- ADOPTED- & Doubly Blessed- Ain't I Lucky?
October 9, 2006 -
Good Morning Friends- (Romans? Countrymen)??? Lend me your ears!
(OK, yeah, that was bit too far back to civics- -even for me)...
Today is my 2nd birthday of the year! How about that? Today we always celebrated the day that I 'came home' to the farm... Having finally been placed in a home for possible adoption- (And no more floating around Milwaukee and the Fox Cities for me)!
Gee, the thought occurs to me that nobody wanted little old me... ???
...Aw crap, with that comes an awful reality: They DO say "the more things change, the more they stay the same" ---
!!!! ...and I'm SO not going there- ...(At least I am going to try not to think about THAT one)!
Ultimately I WAS adopted- But having children of my own, I cannot imagine the 1st year that I was placed here; and the fear that ran rampant in mom and dads' hearts- You never know if an adoption will 'go through' until after that 1st year... And so they waited, and loved me anyway! I do not know if I would be that strong, facing the possibility of having to return a child to another. (I am thinking that having just lost my stepdaughter, even death would be comparable to a birthmother ultimately NOT signing away her parental rights after all that time). Had Donna changed her mind, I would have only been a memory to my parents...
I have touched on this subject before- and for clarification here goes nothing... I have done my adoption search, and am so very pleased to have done so. My birthparents are each wonderful people in their own right; and credit where credit is due, I owe them my life for giving me mine! But then there is Mom and Dad- and my sister Mary too. (And those of you who know me know what a odd bunch of people we were to be thrown together)! Yet, this is my family. These are the people who raised me, kissed my boo-boos, spanked my butt, and tried to teach us right from wrong- Being children, (of the 60's and 70's), we didn't always listen as we should have- But I think that has gone on long before our time, and will continue forever too... Yet again, they loved us anyway.
Now as far as my birthparents go... I am happy enough to know that they loved me enough to trust me to another. I cannot share their own fears for having to even decide to give a child up for adoption; especially since I have raised my four daughters virtually alone. (Yet too, I had those children when it was more acceptable to be a parent raising children alone). My birthparents loved me then, and they love me now... How much more fulfilling can it get?! And as my blog title says: "Ain't I lucky?!?!"
...A special note to the smart-a**es in my little crowd here (and you KNOW full well who you are!)... ...this 2nd Birthday thing does NOT make me 96)!
Such a quiet weekend- and yet, busy enough too- Have been nursing this head of mine along since late Friday afternoon- another of those on again/off again miserable migraines- and wish that they would go away forever... I took the darned Maxalt- (it makes me feel as though I drank a zillion cups of coffee- yuck)- But it did make it lessen for a while. I am now quite gun-shy about taking anything; even if it is prescribed, but did not care to be barfing all weekend either. And took more than a few rests too- Didn't always fall asleep, but at least I can go to my darkend room and rest a while...
Yes, my little Casey has been 'segmentectomized', but is quickly returning to being "herself" (OK, everybody say a Big "YAY")!!!! With each phone call yesterday, EVERY person that she spoke to commented exactly the same!!!!
She is still more than a bit weak, but sure is up and about now too! Years ago, these partial lung removals would put a body down for a long time--- but no more! All of us should be very thankful that it has finally dawned on the medical profession that "up and about" (not to mention OUT of the freakin' hospital) is the only way to go!
Roberta took Casey to finally go pick up her car- It had been sitting in St Marys parking lot since a week ago Friday when she had been hospitalized- The next day she was 'ambulanced' over to St. Vincents, but her car had stayed behind...
Happy that it is out of there too- There is a somewhat seedy apartment complex next to the hospital there- and I am glad the "characters" that live there have left it alone! (Thank you, "Characters").
Kelli and Tim did come yesterday- and made a bunch more progress on my entrance roof before they ran out of nails. (Insert "haha")- Whoever heard of a carpenter running out of nails!?!? But I never even heard the pounding- being fast asleep in my bed at that point... (I only do that when my head is threatening to kill me, or make me postal)....
Enough of this for now- I am sitting back here with my sunglasses on, (my head being so nasty), and want to read a few more of your own blogs and then maybe get a little nap in- (Not fair, how come I just cannot sleep straight thru?- this 3 +/- hours every now and then just isn't right)...
...And no, I will not take sleeping pills... My doctor had given me that Ambien to try- but I won't take it after reading all about it (and the many MORE absolute horror stories there)... Plus, it didn't work for me, so why take something that wasn't doing me any good in the 1st place? (Wouldn't that fall into the 'duh' category)?
I hope everyone, (again, NORTH of that Mason-Dixon Line) had a chance to get out and enjoy this beautiful fall weekend- there aren't too many of them left in Mother Nature like this one...
Now you will have to tell me all about your weekend(s)! Go ahead, you can do it, hit that comment button, and start talkin'!!!!
XOXO
AnnePS- The picture above- Our Harvest Moon-rise... (as seen through my dying flower bed)!
Anna~Anna
"Flintville Annie"
© 2006-2015
ADOPTED- & Doubly Blessed- Ain't I Lucky?
