Haven't been here for a while

Well it seems like forever since I was here last. The summer is going by quickly, my doctors appointments are starting to wind down finally, all seems to be ok with me. Both the dogs are sick with some kind of throwing up and diarear thing. but I think they are getting better with the medication the vet prescribed. I have been busy crocheting baby stuff for pregnant friends Melissa and Heather both due at the same time.

It has been bitchie hot and humid feel like I am going to explode with the heat. I hate it. with the dogs sick and cleaning up after them the past few days It has been making me crazy.

My dog casey had surgery last monday to have a mas cell tumor removed from his shoulder, he did really well with the surgery and the recovery until he came down with this thing that Thena got first. but all in all he is still doing very well. The dr thought for sure the dog would have been gone by now since when he diagnosed him back in September 08 he only gave him 6 months to live and it is now going on 11 months. He seems to be a hardy little fella. I hope he lasts another 11 months and even longer.
The dr is a great one but he was so impressed with showing me books that had statistics in it about the length of time dogs have from the time they are diagnosed and each one kept saying the longest was 7 months as the cancer is suposed to be in stage 3.

I finally said well dr he is still here and he needs this removed and we have to deal with that, is he strong enough for the surgery I don't need a run down of how long he has to live. so he is still here and doing well, eating and back to his normal routine. yahhh

well i guess that is enough for now can't think of much else to write at the moment

My Birthday

Well today is my birthday, Jack made coffee for me and gave me a cute card with a chicken playing an accordian on the front of it, when you open it, It plays the chicken dance cracked me up they played that dance at our wedding. he also gave me money for my birthday which I appreciate as under the present circumstance I could really use the green. LOL He is going to take me to dinner I think tonight.

Well not much to report I actually hooked up with some girls from my past on face book yesterday. dating back to the 70's I feel old, as their children whom I remember as infants are now married and have kids of their own. It was great to hear from Dianne and Wendy again hope they keep in touch.

Nothing else really to report only that I will probley go to walmart today and pick up a few needed items. and maybe take a ride over to my aunt's house to see what she is up to today.

Tomorrow night, I think I will be attending a wake as my friend Wendy Whalen from elementary and High school years lost her sister Mary so I should go as I know her mom and Dad and love them very much. RIP Mary.

Well I guess I am off for the day
til I write again

4th of July,
Well didn’t do anything exciting went to see my aunt and visited with her for a few hours. Jack had to work until 1:30 and by the time I got home around 3:30 he had taken Thena for a ride. He didn’t get back until about 4:20. I went through my usual routine of making BBQ chicken for dinner. A holiday dish, which we don’t cook outside. We watched the fireworks on TV they were beautiful. Our town didn’t have the big fireworks display at the point this year for some reason. So watching on TV was the best we could do.

I started a surprise for Melissa’s new baby that will be arriving in January won’t be done for a while so will keep working on it. NO hints Melissa!!!! Lately I have been feeling like sewing again but not sure what I should sew LOL I have actually gone downstairs in my sewing room the past few days something I haven’t done for a long time. But it feels good to actually feel like doing something again.

On to my Casey, this little dog amazes me constantly. He was diagnosed with the cancer back in September of 08; Vet only gave him 6 to 9 months to live. Other then the fact that he is blind in one eye and only has partial vision in his other eye. He is nuts. He has been playing and goofing around everyday. He nose dives into the couch and rolls around on his back I love to see him play like that. He acts like he is a little puppy again. He recently got his haircut so I think that has a lot to do with it. He feels like a puppy again.

I hope he continues to play for a long while. I love him so much. Jack is out in our garden weeding, I keep bugging him about bringing in some vegetables so we can eat them he says they are not ready just yet. Hurry up!!!! Thena is sitting on the sun porch watching her dad down below. When she is outside she can open the door to come in by herself so when she opens the door she sits in the sun porch with the door wide open and lets all the bugs in. I tell her in or out you decide she usually picks in so I have to close the door on her. She is a handful sometimes. She has already gotten into a bag of garbage and licked out a can of dog food that was in there for Casey took out an empty butter container and licked the paper of the butter. Why this dog isn’t sick is beyond me she so can’t be trusted. Jack told me she actually drank my coffee from my mug that was on the coffee table yesterday. Imagine that. The dog likes coffee.


