Saturday, December 23, 2006

2 days...

Christmas is 2 days away... just two. For some reason, it doesn't really feel like it yet at times.

As soon as I get into the Christmas mood, I listen to Christmas music on 103.3. They start playing nothing but Xmas music from around Thanksgiving until Xmas. I was singing along to "Do You Hear What I Hear" yesterday and I noticed something. Now, I've been listening to this song since I was a kid, singing along since then too. Everyone knows the part "Let us bring him silver and gold." It's the next line after "A child, a child shivers in the cold." Sure, the kid's cold - bring him precious metals, that makes sense.

Dude, bring the kid a blanket!

Anyway, I'm heading down to Glen & Elissa's to do Christmas with them before heading over to Joe & Ellin's to do Christmas with them. I wasn't going to bring Millie because of her back, but I don't think I'm going to be able to get back up here. I don't know, we'll see.

I did manage to get about 80% of my wrapping done last night. My back was *killing* afterwards, but at least the gifts I'm bringing today are wrapped. :)

Ok, enough procrastinating - gotta go. :)

D

Friday, December 22, 2006

opposite of wrapping...

Funny thing happened the other day. I spent some time wrapping presents and got a bit of it done. I arranged them under the tree in a pleasant, eye-appealing way, because that's what you do with Xmas presents.

I forgot, however, that everytime Millie sees a wrapped present, she's allowed to open it. Yes, I wrap the kids toys and let them unwrap them Xmas morning. Yes, it's insane, but quiet enjoyable to watch dogs open their own gifts. Try it, you'll see. :)

Anyway, I came home to find my beautiful display of presents strewn across the room. Unwrapped, courtesy of Millie. :) She looked so pleased and was so happy she went and got one of the unwrapped boxes to show me. How could I be angry at that? I'm sure she was confused when all she got was box after box instead of the normal stuffed animal or bone. Apparently she doesn't much care and I can save a boatload of cash by getting her boxes. ;)

Won't she be surprised when she gets ANOTHER chance to open gifts this year!

I wasn't able to get my normal Xmas cards done (like this) so I plan on taking pictures Xmas morning and sending them out instead. :)

D

when it rains...

I know own a percentage of my vet's office - or at least I should after all the $$ I've dropped there in the last week! Too bad it doesn't actually work that way. :p

Millie: We visited the emergency hospital at Bulger for the first time the day before yesterday. It was 3am, we weren't doing anything, so we went for a drive. Don't I wish. :) Millie woke me up to go outside 3 am Thursday. When she came back in, she jumped up on the bed and laid down. Every time she moved, she cried and whimpered. She sat up but wouldn't put any weight down on her right front leg. After 1/2 hour of trying to feel what was wrong, we went to the emergency room. Millie dislikes going to the vet but I found out she dislikes strange vets even more. With her tail tucked, she avoided Dr. Hernandez every chance she could. I was told to give her some aspirin and follow up with my vet since she was going to fax a report over.

Neither of us slept the rest of the night, though we both tried. She cried every time she moved, which pulled me from whatever state of rest I was in. We both got tired enough and finally slept for 1/2 hr around 6:30am. Every cry and whimper tore my heart out! We saw Dr. Lisa yesterday afternoon, where she said it might be a slipped disk. Millie's on Rimadyl for a couple of weeks in the hopes it'll pop back into place. In the meantime, no treeing squirrels for her! We both slept wonderfully last night. :)

Pacie: I brought Pacie to the vet last week for blood work. Both he and Freddie's water intake have increased to an alarming level since they were sick in September. Pacie's results came back and they weren't all that great. He was very low on some things and very high on others. We went back to the vet yesterday to do a few more blood tests. She switched his food and added a supplement to his diet. I'll find out the results next week.

Freddie: Pacie is certainly far worse when it comes to the water thing, but Freddie is still much higher than he should be. Since they had the same sickness in September and have the same symptoms, we did a kidney panel to see if he had the same results as Pacie. We're holding off on treating him for anything until we see those results.

