If anyone would like 3 never used Envirosax bags, leave me a comment and I will mail them out to you. They are an older style, orange, grey and light green.
If a few people leave comments, I'll randomly pick someone.
Edited to add: I will be out of the office for a few days and as Rebecca was so quick to the draw, she'll be getting the bags. :) Enjoy. I'll get them in the mail tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Some Peace
Saturday night, Larry and I stayed at a friend's house in a little suburb outside of Tampa. Their house is situated on the fringe of at least 250 acres of conservation land and they benefit by having no neighbors behind them, only woods.
Every evening around 6:00, they take an old coffee can full of corn out to the edge of the woods and scatter it throughout the area. After about five minutes, just enough time for the smell of the corn to waft through the area, deer begin emerging. Our friends said that anywhere from 12 to 15 deer come out every night for the feast.
Unfortunately Saturday night, the heat index was hovering between sauna and the firey pits of hell, so we weren't able to sit out and enjoy the show. In between getting ready for dinner, though, I did peek out the windows and watch the deer slowly make their way to the corn.
I'm not sure I could live somewhere so remote right now, but I do think I would like to someday. A place where I could get away from the world, relax, read a book, feed the deer and have some peace. For now, though, thankfully our friends have a great guest bedroom and anytime we are willing to make the four plus hour drive, I'm sure we will be welcome to take a little of theirs.
Every evening around 6:00, they take an old coffee can full of corn out to the edge of the woods and scatter it throughout the area. After about five minutes, just enough time for the smell of the corn to waft through the area, deer begin emerging. Our friends said that anywhere from 12 to 15 deer come out every night for the feast.
Unfortunately Saturday night, the heat index was hovering between sauna and the firey pits of hell, so we weren't able to sit out and enjoy the show. In between getting ready for dinner, though, I did peek out the windows and watch the deer slowly make their way to the corn.
I'm not sure I could live somewhere so remote right now, but I do think I would like to someday. A place where I could get away from the world, relax, read a book, feed the deer and have some peace. For now, though, thankfully our friends have a great guest bedroom and anytime we are willing to make the four plus hour drive, I'm sure we will be welcome to take a little of theirs.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Why the Guilt?
My Best budders, Tamara, just got back from a great vacation with her hubby. That's right, just her and her man, the beach and nothing much to do. She wrote a lovely post about it, but then at the end, she rights (or writes, if we are being grammatically correct) "Of course, we felt guilty for not bringing our kids and being selfish, but we both needed this little trip more than we have needed anything before in our marriage." Huh.
I promise I am not picking on my girl, because it's not just her, I see this time and time again with "mommy bloggers" all over the blogosphere. The guilt. The never ending guilt.
Why? Why has this overwhelming blanket of guilt been placed on mothers all over the country to be the perfect parent? When did our children become the number one priority all day, every day of our lives? Please understand, and I think you do, yes, your children are a priority. They need to be loved and fed and treated well, etc. etc. But you know, sometimes other things need to come first and that's ok.
It's no wonder that the divorce rate is so high in our country. It's really no wonder that there are so many unhappy mothers out there who have wrapped themselves up so much in their children's lives that they don't even know who they are anymore.
I know that I am super, super blessed to have family nearby that can watch my boys regularly so that Larry and I have a chance to enjoy being husband and wife, but if I didn't, I hope that I would still find a way to spend time with him alone. Even if it means putting on the tv for an hour and sneaking off to our bedroom. Which, hell, we even do that too.
Anyway, that kinda got away from my original intent, which is don't feel guilty about doing things for yourself! Enjoy that date night, the hour working out, the mani-pedi, or even the vacation. The happier you are as a woman, the better parent you can be to your kids.
I promise I am not picking on my girl, because it's not just her, I see this time and time again with "mommy bloggers" all over the blogosphere. The guilt. The never ending guilt.
Why? Why has this overwhelming blanket of guilt been placed on mothers all over the country to be the perfect parent? When did our children become the number one priority all day, every day of our lives? Please understand, and I think you do, yes, your children are a priority. They need to be loved and fed and treated well, etc. etc. But you know, sometimes other things need to come first and that's ok.
It's no wonder that the divorce rate is so high in our country. It's really no wonder that there are so many unhappy mothers out there who have wrapped themselves up so much in their children's lives that they don't even know who they are anymore.
I know that I am super, super blessed to have family nearby that can watch my boys regularly so that Larry and I have a chance to enjoy being husband and wife, but if I didn't, I hope that I would still find a way to spend time with him alone. Even if it means putting on the tv for an hour and sneaking off to our bedroom. Which, hell, we even do that too.
Anyway, that kinda got away from my original intent, which is don't feel guilty about doing things for yourself! Enjoy that date night, the hour working out, the mani-pedi, or even the vacation. The happier you are as a woman, the better parent you can be to your kids.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Quick Funny
For my high school friends. . .
Last night I dreamed that an old friend from elementary school came back with her cheerleading squad to perform at one of our pep rallies. I noticed though that Jon H was on their squad and in the middle of the routine they started doing ballet! haha So there was Jon H front and center performing a ballet turn with his arms in a circle. I turned to one of my friends in the dream and said, "Cheerleaders should stick with cheerleading!"
