HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND THE CONTINUING SAND SITUATION

Happy Halloween!  It was a slightly rainy evening so there were only a handful of trick-or-treaters.  I have a ton of candy left for my candy bowl.  Lots of laffy taffy, bottle caps, gobstoppers, smarties, and sweettarts leftover.

The sand will be delivered around 9 am tomorrow.  I drained the pond the best I could.  I reserved the three people to come move the sand.  I moved my car into the spot where the sand will be delivered.  Everything is set. Now if Mother Nature will cooperate, it will not rain. 

I was just thinking about something that happened this weekend.  I wanted your feedback.  I was at a gathering where there were a small group of people who didn't know each other very well.  I brought vegetables and dip.  One of the people there started eating the vegetables and he started double dipping in the dip.  He would take a bite of the celery and then dip the part where he just bit in the dip.  He then picked up these bread sticks and started doing it with the bread sticks double dipping two and three times with each bread stick.  Also, when we arrived, he mentioned that his son was ill and he was coming down with it.

If I was at home and I was the only person eating my tub of hummus, in my opinion, it is fine to double or triple dip.  But in a group setting, in my opinion, it is inappropriate to double dip.  Especially if you are "coming down with something."  Sorry I don't want to eat dip with your germs on it.

What is your opinion on this riveting subject?  Many of you have compromised immune systems.  What would you do in this situation?

I didn't eat any of the dip or the vegetables.  When I was leaving there was dip and veggies remaining and I left it with the host.

Until tomorrow...

FOSTER/ADOPT GROUP MEETING

Today was the foster/adopt training group meeting.  It was many of the folks from our month long training on how to be a foster/adopt parent.  We got together to talk about where we were in the process, what to expect in the process, etc. 

As I suspected I was the furthest along.  There were others who had their first homestudy and others who just finished their paperwork.  Everyone had a ton of questions for me. 

We talked about who was going to the holiday party and that we needed to keep in touch.

I realized that I forgot to buy Halloween candy.  I had to rush out and get some vegan candy.  Laffy Taffy, Smarties, Bottle Caps, Gobstoppers, Nerds, Sweettarts.  Let's hope it doesn't rain.

Until tomorrow...

SAND, SAND AND MORE SAND

I finally ordered the sand to fill the pond.  I have 3.7 cubic yards of sand being delivered on Tuesday.  I have to hire some workers to move the sand from the street to the backyard but that can't happen until I know the delivery time.  I am just so excited that it is going to happen.   I had to chose the type of sand that I wanted.  Who knew there were so many types of sand?  I got the cheapest type of sand to fill the pond and will put the nice kind on the top to make it look pretty.

I met a friend D for tea and I watched the movie "Lucy".  It was a wild movie. 

Until tomorrow...

BRACE YOURSELF

Today is the day Happi got her wrist brace. We went to the orthopedic prosthetic specialist and she had made a little brace for Happi's front leg. It took a while to get it on Happi's leg. It reminded me of that movie , Dolphin Tale, where the dolphin was born without a tail and they put a prosthetic on his tail to allow him to swim.

It took forever to get the brace on Happi, she didn't like it, then she had to get used to walking with it on.  It took much longer than the doctor anticipated.  Poor Happi was getting tired but the biscuits kept her going.  Finally the brace fit and it was my turn to try to put the brace on her leg.   I would give myself a Grade C+.  I'm going to have to work on it.

This evening I met up with someone I have not seen for almost 15 years. It was super fun to catch up. We have vowed to stay I touch.  It was like the last 12 years never happened.

Until tomorrow...

EVIL SQUIRREL

The Evil Squirrel. 

Today I came home and rushed to let Happi outside.  She ran down the stairs.  I opened the door and she ran out on the deck.  She turned the corner and stopped short.  I saw a streak of gray go flying past.  Happi screamed and cried.  She ran back inside.  She ran up the stairs and went on her bed.  Her fur was up on her back and she was still crying.  I thought she was hurt.  She was not hurt so I went outside.  I had an idea what it was but I wanted to check it out.  Up in a tree was a mean squirrel.  The Evil Squirrel.  He jumped from branch to branch.  I squirted him with my Super Soaker and off he went to terrorize another animal.

