Monday, April 19, 2010
Baby Ranger Pictures!
I thought I would post some pictures of my sweet new puppy, Ranger! Here are a few cute pictures of his first few weeks at home! He's such a sweet little blessing to have around and he brings soo much joy and happiness to my home! :)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Spring Flowers!
Since the wether has been soo lovely lately, I thought today would be perfect for planting a few flowers! My aunt came over this afternoon for a little while and we had a good time decorating my patio with lots of little containers filled with flowers! I'm only about 1/2 way done right now, so stay tuned for future updates! I plan to pay the local nursery a few more visits when I get a chance. Here are a few pictures from today's festivities:
Newly planted additions in one of my handpainted pots!
Newly planted additions in one of my handpainted pots!
Welcome to my patio!
Insanely oversized hammock (needs to be replaced with something smaller!) and the other part of my patio!
Part of my patio flower basket
My flowers with a few of the nearby trees in the background
Another view of the patio (it's still a work in progress! I plan to change out the hammock for something smaller and to add more plants!)
Two of my new hanging baskets (these beauties will be planted in my new baskets soon and hung up once I get a chain extension for them!)
Part of the view from my patio :)
Another view of some more flowers!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Sunshine Award!
I'm still pretty new to blogging, so it's nice to know that other people read my blog and think that what I write is amusing! I was recently given the "Sunshine Award," for my blog, so I wanted to say thankyou to Erica for being thoughtful! Here are the rules of how it works!:
These are the rules:
1. Post the logo within your blog or post.
2. Pass the award on to several other bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let the nominees know they have received the award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person whom you have received this award from.
Here are the lovely girls I'm nominating:
Annie
Courtnay
Skin Cancer Biopsies: Everyone Should Read This...
I'm dedicating this blog post to all of my friends who enjoying laying out in the sun or frequenting the tanning bed. I used to be one of you. I am now paying dearly for it. Let me preface this and say that I have not touched a tanning bed since I was 19 yrs old (Read an article in Cosmopolitan magazine about skin cancer and I decided it was not worth the risk.) I wish that I had never started to begin with though because all of those years that I exposed myself to the sun and the tanning bed did enough damage to last me a life time.
What are the reasons you enjoy tanning? Does it make you feel good? Does it look flattering or give you a nice glow? Do those reasons to damage your skin outweigh the risks??? Here are some of the risks: damage to your skin, premature wrinkles, leathery skin, sun spots, freckles, moles, skin tags, scars from mole removal/ biopseys....and the biggie...SKIN CANCER. If you want a nice bronze glow, get a spray tan.
Is it worth jeperdizing your life by laying out or going to the tanning bed for a bronze glow? No.
On Tuesday morning I went in to see the dermatologist. While I was there he preformed 8 surgical biopsies -6 on my neck, one possibly cancerous one on my arm, and one on my back. It was one of the most painful, uncomfortable, and terrifying things I have ever experienced. I am pretty tough- I've delt with double foot surgeries at the same time, multiple ear surgeries, months upon months of physical therapy from a car wreck injury, and more heart related issues than I care to go into. Nothing remotely seems to touch the pain that I've been in since those biopsies. They were excruciating. It is now several days later and I still can not shower without being in immense pain (cleaning the wounds is aweful). It hurts to put the dressings on the wounds, and it is impossible for me to turn my neck/back in certain directions without being in immense pain. Now here's the kicker- I may have skin cancer from the mole he removed from my arm. Now I play the waiting game to get the results in. I'm only 24 years old.
I can't go back and change my past history of using the tanning beds or laying out in the sun. What I can do however is make sure that I protect myself with sunscreen and regular checkups. I also think that the best thing I can do is try to get the word out to all of my friends, family, and blog readers that tanning is dangerous. It can lead to a potentially deadly cancer. Most importantly- nobody is immune. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, etc...it does not matter what your ethnicity is. Everyone can develop skin cancer; everyone should be cautious about using sunscreen and avoiding skin damage from the sun and tanning beds.
