Yep, bizarre title, but stinky things are on my last nerve this week. No, not bad stinky things, things that people think "stink" good. I can stand the routine bad foot odor, the dog fart, but those perfumy things absolutely kill me.
Why do people think you want to be subjected to their favorite stink? Hey, people! Here's a clue! If you walk down the sidewalk and leave a cloud of "aroma" half a block behind you, you could stand to cut back on the stink-juice. If people getting in the elevator a half hour after you were in it can still smell you, it's too much. If you make the eyes of the person sitting next to you water, tone it down. If small animals sneeze when you approach, please, cut back!
There are some of us out here who really have problems with strong scents. There are many perfumes that give me an instant headache. I don't complain to be mean, I complain because it makes me sick!
Why am I venting today? Because I got in the elevator at the court house today and had to walk right back out. Nope, there was no one in it. Just the "ghost" of whoever was in it before me. Someone sitting next to me in the court room also had on enough perfume to choke a horse. People wonder why my office door is closed all the time? Let me explain: I can't stand the perfume and "air freshener" wafting up and down the hall. (I also have a constant battle with the cleaning people in the building using stinky cleaning products in my office. I have had to leave my office at times and let it air out.)
While I'm thinking about it, "air freshener" is not air and it ain't fresh. It's darn near a deadly weapon.
I would love to be able to wear scented things. I can't. People think I'm lying or exaggerating abut how their pretty smells affect me. Nope, not. You will find me in the "unscented" section of the store. Soaps, lotions, you name it. Perfume? Absolutely not!
All of you young 'uns out there, laugh if you want, but things change when you get older. My dear sister was pretty unsympathetic about my allergies and sinus infections when I was younger. Guess what, the Universe decided to 'splain it to her. Ask her about allergies now!
The bottom line is, you may think it stinks really, really good. That's fine. But please, just like I don't want to be inhaling second-hand cigarette smoke, I really don't want to be inhaling your favorite stink, getting a headache, and having to dig out my inhaler because I can't breathe. Take it easy on the stink!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Saturday, December 11, 2010
OK, Ma, You Win!
I surrender, you have finally gotten even for all the rotten things I did when I was a kid!
What, you might ask, am I talking about? You all know about the "mother's curse," right? You know, when you are a kid and driving her insane and she says, "I hope you have a kid just like you!" Well, I foolishly thought I had escaped. Nope.
See, I didn't have kids. Any time I even thought about it, I remembered that curse. But now I have my 83 year old child! And believe me, he is more than enough for Mom to get even.
Miss out on not sleeping through the night? Oh, no. We periodically have these nights where he yells at me multiple times and wakes me up. Like last night. We had "I'm cold" after he managed to throw his electric blanket on the floor. We had "I'm thirsty" and of course I had to remind him he didn't drink all of his tea like I told him to before he went to bed. We had "I need some tylenol." We had "What time is it?" at 3:00 a.m. No, I don't know why. Then we had "Aren't you going to work?" at 6:00 a.m. Nope, it's Saturday, but thanks for getting me up. Again.
Miss out on diapers? Well, Depends are close enough in my book. We go through times when he insists on wearing them. I admit, I don't complain, it does save some messes. Then he goes through times when he doesn't want anything to do with them. What can I say. Isn't like I can make him put them on.
Miss out on messes? Oh, no, believe me, we have plenty. Like yesterday, the Meals on Wheels people gave him this pretty glass ornament with his dinner. At least, I guess it was pretty. All I really know is, it was glass, round, and had a bunch of water based blue paint or dye inside. This I know because there were pieces of glass and blue slime all over my kitchen floor when I got home last night. And blue footprints, or sockprints, all over the house. I like the Meals on Wheels people, I really do, but what the DEVIL were they thinking?!
Then there was his birthday cake, which this year was an ice cream cake. After he got done, he had ice cream all over his face, shirt, hands...
I'm not sure I missed out on the potty training aspect, either. You know how a little kid will avoid going to the bathroom until the very last second... and you know what happens. Yep, it's fun. I also made the mistake of letting him have a commode in his room to encourage him to drink more (some days I think I need to drink more) since he complained about having to get up to go to the bathroom at night. It's now a regular for him to go to bed at 7:00 and an hour later I hear this little voice: "I made poopoo" or "I made a stinker." I am often tempted to just ignore it and make him put up with "the stinker," but since the stink doesn't remain confined to his room, I haven't given in to that temptation.
You think it's hard to get kids to eat decent meals? Kids ain't got nothin' on this one! He flat refuses to eat things that were nearly daily staples. Like salad, fruit, any potatos except french fries, and most veggies. He won't touch soup of any variety. Asked him what he wanted for Christmas dinner, he says a hamburger. WHAT?
Can I ask, why don't they make Garanimals clothes in his size? Of course, I don't think he would bother trying to match anything up, anyway. I'm just happy he puts clothes on. There was the day when I came home and he told me the Meals on Wheels lady helped him put his pants on. And the day I came home and he was sitting in his chair in his underwear and told me he couldn't find his clothes. I often wonder what those Meals on Wheels people think...
Remember your parents yelling at you to stop wasting water, turn off the lights, that kind of stuff? At least I know I did on many occasions when I was a kid. Now, he turns on every light he can reach and leaves them on. Insists I leave a light, not a night light, on in his room all night. He runs enough water brushing his teeth to fill a bathtub. He also has this strange toilet flushing thing going on, he always flushes at least 3 times. I'm not sure if he forgets he already flushed or what the problem is, but I figure 'tis better to flush than not flush, at least from my perspective, so I just leave it alone.
He is a goofball, we all knew that a long time ago. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment, I have to admit, I wouldn't do anything different if I had it all to do over again.
What, you might ask, am I talking about? You all know about the "mother's curse," right? You know, when you are a kid and driving her insane and she says, "I hope you have a kid just like you!" Well, I foolishly thought I had escaped. Nope.
See, I didn't have kids. Any time I even thought about it, I remembered that curse. But now I have my 83 year old child! And believe me, he is more than enough for Mom to get even.