Last night I dreamed that an old friend from elementary school came back with her cheerleading squad to perform at one of our pep rallies. I noticed though that Jon H was on their squad and in the middle of the routine they started doing ballet! haha So there was Jon H front and center performing a ballet turn with his arms in a circle. I turned to one of my friends in the dream and said, "Cheerleaders should stick with cheerleading!"
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Tuesday . . . Tuesday
Peyton learned over the weekend that he could sneak into our room early in the morning and turn the radio on so that we thought it was the alarm clock. Not funny on Saturday morning and not funny again on Tuesday morning, especially when we had 20 more minutes of sleep coming. If it does it again, I am taking the DS away for a week. I cherish sleep. If I could marry it, I would. I want to hug it and kiss it and love it forever and ever.
*ahem* Anyway, the little turd is losing an arm if he tries that again.
Our two admin have been out this week, so I am going slightly crazy and extremely happy to see this day come to an end.
I actually ran some last night and I thought the itching/burning in my legs was going to drive me mad. Too much lactic acid build-up, which really means waaaayyyy too long since I worked out. Back on the treadmill tonight, so I can burn that acid out. Weighed in this morning at 158, so slowly getting back down. I'm getting more focused on my eating and I've decided that I can eat what I want, I just HAVE to stop when I am satisfied, even if it is only a few bites in. Let's see how that works.
And I'm off . . .
*ahem* Anyway, the little turd is losing an arm if he tries that again.
Our two admin have been out this week, so I am going slightly crazy and extremely happy to see this day come to an end.
I actually ran some last night and I thought the itching/burning in my legs was going to drive me mad. Too much lactic acid build-up, which really means waaaayyyy too long since I worked out. Back on the treadmill tonight, so I can burn that acid out. Weighed in this morning at 158, so slowly getting back down. I'm getting more focused on my eating and I've decided that I can eat what I want, I just HAVE to stop when I am satisfied, even if it is only a few bites in. Let's see how that works.
And I'm off . . .
Friday, June 05, 2009
Twilight: Dissecting the Differences between the Book and the Movie
Yes, I know the writing is atrocious and the dialogue is stilted, but I’m hooked on the love, man, the love! Tuesday, when I was home sick, I pulled out my brand new DVD of Twilight and settled in to be swept away by what I think is the love story of the decade. On my second viewing, I definitely enjoyed the movie more than in the theaters and that may be in part because it had been a while since I read the novel. But then of course, watching the movie and then immediately getting on the Internet to watch trailers of New Moon stirred up the obsession within to read the series for a (ahem) third time. Resistance was futile and so while the boys swam, I grabbed my already getting well worn copy of Twilight and hunkered down to quickly read through the horrid opening chapters till I could get to the good stuff. By 11:00 last night when I forced myself to stop, I was already halfway through.
In reading the novel again so soon after viewing the movie, I was struck by all the small differences that actually give the movie a very different emotional tone than the book. In the novel, Bella is, by nature, very insecure, often shying away from crowds, hiding behind her hair and embarrassed by her often clumsiness. Within her insecurities, she is quick to anger and has a biting tongue and while it is often painful to read the conversations between Edward and Bella, it is also very relatable. Even though Bella is written as someone who is supposed to be years ahead of her peers, she actually encompasses the lack of self confidence that can plague humans throughout their lives. With this trait, Bella becomes someone with whom the average reader can sympathize.
Within Bella’s insecurities, the interaction between her and Edward is often halting. Each of the characters is unsure of how much they can reveal about their feelings for each other as well as their true personalities or characteristics. For example, Bella often comments on her ordinariness and wonders how a creature as perfect as Edward could have any interest in her. On the other hand, through conversations with Bella, the reader knows that Edward considers himself dangerous and capable of becoming a monster if he were to let his instincts take over. Although he never speaks of himself as beautiful, he does comment on the attraction his voice, face and smell have on his potential prey. The extreme differences portrayed by Bella and Edward lends to a tension that is palatable throughout the novel.
On the other hand, the screenwriter, director and actors had a difficult time portraying the intense range of emotions that each of the main characters displayed throughout the novel. Bella, in the movie, is shown as aloof, indie and definitely surer of herself. On the same token, Edward is hardly scary at all, and if he didn’t tell us he was a monster or mad, I’m not sure the audience would have known. There were not any scenes that I can recall where he is hesitant in winning Bella’s affections once the initial classroom scene is over. At the same time, I understand that it would be a struggle to portray such a range without dialogue. I guess I felt there were a few key conversations within the novel that may have added to the story if they were translated on the big screen.
Ok, that’s as far as I can go with this without feeling like a total dork. Obviously, I am feeling the nine (!!) years it has been since I graduated from college and wrote a term paper. Maybe it’s reading about teenagers that has me longing for simpler times. Anyone feel free to nerd it out with me and leave a comment.
In reading the novel again so soon after viewing the movie, I was struck by all the small differences that actually give the movie a very different emotional tone than the book. In the novel, Bella is, by nature, very insecure, often shying away from crowds, hiding behind her hair and embarrassed by her often clumsiness. Within her insecurities, she is quick to anger and has a biting tongue and while it is often painful to read the conversations between Edward and Bella, it is also very relatable. Even though Bella is written as someone who is supposed to be years ahead of her peers, she actually encompasses the lack of self confidence that can plague humans throughout their lives. With this trait, Bella becomes someone with whom the average reader can sympathize.