I convinced Happi to come downstairs and carried her down to the backyard.  She was terrified.  I think she thought the Evil Squirrel would jump out and scare her again.  Once she peed she ran like a bat out of h*ll back in the house.  My poor baby.

Until tomorrow...

HOME STUDY #2

Today was my second home study for my foster/adoption.  Today's appointment was all about telling my story.  Who am I from conception to now.  Who is in my family.  Where did I work and go to school.  That sort of thing.  It was a longer appointment than last time probably because I had a lot to say.  I told her I would rather get it done faster.

I have one home study appointment to go.  It will include the inspection of the house.  I can't do it until I deal with the pond.  I have to fill in the pond.  I appreciate everyone's suggestions but they have told me I have to fill it with sand.  Now I am on a mission to find someone as soon as possible.

Then I have to get someone to take one photo and my neighbor will photoshop them into my profile.

Tonight my friend H and I went to a "special event" at a local movie theater.  It was a secret event and we had no idea what was going to happen.  We kind of assumed it would be a movie but it was not.  It was a viewer feedback session.  We watched a 10 minute pre-movie preview and then filled out a questionnaire.  The preview was the part of the pre-movie where they show the trivia questions, how they make the movies, commercials, etc.  In my opinion what they showed us was very chaotic.  I only liked the trivia part and the movie preview/how to make the movies section.  The rest I could have done without. 

After watching this 10 minute clip and spending 5 minutes filling out the questionnaire, we were each given 2 movies passes.  Now we are planning our movie watching before they expire on 12/31. 

Since we were done in 45 minutes, we went to get some food and talk.  

Until tomorrow...

LOCKS: THE FINAL CHAPTER

Today my kindly neighbor showed up to finish the Lock Project.  It has only taken four days to complete this project but all of my cabinets and drawers now have secure locks on them.  No human or dog will be getting in a cabinet or drawer they should not.  hurrah!

I also went this morning to the first of my two flu shots.  Due to having RA, I get two flu shots each year.  I get the first shot in October and then in December I get a "boost" shot that gets me through the rest of the year.  I have been doing this for years and other than this past year when I had meningitis, I have not gotten the flu. I guess it is working.

Until tomorrow...

LOCKS PART 3

Today we tried to install the magnetic locks again.  Unfortunately the new locks didn't arrive in time for installation.  This project feels like it is taking longer than my month of training!  Tomorrow we will try again.  Thank goodness I have a patient neighbor helping me.

Until tomorrow...

ICE CUBE TRAY CHOCOLATES

I decided to make Ice Cube Tray Chocolate Candy today.  Once I bought an ice cube tray, it was really easy.  They are really good.  I made smores and peanut butter.  In the smores I put marshmallow and graham cracker.  In the other I put peanut butter.  Yum!

I also had my helper come over and we worked on the garage again.  It is looking so good.  We found boxes of old stuff that can be shredded.  I love finding things to shred.  Get rid of it. 

Until tomorrow...

TRAINED TO SAVE A LIFE

Today I took a CPR/First Aid class for adults and pediatrics.  It was a day long class and hopefully my last day long course for a long time!  I feel like I have been in day long Saturday classes forever.  When you work all week and take day long classes on the weekend, the week never seems to end.

I now have free weekends for a while.  This was also my last course hurdle for my foster/adoption.

I learned how to do CPR, what to do if someone is bleeding, choking,and having an allergic reaction.

Until tomorrow...

LOCKS PART 2

My neighbor came for three hours today and installed 5 locks on my cabinets and drawers.  These magnetic locks have a steep learning curve.  They have to be installed precisely.  There is no room for error.  They are really cool.  The magnet unlocks the lock from the outside and the outside of the cabinet is not marred from the outside.

