Eclipse

I'm pretty certain I'm not the only person writing about this today, but I still think it could be a fun post.

Eclipse opens today.

For those of you who don't know what Eclipse is (ARE YOU LIVING UNDER A ROCK?) it's the third book in the Twilight saga which is now a major motion film.  If you don't know what Twilight is, I don't believe I can help you on this blog.

So here's the thing.  I like the Twilight series.  I'm 24 years old and I couldn't put down a book that was written for 13 year olds.  I really don't understand why I like them either.  I remember reading them and thinking how awful the writing was.  The dialogue is terrible, the story line is sub-par, but something about them sucked me in and I couldn't stop.  Now I watch the movies too.

The movies are even worse.  There's very little dialogue and what's there is odd and jilted.  The acting is awful, and if you go to the movies now you're bound to be surrounded by young teeny-boppers screaming and cheering as Edward enters the screen, or worse as Jacob removes a shirt (which happens just about all the time).  Still though I watch them.  For the last Twlight film I went opening night.  I wanted to be one of the first to see it.  Why am I not going opening this time?  I want Hans to be able to come along.  I know, it's pathetic and I feel sorry for Hans, but we so rarely go to the movies that he should at least come out with me.

So, I have to ask myself, what is it about these books that has taken hold of so many people?  Does every person have a thirteen-year-old girl hidden deep inside, just waiting to come out (God, I hope not?).  Are we all looking for the romance that only a vampire can provide? (I never thought I'd say that.)  Did the author, Stephanie Meyer, actually make a pact with the Devil and we're all participating in the Dark Arts?  What is it?  My vote is for number 3.  It's the only explanation!

Ok, so not really.  I don't know what it is about them, but I do like them, and I'll just have to deal with that.  Until I then, though, anyone care to go see a movie?

Little Tidbits- Catching Up

Sorry for the lack of posts recently.  Like I wrote in my last post, I'm letting myself catch up to the rest of my life.  It's slow going, but I am getting there.  Just so you don't think I've fallen off the face of the planet, I've decided to give you all a little update.

*We're down to just three puppies.  Three puppies were adopted at stand on Saturday, and now three puppies remain.  I thought it would be harder to know there were only three left, to know that three of the puppies I had raised were gone.  I'm shocked at what a relief it is to have 3 fewer pups.  It only takes one trip to get everyone outside.  Even if there's an accident, it's typically just one small puddle, not 3.  It takes less food to feed them, they're not mauling Mama dog, and they all fit in one crate (not a large pen).  That said, those three dogs are still up for adoption.  They all need forever homes.  I'm hoping to post pictures soon, but in the meantime you can find out more at www.henricohumane.org.

*Mama dog, aka Macy, may have a new home.  I'm still waiting on the application (it looks like there are some internet issues), but the family seems great.  Which, of course, means that soon we'll be down another dog.

*Merlin has now been on thyroid medication for 6 weeks.  It's amazing the difference it's made.  He's still not perfect, but he is much improved.  I like improvement.  I've said it before, but I also think having the house and the yard helped dramatically.  The thyroid meds are just another push in the right direction.

*Shadow still needs a home.  She's cute.  She's cuddly.  She's full of energy.  Doesn't anyone want this cuddle-bug?

*July will be the month of events (at least the first two weeks).  July 6th is Cody's birthday.  Can you believe he'll be three?!  July 14th is Hans' and my third anniversary.  July 4th, of course, is Independence Day, but it's also the last day of The Sound of Music.  I WILL HAVE MY HUSBAND BACK!!!!!  This will make Cody's birthday and our anniversary even better.  Also for our anniversary we're taking a weekend out of town.  Mom is watching the dogs, we're taking Cody, and we are getting away.  Thank goodness!

Well, that's it for now.  Look for more posts soon!

Couch to 5k Week 7- Almost

I almost did a full week 7.  I was so close to finishing the full week.  I completed days one and two, but day three never happened.

