Wednesday, August 28, 2013

LIFE'

I was going to take time off from blogging.  I didn't think I had anything of value to tell you. After deciding this, I received emails from several people asking if I was okay.  I guess I didn't realize how much all of you look forward to reading this blog.  I decided to write about what's been going on in my life for the past few weeks.


Almost two weeks ago, on a Saturday morning,, after she had coughed all night, I was prepared to have Lucie put to sleep.  She was coughing, shaking,, breathing rapidly and pacing, unable to sit still.  Two days prior to this, I had taken her to the vet because she'd gotten sick and was refusing to eat or drink and breathing rapidly. She was on oxygen at the vet for a while.  She was put on a third medication which I'm told will give her three good months, possibly six.  The vet said he would try the new medication on his own dog.  He thought Lucie would do well on it.  Anyway, that Saturday morning  it was clear the medications were not working.  I felt there was only one option left, to take her to the vet to be put to sleep because as much as I want Lucie with me,  I never want her to suffer.  My neighbor was going to follow my caregiver and me to the vet. She and I would stay with Lucie until the procedure was over. Arrangements were made.  I was trying to come to terms with the fact that I only had a few more hours with Lucie.  All of a sudden she was barking and waiting patiently for a doggie treat.  She was given her medications and has been doing well ever since.  August 18th was her 14th birthday.  A friend said, "Lucie has nine lives like a cat."  I'm beginning to think she's right. 

One of my caregivers, who works during the day, is always calling and complaining that she does most of the work.  She complains about what the other caregivers haven't done.  She has called the agency on my other caregivers numerous times.  The other two caregivers work mainly at night.  I don't expect anyone to do housework at night   Today she called again. After the call, in which they offered to replace her, she and I talked. I told her what her duties were. I told her she can't keep calling the agency because they are getting tired of it.  She likes working for me and wants to stay.  I told her to worry about doing her job and not what other caregivers are doing.  If she has a problem we'll talk it out.  I hope the situation is resolved. 

I almost lost a friendship because I spoke my mind.  It was thoughtless and I regretted what I had said immediately. Not one of my proudest moments.  I thought about omitting it from this post, but it was part of what was going on in my life so, I included it.  There were a few days .when I didn't think we'd work things out.  Thankfully, we did

I guess the message from my experiences over the past weeks is whatever difficult times you may be experiencing right now, know that you are strong enough to get threw them. And also, that you are not alone.  Everyone struggles, just in. different ways

Thank you for reading my blog and for caring about Lucie and me.  Until next time.  

Monday, August 12, 2013

PERSEVERANCE

I play a game on Facebook called Word Tornado.  It is really just a fancy name for Scrabble. The only difference between Scrabble and Word Tornado is  Word Tornado has a time limit. You have a little over a minute to create a word with the tiles you have been given.  If you fail to do so you lose your turn.  I like the fact that the game has a time limit.  It makes the game more challenging.  

When I first started playing I didn't score well at all.  I was determined to improve.   I didn't let the fact that I scored low deter me.  I had been playing for months. Sometimes I felt like giving up.  I didn't.  My scores began to improve.  Now, I am even one of the top three players.  Don't get me wrong, I still have bad games, but I continue playing because I know I will have good ones too.

I always said I wanted to work at Meramec.  I volunteered in the computer lab.  I learned everything I could through volunteering in the lab. . I didn't give up until my dream became a reality

When I purchased my first laptop I didn't want to use the built-in mouse on the keyboard.  I thought it would be difficult for met.  I wanted a trackball mouse like the ones I used in the data lab at Meramec I  purchased a mouse and plugged it into my laptop.  Over time the trackball of the mouse became worn down causing the mouse not to move properly.  I had no way to get it replaced. 

The time had come. I was now or never. I'd teach myself to use the mouse on my laptop's keyboard.  It wasn't easy.  I found the mouse on my laptop to be more sensitive than the mouse I was used to. The keyboard mouse was more difficult for me to control.  With a lot of practice, I finally learned to use the mouse on the keyboard of my laptop. I was so proud when I mastered it. 

I refuse to give up on my writing.   I know I will have a column published in a newspaper or magazine.  Anything worth having takes hard work and determination.

For r as long as I can remember, my nephew, Kyle has played baseball. He played every chance he got.  He spent a couple of summers in Maine playing on a team in college.  

Kyle had a dream to play professional baseball.  He didn't give up. This spring Kyle's dream became a reality.  He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. He's currently a pitcher for their minor league team The Johnson City Cardinals in Tennessee.  

I am very proud of what Kyle has accomplished. I wish him the best as he begins his professional baseball career.  Kyle is the best example of someone with perseverance that I can give you.  With hard work, determination, and a belief in yourself, dreams can become reality.  All you have to do is persevere...   





Sunday, August 4, 2013

PETS ADD SO MUCH

Having a pet enriches your life. It has been proven that petting a dog can lower your blood pressure. Pets teach children responsibility and to have empathy for another living being. Even something as simple as watching a tank filled with fish is relaxing.  When I was little we had a fish tank.  I used to love to watch the fish swim around in it.  They were so graceful. We even had a gerbil for awhile.  I got to take it home for the summer on the last day of school.

There has been a dog in my house since I was two or threes years old.  I have been particularly close to our Maltese, Frosty, and Lucie.  My readers know about the special relationship I have had with both dogs. I have written posts about both of them.  Sometimes having a dog forces me to put their needs before my own.  Just like a parent does with their child. Having Lucie allows me to use the maternal and nurturing side of my personality.  She depends on me. When we visit the vet and they take her to the exam room, she frantically looks back to make sure I am following.  I tell her, "Lucie, I'm coming.  You know I can't move that fast.  I'm not leaving you."

When I volunteered at the independent living center and visited my client at the nursing facility.  I was surprised to see the facility had birds, in the lobby, a fish tank at the end of the hall and there was even a cat in residence. One, when I was leaving, I rode done in the elevator with a man who had brought a dog to visit the residents.  Nursing homes know the benefits of having animals around.

I hope there will always be a dog in my life.  Having a pet makes your life better.  Pets don't judge you.  They accept you as you are.  You care for them and they give you love, loyalty, and devotion in return.   There's no other relationship like it.