Knock on wood the cats are fine though! lol

I'd pay it 5 times over but dropping a grand on the kids the week before Xmas is tough! If any of you were thinking of a Xmas present, cash is a good idea. ;)

In other news, Sue's baby is great, I'm feeling pretty good minus the typical joint crap, and my weekend is booked solid. Saturday I'm heading down to Glen & Elissa's to give Eek his presents and then over to Joe & Ellin's to give all of them their presents. Sunday I have my family thing to do in the afternoon, so I really need to get the rest of the presents wrapped by then! Monday I'll be at Chris & Sue's first thing in the AM, then back home to watch my kids open their gifts, then potentially over to Mary's for a little while, then to my Dad's to do the immediate family thing, and finally over to my cousin Tina's to play pokeno. :) That's a lot to do so some of it might not happen - especially since I don't have the day after Xmas off.

But, considering I should've been in work 15 minutes ago and I haven't showered yet, it's time to go. :)

D

p.s. - Paula I got your email - that sounds good and I'll write back later today. :)

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

wrapping...

I have so much wrapping to do it's pathetic. I'll be in a frenzy with tape pieces stuck to my clothing, disheveled hair, and a bow stuck to my ass by the time it's all done. I was going to do it last night but then I remembered I needed to get the gifts done for my co-workers so I could bring them in on Wed. I think I finished that up around 1:00am. I looked in the mirror this morning and noticed I was *covered* in glitter - and I mean covered! How does one get glitter in one's ear? When you find out, let me know. :)

Otherwise, there's really not too much going on at the moment. My nights are filling up quickly with useless shit, my weekend is already totally booked. I'm going to need a vacation from Xmas day with all the traveling I have to do.

I woke up this morning, late of course, but I was so befuddled I immediately panicked. I had no idea what time or day it was. Gotta love those mornings.

Well, I'm trying to do this while keeping up with some computer processes that I have to do every 5 mins for the next couple of hours and I'm failing miserably. Perhaps I need more coffee. :)

D

Monday, December 18, 2006

holy crap

Christmas is one week away. Where the hell did the time go?

This weekend was a mix of relaxing and busy. Friday night I sat in front of the firepit and got quite toasty. The beer went down too easily and I was so hypnotized by the fire. I was out there for hours and *none* of my wrapping got done.

Saturday I had a hard time shaking off that wobbly feeling you get from drinking more than you should. :) I started wrapping the gifts until it was time to head to my sister's for our pre-christmas get-together. I had talked to *M* for a little bit on Friday night. I really wasn't sure what to do with that whole situation. There were a couple of things I wasn't all that thrilled with and I didn't know what to do. But, he called Saturday morning and saved me from having to make any decision at all! He said he didn't feel the chemistry was there and that we shouldn't see each other anymore. I said yes, I agree, thank you, and goodbye. :)

All those things? Every other sentence ends in "and stuff." "So I went to my car and stuff." "He shouldn't do that and stuff." Petty, huh? If it didn't end in "and stuff" it ended in "it's weird." Oh, and "What the heck" was heard a billion times too. In a sentence, he would repeat the subject three times. I know I'm going to be able to do this one justice so just trust me without an example. He said he understood how busy I was, but then pushed and pushed for us to get together. I got 4 emails in a row asking if I had a chance to look at my schedule, even though I replied with No. "Once you look at your schedule we can make plans, As soon as you pick a day we'll do something, have you looked yet, when are we getting together, how about we do this on this day and this on this day and this on this day." Now the only thing I can picture is the second I sat back from dinner him coming towards me with his tongue hanging out. Can I finish chewing? I say, you're going to0 fast. 15 mins later he does it again. I say, I'm not sure how I feel so stop. 20 mins later, again. I say you are fine right where you are with my hand on his head keeping him away. Finally, another 15 mins later he attempts to come at me with his tongue hanging out again (have I mentioned how unattractive that is?) and I've had it. Clearly I didn't understand what signals I was giving because the more I pushed the more he came at me. I'm just glad that I didn't have to say anything to end it. :)

Sunday I did some more wrapping, finished a blanket I was making for Cameron, and was going to head to our flyball party but something came up and I stayed here instead. I had a CSI marathon tivo'ed and lost myself in that. :)

School is over and I'm pretty happy about that!!! It'll be nice to not worry about assignments for a few weeks. Plus the classes coming up are technical and I enjoy those so much more than workplace communications. Oh, I got a B in that so there goes my 4.0. Ah well. The pressure is off!