I was really shocked that I completed days 1 and 2.  I knew this week would be harder, and I won't lie and say it was surprisingly easy.  It was hard.  However, I found that I could push myself, make myself work a little harder, and I could do it.  I was so proud, and I was ready to finish week 7 and take on week 8 without any problem. 

Then, not long after my second week 7 run, life caught up with me.  I think I was just really stressed and tired, but I felt like I just couldn't do anything right.  I felt tense and week, and to be honest more than one tear was shed over the past week.  I often wonder if I'm really reacting to some subconscious memory when I start feeling like that, but either way the week did not end half as well as it began.  To add insult to injury, when I woke up Friday morning I felt down-right icky.  My nose was stuffy, my throat was dry.  Everything felt blah, and my whole body ached.  While it may have been the onset of a small cold, I still think it was really just life catching up.  So, instead of waking up early and running, I slept.  I finally got up, but I only moved to the couch until I had to get up for an appointment.  Thank goodness for the appointment, because I really would have felt like a lump if I'd slept all day.

While I'd like to set quite a few different goals for this week, I have to be honest with myself and make my only goal to be to catch up with life.  Last week I felt like I was drowning.  This week I need to fight to keep my head above water.  Maybe I'll fit a run in.  Maybe I won't.  If I do, great.  If I don't, oh well.  As long as I'm getting something done I'll be happy.

A Couple of Comments on Mother Nature

My first comment regards the Kindle.  For those of you who don't know what Kindle is, Kindle is a product from Amazon.com that basically allows you to read without a book.  Think of it as an electronic book.  You can download reading material, including thousands of books and the NY Times.  You can use Kindle anywhere, even in bright sun.  The latest ad for Kindle shows two people sitting on the beach, feet in the sand, reading from Kindle.

I just can't seem to get my mind around this.  I mean, obviously I understand what Kindle is, but I don't understand how anyone would prefer to read from a computer screen than from a book.  I really don't understand how anyone could actually relax on the beach if he/she was reading from a computer.  Isn't the whole point in a relaxing getaway to get away from technology?  Wouldn't you miss the feel, the smell, the weight of a book?  Is pressing a button really the same as turning a page?  No sirree, I can't switch...not now anyway.  For now, Barnes and Noble and the library are safe.

Next, I must comment on the Gulf oil spill and Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas).  In case you haven't heard, Joe Barton recently apologized to BP for the White House's treatment and the perceived "shake down."  My response to Mr. Barton...ARE YOU MAD???  Even if the White House is shaking down BP, how do you feel they don't deserve it?  BP has ruined lives and cost thousands of lives millions of dollars.  Don't you feel they deserve whatever punishment they get?  Also, how is apologizing to BP beneficial to you?  Since the majority of citizens are disappointed in the lack of response to the crises, how is apologizing to BP making you look better?  Oh wait, they must provide you with quite a few funds!

Joe Barton did later apologize for his apology, but I personally feel it's too little too late.  He obviously wasn't actually sorry he apologized.  He was sorry everyone got so upset about it.  Maybe he should take his thoughts off his checkbook and start to think more of his citizens.

Personally, I like the response from one Congressman (and now I can't remember who for the life of me) who told the BP executives that in his Korean culture they would be given a Samurai sword and told to do the appropriate thing.  Obviously I'm not very tolerant of the situation.

Note:  I do realize that Samurais are Japanese, not Korean.  I could have the terminology wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's the terminology the Congressman used.

Couch to 5k Week 6

For the most part, I do believe I'm starting to get a handle on my schedule.  I'm able to schedule my jogs, and I'm able to keep to that schedule.  That said, my schedule is still really busy, and I'm still really tired.  I did, however, complete week 6...woot...and I thought I'd let you know how it went.

Day 1: Eight minute runs weren't too bad.  I knew I had just done a 20 minute run the week before, so mentally it was fairly easy.  I was, however, very grateful for the opportunity to walk. 