Well not much more to report for today, hope everyone had a safe 4th.

A trip down memory lane

Not much to report these days, not working just going to all kinds of doctors appointments that I can’t wait to get out of the way. I really hate doctors. I am still in shock of the death of Michael Jackson this past week I wasn’t a fan but I did like his music.

Last week Sara came to Connecticut it was so great to see her and hang out with her. I always enjoy spending time with her; it is like we relive our teenage years driving around and doing different things, reminisce about the olden days and people we used to know. It takes me back to a time when things were simpler and we were young. Who says you can’t go home again? As much as things have changed in our little town many things do stay the same. All the houses are the same just different owners. Many of the people we used to know have passed away so in some ways it is kind of sad. But there is a few people left.
I live in Saybrook but will always call Essex my home. When I think of all the things that have changed in my life since living back there 14 years ago. And plus many years since Sara and I would hang out when we were teenagers. We used to walk every night downtown Essex and sit on the stone wall by the bank and watch the summer crowds milling around then when she got her drivers license we would drive around. Those days were so important back then. And will always be fond memories for me. I guess you would say I had a really good childhood

Well another day

Not sure what to say today, it is going to be a busy week for me doctors appointments and going to our nephew’s graduation on Friday we are so proud of him. He has downs syndrome he went to mainstream high school and now he is graduating. He will be going to culinary school in the fall.

This kid is totally amazing he plays the drums, he is athletic, and he models for his dad’s formal shop. He is also a very loving kid, never stingy with the hugs.

I met him when he was just 5 years old and he is now 18 he is very tall and good-looking. His parents and sister spent a lot of time on him when he was younger. Always giving him the opportunity to try new things. I admire them for all the devotion and support they gave him.
He still has his limitations, he will never drive a car, I don’t think, lol and he might not live on his own, but all the wonderful things he can do are so amazing. He makes me very proud.

Another day

Yesterday I read, where an up and coming artist had passed away his name was Jeff Hansen, I listened to one of his songs and I loved it, I put it on my song list on my blog. He truly was a great artist and song writer, to bad he had to leave us so young. RIP Jeff. I wish I knew why god does this kind of stuff. They say it for a reason but it makes no sense to me. I guess it is so others will appreciate and treasure every moment with loved ones. knowing it could be taken away in a second.

Back again

Well I am back again, I guess hiring the new guy in my previous post came back to bite me in the butt. I no longer work for the dog groomer I was let go from my job. I can't say that I am unhappy about this as it was becoming a "drama situation" daily. and really was taking a tole on my body. I would give it a 100% at work and come home and completely fall apart physically. Emotionally it was draining with all the drama that went on there. So I am I glad I am out yes!

Now on to figuring out what to do next. I think I will take the summer off. I have manage to save a bit of money for the short time I was there and will be able to live on that for a while.

I get upset with myself that I get myself into these situations, I should have remembered from pass jobs that I work independantly I am not used to having a boss or supervisor standing over me while I work. The few jobs I have had the bosses were never around.

I truly do not understand what is happening to employers these days. Maybe it is just the people I have been working for, but I feel I am a good employee, loyal, and hardworking. and in the end I end up the one that is out. I don't feel that an employee should have to chase an employer around for a W2 form and a paycheck or put up with excessive drama that is being done by the supervisor or boss. All I can say is if I ever get into a situation where I can work for myself I will never do to an employee what has been done to me when it comes to employment.

I just find you give them 100% of yourself and they take advantage, and those who stand around and do nothing get all the praise. I am just glad that I am closer to retirement age then just starting out in today's job market. it sucks!

Well I guess that is all I have to say about that.

