Warning: this is an INCREDIBLY BITCHY blog. If you feel like you're having an overly-sensitive, easily offended day please don't even bother reading it because if you comment to me and piss me off I swear to God I will lose my shit on you. :)
OK, so sorry this is not a particularly festive blog subject, but I am home alone on Christmas Day while my husband is at work so I think it is slightly fitting. I have the WHOLE DAY to do pointless stuff like blog instead of celebrate my favorite holiday with my husband... Yes I am bitter.
This blog was originally going to be titled "Things about Texas that Piss Me Off", but now I am going to extend it to global proportions. Hey why not? It's not just Texas, it is a whole lot of stuff.
1. Homesickness:
I want to go home. I am sick of being gone. It would be easier to be gone if it were in a place that wasn't so damn foreign feeling. There are tarantulas, scorpions, wild hogs and cacti out here. Does that sound normal? Or homey? Not to me. Palm trees are NOT synonymous with Christmas to me. AND Aaron recently explained to me (after I dig it out of him... I say this because getting the full story from him is similar to a fecal impaction, you have the dig the shit out of him piece by piece...) that in 2 years Aaron is eligible to put in for a transfer. Not he will automatically be granted it... no, at that point he can ask for one. And it doesn't mean we will get it. This is BS. I promise to not bitch about Michigan as much anymore. Now that I have been gone and I have learned a little bit of what else is out there, I realize now what I had. I prefer the Midwest part of the country to the Southwest.
2. Peoples' "advice" about pregnancy:
I am not claiming to know it all. I will be the first to admit that I have a lot to learn about life. I know this! But WHY oh WHY does everyone who comes into contact with me that knows I am pregnant accidentally mistake themselves for a perinatologist? I have been told "you know, you should cut back on your sodium intake when you're pregnant", and "you should exercise when you are pregnant", and "only one pop a day, because any more is too much caffeiene" (which is bullshit, the upper limit of daily recommended consumption is 200 mg of caffeine a day, and a 12 ounce Coke has 35mg), and "You should drink lots of water now..." and, my personal favorite "You need more iron if you're anemic for your Thalassemia." Really? I need more iron? Do you really want my spleen to rupture?! You callous bastard.
I know I don't know everything, but I am pretty sure that I went to college for SEVEN YEARS and THREE of those years were spent in a Bachelor's Degree Nursing Program! I am pretty sure I went to one of the best Nursing Schools in the State of Michigan. I am almost positive I spent 7 weeks busting my ass in an OB clinical where I had to teach women what to do when they took their babies home. And, to top it all off I have been a practicing RN now for 4 years and 5 months. So I think it is safe to assume that I know basic things such as recommended sodium consumption, the basic physiology of a woman's body and a basic knowledge of own disease processes. I for now on will make it a general rule that I will offer NO advice on pregnancy to anyone unless I am asked. I will do this because 9 times out of 10 unsolicited advice has been an insult to my intelligence and I will give others the same courtesy. Please remember that I have wanted to be a Mom for years. Just because I couldn't get pregnant doesn't mean I haven't been looking into it all these years. I came into this condition as a well informed woman. If you want something really badly, don't you read about it, learn about it because you're interested in it? Well that is exactly what I did. That is why I am easily offended when told something a 12 year old knows. I DID THE RESEARCH PEOPLE.
Having said that, if I ask you for advice that is a completely different thing! If I want to hear what you have to say then I am not going to harbor negative feelings towards you. Promise. Well, almost promise. These hormones are kicking my ass!
3. People who put their dogs in the back of trucks.
This kind of stupidity unfortunately runs rampant down here. Animal life is not valued here like it is where I came from. They leave their dogs in cars all the time. I have watched a couple dogs almost plunge to their deaths out of moving trucks. If I could rule the world for one week... those people would be SCARED! How stupid do you have to be? Really? Do people not comprehend that dogs aren't able to reason why you shouldn't jump out of a moving vehicle? There should be a new rule. You HAVE to be smarter than your pet. If you are not then you are not allowed to have one. Good GOD. Would you put your 3 year old in the back of your truck?! Then don't put a dog in it. I think this is fairly simple logic. Please let me know if you disagree and let me know why, because I can't fathom this.
