Easy...

After what feels like an extremely busy week... we are staying home today. We have (DH) a few projects that need to get finished. DH is re welding the frame on the attic ventilation cooling system and re-calibrating the speed on the fan blades. With all the humidity we are having, it will help cool off the house... and keep the "pups" cool in the process.

Yesterday... I left the house to go to get a few groceries... and I didn't check the weather first. It started blowing wind... and got dark, and then the rains came. It was 82 degrees when I left... by the time I made it to the top of the hill and turned into the shopping center... it was coming down faster than the wipers would go. (There was no way I was getting out of the car for that!) So.. I drove home. By the time I got back down into the valley, the temperature had dropped to 68 degrees. (The house inside was now hotter than outside!) I came in and opened everything up and got the fans going... and turned on the attic system. I could only leave it on for a few minutes as it has a loud noise from not being balanced. Hence, DH working on it today!

The dogs are getting used to each other. We are allowing Pumpkin time outside the crate now... and she is enjoying getting use to the house. She adores DH and just howls when he gets home from work! (I know how she feels... lol!) I am still taking extra care of Nolli-dog... extra treats, extra Mom-time, time up on the bed with us. He actually seems to be adjusting to having a little dog in the house now... and that smile and sparkle have returned. Pumpkin's favorite thing... is to be held... and of course being in close proximity... has to bath our faces with kisses. She's also liking the grub... she is a healthy eater and can almost eat as much as Nolli-dog. We have had no potty accidents except for the first 5 minutes of being in the house. I think she's getting it!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Life with Pumpkin...

Pumpkin is settling into life nicely here. She enjoys being in her crate and we keep her there during the day. We take her out directly when we take her from her crate and she seems to be getting the hang of going outside.

Yesterday... I decided to go and get my hair done... it's very short and very, very blond. I love it and it's the perfect end of summer haircut. It will take me into the beginning of October.

I also took Pumpkin on a car ride to Wilkes-Barre yesterday. She has a micro-chip and her previous owner told me that the SPCA could assist in changing the information. So... off we went... we had gotten directions for someone we met at PetSmart. I "thought" I knew where it was.... boy, was I wrong! I ended up missing a turn... and way far out of the way. There was road construction on part of the way... and I didn't want to go back through that. So... we took a long, scenic drive back to the turnpike. (I finally remembered that I have navigator on my phone as well... it never worked on my old phone) So... once I got directions sent to my phone via *411, I was set to go. I did make my way to the SPCA, where they read her microchip and gave me the phone number and her chip number, but not before giving me the third degree about where I had gotten Pumpkin and who her previous owners were. (Talk about making me feel like a criminal! Hello... I just ADOPTED her!)

We got out of there as quickly as possible and went on over to PetSmart. I got her nails trimmed and picked up a couple of items she needed... like a small pink flowered dog-food bowl with "Diva" painted in the bottom... and new hair brush... and a sleeping mat. We met several nice people who were very interested in Pumpkin and her sweet face. She's sooo tiny and has such big eyes, and loves attention! She did pretty well on the car trip... but I do need to get a small dog tote for her. She so craves being held and wants to be up near your face. That makes it a little difficult to drive... but we're working on it!

When I got home... I called the micro-chip company. It seems that her chip has never been registered! I was so surprised! They are sending me the info packet... and it will cost me $20 to have it registered. Now it makes me wonder about Pumpkins shots... they didn't give me a copy of her certificates for rabies and shots... I sent off an e-mail asking about it. We shall see... I just don't want to have to give her shots again if she doesn't need them.

Last night... Nolli and Pumpkin did have some play time. He's trying to teach her how to play tag and chase. It's very cute and he's starting to warm up to her. He's still jealous when I have her near me... it doesn't bother him when DH has her, just me! But I am giving him tons of extra attention and treats and praise. He's going to be just fine once we get into a regular routine.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Holy Cow!

Holy Cow... Holy Mole`... Holy smokes! I had my last set of injections... because the doctor bruised me so badly last week, he moved his injection site a little closer to the middle of my right knee. That stuff is now under my knee cap! It feels like a small mountain in there!

But that's not the worst of it... when he did my very last shot... on my left knee... he hit a nerve! I actually cried as he finished. (I just never cry at these things... they are always a piece of cake!) It was so bad... that he made me sit down in a chair in the exam room and wait... he went and did another patient... and came back to check on me. He had me walk... and it sounded like "rice krispies" as I walked back and forth. I am once again walking like a weeble ... a very drunk weeble! So... I managed to make my way out of the office and I promised I would ice it. Yes, Ice is my best friend these days! (It does feel good with these 90 degree days we're having!)