On a lighter note, My dog Casey seems to be feeling better these days. and I am happy for that. My Melissa is expecting a baby which means I am going to be a gramma again. oh boy LOL. How fortunate for me never having any kids to experience having Melissa come into my life and adopting her as my daughter and then having grand kids. Life is good! Oh did I mention she also has twins already.

It is so nice to have good friends I feel fortunate to have the friends that I have. They are really special people. Sara, lissa, Pam, Beth, and Tracy and I can't forget my friend Dan. and of course my husband. He has made my life so much easier since I married him. I will love him forever. Oh lord better sign off here before I get too mushy.

bye for now

Here again finally

Well it has been ages since I have been here. reason being my new job has me very tired and crippled. but always trudge through it. I still like it a lot. Actually being able to deal directly with the owners of the dogs and have been doing some clerical work.

We hired a new guy on beginning of this past week and he has been really helpful. he is able to pick the dogs up with ease and that saves on my back, he is learning how to bathe the dogs and do different things with them. This leaves me more time to answer the phone and book appointments and do filing which I don't mind at all. I still get to comb them out and do other things with them as well.

My poor casey is getting old and when I see the dogs that look like him it makes me sad knowing that I won't have him around much longer he isn't really doing very well these days and I am afraid that I am going to have to have him put down.

May 2nd

I met Kevin Hogan from WSFB channel 3 news today, He brought his dog scout in to be groomed. What a nice man he is. And Scout was a little sweetheart.

Well haven't been here for a few days

I have been recuperating from last week. It was brutal I managed to cram 37 hours into 4 days worth or work. I was so tired after 9 and 9.5-hour days.
This week has been better we did some rescheduling and the days have been a lot easier.

I am getting faster at bathing the dogs now I totally know what I am supposed to be doing. It has all seemed to come together for me this past week. I still enjoy it and the dogs that come in. today we had all small dogs. And they were so cute. I just wanted to scoop them up in my arms and hold them all day. They were also very sweet.
Tomorrow is my day off, I enjoy the 3 days off that I get because no one could do that job 6 days a week you could easily get burned out by it.

Monday 20th

Well I have had two days off yesterday and today, my bones ache but still keeping a possitive attitude, today I have errands to run. Thinking about getting a different pair of shoes today, that might help also. the back isn't too bad getting used to the bending over and got a back brace that helps a lot. Not much more going on just getting some well needed housework done and then plan to relax the rest of the day.

April 17th work day again

Well I had thursday off this week and went into work today, Things seem to be getting better I am catching on to little tips that make things easier. If anyone thinks that dog grooming is easy please think again. It is hard work. There are many things to remember. Each dog gets their ears cleaned out and nails clipped. they each get a bath. after they are clean they get power blow dried to get all the excess water off of them, then they go into their cages and get another dryer put on them to dry the rest of the way. some dogs have to have the little hair pulled out of their ears but not all kinds just certain ones.

Once the dogs are dried then they get a hair cut. some get anal glands expressed while taking a bath not all of them only the ones specified. Some of the dogs we actually comb out and clip down before the bath. Make sense not to have to wash all the hair that is going to get cut off anyway. As the dogs get done they have times for them to be picked up, some want them early, some don't mind if you call them when you are finished. Some times people even call and want to bring in their dogs a bit later in day which we welcome them. So you can start off with a managable morning and end up slammed in the middle of day. That is when things get a little tense. by late afternoon things calm down again.

I get to collect the money when pet parents come in I collect it, then get their son or daughter. and they are on their way. Sometimes I make appointments for them if they don't have one.

So far all the dogs are very sweet I only had one today try to bite me but he missed LOL
At the end of day when the dogs are all picked up, I vacumn and dump the vacumn cleaner if the tub is not cleaned out I do that. I dump all the garbages. clean out the coffee pot.

Tomorrow I was told we are cleaning out cages. at some point when it isn't too busy. probably at the end of the day.

Then I get Sunday and Monday off.

