It's days like today that I just don't know what to do with myself!
There is a laundry list of things I need to do at home. Well, there's laundry. The house needs to be cleaned. There is a pile of paperwork on my desk that needs to be filed. The bathroom is ALMOST finished, but the last piece of it is all the trim work, which needs to be painted, cut and hung. Yes Rob, I said trim.... and hung...
BUT it is the most beautiful day out there today! Caleb did some yard work yesterday, but I could go outside and rake out the gardens. I have tulips and daffodils coming up! I could spend some time in the sun!
Now comes a fight of the conscience. Should I chase dust bunnies all day around the house, or do I should I throw responsibility to the light breeze and go out and play?
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Live and let die or choose death?
Euthanasia is such a strange word. Just by looking at the word itself, you'd have no idea what it means.
Today I had to sign a piece of paper that gave my consent to allow my veterinarian to perform Euthanasia on my rabbit. The vet's assistant asked me if I was sure with my choice, and did I want the vet to take a look at the rabbit before we took the next step.
She had been sick for almost a month. The original diagnosis was "pneumonia or cancer." Not a happy outlook for a rabbit over 7 years old. We treated for pneumonia and gave her antibiotics for 2 1/2 weeks. Didn't seem to do any good, but she wasn't getting any worse. She was eating, drinking and doing all the normal things bunnies do - she just had to gasp for breath while she was doing it.
Then she stopped eating this weekend. If I had to guess, she lost about 2 pounds in 3 days. We were watching her slowly starve to death, and her breathing was getting worse. I had hoped that she would pass on her own. No such luck.
Today we decided to put her to sleep. I have never had to make that decision before. But over the last few days, she kept staring at me with this big, beautiful brown eyes, telling me something. I don't know what it was. Perhaps it was - you are an idiot, get me more antibiotics. Or it was - just put me out of my misery.
It seems silly to be this upset about losing a pet. I have lost three now in about one year. They all lived to be ripe, old ages for their species - I had guinea pigs who were over 6 years old. Usually they don't live past 4, if they're lucky.
My boss is losing her mother at this moment. She has been sick for a very long time, and that family is suffering tremendously, right along side their dying mother. It doesn't seem right for me to be sad about my pet, when it could be so much worse.
So I returned from the vet and put bunny in her custom made box/coffin (thanks to Caleb). I tore down her cage, brought it to the garage and threw out her food. I vacuumed up all the hay and cleaned up the mess and put the furniture back in place. I will take a hot shower, make a hot toddy and go to bed early. Sad as I am, I am going to move on with life.
After all, it's just a rabbit, right?
Today I had to sign a piece of paper that gave my consent to allow my veterinarian to perform Euthanasia on my rabbit. The vet's assistant asked me if I was sure with my choice, and did I want the vet to take a look at the rabbit before we took the next step.
She had been sick for almost a month. The original diagnosis was "pneumonia or cancer." Not a happy outlook for a rabbit over 7 years old. We treated for pneumonia and gave her antibiotics for 2 1/2 weeks. Didn't seem to do any good, but she wasn't getting any worse. She was eating, drinking and doing all the normal things bunnies do - she just had to gasp for breath while she was doing it.
Then she stopped eating this weekend. If I had to guess, she lost about 2 pounds in 3 days. We were watching her slowly starve to death, and her breathing was getting worse. I had hoped that she would pass on her own. No such luck.
Today we decided to put her to sleep. I have never had to make that decision before. But over the last few days, she kept staring at me with this big, beautiful brown eyes, telling me something. I don't know what it was. Perhaps it was - you are an idiot, get me more antibiotics. Or it was - just put me out of my misery.
It seems silly to be this upset about losing a pet. I have lost three now in about one year. They all lived to be ripe, old ages for their species - I had guinea pigs who were over 6 years old. Usually they don't live past 4, if they're lucky.
My boss is losing her mother at this moment. She has been sick for a very long time, and that family is suffering tremendously, right along side their dying mother. It doesn't seem right for me to be sad about my pet, when it could be so much worse.
