Uncommon Misconception

Okay for Now. Mostly. We Think.

That's about as specific as the vet could get about Bear's condition.  In fancy vet jargon, she believes Bear most likely has doggie vertigo of unknown origin.  Okay,fine.  That's not the technical term.  But damned if I know what is, save for the fact that it starts with a "v" and has a root that means inner ear.

Basically, older dogs can sometimes get this, and they don't quite know why.  Given that Bear is a motion-sick-type dog to begin with, I bet he's loving every minute of this.  Poor thing can't even pee right because he can't lift a leg.  Now that's sad.

There are other possible explanations, but we sprang for some minimal blood work and so far there are no big alarms going off.  He's home now, with medicine that's supposed to counter the vertigo.  He's found a little hidey-hole in the pantry (have I ever mentioned that our pantry is really shelves in the girl's bathroom? fun, huh?!) and he's sleeping away.  I touched him an hour ago and for a paralyzing second, thought he'd died.  Then he spazed out and I felt bad for waking him.

We're out $160 for the day, but at least we don't think he's got a seizure disorder or organ failure.

Thank you for keeping me distracted, by the way.  Keep the stories coming.  I'm fascinated!

To return the favor, I'll point you at a blog I came across yesterday that had me laughing out loud:  Love by the Book.  And since I'm not a twenty-something (at least, not outside my own head) and I haven't dated anyone new in 10 years (gasp!), I'm living vicariously through someone else's escapades.

Cheers!

Distract Me

On Wednesday, Bear, my oldest dog woke up, well... just wrong.  He was walking around with his head cocked at a weird angle, leaning up against walls.  He was walking slowly and barely able to navigate stairs or anything other than simple walking.  We've kept a close eye on him since, checking everything we can ourselves, but really reluctant to take him to the vet because we simply do not have the money.

Today, I finally decided to take him in.  Our guesses range from the severe - like stroke or seizure - to the markedly minor - like an ear infection.  Bear is quickly approaching ten.  Not super-old for a sheltie, but certainly no spring chicken, either.  Our dogs get short shrift around here, progressively notching downward on the family hierarchy with the arrival of the girls.  But we still love them.  Mostly.  Except when they do something messy.  Or annoying.

Bear is clearly my favorite.  He's been an "old man" in temperament from about two months old on - which is rare in such a hyper breed.  Before Todd and I were married, when Bear was a tiny pup, I'd wake up in the mornings and hold him on my lap for 15 mintutes or so, just lovin' on his belly and snuggling before I showered and left for work.  I miss that.

I dropped Bear off this morning and now I'm waiting for word.  They were really packed today with the holiday weekend coming up, so he's got to wait until the vet can see him.  So, while I wait for a phone call, I thought I'd ask for some distraction.

Tell me about your most interesting/heinous/wierd job.  Give me all the gory details.

To get the ball rolling, I'll tell you about mine:

(There may actually be a tie here between the job I'm going to describe, and my first [paid] job as a cook and cashier at Whataburger.  But since nearly everyone has had to work fast food at some point, I'm choosing the more rare of the two.)

When I was sixteen, I was a parts-runner for an auto repair shop.  My friend, Em, got the better of the two gigs at this family-run shop, as the secretary.  She worked indoors with a boom box and air conditioning.  I spent my days with my thighs stuck to the vinyl seats of a mini-truck with a hinky gear shift and minimally functional air conditioning.  My job was to pick up necessary parts from shops, manufacturers, and junk yards and ferry them back to the shop.  I also took customers back to work or home when they dropped off their vehicles for repair.

Now, the thing you have to realize about the auto repair industry is that it's all male.  All greasy, dust-covered, nudie-calendar male.  So when a sixteen-year-old blonde walks in and saunters up to the counter, the reactions were often, well, priceless.  Men of every age would stutter, mumble, and offer me sodas while lamely trying to dust off the only chair and hide their chewin' tabaccy spit cups.  I swear, some actually genuflected as they backed out of the room to get the requested part.

I realize this sounds like bragging, but believe me, it's not.  I think any female under the age 65 and in possession of all her teeth would have received the same treatment.  Invariably, there was flirting, and even what could have qualified as outright harrassment by my "manager" at the shop.  But since my parents owned a company in another male-dominated industry, I was familiar with "good ol' boys", and their innappropriate behavior really didn't bother me.  It was primarily entertainment in a job that offered few, few perks.

I will say, thought, that the other big perk was a chance to learn my way around town.  I drove around every sector of the city, picking people and parts up, with directions that weren't always spot-on.  For better or worse, I had to find my way, and I still remember short-cuts that I gathered along the way.

Okay, your turn.  What have you done to pay the bills?

Mish Mash Mush

My apologies, but my mind has dissolved into a cloud of ... hm? Wha?  I'm sorry, I've lost my train of thought.