OK I have more to say but I am honestly sick of bitching for right now. Thank GOD! It is tiring to be this bitter. As happy as I am that I am pregnant and that I am finally going to be a Mommy, I am sooooo looking forward to feeling like I am in control of my emotions again. I know this can only happen when I am no longer pregnant. I don't want to wish it away, I want to embrace every single day of this pregnancy. But I do not want to embrace the... anger/moodiness/whatever-the-hell-you-call-this anymore.
On a brighter note, Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope you have a wonderful, fun, peaceful day! I know that can't even sound genuine, but it honestly is. ;)
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Pregnancy Hormones.
Yeah... they're a bitch.
I was at work today and Wayne (the recovery nurse who brings has laptop to work and we listen to Christmas Carols) played something on youtube called The Pink Glove Dance. It is about promoting breast cancer awareness. And for whatever the hell reason, it made me cry, at work. Seriously. It's not even fricking sad! If you want to see it click here.
As embarrassing as it was, thank God there is a 13 or 14 week pregnant girl there named Shanna who knew EXACTLY what I was going through and we had a good laugh about it. All I could say in between sobs and laughter was "I'm an asshole", "stupid baby" and "Breast cancer is sad". Jesus. I have 33 more weeks to go. This is going to be a bumpy ride.
But I am still grateful for it, no matter how unreasonable and swollen I become.
I was at work today and Wayne (the recovery nurse who brings has laptop to work and we listen to Christmas Carols) played something on youtube called The Pink Glove Dance. It is about promoting breast cancer awareness. And for whatever the hell reason, it made me cry, at work. Seriously. It's not even fricking sad! If you want to see it click here.
As embarrassing as it was, thank God there is a 13 or 14 week pregnant girl there named Shanna who knew EXACTLY what I was going through and we had a good laugh about it. All I could say in between sobs and laughter was "I'm an asshole", "stupid baby" and "Breast cancer is sad". Jesus. I have 33 more weeks to go. This is going to be a bumpy ride.
But I am still grateful for it, no matter how unreasonable and swollen I become.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Humor knows no language.
At my job now, a lot of my patient's primary language is Spanish. A lot of people speak some English, but you always run into the few people now and again who can't speak any at all. I really want to take a Spanish course, but have been told it may not be that helpful. The Spanish taught in most classes is Traditional/European Spanish, and what is usually spoken here is a mixture of Spanish and English. One of my co-workers Bennie called it "Tex-Mex", and said that she grew up speaking that but it someone talks to her in real Spanish she can't understand some of it. So... I guess I will just get some CD to learn Spanish and not devote a lot of time or money to it right now, since it may not be that big a help.
Anyway, there was a patient I talked to on the phone while I was training in the pre-operative department. This is how the conversation went.
Me- Hi, this is Andrea from Uvalde Memorial Hospital, I am calling to speak to Mrs. So-and-so regarding her procedure on December 3rd.
Patient- blahblahblahblahblah (for some reason I could hear her fine but couldn't make out what she was saying)
Me- I'm sorry can you please say that again?
Pt- blahblahblahblahblahblah
Me- What?
Pt- blahblahblahblahblahblah
Me- Habla Ingles? (or however you spell it...)
Pt- No.
Me- Oooooooooohhhhh... OK.....
We both start busting out laughing at this point. You probably had to be there, but it was hilarious.
So, this week I was working in pre and post op, so I got people ready for and (kinda) recovered them from their surgeries and procedures. I was told me next patient didn't speak any English. I didn't put two and two together.
So she comes in, and most of the stuff that needs to be discussed was done by Bennie (our Spanish, Tex-Mex speaking nurse, whose sister BTW makes the BEST TAMALES EVER.) and then I do the small stuff for her. I learn she can understand some English but can speak very little. Like, she can say "yes, no, it's OK", that about covers it.