So I returned from the vet and put bunny in her custom made box/coffin (thanks to Caleb). I tore down her cage, brought it to the garage and threw out her food. I vacuumed up all the hay and cleaned up the mess and put the furniture back in place. I will take a hot shower, make a hot toddy and go to bed early. Sad as I am, I am going to move on with life.
After all, it's just a rabbit, right?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Turn off the TV
What is with the obsession with television???
Whether it's reality TV (who's reality is it anyway?), sitcoms (I don't think they make them anymore) or drama TV (Lost: are they dead? Is it purgatory? Is it a dream? Who cares???), most Americans have stronger relationships with their televisions than they do their friends and family.
They call it a "boob tube" for a reason people!
Occasionally, I'll watch a little TV. I try to catch Grey's Anatomy on Thursdays and once in a while, I'll flip through the 170 channels to find an episode of House or Law and Order. But I don't religiously plop myself down every night after work and indulge in a constant barrage of mindless messages and lame storylines.
Mindless entertainment is good sometimes. It helps turn your brain off and get away from reality for a while. But every night, all the time... it's a little much. Eventually, your brain will turn off - and never turn back on.
If your DVR is full because you just can't miss any episode of "Next Top Model" or "Tabitha," you need to get a hobby. If you tell your friends you can't go out because "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" is on, you might want to take a closer look at your life.
Read, play a game, call a friend... anything but take a break from staring at the brain cell sucking box with pretty pictures.
Whether it's reality TV (who's reality is it anyway?), sitcoms (I don't think they make them anymore) or drama TV (Lost: are they dead? Is it purgatory? Is it a dream? Who cares???), most Americans have stronger relationships with their televisions than they do their friends and family.
They call it a "boob tube" for a reason people!
Occasionally, I'll watch a little TV. I try to catch Grey's Anatomy on Thursdays and once in a while, I'll flip through the 170 channels to find an episode of House or Law and Order. But I don't religiously plop myself down every night after work and indulge in a constant barrage of mindless messages and lame storylines.
Mindless entertainment is good sometimes. It helps turn your brain off and get away from reality for a while. But every night, all the time... it's a little much. Eventually, your brain will turn off - and never turn back on.
If your DVR is full because you just can't miss any episode of "Next Top Model" or "Tabitha," you need to get a hobby. If you tell your friends you can't go out because "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" is on, you might want to take a closer look at your life.
Read, play a game, call a friend... anything but take a break from staring at the brain cell sucking box with pretty pictures.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Bugged
Sorry Butter I don't have "A List" of things that bug me. It took me a few days to really consider what really bothers me. Reading your list, though, I found a common theme.
My confidence and admiration for the media has slowly gone downhill over the past few years. The irony in this is that, as a junior in high school, I wanted to be a newspaper editor. I was thrilled about getting out there, getting the story. I salivated at the idea of asking that one question no one else wanted to ask.
Now the news is a joke. Reporters and newscasters are nothing but vultures that poke and prod at the tragic and the horrific. They are no better than Hollywood directors, playing upon people's worst fears, serving the public a steaming pile of crap on a platter and calling it noteworthy or entertainment.
Why are stories about Jon and Kate on CNN? Why is Simon Cowell leaving American Idol breaking news? Why, for months, did we have to hear about Miley Cyrus's pole dancing? Or Adam Lambert's make out session with a guy on stage? Why did we see in-depth reporting on Michael Jackson, but only little snippets of Patrick Swayze, Ed McMahon?
How about the THOUSANDS of people dying in a war on the other side of the world???
It's sensationalism at its finest. They'll shove it down our throats until something new and even more shocking comes to light.
Take the most recent tragedy in Haiti. It was terrible thing to have happened to all those people. The story should be covered. Please don't doubt me on that. But they'll show you pictures of death, destruction and devastation. They will show you intense, heartbreaking images of suffering, and give you close up shots of someone's own personal hell. Not because they think it will help raise awareness, but because it will raise their ratings.