Miss out on not sleeping through the night? Oh, no. We periodically have these nights where he yells at me multiple times and wakes me up. Like last night. We had "I'm cold" after he managed to throw his electric blanket on the floor. We had "I'm thirsty" and of course I had to remind him he didn't drink all of his tea like I told him to before he went to bed. We had "I need some tylenol." We had "What time is it?" at 3:00 a.m. No, I don't know why. Then we had "Aren't you going to work?" at 6:00 a.m. Nope, it's Saturday, but thanks for getting me up. Again.
Miss out on diapers? Well, Depends are close enough in my book. We go through times when he insists on wearing them. I admit, I don't complain, it does save some messes. Then he goes through times when he doesn't want anything to do with them. What can I say. Isn't like I can make him put them on.
Miss out on messes? Oh, no, believe me, we have plenty. Like yesterday, the Meals on Wheels people gave him this pretty glass ornament with his dinner. At least, I guess it was pretty. All I really know is, it was glass, round, and had a bunch of water based blue paint or dye inside. This I know because there were pieces of glass and blue slime all over my kitchen floor when I got home last night. And blue footprints, or sockprints, all over the house. I like the Meals on Wheels people, I really do, but what the DEVIL were they thinking?!
Then there was his birthday cake, which this year was an ice cream cake. After he got done, he had ice cream all over his face, shirt, hands...
I'm not sure I missed out on the potty training aspect, either. You know how a little kid will avoid going to the bathroom until the very last second... and you know what happens. Yep, it's fun. I also made the mistake of letting him have a commode in his room to encourage him to drink more (some days I think I need to drink more) since he complained about having to get up to go to the bathroom at night. It's now a regular for him to go to bed at 7:00 and an hour later I hear this little voice: "I made poopoo" or "I made a stinker." I am often tempted to just ignore it and make him put up with "the stinker," but since the stink doesn't remain confined to his room, I haven't given in to that temptation.
You think it's hard to get kids to eat decent meals? Kids ain't got nothin' on this one! He flat refuses to eat things that were nearly daily staples. Like salad, fruit, any potatos except french fries, and most veggies. He won't touch soup of any variety. Asked him what he wanted for Christmas dinner, he says a hamburger. WHAT?
Can I ask, why don't they make Garanimals clothes in his size? Of course, I don't think he would bother trying to match anything up, anyway. I'm just happy he puts clothes on. There was the day when I came home and he told me the Meals on Wheels lady helped him put his pants on. And the day I came home and he was sitting in his chair in his underwear and told me he couldn't find his clothes. I often wonder what those Meals on Wheels people think...
Remember your parents yelling at you to stop wasting water, turn off the lights, that kind of stuff? At least I know I did on many occasions when I was a kid. Now, he turns on every light he can reach and leaves them on. Insists I leave a light, not a night light, on in his room all night. He runs enough water brushing his teeth to fill a bathtub. He also has this strange toilet flushing thing going on, he always flushes at least 3 times. I'm not sure if he forgets he already flushed or what the problem is, but I figure 'tis better to flush than not flush, at least from my perspective, so I just leave it alone.
He is a goofball, we all knew that a long time ago. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment, I have to admit, I wouldn't do anything different if I had it all to do over again.
Monday, November 29, 2010
What the Devil Happened?
I know the "Old Farts" reading this will understand. You "kids" out there, don't worry, your time is coming!
It recently hit me, I'm "Old!" How did I figure it out? Well....
First, I get cold now. I used to keep the temp in my office on "meat locker," but now it's uncomfortable and I have been pushing the thermostat up to (GASP) 70! I'm pleased to say, I still don't enjoy the heat much higher than that, which means I won't be able to wear long sleeves all winter (again) since I have to keep the heat up to 74 for Pa.
I like gloves now. Until last year, I very seldom ever gave in and wore gloves. Now, my hands start to hurt when I'm out in the cold, and my gloves are in my coat pockets to make sure I have them. I'm thinking about getting one of those string things that goes through the arms of your coat to hold your mittens/gloves. I may have a heart attack if I lose them! I know my hands would fall off...
I used a hood! Traditionally, I hate things on my head. Have not been a fan of hats, hoods, any of that stuff. I left the office today with the temperature sitting at 29, the wind blowing like mad, and used the hood on my coat for the first time ever. Of course, I was also cussing the construction people who have the sidewalk blocked for the next 3 years which makes us have to walk way out of our way to get to the parking lot. (Just dawned on me, I will be retired before that stupid construction fence comes down!)
My feet get cold. OK, they got cold before, but now when they get cold, they cramp and hurt. Which means I can't run around barefoot in the snow any more. (Yes, I did.)(I know, Mom said that, too.)
My sciatic nerve is a pain in...well... the rearend. Literally. Yes, it's been a problem for the past, oh, 30 years, but when did it get to be better at predicting the weather than the "weather men?" It was not a happy moment when I realized the more my butt hurt, the better chance we had of having rain or snow.
My eyes. Oh, yes, let's not forget them! How nice it was to hear the opthamologist tell me my cataracts are getting worse. Cataracts? Worse? Excuse me? Seems he thought he told me about them last year. Nope. But thanks for letting me have one more year of ignorance. I'd really rather not know. I think?
But now that I know about the cataracts, I understand why some lighting conditions give me a fit. And why driving at night is a pain in the tush.
I used to be worried about "cute" clothes. We all know our parents told us that some day being comfortable would be more important than being "cute." Danged if it didn't happen. And even if they are comfy, if they aren't washable and permanent press, forget it! (Iron? What's that? Wait, I'm sure I have one in the basement...somewhere!)
Shoes and I have never been good friends. Even less so now. There will be no heels, no pointy toes, none of that "fashion" nonsense. I want comfort!
There are some little things, like balance, that I miss. OK, it isn't that bad. But when I was a kid, I could spin in a circle, stop, and walk a straight line. No more. While the doctor doesn't know the cause, I have this little friend "Vertigo" that visits occasionally. First time I noticed it, the [jerk] doctor said it was just because I am "old and dehydrated." Yep, found me a new doctor.
Is losing patience a sign of getting old? It never used to bother me when I sat waiting forever for someone or something. Which is really a good thing since during the past 30 years I have spent a significant amount of time waiting for attorneys, judges, criminals, or all three. It gets on my last nerve now, tho. I start fantasizing about what evil thing I might be able to do, and get away with, to get even. Wait, is that passive aggressive?