Day 2: I must have been fairly tired, because 10 minute runs were hell.  Honestly, I'm not quite sure why it seemed so hard, but it was.

Day 3: Based on the previous run I was fairly nervous about the 25 minutes I had coming up.  The week hadn't gotten any easier, so I was still tired.  Luckily, I was able to sleep in a little later than usual (8:00 am was a beautiful sight) so I was a little more rested.  I made it through the first 15 minutes with no problem.  I worked a little harder for 5 more minutes, and by that point I wasn't going to let myself quit when I was only 5 minutes from the end.  I did it!  I also completely wore myself out in the process, but I was proud of myself.

This next week I'm super nervous because it's all full of  25 minute runs.  Will I be able to manage it?  Will I feel so tired after every run?  Will I even be able to complete each run?  Should I maybe repeat week 6 before moving on to week 7?  So far, the only run I've repeated has been week 3, and that was less of a repeat and more of a finally get it done.  I'm pretty sure I'm just going to keep going, and do my best to complete week 7.

Oh, and there are a few other things I'm happy about with week 6.  I did do a bit of strength training, and I worked on some yoga for relaxation.  I definitely think those helped.  I'm hoping to continue with those this week as well.  So, goals for this week include:
                                                                       1) Complete week 7.
                                                                       2) Continue with yoga
                                                                       3) Continue strength training.
                                                                       4) Take the dogs for walks on the in-between days to keep
                                                                           my feet moving.

I think these are doable if I just try a little extra harder...and maybe if I get a little extra sleep.  Wish me luck!

What Women Want

What does a woman want?  Frankly, I don't even think we know.  Yesterday, however, after a stressful week, I started to get a bit snippy with Hans.  Some things he did just really upset me.  Lucky for him I realized my emotions were due to stress, so I didn't just fly off the handle screaming and yelling (although that's what I really wanted to do).  Honestly, I went into my own little corner (aka my car) and sniffled a little, and then I gathered my emotions and decided to put on my big girl panties and deal with it.  I went out to lunch with a friend and the day was better again.

Fast forward a few hours to my time working at the WE Shop.  After such a great lunch, the last thing I wanted to do was work in a store when I could have been outside in the sun...with the dogs.  To make my evening go a bit faster, I put on Michael Buble.  The CDs that were playing had some songs that are some of my all time favorites including one that Hans and I danced to at our wedding.  As I was stocking shelves and humming along, I started thinking of what might make that day better.  What did I really want right then?

I wanted romance.  I wanted someone to greet me in a suit and tie, holding a rose, and playing some classic Frank Sinatra (so much better than Buble).  I know it sounds cheesy, but that's what I really wanted.  I wanted a candle lit dinner, a scene very similar to that in Lady and the Tramp.  I wanted cuddles in the moonlight, time around the campfire.  Basically, take every cheesy movie you've ever seen, combine the the cheesiest scenes, and that's what I wanted. 

And I got to thinking, what woman doesn't want that every once and a while?  I mean if that were an every day thing it would get really old really fast, but as something that occassionally happens, as a surprise and not on a special occassion, I think it could be really great.

So, I got home around 10:30, after working and going to the grocery store.  The front light was not left on, so I had to fumble with groceries in the dark.  I had asked Hans to leave me some food out (basically, whatever he made for himself, please leave some for me) and there was nothing, meaning I had a granola bar and banana for dinner.  I was mad at first, but then I found out that Hans had left the light on, but the bulb apparently went out.  I was upset (and a little jealous) that Hans had eaten, but hadn't left anything for me, but then I found out that Hans hadn't eaten.  Instead he did housework.  Then I went into my office to get some work done, and I saw that Hans had gotten his computer to work with my printer.  What did the test page say?  "I Love You!"