I look at her wrist band to make sure it's correct, and ask "Su namo es?" (Remember I know very little Spanish so I probably butcher it, but this nice lady knows what I mean) and she says her name. Then I ask her for her birthdate and she says "blahblahblahblahblah". I continue to keep looking at the wrist band and say "Ooookaaaayyyy...." and again, peals of laughter. :)
I just think its so funny that you can not understand what the hell the person next to you is saying, but then humanity kicks in and you can laugh about it. She knew what I was asking, and I know what she was telling me, but neither of us really had an idea of what the actual words meant. It was just so funny. I know it's probably not to you and I am cool with that but I had to blog about it because it's funny to me! I guess that's all that matters! :)
In other news, my first OB appointment is this Wednesday. Aaron is leaving work early so he can go too in case theu do an ultrasound or listen for a heartbeat. He's such an excited Daddy-to-be... and it's the best feeling ever. :D
Every night when we're laying in bed we say good night to each other, and then I tell him the (insert the name of the small thing the same size of the baby is) here loves him, and he always says he loves it back. :) First it was a poppy seed, then an orange seed, and now we're up to a blueberry! It's crown to rump legnth is 7-9mm.! I put 7 and then 9 dimes in a stack to see how big my baby is now, and it's about the size of my fingernail. Awww!!! I can't freaking wait to meet my little blueberry! :)
OK enough for now. Have a good weekend.
Anyway, there was a patient I talked to on the phone while I was training in the pre-operative department. This is how the conversation went.
Me- Hi, this is Andrea from Uvalde Memorial Hospital, I am calling to speak to Mrs. So-and-so regarding her procedure on December 3rd.
Patient- blahblahblahblahblah (for some reason I could hear her fine but couldn't make out what she was saying)
Me- I'm sorry can you please say that again?
Pt- blahblahblahblahblahblah
Me- What?
Pt- blahblahblahblahblahblah
Me- Habla Ingles? (or however you spell it...)
Pt- No.
Me- Oooooooooohhhhh... OK.....
We both start busting out laughing at this point. You probably had to be there, but it was hilarious.
So, this week I was working in pre and post op, so I got people ready for and (kinda) recovered them from their surgeries and procedures. I was told me next patient didn't speak any English. I didn't put two and two together.
So she comes in, and most of the stuff that needs to be discussed was done by Bennie (our Spanish, Tex-Mex speaking nurse, whose sister BTW makes the BEST TAMALES EVER.) and then I do the small stuff for her. I learn she can understand some English but can speak very little. Like, she can say "yes, no, it's OK", that about covers it.
I look at her wrist band to make sure it's correct, and ask "Su namo es?" (Remember I know very little Spanish so I probably butcher it, but this nice lady knows what I mean) and she says her name. Then I ask her for her birthdate and she says "blahblahblahblahblah". I continue to keep looking at the wrist band and say "Ooookaaaayyyy...." and again, peals of laughter. :)
I just think its so funny that you can not understand what the hell the person next to you is saying, but then humanity kicks in and you can laugh about it. She knew what I was asking, and I know what she was telling me, but neither of us really had an idea of what the actual words meant. It was just so funny. I know it's probably not to you and I am cool with that but I had to blog about it because it's funny to me! I guess that's all that matters! :)
In other news, my first OB appointment is this Wednesday. Aaron is leaving work early so he can go too in case theu do an ultrasound or listen for a heartbeat. He's such an excited Daddy-to-be... and it's the best feeling ever. :D
Every night when we're laying in bed we say good night to each other, and then I tell him the (insert the name of the small thing the same size of the baby is) here loves him, and he always says he loves it back. :) First it was a poppy seed, then an orange seed, and now we're up to a blueberry! It's crown to rump legnth is 7-9mm.! I put 7 and then 9 dimes in a stack to see how big my baby is now, and it's about the size of my fingernail. Awww!!! I can't freaking wait to meet my little blueberry! :)
OK enough for now. Have a good weekend.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Quick but awesome update.
Hello All!
Sorry it has been so long since I have gotten on here. I STILL don't have internet access at my house until Thursday. I am at the library in Uvalde to pay some bills and do a little Christmas shopping, so before the kick me off I thought I would get on here and update you.
Texas is nice! It's been in the 60-70's (with the exception of this rainy, cold week in the 40s-50s) since we have been here. Aaron and I are both enjoying our jobs. Thank God! I would be PISSED if we relocated just to be angry and miserable.
The girls at my new job are very nice. The job is a little slow at times, being a rural day surgery unit, but I am still learning things and appreciating the new slower, less stressful lifestyle.