There are some things that confuse me, tho. I have a touch of asthma now. Why is it most "normal" people have asthma as kids and outgrow it? Not me, I first had that little issue a couple of years ago. Isn't that regressing?
And my face. Or, more specifically, the oil on my face. When I was a teen, everyone said when I hit 25, my skin would dry out, so I better enjoy it. Well, THAT was a lie. Then it was supposed to be 30, then 35... Now, most of you know how old I am (or have a pretty good idea) and danged if I still don't get zits! Sink an oil well in my face and end all oil shortages!
I know, I'm really pretty lucky, my health is pretty good, but some days you just need to vent!
It recently hit me, I'm "Old!" How did I figure it out? Well....
First, I get cold now. I used to keep the temp in my office on "meat locker," but now it's uncomfortable and I have been pushing the thermostat up to (GASP) 70! I'm pleased to say, I still don't enjoy the heat much higher than that, which means I won't be able to wear long sleeves all winter (again) since I have to keep the heat up to 74 for Pa.
I like gloves now. Until last year, I very seldom ever gave in and wore gloves. Now, my hands start to hurt when I'm out in the cold, and my gloves are in my coat pockets to make sure I have them. I'm thinking about getting one of those string things that goes through the arms of your coat to hold your mittens/gloves. I may have a heart attack if I lose them! I know my hands would fall off...
I used a hood! Traditionally, I hate things on my head. Have not been a fan of hats, hoods, any of that stuff. I left the office today with the temperature sitting at 29, the wind blowing like mad, and used the hood on my coat for the first time ever. Of course, I was also cussing the construction people who have the sidewalk blocked for the next 3 years which makes us have to walk way out of our way to get to the parking lot. (Just dawned on me, I will be retired before that stupid construction fence comes down!)
My feet get cold. OK, they got cold before, but now when they get cold, they cramp and hurt. Which means I can't run around barefoot in the snow any more. (Yes, I did.)(I know, Mom said that, too.)
My sciatic nerve is a pain in...well... the rearend. Literally. Yes, it's been a problem for the past, oh, 30 years, but when did it get to be better at predicting the weather than the "weather men?" It was not a happy moment when I realized the more my butt hurt, the better chance we had of having rain or snow.
My eyes. Oh, yes, let's not forget them! How nice it was to hear the opthamologist tell me my cataracts are getting worse. Cataracts? Worse? Excuse me? Seems he thought he told me about them last year. Nope. But thanks for letting me have one more year of ignorance. I'd really rather not know. I think?
But now that I know about the cataracts, I understand why some lighting conditions give me a fit. And why driving at night is a pain in the tush.
I used to be worried about "cute" clothes. We all know our parents told us that some day being comfortable would be more important than being "cute." Danged if it didn't happen. And even if they are comfy, if they aren't washable and permanent press, forget it! (Iron? What's that? Wait, I'm sure I have one in the basement...somewhere!)
Shoes and I have never been good friends. Even less so now. There will be no heels, no pointy toes, none of that "fashion" nonsense. I want comfort!
There are some little things, like balance, that I miss. OK, it isn't that bad. But when I was a kid, I could spin in a circle, stop, and walk a straight line. No more. While the doctor doesn't know the cause, I have this little friend "Vertigo" that visits occasionally. First time I noticed it, the [jerk] doctor said it was just because I am "old and dehydrated." Yep, found me a new doctor.
Is losing patience a sign of getting old? It never used to bother me when I sat waiting forever for someone or something. Which is really a good thing since during the past 30 years I have spent a significant amount of time waiting for attorneys, judges, criminals, or all three. It gets on my last nerve now, tho. I start fantasizing about what evil thing I might be able to do, and get away with, to get even. Wait, is that passive aggressive?
There are some things that confuse me, tho. I have a touch of asthma now. Why is it most "normal" people have asthma as kids and outgrow it? Not me, I first had that little issue a couple of years ago. Isn't that regressing?
And my face. Or, more specifically, the oil on my face. When I was a teen, everyone said when I hit 25, my skin would dry out, so I better enjoy it. Well, THAT was a lie. Then it was supposed to be 30, then 35... Now, most of you know how old I am (or have a pretty good idea) and danged if I still don't get zits! Sink an oil well in my face and end all oil shortages!
I know, I'm really pretty lucky, my health is pretty good, but some days you just need to vent!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Kudos for On the Rocks
Wow, it's been a long time! I really don't know why. It certainly isn't because I have become any less opinionated. Maybe I just haven't thought of anything worth talking about for a while?
But now I have! Back to music! One of my favorite things. A few weeks ago, I saw a link on FaceBook for a YouTube video of an acapella group from the University of Oregon. On the Rocks. I always check out YouTube links, you can get some great laughs and find some seriously good stuff there. I checked out the video, and was absolutely blown away. We all know I was a "choir geek" in high school, I was a member of our "Acapella" choir (strangely enough, we seldom sand anything acapella.) I love tight harmonies, I love listening to male vocal groups. (I don't know why, but there really aren't many female singers I like.)
When I listened to On the Rocks, I was reminded of a group from a few years back, The Nylons. A Canadian acapella group. In 1989, The Nylons put out an album titled Rockapella. On that album, they talk about "taking acapella into the 90's." Yes, I know how old I am. Give it a rest! I love The Nylons, and yes, I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert twice. They are not only fantastic vocalists, they have a great rapport and are fun to watch. You know making music, singong with each other and entertaining their audience is fun for them. That's what makes it fun for everyone.
Would it ever be possible for acapella to break into "mainstream" music? I only wish! What is more exciting, more intriguing, or more impressive than a handful of guys getting up in front of an audience and using the original musical instruments, their voices, and only their voices, to make music?
I believe On the Rocks can take acapella into the new millennium! They have the outstanding voices, the showmanship, the instinct for entertaining their audience. I have spent hours listening to their YouTube videos. Oh, who am I kidding. I have ripped several of them to put on my iPod so I can torture people with them! I now have all of the albums they have produced over the years. On the Rocks has taken on a wide range of styles and moods. They have made me cry and laugh and amazed me by "out gaga-ing" Lady Gaga. (Yep, I think their arrangement and performance of Bad Romance is better than the original. Sorry!)
