Dog Sense

I have not been feeling well for awhile.  Since I had my stroke in 1992, my auto immune system has not functioned as it should.  That means that I get infections and all kinds of weird things because my body is not able to fight invading elements that target me.   The end result is that I get serious infections like MRSA and Cellulitis and can end up in the hospital so I don't go into Sepsis.  To say it's a "pain" to deal with is funny on one hand, but very true on the other.

 

My immune system reacts to stress.  The more stress I have, the less I can fight off these dumb things that find their way into my system.   That means my legs, arms and torso end up in distress, with itching, dry and breaking skin and infection running rampant in my system. 

 

That has been the case for awhile.  I get to the point where I can't stand to wear pants or walk or really move, since any movement will irritate my legs and start the chain reaction of itching, scratching and infection.  It affects my sleep   I can't sleep.  I am in a constant state of movement and up and down all night putting things on my legs or any area that is affected.   It's a chain reaction--lack of sleep means stress, stress means an active outbreak of exezma, which means I am itchy and can't sleep. 

 

I went to my dermatologist today and found that I have indeed been experiencing a severe active outbreak, coupled with impetigo, an infection that is two steps away from MRSA which could land me in the hospital for the third time to get rid of this.

 

My doctor gave me three or four new prescriptions but also gave me a shot to reduce the itchiness and allow me to get some sleep.  She told me to be careful driving since this would make me sleepy.  She was right....I was almost home and could feel the effects of the shot.

 

I took Dixie out before I left for my 9:00 appointment and that was it.  Once I got home, I got into bed and slept without interruption for the next four hours.  It was great.  I felt drugged when I finally woke up, but I slept...finally I got some good sleep. 

 

I got up at 2:00 in the afternoon and worried that Dixie had pooped or peed in the house.  Relax, I said to myself after an inspection...all was well.   Dixie was laying near me by my side of the bed.  All curled up and sleeping lightly.  She got up when I got up and followed me around the house.  If I sat down, she sat at my feet.  If I laid down, she laid down in front of me.  When I did take her out, she was efficient and came right back in.  Tony said she must have sensed that I was not well.  I think he was right.  Dixie has been a wonderful puppy today and seems to be taking care of me, instead of the other way around. 

 

I remember Jack displaying the same type of support when I was displaced and out of work for six months.   If I was on the couch crying, he was in front of me whimpering.  He would jump up next to me and get close and just be there.  It was comforting, as it was with Dixie today.   I am lucky we have had such sensitive pets and hope to be immune improved very soon.   See, I always knew that dogs were people too!

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DIXIE!!!

I suppose it's natural for parents to reminisce about the day their baby was born.   To remember how small they were compared to current day--comparing their little nose and fingers and recalling how they slept a lot.  Babies are a breathing miracle.

 

Tony and I are doing that today with Dixie.  She is 2 years old today!  Ah, the terrible twos.  Could it be any worse than her fist year--biting, pooping inside, destroying shoes?  We'll see. 

 

On a positive note, she is responding better to spoken commands and hand signals.  If her water dish is empty and we don't fill it when she barks, she lifts it out of the metal frame and lets it drop so it makes a noise.  Pretty smart, huh?  It's like I tell Tony, it only took her a year to train two people. 

 

Dixie is as different from Jack as a Poodle is to a Mexican Hairless.  She is a "girly, girl" while Jack was a snorting, sloppy eating mess with "eye goo."  But, both added  happiness to our lives and are/were much loved. 

 

See our baby grow!   Happy Birthday, Dixie!!

 

The first time ever I saw your face...2013

Sleeping beauty

Cuddling with a tennis ball

Dixie was almost black!!  Tony made the final decision....good choice!

Oh yeah, this is the one

 

 

Six weeks later, going to  her new house

With her new daddy....

...And new Mommy!

 

In mid-air...see me grow!!

Having fun, fetching with Daddy

Taking a rest

Back to running and jumping

Relaxing with "Stretch" January, 2014

Newly groomed

 

In her sweater

Sleeping and waiting for Santa

Taking Daddy for a walk

 

"I'm soooo cute!"

 

January, 2015....thinking about aging on her birthday

Feeling the "hat vibe!!"

 

Happy Birthday, Baby!

 

 

 

 

Fire

Tony and I have always been drawn to the elements--water mostly, but fire too.  We love sitting in front of a fireplace and listening to it crack and sharing the heat.   In Strongsville, we had a wood burning fireplace and a burn mark on our carpet in the family room in front of the fireplace because we had a raging fire that "spit" an ember on to the rug.   It was a pain when we tried to sell the house, but when we looked at it, we remembered that fire and the fun we had leaping up and putting it out before it got worse.  It was one of those "you and me" moments.  We witnessed it and dealt with it together.  It was our rug, our fireplace, our fire and our problem!