For those of you who think "oh, it won't happen to me," I thought the exact same thing. I thought I was young and "immune" to things like that. I am not immune; it does happen.
I am only praying that my results come back negative. In the mean time, I want to share with everyone exactly what going through multiple biopsies is like. It is painful. It is nervewracking. It hurts. It's scarry. It's a wakeup call.
If my words don't speak to you, maybe my pictures will. They are not glamarous, they are not sugar-coated, this is real life, this is preventable, and this is something that nobody should have to go through:
What are the reasons you enjoy tanning? Does it make you feel good? Does it look flattering or give you a nice glow? Do those reasons to damage your skin outweigh the risks??? Here are some of the risks: damage to your skin, premature wrinkles, leathery skin, sun spots, freckles, moles, skin tags, scars from mole removal/ biopseys....and the biggie...SKIN CANCER. If you want a nice bronze glow, get a spray tan.
Is it worth jeperdizing your life by laying out or going to the tanning bed for a bronze glow? No.
On Tuesday morning I went in to see the dermatologist. While I was there he preformed 8 surgical biopsies -6 on my neck, one possibly cancerous one on my arm, and one on my back. It was one of the most painful, uncomfortable, and terrifying things I have ever experienced. I am pretty tough- I've delt with double foot surgeries at the same time, multiple ear surgeries, months upon months of physical therapy from a car wreck injury, and more heart related issues than I care to go into. Nothing remotely seems to touch the pain that I've been in since those biopsies. They were excruciating. It is now several days later and I still can not shower without being in immense pain (cleaning the wounds is aweful). It hurts to put the dressings on the wounds, and it is impossible for me to turn my neck/back in certain directions without being in immense pain. Now here's the kicker- I may have skin cancer from the mole he removed from my arm. Now I play the waiting game to get the results in. I'm only 24 years old.
I can't go back and change my past history of using the tanning beds or laying out in the sun. What I can do however is make sure that I protect myself with sunscreen and regular checkups. I also think that the best thing I can do is try to get the word out to all of my friends, family, and blog readers that tanning is dangerous. It can lead to a potentially deadly cancer. Most importantly- nobody is immune. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, etc...it does not matter what your ethnicity is. Everyone can develop skin cancer; everyone should be cautious about using sunscreen and avoiding skin damage from the sun and tanning beds.
For those of you who think "oh, it won't happen to me," I thought the exact same thing. I thought I was young and "immune" to things like that. I am not immune; it does happen.
I am only praying that my results come back negative. In the mean time, I want to share with everyone exactly what going through multiple biopsies is like. It is painful. It is nervewracking. It hurts. It's scarry. It's a wakeup call.
If my words don't speak to you, maybe my pictures will. They are not glamarous, they are not sugar-coated, this is real life, this is preventable, and this is something that nobody should have to go through:
Do your research, protect yourself:
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thankful Thursday!
I decided today would be a wonderful day to make a list of all the things that I'm greatful for today. It's been a tough week, so I thought this would help put things into perspective! Here goes:
1. I passed my practicum stations on the first attempt today! Ya! (I now only have a few left to do next week!)
2. Clinicals were wonderful tonight. My patients were soo sweet, and we had a bit of a laid back night which was a welcome change!
3. My sister Kimmy made pancakes for dinner! When I got to her house tonight to pick up Ranger, there were pancakes! (she is an angel and puppy-sits him while I'm at the hospital) That was pretty awesome!
4. All of the plants in my big aquarium are growing incredably well and the water levels are perfect now! (That means I can transfer my fish from the tank they were temporarily in at my mom's house to mine soon!)
5. I'm much closer to being "unpacked" today than I was a week ago!
6. I have a precious little puppy curled up in my lap sound asleep right now. :)
7. I have wondeful boyfriend that loves me very much (and the feeling is mutual!)
8. I got to see my sweet friend, Annie, for a few minutes tonight!
9.It was beautiful outside today
10. I didn't break my neck today, despite the fact that I tripped 3 times. (at least everyone, including me, had a good laugh!)