Perhaps when you think of acapella, you think of barbershop. Yeah, it's that, too, but these guys are so much more. Their vocal percussion is amazing. Using voices for the instruments is fantastic. This isn't grandma's acapella. This type of music deserves to be heard by a much larger audience. After their YouTube video of Bad Romance went viral, they seemed to be shocked at the attention. I could explain it to them. They are fresh, they are new, they are talented, they just plain ROCK! They do weekly concerts on campus during the school year, which is where a number of their videos originated. I confess, I like those weekly shows, just them hanging out and singing their hearts out, better than the "official" performance videos. I understand it's tradition for them to do a midnight concert at the end of the school year. I'm tempted to book a flight to Oregon.
Of course, I want everyone to check out On the Rocks on YouTube. My favorites?
Kyrie Eleison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgvVme1zRB8
Bad Romance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8PAuvxCZuM&feature=related
Afloat (by Caleb and Sol Rexius, Caleb a former On the Rocks member)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP0VVNebbSM
Eye to Eye
http://www.youtube.com/user/yankeessuck8991#p/u/4/73qNHYhfA3g
Lullaby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaQ51pOlJXM
For the Longest Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbLgJTycnHA&feature=related
Ah, there are too many to list!
I truly hope those kids know how good they are, I hope their exposure with Bad Romance results in many new fans of the genre. I hope one, or some, of you reading this will "get it" and understand my excitement!
Now, I think I need to go make a donation to some school music program. Perhaps if more people appreciated music, the world would be a better place to live...
What was I thinking? I forgot the most important link, the link to their website!
http://www.uoontherocks.com/
Could someone please tell them their current group page needs to be updated? We also need new YouTube videos to see what they are up to this year!
But now I have! Back to music! One of my favorite things. A few weeks ago, I saw a link on FaceBook for a YouTube video of an acapella group from the University of Oregon. On the Rocks. I always check out YouTube links, you can get some great laughs and find some seriously good stuff there. I checked out the video, and was absolutely blown away. We all know I was a "choir geek" in high school, I was a member of our "Acapella" choir (strangely enough, we seldom sand anything acapella.) I love tight harmonies, I love listening to male vocal groups. (I don't know why, but there really aren't many female singers I like.)
When I listened to On the Rocks, I was reminded of a group from a few years back, The Nylons. A Canadian acapella group. In 1989, The Nylons put out an album titled Rockapella. On that album, they talk about "taking acapella into the 90's." Yes, I know how old I am. Give it a rest! I love The Nylons, and yes, I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert twice. They are not only fantastic vocalists, they have a great rapport and are fun to watch. You know making music, singong with each other and entertaining their audience is fun for them. That's what makes it fun for everyone.
Would it ever be possible for acapella to break into "mainstream" music? I only wish! What is more exciting, more intriguing, or more impressive than a handful of guys getting up in front of an audience and using the original musical instruments, their voices, and only their voices, to make music?
I believe On the Rocks can take acapella into the new millennium! They have the outstanding voices, the showmanship, the instinct for entertaining their audience. I have spent hours listening to their YouTube videos. Oh, who am I kidding. I have ripped several of them to put on my iPod so I can torture people with them! I now have all of the albums they have produced over the years. On the Rocks has taken on a wide range of styles and moods. They have made me cry and laugh and amazed me by "out gaga-ing" Lady Gaga. (Yep, I think their arrangement and performance of Bad Romance is better than the original. Sorry!)
Perhaps when you think of acapella, you think of barbershop. Yeah, it's that, too, but these guys are so much more. Their vocal percussion is amazing. Using voices for the instruments is fantastic. This isn't grandma's acapella. This type of music deserves to be heard by a much larger audience. After their YouTube video of Bad Romance went viral, they seemed to be shocked at the attention. I could explain it to them. They are fresh, they are new, they are talented, they just plain ROCK! They do weekly concerts on campus during the school year, which is where a number of their videos originated. I confess, I like those weekly shows, just them hanging out and singing their hearts out, better than the "official" performance videos. I understand it's tradition for them to do a midnight concert at the end of the school year. I'm tempted to book a flight to Oregon.
Of course, I want everyone to check out On the Rocks on YouTube. My favorites?
Kyrie Eleison
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgvVme1zRB8
Bad Romance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8PAuvxCZuM&feature=related
Afloat (by Caleb and Sol Rexius, Caleb a former On the Rocks member)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP0VVNebbSM
Eye to Eye
http://www.youtube.com/user/yankeessuck8991#p/u/4/73qNHYhfA3g
Lullaby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaQ51pOlJXM
For the Longest Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbLgJTycnHA&feature=related
Ah, there are too many to list!
I truly hope those kids know how good they are, I hope their exposure with Bad Romance results in many new fans of the genre. I hope one, or some, of you reading this will "get it" and understand my excitement!
Now, I think I need to go make a donation to some school music program. Perhaps if more people appreciated music, the world would be a better place to live...
What was I thinking? I forgot the most important link, the link to their website!
http://www.uoontherocks.com/
Could someone please tell them their current group page needs to be updated? We also need new YouTube videos to see what they are up to this year!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Never Ending Tales (of John)
or What a Week it Has Been!
Monday started out normal enough. I went to do an interview at one of the jails, then came home to drag Father to the dentist for his check-up. He loves going to the dentist. (not) Got there, they gave him some antibiotics because his gums are awful, and the cleaning went fairly quickly and easily.
Go home, he ate his dinner, everything seems normal. Then he went to bed. And started dreaming, I think. He was yelling at people, telling them not to do things, said someone was earning $9.15 an hour, and he didn’t sound happy about it. Heard him complaining he was cold. About 4:00 a.m., he starts calling me, saying someone is starting a fire. Explained to him there was no fire and told him to go back to sleep. Not sure if he did, but I kept hearing him fussing at someone.