Within Bella’s insecurities, the interaction between her and Edward is often halting. Each of the characters is unsure of how much they can reveal about their feelings for each other as well as their true personalities or characteristics. For example, Bella often comments on her ordinariness and wonders how a creature as perfect as Edward could have any interest in her. On the other hand, through conversations with Bella, the reader knows that Edward considers himself dangerous and capable of becoming a monster if he were to let his instincts take over. Although he never speaks of himself as beautiful, he does comment on the attraction his voice, face and smell have on his potential prey. The extreme differences portrayed by Bella and Edward lends to a tension that is palatable throughout the novel.
On the other hand, the screenwriter, director and actors had a difficult time portraying the intense range of emotions that each of the main characters displayed throughout the novel. Bella, in the movie, is shown as aloof, indie and definitely surer of herself. On the same token, Edward is hardly scary at all, and if he didn’t tell us he was a monster or mad, I’m not sure the audience would have known. There were not any scenes that I can recall where he is hesitant in winning Bella’s affections once the initial classroom scene is over. At the same time, I understand that it would be a struggle to portray such a range without dialogue. I guess I felt there were a few key conversations within the novel that may have added to the story if they were translated on the big screen.
Ok, that’s as far as I can go with this without feeling like a total dork. Obviously, I am feeling the nine (!!) years it has been since I graduated from college and wrote a term paper. Maybe it’s reading about teenagers that has me longing for simpler times. Anyone feel free to nerd it out with me and leave a comment.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Weigh In - One Day Late
Well, if there is one thing I can say about being sick for 3 days it's that I am down a pound and a half. Go not having the energy to even eat!
Last night Peyton was being his usual contrary self. I followed The Pioneer Woman's recipe for homemade chicken tenders last night, which were pretty good by the way and the child still complained about dinner. I swear, he will make an excellent attorney one day. So anyway, I was about worn out from arguing with him about dinner and getting over being sick when it came time to fill out his thank you cards. And so, they went out like this . . .
Thank you for coming to are party.
I just didn't have the energy to fight anymore.
Last night Peyton was being his usual contrary self. I followed The Pioneer Woman's recipe for homemade chicken tenders last night, which were pretty good by the way and the child still complained about dinner. I swear, he will make an excellent attorney one day. So anyway, I was about worn out from arguing with him about dinner and getting over being sick when it came time to fill out his thank you cards. And so, they went out like this . . .
Thank you for coming to are party.
I just didn't have the energy to fight anymore.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday Thirteen
Thursday Thirteen, Edition 3:
Thirteen Little Things That Make Life More Pleasant
(I couldn't get the code to work, so you will have to live without the little cute pic)
1. My phone. I love having the ability to text friends and connect instantly without disturbing the people around me.
2. My iPod. I have it on continously at work and I rarely ever fast forward through a song. I have been very selective about my choices.
3. My Jacuzzi tub.
4. Our new laptop. It's so nice to type and have the keyboard keep up.
5. Peyton's DS. The boys and I have had great fun lately playing it.
6. My favorite pen, which I can't find right now and I hope it's not lost.
7. A good bottle of wine
8. Corona. This was the one thing I craved when I was pregnant with Shey even though I didn't like it before, and of course it was one of the things I couldn't have.
9. Scrapbooking. I wish I had more time to do this.
10. Kids Eat Free on Wednesdays at Buffalos.
11. A good book. This should probably be higher on the list than it is.
12. Facebook. It's been a lot of fun reconnecting with everyone.
13. Biore Skin Preservation Fusion. The best moisturizer/sunscreen for me. Does NOT break me out or smell like subscreen!
12.
Thirteen Little Things That Make Life More Pleasant
(I couldn't get the code to work, so you will have to live without the little cute pic)
1. My phone. I love having the ability to text friends and connect instantly without disturbing the people around me.
2. My iPod. I have it on continously at work and I rarely ever fast forward through a song. I have been very selective about my choices.
3. My Jacuzzi tub.
4. Our new laptop. It's so nice to type and have the keyboard keep up.
5. Peyton's DS. The boys and I have had great fun lately playing it.
6. My favorite pen, which I can't find right now and I hope it's not lost.
7. A good bottle of wine
8. Corona. This was the one thing I craved when I was pregnant with Shey even though I didn't like it before, and of course it was one of the things I couldn't have.
9. Scrapbooking. I wish I had more time to do this.
10. Kids Eat Free on Wednesdays at Buffalos.
11. A good book. This should probably be higher on the list than it is.
12. Facebook. It's been a lot of fun reconnecting with everyone.
13. Biore Skin Preservation Fusion. The best moisturizer/sunscreen for me. Does NOT break me out or smell like subscreen!
12.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Is it Tuesday Again Already?
Apparently if you only post on your blog on the day you picked to weigh in, your blog becomes a weight blog.
So, here we are again on Tuesday. I'm beginning to really not like Tuesdays. I guess writing to you guys is not embarrassing enough, because this morning, my scale read the holy crap, you need to really get moving number of 160. That's my alarm weight. My "I don't need to put another morsel in my mouth" weight. I put on my comfy pants this morning and they weren't quite as comfy.