Jeez, I have to jet to work! I just noticed the time.

D

Friday, December 15, 2006

still so far behind...

The beginning of the week was all about visiting the baby and finishing my class work. Last night *M* came over. I don't know where that's going... more importantly, I don't know where I want that to go. There are a number of things I'm not that happy about with him. But sometimes they seem so petty... I just don't know.

Anyway, I had no plans for the weekend and now I'm not sure I have enough time to do everything I need to do. I *have* to get everything wrapped - make sure I have everything I'm supposed to have, etc., etc. That's my plan for tonight, after visiting the baby of course.

I have to make bath salts this weekend. I'd like to make cookies and drop them off for the city employees that helped during the flood. My sister is spending the holiday down in Florida with my mother so we're getting together Saturday to exchange gifts with her. I have to head to the supermarket to pick up stuff to make for dinner. She wants me to make chicken parm.

Sunday I have a get-together with the flyball team to celebrate the success of our flyball tournament. I'll have time before and hopefully after to do the cookies - at least that's the plan. :)

Tonight will be quite enjoyable. I like wrapping presents! I'll have the lights on, watch the Grinch and whatever other Xmas shows have Tivo'ed, make some hot chocolate with a splash of caramel liquor, and wrap presents. :) Once the shows are done, I'll put on some TSO and Charlie Brown Christmas CDs and hopefully finish up. :) I'm sure it will depend on how big the splashes are in hot chocolate. :) If I get done early enough, maybe I'll head outside and finish the night in front of the firepit. :)

But first I need a baby fix so I'll head over to Sue's before heading home. :)

Today shouldn't be too bad a day. I have lunch with the guys and a few things to get done before the weekend. My office mate is working from home so I can listen to Xmas music all day and won't even need my headphones. :)

D

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Anybody get that license plate?

Because I still feel like I got nailed by a truck. Ok, I'm sure if I was actually hit by a truck I'd feel much, much worse but Wow!

The tourney was great - a *ton* of work, but good. :) Everyone seemed to have a good time, we all got to know the BOD better, Cindy got the RD position, and all is well in flyball land. I really need to question our sanity if we decide to hold a 2-ring tourney again though. :)

My little Neely came into the world on December 11th at 3:46am. :) He's very cute and has huge cheeks! I was there yesterday and am going to stop in on my way to work. But to do that I have to get out of there so this is all you're getting today!

D

Saturday, December 9, 2006

tournament

Flyballpalooza, here we are.

Let me just say that I can't wait until it's over. Everyone is stressed and ... well... you know how that makes people. The next time we attempt to put on a flyball tourney that rivals Ringling Brothers, please shoot me.

D

Friday, December 8, 2006

No time, no time

Second day in a row I'm up early!! (Ok, on-time actually.) I have to pack my clothes, I have to pack Freddie's stuff, I think I have all of the stuff needed for flyball in the car but I have to double check that. I remembered to wrap the present for our All Hands holiday meeting today. Now I just have to remember the dog! lol

Speaking of time, I've wondered just who these people are that play with time. Next year daylight savings time is starting earlier and ending later in the US. Western Australia just added daylight savings time. Normally there's a 12 hour difference (for my friend in Perth and I). When it's daylight savings time here, there's a 13 hour difference. When it's daylight savings time there, there's a 14 hour difference. Do these people have the biggest egos or what?! "What do you do for a living?" "I control time." [insert Dr. Evil laugh here] Sheesh.

Ok, my thoughts are all over the place with everything I have to do. I still have to call my brother and refresh his memory on feedings too. And bring the dog food into the house. And shower. Ugh. Gotta go.

D

Thursday, December 7, 2006

Up early today...

I actually woke up at 5:30am. I'm sure it's cold in hell or pigs are flying somewhere. :)

Last night I went out to dinner with Sue, Chris, and Aunty Kathy, then came home and did homework. I got feedback on the rough draft - apparently I have a lot of editing to do. I'm hoping Holly won't mind helping me clean it up over the weekend.

Tonight I was supposed to get together with Paula & Kate to fold the catalogs. However our admin is light on work and offered to do them all - even stapling them and inserting the schedules! Woohoo! Thanks Julie!

I have to pack everything up tonight, including a bag for the weekend. I have to remember to bring all of the display stuff I have as well. I also have to remember to bring my dog to work with me tomorrow since I'll be leaving from work to get to Fitchburg. I should really print out directions as well. :)

So much to do, so little time. :) I'm so glad I took Monday off!!

D

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Nevermind...

I found a quick and easy solution for the subscription service so I just added it to get'r done.

Those of you who subscribe will get an email tomorrow from Feedblitz as I've switched your account over from Bloglet. I'm closing Boglet so you don't have to worry about doing anything there.

Any questions - just ask.

And now I'm late for work. :)

D

booked solid...

Guess what idiot was up until 1:30am doing homework? Yup, that would be me. Although I'm still a moron for screwing it up, at least I won't have to worry about it while at the tournament - which is when it's due.

My spare time is few and far between for the next 6 days - I am booked solid!

I'm meeting Kate for lunch today so I can give her samples and the calendars to add to the BOD and welcome baskets. I have to remember to bring the 10 BOD catalogs too.

I'm meeting Sue & Aunty Kathy for dinner tonight. Probably the last chance I'll get to see them before Monday. Then I have homework to do.

I've printed out about half of the catalogs and need to print out the rest today. Paula & Kate are coming up tomorrow night to help fold and insert the schedules. I suppose I should clean off the table so we can use that, huh? :)

Friday I have to go into work for an All Hands meeting. Then I'm leaving for Fitchburg right after that to help set up. My brother is staying with the dogs this weekend. Oh crap! I'm gonna have to bring Freddie with me to work....I have to figure out the logistics of that one.

Saturday is the tournament and the dinner. Sunday is the tournament and cleanup.

Monday is a day off. :) I have to get Pacie into the vet, return the Tivo's and Tivo upgrade kit (Oh you missed it when Tivo broke - lucky you), and figure out what's what for Xmas. I'll probably start wrapping too. Meanwhile, I still have school until next Thursday.

In blog related news, the subscriber service isn't working so I have to figure out what to do with that. In the meantime, I'll send emails out lettting everyone know there's been an update. I'll have a solution when I can breathe.

Now though, I have to jet!

D

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Brrrr...

Yeah, I'm not used to this cold weather yet. It's 26 degrees out and I want to just hide in bed. But I can't because I have to go take all of the recycling out.

The trash guys are here now so if you hear a ton of barking, that would be my house. How dare anyone take the stuff we want to throw away?? The nerve.

Anyway, guess which moron did next week's homework assignment instead of this week's homework assignment? Yup, that would be me. Stupid. So instead of focusing on my final paper, I have to read 3 chapters tonight and do yet another assignment. The good thing is that next week I won't have to worry about reading or doing any assignments and can just focus on my paper. I'm such an idiot sometimes.

I can't wait for this class to be over though. It's starting to be a bit too much with work, the holidays, and everything else that's going on. I'll have 3 weeks off before the next class - yay!

I had a Dr's appt. yesterday and I was less than pleased by what I was told. I have plantar fasciitis in my left foot - I've had it for quite a while. I have inserts in my sneakers and sleep with a brace on and have been for months. Yesterday I got a bunch of "must nots". I must not wear any other kind of shoe except sneakers. I must not exercise in the form of walking (the dogs are gonna be pissed) or using the NordicTrac. (question - how does one stop exercising yet stay active so one's back does not freeze up?)I must not blow off physical therapy any longer. Blah, blah, blah. And the worst one - I must not compete in flyball. Yeah right! That ain't happenin'. The only "must" I got was that I must have this sound wave, extracorporeal blah blah procedure done in January. Yay. I hate my genetics.

I also found out yesterday that Sue needs to have a C-section, which makes my foot thing seem not all that important so I should really stop bitching. :) Little Neely is too big so they're going to let him finish baking and then pull him out. The when part is unknown right now, but I'm going to be pissed if it's while I'm at the tournament. Next Monday works much better for me. ;) Yeah, Sue thought that was selfishly funny too.

I've been kinda seeing this guy lately - we'll call him *M*. I'm taking my time, trying to figure out what I want. He has a heart of platinum and would spoil me outrageously if I let him. He's a sports nut - and I mean *nut* so I'm just wondering if I can handle constantly hearing about how the basketball, football, softball, etc. game he played went. :) Eventually I'd have to actually show up at one of those things too. The only sport I know about - hockey. The only sport he doesn't play - hockey. Good fit, huh? lol As I said, I'm taking my time. :)

Well, Dawn needs to stop procrastinating and take all the damn recycling outside. Maybe I should just give in... I'm sure *M* wouldn't mind taking the recycling out. :)

D

Monday, December 4, 2006

Ok, ok I'm back

I took some time off from the world. The loss of my little girl kicked my ass and I had to hibernate to save my sanity. Don't worry, you weren't the only ones that were blown off - everyone was.

You know what they say, life goes on.

Far too much has happened in the past 7 weeks for one post so I'll update you on the bigger things and the rest will come out in time.

My cousin Sue is about to pop anyday now. She's due Dec 9th but I'm hoping she goes a bit early. I have a flyball tournament that weekend and will be staying onsite in Fitchburg. Speaking of which, Paula let me know how much I owe you for the room. Anyway, I'm very excited and can't wait to get that phone call. :)

The other big deal is the flyball tournament next weekend. We're hosting this tournament and all the bigwigs at flyball headquarters are coming up to hold their annual dinner/meeting. It's a really big tourney with 47 teams entered - read pandamonium. Oh, we could use a few more bodies to help out so if you aren't doing anything, send me an email. I pay in pizza and beer. :)

The question I received the most was 'what happened' with Skootchie? I'm sorry I didn't get back to any of you on that, it was really just too painful to write about. But, here's what happened. Skootchie threw up on a Saturday and I figured she just ate something out in the yard or had a stomach bug. I tried to feed her on Sunday but she was having none of it. I boiled Chicken and rice for her Monday and she still wouldn't eat so it was off to the vet. Her eyes and skin turned yellow on the drive over there. She was in full blown liver failure and there was nothing anyone could do. I held my baby until the end, telling her I loved her and apologizing for not noticing it before it was too late. My vet tried to assuage my guilt by telling me it's not uncommon for dogs to not show any symptoms. I've gone back and thought of her behavior to see what I missed. Almost 2 months later, I almost believe her.

I miss my girl. Life isn't the same without her. My heart isn't the same without her.

So, in honor of my girl, I went out and got my first tattoo. My friend Pat is an incredible artist and works at Pino Bros. ink in Cambridge. I gave him the plaster of Skootchie's paw print that I have, which he then drew out. I absolutely love it and think it's a fitting memorial for my little girl. That really is her actual paw print....



Moving on, I'm still in school, with 10 days left in this class. It's unfortunate but my perfect gpa will be gone after it. I just didn't care as much as I should've and there was too much going on.

The house is decorated for the holidays and almost all of the shopping is done. I think I need just a couple of gifts but until I compare what I have to my spreadsheet I won't know for sure.

Today is the perfect day to work from home as I sit on the couch surrounded by the dogs, watching tiny little snowflakes fall from the sky. Alas, I can't.

But I'm back.

D