Tuesday, I got up at 6:30 a.m., as usual, I’m in the shower and he starts yelling for me to “Come here right now!” Told him to hang on to his shorts and I would be there when I got clothes on. When I got dressed, he is mad as a hornet because those guys had that fire burning, but they just put it out. Asked where the fire was, he said under the porch. Then he tells me he tried to put the fire out with the garden hose, but couldn’t and then said “those three guys who came in put the fire out.” OK. Three guys. What three guys? Told him there was no fire, he got angrier. I decided it wasn’t worth it and shut up. He sort of got settled down.
I went to do another interview. Got home just in time to get his lunch from the Meal on Wheels guy. Go in the house, and he is all put out, wants to know who those three guys were. What three guys? He doesn’t know who they were, but said they came in while he was taking a shPOOPt, and were sitting in the living room when he came out of the bathroom. He said the men wouldn't talk to him, just sat there looking at him. Oh, good. Nothing is out of place in the house. Nothing missing. I’m thinking he is still crazy, and I was right. He ate dinner and took his customary afternoon nap. I decided I wasn’t going in to the office with him acting goofy. He is asleep a little while and starts talking again. Then he is arguing with someone, can’t quite figure out what’s going on, so I asked him who he was talking to. He said “That guy standing over there” and points at the piano. Now, unless there was an invisible man, there was no guy on the piano. I told him there was no man. He got really mad.
By now, I’ve decided something isn’t right (ain’t I smart!) and decided he was going to the doctor Wednesday (Wednesday is one of the regular days they have someone in the office near us.) Also got chicken and gave him another dose of the antibiotics they use before his cleaning.
Tuesday night, he was up about every 90 minutes to 2 hours. He would get up and start walking into the living room. I’d get up and ask him why he was getting up in the middle of the night. He would get disgusted and go back to bed. About 3:00 a.m., I hear him complaining his back and hips hurt. This is not a surprise to me, he went to bed before it even got dark, I would think he would ache from lying there that long! About 4:00 a.m., he got up, said he was going to sit in his chair ‘cause his hips hurt. And he did. I didn’t hear another peep out of him the rest of the night.
Wednesday I call the doctor’s office and discover the person we wanted to see wasn’t in that day, and the other guy was double booked. Told me to call the Broomfield office and get a message to the one we wanted to see. So I call, leave a message, and of course, the didn’t call back until after 5:00 p.m. By then I had already made an appointment for Thursday in Thornton. Jerks. I prepared for another fun night.
But the fun night didn’t materialize. He was quiet, slept through the night, no yelling and no wandering.
Thursday we go to the doctor. He is no longer talking crazy. She can’t find anything wrong with him. No urinary tract infection. No real answers. If is was a mini-stroke, there appears to be no loss of motion. That was the strangest thing. He was never unsteady (well, any more than usual) on his feet, was talking as well as ever, no physical signs of anything.
I was too chicken to leave him and go to work Friday. He was fine all night Thursday night and Friday. Anyone have a nice padded cell I could borrow? I think I need one.
The big question remains, what was that all about? Did getting his teeth cleaned shake his marbles loose temporarily? We have no idea, but I’d really not like to do a repeat of this week in the near future!
Monday started out normal enough. I went to do an interview at one of the jails, then came home to drag Father to the dentist for his check-up. He loves going to the dentist. (not) Got there, they gave him some antibiotics because his gums are awful, and the cleaning went fairly quickly and easily.
Go home, he ate his dinner, everything seems normal. Then he went to bed. And started dreaming, I think. He was yelling at people, telling them not to do things, said someone was earning $9.15 an hour, and he didn’t sound happy about it. Heard him complaining he was cold. About 4:00 a.m., he starts calling me, saying someone is starting a fire. Explained to him there was no fire and told him to go back to sleep. Not sure if he did, but I kept hearing him fussing at someone.
Tuesday, I got up at 6:30 a.m., as usual, I’m in the shower and he starts yelling for me to “Come here right now!” Told him to hang on to his shorts and I would be there when I got clothes on. When I got dressed, he is mad as a hornet because those guys had that fire burning, but they just put it out. Asked where the fire was, he said under the porch. Then he tells me he tried to put the fire out with the garden hose, but couldn’t and then said “those three guys who came in put the fire out.” OK. Three guys. What three guys? Told him there was no fire, he got angrier. I decided it wasn’t worth it and shut up. He sort of got settled down.
I went to do another interview. Got home just in time to get his lunch from the Meal on Wheels guy. Go in the house, and he is all put out, wants to know who those three guys were. What three guys? He doesn’t know who they were, but said they came in while he was taking a shPOOPt, and were sitting in the living room when he came out of the bathroom. He said the men wouldn't talk to him, just sat there looking at him. Oh, good. Nothing is out of place in the house. Nothing missing. I’m thinking he is still crazy, and I was right. He ate dinner and took his customary afternoon nap. I decided I wasn’t going in to the office with him acting goofy. He is asleep a little while and starts talking again. Then he is arguing with someone, can’t quite figure out what’s going on, so I asked him who he was talking to. He said “That guy standing over there” and points at the piano. Now, unless there was an invisible man, there was no guy on the piano. I told him there was no man. He got really mad.
By now, I’ve decided something isn’t right (ain’t I smart!) and decided he was going to the doctor Wednesday (Wednesday is one of the regular days they have someone in the office near us.) Also got chicken and gave him another dose of the antibiotics they use before his cleaning.
Tuesday night, he was up about every 90 minutes to 2 hours. He would get up and start walking into the living room. I’d get up and ask him why he was getting up in the middle of the night. He would get disgusted and go back to bed. About 3:00 a.m., I hear him complaining his back and hips hurt. This is not a surprise to me, he went to bed before it even got dark, I would think he would ache from lying there that long! About 4:00 a.m., he got up, said he was going to sit in his chair ‘cause his hips hurt. And he did. I didn’t hear another peep out of him the rest of the night.
Wednesday I call the doctor’s office and discover the person we wanted to see wasn’t in that day, and the other guy was double booked. Told me to call the Broomfield office and get a message to the one we wanted to see. So I call, leave a message, and of course, the didn’t call back until after 5:00 p.m. By then I had already made an appointment for Thursday in Thornton. Jerks. I prepared for another fun night.