I'm in one of those incapacitated states that comes with overload.  I've got too much going on, too many thoughts roaming free range, and not enough sleep or energy to deal with them properly.  So you're going to get yet another jumble of updates, instead of a nice, orderly, thematic post.

My bad.

Scorpions, and how I loathe them.
Seriously, seriously, seriously hate them.  The are anathema to my peace of mind.  Case in point: two nights ago, I went in to get Caroline at about 5:30 a.m. because she was fussing.  I bent over to pick her up and as I lifted her, I caught sight of a GIANT, VERY ACTIVE SCORPION on her wall ABOVE HER CRIB!  As in, ABOVE WHERE I LAY HER WEE FUZZY HEAD TO SLEEP EACH AND EVERY NIGHT!  I'm sorry, am I SCREAMING?!  GOOD, because DAMN! A SCORPION COULD HAVE EATEN MY BABY!

I dispatched Todd to kill the SOB, and kept Caroline in our bed for the rest of the morning.  Clearly, there was no other choice.

We had the house treated about a week ago, but those buggers are tenacious.  My friend, Em, who's company did the treating, said they have to actually come out and get all cozy with the poison before it can work.  And then, because of their exoskeleton, it takes a good long while to actually kill them.  We've seen four scorpions since that treatment.  It's summer, and it's freakin' surface-of-the-sun hot here, so it's not surprising.  Yet somehow, I derive no comfort from that.

Speaking of cribs
Caroline got so pissed off the other night when I insisted on putting her back in her crib to sleep, instead of the comfy crook of my arm during my extremely limited alone time (was watching Gran Tornino, by the way, which was great), that she CLIMBED OUT OF THE CRIB, OPENED THE DOOR, and OVER TO MY BED!

Am I yelling again?  Sorry.  But !!!  and also, ?!?!?!

She hasn't repeated this stunt, but I do think the clock is ticking on the cribs life expectancy.  I'm really not looking forward to a big girl bed for Caroline.  Here's why:

1. Cost
Even at the cheapest scenario I've worked out, we're looking at a new bed frame, mattress, and bedding.
2. Mobility
Clearly, Caroline has no qualms with exiting a bed - or a room, for that matter.  I have visions of her climbing into Hannah's bed to jump on her head, throw toys at her, or generally perturb her peaceful slumber.  See also, our peaceful slumber.
3. She's my baby
4. Did I mention she can't be old enough for this yet?

Designy
When I get all mushy-brained like this, I like to do visual creative stuff.  That's the technical term for photography or (unpaid) design.  Stuff that's just for fun and not under any sort of deadline.  I'm thinking of redesigning this blog.  In fact, I'm thinking of redesigning it on a semi-regular basis.  Without, you know, committing to anything.

I want to work up some invitations to Caroline's second birthday party (!!!), but she won't pause long enough for a decent photo!  I'll have to make a more concerted effort to chase her down this week.

Speaking of parties
I think we're either doing a plain-Jane birthday party at home or a party at the local pool for Caroline.  It's hot as Hades, so the pool sounds nice and comes with the added benefit of no home cleaning.  But it's also a bit of a pain to watch lots of kids at a pool, what with all the potential drowning, etc.  Good thing I've got so much time to decide!  Hey, wait... dammit!

"Surviving and Thriving"
I was interviewed by the local business journal last week for a story about strategies freelancers are using to "survive and thrive" in the recession.  At first, I had to laugh, because I wasn't sure I really had any "strategies".  But after I sat down and thought about it, there is a certain method to my madness.  The interview went well and the story should run in a couple of weeks.  It'll give me some nice exposure.

It was also good to step back and look at my career, outside the framework of our household financial situation.  My work is in full swing, and this year is really a banner year for me.  I only wish I could take that perspective more often.

Two-Income Family
Todd has his first closing of the year tomorrow, and I'm so, so, so glad.  I'll yell if that's what it takes to prove it.  He's also seeing a teeny bit of an upswing in the amount of work - putting in offers, taking clients around, hearing promises of "have to" moves.  But we'll all breathe a big sigh of relief when all that activity actually turns into MONEY.  He's still looking on all fronts, though, for those of you wondering.

Photography
Have you been looking at the flickr account from my client portfolio?  It's over there on the left.  There's some cute new pictures from recent sessions.  Just in case you're interested.

BlogHer '09 preparations
Do I need cards for my blog?  Hm.  Something else to design.

No church just yet.
I didn't make it to the Episcopal church on Sunday.  Todd was out late (won some money playing poker) and the girls slept in, and, well, so did I.  But I do have a nice little game plan in place and a list 'o churches to check off.

What's for dinner?
No, really.  What are you making?  And when will you get here?