It may not be a candlelit dinner, but maybe at this point in our lives that's all I really need.  I have a husband who loves me.  I have a husband who cares enough to leave a little note for me to find when he can't be there to tell me how he feels himself.  I have a husband who will come home during his short dinner break just to see me, and when I'm not there he'll come home anyway to help me with basic chores.  I think I'm a pretty lucky girl, and next time I'm ready to snap at some silly little thing, I hope I can remember how he's so great.

Thanks Hans.  I love you too!

Little Tid Bits- Gaining Speed

Life right now feels very similar to a race track.  I feel like I'm just running in circles, gaining speed as I go.  There are so many things happening at once, and I'm trying by best to not throw the race and "trip."  That said, the majority of life is good, so I really want to keep it going.  That said, I know my blog has suffered, and it will continue to suffer until I feel a bit more under control.  Anyway, just to make sure my blog doesn't fail miserably, here are a few updates (not C25k-related) to let you know what's really going on.

* Cody is doing much better since his illness.  He's still sleeping a little more than usual, but he's otherwise acting his normal self.  Phew!

* Business is going extremely well, and I couldn't be happier on that end.  I still have a lot of work I need to do for the business, but I'm for the most part happy with the way it's going.  One of my short-term goals is to start offering agility training.  I really loved doing agility with Cody, and I know it helped us to bond.  I have some equipment, so I just need to brush up my skills a bit.  Now I just need to find the time!

* Also business related, I can't get my mind off of a kennel.  I really want a training facility with day care and boarding.  Seriously, I want it so bad I can taste it.  Honestly, I don't feel it's that far away, but I can tell I'm becoming more and more impatient.  I know what I want it to look like.  I know the general area I want it to be in.  I know how many dogs I think it should be able to hold.  I know how I want it to start, and I know what I want it to eventually become.  For now, I'm just going to keep dreaming, and hopefully I'll see my dream soon.

*The puppies are doing very well.  They'll be up for adoption as soon as they have their second set of shots and have been spayed/neutered.  They're really cruising now, too.  They love to run around and play, and I think they may even be picking up on some house training, although I haven't been able to work on that the way I'd like.  It's hard to believe they're 8 weeks old now.  It seems like just yesterday they could barely walk.  Ah, how time flies!

*Shadow and Merlin are doing well too.  Shadow is still super playful, which Cody has officially gotten sick of.  Merlin, while still finicky and touchy, seems much happier since we started him on thyroid meds.  He's happier more often and stressed less.  Even his happy times now seem much happier than his happy times before the meds.  I like it!

*Life at the WE Shop is pretty much the same.  I do love my boss, she's fantastic, and the work isn't bad...it just isn't what I want to be doing.  When I'm there from 9-3 I'd rather be with the dogs.  When I sell a hand bag I'm thinking, "I could never buy this because it wouldn't work with the dogs."  When I lock up for the night I can't help but wonder how much different it would feel if I were locking up my own place.  Would I be as eager to leave?  When my boss gets excited about how the shop is doing I can't help but be jealous because I'm not able to focus on Impawsible Pups.  It's frustrating to say the least.  That being said, I am getting into a groove and I'm trying to find the perfect balance.  Hopefully another person on at the store will make my hours less which will make life a lot easier.  Basically, I do like my job.  I don't think I could have found a better job for the situation I'm in.  My boss if really wonderful, and she's completely understanding of everything I'm going through.  But still, le sigh!  If only I had my own place!!! 

Alright, less wishing, more doing!  Time for me to get back to work!!!

Couch to 5k Week 5

This week was particularly hard.  The running time increased exponentially (up to 20 minutes), and combine that with every day life I was afraid I would never be able to do it.