And now, for the biggest news EVER. I took my first cycle of Clomid on October 21. Ovulated November 4th. And got a POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST on November 15th!!! Thank God! I am soooo incredibly happy that I can't even begin to describe it. The closest thing I can think of is to want something for Christmas... really REALLY bad but you already know you can't afford it and you just know you're not going to get it. Then, on Christmas morning you open a little box under the tree with your name on it that you weren't expecting and *WHAM* there it is, that little thing you've been coveting.
Due to the PCOS I am not out of the woods. I have a higer rate of miscarriage then most women because of this. Some people might think I am crazy for telling everyone already (I am only 7 weeks and due in the end of July) but you know what, if I were to (God forbid) lose this baby, it doesn't make him/her mean any less to me. I am going to celebrate this gift from God as much as possible, enjoy every minute of it (sore boobs, peeing all the time, serious fatigue, a sense of smell that a Bloodhound wound envy and mood swings like I don't know what) because it is a HUGE gift and I am incredibly lucky to have it. I just pray everything stays good and healthy. I quit smoking in October, do not drink a thing, quit taking the meds I was on for PMDD, sleep all the time, try to limit my caffeine intake, take prenatals vitamins and my metformin religously, in short I am doing everything possible to make this a healthy pregnancy. The only things against me are the extra weight and the PCOS, one of them being out of my hands entirely. Damnit if women can smoke crack throughout their pregnancies and have healthy babies, surely I, as a tubby woman, can have one as well, right? I am sure my developing embryo would rather have a heaping helping of Cheez Whiz (what I have been craving since last night... don't know why... but whatever, I like it anyway!) than a little cocaine, right?
Another thing, since we conceived on Clomid, who knows how many little stinkers are in there! There could be multiples in store for us. I say bring it on, lets just do this! Don't get me wrong if we had 5 or 6 in there I think I would have a panic attack, but twins would be just fine.
I am not a particularly religous person, but this experience completely reaffirms my faith. I know I have mentioned the Big Guy in here a few times, and I think for a great cause. If I, a reproductively challenged woman gets pregnant as quickly as I did on my first cycle of the least medically invasive treatments possible, someone simply HAS to be helping me out.
Well I better go before the lady at the desk screams "Number 3 your time is up!"
Thank you all for reading, I hope you're all well, and stay tuned for my baby adventure! :)
Sorry it has been so long since I have gotten on here. I STILL don't have internet access at my house until Thursday. I am at the library in Uvalde to pay some bills and do a little Christmas shopping, so before the kick me off I thought I would get on here and update you.
Texas is nice! It's been in the 60-70's (with the exception of this rainy, cold week in the 40s-50s) since we have been here. Aaron and I are both enjoying our jobs. Thank God! I would be PISSED if we relocated just to be angry and miserable.
The girls at my new job are very nice. The job is a little slow at times, being a rural day surgery unit, but I am still learning things and appreciating the new slower, less stressful lifestyle.
And now, for the biggest news EVER. I took my first cycle of Clomid on October 21. Ovulated November 4th. And got a POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST on November 15th!!! Thank God! I am soooo incredibly happy that I can't even begin to describe it. The closest thing I can think of is to want something for Christmas... really REALLY bad but you already know you can't afford it and you just know you're not going to get it. Then, on Christmas morning you open a little box under the tree with your name on it that you weren't expecting and *WHAM* there it is, that little thing you've been coveting.
Due to the PCOS I am not out of the woods. I have a higer rate of miscarriage then most women because of this. Some people might think I am crazy for telling everyone already (I am only 7 weeks and due in the end of July) but you know what, if I were to (God forbid) lose this baby, it doesn't make him/her mean any less to me. I am going to celebrate this gift from God as much as possible, enjoy every minute of it (sore boobs, peeing all the time, serious fatigue, a sense of smell that a Bloodhound wound envy and mood swings like I don't know what) because it is a HUGE gift and I am incredibly lucky to have it. I just pray everything stays good and healthy. I quit smoking in October, do not drink a thing, quit taking the meds I was on for PMDD, sleep all the time, try to limit my caffeine intake, take prenatals vitamins and my metformin religously, in short I am doing everything possible to make this a healthy pregnancy. The only things against me are the extra weight and the PCOS, one of them being out of my hands entirely. Damnit if women can smoke crack throughout their pregnancies and have healthy babies, surely I, as a tubby woman, can have one as well, right? I am sure my developing embryo would rather have a heaping helping of Cheez Whiz (what I have been craving since last night... don't know why... but whatever, I like it anyway!) than a little cocaine, right?