I will get on the treadmill tonight! I will!
I can't believe a few months ago, I completed not one, but two half marathons. I would absolutely DIE now if I had to do that tomorrow and really, that's just pathetic. All that training, just gone.
A remember a lesson at church that we can't wait for the motivation to come in order to act, we have to act and with that the motivation will follow. I need to act. I will act.
Anyone with me?
So, here we are again on Tuesday. I'm beginning to really not like Tuesdays. I guess writing to you guys is not embarrassing enough, because this morning, my scale read the holy crap, you need to really get moving number of 160. That's my alarm weight. My "I don't need to put another morsel in my mouth" weight. I put on my comfy pants this morning and they weren't quite as comfy.
I will get on the treadmill tonight! I will!
I can't believe a few months ago, I completed not one, but two half marathons. I would absolutely DIE now if I had to do that tomorrow and really, that's just pathetic. All that training, just gone.
A remember a lesson at church that we can't wait for the motivation to come in order to act, we have to act and with that the motivation will follow. I need to act. I will act.
Anyone with me?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Weighing In
Huh, so you mean not working out all week and then eating and drinking all day on Sunday and having a big piece of Death by Chocolate cake on Monday night won't help you lose any weight? In fact, it will show up as a one pound gain on weigh-in day?
Imagine that.
It's not that I even care about the one pound, because I know by tomorrow, or Thursday at the latest, it will have gone away, but that's just the thing. I am good at maintaining, not so good at putting in that extra effort to lose. If I work out, I eat more. If I don't work out, I eat the same. Either way, nothing comes off.
Why is discipline so hard.
This week should have been easy. Larry is out of town and I stocked up on Lean Cuisine, but last night was scrapbooking, Wednesday night, I'm going out with my friend because her husband is out of town too, then Thursday night, we are taking our other friend out for her birthday and then Friday is Peyton's b-day. Whew.
There's always something.
I need another race to train for. As much as I disliked the training, at least I did it then.
Somebody please, come to Florida and kick me in the rear.
Imagine that.
It's not that I even care about the one pound, because I know by tomorrow, or Thursday at the latest, it will have gone away, but that's just the thing. I am good at maintaining, not so good at putting in that extra effort to lose. If I work out, I eat more. If I don't work out, I eat the same. Either way, nothing comes off.
Why is discipline so hard.
This week should have been easy. Larry is out of town and I stocked up on Lean Cuisine, but last night was scrapbooking, Wednesday night, I'm going out with my friend because her husband is out of town too, then Thursday night, we are taking our other friend out for her birthday and then Friday is Peyton's b-day. Whew.
There's always something.
I need another race to train for. As much as I disliked the training, at least I did it then.
Somebody please, come to Florida and kick me in the rear.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Weighing the Options
I knew while I was training for the half-marathon that I would need to be careful when it was over. I knew that I would continue stuffing my face even though I was no longer running at least 15 miles a week and the pounds would start packing on. I knew this.
And yet, did I do anything about it.
Not really. I have been sporadically exercising, but not at the same intensity as I was. I've somewhat cut back on my eating, but not enough. I actually maintained pretty well for a couple of months, but the the cruise came. And so did the extra 4 pounds. The 4 pounds that have settled in and are getting comfy on my rear. I'm sure it's a lovely place, but seriously, they need to go.
To some, four pounds may not seem like a lot, but on my 5 foot, 4 and a half inch body, it definitely shows. Thankfully, my body pretty evenly distributes my weight, so it's not a huge difference, but I can feel it. If I don't stop it now though, those four pounds are going to invite their buddies to the party.
Let's just lay it out there, shall we?
158
That's what the scale said this morning. I would like to be between 150 and 152. I know my body. I know that to get below that I will have to put a lot more work into this than I probably want to, so let's be realistic. I know what that weight looks like on me and I would be happy with it.
Six pounds. That's all I'm looking for.
So, here is what I propose. Instead of paying weight watchers to embarrass us, does anyone want to join this journey with me? Tuesdays can be our weigh-in days. If you want to keep it anonymous, just comment that way.
I don't really want to turn this into a weight loss blog, so we can keep it to Tuesdays. You can post things that have helped you, or things that have set you back. We can make it up as we go along.
I just needed to throw this out there so I will be accountable to someone other than myself.
Anyone, anyone??
And yet, did I do anything about it.
Not really. I have been sporadically exercising, but not at the same intensity as I was. I've somewhat cut back on my eating, but not enough. I actually maintained pretty well for a couple of months, but the the cruise came. And so did the extra 4 pounds. The 4 pounds that have settled in and are getting comfy on my rear. I'm sure it's a lovely place, but seriously, they need to go.
To some, four pounds may not seem like a lot, but on my 5 foot, 4 and a half inch body, it definitely shows. Thankfully, my body pretty evenly distributes my weight, so it's not a huge difference, but I can feel it. If I don't stop it now though, those four pounds are going to invite their buddies to the party.
Let's just lay it out there, shall we?
158
That's what the scale said this morning. I would like to be between 150 and 152. I know my body. I know that to get below that I will have to put a lot more work into this than I probably want to, so let's be realistic. I know what that weight looks like on me and I would be happy with it.