I ran out of the good locks and we will have to reconvene to install some more locks on Monday.

Until tomorrow...

POSITIVE REACTION FROM A COLLEAGUE

I went to a conference and ran into an old colleague.  Okay, maybe not a colleague but I am not sure what he would be called.  He is an attorney that worked on many cases with me with some clients over the years.  We got along very well and he liked my work.  We run into each other now and again.

When he saw me today he came right over for a hug.  I told him about my new plans of foster/adoption.  I was surprised by his reaction.  He was so excited for me.  He peppered me with questions and told me I had to keep in touch and let him know how the foster/adoption progresses.  It was nice to have someone be so positive that I have not seen in a long time.

Until tomorrow...

HOME STUDY #1

Today was my first home study for my foster/adoption.  It was a meeting between a social worker and myself.  She comes to my home and we talk.  She asked me questions about what a typical day is like, why I want to adopt, how I plan to adopt my typical day when a kid arrives, how my family feels about me adopting, what my neighborhood is like, etc.  What age and gender kid I was thinking of and why.

They were easy questions.  Nothing I was uneasy answering. 

Round two is next Wednesday.

Until tomorrow...

LOCKS

Today my neighbor tried to install the locks on my cabinets and drawers.  The locks I bought were not good enough.  I have to buy new locks.  These locks are magnetic locks.  The lock gets installed inside the cabinet so it doesn't mar the cabinet.  There is a magnet that you use to unlock the lock inside the cabinet.  Easy!

We have to reschedule the lock installation date. 

Until tomorrow...

GOOD HEALTH

It has been great that my health has been good though all this training.  I have been working crazy hours, going to trainings on the weekends and getting the house ready.  I am just amazed that I have stayed so healthy considering the weather has changed, I decreased my prednisone and I no longer take Enbrel. 

Until tomorrow...

VICTORIAN TOUR

Today my friend K and I went on a Victorian House Tour.  Unfortunately it was pouring rain through most of the tour.  My sneakers got soaked.  The tour was very interesting.  There were different types of houses.  Many were true Victorian but a few were not Victorian at all.  I loved the homes that were of the Victorian age and had items in them that were also of that age.  It felt like I was stepping back into time.  Some hid their TVs and Computers so it looked like were in the 1850's.  It was very cool.

I got home and took a long shower to warm up since I was drenched head to toe. 

Until tomorrow...

MORE WORK IN THE GARAGE

My taskrabbit came again today to continue the work on my garage.  She organized the rest of the paint cans and moved everything in the area under the stairs.  Now all my Christmas stuff is organized under the stairs which gives me much more real estate in the garage.

I am so happy to finally get the garage organized.  Even if it is still packed, at least it will be organized.  And I will be happy!

I met up with my friend S for tea.  We have reconnected in the last few months.  It is great to see her again.   It is nice to meet up with friends again.

Until tomorrow...

MISUNDERSTANDING PART 2

I let the misunderstanding sit overnight.  Last night I had a misunderstanding with someone and after some confusing communication, I decided to stop communication before someone said something they could not take back. 

Today I met the person and the person was very upset.  I explained my side and heard the person's side.  I think we both needed to explain our side of the misunderstanding and once we got it out, everything was okay.  We made an agreement about how to move forward.   I guess that mediation training paid off. 

Until tomorrow...

MISUNDERSTANDING

Have you ever had a misunderstanding with someone that you didn't realize was a misunderstanding right away?  I had one tonight.  Someone asked me for something that I am sure they thought would be a certain affirmative.  I said no.   The other person got very upset.  I was really surprised the person got so upset.  I didn't know how to respond so I waited to answer.  While I waited I began to get angry/frustrated. 

I responded and the other person got more upset and there was more miscommunication.  I decided that it was best to stop communicating and let everyone calm down.

Sometimes it is best to let everyone take a breath and a minute before anyone says something they can't take back.

Until tomorrow...