Another thing, since we conceived on Clomid, who knows how many little stinkers are in there! There could be multiples in store for us. I say bring it on, lets just do this! Don't get me wrong if we had 5 or 6 in there I think I would have a panic attack, but twins would be just fine.
I am not a particularly religous person, but this experience completely reaffirms my faith. I know I have mentioned the Big Guy in here a few times, and I think for a great cause. If I, a reproductively challenged woman gets pregnant as quickly as I did on my first cycle of the least medically invasive treatments possible, someone simply HAS to be helping me out.
Well I better go before the lady at the desk screams "Number 3 your time is up!"
Thank you all for reading, I hope you're all well, and stay tuned for my baby adventure! :)
Monday, October 5, 2009
T minus 6 days and counting!
I occasionally freak out realizing that this move really IS going to happen. Aaron IS going to graduate. We ARE leaving Michigan. On the 11th our lives are going to totally change. And it is noon on the 5th. Wow. Maybe I am being too dramatic... but I think not. We are doing a lot of big changes.
My last day of work at the University of Michigan was this past Friday. It was a really busy day so it flew by, but still a little emotional for me. My co-workers couldn't have been sweeter if they tried. On Thursday we ordered out, and they gave me a present... beautiful jewelry hand made by one of my co-workers Sheryl. They were all beaded jewelry, different patterns, all black and silver. Some of them had very faint pink beads too. They were all beautiful! Sue made me some awesome greek chicken lemon rice soup which was amazing. Seriously good stuff. Tina brought a Chocolate Lover's Cake. I felt very loved!
On Friday Deb (my manager) gave me a cute little stuffed monkey in a U of M tee shirt and U of M pen. She has been saying for months that I am not leaving, and she is mad at Aaron. hahaha. I in turn told her that if I ever find out I am coming back my replacement must be sabotaged!
March 9, 2010- Wow I found this unfinished blog and realized I never finished it. haha. Well, here it is now. :)
My last day of work at the University of Michigan was this past Friday. It was a really busy day so it flew by, but still a little emotional for me. My co-workers couldn't have been sweeter if they tried. On Thursday we ordered out, and they gave me a present... beautiful jewelry hand made by one of my co-workers Sheryl. They were all beaded jewelry, different patterns, all black and silver. Some of them had very faint pink beads too. They were all beautiful! Sue made me some awesome greek chicken lemon rice soup which was amazing. Seriously good stuff. Tina brought a Chocolate Lover's Cake. I felt very loved!
On Friday Deb (my manager) gave me a cute little stuffed monkey in a U of M tee shirt and U of M pen. She has been saying for months that I am not leaving, and she is mad at Aaron. hahaha. I in turn told her that if I ever find out I am coming back my replacement must be sabotaged!
March 9, 2010- Wow I found this unfinished blog and realized I never finished it. haha. Well, here it is now. :)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
It was a good weekend. My friend Erica and her daughter Jenna stayed at my house on Friday night. We hung out, watched TV and movies, and had a little garage sale at my house on Saturday morning. It was so fun.
Saturday Erica's husband Tom kept Jenna and the other two kids (Dylan and Ian) so Erica and I could time just us time. It was honestly the first time we had no kids with us since she got pregnant with Jenna in 1998! (Well, apart from when her Dad was in the ICU, the kids weren't there the first time we went there.) It was awesome to have some time with just the two of us. I love her kids, they are sweet and funny, but it's nice to have grown up time, too.
We went to Mark and Jason's birthday party and had a good time. We got to watch Stevie's weird neighbors fight for over an hour in the front lawn. I was so embarrassed for them. They were two white guys, calling each other honky (sp?) and also the N word. The first one was just stupid, they are both white. And the second name was stupid for the same reason, but it pissed me off just to hear them say it. I hate that word. It's disgusting. I know I have a rotten ass mouth, but even I have a limit. I mean come on people, get some standards.