Six pounds. That's all I'm looking for.
So, here is what I propose. Instead of paying weight watchers to embarrass us, does anyone want to join this journey with me? Tuesdays can be our weigh-in days. If you want to keep it anonymous, just comment that way.
I don't really want to turn this into a weight loss blog, so we can keep it to Tuesdays. You can post things that have helped you, or things that have set you back. We can make it up as we go along.
I just needed to throw this out there so I will be accountable to someone other than myself.
Anyone, anyone??
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day
More and more, I catch myself doing something and thinking, "that's just like mom." Larry sees it too. He has taken to calling me P.O.O. or Product of Ora. And you know, I am ok with that.
I love you, mom.
I love you, mom.
Friday, May 08, 2009
I'll Remember
- a tiny ball of fur no taller than a step and weighing only 3 pounds
- a protective older brother jumping on the bed to guard baby Peyton from visitors
- a wrestling partner for Larry, who snarled and barked while wagging his tail
- tumbleweeds of fur rolling across my living room floor
- our little lion with his hair waving in the breeze as he sat outside on a windy day
- a crazy barker who answered the door when the kids thought it would be funny to ring the doorbell again and again
- a limper who still came when we said treat like it was the best thing on earth
- a deep and peaceful sleep in my arms when he was ready to go.
I love you Zeus.
- a protective older brother jumping on the bed to guard baby Peyton from visitors
- a wrestling partner for Larry, who snarled and barked while wagging his tail
- tumbleweeds of fur rolling across my living room floor
- our little lion with his hair waving in the breeze as he sat outside on a windy day
- a crazy barker who answered the door when the kids thought it would be funny to ring the doorbell again and again
- a limper who still came when we said treat like it was the best thing on earth
- a deep and peaceful sleep in my arms when he was ready to go.
I love you Zeus.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
On Zeus
Sometime in the past year or so, we noticed that Zeus (our dog) was starting to walk with a bit of a limp. He is getting up there in dog years, so we figured it was arthritus, took him to the vet and they prescribed Remedol. He stayed on that for a while, but things seemed to be getting worse. We took him back to the vet and were prescribed a round of steriods, but that didn't help much either.
Then we went to another vet for a second opinion, who referred us to a neurologist. The tentative diagnosis was a tumor somewhere in his spine. We could opt for a costly MRI and possibly treatments, or we could give him pain medication and just wait it out. We opted for the pain meds. It's not that we don't love our dog, but if it was cancer, the prognosis wasn't good for going into remission and Larry and I just couldn't justify that type of money for something that wasn't going to work anyway.
As time went on, his back right leg got worse and we noticed his left leg was starting to go too. Zeus was basically walking on what we would consider our ankles. Flat footed, like a rabbit. The one light in all this was we were finally told that he wasn't in any pain, it was just uncomfortable for him to walk like this.
Larry's aunt eventually recommended a rehab vet who had done wonders for her dog and I scheduled an appointment with them a few months ago. The vet was extremely nice and she diagosed him as having an auto-immune problem. Basically, his body was attacking the tissues and muscles in his legs, which was causing them to atrophy. She recommended braces and water therapy, but she wasn't very optomistic since the problem was so far gone.
So, for the past couple of months, we've made life as easy as possible for Zeus. We added some pavers behind our back door, so he didn't have such a big step. We step over him even when he is right in the way, because it's getting hard for him to get up. Lately though, he's not really eating and I think it's because it's so hard for him to go to the bathroom, so it's his body's way of limiting the squatting.
Larry and I hate this. We know we will have to make a decision soon because now he's dragging that foot, almost like a constant toe stubbing. What sucks the most is his mind is fine and he's not in any pain, but I can tell he's tired. The other day he just sat there and stared at his leg like, "what the hell's wrong with you?"
It breaks my heart. He is our first baby and an awesome dog.
This is the worst part of having pets, especially when you have to make the decision to put them to sleep. I don't want him to be in pain, but I almost wish he was because then I would have a clear cut answer and a feeling when you can definitely say, it's time.
Then we went to another vet for a second opinion, who referred us to a neurologist. The tentative diagnosis was a tumor somewhere in his spine. We could opt for a costly MRI and possibly treatments, or we could give him pain medication and just wait it out. We opted for the pain meds. It's not that we don't love our dog, but if it was cancer, the prognosis wasn't good for going into remission and Larry and I just couldn't justify that type of money for something that wasn't going to work anyway.
As time went on, his back right leg got worse and we noticed his left leg was starting to go too. Zeus was basically walking on what we would consider our ankles. Flat footed, like a rabbit. The one light in all this was we were finally told that he wasn't in any pain, it was just uncomfortable for him to walk like this.
Larry's aunt eventually recommended a rehab vet who had done wonders for her dog and I scheduled an appointment with them a few months ago. The vet was extremely nice and she diagosed him as having an auto-immune problem. Basically, his body was attacking the tissues and muscles in his legs, which was causing them to atrophy. She recommended braces and water therapy, but she wasn't very optomistic since the problem was so far gone.
So, for the past couple of months, we've made life as easy as possible for Zeus. We added some pavers behind our back door, so he didn't have such a big step. We step over him even when he is right in the way, because it's getting hard for him to get up. Lately though, he's not really eating and I think it's because it's so hard for him to go to the bathroom, so it's his body's way of limiting the squatting.
Larry and I hate this. We know we will have to make a decision soon because now he's dragging that foot, almost like a constant toe stubbing. What sucks the most is his mind is fine and he's not in any pain, but I can tell he's tired. The other day he just sat there and stared at his leg like, "what the hell's wrong with you?"
It breaks my heart. He is our first baby and an awesome dog.
This is the worst part of having pets, especially when you have to make the decision to put them to sleep. I don't want him to be in pain, but I almost wish he was because then I would have a clear cut answer and a feeling when you can definitely say, it's time.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Belize and Miscellaneous Pics
When we stopped at Belize, due to the large barrier reef, we had to tender in to the city. The one thing we really didn't like about cruising was all the hurry up and waiting. We would hurry to the meeting station for our excursions or to get off the boat, then we had to wait to be called, then wait some more in the hall to get to the gangway, then wait some more to actually get off the boat. Larry doesn't do well in those kind of situations and him being agitated, made me anxious and then we would both just be ready to BE OFF THE BOAT ALREADY!
Ahem, anyway, Belize City was totally set up for the tourists and considered the best shopping port. We grabbed the kids early that morning so they could walk around a bit before Larry and I went snorkling that afternoon.
Waiting for the tender.
Waiting On the tender.
We got to the city so early, we didn't get a chance to eat breakfast, so we stopped at one of the only resturants there and all they had at that time were french fries. But let me tell you, those were some of the best french fried EVER. I think we had 3 plates of them.
I was so scared the boys would tumble over the wall behind Shey. We were on the second floor and the chairs were taller than the wall!
Overview of the city.
Heading back to the ship to drop the kids off at Kid Camp and off to our excursion. I can't say enough about Carnival's kid camp! The kids were a little relunctant at first to try it, but after the first time, they asked us to go. We normally kept them during the day, then dropped them off for dinner and a few hours. One night Shey asked what they were having for dinner and after reading off the list, he said, "I am going to have french fries and grapes. (pause) They let me do that." I said great and sent him on his way.
I don't have pictures of the snorkling. Larry's brother bought an underwater camera, but I don't know if he got it developed yet or not. Belize has the second largest barrier reef next to Australia. We were taken about 30 minutes the opposite direction of the city to a little island. There you had the choice to snorkle off the beach or off a boat. We chose the boat because then you swim to the island with the current.
There was a family on the boat with us with two little girls. The youngest wasn't any older than Shey, may have been younger and the oldest wasn't much bigger herself. When I saw them, I assumed that the girls had snorkled before, but when the tour guide asked for first timers, they both raised their hands. Hello, parents! What are you thinking!
So when you snorkle, you have a life jacket, your mask and a snorkle. Oh, and of course, fins that make you very awkward. Add to this that when you snorkle off a boat, you have to jump into deep ocean waters that have waves 2-4 feet and it's a little scary. When I first jumped in, I lost my breath and paniced for a few seconds just trying to get my bearings.
Try to picture this, the dad jumped into the water first. Then the tour guide took the little girl by her hands, swung her out over the water and dropped her. Can you say FREAK OUT! And can you also say, STUPID PARENTS? The little girl had a death grip on her daddy and was SCREAMING.
Her daddy then had the nerve to tell her that if she wanted to go back on the boat, she would have to go alone. I wanted to smack him. I don't care how much my boys may have said they wanted to snorkle for the first time off a boat (and they didn't), I would have never done that. I know I've done some dumb things parenting, but I thought that topped them all by a country mile.
I caught a glimpse of them later and I couldn't tell if it was the little one, or the older sister, but she was clinging to her dad's back. I don't think he got much snorkling in.
And with that, I leave you with a monkey we picked up in Belize
Ahem, anyway, Belize City was totally set up for the tourists and considered the best shopping port. We grabbed the kids early that morning so they could walk around a bit before Larry and I went snorkling that afternoon.
Waiting for the tender.
Waiting On the tender.
We got to the city so early, we didn't get a chance to eat breakfast, so we stopped at one of the only resturants there and all they had at that time were french fries. But let me tell you, those were some of the best french fried EVER. I think we had 3 plates of them.
I was so scared the boys would tumble over the wall behind Shey. We were on the second floor and the chairs were taller than the wall!
Overview of the city.
Heading back to the ship to drop the kids off at Kid Camp and off to our excursion. I can't say enough about Carnival's kid camp! The kids were a little relunctant at first to try it, but after the first time, they asked us to go. We normally kept them during the day, then dropped them off for dinner and a few hours. One night Shey asked what they were having for dinner and after reading off the list, he said, "I am going to have french fries and grapes. (pause) They let me do that." I said great and sent him on his way.
I don't have pictures of the snorkling. Larry's brother bought an underwater camera, but I don't know if he got it developed yet or not. Belize has the second largest barrier reef next to Australia. We were taken about 30 minutes the opposite direction of the city to a little island. There you had the choice to snorkle off the beach or off a boat. We chose the boat because then you swim to the island with the current.
There was a family on the boat with us with two little girls. The youngest wasn't any older than Shey, may have been younger and the oldest wasn't much bigger herself. When I saw them, I assumed that the girls had snorkled before, but when the tour guide asked for first timers, they both raised their hands. Hello, parents! What are you thinking!