Punk #1 "ARF!"
- Punk #1 "ARF!"
-
Hi- I'm PUNK! Yup, That's me in the picture above...
"She" doesn't feel like writing today; and so, (like everything else lately), this must fall on my cute little shoulders. I already help her pull her weeds for Snoopy sakes... And I suppose NEXT she'll be wanting me to do the dishes! (I'll just drool and fart- that'll teach her)...
I would much rather be chewing on my bone- or even just being a pest... (I'm REALLY good at that sometimes)- But NO, I have got to do the daily blog here. That's OK, the 'bone' supply is completely unacceptable- (I think "she" is really Old Mother Hubbard in drag)...
This typing thing is silly- and as I only have the 4 toes on my paws it'll take me forever- (Yeah, I've still got the dewclaws, but they are pretty useless- I can't even scratch anything with them- ...except by mistake).
And so, here is one day in the life of a wee little somewhat abused and neglected dog... Me!
"She" said we would go for a ride yesterday- And I always want to go back for the real long ride and to the real BIG water to swim so I get all excited. So wanting to look my best, I try and try to get into the shower with her, but since 'she' is so mean, she will not let me do this today- I don't understand why not either- it was OK two days ago...
Right after that, we went to town- (and NOT for the real long ride)- I was still mad about the shower thing, so I decided right then and there to get her pretty good on that ride... "She" had even given me a little bit of that Dramamine pill so I wouldn't get sick in her new Buick Rendezvous. She says she's sick and tired of scrubbing it out; but I think it smells way better AFTER I barf in it anyway- I don't like the way her 'clean' smells. (It makes my nose drip)...
And so, into Green Bay we went- But not really to the 'Bay' part- she won't let me go into the Bay- She just drives over it and lets me dream about swimming- She's mean like that too...
As we were going up a big street, her little box rang- (I forget what she calls it)- and when she starts talking she always ignores me- so I threw myself on the floor and started squirming; and added a little fart. Hee-Hee-- This got her attention RIGHT AWAY- (Anything like that usually does)... And so, she stopped talking to the box, and kept looking at me...
There were lots of other cars- and BIG noisy things too- I HATE those big things- (they have way too many wheels to run me over with)... And so, I started squirming some more. When I do this, she will pull over- But we were in a place that was all hard stuff- ('concrete' I think she called it)- She turned a corner, and found a nice grassy place- and so I poo'ed. She still thinks this is so cool that I do this; (what a weirdo she is)! But she always says what a good doggie I am for going poo.
We ALL do. Poo. Whoop-pee-doo! No big deal. You would think the sun rose and set with my ability to 'do poo' though... And then she scoops the poo into a bag and takes it along... (Whatdya guess she wants it for anyway)???
She had to stop at a gas station- and she makes me wait in the car. This really makes me mad cuz I can't even hardly see her then. (Now, back at home, the little girl went away; and I just KNOW that "SHE" will go away too- then what will I do)? I'll be all alone that's what. "She" has told me that it is called 'separation anxiety' and that it will pass... (Yeah, like doo-doo)? I don't know about that... (But I know that 'she' knows all about 'anxiety' -so it must be true)...
Anyway, I looked around at this gas place and could see all the little cars, (and the really big things) driving past -really fast and really loud. It scared me, so by the time she got back in, I was back on the floor once more. It's just so loud and stinky in town. (And way too many wheels)... But get this, she even gave the gas station my poo! I guess that's what those big round grey things eat.
By the time she turned the car on, I got back in my seat, and since I had no more poo, I turned on the drool... Now this also fetches her attention. Even though I know it does nothing to keep me cute... But she has these towels she takes along; even though I have my very own mat that the little one bought for me. (And if I didn't have this special mat, I would be slip-sliding off those darned leather seats every time she stopped or even turned a corner)!
But back to my precious drool... Oh, she gets plenty upset when I have that clear slimy stuff just hanging down from both my cheeks... hee-hee... (arf!)... She says something about "Beethoven" and just keeps driving, trying to not pay any attention to ME- and then I lay my head down and just look up at her, and she gets even more upset.
She wipes my mouth. That ticks me off too- hard to keep making more of that stuff... But I can- and DO!
She has to go to a few places and I always go hide on the floor then. And GET THIS, at one place I KNOW they gave her a treat for me, but she hid it in her pocket- (like I didn't KNOW )??? See how mean she is???
But FINALLY, it is time to go home! Since she won't give me my treat, (I cannot be letting her think this is alright), I drool -LOTS and LOTS, (I'm on a roll now); and I yawn too- (Adding the yawn absolutely makes her ill because of how it accentuates the drool). So I throw a few more yawns in just to make her go faster. (I love it when she goes real fast)!
Just as we get home, I lean over into herself, and I rub my mouth and my face all over her brand new jacket... She looks real pitiful, and says something that I think has to do with doo-doo and poo-poo- (She'll think twice before she tries to ignore me about the shower and as we drive now)! Then she gives me my treat and lets me stay outside with my mama for a little while longer than usual too.