1. I passed my practicum stations on the first attempt today! Ya! (I now only have a few left to do next week!)
2. Clinicals were wonderful tonight. My patients were soo sweet, and we had a bit of a laid back night which was a welcome change!
3. My sister Kimmy made pancakes for dinner! When I got to her house tonight to pick up Ranger, there were pancakes! (she is an angel and puppy-sits him while I'm at the hospital) That was pretty awesome!
4. All of the plants in my big aquarium are growing incredably well and the water levels are perfect now! (That means I can transfer my fish from the tank they were temporarily in at my mom's house to mine soon!)
5. I'm much closer to being "unpacked" today than I was a week ago!
6. I have a precious little puppy curled up in my lap sound asleep right now. :)
7. I have wondeful boyfriend that loves me very much (and the feeling is mutual!)
8. I got to see my sweet friend, Annie, for a few minutes tonight!
9.It was beautiful outside today
10. I didn't break my neck today, despite the fact that I tripped 3 times. (at least everyone, including me, had a good laugh!)
Hello, Goodye: What it's like to say "hello" to a sweet new friend, and "goodbye" to another beloved friend...
Some of you may have noticed that I've been a bit absent in my blogging this week. This should catch everyone up to speed on what has been going on.
"Saying Hello To Ranger"
On Saturday night I welcomed a beautiful new Australian Shepherd puppy into my home. Jack called me while I was at Target and asked me where I was. I told him I was shopping and then he told me that he was standing on my patio (he hopped the patio area) and that I should go home soon. We were supposed to hang out that night anyway, so my only thought was, "wow, I really need to make copies of my new keys for him!" (we don't live together)
Anways, I came back to my apartment and sat my shopping bags down. When I turned on the patio lights and opened the sliding door, there stood my sweet boyfriend Jack. He was holding the most beautiful little puppy. It was the night before Easter and such a sweet surprise! I will blog more about that night later, but for now, here is a picture of little Ranger (many more to come!). He is doing wonderful so far and is such a sweet little blessing!:
"Saying Good-Bye To My Beloved Hagan"
On Wednesday morning (yesterday) I had to make the heartbreaking decision to say good-bye to my beloved German Shepherd, Hagan. Jack and I drove him to my vetrinarian's office and I spoke with the vet for a good while before we decided to go through with having him put down. It was an absolutely devistating and horrible situation, but I prayed over it for quite a while and tried every possible option before making that decision. To make a long story short, Hagan was fine 9/10 times...however, once in a blue moon he would be dangerously unpredictable. He would show no signs of imminent aggression/etc (raised hair, posture,etc)...he would instead charge and strike out of the blue, unprovoked. This behavior has gone on for the entire year and a half that I have had him in my home and has only become more frequent and more intense. It was not something triggered by the new puppy as he had only been in my home since Saturday night. As far as consultations go for Hagan, I sought help though numerous vetrinarians, websites, behaviorists, trainers, tried medication and supplements for him (prozac, melatonin, DAP), tried altaring his diet/exercise routine, and even tried puppy accupuncture with a local vet that specializes in it on the side. Unfortunately, nothing worked. Instead of improving with age and training/etc...he only deteriorated and became worse.
The final straw that broke the camel's back so to speak was him attempting to maul me this week. He also attempted to attack the new puppy, and even went after Jack and one of the gardners at my apartment complex. It was just turning into a horrible, downward spiral. He had no clue what he was doing eithor- one minte he would visciously try to attack unprvoked, the next minute he would try to kiss you and play. It was like living with a bipolar dog. In the past he had also attacked my sister's dog, my mom's beagle, and even bit me once. I sought help through training/etc and even had his vetrinarian test him for medical issues to try and resolve his problems. There was nothing more they could do for him though. The night he tried to maul me was the night I knew what I had to do, heartbreaking as it was. :(
This was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make. I loved Hagan with all of my heart, and this was the last decision I ever wanted to have to make. He has honestly had some severe issues from day one when I rescued him over a year and a half ago.(When I rescued him from the shelter he was due to be euthanized the day I adopted him. He was aggressive, had 2 puncture wounds, heartworms, and was in septic shock. I spent months and months working with him and trying to help him.Several of the vets and trainers I talked with think that he was eithor born geneticlaly "off" so to speak or that he developed swelling around his brain which made him worse mentally. I tried EVERY alternative I could think of before deciding to have him humanly put down. He was just too far gone mentally.