 

Several months ago, I was looking at fireplaces online and saw some portable ones that you could put on your patio or lanai.  I was enchanted with the idea of sitting out on the lanai in the cooler weather and having a fire to keep us warm.   Plus, the idea of having a fire on the lanai without going outside in evening even in the warmer weather and not fighting bugs was very attractive to me.

 

When David came in for Thanksgiving, I shared my idea with him and a few days ago, he emailed Tony and told him about a portable fireplace at Home Depot.   We went to look at them  today and they were exactly what I wanted.  The one we bought  throws heat, has different flame colors, gets up to 82 degrees in temperature, heats an area of up to 400 square feet and look great.  It fits in the space I wanted to put it perfectly. 

 

Tony put it together today and we tested it and it is wonderful.  We told  Dixie that it was for her....and I think she will take full advantage of it, but I know that Tony bought it and installed it for me.  And, I just love it. 

 

Check out the process...and the finished product.   Fire....I love it.

 

 

Tony takes the first step in creating "fire!!"

Reading the directions is always better with a Miller Lite!

OOO...all we need is flames, heat and color....

 

We're getting close....but don't get the marshmellows yet!

Ta Da.....side lighting (see the blue and purple on the house...), flames and heat...plus music from the speakers on the lanai.  Morning coffee is going to be really nice.

 

Thanks, Daddy Bear....I love it.

 

 

 

 

An Early New Year

We had our friends, Jim, Rhoda, Stu and Jan over last night for appetizers and drinks.  It was a fun time.  They are a good group and we have lots in common.  We had way too much food and Dixie was well behaved, so I think it was a good time for all.

 

And now we are actively jumping into 2015.   We start out by visiting Tony's friends for New Years Day.  They built in an upscale development about 45 minutes from here and I can't wait to see the house.  Also in January, Tony will be in Charlotte babysitting as Marie is jumping back into her professional mode and will be traveling to California for business as soon as she is off of maternity leave.   That will be right around the same time that Donna and Bob are coming in, as well as our old neighbors from Strongsville who are moving to this area.  For me, it will be work and training for our computer conversion in March.    Anthony will be baptized in February and Tony has a golf outing in March.  So our calendar is quickly filling up and 2015 promises to be just as busy as 2014. 

 

The hospital is busy as well.  I worked Sunday and we broke the record for the number of patients coming into the Emergency room for treatment.   It was a grueling pace and I lost two pounds just running around.  I went back to work on Monday where we broke the record we set on Sunday, seeing even more people.  It felt like every 5 minutes tour buses were pulling up to the Emergency Room and dropping off really, really sick people.  We had 110 confirmed cases of the flu in the past 30 days even though many of those got a flu shot.  It has become necessary for the staff to wear masks and gloves during our shifts.  The gloves irritate my hands and I hate wearing the mask.  Hopefully, this will be over soon. 

 

2014 will end on a quiet note, as Tony and I will stay here and open a bottle of Asti in front of the fireplace.

 

We wish you all a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous 2015.    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Odd Christmas...

I never thought about service people and Christmas before.  I guess at some level, I thought that everything was closed on Christmas and that was it.  Everyone was at home with their families and the world was at peace.

 

That's not the case.  I am working today from 3:00 to 11:30 p.m.  By the time I get home, Christmas, 2014 will be gone.  I hope that the people who come to the Emergency Room today are few, but I know those that do, will really need to be there, and that is sad.   Those that were admitted yesterday are in the hospital on Christmas Day, and that is sad too.  But, at least they are in a place where we can help them.

 

Tony is in Charlotte today with Tony, Marie, Coleton, Anthony and David.    It's the first time that David has seen Anthony and I know that Anthony will do his best to be cute and cooey!  I hope that Coleton enjoys the few things that we got him and I smile because we got Anthony his own toys!  I told Marie that we would not go overboard this year...and that we are embarrassed by how little we did buy the kids. 

 

I think of Ben, Sam, Ellie and Zach and hope they had a nice Christmas too.  This will be their first Christmas with their new puppy, Charlie.  I wonder how he will react to wrapping paper all over the floor and new toys!  I hope they like our gifts.

 

Tony and I  will have our Christmas tomorrow when he gets back.  This is the first time in 25 years that we have been apart for Christmas...how odd that feels. 

 

On a lighter note, Donna and Bob will be down soon, spending January and February in the condo they rented.  On December 30, we are having friends over for appetizers and alcohol to ring in the new year a day early!   And, we are spending New Year's Day with some old friends of Tony's that just moved down to North Carolina.  

 

I will be working extra hours in January, as we are converting to a new computer system, so already, the month is busy.  But, the money will be good and my plan to retire in January, 2016, will be in tact.  I start my retirement count down on January 1. 

 

Well, off I go to get ready for work.  Merry Christmas to all and much love.

 

 

Our tree, all lit up on the patio

Our newly trimmed little girl, I think she heard Santa Claus!