Second day of work

Well today was my second day of work, I still like it but my back doesn't. bathing the dogs is murder on your back. leaning over the tub caused a back spasm today. I plan to get one of those back braces and hopefully that will help. I didn't realize just how out of shape I have become but on the other hand if this helps me to get back in shape then I am totally up for that.

The dogs are so cute and so far very easy to get along with, we have a couple of nippers but my boss handles the hard ones. I did encounter a hot dog today the ones with the long droopy ears and long bodies her name was elnore and she was a strong as an ox. Trying to manuver her around was not an easy task.

I guess the best dogs today for me was Murphy, big ole golden retriever very gentle senior dog. and then there was this itty bitty poodle maltez mix named Libby she was not too bad she sat on the table quietly while I brushed her out and pulled fuzz out of her ears and combed out her tail.

All in all it was a long day today, I worked an extra hour then yesterday. tomorrow is my day off and I am in search of the ole mighty back brace, sure hope I find one before Friday.

I have to say it is a very interesting job many things to learn and never boring. and at the end of the day I am very tired. but it is a good tired.

Got a new job today

Well I have been out of work since Jan this year, and today I got a new job. My dog groomer was advertizing for help and I went to see her this morning at 7:15 am and she basically hired me on the spot, to be an apprentice to her. Today was fun I think I am going to enjoy this new adventure in my life. when I left today she said she was very pleased with my work. She also called the other four applicants she had lined up to come in next week and told them the job had been filled. yaaaa for me.

It was interesting working with the different dogs today Coda was this very huge siberian something or other not husky but a huge huge dog with lots of fur I got to give him a bath once I finally got him in the tub and before that I had to brush him out to get all the extra fur out of him boy you could definately make another dog with the fur that came out of him LOL he was the sweetest dog I have ever seen he actually was a rescue dog. I really enjoyed him we got along very well.

Then there was a yorkie tiny little thing cute as a bugs ear. got to give her a bath. I don't think she weighed more then two pounds. and there was this little black terrier who was kind of special too. well until I learn their names I will just have to discribe them as cute little ones

Easter 2009

Happy Easter, we had a full day of it today. We went to my mother in laws for an early dinner, we had all kinds of good stuff she made a spoon roast, mashed potatoes, asparagus, homemade apple sauce, and gravy.

We left there about 3:00 and went to my aunt's house and had steak, baked potatoes with sour cream and asparagus, I made a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and my aunt made a lemon meringue pie. So I would say tonight when we got home our tummies were full.Glad I don't eat like every day.

We missed my mom and uncle not being at Easter dinner again this year but I know they were watching over us and we included them in the dinner blessing so they are never to far from our thoughts at any holiday.

So much has changed since mom and uncle Ernie passed, our family is a lot smaller now, we don't see much of my cousin Devon since she has had the two boys. (Beautiful boys) I should say, Tanner is 3 and Dylan will be turning 1 at the end of the month. They live in MA.

Well like everything else, things change and you kind of have to go with the changes and be grateful for the things you do still have and keep the loved ones lost close in your heart. And tell the ones still with you how much you love them.

It was a good day

To the right of the page is a picture of my cat punkin, I got her when she was 10 weeks old and she lived to be 14 years old. I drew this picture of her after she passed away from a photograph.

As I put up this new play list, I am listening to Dan Fogelberg songs. I grew up with these songs and it some how takes me back to the time when I was a teenager listening to them. It is a good feeling.

Just beginning

I guess I would have to say my mother was very influencial when it came to me loving to draw. She had many how to draw books around the house when I was growing up. I remember looking through those books every day and trying to teach myself how to draw like they did in the books. I wasn't much of a student but drawing was something I cared about. Of course drawing alone didn't get me through elementary school and high school but some how I struggled through.

My mom also was an avid sewer, she taught me the basics when it came to sewing. She would make me beautiful clothes when I was growing up, beautiful prom dresses, and outfits when I was a kid. So I believe it was my mom who gave me the gift to create.