We watched their stupidity for a while, but when they actually started physically fighting we called the cops. It took them about 15-20 minutes to get there, which from what I heard is good for Westland cops. A couple times I chanted "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!". I don't think they heard it though. It was mostly for my own amusement though. I didn't want the fight to come over to where we all were. None of us wanted to get involved but we did enjoy the show. There were people in their driveways watching. I am surprised we didn't make popcorn. LOL
Today Erica and I slept in a little, and then played around on the computer looking up people we used to know on facebook and myspace. Being dissatisfied with that since we really didn't find anyone we knew, we looked on OTIS and the sex offender registry... and found an ex boyfriend of mine. So now, two of my ex boyfriends are sex offenders. YUCK. One (Jason) went in for rape and aggravated sodomy, as well as beating the girl (his girlfriend at the time) that he raped and assaulting a police officer. I knew about him years ago. The one I found out about today (Will) was a guy I dated in high school. He lived a couple hours north of where I lived then. I actually broke up with him to start dating the one that beat and raped his girlfriend. The one I found today was actually convicted for Criminal Sexual Conduct - Third Degree (Multiple Variables). Frigging sicko.
How do I attract these men? And thank you God for not letting me be one of their victims. I dated Will when I was a senior in high school and then dated Jason for a year and a half after him, but most of the time he was in Korea for the Army.
So that makes reason # 512 why I am lucky to have Aaron. He is not a sexual deviant! :)
OK I need to get back to life and do something productive.
Saturday Erica's husband Tom kept Jenna and the other two kids (Dylan and Ian) so Erica and I could time just us time. It was honestly the first time we had no kids with us since she got pregnant with Jenna in 1998! (Well, apart from when her Dad was in the ICU, the kids weren't there the first time we went there.) It was awesome to have some time with just the two of us. I love her kids, they are sweet and funny, but it's nice to have grown up time, too.
We went to Mark and Jason's birthday party and had a good time. We got to watch Stevie's weird neighbors fight for over an hour in the front lawn. I was so embarrassed for them. They were two white guys, calling each other honky (sp?) and also the N word. The first one was just stupid, they are both white. And the second name was stupid for the same reason, but it pissed me off just to hear them say it. I hate that word. It's disgusting. I know I have a rotten ass mouth, but even I have a limit. I mean come on people, get some standards.
We watched their stupidity for a while, but when they actually started physically fighting we called the cops. It took them about 15-20 minutes to get there, which from what I heard is good for Westland cops. A couple times I chanted "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!". I don't think they heard it though. It was mostly for my own amusement though. I didn't want the fight to come over to where we all were. None of us wanted to get involved but we did enjoy the show. There were people in their driveways watching. I am surprised we didn't make popcorn. LOL
Today Erica and I slept in a little, and then played around on the computer looking up people we used to know on facebook and myspace. Being dissatisfied with that since we really didn't find anyone we knew, we looked on OTIS and the sex offender registry... and found an ex boyfriend of mine. So now, two of my ex boyfriends are sex offenders. YUCK. One (Jason) went in for rape and aggravated sodomy, as well as beating the girl (his girlfriend at the time) that he raped and assaulting a police officer. I knew about him years ago. The one I found out about today (Will) was a guy I dated in high school. He lived a couple hours north of where I lived then. I actually broke up with him to start dating the one that beat and raped his girlfriend. The one I found today was actually convicted for Criminal Sexual Conduct - Third Degree (Multiple Variables). Frigging sicko.
How do I attract these men? And thank you God for not letting me be one of their victims. I dated Will when I was a senior in high school and then dated Jason for a year and a half after him, but most of the time he was in Korea for the Army.
So that makes reason # 512 why I am lucky to have Aaron. He is not a sexual deviant! :)
OK I need to get back to life and do something productive.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Progesterone levels and Labor Day
OK, so the two aren't related. But I do want to talk about both of them. So on Friday, 7 days after my + Ovulation test, I had my progesterone level drawn to see if it is a good level and to see if I actually ovulated. Although I haven't received any word on this from the MD office yet, different people on the TTC Boards on www.whattoexpect.com say that my level was good. Makes me happy! My level was 30. From what I gather, 10-15+ is acceptable for ovulation. Clomid is a MIRACLE drug. Now I just need to take Clomid when I am with Aaron so I can actually have sex and try to get pregnant.