CLEARING OUT

Today my taskrabbit came to assist me in cleaning up the house before my homestudy happened.  She helped me clean up the backyard, and clean up the garage.  She helped me go through all the paint cans and figure out which can be recycled, taken to the paint recycling and taken to hazardous waste.  Believe it or not there were around 80 paint cans to sort.  Then there were the sealers, turpentine, and other items to sort through.  I can't wait to get all this stuff out of the house.

Until tomorrow...

GREEN DAY

I have fallen so far behind on this blog.  With work, home life and getting ready for foster/adopting a kid, I don't always have time to write.  I fall behind one day and then another and next thing I know I am a week behind. 

Today one of my favorite bands has come out with their first album (are they still called albums if they are CDs?) in 4 years.  Green Day released Revolution Radio this week and I am super excited. 

Don't you love when your favorite band puts out new music?  Don't you just love when the music is good?  Aren't you disappointed when it isn't? 

I am always disappointed when a band I like puts out music that is completely different than all their other music.  They are a rock band and now they are singing a pop song. 

So far Revolution Radio has not had a bad song. 

Until tomorrow...

DILEMMA

There is a dilemma in this country.  Is today Columbus Day or Indigenous People's Day?  I guess it depends on who you are and/or where you live. 

On the Left Coast it is most surely Indigenous People's Day and it is NOT a holiday. I remember when I lived on the East Coast it was a holiday with parades and such.   I am not really sure why we celebrate Columbus Day as Columbus Day.  Sure he crossed the ocean but he landed in the Bahamas by accident.  He was trying to get to Japan.  I get lost all the time and I don't get a parade.  I usually get in trouble for being late.

I like Indigenous People's Day.  They have been treated so poorly by our ancestors, they deserve a day, not just a US postage stamp.

Until tomorrow...

NEW FRIEND FOR LUNCH

I feel better today. I am a little weak and feel a bit like I need to drink ginger ale.  Other than that I feel fine.

I met a friend S for lunch.  It was nice to connect with her for the first time meeting outside of a business atmosphere.  We have a lot in common and I really like her company.  We ate, we talked and we walked.  We decided we would get together again soon.

Until tomorrow...

CONCERT TONIGHT

Tonight I went to a concert with my friend H.  I was really looking forward to this concert.  I went to get my haircut.  I started cleaning out a cabinet to get ready for my home study for my foster/adoption.  It was a hot and sunny day.  Maybe I got over heated.  Maybe I got dehydrated.  I don't know.

I got to the concert and I was feeling good.  We were standing in the second row in the center.  I was excited.  The opening act started and I began to feel woozy.  Light headed.  At the end of the opening act I went to the ladies room.  I began to feel better once I had some air and some water on my face.

I went back to the concert and now the main act was playing.  I lasted about 4 songs when I thought I was going to pass out.  I had pain in my abdomen,  I was sweating, I was hot, I was cold, I was faint.  I could not stand up.  I had to get out of the crowd.  NOW.  My friend saw me and took me out of the crowd to sit down.   I went to the bartender and asked for some ginger ale and he wouldn't let me pay for it.  My question is "how sick do you have to look to get free ginger ale at a bar?"  I guess I looked that sick.

After sitting for 30 minutes I felt much better.  I did feel bad that my friend missed seeing the concert.  We could hear the whole thing but we could not see the stage.  He was very sweet to take care of me.

Until tomorrow...

HAPPI'S PLAN FOR RECOVERY

The plan from the specialist for Happi is no activity for 5 weeks.  If she feels fine then she may go on short walks.  If she is 8 weeks with no pain, then she is fine to be with no painkillers and is fine.  Until the next time, I guess.

Now we wait for her cuff and then she can go on some walks.

Until tomorrow...

GOOD NEWS FROM THE SPECIALIST

Happi spent the day at the orthopedic specialist getting tests run on her wrist.  Since Happi is three legged, she relies heavily on her front leg.

The ride to the orthopedic office Happi was very stressed out.  Usually both dogs go together.  I left Lucky home and Happi as very anxious in the car.  She was crying and whining the whole way.  S.he was fine once we got there.

