances.
THAT, my friends, when applied to yourself, is self worth. Self worth is unconditional self acceptance (USA! USA!) because you realize that you are a valuable human being. You were put here on Earth for a purpose. You have an impact on everyone you meet - and that is worth a lot.
So yes, if you want to, you can rate certain things about yourself. You can motivate yourself to excel in your career, and you can create a scale to determine exactly how you will measure your improvement, and when you succeed, you can feel proud and accomplished. But you must keep this separate from your self worth because regardless of how well you do in the work force, you are still a valuable human being.
Unconditional self acceptance - the understanding that you are valuable to the world even if you have weaknesses. This is a challenging concept and one that takes practice. This does not mean that you can't work to improve your life or strengthen the areas in your life that you would like to strengthen. It just means that you must be gentle with yourself. You must be compassionate to yourself as you would be to the lowliest creature. You must give yourself time.
Think about it.
the sense of one's own value or worth as a person; self-esteem; self-respect.
Self worth is something I have been trying to figure out for a while now. The concept of self worth sounds so simple, but really, it's not.
Turns out that people base their self worth on a number of things: appearance, wealth, relationships, efficiency at certain tasks, academics, career, health,etc.
Turns out these have nothing to do with self worth.
Confused? Yeah, me too.
It seems so logical. You base how you feel about yourself and your status as a human being by rating yourself on certain things. If you excel at these things, your self esteem goes up. You're awesome, and your feeling of self worth rises. If you are "failing" at all of these things, you feel like less of a person. You feel worthless.
The problem with attaching your self worth to your accomplishments (or, more commonly, your failures) is that no one has the same scale. What is beautiful to me may be ugly to you. So, I think you look great, but you think you look terrible, and, of course, what you think is ALWAYS more true than what everyone else thinks (not really) so your self worth falls. You will feel bad and worthless when you focus on your weaknesses, and this may cause you to avoid those situations in which your perceived weakness is highlighted.
How many times have you rated yourself on your accomplishments? I touched on this in the paragraph above. People are more likely to focus on the negative - their weaknesses or perceived weaknesses. Why? Self defense. Fight or flight. If you rate yourself on your grades, even a score of 90% can bring you down. In the big picture, a 90% is awesome! But you expect more of yourself. You think if you are not smart, how will you get ahead in life? That's the self defense - you're looking out for yourself - or at least you think you are. Or, let's say you perceive yourself as doing pretty awesome at life - you have a good job, your financially stable, you look very professional on a daily basis, and you have good relationships. Then you fail a test. Do you focus on all of the things you are doing well? Generally not. You focus on your weakness and your self worth plummets.
There is also the alternative to this - although I perceive it as being more rare. There are people out there who think they have greater self worth than others. They believe they look better, they're smarter, they have a better job, they are handling their money better, etc. Their self worth is through the roof! The problem with this? They are ignoring the fact that there are other people on this planet who, although different from them, have worth. Also, they're super narcissistic and annoying.
OK. So, we've defined self worth. We've discussed how people generally rate their self worth. We've discussed why rating your self worth based on certain things is a misconception of truth. So then the question becomes - how do you rate your self worth?
That is the part I have always had trouble with. I get everything else. It all makes sense. But then it needs to come full circle. What gives a person self worth?
Simple.
You're a person.
That answer used to drive me crazy. So, what? I'm just supposed to feel good about myself because I'm a person? If any of you have tried to accept that thought as it is, it's really hard.
But last night, I got it. Good old analogies!
When I work with dogs at the shelter, I do tend to pick favorites. I generally prefer to work with the dogs that respond well to me and are able to bond with me on a certain level. However, that does not mean that I think less of the other dogs. In fact, I think each dog at the shelter is equally valuable. Each dog brings something different to the table. Each dog evokes a different emotion in you and challenges you in a different way. Each dog is valuable because it is a living creature who impacts your life.
What about the "bad" dogs or sick dogs that have to get put down? I've never been able to 100% accept euthanasia. Sure, I get that some dogs are terminally ill and it makes more financial sense and it is more compassionate to put them down. I get that some dogs are too vicious to adopt out, and there aren't the time or resources to correct the dog's behavior. Are these dogs bad? Are they worth less than the well behaved, cute, healthy dogs?
Not to me - and not to a lot of people who have trouble accepting euthanasia. They are still dogs. They are "bad" or sick because of their circumstances, not because they are inherently less of a dog. Each one still challenges you. Each one still teaches you. And each one still impacts your life. Each dog is valuable.