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Updates

 

 

We live in a seasonal dilemma.  On one hand, we get excited about the holidays and look forward to spending time with our families. On the other hand, there are so many things we have to do to prepare.   We run around shopping look for the perfect gifts.  We eat out.  We rush to send out cards.  We haul down decorations and after a day or two, all of them blend into the scenery and the initial "ah" moment is gone.  By January, we are beat, poor and overweight.

 

But, no matter what, being with our families is the best the season has to offer.  We headed back to Cleveland early in December and got to see the grandchildren, our sisters/brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews and old friends.  It was great. 

 

We did not go to our Financial Planner's Christmas party this year, opting  rather to  support a  family member with some serious health issues.  It was a good choice, as things are getting better now. 

 

We also got to see Jenna and Jon's new house and how beautiful it is.   The kids took us on a tour of their bedrooms.  When we got to the boy's room (all 3 share a huge room), Sam pulled up his bedspread and said, "look, Momo, box springs, they bounce better."  And then he proceeded to get up on the bed and jump up and down....which, of course, meant that Zack, Ben and Ellie had to do the same thing.    The kitchen was so much better than the one they had in their Lakewood house, like Jon said, "hey, now more than one person can be in the kitchen at the same time!" 

 

We got some updated pictures and had a really good time. I just can't believe how big they are all getting.  Zack warmed up to us and even gave hugs and kisses.   Ellie is a princess and enjoyed her piggyback rides on Papa.  She is very proud of having her own room.  Ben is huge.  He is growing up so fast, but is just as thin as always.  Sam is wild.  He is a tornado with a big grin.  That is one, happy kid. 

 

We also got to see Chris, Shannon and Emma--who is just as beautiful as always.  She is talking well and is a real character.    She calls Dixie, "Dipsey." 

 

On this visit, we were able to see my niece, Sarah and her significant other, Steven.  They rented an apartment together in Parma that is really nice.  Watching her and Tony in the kitchen talking about pans was a real hoot.  Our nephew, Joey, came to sister lunch so I got to see him before he went to work.  He is much like Ben--tall and very narrow!!

 

From Cleveland, with a one day stop at our house, we went to Charlotte to babysit for the kids so Tony and Marie could go to their company holiday party.  Poor Anthony has some acid reflux problems and cries a lot after eating.  When he is not suffering and in pain, he is all smiley and vocal.  It's like he's trying to carry on a conversation with you.  Coleton is one beautiful boy.  His school had their gift exchange and Tony got some good pictures of him and his classmates enjoying their new toys.   Tony is back in Charlotte today, helping out and I am home with Dixie. 

 

Behold our beautiful family:

 

Marie and Coleton at his school party

Look at that face!!

Dixie give Lynn kisses after opening her new dog toys and puppy outfits

 

Ben is getting SO big

Ellie and Sam line up for piggyback rides....poor Papa

 

Zack liked his transformer!!  Sam is trying to transform Papa!

 

Zack wasn't ready for a photo op yet

Ellie and Daddy

 

Beautiful children

 

Chris, Miss Emma and Shannon

Emma, contemplating her options with Nana, Donna

Dixie, up on Tony's shoulders while he drives home...."I'm pooped, Daddy, let's go home," she says.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When David Comes To Town

David and Bernie came to see us for Thanksgiving and what a good time we had.  Unfortunately, I had to work a lot of the time they were here, but I know each of them had a good time and we shared some nice dinners and conversation, which made it even more special. 

 

David sported a moustache....something new for him.  Something he is doing in conjunction with work.  I'm not sure I liked it, but he did look different....something like Tony, but something uniquely him.  I think I like the un-moustached David more. 

 

David and Tony ate oysters, played golf and ping pong together and had a good time.   The three of us went to dinner at an Italian restaurant downtown, Aubrianna's, and that was really nice.  We spent some time at the City Club and on Sunday, David and Tony went to the Browns Backer's club downtown to see the Browns play.  David won either way, as the Browns were playing his old team, the Buffalo Bills. 

 

Thanksgiving dinner ala Tony was terrific as always and we enjoyed it for days after.  He is the stuffing King, as well as turkey, yams, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and everything else...of course, I burned the rolls, but they were still...ok, they were still...burned. 

 

I am working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but David is flying to Charlotte to meet Anthony and see his Godson, Coleton (ok...Tony and Marie, too!!)  Tony and Dixie will go to Charlotte on Christmas Eve to see the kids open their presents and will be back when I am not working.  I am thankful that I was able to get "Christmas" off at the beginning of the month so we can see Jenna, Jon, the kids and their new house.  We have lots planned on our Cleveland trip and are truly looking forward to it. 

 

We had tons of fun with David and Bernie and can't wait until their next visit.  Dixie just loves Bernie....well, unless Tyson is around and then she just loves him.   Hey, what can I say, she's fickle!!!

 

 

 

Bernie and "Daddy!!"

 

My dinner dates...the mustache men!!  What a lucky woman I am!!