***
My friend Brandi invited me to go camping with her for the Labor Day weekend to their Family Labor Day Weekend (FLDW) trip. So my dogs and I went Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful wooded area somewhere in between Cadillac and Ludington. Her husband's family has made it their tradition to go there for the last 12 years, and they do a great job making it. The cook, Jose, is a great friend of the family and makes all the meals for the people there, which is anywhere in between 50-80 people a year. They have a talent show, field day and night time hide and seek game planned for everyone (13 years old +) there on the property, which is somewhere in between 20-30 acres. It's a family oriented place and it seemed like a lot of fun, so I wanted to go! We got there at 5PM on Saturday and we were home by Sunday at 2PM. However I had every intention on staying until Monday morning or early afternoon. The dogs had another agenda.
The dogs (well, Bear) was ridiculous. He screamed when I was not there with him. We gave each dog a bone, a pull toy, a big bowl of fresh water in the shade, right next to my new fun little tent (courtesy of the birthday money my Dad and step-mom gave me), and he still wailed like a baby when I left. After about 10 minutes of me no longer in his sight and he stopped. Every single whimper, bark and cry was painful for me. He was sad. :(
At one point earlier in the evening on Saturday I commented to Brandi on Bear snarfing down the sticks and leaves, saying it looked like anxious behavior. I should have just seen that and known I should have not brought them and just went home. I guess I was mistaken about thinking they were having fun. I thought they would like being outside in the forest. Most dogs do. Not mine. Nope, I am not sure my dogs even realize they are dogs. I think they might think they are human. After all they do sleep in bed with me and Aaron and have just as much right to be on the couches and love seats as we do... in my opinion. Anyhow, I am getting off topic...
My anxiety increases as the sky gets darker because of that tent. While it is located around about 10-15 other tents, it is still in the forest in the pitch black. I am not scared of the dark, but I am definitely scared of monsters and other things that lurk in the dark. So, me + 2 dogs + small tent in the middle of nowhere + alcohol and an overactive imagination =me laying in my tent afraid all night. Because of this my friend's step-daughter graciously lets me and my canines stay in her tent with her. This relieves me greatly. :)
Because of their (well mostly Bear's) behavior Brandi and I had the dogs with us most of the time. 99% of the other dogs there were happily sleeping in front of their tents and campers, but mine had to act like babies. They were with me most of the time because I couldn't handle hearing them be upset (don't go telling me how I can't do that with kids... I already know. I will baby my dogs because they will never grow up and need to get a job. If I am ever responsible for raising anything with poseable thumbs then I will definitely lay down the law.) and figured the other people shouldn't have to be inconvenienced because my dogs won't shut up. Other dogs there were definitely barking too, and during the day it didn't matter. But Bear and Harvey barked at night too, and I felt bad. So I figured it was better to just have them with us. I even tried to take them with us for hide and seek, but that proved to be a bad idea. Walking with 2 dogs in the dark while trying to successfully hold a drink and a flashlight was very difficult. They also tend to pull at times, making the walk that much more interesting. Needless to say they did not stay long.
Let's fast forward. After drunken hide and seek I get the dogs because Bear is crying. We're sitting at the camp fire, and later I decide to go to bed. Me and my boys curl up in the camper to sleep. They actually fall asleep way quicker than I do, and I have no idea why because I am the one who had 5 bottles of delicious Mikes Hard Lemonade and Labatt Blue. Anyhow, the sleep is not restful. I woke up about once an hour, either being cold or having a sore hip from the less than optimal mattress. If I rolled over one of the 2 dogs would whine because I rolled over and was no longer spooning them. (Seriously.) In the middle of the night I get the brand new sleeping bag Brandi let me borrow and wriggle into it and get all warm and toasty. An hour or so later I wake up to Bear gagging and then puking, on the very camper bed we slept on.
They get down off the bed and I search all over for said vomit. Can't find it. I get off the bed and put my shoes on so I can put them out, still searching for the puke. Did he just have a wet burp or something? I can't be sure, I can't find the evidence. Then, I move the sleeping bag to keep searching. The reason why I couldn't find the vomit was because I ROLLED OVER ON IT IN THE SLEEPING BAG. It was a massive, reeking pile of sticks, twigs, leaves and only God knows what else. I think I described the scent to Brandi as what one would imaging Satan's taint to smell like.
So after I properly dispose of all that grossness and a little sitting with the last of the drunk people at the fire, we sleep in my car until about 8:30. We're on the road again by 11AM.