Apply that to people. Yes, you tend to like and bond with certain people over others. But does that mean that all of the other people are not as valuable? No. You still donate to charity to help the poor. You still love your kid who failed a test. You still love and support the family member who lost their job - you recognize the inherent goodness and worth of the person separate from their circumstances.
THAT, my friends, when applied to yourself, is self worth. Self worth is unconditional self acceptance (USA! USA!) because you realize that you are a valuable human being. You were put here on Earth for a purpose. You have an impact on everyone you meet - and that is worth a lot.
So yes, if you want to, you can rate certain things about yourself. You can motivate yourself to excel in your career, and you can create a scale to determine exactly how you will measure your improvement, and when you succeed, you can feel proud and accomplished. But you must keep this separate from your self worth because regardless of how well you do in the work force, you are still a valuable human being.
Unconditional self acceptance - the understanding that you are valuable to the world even if you have weaknesses. This is a challenging concept and one that takes practice. This does not mean that you can't work to improve your life or strengthen the areas in your life that you would like to strengthen. It just means that you must be gentle with yourself. You must be compassionate to yourself as you would be to the lowliest creature. You must give yourself time.
Think about it.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Dog of the Week - Nina!
Hi everyone!
I've decided that since working with the dogs as HSHV has become such an important part of my life that each week I'll feature my current dog crush. This week - Nina!
Nina is a 4 month old boxer mix. Her family lost their home and couldn't keep her, so here she is. She's such a sweet little puppy! She knows how to sit, and she walks great on a leash. Nina is eager to please and super cuddly. I would take her home in a heartbeat; we had so much fun today! Yay Nina!
I've decided that since working with the dogs as HSHV has become such an important part of my life that each week I'll feature my current dog crush. This week - Nina!
Nina is a 4 month old boxer mix. Her family lost their home and couldn't keep her, so here she is. She's such a sweet little puppy! She knows how to sit, and she walks great on a leash. Nina is eager to please and super cuddly. I would take her home in a heartbeat; we had so much fun today! Yay Nina!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Windy City is Windy!
Howdy folks!
Sorry for my absence the last week. Lots goin' on! Let's update you on last weekend's trip to Chicago... Ready?
It all began on December 25, 2010. Louie and I decided that we weren't going to spend a lot of money on Christmas presents for each other because we wanted to buy a super nice camera. Well, we both failed. My gift ended up being a two night stay at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, highlighted by an performance of Les Miserables. WOO!
So, we left last Friday night after work. Stopped for a quick bite at Wendy's. I'm a little suspicious of the apples that were in my salad. They didn't really taste like apples. Sure, the texture was right, but I have a feeling they were dunked into something to keep them from browning, and that something was supposed to taste like "apples". Anyway, it filled me up.
We arrived at our super awesome hotel around 10:00 pm. Our suite (yes, my awesome husband got us a suite!) was up on the 19th floor. Oh my gosh, you guys! It had double doors! It was the coolest thing ever!
Also, the shower was AMAZING! I love hotel showers.
Anyway, we totally slept way in on Saturday and got moving around lunch time. We visited the Art Institute of Chicago. Awesome. I was super excited to see all of the famous artwork, like the picture from Ferris Bueller's Day Off - A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte- and I refused to leave until we found it.
Finding that piece was the best thing ever, though, because it led us into the Monet room. Monet is my favorite painter. I love how up close you can see every brush stroke and the colors don't really make sense. But when you step back, the blobs of paint become an image that looks so real and so beautiful you wish you were there. I wonder what the world looked like through Monet's eyes. I am super jealous of his garden. I have just now decided, yup, at this very moment, that visiting his garden is one of my life goals. OK, time to get to work on that...
Later that night, we went to see Les Miserables. I have never seen this musical - only heard a couple of the songs. It was beautiful and exciting and amazing - of course. There was this kid sitting in front of us who couldn't sit still. Poor guy. I think it was a mixture of being super excited about the play and then being super bored. Obviously, he was really annoying some of the other people sitting in front of us. Oh well. I'm still on the kid's side on this one. I know what it's like to want to move when you can't! Then, after intermission, some chick sat behind us who was an "expert" on the play. After every song, during the applause, she decided she was going to make "smart" comments to her friend. At the final standing ovation, she wouldn't shut up! AH!
Oh well. The play was awesome, despite our interesting companions in the audience.
Sunday morning was brilliant. We met up with our friend, Peter, over in Hyde Park. He took us to The Original Pancake House. Best. Food. Ever. Wow.
Then, we headed back home.
It was an awesome weekend, and a great Christmas present. It is so nice to be able to escape and relax for a few days. Ahhhh, thank you, Louie!