But the fun night didn’t materialize. He was quiet, slept through the night, no yelling and no wandering.
Thursday we go to the doctor. He is no longer talking crazy. She can’t find anything wrong with him. No urinary tract infection. No real answers. If is was a mini-stroke, there appears to be no loss of motion. That was the strangest thing. He was never unsteady (well, any more than usual) on his feet, was talking as well as ever, no physical signs of anything.
I was too chicken to leave him and go to work Friday. He was fine all night Thursday night and Friday. Anyone have a nice padded cell I could borrow? I think I need one.
The big question remains, what was that all about? Did getting his teeth cleaned shake his marbles loose temporarily? We have no idea, but I’d really not like to do a repeat of this week in the near future!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Greyhound "Adoption" Idiots
This is an old rant, many have heard it, but it feels good to vent. Again.
I’ve been involved in greyhound adoption since 1994. Adopted my first two greyhounds then. Got involved with Rocky Mountain Greyhound Adoption. Got conned into helping run the adoption group. Got conned into helping with the blood donor program.
Fifteen years and twelve of my own adopted greyhounds later, I still love the dogs, but some of the people give me a major case of gas.
I started out anti-greyhound racing. I was stupid, had no clue that a lot of the garbage people told me was a bunch of lies. I believed the greyhounds were abused, mistreated creatures. What I didn’t know in the beginning was that the bad impression I had of the greyhound racing industry was really a very bad greyhound adoption person.
See, the adoption kennel I first adopted from was disgusting. Filthy. The dogs were dirty. Didn’t wear muzzles during turnout. One of my first greyhounds, ShyFly, had a huge hole in her neck from being attacked by the other dogs in the kennel.
Made for a very bad first impression, to put it mildly. Yeah, I was very anti-racing, and very vocal about it.
Boy, was I stupid. Finally agreed to meet Torri, (our adoption coordinator and someone I consider an adopted little sister), and I cannot tell you how embarrassed I am that I was “drinking the koolaid.” Over time, I met many of the greyhound breeders in Colorado, and I am proud to call a number of them friends.
There was the old guy who cried when his adopted former racers would jump up and give him kisses.
There was the guy the dogs would knock their adopters over to get to.
There were the owners who cried when their dogs were injured.
There were the owners who begged us to take pups for adoption that had medical problems. Who offered to pay the vet bills.
I spent nights in the race kennel with Torri when she had sick dogs, giving them IV fluids, praying they would live.
I was there when race pups were born. Watched owners sit with the broods during difficult deliveries. I saw owners cry when newborn pups didn’t take that first breath. Watched them patiently bottle feed the weak pups.
Our adoption group operated out of Torri’s race kennel for several years. When she was forced to move from the farm she was renting, it was racing greyhound owners who offered her, and our adoption group, space in their kennel. Who offered to let us build an adoption kennel on their property.
It was largely racing greyhound owners who helped us fund that adoption kennel. It was a scary, and awesome, experience. Building that kennel with space for 18 dog runs, a kitchen, storage area and bathroom for our adoption operation.
Yet, despite the positive experiences we have had with the greyhound racing industry, there are those who believe anyone involved in greyhound racing is nothing short of a relative of the devil, himself.
There was a greyhound adoption person in New Mexico, Candy, who also started out very anti-racing. She and I had many nasty e-mail exchanges. Then the adoption group she worked with decided their primary mission would no longer be placing greyhounds. Candy and her husband started a new adoption group, and over time, she had a very similar experience to mine. She met a number of racing people who were good, kind folks who loved their dogs and wanted the best for their dogs. I now consider her to be a good friend, and I hope she feels the same about me.
Recently, her adoption group made arrangements to adopt two greyhounds to a university in New Mexico as mascots. The adoption plan is very comprehensive. It includes where the dogs will be housed, which veterinarian will be providing medical care, who will be exercising the dogs during the day, from the outline of the plan, I wouldn’t mind being the school mascot!
Yet those who are anti-racing, and therefore oppose Candy’s adoption group, have been on a campaign to torpedo these adoptions. The stupidity is pretty unbelievable.
Thankfully, the folks at the university are not being intimidated by the stupidity. I’d like to say kudos to Greyhound Pets of America-New Mexico Greyhound Connection and Eastern New Mexico University for sticking to their guns and doing what’s right for the greyhounds.
And shame on the anti-racing fanatics who cannot see beyond the tips of their noses and who cannot understand that the human beings involved in the greyhound racing industry are just that: human beings. Good people, bad people, smart people, not so smart people. But overall, they are people who care very much about their greyhounds and are willing to work hand in hand with greyhound adoption to insure they are all placed in good homes when they are finished with their careers as canine athletes.
If you have a minute, go to the GPA-NMGC website, http://www.gpa-nm.org/ and let them know you appreciate their efforts for the greyhounds!
I’ve been involved in greyhound adoption since 1994. Adopted my first two greyhounds then. Got involved with Rocky Mountain Greyhound Adoption. Got conned into helping run the adoption group. Got conned into helping with the blood donor program.
Fifteen years and twelve of my own adopted greyhounds later, I still love the dogs, but some of the people give me a major case of gas.
I started out anti-greyhound racing. I was stupid, had no clue that a lot of the garbage people told me was a bunch of lies. I believed the greyhounds were abused, mistreated creatures. What I didn’t know in the beginning was that the bad impression I had of the greyhound racing industry was really a very bad greyhound adoption person.
See, the adoption kennel I first adopted from was disgusting. Filthy. The dogs were dirty. Didn’t wear muzzles during turnout. One of my first greyhounds, ShyFly, had a huge hole in her neck from being attacked by the other dogs in the kennel.
Made for a very bad first impression, to put it mildly. Yeah, I was very anti-racing, and very vocal about it.
Boy, was I stupid. Finally agreed to meet Torri, (our adoption coordinator and someone I consider an adopted little sister), and I cannot tell you how embarrassed I am that I was “drinking the koolaid.” Over time, I met many of the greyhound breeders in Colorado, and I am proud to call a number of them friends.
There was the old guy who cried when his adopted former racers would jump up and give him kisses.