So when you snorkle, you have a life jacket, your mask and a snorkle. Oh, and of course, fins that make you very awkward. Add to this that when you snorkle off a boat, you have to jump into deep ocean waters that have waves 2-4 feet and it's a little scary. When I first jumped in, I lost my breath and paniced for a few seconds just trying to get my bearings.
Try to picture this, the dad jumped into the water first. Then the tour guide took the little girl by her hands, swung her out over the water and dropped her. Can you say FREAK OUT! And can you also say, STUPID PARENTS? The little girl had a death grip on her daddy and was SCREAMING.
Her daddy then had the nerve to tell her that if she wanted to go back on the boat, she would have to go alone. I wanted to smack him. I don't care how much my boys may have said they wanted to snorkle for the first time off a boat (and they didn't), I would have never done that. I know I've done some dumb things parenting, but I thought that topped them all by a country mile.
I caught a glimpse of them later and I couldn't tell if it was the little one, or the older sister, but she was clinging to her dad's back. I don't think he got much snorkling in.
And with that, I leave you with a monkey we picked up in Belize
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Costa Rica (still cruisin . . .)
Before we travel to Costa Rica, let's stop and reflect on the hugeness that is the ship we were on.
The one thing that kinda stinks about vacations is that you plan them and plan them and plan them, then they come, you have a lot of fun and then they are over. And now I am back at work. But let's not dwelling on that.
Let's instead think on Sloths.
In Costa Rica, we traveled to the Sloth Sanctuary, which was beautiful and lush. Even though Costa Rica is probably as poor as Panama, it's not dirty. Once you leave the port, it is all green trees and tropical plants. Even though the houses were still small, they looked more simple not desolate.
Look at these babies! How could you not want one for your very own? Sloths are my kind of animals. They nap on and off throughout the day and everything is done. in. slow. motion. The family who started the santuary really love these beautiful creatures and have led the way in researching the sloth so that we know more about them.
While we were there, we took a canoe ride through the marshland. There were about 6 canoes total and the four of us were on the last one. The first 5 went one way down the river and we went another. It was a bit scary. Larry and I kept looking at each other and headlines were racing through my head "American Family of Four Lost in the Costa Rican Marshland!" The boys kept saying, "we're going the wrong way! Why are we going the wrong way?" Larry was planning our escape route and kept asking our guide about the water to gauge how safe it would be to swim. I just thought, well, if we are going to go, at least we will be together!
Obviously nothing happened and we met up with the rest of our group soon after. Once we got over our inital freak-out, the ride was pretty cool. There were two sloths in the trees that Larry was able to spot, but I couldn't see, as well as some monkeys, birds and a couple of lizards.
This is a banana tree and those little yellow buds will become bananas! Cool, huh.
So pretty. I uploaded this pic to a website and I'm having some note cards made up. We'll see how they turn out.
We brought an elephant home with us.
Just ahead, ANOTHER DAY AT SEA. Whoot!
The one thing that kinda stinks about vacations is that you plan them and plan them and plan them, then they come, you have a lot of fun and then they are over. And now I am back at work. But let's not dwelling on that.
Let's instead think on Sloths.
In Costa Rica, we traveled to the Sloth Sanctuary, which was beautiful and lush. Even though Costa Rica is probably as poor as Panama, it's not dirty. Once you leave the port, it is all green trees and tropical plants. Even though the houses were still small, they looked more simple not desolate.
Look at these babies! How could you not want one for your very own? Sloths are my kind of animals. They nap on and off throughout the day and everything is done. in. slow. motion. The family who started the santuary really love these beautiful creatures and have led the way in researching the sloth so that we know more about them.
While we were there, we took a canoe ride through the marshland. There were about 6 canoes total and the four of us were on the last one. The first 5 went one way down the river and we went another. It was a bit scary. Larry and I kept looking at each other and headlines were racing through my head "American Family of Four Lost in the Costa Rican Marshland!" The boys kept saying, "we're going the wrong way! Why are we going the wrong way?" Larry was planning our escape route and kept asking our guide about the water to gauge how safe it would be to swim. I just thought, well, if we are going to go, at least we will be together!
Obviously nothing happened and we met up with the rest of our group soon after. Once we got over our inital freak-out, the ride was pretty cool. There were two sloths in the trees that Larry was able to spot, but I couldn't see, as well as some monkeys, birds and a couple of lizards.
This is a banana tree and those little yellow buds will become bananas! Cool, huh.
So pretty. I uploaded this pic to a website and I'm having some note cards made up. We'll see how they turn out.
We brought an elephant home with us.
Just ahead, ANOTHER DAY AT SEA. Whoot!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Larry's New Baby
We pause the cruise talk to show you Larry's new baby.
It's the Volvo C70 Hardtop convertible. We got a great deal on a lease and Larry had been driving such a cluncker for forever.
He's very happy. It rides like a dream.
It's the Volvo C70 Hardtop convertible. We got a great deal on a lease and Larry had been driving such a cluncker for forever.
He's very happy. It rides like a dream.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Cruise (cont. again) - Panama
After two and a half days at sea, we finally docked at Colon, Panama. Colon is a relatively new port and as such, there was really no touristy things to do in the immediate area.