Next trip to Chicago:
Date - TBD (hopefully when it's actually warm)
Activities - Shedd Aquarium, Morten Arb (so I can see my buddy, Sara!), shopping on the Magnificent Mile, Comedy Show (as recommended by Peter) followed by dinner at an awesome restaurant (also recommended by Peter)
Now, we just need to save up some dollars...
Sorry for my absence the last week. Lots goin' on! Let's update you on last weekend's trip to Chicago... Ready?
It all began on December 25, 2010. Louie and I decided that we weren't going to spend a lot of money on Christmas presents for each other because we wanted to buy a super nice camera. Well, we both failed. My gift ended up being a two night stay at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, highlighted by an performance of Les Miserables. WOO!
So, we left last Friday night after work. Stopped for a quick bite at Wendy's. I'm a little suspicious of the apples that were in my salad. They didn't really taste like apples. Sure, the texture was right, but I have a feeling they were dunked into something to keep them from browning, and that something was supposed to taste like "apples". Anyway, it filled me up.
We arrived at our super awesome hotel around 10:00 pm. Our suite (yes, my awesome husband got us a suite!) was up on the 19th floor. Oh my gosh, you guys! It had double doors! It was the coolest thing ever!
Also, the shower was AMAZING! I love hotel showers.
Anyway, we totally slept way in on Saturday and got moving around lunch time. We visited the Art Institute of Chicago. Awesome. I was super excited to see all of the famous artwork, like the picture from Ferris Bueller's Day Off - A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte- and I refused to leave until we found it.
Finding that piece was the best thing ever, though, because it led us into the Monet room. Monet is my favorite painter. I love how up close you can see every brush stroke and the colors don't really make sense. But when you step back, the blobs of paint become an image that looks so real and so beautiful you wish you were there. I wonder what the world looked like through Monet's eyes. I am super jealous of his garden. I have just now decided, yup, at this very moment, that visiting his garden is one of my life goals. OK, time to get to work on that...
Later that night, we went to see Les Miserables. I have never seen this musical - only heard a couple of the songs. It was beautiful and exciting and amazing - of course. There was this kid sitting in front of us who couldn't sit still. Poor guy. I think it was a mixture of being super excited about the play and then being super bored. Obviously, he was really annoying some of the other people sitting in front of us. Oh well. I'm still on the kid's side on this one. I know what it's like to want to move when you can't! Then, after intermission, some chick sat behind us who was an "expert" on the play. After every song, during the applause, she decided she was going to make "smart" comments to her friend. At the final standing ovation, she wouldn't shut up! AH!
Oh well. The play was awesome, despite our interesting companions in the audience.
Sunday morning was brilliant. We met up with our friend, Peter, over in Hyde Park. He took us to The Original Pancake House. Best. Food. Ever. Wow.
Then, we headed back home.
It was an awesome weekend, and a great Christmas present. It is so nice to be able to escape and relax for a few days. Ahhhh, thank you, Louie!
Next trip to Chicago:
Date - TBD (hopefully when it's actually warm)
Activities - Shedd Aquarium, Morten Arb (so I can see my buddy, Sara!), shopping on the Magnificent Mile, Comedy Show (as recommended by Peter) followed by dinner at an awesome restaurant (also recommended by Peter)
Now, we just need to save up some dollars...
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Patience is a Virtue
This past week, I have been dealing a lot with patience. I have recently set some major life goals for myself, but waiting to achieve them/working towards them has really been testing my patience. I want them now.
I've taken a step back to look at why they are causing me such distress.
1. I have wanted these things all of my life and now that I am married and have a good job, I can finally see myself achieving these goals.
2. While these goals are achievable where I am now (physically and monetarily), the future holds an uncertainty - as in, "Where will I be living in two years?" "Is it the right decision to start fulfilling these goals now?" "How can I fulfill my goals AND my husband's goals together without one of us sacrificing too much?"
3. A lot of people I know are achieving MY goals right now. It's frustrating to watch my life happen to other people.
So, what do I do?
I wait. I test my patience. I break down my huge life goals into little pieces and focus on what I can do now. Turns out that there is a lot I can do now to prepare for the future. I can help the people who are currently achieving the goals I want to be achieving - by doing this, not only am I learning what I need to know for my future, but I am being useful and helping out. Joy over jealousy is challenging, but it's surprising how once you get the hang of it, everything feels SO much better.
So here I am, waiting. Being patient. Learning all I can. Fulfilling small goals. Helping those who are working through big stuff in their life. Doing every little thing I can to bring my big goals closer to fulfillment.
Besides, life is not about achieving everything in a snap. It's the journey that makes life interesting. It's the things we learn. It's the patience we acquire. It's the way we cope with frustration and jealousy. The journey makes us strong. The journey prepares us. The anticipation of the future is exciting, but if we had it all right now, what would we do with ourselves? That would be too easy.