With Hagan, it was not a mild aggression, he was in it to kill/ maul when he got into those unpredictable moods. His attempt to maul my face is what had to be my deciding factor. Vets, Trainers, Behaviorialists, holistic medications, prescription meds (like prozac), exercise, diet, training...none of it helped him. Instead of him improving with age, he deteriorated mentally. It would be one thing if he were an unpredictable chihuahua, but he was a very large, unpredictable German Shepherd who could easily kill or maul me, an innocent child, my neighbors, or another animal. Every professional I spoke with from trainers to vetrinarians said that it was not a matter of "if" he would harm, it was a matter of "when". I couldn't knowingly put him in a rescue or home with the potential for him to wind up around other humans or animals and maul/kill them potentially.I even spoke to several shepherd rescues at length about this and they wouldn't take Hagan for those exact reasons of unpredictability and dangerousness. So for all of those combined reasons, that's why I had to make that very difficult decision to have my beloved boy humanely put down before he harmed himself or someone else. I will always love and miss my beautiful Hagan...
Rest in Peace Handsome Hagan. I Will Always Love You!
~In a side note, I really think that God's timing is perfect, even when we don't understand. I had no idea I was going to be facing that final decision about Hagan yesterday. I also had no idea that Jack was going to suprise me with a new puppy. (One of the thoughts behind a new puppy was that a playmate of equal size (when full grow) and activity level might help Hagan, sadly though he even tried to maim the innocent puppy when it was sleeping).
While I am still devistated over the loss of my Hagan, I am also greatful with God's timing and that this sweet new puppy, Ranger, was placed in my life at this time while I grieve and heal. I spent most of today in tears mourning the loss of Hagan (I was sooo attached to him). Everytime I started to cry, sweet little Ranger would try to kiss me and cheer me up. Ranger has definitely been a sweet blessing in disguise during such a tough time!
"Saying Hello To Ranger"
On Saturday night I welcomed a beautiful new Australian Shepherd puppy into my home. Jack called me while I was at Target and asked me where I was. I told him I was shopping and then he told me that he was standing on my patio (he hopped the patio area) and that I should go home soon. We were supposed to hang out that night anyway, so my only thought was, "wow, I really need to make copies of my new keys for him!" (we don't live together)
Anways, I came back to my apartment and sat my shopping bags down. When I turned on the patio lights and opened the sliding door, there stood my sweet boyfriend Jack. He was holding the most beautiful little puppy. It was the night before Easter and such a sweet surprise! I will blog more about that night later, but for now, here is a picture of little Ranger (many more to come!). He is doing wonderful so far and is such a sweet little blessing!:
"Saying Good-Bye To My Beloved Hagan"
On Wednesday morning (yesterday) I had to make the heartbreaking decision to say good-bye to my beloved German Shepherd, Hagan. Jack and I drove him to my vetrinarian's office and I spoke with the vet for a good while before we decided to go through with having him put down. It was an absolutely devistating and horrible situation, but I prayed over it for quite a while and tried every possible option before making that decision. To make a long story short, Hagan was fine 9/10 times...however, once in a blue moon he would be dangerously unpredictable. He would show no signs of imminent aggression/etc (raised hair, posture,etc)...he would instead charge and strike out of the blue, unprovoked. This behavior has gone on for the entire year and a half that I have had him in my home and has only become more frequent and more intense. It was not something triggered by the new puppy as he had only been in my home since Saturday night. As far as consultations go for Hagan, I sought help though numerous vetrinarians, websites, behaviorists, trainers, tried medication and supplements for him (prozac, melatonin, DAP), tried altaring his diet/exercise routine, and even tried puppy accupuncture with a local vet that specializes in it on the side. Unfortunately, nothing worked. Instead of improving with age and training/etc...he only deteriorated and became worse.