They say that they are giving what the people want - I don't buy it. I can't truly believe in my heart of hearts that this is acceptable to the majority of the people out there. If it is, then I fear we are doomed, forever listening how some dirty politician cheated on his wife or that Hannah Montana's shirt came unbuttoned during her latest concert. Isn't that what's really important, anyway?
My confidence and admiration for the media has slowly gone downhill over the past few years. The irony in this is that, as a junior in high school, I wanted to be a newspaper editor. I was thrilled about getting out there, getting the story. I salivated at the idea of asking that one question no one else wanted to ask.
Now the news is a joke. Reporters and newscasters are nothing but vultures that poke and prod at the tragic and the horrific. They are no better than Hollywood directors, playing upon people's worst fears, serving the public a steaming pile of crap on a platter and calling it noteworthy or entertainment.
Why are stories about Jon and Kate on CNN? Why is Simon Cowell leaving American Idol breaking news? Why, for months, did we have to hear about Miley Cyrus's pole dancing? Or Adam Lambert's make out session with a guy on stage? Why did we see in-depth reporting on Michael Jackson, but only little snippets of Patrick Swayze, Ed McMahon?
How about the THOUSANDS of people dying in a war on the other side of the world???
It's sensationalism at its finest. They'll shove it down our throats until something new and even more shocking comes to light.
Take the most recent tragedy in Haiti. It was terrible thing to have happened to all those people. The story should be covered. Please don't doubt me on that. But they'll show you pictures of death, destruction and devastation. They will show you intense, heartbreaking images of suffering, and give you close up shots of someone's own personal hell. Not because they think it will help raise awareness, but because it will raise their ratings.
They say that they are giving what the people want - I don't buy it. I can't truly believe in my heart of hearts that this is acceptable to the majority of the people out there. If it is, then I fear we are doomed, forever listening how some dirty politician cheated on his wife or that Hannah Montana's shirt came unbuttoned during her latest concert. Isn't that what's really important, anyway?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Day 2 - The Gym
I have decided that 2010 is a year for me to be stronger - in a lot of ways.
Not only did I decide to "strengthen" my brain by writing as much as I can, I also decided to strengthen my body by going to the gym and being healthier. I was pretty diligent in 2008, but my motivation was to look damn good in my wedding dress. I lost 20 pounds by going to the gym three times a week and eating right. I was pretty pleased with my progress and I do have to say that come my wedding day, I looked fabulous! Or so I thought anyway...
The second day at the gym is always harder than the first. I go to the gym in the morning because there is NO way I am going to drag my butt there after work. So instead, I drag my butt out of bed earlier.
This only works if I 1) actually wake up with my alarm and 2) have prepared the night before. This requires me to come home from work, make dinner and then get my gym bag ready for the following day before I go to bed. It is a constant cycle - a habit that I need to form again - to get to the point where I want to be, physically.
I have two motivations this year. One is that I'm turning 30, and I want to be healthy and strong. The big 3-0 has made me realize that I am no longer "young" and that all little holes in my confidence that I have due to "trouble spots" will be gaping canyons if I don't work at them now.
The second motivation is that I have to buy a new bathing suit this year. Now, ladies, you know the frustrations of trying on and buying a new bathing suit. It's worse than bra shopping. For me, it's VERY hard because... well... I'm top heavy. Well maybe not top heavy, due to the fact that my butt is big enough... but definitely heavy up top.
I just don't feel right in a two-piece. I applaud those women who can wear it tastefully but I'm always afraid of the girls falling out!
I go for the one piece bathing suits, but have you ever looked at them? I know I'm getting older but good Lord - do I really need to wear something my grandmother would wear? Do I really need to be THAT cautious? Some have the skirts that go down to your knees and others have huge floral patterns that add volume to any body, never mind one that's already a size 14 with triple Ds!
So I put myself back in the gym and filled our fridge with veggies and fruits. Maybe by springtime, I will be ready to brave the swimsuit section!
And maybe I'll just stay inside. Who needs swimmer's ear anyway?