Because of this, we had to take a charter bus about an hour out for our excursion.
We chose to explore the city of Portobelo or Beautiful port as dubbed by Christopher Columbus way back when. There was also options for seeing the canal and the lockes and while I'm disappointed we didn't get to see the canal, we were trying to pick activities that the boys would enjoy as well.
Panama is an extremely poor country, and it's also very dirty. One of the campaign promises of the man running for President was to add more garbage trucks. The week before we arrived, there was a strike and trash littered the streets. The average wage is $300-$500 a month. On our way to Portobelo, we saw many, many small houses that they call matchbook houses and appropriately so. These houses sell for $20-$30k and the owners are given 30 years with no interest to pay them off.
We are so very blessed.
This is the fort on Portobelo. Real live Pirates fought in this fort. We thought it would be exciting for the boys, but not so much.
While learning about Panama was interesting, it was not our favorite stop and I don't think I would think about going there again.
This is inside the church where the Black Christ is kept. The Black Christ was meant to be somewhere else, but every time they went to move it, strange things happened. On October 21, thousands travel from all over Panama to worship the Black Christ or El Cristo Negro.
Tomorrow Costa Rica and the Sloth Sanctuary.
Because of this, we had to take a charter bus about an hour out for our excursion.
We chose to explore the city of Portobelo or Beautiful port as dubbed by Christopher Columbus way back when. There was also options for seeing the canal and the lockes and while I'm disappointed we didn't get to see the canal, we were trying to pick activities that the boys would enjoy as well.
Panama is an extremely poor country, and it's also very dirty. One of the campaign promises of the man running for President was to add more garbage trucks. The week before we arrived, there was a strike and trash littered the streets. The average wage is $300-$500 a month. On our way to Portobelo, we saw many, many small houses that they call matchbook houses and appropriately so. These houses sell for $20-$30k and the owners are given 30 years with no interest to pay them off.
We are so very blessed.
This is the fort on Portobelo. Real live Pirates fought in this fort. We thought it would be exciting for the boys, but not so much.
While learning about Panama was interesting, it was not our favorite stop and I don't think I would think about going there again.
This is inside the church where the Black Christ is kept. The Black Christ was meant to be somewhere else, but every time they went to move it, strange things happened. On October 21, thousands travel from all over Panama to worship the Black Christ or El Cristo Negro.
Tomorrow Costa Rica and the Sloth Sanctuary.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Cruise (cont.)
and . . . we're still on the boat. . .
There's just something about being on a big ship in the middle of the ocean without seeing land for two straight days. Not sure exactly what it is, but it's something.
If I posted all the photos of Shey's hamming it up, it would take a long, long time.
This giant chess set kept the boys occupied many a time. Especially when Larry and I would sit on the deck with his iPod and a bottle of wine.
Peyton's favorite part? All the free Sprite I could drink!
and the free ice cream!
The first formal night. Peyton has so much fun dressing up. He even wore this the next night too.
Following this photo on the Flickr group is a few of Shey entertaining again. I think I am going to do a whole scrapbook page of his poses.
Tomorrow, Panama!
There's just something about being on a big ship in the middle of the ocean without seeing land for two straight days. Not sure exactly what it is, but it's something.
If I posted all the photos of Shey's hamming it up, it would take a long, long time.
This giant chess set kept the boys occupied many a time. Especially when Larry and I would sit on the deck with his iPod and a bottle of wine.
Peyton's favorite part? All the free Sprite I could drink!
and the free ice cream!
The first formal night. Peyton has so much fun dressing up. He even wore this the next night too.
Following this photo on the Flickr group is a few of Shey entertaining again. I think I am going to do a whole scrapbook page of his poses.
Tomorrow, Panama!
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Cruise, Part 1
Since we went so far south, the first two days were spent at sea. I uploaded exactly 100 pics to my flickr Cruise Set, but don't worry, I won't overload you guys with all of those.
So, here we go. This first set will be from the boat . . .
The ship was really nice and I imagine fairly new, even though I never asked. The pool was great because it was only 4'6" and then had a shallow edge around that the boys could just sit (or run around) in.
Getting ready for the muster station drill. I was dreading this with the boys, but we got there late and were on the edge, so it really wasn't that bad.
I thought about having him wear this all week. ha
Here are Larry's parents with the boys. They were kind enough to pay for the cruise for his mom's birthday. Great, right? Her birthday and we get a present!
I think this was dinner the first night.
I can't believe how big the boys are getting. They had so much fun.
I'll post more this weekend or Monday. Two days at sea = lots of photos.
So, here we go. This first set will be from the boat . . .
The ship was really nice and I imagine fairly new, even though I never asked. The pool was great because it was only 4'6" and then had a shallow edge around that the boys could just sit (or run around) in.
Getting ready for the muster station drill. I was dreading this with the boys, but we got there late and were on the edge, so it really wasn't that bad.
I thought about having him wear this all week. ha
Here are Larry's parents with the boys. They were kind enough to pay for the cruise for his mom's birthday. Great, right? Her birthday and we get a present!
I think this was dinner the first night.
I can't believe how big the boys are getting. They had so much fun.
I'll post more this weekend or Monday. Two days at sea = lots of photos.
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