The final straw that broke the camel's back so to speak was him attempting to maul me this week. He also attempted to attack the new puppy, and even went after Jack and one of the gardners at my apartment complex. It was just turning into a horrible, downward spiral. He had no clue what he was doing eithor- one minte he would visciously try to attack unprvoked, the next minute he would try to kiss you and play. It was like living with a bipolar dog. In the past he had also attacked my sister's dog, my mom's beagle, and even bit me once. I sought help through training/etc and even had his vetrinarian test him for medical issues to try and resolve his problems. There was nothing more they could do for him though. The night he tried to maul me was the night I knew what I had to do, heartbreaking as it was. :(
This was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make. I loved Hagan with all of my heart, and this was the last decision I ever wanted to have to make. He has honestly had some severe issues from day one when I rescued him over a year and a half ago.(When I rescued him from the shelter he was due to be euthanized the day I adopted him. He was aggressive, had 2 puncture wounds, heartworms, and was in septic shock. I spent months and months working with him and trying to help him.Several of the vets and trainers I talked with think that he was eithor born geneticlaly "off" so to speak or that he developed swelling around his brain which made him worse mentally. I tried EVERY alternative I could think of before deciding to have him humanly put down. He was just too far gone mentally.
With Hagan, it was not a mild aggression, he was in it to kill/ maul when he got into those unpredictable moods. His attempt to maul my face is what had to be my deciding factor. Vets, Trainers, Behaviorialists, holistic medications, prescription meds (like prozac), exercise, diet, training...none of it helped him. Instead of him improving with age, he deteriorated mentally. It would be one thing if he were an unpredictable chihuahua, but he was a very large, unpredictable German Shepherd who could easily kill or maul me, an innocent child, my neighbors, or another animal. Every professional I spoke with from trainers to vetrinarians said that it was not a matter of "if" he would harm, it was a matter of "when". I couldn't knowingly put him in a rescue or home with the potential for him to wind up around other humans or animals and maul/kill them potentially.I even spoke to several shepherd rescues at length about this and they wouldn't take Hagan for those exact reasons of unpredictability and dangerousness. So for all of those combined reasons, that's why I had to make that very difficult decision to have my beloved boy humanely put down before he harmed himself or someone else. I will always love and miss my beautiful Hagan...
Rest in Peace Handsome Hagan. I Will Always Love You!
~In a side note, I really think that God's timing is perfect, even when we don't understand. I had no idea I was going to be facing that final decision about Hagan yesterday. I also had no idea that Jack was going to suprise me with a new puppy. (One of the thoughts behind a new puppy was that a playmate of equal size (when full grow) and activity level might help Hagan, sadly though he even tried to maim the innocent puppy when it was sleeping).
While I am still devistated over the loss of my Hagan, I am also greatful with God's timing and that this sweet new puppy, Ranger, was placed in my life at this time while I grieve and heal. I spent most of today in tears mourning the loss of Hagan (I was sooo attached to him). Everytime I started to cry, sweet little Ranger would try to kiss me and cheer me up. Ranger has definitely been a sweet blessing in disguise during such a tough time!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
What Is A Father?
What is a father? For many years I have wondered that very question. What makes someone a father? What is it like to have a dad to have lunch with, help you fix things around your place, give you advice,etc. I have honestly never had that. My close friends and family members know that I grew up in divorced home. For the large majority of my life I was raised by my mom and never saw my father.
Recently though, my dad has come back into the picture and I made a decision to put the past behind me, and to try and have a good relationship with him. I couldn't be happier with my decision! We have had quite a few discussions and sorted through things in the past lately. At first I was a little cautious of getting close to him simply because I viewed him more as a stranger than as a father. I am SOOO glad I listened to the advice of some other friends and family members though and I gave him another try. Things are still a little akward and new, but everything is working out well now. Each time I talk to him is a blessing. I have seen my father more in the past two months than I recall seeing him throughout my entire life. It is such a blessing to have him be a part of my life now.