AND THEN... THE LITTLE ONE THAT WENT AWAY CAME OVER TO SEE ME! I was SO happy! ...It's been kinda weird around here without her, and it's been weird anyway- Everyone that comes is kinda sad, so I start to do funny things and I think it helps too! Even my mama outside in her house has been sorta quiet for a while, but it's all getting better... And then the little one even took me for a little drive- Now, I don't never drool on her because I am so happy, and she doesn't ever ignore me... Then we came back home...
The little one left me again, and the big one was kinda sick later- Been that way all night and today too... Now I kinda feel bad for her because I don't think she means to be getting my attention with her own drooling! Poor thing. And I guess maybe she really has been good to me too- taking me in to see Dr. Spires to get those itchy stitches off my belly, and to get me all ready with the Heartguard and the Frontline- I'm good til next year!
So I will just go lay down by her now and see how she is- maybe the little one will come back and help her feel better... She'll take her for a ride and when they come back, 'she' is kinda funny -and then she goes to sleep for a long time. (I'd better not eat too much in case I don't get let outside later)...
"ARF" to all; (that's like 'aloha' the way us dogs use it )...
With Love, from PUNK
Boys Will Be Boys..
- Boys Will Be Boys...
-
Good Morning;
I have been up since about 1:30am- just doing not too much of anything- Reading some news-
Mary had come up on Thursday with Buddy- He had a fairly large welt on his lower neck that needed a bit of cleaning and she was too wussy to do that herself. I shaved his neck, cleaned him up real good, and sent her home with some of my special salve to put on it.
Punkin, Buddy and Miss Milly played together for almost an hour before Miss Milly decided to run away again. I sure wish I knew where the heck it is that she oes when she does this. And so, Mary, Buddy and I jumped in the old Roadmaster to go look for her. (Punk took a nap in front of the fan)! We gave up after not finding her in the woods or at any of the closest neighbors; and of course when we got back here, we were greeted home by none other than Miss Mildred herself! Oh well- She was laying in the corner- in the shade by her kennel-
Gee, had we even looked there to begin with? (Probably not)... Too much on our minds that day between Reianna, Michael coming home for a doctor appointment and her Buddys neck owwie!
Mary had called again late yesterday afternoon- Her son Michael had gone in to the doctor for the recheck on his knee; and also because he was up all night the night before so ill. He had literally been feasting on spinach while at college, (UW-Oshkosh), and now our youngest 'Popeye' was so very sick. And so, she had brought him in for that too- worrying that with the E-coli outbreaks around that his spinach also might have been contaminated... Even though he has shown some of the symptoms, they do not believe it to be e-coli- Perhaps just a bad case of the flu... Hopefully so- By afternoon he was keeping down a bit of water and also a bit of jello-
Such was HER day yesterday--- Until late afternoon that is-
...She had put Buddy outside in her backyard to play for a while- When Little Buddy came in, he wouldn't even eat his supper.
AND THEN HE STARTED THROWING UP TOO! ...
She called me then, wanting to know what the heck kind of flu could possibly be transmitted from humans to dogs in that short period of time?? (Hell if I know)- and she was crying so badly about her poor little pup. Once again, I am no vet. I told her that maybe he had something stuck in his throat- (know what I know now, I never guessed I would be THAT close- or that far away from the truth)! -or maybe he had just eaten some grass and barfed- But no, he kept on barfing... And so I told her to call the vet. She brought him in- and they said to leave him overnight and they would do testing etc... That the doctor would call in about an hour and a half to let her know what was going on...
Fast forward through blood tests, xrays, and over 2 hours later... they called her back. Buddy had an 8" stick in his stomach, and needed emergency surgery to get it out. They said the surgery itself would take about an hour and a half. This was at about 9:45. And so, before I turned down my covers last night I included an extra-special prayer for her little dog too. This prayer list of mine sure gets more than full at times, but there is always room...
Once again the vet had misjudged the timing of it all--- Mary finally called me at 1:30- that the Vet had finally completed the surgery on Buddy... The phone waking me up, (sounding like it was ringing in a distant place and not right next to my bed).
The vet told her he had been wrong about the stick-
...It was a full 18" long!!!!
(I believe that would have killed him in very short order had she NOT brought him in last night)...
Buddy has staples now. And hopefully, with her quick concern, and reactions too, this stick has done no major or permanent damage- the vet didn't think there were any perforations anywhere; but that Buddy will definitely need some real close monitoring for a while. Praise God- (I would have no more little dogs to offer to her at this point and she has grown so attached to her pup).
Poor little guy- was just neutered about 2 weeks ago- and now this...
Yup. Yup. Yup. "Boys will be boys"
So now you can tell all your friends that you now know of a dog that has had its stomach stapled! A little 'Gastic Bypass' - on a Pup!!! (Methinks the Bariatric Center would be very intrigued)!!!
These pups get into MORE trouble...
...And the vet told Mary this was a first for himself too- He has removed panty hose, toys, and many other things- though admittedly much smaller- and the dogs were much sicker too- But never in his entire career has he ever had to remove an 18" stick from a dogs stomach; let alone a 5 1/2 month old pup! (I told her that for the vets bragging rights alone, the surgery should be half price)! She said she will never ever again leave him out of her sight!