Patience: A minor form of despair disguised as a virtue.
-Ambrose Bierce
I've taken a step back to look at why they are causing me such distress.
1. I have wanted these things all of my life and now that I am married and have a good job, I can finally see myself achieving these goals.
2. While these goals are achievable where I am now (physically and monetarily), the future holds an uncertainty - as in, "Where will I be living in two years?" "Is it the right decision to start fulfilling these goals now?" "How can I fulfill my goals AND my husband's goals together without one of us sacrificing too much?"
3. A lot of people I know are achieving MY goals right now. It's frustrating to watch my life happen to other people.
Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.
-Guy Kawasaki
So, what do I do?
I wait. I test my patience. I break down my huge life goals into little pieces and focus on what I can do now. Turns out that there is a lot I can do now to prepare for the future. I can help the people who are currently achieving the goals I want to be achieving - by doing this, not only am I learning what I need to know for my future, but I am being useful and helping out. Joy over jealousy is challenging, but it's surprising how once you get the hang of it, everything feels SO much better.
You must first have a lot of patience to learn to have patience.
-Stanislaw Lec
So here I am, waiting. Being patient. Learning all I can. Fulfilling small goals. Helping those who are working through big stuff in their life. Doing every little thing I can to bring my big goals closer to fulfillment.
Besides, life is not about achieving everything in a snap. It's the journey that makes life interesting. It's the things we learn. It's the patience we acquire. It's the way we cope with frustration and jealousy. The journey makes us strong. The journey prepares us. The anticipation of the future is exciting, but if we had it all right now, what would we do with ourselves? That would be too easy.
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Saturday, January 22, 2011
What's Cooking?
The Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor is located adjacent to Nichols Arboretum. You can see our Gateway Garden and the Peony Garden from their dining room windows. Occasionally, parents and parents or children will come walking through the Arb, but usually they are too busy attending radiation treatments and surgeries.
Last fall, one of my fantastic co-workers signed us up to cook dinner once a month for the Ronald McDonald House. Since we are there neighbor, and a relaxing resource for them when they have the time to visit, she thought it would be nice to make a connection. Since then, the second Tuesday of each month, a bunch of us get together to provide a healthy, well-rounded, home-cooked meal for the families staying next door.
Dinner is served promptly at 6:00 pm. We gather in their newly rennovated kitchen - we all suffer kitchen envy - at 4:30 pm, and start cooking. Sometimes we make everything there, like on pizza night. Other nights, we come with food prepped the night before that just needs to be baked. Either way, delicious smells waft through the house, creating a cozy sense of home - something many of these families miss.
We have met many families going through rough times, but I have yet to hear despair. I'm sure some of the families leave with one less member than they came to Ann Arbor with, but I have not witnessed this. I have only witnessed the hope, the patience, and the love of the families as they wait for surgery and treatments to come to an end.
This summer, before we started cooking dinner for the families, I met a little boy (18 - 24 months old) and his dad. They came through the Peony Garden for a few days on end. We chatted and it turns out this little boy needed heart surgery. One day they didn't show up in the garden. We waited and waited, hoping the little boy would be OK. A few days later, the dad dropped by to let us know the surgery was a success and they would be going home the next day. Yay!
In November, I heard of a family who had just had twins. I hadn't been able to help cook this night, but the story was relayed to me. One of the babies was perfectly healthy. The other was in the hospital, waiting for a new heart. In December, I was able to attend our dinner night. I met the family with the twins. The healthy baby came to dinner with them, sleeping in Grandma's arms. The other was still in the hospital, but had received a new heart. They would be able to go home for Christmas as a complete family.
This week, I met a 4-yr. old who had cancer. It was one of his last nights in Ann Arbor. The U of M hospitals have done pretty much all they could for him, and he would be transferred to the Mayo Clinic in a couple of days. His mom did not despair. She sounded hopeful as she made him a plate and tended to his needs.
Cooking dinner for the folks at Ronald McDonald House is something I hope we can continue as a staff. Not only does it provide excellent staff cooperation and bonding, but it helps our neighbors. In this dark time in their lives, it takes off the pressure and responsibility of having to feed their family. It provides them with healthful, home-cooked food that they can enjoy.
I highly encourage all of you to make time to help those in need. Whether it's the poor, the hungry, or the highly stressed. It allows you to take a step back from your life and put things into perspective. It makes you slow down and appreciate the little things. You don't have to do a lot. You can just bake cookies. But whatever you do, it will amaze you how profound of an impact you can make in someone else's life.