I came back at 2:30 to pick her up and the doctor wanted to speak with me.  The doctor asked me a lot of questions like: how long has her wrist been like this?  I brought up photos.  Do you think the pain was her back?  How clingy was she acting?

The doctor feels like the pain Happi was having was a pinched nerve in her back and not in her leg.  He thinks her wrist has probably been like this for years or at least since she was hit by the car and they removed her leg 11 years ago. He thinks she was injured then and she has adapted over the years.  Over the years her wrist has just gotten more weak.  He ordered the woman who makes prosthetics to make Happi a cuff to wear on her wrist to give her support.  We pick it up next week.

We have a plan of pain killers and time over which she starts to go on short walks and then longer walks.

Until tomorrow...

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY

Tomorrow is Happi's big day with the orthopedic specialist.  Tonight she can't eat past midnight and no food in the morning.

We are both excited to hear what the specialist has to say.  Okay, I am probably more excited than Happi is.

We have to go to sleep early tonight since we have to wake up at 5 am tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

GOT MY HOMESTUDY DATE

I got the call today.  I got assigned a social worker who is going to be with me through this foster/adopt process.  We scheduled my home study for a few weeks from now.

This means I need to get on the ball.  I called my worker to come and help me start clearing things out.  I have two weeks to organize and clean the house.   

Until tomorrow...

TURNED ON THE HEAT

The weather has been so mild for so long, this is the first time I have turned on the furnace since before I had meningitis.  Probably since before I went to Florida.  That was in January.  Today it rained for the first time in a LONG time, it got cold.  I am shivering.  I could put a sweater on but this chill is so cold that a sweater is not going to cut it.  Turning on the heat was a necessity tonight.

I made a mistake at a client's office today.  Well, I made the mistake on Thursday but it came to light today.  It seemed like a big deal and everyone had a  conniption only to find out it was not a big deal after all.  But those two hours when everyone thought it was a big deal, you would have thought the heavens were going to open up and swallow me.  I apologized for making the mistake profusely.  I did my best to fix the mistake.  I problem solved it with another person and figured out how to fix the mistake.  The client "forgave" me.  It felt weird and hollow.  I really don't think I needed "forgiveness".  It was not an intentional act.  It was a mistake of a person who was doing a task for the first time and who was not being monitored on a super busy, hectic day.  The person who was supposed to be helping me told me she could not help me and to do it myself.  These are not excuses they are explanations.  I screwed up.  I fixed it but I screwed up. 

Thank you for "forgiving" me.

Until tomorrow...

STREET FAIR TODAY

I went to a street fair in my neighborhood today.  My plan was to go and walk around for a bit and come home.  Instead I got to the fair and ran into my dog walker.  We decided to go for a drink and hang out for a bit.  Then, since I got a late start, I walked home.  Once again I got very little of the items on my to do list accomplished.

Until tomorrow...

TWO MOVIES AND LUNCH

Calendars are very important.  I don't know how people can live without a calendar.  I have a calendar that is on my computer and phone that is color coded.  Different colors for work, medical, travel, fun, birthdays, holidays, etc.  It makes it easy to see in an instant if the thing I have scheduled is a work thing or a medical appointment.  I enter in reminders sometimes minutes ahead of time and sometimes days ahead depending on what it is.

Today I just got back from running an errand when I heard someone enter my home.  It was my dog walker.  He was calling out to the dogs.  He walked in and saw me and said oops! am I here on the wrong day?  Turns out he looked at the wrong Saturday.

Since he was not there to walk the dogs,  He said why don't we go to lunch?  We went to a local restaurant and had lunch.  It was very nice.  We have made plans for the future.

I watched the movie The 33 and John Wick.  I realized I watched John Wick before but I must have fallen asleep before the end.  It helped to see the end.  The 33 was really good.  Okay, we all know they get out since it is a really story.  The story was just so interesting.  There were moments that I got that little bit of claustrophobia fear and I was on my couch! 

Until tomorrow...