Time to get my backside moving- Will put on a bit of breakfast for when the boys get here to help move- (Better that they are working on full tanks anyway)! I have too much to clean- and will never catch up on any of it- Maybe next week I will worry about that... Its going to get worse before it gets better anyway with Casey moving and all...
Hope all is well(er) in your little corner of the world.
Love to you,
Anna-Anna
PS YES, that is the actual stick I am holding next to Buddy...
Mary said she will have it gilted and framed...
Reianna Marie DeGrave- (including my own written memorial to her family)
- Reianna Marie DeGrave-
(including my own written memorial to her family) - September 14th, 2006
- Reianna Marie DeGraveMarch 10, 1979- September 13, 2006
- "Rest in Peace My Sweet Little Girl"
- "The Will of GOD will never take you
where the GRACE of GOD will not protect you." - Asleep
in God's beautiful garden
Away from all sorrow and pain
Someday when life's journey has ended
We’ll all be together again.author unknownReianna as always a 'daughter'; as I was Dennis 2nd wife.Not from under my heart, but forever in it...Here now, is a copy of my own little memorial/tribute to Reianna...
There are no words... I have been up for the better part of 3 hours already- staring at this screen,
Alone with my own offerings, my own prayers, and my own little thoughts; and with my most wonderful memories of Reianna...
.
.
Susan... Dennis...
I have prided myself on my ability to put myself in other peoples shoes. But I don't think that anything I can even think of would appreciate the pain you are in right now. And there is nothing that can possibly be said to help to lessen that grief for you.
Through you both I have been given the opportunity to love your little girl, and for that I promise to always remain grateful for being entrusted with loving Reianna.
My memories of, and love for Reianna, will both live on always- for my own lifetime and in my own heart...
Daniel...
I cannot even begin to know your own loss and shock. Age not-with-standing, you were always the 'big' brother- and Reianna has always had your constant, abiding and faithful love and support. That is what 'family' is all about. Having you to count on, to "step up to the plate" now with respect to the babies, meant the world to your sister- and meant PEACE to her soul as well. Your love for her and her's for you will live on in you always.
Zoe... Jennifer... Roberta... CaseyAnne...
Sometimes knowing that love offered, taken, given and shared, is enough in its entirety to hold onto for a lifetime. It is not how long we are here to love, but rather how well and how very much we love for the time that we are here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
.
Once upon a time I had met this beautiful, bashful, quiet, 'wouldn't eat beans' little girl. While she did learn that those beans would not harm her, I respect that Reianna had many other fears besides those damnable beans...
As a small girl, she was prone to throwing her tantrums- almost comedic in retrospect... Pitching herself to the floor, (no matter where we were)- and screaming something fierce. After a while, we did learn to just walk away- but this too took time, and broke our hearts- Once done though, she never did throw herself to the floor again.
As a 1st grader, Reianna gave all she had to learning how to read- and the effort she put into it was an enormous one. With this effort, came a whole new world that opened up to her.
And she blossomed- and with that, she grew. Going to Parent-Teacher Conferences, the one thing that has forever remained in my heart is her teacher telling us what an exact joy it was to have Reianna in her class because every day she got a world of free hugs; ...and so very much love to look forward to.
This ability to love is Reianna's true spirit. The very same spirit that Reianna tried to hold onto- desperately at times. Most especially as a young adult; if only to find and to keep her own little place in this most ungracious and terribly unforgiving world.
And she overcame so very much in her too-short life... Learning to trust in herself, to have faith in her own soul, and in her own heart were only two of those things.
Learning to love herself as the beautful woman she was, was another.
And through the Amazing Grace of God Reianna found her way to persevere.
And she continued to grow and to learn-
She learned mostly that sometimes she just had to take one baby step at a time- and at others, there were offered those HUGE steps forward.
.
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
.
Kain. Makayla. And Michael.
(Reianna's very own huge steps... and her legacy to us all).
.
Michael- at 9 months, still to take his own first baby steps;
Kain and Makayla already in school- and already displaying their own unequalled spirits.
The pain will pass and the good memories and your love for your mother will always live on in the spirits of each of you.
.
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
.
Again...
Kain...
Makayla...
Michael...
Susan... Mother...
Dennis... Daddy...
Zoe Catherine...
Jennifer Hope...
Daniel Bernard...
Roberta Marie...
CaseyAnne Louise...
May God Bless You All...
Each and Every one..
Not only for today and tomorrow, but may His Blessings sustain your hearts throughout your own lives- until you can all be together again.
My Deepest Sympathies and My Forever Love;
Anne/Ma/Mom
.
.
September 14, 2006 4:00 AM
.
METHADONE
Please also see 20/20 article: "One Pill Can Kill"
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2475616&page=1
Good Morning;
Most of you who are on my friends list here have probably already received my email from this morning- This is a copy of that email then...
Those of you that are lurkers here- or even just passing through
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS
I have also attached Reianna's entry... including my own little tribute to herself and to her family too....