Recently he has been there for me when I lost my grandmother (Nannie). He has also been very supportive of me moving and has helped with the move and even with setting things up in the new place. He has been taking me out to lunch on occassion as well and telling me all sorts of things about his life. I have to confess that it is such a wonderful feeling to get to know my dad. For those of you who have a good relationship with your father, please remember not to take that forgranted; it is true blessing.There has always been an empty spot in my life that was never filled simply because I never really had the presence of my dad in my life. It's definitely better late than never though! I'm glad that we are starting to have a good father/daughter relationship now and that I can finally get to know him.
I think the two most touching moments for me in the past few weeks have been when I introduced him to someone and said, "This is my father." Such a simple phrase, but it ment the world to me to say that and to have him in my life! Definitely a blessing. Today was the best though! He came over to my place around lunch-time and helped me hang pictures and put things together,etc. After that we went to get some lunch and then he dropped me off. When we were saying goodbye, he told me "I love you." Throughout my entire life I don't remember him ever telling me that; so for him to say that to me today, it ment soo much!
I'm definitely looking foward to developing a great relationship with my dad and to seeing what the future has in store. I just wanted to share that little bit today!
P.S. -For those of you with estranged parents that are debating whether or not to forgive them and to try and have a relationship with them....please give it a shot! you don't have anything to loose, but possibly immeserable things to gain! You might be plesantly surprised. I know I am! :)
Recently though, my dad has come back into the picture and I made a decision to put the past behind me, and to try and have a good relationship with him. I couldn't be happier with my decision! We have had quite a few discussions and sorted through things in the past lately. At first I was a little cautious of getting close to him simply because I viewed him more as a stranger than as a father. I am SOOO glad I listened to the advice of some other friends and family members though and I gave him another try. Things are still a little akward and new, but everything is working out well now. Each time I talk to him is a blessing. I have seen my father more in the past two months than I recall seeing him throughout my entire life. It is such a blessing to have him be a part of my life now.
Recently he has been there for me when I lost my grandmother (Nannie). He has also been very supportive of me moving and has helped with the move and even with setting things up in the new place. He has been taking me out to lunch on occassion as well and telling me all sorts of things about his life. I have to confess that it is such a wonderful feeling to get to know my dad. For those of you who have a good relationship with your father, please remember not to take that forgranted; it is true blessing.There has always been an empty spot in my life that was never filled simply because I never really had the presence of my dad in my life. It's definitely better late than never though! I'm glad that we are starting to have a good father/daughter relationship now and that I can finally get to know him.
I think the two most touching moments for me in the past few weeks have been when I introduced him to someone and said, "This is my father." Such a simple phrase, but it ment the world to me to say that and to have him in my life! Definitely a blessing. Today was the best though! He came over to my place around lunch-time and helped me hang pictures and put things together,etc. After that we went to get some lunch and then he dropped me off. When we were saying goodbye, he told me "I love you." Throughout my entire life I don't remember him ever telling me that; so for him to say that to me today, it ment soo much!
I'm definitely looking foward to developing a great relationship with my dad and to seeing what the future has in store. I just wanted to share that little bit today!
P.S. -For those of you with estranged parents that are debating whether or not to forgive them and to try and have a relationship with them....please give it a shot! you don't have anything to loose, but possibly immeserable things to gain! You might be plesantly surprised. I know I am! :)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Dancing Coffee!
You gotta love mornings! As I was driving down the road to go to the grocery store this morning, I saw a dancing coffee cup standing in front of Dunkin' Donuts. What song was playing on my radio at that exact moment?? "Hot in here" nonetheless haha! It was hysterical! The funny thing is that I thought I was maybe seeing something at first since the heart meds my doctor gave me for chest pain are really strong. When I did a double take though I realized that it was actually real. I just died laughing. That was one enthusiastic cup of coffee too! He was dancing up a storm! It just fit perfectly with the song that was playing over my radio too haha.
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