Last fall, one of my fantastic co-workers signed us up to cook dinner once a month for the Ronald McDonald House. Since we are there neighbor, and a relaxing resource for them when they have the time to visit, she thought it would be nice to make a connection. Since then, the second Tuesday of each month, a bunch of us get together to provide a healthy, well-rounded, home-cooked meal for the families staying next door.
Dinner is served promptly at 6:00 pm. We gather in their newly rennovated kitchen - we all suffer kitchen envy - at 4:30 pm, and start cooking. Sometimes we make everything there, like on pizza night. Other nights, we come with food prepped the night before that just needs to be baked. Either way, delicious smells waft through the house, creating a cozy sense of home - something many of these families miss.
We have met many families going through rough times, but I have yet to hear despair. I'm sure some of the families leave with one less member than they came to Ann Arbor with, but I have not witnessed this. I have only witnessed the hope, the patience, and the love of the families as they wait for surgery and treatments to come to an end.
This summer, before we started cooking dinner for the families, I met a little boy (18 - 24 months old) and his dad. They came through the Peony Garden for a few days on end. We chatted and it turns out this little boy needed heart surgery. One day they didn't show up in the garden. We waited and waited, hoping the little boy would be OK. A few days later, the dad dropped by to let us know the surgery was a success and they would be going home the next day. Yay!
In November, I heard of a family who had just had twins. I hadn't been able to help cook this night, but the story was relayed to me. One of the babies was perfectly healthy. The other was in the hospital, waiting for a new heart. In December, I was able to attend our dinner night. I met the family with the twins. The healthy baby came to dinner with them, sleeping in Grandma's arms. The other was still in the hospital, but had received a new heart. They would be able to go home for Christmas as a complete family.
This week, I met a 4-yr. old who had cancer. It was one of his last nights in Ann Arbor. The U of M hospitals have done pretty much all they could for him, and he would be transferred to the Mayo Clinic in a couple of days. His mom did not despair. She sounded hopeful as she made him a plate and tended to his needs.
Cooking dinner for the folks at Ronald McDonald House is something I hope we can continue as a staff. Not only does it provide excellent staff cooperation and bonding, but it helps our neighbors. In this dark time in their lives, it takes off the pressure and responsibility of having to feed their family. It provides them with healthful, home-cooked food that they can enjoy.
I highly encourage all of you to make time to help those in need. Whether it's the poor, the hungry, or the highly stressed. It allows you to take a step back from your life and put things into perspective. It makes you slow down and appreciate the little things. You don't have to do a lot. You can just bake cookies. But whatever you do, it will amaze you how profound of an impact you can make in someone else's life.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sleep Hygiene
For the last six months or so, I've been battling severe daytime sleepiness. Often times by 9:00 am, I'm ready to go back to bed. Obviously, this makes the rest of my day extremely difficult. By 2:00 pm it's a struggle to stay awake. Getting out of work at 4:00 pm is a relief - I made it through another day! But then the rest of my life rushes up to meet me, and I have very little energy to respond.
Cooking, something I thoroughly enjoy doing, becomes a chore and as been restricted to nights when I have nothing else going on. It is my singular nighttime activity. It's sad. I know.
Yoga, another of my most favoritest things, becomes increasingly difficult to get to. By the time I'm done, I'm ready for bed!
The cause: unknown.
I have suspected for a while that it is the resulting side effect of a medication I have been on. So, I went to the doctor to switch it. We agreed that eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep were key in feeling awake during the day. I do all of these things. He said to exercise more and try this other medicine. Question: how do you exercise MORE when you can hardly keep your eyes open at 9:00 am? It's a challenge. Let me tell you. He also did routine blood work to make sure I didn't have a thyroid problem and that I wasn't anemic. The blood work came back normal, and after three months of being on the new medicine, nothing changed. I went back to the doctor and said, "Hey, this didn't work!" Want to know what he said? Trust me, you do.
He said, "Hmmm, let's keep you on this medicine for a while longer to see if anything changes. Also, try to exercise more."
That was it.
Bravo!
Anyway, I went to a different doctor, switched meds again (higher dosage of what I was previously on)- which has helped my energy level increase a bit - and got some more advice. Apparently, I have "poor sleep hygiene".
What is sleep hygiene? Sleep hygiene is good sleep habits. Getting up and going to bed at the same time every day. No naps during the day. No caffeine past 2:00 pm. Sleeping in a dark, quiet room, uninterrupted.