------------------------------------
here is my email:
Hi all,
Did you have a chance to catch ABC's 20/20 last night? This story had the first spot, a story, (actually many stories) about people who have died taking prescribed dosages of methadone. This is what Reianna took the night before she died...
Please do NOT take this drug for ANY reason!
EVER!
And please forward this on to all of your family and friends too. This knowledge IS that important...
Here is a brief synopsis of their program last night then... One Pill Can Kill http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2475616&page=1
METHADONE
Killing More Than Pain, Killing Patients
By JIM AVILA and BONNIE VANGILDER
Sept. 22, 2006 — - Pain pills are the new "pocket gold" on the street, so valuable to drug dealers that the neighborhood prescription counter has become the target of routine holdups.
Bandits have been caught on surveillance video jumping over counters, not for cash in the register, but for Percocet, OxyContin, and a new favorite, methadone.
No matter how it is acquired, illegally or by prescription, methadone is now the leading drug killer in many states.
In North Carolina, methadone-related deaths have increased by 50 times in recent years, skyrocketing to more than one death every other day. Cheap and Lethal
Methadone is prescribed more frequently and sold on the street for as little as 25 cents a pill.
Ruth Winecker, a chief toxicologist for the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office, says methadone is so cheap, insurance companies promote its use.
Often doctors wrongly prescribe methadone for temporary pain, such as a migraine headache, menstrual cramps, or a pulled tooth.
Winecker says the danger with methadone is that it stays in your body for a long time.
About 15 hours after you take a methadone tablet, half of the tablet is still active in your system.
Now autopsy reports are showing that even people who suffer legitimate pain and have prescriptions from their doctors can be at risk. Lives Lost to Methadone
Michael Houston, 17, of Winston-Salem, N.C., lost his life to methadone.
His parents, Terry and Lisa Houston, say he had too many activities on his plate to be a drug abuser.
He was active in church youth groups; played guitar and baseball; and, had an after-school job and a girlfriend.
His father, Terry Houston, remembers that his son was very congested and was not sleeping well at night.
"Someone may have told him, 'Take this [pill]. This will help you rest. You'll get a good night's sleep,'" Houston said.
Houston says his son came home from work one night and went to sleep at around 10:30.
The next morning, he didn't wake up.
He was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and was put on a breathing machine for a day and a half.
Michael Houston was pronounced dead. Terry Houston says the autopsy showed that the only drug in his son's system was about 10 milligrams to 15 milligrams of methadone -- only one pill.Shared Grief
The Houstons are not alone in their sorrow.
Three other North Carolina families have lost loved ones to accidental methadone overdoses.
Eddie Ellis' brother, William Ellis, and Darlalu Craanen's husband, Robert Craanen, both died within a week of starting new methadone prescriptions.
Linda Simmons also lost her daughter, Ronda Wilson, a 34-year-old nurse, who was taking methadone for a bad back.
Simmons says the medical examiner called her to tell her that methadone poisoning had caused her daughter's death.
"One pill can be lethal," said methadone expert Lynn Webster, the president of Utah's Academy of Pain Medicine and a practicing pain-management doctor.
Webster analyzed methadone deaths nationally, and he says that the main problem is with new users.
The drug doesn't kick in right away, so new users are more apt to take more and overdose.
So, Webster says, doctors need to strongly warn patients not to soothe their pain with more amounts of the drug.
"If a doctor prescribes too much medicine, you may not wake up two or three days after you start your prescription," Webster said.
By "not wake up" Webster says he means "die."
Robert Craanen, an electrician with severe migraine headaches, took methadone as prescribed and died four days after starting the medication.
"After he passed away, I counted the days and counted the pills. He had taken the proper amount that was prescribed," said Darlalu, Craanen's wife. "He shouldn't have died."
Then there's Simmons.
Her daughter was a high-risk patient, overweight, asthmatic, and suffering from a chronic cough -- not a good candidate for a drug, like methadone, that depresses breathing.
After taking methadone, Simmons says, her daughter was found dead in her sleep by Simmons' grandson.
"Our daughter was a nurse. She just didn't know what she was taking," Simmons said.
"Even educated people don't understand the devastation this drug can cause or how quickly it can happen." Reacting to Methadone
Strangely enough, there was a warning sign in all these patients before their deaths.
Terry Houston woke up in the middle of the night when he heard his son snoring extremely loudly.
Eddie Ellis says he noticed the same thing before his brother, William, died.
"I could hear him snoring, outside," he said.
Doctors say uncharacteristic snoring is a sign that a patient may be suffering from methadone poisonings.
"We see this constantly. In tons and tons of cases that cross my desk, the patient was snoring, doesn't usually snore, making gargling sounds," said chief toxicologist Winecker.
"Those are all indications that the patient is toxic."
Innocent patients are dead, and many were never warned on their prescription bottles about the tricky nature of taking methadone.
The Houstons say they are angry at themselves that their son is dead.
"Angry for not being awake when he came home that night. … Angry at God for not giving him another chance."
Copyright © 2006 ABC News Internet Ventures
Take care-
With love always, "Anna-Anna"
Things NOT to do when you are out-of-doors!?!?
Such a w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l day it was... (and it is really, really friggin' scary to think that it is not even over with yet)!
