WHAT A DAY, WHAT A WEEK

I don't know how you feel but I am exhausted this week. I worked at home on Monday so I saw the whole bombing unfold on CNN. Then it was one thing after another with explosions, murders, carjackings. Then I worked (or tried to work) at home today. But who could get any work done today?! I was stuck to the TV. Last night I could not go to sleep because the police were in a shoot out with the accused bombers and one was arrested. Then I wake up this morning and one of them is dead. How did that happen?!

All this destruction and tension and devastation is tiring. Every time I turned on the TV to relax there was some sort of emergency breakthrough. Every time something happened there were hours of reporting and recapping the reports and recapping the recaps. But it was hard to turn it off, what if I missed something important?

My heart goes out to all those injured, killed and their family and friends. This has been such a devastating week in America. From Massachusetts to Texas. Lets hope for a calmer and safer week next week.

Until tomorrow...

STILL ALIVE; NO THANKS TO THAT DRIVER

Today I went to a client meeting. It was a nice day. I had the top down on my car. Yes, I had long sleeves and a hat on. I decided to stop at a Subway to get a veggie sandwich. I parked in the parking lot and walked to the crosswalk. That is where it all happened.

I stopped at the crosswalk and looked both ways. It was one of those pedestrian crosswalks that has the black and white stripes (or zebra crossing as they say in England). That means that the car has to stop. It also had the yellow sign with the little man walking.

I started walking and got 1/4 of the way and a car went through the crosswalk going the other way. I continued walking and when I got to the 1/2 way mark, a car went through the crosswalk kind of fast. I was right in the middle of the street when the car went through the crosswalk. The car practically ran over my toes! As she went flying by the woman looked out her side window and looked shocked that I was standing there. I guess she didn't see me! I guess if she had bothered to slow down... I gave her a look, like, WTF.

I continued across the street (nothing was going to stop me from my Subway sandwich) and got safely to the other side of the street. There were two older gentleman in a cafe and they looked at me and made the hand sign of one inch with their fingers and kind of laughed. I knew what they were saying, She missed me by an inch. It is true. If I had taken one more step, she would have flattened me like a pancake. I don't know if she was distracted or what, but she should not have been driving like that. She almost cost me my life.

But I am here still. All in one piece. And I got Subway!

Until tomorrow...

SOME UPDATES

Today my neck felt better. It still hurt but it was much less. I think the heating circular thing I am using is really working. I also did my Enbrel shot which probably helped. I don't have another PT appointment until next week so by then my neck will calm down.

The news has been so much these past 3 days. One thing after another. Hard to concentrate on other things. My thoughts are with all the people involved in these tragedies.

Happi got her rabbies shot. She was so good. Running right into the back room of the vet's office to get her shot.

I got a phone call with a new work opportunity. Yay!

It is strawberry season and I got a big basket of strawberries. I got to use my new strawberry huller! It takes the hull (or top) off the strawberry easily. I love it! No more cutting the hulls off with a knife. Just clip and twist. I cut up strawberries for a snack and made a smoothie. Delicious and good for me!

Until tomorrow...

SORE, SORE NECK

Okay, did I say my neck was sore yesterday? Oh, that was nothing compared to today. I woke up today and my neck was horribly sore and stiff. My morning shower helped a little bit. All day I was in terrible pain.

I think my first therapy session was a little too much. I have to remember that I don't heal very quickly. I tried to concentrate on work today but it was hard. Every way I held my neck I was in pain. When I got home I put this great circular heating pad on my neck for about 45 minutes. That really helped. It took the edge off. I was able to sit and do some work without being in constant pain.

I need to speak to the therapist and let her know I am a delicate flower (as my father says) and she needs to be more gentle with me. The therapy doesn't hurt when she does it, I think I just don't rejuvenate afterward. Where most people hurt for a short time after therapy, I don't rejuvenate and end up hurting for a long time afterward. My pain sensors are so out of whack.

I am sure I will feel much better tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

SORE NECK AND SAD DAY

Today I went to see the physical therapist. She was nice although a bit disorganized. She did a pretty thorough assessment. Turn this way, turn that way, how far can you bend? Then she put pressure on the sore spots. I felt better while I was there but hours later I was in real pain. Then I got nauseous. I guess it was too much on the first day. She did say my neck was in a bad way and asked why I waited so long to do something about it. I have exercises to do until the next appointment.

