Sunday (Howzat fur Original Chat)

Lol! I hate it when the dogs are sleeping and I have to stay up...I get ridiculously jealous. And that's without cooking kale, lol.

I do have a 5pg paper and 15 page paper due at midnight tonight...slightly panicking. This term has been insane..so glad it's the last week!! So no sleep for me AT ALL before work... so right now I'm eating: no doze (for the first time ever...even though I probably could have used them all during my undergrad, lol), two giant reeses cup..a snickers bar...twizzlers...and two sodas. If this doesn't keep me awake, I have no clue what else will =(.

Back to the grindstone! Also, now that Mom's back home and we're settled again, there have been no doggy disasters. Just waiting on the sickness to pass so we can resume our leash training again =). And just one more day til hopefully I get some answers about my health. Btw, totally chuckled at the "empty-headed" comment from yesterday, Ron!

Thanks, Callie... my friend doesn't fall into any particular sub-sets, church is a huge no-go, and of course any suggestion of assistance related to suicide prevention has all the hackles up.  He's trying to downplay what he said, trying to tough it out, etc, etc...  I'm working on the angle of his previous therapist to see if he would just call that person for some advice/direction.  At least to get us through the next couple of days.

I'm up at 6:30am because I have somewhere to be, but I've been tossing and turning all night.  Partly from my mind not settling, partly from G being a bed hog.   Hope everyone else is enjoying warm, pleasant dreams right now...

 Paige I just posted in yesterday's chat about MH services I hope it isn't too bleak

Bugsy is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Izzy for his Sunday play - I swear this dog is a freak

I haven't had any issues with Amazon and I always use free shipping - I think it has to do with the distance from the distribution center.  I have had appalling issues with using some of the merchants - one book took over a month and was shipped from TN - I was livid

Very pleased with my Yankees and go Giants! Football Giants that is - Amanda you and DH should have fun watching the game today

Cita I am sorry to hear about continued troubles with poor Rascal I hope you can find some help for him

DH & I had a nice meal last night and then made a fire in the firepit.  This weather is just tops  - doesn't get any better etc.  Everyday all you want to do is enjoy it

Paige and Julie, I'm so sorry about your friends.  Keep talking to them.  Keep bugging them to get help.  Call any and all Social Services you can.  Most major hospitals have Social Services departments.  Medical schools too have resources to help.   I feel so helpless just reading about these people who are obviously loved and yet they don't feel like life is worth living.  Keep telling them you love them.  (((hugs)))

Congrats Amanda on Cher's progress. I don't know much about that training, mostly what I've learned reading Liesje's posts but I know it involves lots of work and effort.  Good girl, Cher.  :)

Good luck, Steph and Apollo. Have a great time!

We're off to the park as soon as it gets light outside.  Then grocery store and house cleaning. . My brother is coming for dinner.  A friend brought us some fresh blue crab from the coast (already picked and cleaned) and I'm going to make some crab cakes.

My neighbor was loading her car yesterday morning and I asked her what was up.  She was going up to the school for a big rummage sale.  We drove by and it was packed with people.  I didn't stop since I have enough of my own junk and don't need to buy any more. lol  I noticed her unloading her car yesterday afternoon..  She said she bought as much as she sold.  oops.

I am so sorry to hear about your friends who are having emotional issues right now.  This reminds me of an incident that happened years ago, back in the late 80s.  I answered my ringing phone to someone who dialed randomly.  He needed to talk.  He was reaching out to anyone...he got me.  We ended up staying on the phone for nearly an hour.  He was quite depressed and suidical.  I really don't know how I was able to keep my cool, but more importantly, I don't know how I was able to find the words he so desparately need to hear as well as to keep him talking.  But, I did.  While we were on the phone, I found a few resources for him to reach out to.  And, I was also able to talk him into talking to his parents about his sorrows.  At the end of the conversation, he sounded so much better and he promised me he would reach out to his family and he would reach out to the professionals for help.  I will never forget that young man.

Keep talking about making life better, about what is ahead and how they can turn around their despair.  Reaching out consistently will show them that they are cared for.  Create a band of people to reach out to them to show them there are many people who care.  I'll pray for them too.

Yesterday was Rick's birthday.  He turned 51, now we are the same age again.  Heh! 

I gave him a quiet house yesterday morning for a few hours by leaving.  LOL.  Mother and I went to go check out the Assisted Living Facility.  Long story short....she likes it.  She picked out an apartment with a porch; we had lunch and a tour of the place.  She even made a comment about possibly joining one of the activities:  Sittercize.  So, that was all good.  We are making progress with all the paperwork towards applying for VA assistance, and we will sure need it.  This place is privately paid....and 'taint cheap.  Worries me a bit.  But, as long as her SS plus the VA's reimbursement covers it, she should be fine.

OK, so here's the next quest I need to look into.  For the last 3 years she has been paying for a supplemental medical insurance through UHC.  Does she really need it?  Its $200 a month.  Surely, Medicare will take care of anything catastrophic. 

Well, off to get dressed, exercise the dogs and take them for a walk before the neighbors get up and let their dogs roam. 

I ordered yesterday from Amazon got an email this morning that says my order has been shipped already.  Never had a problem with them.

 I've never had trouble with Amazon either, and I use it a lot because shopping around here is so limited.  Would like to point out though, that Amazon Prime is 79 dollars...  Still worth it with the high cost of shipping.

Grats to Amanda and Cher, good work.

Barb, call Medicare and ask them about her coverage, or ask them to send what it covers. I know a huge hunk of my mothers bills, like almost all of it, was covered. Ask them if she needs it anymore. Your mother will likely have to be present for the phone call to give permission for you to speak to them. Do not get frustrated, and have a list of questions.

Kord is favoring his left front leg. I did a check and it looks like he is favoring the paw over the actual leg. Not sure if he placed it wrong in one of his mad frisbee chases or stepped on something. This started yesterday afternoon and has carried over to this morning. So instead of a run around the yard he got to take a walk with me. We went just short of 2 miles. Talk about a happy dog. I chose the walk because 98 percent of it would be on grass. He is showing no pain that I notice and is still active and happy.  I did post some pictures over on FB.

Have a good day everyone.

I was sad to start the day by reading about Paige and Julie's friends. I hope they can get the help they need.

I'm feeling frustrated these last few days. I never heard back from the equine rescue about volunteering this weekend and we were told not to show up the 1st time without letting them know. I sent an email on Thurs. but never heard back. The coordinator asks that you call or email on Tues, Wed or Thurs between 10 and 1, which is what I did. I don't want to drive out there and find out there's nothing to do (I saw a blog from someone saying that happened to them twice) or that I shouldn't have come because I hadn't gotten approval. So, I guess I'll just pass on it this weekend and hopefully learn more at the "call to action" mtg next weekend.

It is going to be a gorgeous day and I plan to enjoy every min. of it. DH gets off work this morning and we'll head to gym. I think I'll do some yardwork today too. Some of my outside plants look better than they did all summer. I think it's because it's not as blistering hot now.

kpwlee

Amanda you and DH should have fun watching the game today

My DH & I may kill each other while watching the game!  GO TEXANS!!!

I hope that everyone's friends are doing ok this morning.

Kord, get well!

Schatzi woke me up at 5:30 this morning.  Apparently, I was sleeping with my mouth open, & she decided to try to stick her nose in my mouth.  There's nothing like the taste of dachshund nose in your mouth at 5:30 in the morning....

Since I was up, I took everyone out for a romp.  While wandering the trails in the pasture, we saw two turkey, & some deer.  I made the dogs leave the turkeys alone, but they got to give the deer a little chase before getting called back.  Now, the dogs are curled up napping, & I am seriously needing some breakfast! 

Been popping in to check in on everyone but haven't had much time to post.  Only one more week and I will be done with taxes for a few months.  I have been really lucky this year to not have to work a ton of overtime.  I was feeling really guilty at first but now I realize my boss remembers what it was like to have a young child/ren and to have a husband who doesn't work a M-F 9-5 job and limited help otherwise.  I have my parent's on call for evenings this week if needed, but I can't just do that to Devin or them all the time.  It is just so disruptive to everyone's schedules.  I still stay until the last minute that I can and still get Devin on time, work through lunches, and stay late on Friday's which is my time I usually leave at lunch time, and work for an hour at home after Devin goes to bed if needed so I am ready for it to be over.  It's a good thing this is my favorite part of what I do! 

 I order from Amazon all the time, and I think I usually upgrade my shipping to the one that is around $5.  BUT I have used the free shipping plenty too.  The only time I have ever had a problem is when I don't order directly from Amazon, and it is one of their other sellers.  I always check the feedback on those sellers before ordering.

My mom is on Medicare now.  I don't know everything about it but I know there are a TON of parts to sign up for.  When she had cancer last year and went through chemo and radiation, she wasn't out of pocket anything, or very very little.  I know there is a lifetime limit on treatment costs, but I think they are talking about repealing that too.  I am not sure if my mom still has a supplemental policy now that she is on Medicare but I will ask her if you would like. 

I am sorry for everyone whose friends are struggling.  It is so hard to know what to do because everyone's situation is so different.  My cousin as well as my DH's cousin both commit suicide years ago and it has such a profound effect on the people who love them.  My first hurdle was getting over how someone could be so unhappy that they would do what they did to themselves.  They both shot themselves in the heads and it just floored me, especially the one that was walked in on and I had to hear how it all progressed.  Reach out to your friends, offer support in any way you see fit.  You can't necessarily save them yourselves, but just being there and showing them that someone really cares about them can be just enough to help them get the help they need. 

My birthday was yesterday too and I had a great day!  Thanks for all the bday wishes on FB!  Devin and I had so much fun at her gymnastics class yesterday.  Then we met my brother and a long time childhood friend we grew up with for sushi for lunch.  Then last night hubby took me to a place here that is fabulous and most definately a place we only go for special occasions.  We had elk tacos and quail legs for appetizer, split a salad, and I had a pepper crusted buffalo loin for my main dish.  Hubs had the same but his main dish was a pick three with the buffalo, elk and lamb.  It was all spectacular and plenty of great wine too!  I can't wait for the next time we go which isn't often enough. 

We decided last night to book Devin's 2nd bday at her gymnastic place since she always has so much fun there and is so comfortable there.  I have entertained enough to know that I will easily spend the same amount having it at my house, and the stress levels will be much higher.  So here, all we do is show up and bring a cake.  No cleaning, no nothing else.  We will probably have some people over afterwards for drinks and fun at our house, but it won't be such a madhouse at our house which will be nice! 

 Bummer Cathy, I was hoping you'd get to get out there and help this weekend.  Glad you didn't waste your time going out there though.

 Dawn, I will do just that...call Medicare and discuss her coverage with then.  Sarah, thanks very much...it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Schatzi sez:  Wus in dere?  LOL 

On our walk this morning, we had a training opp...for all three.  I had all of them intending to take Buddy on a short short...then take him back and continue on.  While Buddy was with us...and on the way back, there was an adult Orange Tabby cat, not 10 feet from us, laying in the ditch.  They all saw it before I did.  The cat didn't move the whole time, which helped greatly.   So...with a "not for you" and try to keep on walking, we get on by with no issue.  With Heidi, in particular, this is always very nice to observe...because the instant I say "not for you" she turns around and looks at me in hopes of getting her most valuable toy, the chuckit ball.  I keep my hand on the ball bag, she keeps her eyes on me, and we all just walk on by.  Good dogs.

Could be a commercial:  Chuckit Balls, never leave home without them. 

Are you ready for this:  As I was helping Mom with her bath this morning, I mentioned how big her bathroom is over there.  She said with great enthusiasm:  "I know...I'm getting excited about it all."  How cool is that!

Go Texans!

Looks like I need to go catch up on what's going on with everyone.  Sending hugs & vibes.

Just did my good deed for the day.  I was coming back from the grocery store and noticed a little black dog in my nextdoor neighbor's yard.  She trotted behind my car when I turned onto my street, and when I got out of my car, she was right at the edge of my yard, but wouldn't come to me.  She started off down my street, but luckily for her, she was dragging a long tie-out (obviously she had busted it...the clip on the end was broken).  I was easily able to step on it and reel her in.  Best part....she had TAGS!  Woot!  There was no address on the nametag, but there was a number, so I called it and the lady who answered told me she was out driving around looking for her right then.  She came to get her about a minute later, and she thanked me, but I thanked HER for having tags on her dog.  I told her that seemed to be a rarity around these parts, lol.

Very nice Heather....Double Woot for tags.