ANSWER: What are thunderstorms and fires?
QUESTION? Name two things that leave me completely unsettled, unnerved and disquieted...
A nice storm last night;- if ever any storms can be called 'nice' in the first place. But good timing as I had planted a zillion flower seeds yesterday. Besides, storms at night seem to bring in the next morning quiet and calm. As was the case this morning--- Out early to let the puppies out- a quick pee/poo for them, and back inside they went back to sleep. Thinking I could do this fast, I let them out before I had gotten dressed- No biggie, or so I thought... until a car went by and beeped their horn at me. DO NOT go out to 'pee-poo' puppies while you still have your jammies on- You WILL get caught!
Back inside, humiliated, CaseyAnne had come down about 8, having terrible pain once again- She took two pain pills and went back upstairs to sleep. I try not to disturb these few hours of being pain-free for her, so outside I went. (Yes, I got dressed first)! With the ground and the lawns still wet from last night, my shoes were soaked even before I could let the pups out- And the dogs were soaked very completely by the time they returned to the kennel- (Milly's problem; not mine)!
Keeping in mind my fear of fire, but seeing how very calm the breeze was, I thought it would be a perfect day to get my pile of wood and yard wastes burned.... Of course, given the fact that it had stormed, the pile was quite uncooperative at first... (Damp thing)... I think I may have used every single newspaper in the house to get it going- DO NOT try to burn wet piles of branches if you want to get it over and done with in the same day!
I tried to cut up a few of the larger branches and such to make them more burnable. (10 hours later, it is still going)... A good thing- but have been babysitting my little fire all day- In the meantime, remembering the raspberry branches, I went to go get them... No gloves- (8 hours later, the slivers from those briars are STILL in this lions paw)... DO NOT pick up old raspberry branches without gloves on).
My pile started out about 10 X 8 X 5- maybe bigger? It had burnt down significantly by about 12:30- Thinking it would behoove me to trim the grasses where this pile had been for months, I hopped on the mower. Trimming too closely to a hot spot, and having no shield on my deck; I found out that embers (arrogantly, maliciously and embarrassingly) can really burn your butt, (along with many other necessary anatomical parts)- I also learned that my little rider cannot outrun embers flying around at the speed of light! (All these hours later, I am still embarassed)! DO NOT trim the nearby grasses while the fire still burns!
Filling the mower with gas, I decided to get the west yard cut- I think my neighbors usually have a Memorial Day party, and I so wanted it to be looking nice as their friends and family traveled down their driveway... I cut the little orchard too, west of the barngrade. Almost finished mowing, the mower shuts down on me. Just shuts itself off- no warning- and absolutely NO further cooperation from it either. I looked down, watching, as my blades slowly quit turning...
Being not as ignorant as most, I do know enough to check the gas- Aha, there was still more than half a tank- So I sit, turn the key, and try to restart... It only winds real good- like it is not getting any gas, or spark... As I look at the uncut strip on the lawn, I feel overcome by the need to cuss- (Which I had no problem doing- loudly even). Giving up, and getting down from the mower, I then feel overcome by the need to kick the tires... DO NOT kick tires, or anything else for that matter, while you are barefoot.
I suppose I will be changing the spark plug, buying a new shield- and putting new blades on too- (For some odd, strange reason, they do not mulch rocks no matter how big, or small those rocks may be)... DO NOT trim too close to trees that have roots growing out of the ground. DO NOT mow mulch around these same trees, as the mulch may contain little rocks, and other projectiles that fly up and shoot at various exposed body parts.
Oh yeah, and DO NOT push a rider over gravel and back to the garage while you are barefoot- Obtaining traction hurts.
Hope you all have a safe weekend... At this rate, I'll probably be in a coma by the time it's over!
Just kidding...
...er- I hope...
Anne
PS No, I am NOT blonde......... I just have days that I can develop a certain sense of compassion for all of you who are the brunt of blonde jokes...
Originally posted to my Y!360, Thursday May 25, 2006 - 06:52pm (CDT)
Diagnosis! IN!!
The photo is of my Little Miss Valerie telling Miss Milly a story!
And YES! We finally we DO have CaseyAnne's diagnosis!
Wednesday May 24, 2006 - 08:37am (CDT)
Entry for May 23, 2006
Good Morning!
While this picture was taken a few months ago, it does accurately show our company here for the past two days! Ami, Jenny, and CaseyAnne... Nice to have all of them closer, and together, once again- Out of college for the summer, and able to somewhat hang around- everybodys schedules are so varied and different- (a little trickier now is all).
I sure wish I had some news about Casey's diagnosis- I called Milwaukee no less than 5 times yesterday; and when I finally got their office answer machine after 5PM, I left a message for the doctor. If I have to drive back down there and beg in that damned office, I surely will.
My girlfriend contacted me yesterday- BIG and wonderful news, as herself and her honey have decided to be married this Friday! (It's about time- and I am ever SO happy for them both)! Wish them all happiness in your hearts and prayers. They have chosen each other very well.
Had another person stop by to get a few raspberry plants- Was here for a few hours, and we had such a nice conversation too. I like that about most of the people that come- And nice to have the company too!