There was the guy the dogs would knock their adopters over to get to.
There were the owners who cried when their dogs were injured.
There were the owners who begged us to take pups for adoption that had medical problems. Who offered to pay the vet bills.
I spent nights in the race kennel with Torri when she had sick dogs, giving them IV fluids, praying they would live.
I was there when race pups were born. Watched owners sit with the broods during difficult deliveries. I saw owners cry when newborn pups didn’t take that first breath. Watched them patiently bottle feed the weak pups.
Our adoption group operated out of Torri’s race kennel for several years. When she was forced to move from the farm she was renting, it was racing greyhound owners who offered her, and our adoption group, space in their kennel. Who offered to let us build an adoption kennel on their property.
It was largely racing greyhound owners who helped us fund that adoption kennel. It was a scary, and awesome, experience. Building that kennel with space for 18 dog runs, a kitchen, storage area and bathroom for our adoption operation.
Yet, despite the positive experiences we have had with the greyhound racing industry, there are those who believe anyone involved in greyhound racing is nothing short of a relative of the devil, himself.
There was a greyhound adoption person in New Mexico, Candy, who also started out very anti-racing. She and I had many nasty e-mail exchanges. Then the adoption group she worked with decided their primary mission would no longer be placing greyhounds. Candy and her husband started a new adoption group, and over time, she had a very similar experience to mine. She met a number of racing people who were good, kind folks who loved their dogs and wanted the best for their dogs. I now consider her to be a good friend, and I hope she feels the same about me.
Recently, her adoption group made arrangements to adopt two greyhounds to a university in New Mexico as mascots. The adoption plan is very comprehensive. It includes where the dogs will be housed, which veterinarian will be providing medical care, who will be exercising the dogs during the day, from the outline of the plan, I wouldn’t mind being the school mascot!
Yet those who are anti-racing, and therefore oppose Candy’s adoption group, have been on a campaign to torpedo these adoptions. The stupidity is pretty unbelievable.
Thankfully, the folks at the university are not being intimidated by the stupidity. I’d like to say kudos to Greyhound Pets of America-New Mexico Greyhound Connection and Eastern New Mexico University for sticking to their guns and doing what’s right for the greyhounds.
And shame on the anti-racing fanatics who cannot see beyond the tips of their noses and who cannot understand that the human beings involved in the greyhound racing industry are just that: human beings. Good people, bad people, smart people, not so smart people. But overall, they are people who care very much about their greyhounds and are willing to work hand in hand with greyhound adoption to insure they are all placed in good homes when they are finished with their careers as canine athletes.
If you have a minute, go to the GPA-NMGC website, http://www.gpa-nm.org/ and let them know you appreciate their efforts for the greyhounds!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
What Am I Thankful For?
Been trying to decide what sort of verbal (written) diarrhea to subject the world to next, and thought maybe a sensible, seasonal topic would be good.
What am I thankful for? And not in any particular order....
Obviously, I’m thankful I have a job! It’s been an ugly time and so many people have lost their jobs, I have to be thankful I have mine, even if I often think it’s gong to be the death of me before retirement gets here. Working for judges isn’t always the easiest thing to do. There is a joke one of the supervisors told me my first day in the office, a guy goes to Heaven and meets St. Peter at the gate. St. Peter greets him and invites him in. The man says he would love to enter, but he cannot imagine spending eternity with lawyers, so he needs to know if there are lawyers in Heaven. St. Peter laughs and says, of course there are no attorneys! Never had any. So the man enters Heaven and one of the first people he sees is wearing a black robe and has a gavel. The man is very upset and goes to find St. Peter. He says, “St. Peter, you lied! Not only is there an attorney in Heaven, he’s a judge!” St. Peter chuckles and says “That’s not an attorney, that just God! He thinks he is a federal judge!” Yep, we all like it...
I’m thankful Pa appears to be in good health. As crazy as he makes me sometimes, I’m thankful I have this time to spend with him. (Also thankful I got to spend a couple of years with Mom here before she died.) Sometimes, he will tell me stories from back when he was working and usually they are hysterical. I wonder if Kenny and Calvin and Andy and Whitey and all of the rest have told as many stories about him? I wonder how they all didn't kill themselves...
I’m thankful for my dogs. Yes, they make me crazy, too, but they are also the epitome of unconditional, unlimited love. I have also met some wonderful people through the greyhounds. Strange, but wonderful!
I’m thankful for my friends:
Lil & John, I don’t know why, but whenever I have a melt down, they seem to be there to give me a hand. I've known Lil since grade school, so I guess she is one of my “oldest” friends! (Don’t you love that, Lil?)
Diane & Steve, also always there when I need a hand, or a shoulder to cry on! I don’t know what I would have done had you guys not been there to help with the house in Illinois. Diane is another one of those “old” school friends...
Torri & Judith, both “greyhound” friends, but sort of more like little sisters now. Wow, how many times have we cried on each other’s shoulders? Linda & Herb, also “greyhound” friends, but they sure came through when we were losing our minds!
Donna, my former neighbor and now Guardian Angel, what would I do without her? She is always there when shPOOPt happens!
Robin & Joe and their kids, Zakary, Kayley and Brennan. They are fairly recent “adoptions” to my family, I never had a little brother, so I adopted Joe and his family! They have really been there, too, when the shPOOPt hit the fan!
JoAnn, she sort of fits in the “friends” and “family” category. We have so much in common, and can sit and talk until the wee hours of the morning. If we can both stay awake! (Now, if we could only get Joey to get a computer!)
I’m thankful for the Internet! It has allowed me to reconnect with more old friends! DJ & Ann & Merridy, I really want to get together with you guys in 2010! Pam! It’s been a long time since high school, and boy, have we both changed?!
The Internet has allowed me to reconnect with family! Aunt Rosie & Millie & Tisha & Cheryl & Diane & Harry & Gerry & Jill & Beverly. We know how bad I am at letters, so it’s a good thing!
I’m thankful for the Internet introducing me to new friends:
Diego, we couldn’t be more different, yet there is a common bond. You know why I think we understand each other.
Tor & Jenn, you continue to amaze me. I’ve never had a lot of patience and forgiveness hasn’t always been my forte, either! You show loyalty I only wish I could emulate!