It makes sense, right? After chatting with this doctor, who has been very helpful in numerous ways - so I'm trying to go along with what he says - I realized how poor my sleep habits have become. It's actually kind of embarrassing, which is why I am not sharing them here :)
Here's my new plan:
1. Wake up daily at 6:00 am
2. Exercise for 15-20 minutes in the morning
3. No naps!
4. No caffeine past 2:00 pm
5. Exercise 30 min - 1 hr in the afternoon/evening
6. Go to bed at 10:00 pm
7. Sleep in my bed, in a dark, quiet room
It sounds simple, yes? I've been trying to do this since Thursday. How have I been doing? FAIL!
Thursday night I slept on the couch with the TV on.
Friday I had coffee at 2:00 pm (it was delicious and I wouldn't change that) and fell asleep on the couch at 9:00 pm.
Saturday I had coffee, took a nap, AND fell asleep on the couch before 9:00 pm.
Today, I was up at 5:30 am. Step 1 = success. I can work with this! Today, I WILL follow my new sleep rules.
I know it sounds silly, but I'm really at my wits end trying to figure out why I am always so tired. At this point, I'll try anything. Even if it doesn't work, it will be good to have my body on some kind of normal routine again.
My next doctor's appt. is on Feb. 23. We'll see if upping my exercise and sleeping better helps - if not, well... let's not think about that :)
Cooking, something I thoroughly enjoy doing, becomes a chore and as been restricted to nights when I have nothing else going on. It is my singular nighttime activity. It's sad. I know.
Yoga, another of my most favoritest things, becomes increasingly difficult to get to. By the time I'm done, I'm ready for bed!
The cause: unknown.
I have suspected for a while that it is the resulting side effect of a medication I have been on. So, I went to the doctor to switch it. We agreed that eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep were key in feeling awake during the day. I do all of these things. He said to exercise more and try this other medicine. Question: how do you exercise MORE when you can hardly keep your eyes open at 9:00 am? It's a challenge. Let me tell you. He also did routine blood work to make sure I didn't have a thyroid problem and that I wasn't anemic. The blood work came back normal, and after three months of being on the new medicine, nothing changed. I went back to the doctor and said, "Hey, this didn't work!" Want to know what he said? Trust me, you do.
He said, "Hmmm, let's keep you on this medicine for a while longer to see if anything changes. Also, try to exercise more."
That was it.
Bravo!
Anyway, I went to a different doctor, switched meds again (higher dosage of what I was previously on)- which has helped my energy level increase a bit - and got some more advice. Apparently, I have "poor sleep hygiene".
What is sleep hygiene? Sleep hygiene is good sleep habits. Getting up and going to bed at the same time every day. No naps during the day. No caffeine past 2:00 pm. Sleeping in a dark, quiet room, uninterrupted.
It makes sense, right? After chatting with this doctor, who has been very helpful in numerous ways - so I'm trying to go along with what he says - I realized how poor my sleep habits have become. It's actually kind of embarrassing, which is why I am not sharing them here :)
Here's my new plan:
1. Wake up daily at 6:00 am
2. Exercise for 15-20 minutes in the morning
3. No naps!
4. No caffeine past 2:00 pm
5. Exercise 30 min - 1 hr in the afternoon/evening
6. Go to bed at 10:00 pm
7. Sleep in my bed, in a dark, quiet room
It sounds simple, yes? I've been trying to do this since Thursday. How have I been doing? FAIL!
Thursday night I slept on the couch with the TV on.
Friday I had coffee at 2:00 pm (it was delicious and I wouldn't change that) and fell asleep on the couch at 9:00 pm.
Saturday I had coffee, took a nap, AND fell asleep on the couch before 9:00 pm.
Today, I was up at 5:30 am. Step 1 = success. I can work with this! Today, I WILL follow my new sleep rules.
I know it sounds silly, but I'm really at my wits end trying to figure out why I am always so tired. At this point, I'll try anything. Even if it doesn't work, it will be good to have my body on some kind of normal routine again.
My next doctor's appt. is on Feb. 23. We'll see if upping my exercise and sleeping better helps - if not, well... let's not think about that :)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
How much is that googie in da window?
"Come here Kaylee! Come on! Come here! .... Good girl!... Leave it... Leave it... Gooooood girl! Sit! Siiit... Sit. GO! GO GET IT!"
This is what you hear over and over in the dog play yards at the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) where I've been walking dogs for just over a year. It's been a roller coaster of a ride. I've experienced pure joy and heartache. I've gotten covered in mud and bitten. I've been snuggled and licked. Despite everything that's happened, each time I go in to see my doggie friends, my heart beats a little faster, and I have to reign myself it so I am not running down the hall to see them.
This journey into the world of animal shelters began in the winter of 2008. A dear friend of mine's sister had found a stray cat in a dumpster. "Fluffy" and he was later called, became a fast friend to everyone he encountered. He was an excellent snuggler, and a cute little guy. I was called in for cat sitting over the Christmas holiday from school. It was then I noticed he was sick - coughing, snotty, loose stools, super skinny. This poor little guy needed to see a vet! So, I scheduled him an appointment with my vet, and my friend as well as one of our mutual friends came with us.
We found out that Fluffy was still a baby - just over a year old. He had a bad ear mite problem and an upper respiratory infection. Because he had come off the streets and was in such bad shape, the vet decided to to a Feline Leukemia test. As we sat in the room, waiting for the results, we kept telling ourselves he was negative. He would be fine, and we'd get through this.
Unfortunately, we were wrong. The test came back positive. Poor Fluffy had a terminal illness. The best option at this point was to euthanize him. I have always been against animal euthanasia unless it's a seriously severe case. With Fluffy, we could have gotten meds to fix him up. He could have lived in a single cat home with this disease until it took him. However, he was already so sick, he was not my cat - I had a cat, and thus could not nurse him back to a "healthy" state at my apartment - and we were all college students - how could we afford a sick cat?
That afternoon we put Fluffy down. We stayed by his side and petted him as he went to sleep. It was a horrible day. Both my friend and I felt so sad that this had to happen. How could people just leave animals out on the street where they can get so ill? How could we change things so that these animals didn't have to suffer?
It took me a year, but finally I got into the HSHV volunteer training program. I knew I couldn't help every animal. I didn't have the time or the means to do so, but I could help THESE animals. These animals that had been surrendered or abandoned or abused - I could do something for them to make their life a little better until they found new homes. I found solace in this.
After a rigorous training course and 10 hours of cleaning duty, I graduated to the next level. I could be a "Cat Cuddler" or a "Dog Walker". This was a tough choice! I am definitely a crazy cat lady. Everyone knows it. However, I've been wanting a dog for way too long. So, I figured since I had cats to cuddle at home, I would be a dog walker to fulfill my need to have dogs in my life. It worked!
It has been SO fun to meet all of the new dogs, get to know them, spend time with them, and help get them into new homes. Each dog has a unique personality and needs. It is SO fun to play fetch in the play yard, to chase and be chased, and to snuggle up together for a good petting session. These are the good days.
Every now and then it gets rough. When all of the kennels are full, when all of the dogs are barking, when a dog is shaking in the corner - those are the hard days. Those poor dogs! It makes you angry, and it makes you wonder. How come there are so many homeless dogs? How can people just give up their 10 year old dog because they're moving - don't they even consider how the dog will feel? How can people box up two 50 lb dogs together in a super tiny crate and leave them on the side of the road? How come we get TRUCK-LOADS of unwanted dogs from the southern states? What a horrible ride that must be for them on top of their emotional loss! These are the days I don't want to be there.
You can't think about it. You grab the leash and walk. Walk walk walk. It's all you can do. Get the dog out of the chaos and have some fun. That's the only thing that makes you feel more hopeful. When the dog's tail comes out from between it's legs and starts wagging - when they begin to prance - when they chase the ball and bound back to you smiling - that makes it better. That's why I go.
I have not met a bad dog. Yes, there are difficult dogs, but there are no bad dogs. Each of these dogs is deserving of a wonderful home. They've been through so much, and the visitors don't often seem to realize that. It's frustrating. But if you can get the dog out of there and into a good home, even if the visitors don't realize what they're doing when they adopt - it makes you feel better. The dog has a chance. It will all be OK.
It's been sad to see some of my favorites leave. Scrappy, the pit bull/ Great Dane puppy - who I bonded with last winter- got a home after 6 months of being the shelter. I missed seeing him every week, but I knew I didn't have to worry about him anymore. Donnie and Marie - the pits who were in the crate by the side of the road and refused to walk their first day at the shelter because they were so scared - they've got homes now. Their huge pit smiles can shine on and bring joy to someone else.
This is Baby Zac. He's been at the shelter since he was 2 months old. He's 4 months now, and I'm wondering how much longer he'll be with us...
To meet all the other googies visit http://www.hshv.org/AdoptableDogs
I've learned so much! I've learned how to handle a rough pit bull. I've learned that euthanasia is an unsavory, yet necessary practice, and I've come to terms with it. I've learned patience. I've learned joy. I've learned sorrow. But most of all, I learned what I could do to help.
This is what you hear over and over in the dog play yards at the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) where I've been walking dogs for just over a year. It's been a roller coaster of a ride. I've experienced pure joy and heartache. I've gotten covered in mud and bitten. I've been snuggled and licked. Despite everything that's happened, each time I go in to see my doggie friends, my heart beats a little faster, and I have to reign myself it so I am not running down the hall to see them.
This journey into the world of animal shelters began in the winter of 2008. A dear friend of mine's sister had found a stray cat in a dumpster. "Fluffy" and he was later called, became a fast friend to everyone he encountered. He was an excellent snuggler, and a cute little guy. I was called in for cat sitting over the Christmas holiday from school. It was then I noticed he was sick - coughing, snotty, loose stools, super skinny. This poor little guy needed to see a vet! So, I scheduled him an appointment with my vet, and my friend as well as one of our mutual friends came with us.
We found out that Fluffy was still a baby - just over a year old. He had a bad ear mite problem and an upper respiratory infection. Because he had come off the streets and was in such bad shape, the vet decided to to a Feline Leukemia test. As we sat in the room, waiting for the results, we kept telling ourselves he was negative. He would be fine, and we'd get through this.
Unfortunately, we were wrong. The test came back positive. Poor Fluffy had a terminal illness. The best option at this point was to euthanize him. I have always been against animal euthanasia unless it's a seriously severe case. With Fluffy, we could have gotten meds to fix him up. He could have lived in a single cat home with this disease until it took him. However, he was already so sick, he was not my cat - I had a cat, and thus could not nurse him back to a "healthy" state at my apartment - and we were all college students - how could we afford a sick cat?
That afternoon we put Fluffy down. We stayed by his side and petted him as he went to sleep. It was a horrible day. Both my friend and I felt so sad that this had to happen. How could people just leave animals out on the street where they can get so ill? How could we change things so that these animals didn't have to suffer?
It took me a year, but finally I got into the HSHV volunteer training program. I knew I couldn't help every animal. I didn't have the time or the means to do so, but I could help THESE animals. These animals that had been surrendered or abandoned or abused - I could do something for them to make their life a little better until they found new homes. I found solace in this.
After a rigorous training course and 10 hours of cleaning duty, I graduated to the next level. I could be a "Cat Cuddler" or a "Dog Walker". This was a tough choice! I am definitely a crazy cat lady. Everyone knows it. However, I've been wanting a dog for way too long. So, I figured since I had cats to cuddle at home, I would be a dog walker to fulfill my need to have dogs in my life. It worked!
It has been SO fun to meet all of the new dogs, get to know them, spend time with them, and help get them into new homes. Each dog has a unique personality and needs. It is SO fun to play fetch in the play yard, to chase and be chased, and to snuggle up together for a good petting session. These are the good days.
Every now and then it gets rough. When all of the kennels are full, when all of the dogs are barking, when a dog is shaking in the corner - those are the hard days. Those poor dogs! It makes you angry, and it makes you wonder. How come there are so many homeless dogs? How can people just give up their 10 year old dog because they're moving - don't they even consider how the dog will feel? How can people box up two 50 lb dogs together in a super tiny crate and leave them on the side of the road? How come we get TRUCK-LOADS of unwanted dogs from the southern states? What a horrible ride that must be for them on top of their emotional loss! These are the days I don't want to be there.
You can't think about it. You grab the leash and walk. Walk walk walk. It's all you can do. Get the dog out of the chaos and have some fun. That's the only thing that makes you feel more hopeful. When the dog's tail comes out from between it's legs and starts wagging - when they begin to prance - when they chase the ball and bound back to you smiling - that makes it better. That's why I go.
I have not met a bad dog. Yes, there are difficult dogs, but there are no bad dogs. Each of these dogs is deserving of a wonderful home. They've been through so much, and the visitors don't often seem to realize that. It's frustrating. But if you can get the dog out of there and into a good home, even if the visitors don't realize what they're doing when they adopt - it makes you feel better. The dog has a chance. It will all be OK.
It's been sad to see some of my favorites leave. Scrappy, the pit bull/ Great Dane puppy - who I bonded with last winter- got a home after 6 months of being the shelter. I missed seeing him every week, but I knew I didn't have to worry about him anymore. Donnie and Marie - the pits who were in the crate by the side of the road and refused to walk their first day at the shelter because they were so scared - they've got homes now. Their huge pit smiles can shine on and bring joy to someone else.
This is Baby Zac. He's been at the shelter since he was 2 months old. He's 4 months now, and I'm wondering how much longer he'll be with us...
To meet all the other googies visit http://www.hshv.org/AdoptableDogs
I've learned so much! I've learned how to handle a rough pit bull. I've learned that euthanasia is an unsavory, yet necessary practice, and I've come to terms with it. I've learned patience. I've learned joy. I've learned sorrow. But most of all, I learned what I could do to help.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)