Not only did I decide to "strengthen" my brain by writing as much as I can, I also decided to strengthen my body by going to the gym and being healthier. I was pretty diligent in 2008, but my motivation was to look damn good in my wedding dress. I lost 20 pounds by going to the gym three times a week and eating right. I was pretty pleased with my progress and I do have to say that come my wedding day, I looked fabulous! Or so I thought anyway...
The second day at the gym is always harder than the first. I go to the gym in the morning because there is NO way I am going to drag my butt there after work. So instead, I drag my butt out of bed earlier.
This only works if I 1) actually wake up with my alarm and 2) have prepared the night before. This requires me to come home from work, make dinner and then get my gym bag ready for the following day before I go to bed. It is a constant cycle - a habit that I need to form again - to get to the point where I want to be, physically.
I have two motivations this year. One is that I'm turning 30, and I want to be healthy and strong. The big 3-0 has made me realize that I am no longer "young" and that all little holes in my confidence that I have due to "trouble spots" will be gaping canyons if I don't work at them now.
The second motivation is that I have to buy a new bathing suit this year. Now, ladies, you know the frustrations of trying on and buying a new bathing suit. It's worse than bra shopping. For me, it's VERY hard because... well... I'm top heavy. Well maybe not top heavy, due to the fact that my butt is big enough... but definitely heavy up top.
I just don't feel right in a two-piece. I applaud those women who can wear it tastefully but I'm always afraid of the girls falling out!
I go for the one piece bathing suits, but have you ever looked at them? I know I'm getting older but good Lord - do I really need to wear something my grandmother would wear? Do I really need to be THAT cautious? Some have the skirts that go down to your knees and others have huge floral patterns that add volume to any body, never mind one that's already a size 14 with triple Ds!
So I put myself back in the gym and filled our fridge with veggies and fruits. Maybe by springtime, I will be ready to brave the swimsuit section!
And maybe I'll just stay inside. Who needs swimmer's ear anyway?
Monday, January 11, 2010
My Birthday Resolution
When I was 25, I said that if I didn't have a good job, wasn't married or didn't have a house, I'd panic.
With my 30th birthday looming closer and closer, I'm not panicking. I have an excellent job, I am married to the love of my life and I am pleased with the house we bought - despite the fact we live in "East Gish." I am very happy with the life I have chosen, with the family I have been blessed with and the friends who surround me.
Many people make resolutions every New Years. Some say they want to quit smoking, some want to lose weight. With this important birthday weeks away, I am prompted to really take a look at what I want to accomplish in the future, who I want to be, and where my shortcomings are.
I used to write for a living as a reporter and columnist. With my current job, I am more of a designer than a writer and sometime I feel like I have trouble stringing two coherent words together. Someone recently told me that to keep both skills strong, I have to practice both of them.
As one of the resolutions I have made for this, my 30th year on this planet, I will write more. I will use this blog as my medium. I might not write every day but I will write. It might be a commentary, it might be a short story, or it might just be a random description or thought. My hope is that those who read it will 1) enjoy it; 2) make comments and 3) provide me the motivation to keep doing it.
Cheers!
With my 30th birthday looming closer and closer, I'm not panicking. I have an excellent job, I am married to the love of my life and I am pleased with the house we bought - despite the fact we live in "East Gish." I am very happy with the life I have chosen, with the family I have been blessed with and the friends who surround me.
Many people make resolutions every New Years. Some say they want to quit smoking, some want to lose weight. With this important birthday weeks away, I am prompted to really take a look at what I want to accomplish in the future, who I want to be, and where my shortcomings are.
I used to write for a living as a reporter and columnist. With my current job, I am more of a designer than a writer and sometime I feel like I have trouble stringing two coherent words together. Someone recently told me that to keep both skills strong, I have to practice both of them.
As one of the resolutions I have made for this, my 30th year on this planet, I will write more. I will use this blog as my medium. I might not write every day but I will write. It might be a commentary, it might be a short story, or it might just be a random description or thought. My hope is that those who read it will 1) enjoy it; 2) make comments and 3) provide me the motivation to keep doing it.
Cheers!
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