I was digging in the front yard most of the day- Out by the old milkhouse- and found lots of stuff (read 'junk') buried in that old dirt- Lots of fun to have the pups out while I do this too; as they believe that I am pulling the grasses out for their very own pleasure- They shake all the dirt off the clumps for me! (And they learned very quickly to close their eyes when they did this)! -I now have 3 very dirty, but smart puppies outside! And we had free entertainment all day- To watch as they learn a few commands- ("Sit" and "Stay" help greatly when I am rounding them up to go back to the kennel)! They all still absolutely abhor any "walks" as that means they must also learn to deal with their unforgiving leashes. This too shall pass, right???
Have a migraine today- Nasty, that- and get so tired of waking up to all the garbage that goes along with it- Have taken my pill then- (What a breakfast???)- But it seems to be doing as it should- Cross your fingers, please!
Better close for now- News about Casey by the next time I write? I sure hope so.
XOXO,
Anna-Anna
Tuesday May 23, 2006 - 06:37am (CDT)
Entry for May 22, 2006
A picture of the three little ones that remain here yet... Waiting for me to let them out of their kennel so they can do thier little puppy 'work' !!! They are SO good. When I go out there in the mornings, I swear they would eat me alive if I let them! But after running around, and getting worn out, they are all such little loving cuddlers! Am trying to leash train them- and a few commands as well- The little one that is going all the way to Pittsburgh will need a bit of that self control. It is a very long ride for such a little one.
Casey still is in pretty much pain; but says this will not deter her from beginning her new job today. (She can hide it very well for the most part; only her eyes deceive her facade).
Today I will be calling all the Milwaukee doctors/hospital/clinics and lab- and also to her Dr. here in town. Somebody HAS to know something. Hard on everyone to have to wait through all of her pain, and most of all Casey. But she puts up with it; more patient than I am, while we await a bit of info.
My daughter Jennifer took her State test (for op-something-ology) in Madison this weekend- An all-day testing situation; beginning at 9am, with the 2nd part that wasn't until 2pm. She says she doesn't think she did very well, but I think she probably passed with flying colors- I have never known her to fail any test she has ever been given... (Another waiting game there too, as she doesn't get her results until mid-July)!
More later, I am sure!
Anne
Monday May 22, 2006 - 06:33am (CDT)
Yes, we are HOME!
Good Morning All;
I have to thank those of you that have emailed me; inquiring to Caseys health- (and my sanity)! :)
We did get home on Thursday afternoon; stopping at my sisters in Appleton to visit with my niece for a few little moments- To see their own little dog (who is doing very very well), and even got to see Michael (and his new moped), before he headed out to work. My sister Mary was also working- and I am sorry we missed seeing her. The above picture is of Casey with their pup! (I believe his new name is "Buddy"- though I still call him 'Oscar')... They sure love him to death!
The results from CaseyAnne's sweat test were to be available Thursday afternoon...
But, surprise, they were not.
And so she called the lab at Childrens Hospital yesterday morning- (this is where they did her test). She was told to call the GI Center at Froedtert and speak to that doctor. Getting a hold of his office, she was then told to call her regular doctor here. Calling him, he had no results.
Is this crazy???? ...(Or IS it me) ?
And so we are home; no wiser than we left- Casey has bad dreams about all that is going on with her- but if this is some kind of cancer, they would have found out that much with all the bloodwork etc that she has had done over the past month... So we will wait once more- over the weekend- and maybe on Monday we will know what is happening.
Casey went to the arena football game last night- I have no idea when they got home, but she left me a note saying that it was SO MUCH FUN! Like any true "Green-Bay-ite", she LOVES football; so any chance like this is a whole lot of fun for her. She took her painkillers right before her ride came- And made no reference to pain in her note, so I hope she was relatively pain free during those few 'fun' hours. Sure has tons of pain...
We came home to a yard full of tall grass... I spent Thursday evening cutting- and most of yesterday too. The homestead doesn't look quite so abandoned now. And both weedwackers were started too- Although they have to be started a few more times to get everything LQQKing good! (As long as we get it all done before it rains again)- I went over a few patches twice to better shred some of the cuttings- Fewer lumps- (hmmm, sounds like oatmeal)!
We also came home to three puppies who had grown so much in our absence... We are trying to leash train them a bit- Not being used to the collars, (let alone the restrictive qualities of a leash), they tire themselves out quickly- And are happy then to return to their kennel. They wake up in the morning, and just want to show how excited they are when we go out there; they try to chew on us both! After they are well exercised, they are just little loving lumps of fur.
Miss Milly is much better- (As she had shown Kelli the other night by running back to the woods)! She has no more milk; but the 'kids' try to nurse anyway- She will not allow them to do this in the kennel, so it is a treat for them to get out when they do.
One of the little ones we now call "Pittsburgh" as she will be traveling cross country to her new home. Pleased with their own new addition, one of our adoptive couples will be bringing her to their daughter who lives out there. Nice that. And brings a peace of mind to us here too. I am so happy with them all.