I’m even thankful for Carol & Phil & Kathy, my sister, brother-in law and niece. Mom always said Carol was thrilled to have a little sister. Some days I wonder if Carol would have been as “thrilled” had she known what she was getting into...
I’m thankful for re-discovering Music this year. You may not understand that, but music has always been something that touches me deeply, makes my life happier and more complete. I’m thankful for discovering Adam Lambert, Sam Sparro, Ferras, and Cassidy Haley this year.
I’m thankful to live in the United States. I’ve met people from many other countries through my job, and you don’t appreciate what you have until you hear what it’s like to live in some of those places. There is a reason people will chance death walking through deserts, hiding away on ships, jumping on moving trains, trying to make it on rafts.
I’m thankful for all of the members of the armed forces, past and current, active duty and reserve, who serve our country. Thanks to their families who have also sacrificed for all of us to have this great country in which we live. There is that saying, “Freedom Isn’t Free,” and you all know that better than anyone.
I’m thankful for all of our law enforcement community. I’ve known those crazy people who go undercover, who put themselves out there to bring in the “scary” people I only have to talk to with bars and bulletproof glass between us.
I’d like to be thankful for attorneys, but... I’m kidding! Their's is very difficult job, whether it’s from the prosecution side or the defense side. Our criminal justice system does not work without both.
And I’m thankful to be alive! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to subject you to these ramblings!
What am I thankful for? And not in any particular order....
Obviously, I’m thankful I have a job! It’s been an ugly time and so many people have lost their jobs, I have to be thankful I have mine, even if I often think it’s gong to be the death of me before retirement gets here. Working for judges isn’t always the easiest thing to do. There is a joke one of the supervisors told me my first day in the office, a guy goes to Heaven and meets St. Peter at the gate. St. Peter greets him and invites him in. The man says he would love to enter, but he cannot imagine spending eternity with lawyers, so he needs to know if there are lawyers in Heaven. St. Peter laughs and says, of course there are no attorneys! Never had any. So the man enters Heaven and one of the first people he sees is wearing a black robe and has a gavel. The man is very upset and goes to find St. Peter. He says, “St. Peter, you lied! Not only is there an attorney in Heaven, he’s a judge!” St. Peter chuckles and says “That’s not an attorney, that just God! He thinks he is a federal judge!” Yep, we all like it...
I’m thankful Pa appears to be in good health. As crazy as he makes me sometimes, I’m thankful I have this time to spend with him. (Also thankful I got to spend a couple of years with Mom here before she died.) Sometimes, he will tell me stories from back when he was working and usually they are hysterical. I wonder if Kenny and Calvin and Andy and Whitey and all of the rest have told as many stories about him? I wonder how they all didn't kill themselves...
I’m thankful for my dogs. Yes, they make me crazy, too, but they are also the epitome of unconditional, unlimited love. I have also met some wonderful people through the greyhounds. Strange, but wonderful!
I’m thankful for my friends:
Lil & John, I don’t know why, but whenever I have a melt down, they seem to be there to give me a hand. I've known Lil since grade school, so I guess she is one of my “oldest” friends! (Don’t you love that, Lil?)
Diane & Steve, also always there when I need a hand, or a shoulder to cry on! I don’t know what I would have done had you guys not been there to help with the house in Illinois. Diane is another one of those “old” school friends...
Torri & Judith, both “greyhound” friends, but sort of more like little sisters now. Wow, how many times have we cried on each other’s shoulders? Linda & Herb, also “greyhound” friends, but they sure came through when we were losing our minds!
Donna, my former neighbor and now Guardian Angel, what would I do without her? She is always there when shPOOPt happens!
Robin & Joe and their kids, Zakary, Kayley and Brennan. They are fairly recent “adoptions” to my family, I never had a little brother, so I adopted Joe and his family! They have really been there, too, when the shPOOPt hit the fan!
JoAnn, she sort of fits in the “friends” and “family” category. We have so much in common, and can sit and talk until the wee hours of the morning. If we can both stay awake! (Now, if we could only get Joey to get a computer!)
I’m thankful for the Internet! It has allowed me to reconnect with more old friends! DJ & Ann & Merridy, I really want to get together with you guys in 2010! Pam! It’s been a long time since high school, and boy, have we both changed?!
The Internet has allowed me to reconnect with family! Aunt Rosie & Millie & Tisha & Cheryl & Diane & Harry & Gerry & Jill & Beverly. We know how bad I am at letters, so it’s a good thing!
I’m thankful for the Internet introducing me to new friends:
Diego, we couldn’t be more different, yet there is a common bond. You know why I think we understand each other.
Tor & Jenn, you continue to amaze me. I’ve never had a lot of patience and forgiveness hasn’t always been my forte, either! You show loyalty I only wish I could emulate!
I’m even thankful for Carol & Phil & Kathy, my sister, brother-in law and niece. Mom always said Carol was thrilled to have a little sister. Some days I wonder if Carol would have been as “thrilled” had she known what she was getting into...
I’m thankful for re-discovering Music this year. You may not understand that, but music has always been something that touches me deeply, makes my life happier and more complete. I’m thankful for discovering Adam Lambert, Sam Sparro, Ferras, and Cassidy Haley this year.
I’m thankful to live in the United States. I’ve met people from many other countries through my job, and you don’t appreciate what you have until you hear what it’s like to live in some of those places. There is a reason people will chance death walking through deserts, hiding away on ships, jumping on moving trains, trying to make it on rafts.
I’m thankful for all of the members of the armed forces, past and current, active duty and reserve, who serve our country. Thanks to their families who have also sacrificed for all of us to have this great country in which we live. There is that saying, “Freedom Isn’t Free,” and you all know that better than anyone.
I’m thankful for all of our law enforcement community. I’ve known those crazy people who go undercover, who put themselves out there to bring in the “scary” people I only have to talk to with bars and bulletproof glass between us.
I’d like to be thankful for attorneys, but... I’m kidding! Their's is very difficult job, whether it’s from the prosecution side or the defense side. Our criminal justice system does not work without both.
And I’m thankful to be alive! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to subject you to these ramblings!
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