Watch Out, Stacy and Clinton

Hannah emerged from her room fully dressed and ready for preschool today.  She was wearing an adorable shorts set in super-comfy peacock-blue cotton with a floral top - very appropriate since I'd admonished her to dress coolly because of the 106 degree heat (so not kidding - that's not even heat INDEX!).

Then I glanced at her feet, which were decked out in chocolate brown mary janes with pink flowers on them. 

"I don't think those shoes quite match, babe."

She looked down and then furrowed her brow, "Yes the do! They're a neutral color - brown - so they match everything!"

Touche, Hannah, touche.  The student has become the master.

Apropos of Nothing

... Except, perhaps, want of a cohesive theme.

Vacation Hangover (hers, but somehow still mine)
My mom used to tell me that when I came back from visiting my grandparents, there was a bit of a "recovery" time, wherein I had to relearn the rules of being a civilized child who followed rules and was generally a peaceable member of society.  The word "spoiled" may have come up.

[enter sigh] She was right.  Hannah has been mostly good since her return, but there are clear signs of vacation hangover: a general grumpiness and refusal to listen, replacing it instead with whines and pouts.

I think it has less to do with anyone [grandma] spoiling anyone [Banana], and more to do with the harsh reality of coming back to the real world.  And honestly, I think we all do this - four or forty.

Yesterday was pretty harsh.  Primarily because Caroline had a super-rough night and I was operating on very little sleep.  Little sleep + cranky kids + neglected work = mom with cartoony squiggles and swear words over her head.

But by the end of the evening it seemed that Hannah received the message: You home now, all the old rules apply.  I think we're back on track.  [clearly, knocking wood]

Wedded Bliss
Yesterday marked eight years since Todd and I were married.  In a fit of celebration, he worked all day while I (grumpily) watched the kids.  The girls and I ate spaghetti and got ready for bed, and when he came home he at microwaved leftovers.  Then he and I watched Deadliest Catch (together), and then a baseball game and reality TV (separately).  Later, we crashed with some mutual "love 'ya"s and pats on the back.

I know.  Steamy, right?

But it was perfect, for us.  I think romance is highly overrated.  Comfort and deep love is much, much better.  Plus, we're going out to a fancy restaurant on Friday night while friends watch the girls.  We'll try and do it up right then.

Severed Lifeline
My church closed.  Yep, closed.  Completely out of the blue, I received an email from the church conference saying they church was closed and that the day before was our last service.  Come get any belongings, thankyouverymuch.

I'm really upset about this.  The church had been a big source of support this year, including financial gifts and donations that were really helping keep us afloat.  Not to mention the massive help of prayers and knowing that there's a larger family out there that will hold you up when you need it.

I feel like there must be something else going on.  The church was only 1.5 years old.  I know the Methodist Church usually allots five years for new churches before the expect them to have their act together.  I thought the pastor was great, the congregation supportive, and in a tiny community like ours, they really played an important role in our lives.

Starting Sunday, I'll have to start my search anew.  Any suggestions for a relatively progressive denomination?

Summer Television
One thing I love about the largely abyssmal summer TV lineup is this: the excuse to watch crap!  Trashy TV is quickly becoming my favorite guilty pleasure.

Wipeout
You really have to watch this - it's hands-down the best stress-relief out there.  Last season, once I forced myself to stop feeling sorry for the contestants (they VOLUNTEER!  and they have a shot a $50K!), I loved every second of the exploitative falls, slips, and periously dangerous head-shots.  This year, the courses are much improved, and the comedic comentary is hilarious.  Even my kids like watching it (with a preceding explanation that it's only okay to laugh at people who fall if a. they're on a game show, or b. you checked to make sure they're okay and stop before you hurt their feelings).

The Bachelorette
I wholeheartedly blame my friend Em for making me watch this.  She also hooked me on I Hate Greenbeans (a recap blog) which is written by a real-life friend of hers.  I generally disagree with the premise of the show and I think the intentionally pick at least a half-crop of losers and drama kings, but man, there's no denying that the show is hilarious!  I laugh out loud every time and usually try to explain to Todd what was so funny, except it never fully translates and I end up sounding like an idiot.  But who cares.  Funny is funny.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey
You can't make this sh*t up.  Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!  Completely inappropriate in every single way, and yet, 100% addictive.  The "characters" are so over the top that I literally sit there with my mouth hanging open.  And yet, each one of them has deeply redemptive moments that make me tear up!  (I know! How humiliating to cry over crazy people!)  Once you get over the wrongness of it, it's so very, very right.

In the realm of less trashy, I'm also watching Burn Notice (Magnum PI for the new millennium), Saving Grace, Royal Pains, Deadliest Catch ("The crab show" as Hannah calls it), Ice Road Truckers (actually scary this year), True Blood, In Plain Sight, Bizarre Foods (he's actually endearing), and Man vs. Food.

Am I missing any Must-Sees?