The Last One!

I have my last set of shots in my 5-shot Hyalgan series today! Yippee! I did it... I made it through! It hasn't been bad except for last week when the doctor nicked a vein and I had swelling and bruising. I'm still dark purple! I am also still doing my physical therapy in the pool. It feels good and I am feeling better! (FINALLY!!!!)

We are settling into a routine with Pumpkin. She's getting the hang of going potty outside. Nolli isn't so sure he likes her yet. He wants to play and she doesn't know how... I'm hoping that as things settle down... that she will start to bond and interact with him. She's a good eater... and eats faster than Nolli and could eat more than him! She's very sweet and loves to be up in your arms... we are working at trying to get her to have more "floor time" so she can be a "regular dog." I wish Cesar Milan lived closer... I'd love some tips from him.

Time to go and get ready for my "jaunt" over to Bloomsburg... I will have to try my hardest not to stop at any of the farm stands! ... Please continue to pray for us... we know that change is blowing in the wind, we want to be able to follow what God has for us next.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

We have a New Arrival!

The last few days around here have been a little crazy, to say the least. Work for DH has been trying at best... we appreciate your prayers... and we ask that you continue to lift him up as he has a HUGE meeting at corporate tomorrow about all that has transpired since last Monday. (Supposedly, he will still have a job... but we will see. I sure hope so!)

As I have written in the past month... I have been wanting to add another furry friend to our midst. I decided that I had done all the looking I was going to do on a certain website... (Craigslist) and the I was putting in God's hands... if he wanted me to expand... then it would happen. Well... a few days ago the phone rang. It was someone that I had inquired about that had a small dog up for adoption. We talked for a few days back and forth... and went to get her yesterday.... Internet Friends... meet "Pumpkin!"

She's very shy and timid... but she bonded to DH immediately. She's 6 years old and is a puppy mill rescue. She's had 5 litters of pups in her short life. She is now spade... and her owner had to move and couldn't take her with them. She came with a different name... but we decided on Pumpkin on the drive home. It seems to fit her and she responds to it! Nolli is adjusting pretty well... he's only a little nervous, but I've been giving him lots of extra attention.

We were also busy with a neighbors yard sale... and we were blessed with many wonderful things... I got myself a bicycle. I have great hopes to be able to ride it after my physical therapy. Speaking of physical therapy... I went to see the doctor on Friday about my back... and he's sending me for therapy on my shoulder. I hope and pray that it helps.

Again... we do covet your prayers for DH and his job... Thank you for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Trying to stay calm...

I am trying my hardest to let stuff go... but the work situation keeps getting crazier for DH all the time! I cannot go into details... but he's definitely been targeted and set up to look bad. I am praying that all the issues will be resolved quickly and in our favor.

I went to Physical Therapy again today... another 45 minute workout... which had to be modified as my mobility is a currently compromised from my 4th injection in my right knee. It's still purple and swelled. The therapist has actually put me on bedrest again for 24 hours. I have an appointment tomorrow to see my primary care physican and I also have a follow up with my surgeon about my upper endoscopy and my ulcer! I'm sure he's gonna tell me how I got it (maybe) and how to get rid of it... (for sure)!

I do have some good news... I was contacted today from someone on Craigslist who's looking to rehome their pet... and we are their #1 candidate! I have great hopes for this little adoption process... I will keep you posted if we add to the family!

Time to go and elevate and ice again! Thanks for reading.. (Y'all are troopers!) Be blessed!
~Suzanne

Catching up!

Wow... it's Wednesday already! I've done physical therapy on Monday and my 4th bilateral Hyalgan injections yesterday. The 45 work-out in the pool pretty much wipes me out for the day. My injections yesterday... kind of set me back... he did the left knee just fine... but my right knee feels like the gel went down my leg. It's swelled and bruised, as he accidentally nicked a vein when he went in. There's no redness or hotness... so I know I don't have an infection. So... I do what I do best... ICE!

Thank you all for your continued prayers. It's stressful when it obvious that someone is campaigning to get you canned from your job. I am hopeful that the managers of DH's company will support him... and again, we may end up moving back to Maryland, only the Father knows at this point. We are truly grateful for all of his blessings and humbled by his outpouring of love to us. (I've also been admonished be a friend of facebook... to give the issue over to God. So... I'm letting go and trusting... that's always been tough for me!)

Time for me to go and prop up my knee and ice it again. Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne