YaYa Princess

It’s pretty obvious that I didn’t get online to do this on Thursday.  In my new spirit of giving myself a break, I’m just getting to it today, along with a general post.

Today I am thankful for:

1.) Sleep.  Sweet, uninterupted sleep.  It’s ironic that I had to go onsite to get it, but I’m so glad it’s got

2.) My sweet pupper, and so very thankful that the new meds are kicking pnemonia’s butt!!  Take that sickies!

3.) So very thankful for my Vet Dr. Hall who is just a rockstar.  He is so patient with me, and he actually cares.  As the boy said, he took one look at Archie and how sick he was and took on the challenge with gusto!

4.) My husband.  I’m often thankful for him but espeically this first week with Archie boy.  I know there was some talk about if I’d be on my own (which is for a later post) but let me just be the first to tell you how amazing he has been. 

5.) My cat Tea.  Just b/c she’s been so good at adjusting bless her little heart.

ARCHIE NEWS

So our boy went from a bad case of Kennel cough to pnemonia.  Thank goodness we took him back to the vet “just in case” (aka b/c I’m an OCD worrier who wanted to make sure he was on the mend before leaving for Tucson) only to find out that his temp had gone back up (though not quite as high) and he had pnemonia.  No Good.  Dr. Hall gave us a different antibiotic plus something to help with lung expansion, and kept him on the cough supressant. 

According to the boy, our little guy is on the mend now even going so far as to say he’s a bit “hyper”, and apparently a pig since he ate 2 bowls of dinner   Then the next thought entered my mind.  Everyone has been telling us that we haven’t seen the “real Archie” b/c A.) he’s sick and B.) he hasn’t settled in yet.  So last night I also asked Matt if he was “fun hyper” or “oh holy crap hyper”.  Apparently he hasn’t suddenly turned into Satan’s dog so we’re still good.

Meanwhile…
I’m in Tucson for the week with one of my group’s.  It’s blessedly small and easy to work with and is the perfect summer relief.  It’s hot here, but it’s Arizona so what do you expect?  The JW Marriott Starpass is breathtaking and has the signature JW service, so I cannot complain.  Plus they have a kick butt terrace with firepits and the yummiest margaritas!  Oh, and did I mention that every day at 5:30pm they have a tequila toast?  Oh yea

On other fronts, my friend Erin is due on July 22nd and is anxiously awaiting the baby’s “evacuation of it’s incubator” (she’s a scientist, can you tell? )  As am I–Erin and I don’t talk or see eachother nearly enough, but she will forever hold a very special place in my heart and I am so excited for them.  Plus, one the kid gets here I’ll know what the monogram needs to be.

My work friend Jenny is also onsite this week in Denver, and then she head’s off to Italy and London to bring her sweet boyfriend home perminently!  Brett’s been living and working in London and will finally be residing back in the States, now going to get his MBA at UVA.  While I’m terribly excited for them, Jenny will be leaving our office to work from C’Ville.  It’s of course the best decision for them, but I’ll miss her terribly.  However, we’re alreayd wroking on plans for the boy and I to come down for a football game-SWEET!

On a less than stellar note, my dear friend Andi’s uncle finally passed this morning.  So (as she says) if you’re the praying type I know they would welcome the prayers.

Otherwise I’m trying to get some work done today.  It’s hard to believe that at this show last year I was counting down the days until the wedding…crazy wild.

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Our little man Archie has been home for a few days now.  Saturday was nerve-wracking for me, wondering what to do with him how to deal with it all.  When we were standing there waiting to pick him up, after the van pulled in I was suprised to find myself tearing up.  When they called out his name for us to come forward I went running up calling out “come here baby!”  This from a woman who wasn’t sure if she wanted a dog

We noticed is was coughing like he had a hairball, and when I asked someone about it from the rescue they said casually that it was probably kennel cough, that it was very common, and that the vet could take care of it with no problem.  We were plesantly surprised that they had already trimmed him, so we didn’t need the grooming.  Instead we made an appt for Sat to get the cough cleared up and have a once over.

Unforutantly 24 hours later the cough had gone from bad to terrible, and by 11pm he was hacking in 10-15 mins fits with only a few mins of calm.  We made the decision to go ahead and head to the emergency vet.  Now, let me say that it’s really hard to tell the vet if your dog is “acting normal” when you’ve only know him 24 hours.  I would also like to tell all those vets and vet techs out there that when you have new dog owners, DON’T SCARE THEM.  Let’s not tell them that your dog “probably has parasites, b/c all shelter dogs do”.  Or to utter the words “assuming he makes it through”.  Oy. 

 Anyway, turns out we had/have one VERY sick pupper.  He had 104.2 temp, a horrible case of kennel cough, possibly the puppy flu (not to be confused with the swine flu) and just generally was in bad shape.  I guess that I had made some assumptions that since he was fostered and so wanted and not in the “system” that long that he would be in tip top shape.  Let’s not forget though that he’s still a rescue dog, and he still traveled 8-12 hours in a hot van with 40 other dogs who had God only knows what.  There was some discussion about hospitalizing him, but since he had clear lung function and we didn’t want him staying in yet another strange place under quarantine we brought him home with with a cough suppresant and antibiotic (assuming it’s bacterial and not viral).

As of tonight it’s been a long few days.  I finally broke down in tears yesterday. His cough isn’t as violent, and we got his fever down, but he can’t move without coughing so we just try to keep him VEEERY still and quiet.    I got to speak to my normal vet today whom I adore, and we decided to go ahead and bring him in tomorrow night to make sure we’re on the right track with him.  Plus, I’ll just feel so much better getting his opinion and invovlement.  Seriously-one of the BEST vets ever.

The whole dog ownership thing has been eye opening.  I had no idea I’d get so hooked so quickly.  Or how many dog lovers are out there.  It’s made me realize just how much I worry, over random stuff (to really truly see it) and how often I start a sentence with the words “I’m worried about” or “I’m concerned with”.  I’ve often felt ridiculous in the last 72 hours over how freaked out I am, or worried or nervous, and how in the WORLD will I ever deal with having a baby?!  I know that one day I’ll look back and it’ll be fine, but that doesn’t change the fact these feelings I have are real.

I’ve also learned that there are some amazingly supportive people around me.  I cannot ever express my appreciation for all of the kind, supportive words and the time and energy people have exerted trying to help the boy and I figure this out and ease my concerns.  Truly it’s such a blessing.

So for now, we’ll rest on the couch, hope to get some sleep, and hope that Dr. Hall has some good news for us going forward.

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Archie Dossett!  On Saturday July 11th we brought home our little guy-half yorkie half mini schnauzer and about 3 years old and about 10lbs.  We are pretty excited to have him home, and even our cat Tea is doing ok (I now swear by Feliway).  Unforutnatly right now he has a case of kennel cough, so we’re looking forward to getting him to the vet tomorrow afternoon.  The sooner he feels better, the sooner he’ll acclimate.

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Those that know me rather well are probably aware that I’m all about self growth and learning and all of those fine things.  Sometime in late March/early April I stopped long enough to look up at my calendar and realize that “holy potatoes May is going to be INSANE!”.   Basically, this year’s May is last year’s April…if that makes any sense.

I entered the month of May as I do most things when there is a lot to accomplish, head down and ready to charge.  But I also want to enjoy the fun times, of which there were a lot to be had.  I reconcilled myself to knowing that May 4-June 4 would just basically be a whirlwind and God willing I would enjoy the ride. 

And so I present to you 30 lessons in 30 days…or somwhere around there.

1. Threatening a union worker is never smart, and usually leads to the head union guy coming to the planner (yours truly) to put everyone in “timeout”.
2. Even when it rains fun can be had.  Who says you can’t ride on an open top tour bus in a drizzle?
3. South Street is MUCH farther from the Marriott than it looks when walking back after a long day and a full belly.  That requires stopping along the way at a bar and trying your first Guiness.
4. Guiness (at least I’m told when poured badly) has an aftertaste like blood.
5. As it turns out, PETA is now running the Shennandoah National Campground horsetrails.
6. And yes, that crazy old coot will actually bring out the scale and have you stand on it to see if you are 235lbs or less FULLY CLOTHED.
7. Nothing makes Big Girl want to eat (or drink) like a little humilation.
8. Aunt Sharon gave us the WORLD’S BEST WATERPROOF tent for our wedding!  YAY for mountain-folk!
9. You can still have fun camping when it’s raining, but as it turns out rain on your tent “roof” sounds more like an ambush than something spa-like.
10. Bear poop is HUGE.
11. Blue Moon with an orange is the most deliciousness EVER.  I <3 it.
12. My husband knows me well, and sees me better than I see myself.  I know I mentioned this in yesterday’s post but it’s still true.  Not a day goes by when I’m not thanful for him.
13. Sometimes you just need to turn to your boss, tears in your eyes, and admit that if your schedule stays as crazy as it is you will simply not be able to keep up.  And you need to realize that that is ok to admit.
14. My sister and brother in law are what relaxes me.  I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s as if their presence centers me.
15. They also happen to be very decorator savvy.  I had no idea how cute my front porch could be unti they got their hands on it.
16. As it turns out, one of my favorite places now is my front porch with some good friends, family and beer (apparently LOTS of beer if you saw our trashcan).
17. Finding out you are still over 600 hours over “fully billable” after already having one meeting removed from your calendar is not nearly as glamorous as it sounds and causes you to refer to #13 above.
18. “Sweet little Allie” will in fact bold face lie to the guy, IN THE FACE, who asks if she knows the way to the White House tour when threatened with bodily injury to keep it a secret from SK and Trey by her husband.
19. Karma is also a b*tch and said guy and his wife (who you tried to apologize to) end up following you around every tourist attration in greater DC, giving you the skank eye all the way.
20. Beer is good-especially on my front porch-did I mention that?
21. Having your husband come onsite with you to a meeting is nice in theory, but as it turns out I snap right into work mode. 
22. That state right over the bridge?  Yea, still don’t like it.  Even if it is only 7 mins from my front door. 
23. A reception at the Congressional Visitors Center, while it sounds glamourous, is really a logistical nightmare and much sexier in theory than practice.  Add rain to that and you end up with one wet planner.
24. Apparently it takes house guests to get us to finish our house….but boy is it getting cute!
25. You never know just HOW much like your mother you are until you see her for the first time in 7 months.
26. It’s worse than originally thought-I’m actually a combination of BOTH of my parents!!!  RUN FOR IT!
27. There’s something special about cooking your parents dinner on their 35th wedding anniversary with your husband at your new house.   Makes you wish you were closer to family.
28. My parents still leave me money in random places when they visit.  $20 bucks in the fruit bowl-score!  Somehow it never ceases to make me smile.
29. You never realize how old you are until you go to dinner and a movie with friends at the Tysons mall for an 11:20pm showing and are in the food court.  Oh.My.Gosh. 
30. I am blessed with some amazing friends and family.  But you already knew that didn’t you?

So I’ve survived the month.  Crazy as it was, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

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This week I’m at the Gaylord National for another show.  It’s a strange show, what with being only 7 (yes, 7) minuets from my house.  Litterally, I have a shorter commute here than when I go to work.   And because I’m so close, the boy was able to come up last night.  He aslo came on my last on site in Philly for the weekend.  Quite a treat I must say! 

Last night when the boy got here he was in less than a stellar mood.  He reconginzed it and we both tried to get him out of said mood so we could have  fun night.  At one point rather early on he asked me if “I was in work mode”.  My initial reaction was absultely not–I was releaxed, why would I be in work mode?

Of course, by that evening I realized how wrong I was.  Actually it wasn’t so much that night as 4:30 this morning when I work up thinking about space grids and where the press room was going to go and and and.

This morning I woke up early (I had to be at work downstairs after all), looked at my husband and felt a little dissapointed.  I passed out the night before somewhere around 10pm.  I remember him watching ESPN –must’ve passed out shortly thereafter. 

I have come to realize that I am the type of person who thinks ahead.  This can be a good thing, and it certainly isn’t a surprise to anyone who knows me.  But the catch is when you can’t turn it off.  I have been known to not be able to enjoy a Sunday afternoon b/c I’m constantly thinking about what I have to do Monday morning, or when we had just finished a fun weekend of camping and the drive home I’m plotting out the cleanup. 

The fact is, sometimes thinking ahead means you miss the present. 

So that’s not terribly profound I realize.  The question is-how do you turn it off?

This evening I was able to, for 80 sweet minuets.  I finally was able to use the spa certificate that was giving to me in March and oh was it sweet.  I’m not sure if I was asleep or in some freakish zen mode, but whatever is I want more.  Now, the quesiton is how to get one iota of that in your regular life b/c I certainly can’t afford THAT every week!

Obviously this is a rambling sort of blog tonight.  Such are my thoughts I suppose.   But it’s either this or one blog a week

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