First, life seemed to catch up with me this week.  Last week I described the hectic life I've been living.  Well, it finally caught up with me.  Apparently when I'm suprememly stressed and tired everything in my body tightens up and I have trouble getting a good breath.  I guess the best way to describe would be that I'm constantly hyper-ventilating.  The last time it happened was in college.  Actually, it happened a lot in college.  Anyway, it happened again.  It's not comfortable, and I hate it.  That said, it almost ended up being a good thing.  Not being able to breathe will definitely force you take steps to relax and sleep a little.  I finally did some yoga.  I only did 10 minute segments, but I noticed after that first 10 minutes that I was feeling a bit better.  Bring on the relaxing yoga!!!

Even with yoga helping me to relax, I wasn't doing so well on the program.  I was still finishing it, but the second day was pretty much hell.  I only had to jog for 8 minutes, but I thought I would pass out before the end.  I got the dreaded stomach stitch after 2 minutes, and I couldn't catch my breath at all.  Well, I couldn't catch my breath before I started running.  Why should I be able to after I run?

When I went for the third run, the 20 minute run, I was really scared.  I was breathing better by then.  Even though Cody was so sick 2 days earlier, yoga and knowing he was feeling better was helping me relax.  Plus, I got some extra sleep because I was spending time just relaxing with Cody and making sure he got plenty of love.  Anyway, I was still scared.  I really wanted to do it, but day 2 had been so hard.  Would I be able to handle it?

I was shocked when I looked at the clock on the treadmill and it had already been 10 minutes.  I was just starting to feel tired / breathe hard, but continuing seemed fairly easy.  Then it was 15 minutes.  Ok, I was really tired by this part, but I'd made it this far.  I wasn't quitting.  Eighteen minutes and I felt like dying.  I could feel the stomach stitch coming on.  Keep going.  Keep going!  Ouch!  KEEP GOING!

Finally, I saw 20 minutes.  Sweat was dripping, breathing was hard, but I did it.  That's the longest I've ever run, and it felt good to know I'd accomplished it.  I'm extremely grateful that week 6 back tracks a little.  I'm not entirely certain I could do that 20 minutes again without warming up to it.  Anyway, at least I did it once.  On to week 6!  Oh, and let's hope for a little more sleep and a little less stress. 

Cody Update

For all you readers who are anxiously awaiting to hear how Cody's feeling, here's an update!

I was worried when I left him yesterday because he hadn't eaten anything.  He was still fairly lethargic and Hans wasn't coming home for 6 more hours.  Six hours of leaving my sick puppy alone!  That is cruel and unusual punishment for me.  Needless to say I was a basket case...full of anxiety (I very much resembled other dogs I've worked with).

Hans called at 5 to say he was on his way home.  I finally got in touch with him by 6:00.  Cody had greeted him at the door and was following him around, but would pretty much conk out as soon as Hans sat down.  This was actually an improvement.  That morning (and the night before) he was just too exhausted to move.  He'd pretty much choose a spot (typically by an air vent) and stay there looking miserable.  The fact that he was moving, albeit slowly, was good news.  Still, though, I was a basket case.  I wanted to be with him!

Seven o'clock.  Hans calls.  Cody ate his dinner.  YAY!!!  It was a small meal of beef and rice, but Cody ate it.  He didn't eat it fast and he almost didn't finish, but he ate it.  Again, a huge improvement over the morning (and the day before).  Bonus, it has now been 24 hours since he last vomited.  Fears of blockage or bloat have subsided.

Nine-thirty.  I'm finally home!  Cody obviously felt better by this point.  The best way to describe it would be to say his eyes looked different.  He seemed more alert, and I received a great greeting at the door.  He was still obviously tired, but the day of rest really seemed to help.  And boy was he happy to see me.  I got lots of kisses and hugs.  That was the best part.

Today, Cody is still a bit tired, and I can't blame him.  Still, though, he's continuing to improve.  He tried playing a little this morning, but after 5 minutes he decided sleeping was a better idea.  I think it will just take a little bit of recuperation time before he's back to normal.

Thanks to everyone for all the well-wishes.  It certainly meant a lot.

Tired of the Vet

Well, last night found me at the vet yet again.  Of course, out of all the dogs in our house, it was Cody who was sick.  This time was fairly serious too, and I'm very happy we took him in.  If anything, it allowed me to rest better.

Yesterday morning I woke up early to go on my jog (week 5 now).  I was already in a crabby mood because the morning just seemed to start out wrong, but when I walked to my treadmill I noticed a bit of vomit on the floor.  Actually, there were two spots.  Cody has a fairly week stomach and will occassionally get sick, so I just sighed, cleaned it up and went back to the treadmill.  I turned the treadmill on, and Cody, who usually runs away at this point stood there for half a second before vomiting again...all the food he had eaten the night before.  He walked a few paces and got sick a 4th time for the day.  Well, I knew he wasn't feeling well, so I made sure Shadow gave him some space, loved on him a bit, and then went back to my jog.  I started my jog, and about 5 minutes into it Cody was sick twice more.

At this point little alarm bells were going off, but I knew he hadn't gotten into anything, so I just figured he had a little stomach bug.  Still, just to be safe, I took him along with me that morning.  I kept him as cool as possible and made sure he didn't have any contact with other dogs, and after a mere 2 hours he really seemed to be doing better.  Great!  He just wasn't feeling well, and now he's better.  I'll take him home for the day.

I got him home and he just seemed to back track.  He started acting lethargic and all around miserable.  I thought, "well, I'd be kind of miserable if I'd vomited 7 times in a morning.  He's probably just tired."  While I was worried, I thought it would be best for him to stay home for the rest of the day.  I was in constant contact with Hans and I made sure he called me as soon as he got home to check on Cody.

Five-thirty and Hans was home.  Cody had greeted him, but seemed not quite as excited, still he seemed ok.

At six-thirty Hans called to say that Cody had vomited a few more times and now there was blood in it.  Thank God it was Wednesday night, because the vet was open later.  I told him to put Cody in the car, take him to the vet, and I'd meet him there.  All of my evening appointments were then cancelled.

After getting to the vet and chatting a bit, Hans and I realized that from the time we went to bed the night before until 7:00  that evening, Cody had vomited 14 times.  That's a lot for anyone, but especially a 50 lb dog.  He'd had water, but had vomited it up.  He was not doing well, and now there was more to worry about.

What could have been wrong:  Twisted stomach (aka bloat), foreign body, stomach virus, stomach bacteria, diabetes, anemia, and something else that I wouldn't even be able to pronounce, much less spell.  Plus, due to all the sickness, we were worried about how dehydrated he was.

The vet took him to the back for x-rays and blood work.  Hans was smart enough to bring a stool sample and a vomit sample, so they tested that as well.  While they were back there they also gave him some sub-cutaneous fluids.

While I paced the room nervously, Hans tried to keep me distracted.  Sorry sweetie!  I wanted my baby boy back.  After everything was said and done, we found that yes, he was a little dehydrated, but nothing too horrible, and NO!   He was not suffering from bloat.  Hurray!!!  There also weren't any foreign bodies and all other tests came back fairly normal.  Phew!  It's most likely just a stomach virus or bacteria.  Huge sigh of relief!

When we got home Cody pretty much passed out.  I held him and tried to keep him comfortable.  This morning and today, Cody seems much improved, but he's obviously still not feeling well.  He's drinking water and keeping it down, but he's not really up for eating.  I have to say, though, after vomiting 14 times I don't blame him for not eating now.  Today, I'll just let him rest and have a relaxing day.  Hopefully he'll be back to his normal self by next week.

For those of you in the Richmond vicinity, I use Dr. Locke A Taylor.  His office and staff are fantastic, and they really know their stuff.  I dread the day Dr. Taylor retires, but I'm sure his staff will continue to do amazing work.  Thank you to Dr. Taylor (and Dr. Peace, the doctor who treated Cody yesterday) for all that you have done and all I'm sure you will do.