I'd better close, and get on with my day here- Too much to do- and they are calling for a bit of rain this afternoon too. My dryer is calling me right now- (and about to drive me crazy if it beeps one more time)!
Hope everyone has a great weekend. Please write when you can.
Anne
Saturday May 20, 2006 - 04:10am (CDT)
05/18/06 Puppies CHEW Everything! ...& I don't snore!
Puppies!
Puppies CHEW EVERYTHING.
Please get him plenty of things to chew on for about the next year. Their little teeth are growing almost as fast as they are, and the mouth of a dog changes exponentially with both his body and souls' growth.
Puppies, like small children, learn and retain everything- (If you do not want your dog to snarl, then it is not cute when he does it the 1st, 2nd, or 10th times). It is appropriate though, to love him even when he makes a boo-boo- (or a doo-doo)- He is not trying to piss you off, he is only doing what he must do.
Puppies CHEW EVERYTHING.
Please have your new little guy vet checked ASAP. You can usually make an appointment for this even the same day, or the next. If you are asked to wait even a few days, your vet is clearly too busy to care. Change vets- Find one that not only can remember you, but that can possibly even remember your pet. A big vet clinic is as bad as a big hospital to us; (and your new little puppy has already informed me that he, like you, does not care to be reduced to a simple patient number).
Puppies CHEW EVERYTHING!
Your new little arrival has already been dewormed 6 times. I have done this every Sunday since they were 2 weeks old. Even so, you should bring a fresh stool sample to your vet to his 1st visit. Although a bit spendy, the vet may offer you a pill to give your dog each month to combat these worms. These pills also combat heartworms, and so cost should not be an issue if you want your pup to live a long and healthy life.
Puppies CHEW EVERYTHING!
Sadness, tears and cries are to be expected for the 1st week or so. -They are only missing me- (or maybe their Mama and their siblings)?
Note: There is nothing wrong with taking your dog to bed with you, and having him feel loved and protected. His mother has done this for his whole life, and to do anything less is to create fear in your little one. In doing this, however, you may find a little wet spot in your bed. If you are allergic to puppy pee or poo, you should probably should have gotten a 2 year old, fully trained, and housebroken dog.
*** Even "housebroken" dogs will have accidents from time to time- Please take into consideration their diets and their health before ever disciplining your dog for these episodes; (most especially a puppy).
Puppies CHEW EVERYTHING!
Chewing is what they HAVE to do... Please get them plenty of chew toys. Never buy them cute chew toys shaped like your shoes, boots, or any other household things you wish to keep in one piece. Dogs are color-blind; (and especially a new puppy simply cannot tell the difference between the right stuff to chew on, your favorite slippers or a family heirloom).
Puppies CHEW EVERYTHING!
Your little one has been on red cedar shavings since the very 1st day of his life. Buying a big bag at Walmart or Petco will remind him of his home here. This will also help in making him feel cared for and safe.
Love your dog. Cuddle your dog. Be happy, and he will be too. I can almost promise you that there will be plenty of times in the coming months that you will question your sanity in the decision to take this little one home and to allow him to be part of your family. Be patient, and he will be a wonderful addition to your family. Be impatient and you will only end up with an impatient angry animal on your hands.
Puppies CHEW EVERYTHING!
Housebreaking works best in a small cage- although all of these pups are already trying not to pee/poo in their kennel until I let them out. This said, you should not have too many trials to this end; but I cannot offer any promises either. Take your pup out almost every hour- and wait patiently for him to "go" both pee and poo. You will quickly 'learn' his schedule this way- He does not have to poo each time, but needs to be given enough time to go back to the place that he usually does his duty. Like the mailman, this needs to be done in rain, snow, sleet or dark of night. Your dog will be housebroken shortly. These walks not only develop his leash training skills, but also allow him to get to know you, your love, your dedication to him, and your patience... (See above paragraph)...
Puppies CHEW EVERYTHING!
In the highly unlikely event that you cannot properly care for your new little one, First Right of Refusal reverts back to me. I will find your dog another quality home. No refunds, (with the exception that your vet has found something critically wrong with this pup at his aforementioned first visit). If your pup has cloudy eyes, it is only a short term side effect of his 1st immunization- (copied below for your records). This does not create any damage- it is only a side-effect. This immunization will need to be repeated , and by the time your little one is 16 weeks old, he should be fully protected by these booster shots. (To save a few dollars, please get these shots at Fleet Farm- in the refirgerated section for the animals- Be sure it is labeled "for canine use only", and follow the directions carefully). If you would like, you can always purchase these immunizations, and bring your dog here. I will administer the shot if you do not care to. Only your vet can give rabies and boosters of rabies. (These must be recorded at the State level- should your dog ever bite anyone- If you do not do this, and he bites someone, your dog will be put to death, decapitated; and his head will be sent to Madison). Please keep careful records of any vet visits, and/or training experiences. In the event of your own death, his next owners will want to know this all.
By the way, did I mention that Puppies CHEW EVERYTHING???
Enjoy!
Anne
Questions or visits?-- Please call me anytime...
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Originally posted to my Y! 360, Thursday May 18, 2006 - 12:43am (CDT)