Right before my appointment there was an emergency breakthrough. The Boston Marathon was bombed. So many people were hurt or died. So sad. Because the cameras were already at the marathon, it was weird to see film coverage from the minute the bomb exploded. As my brother reminded me, I was at the Boston marathon 26 years ago to watch my brother run the race. It will never be the same.

Until tomorrow...

COOKING DINNER

I decided to cook a different thing for dinner today. Something that would last a few days so I would not have to cook again this week.

First I made a cauliflower casserole. I think if I made it again I would use little or no nutmeg. I feel there was too much nutmeg in the batch I made. I just love cauliflower and it seems to be in season.



Then I made a Quinoa Tofu Stir Fry. It is pretty tasty. Better than I thought it would be. It has quinoa, carrots, celery, zucchini, black olives, parsley, cashews, tofu, and a bunch of spices. Doesn't sound like it would taste that great but it does. It was easy to cook too. Now I will have dinner for at least two days!

Until tomorrow...

ANIMAL RESCUE TRAINING DAY 2

Today was the second day of Animal Rescue Training. We learned about animal behavior.

First we learned about dogs. It was a mini training of our first year with little Lucky! How to tell if a dog was scared or shy. How to tell if a dog is aggressive. Then we learned what to do if we encounter a dog who is scared or shy or aggressive.

Second we learned about cats. If you know me you know I am not thrilled with cats. I don't really get cats, I am slightly allergic and no matter how much I put out the vibe I don't like them, they always climb all over me! We learned all about cat behavior.

Then we learned a quick lesson in exotic animals. How to catch rats (as if I would want to) domestic type, guinea pigs, rabbits, snakes, birds, raccoons, etc. the guy teaching the course was like an uncomfortable professor with a quirky sense of humor that I am not sure was intentional!

I really need to get on the ball with taking the tests. I only have three weeks.

After the training I decided the pond water was too murky so I took 1/2 of the water out and refilled it with fresh water. Usually in the winter nature does this for me with days and days of continuous rain. We usually have to drain the pond so it doesn't overflow. I was so excited this year that I bought the extra pump to pump out water in he rainy months. We used to bucket out buckets of water. That mostly created backaches! Now I just drop the pump in and plug it in. The lack of rain this year means I only needed to use it once. I will see tomorrow if it did much to the murkiness of the water.

Until tomorrow...

WRITE AN ARTICLE

I have been asked to write an article for a newsletter! A local safety organization hear about my experience with the car driving into the garage across them street and they asked me to write a short article for their newsletter. Isn't that exciting?! I was asked a week ago but no one told me the deadline until today when they said the deadline was today. Oops! So they gave me the weekend to write it.

I feel a little over committed these days. My work is booming (I am not complaining about THAT), I have my pet disaster training course, neighborhood watch co-organizer, mom to two needy dogs, emergency disaster responder, movie night host, friend and partner. Too much?

I think I am going to bed early again tonight. I think this medicine is making me tired.

Until tomorrow...

CAN'T SEEM TO KEEP MY EYES OPEN

Not sure what is up today. Maybe it is the Doxycycline or maybe not but I am feeling very tired and fatigued today. I feel like if I slowed down for a minute I would just fall asleep. I am not sure why. I am supposed to finish invoicing clients tonight but I just can't do it. I am not even sure I will be able to stay awake to watch a show at 10 pm!

I wanted to take a long walk with the dog today. I have been taking really long walks since the weather has been nice. I just could not get it together to do it. I took both dogs for a short walk and then came home and cooked dinner.

I guess I better get some sleep tonight. I have to take my car in for service in the morning. My front light is out and it makes a weird sound when it idles.

Until tomorrow...

NECK AND STAPH

I went to the doctor's today. First we talked about my lovely rash. It looks better today but it didn't look as good yesterday. It has moved onto my back which is nice. It itches on my back but not on my front, if that makes sense. The new diagnosis is Staphylococcal Folliculitis. This occurs when hair follicles become infected with Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria. Suffice it to say, the topical medicine didn't work and now I am on oral antibiotics. My fav...

Then we spoke about my neck. He says my neck issues are probably degenerative. Common issue in people. Could be degenerative or not. I start physical therapy on Tuesday. I am to try this and see if it works. If it doesn't in a few weeks, I go back and they run more tests. Let's hope this works!

Until tomorrow...