On the bright side, I got to see Brandi and her family, who I love dearly. :) And I am pleasantly surprised with how well the boys did with the car ride. Let's see they do going to TX. :)
OK well it is time to lay back down on the couch. I am going to get as much relaxing time as I can today before back to dreaded work in the AM.
***
My friend Brandi invited me to go camping with her for the Labor Day weekend to their Family Labor Day Weekend (FLDW) trip. So my dogs and I went Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful wooded area somewhere in between Cadillac and Ludington. Her husband's family has made it their tradition to go there for the last 12 years, and they do a great job making it. The cook, Jose, is a great friend of the family and makes all the meals for the people there, which is anywhere in between 50-80 people a year. They have a talent show, field day and night time hide and seek game planned for everyone (13 years old +) there on the property, which is somewhere in between 20-30 acres. It's a family oriented place and it seemed like a lot of fun, so I wanted to go! We got there at 5PM on Saturday and we were home by Sunday at 2PM. However I had every intention on staying until Monday morning or early afternoon. The dogs had another agenda.
The dogs (well, Bear) was ridiculous. He screamed when I was not there with him. We gave each dog a bone, a pull toy, a big bowl of fresh water in the shade, right next to my new fun little tent (courtesy of the birthday money my Dad and step-mom gave me), and he still wailed like a baby when I left. After about 10 minutes of me no longer in his sight and he stopped. Every single whimper, bark and cry was painful for me. He was sad. :(
At one point earlier in the evening on Saturday I commented to Brandi on Bear snarfing down the sticks and leaves, saying it looked like anxious behavior. I should have just seen that and known I should have not brought them and just went home. I guess I was mistaken about thinking they were having fun. I thought they would like being outside in the forest. Most dogs do. Not mine. Nope, I am not sure my dogs even realize they are dogs. I think they might think they are human. After all they do sleep in bed with me and Aaron and have just as much right to be on the couches and love seats as we do... in my opinion. Anyhow, I am getting off topic...
My anxiety increases as the sky gets darker because of that tent. While it is located around about 10-15 other tents, it is still in the forest in the pitch black. I am not scared of the dark, but I am definitely scared of monsters and other things that lurk in the dark. So, me + 2 dogs + small tent in the middle of nowhere + alcohol and an overactive imagination =me laying in my tent afraid all night. Because of this my friend's step-daughter graciously lets me and my canines stay in her tent with her. This relieves me greatly. :)
Because of their (well mostly Bear's) behavior Brandi and I had the dogs with us most of the time. 99% of the other dogs there were happily sleeping in front of their tents and campers, but mine had to act like babies. They were with me most of the time because I couldn't handle hearing them be upset (don't go telling me how I can't do that with kids... I already know. I will baby my dogs because they will never grow up and need to get a job. If I am ever responsible for raising anything with poseable thumbs then I will definitely lay down the law.) and figured the other people shouldn't have to be inconvenienced because my dogs won't shut up. Other dogs there were definitely barking too, and during the day it didn't matter. But Bear and Harvey barked at night too, and I felt bad. So I figured it was better to just have them with us. I even tried to take them with us for hide and seek, but that proved to be a bad idea. Walking with 2 dogs in the dark while trying to successfully hold a drink and a flashlight was very difficult. They also tend to pull at times, making the walk that much more interesting. Needless to say they did not stay long.
Let's fast forward. After drunken hide and seek I get the dogs because Bear is crying. We're sitting at the camp fire, and later I decide to go to bed. Me and my boys curl up in the camper to sleep. They actually fall asleep way quicker than I do, and I have no idea why because I am the one who had 5 bottles of delicious Mikes Hard Lemonade and Labatt Blue. Anyhow, the sleep is not restful. I woke up about once an hour, either being cold or having a sore hip from the less than optimal mattress. If I rolled over one of the 2 dogs would whine because I rolled over and was no longer spooning them. (Seriously.) In the middle of the night I get the brand new sleeping bag Brandi let me borrow and wriggle into it and get all warm and toasty. An hour or so later I wake up to Bear gagging and then puking, on the very camper bed we slept on.
They get down off the bed and I search all over for said vomit. Can't find it. I get off the bed and put my shoes on so I can put them out, still searching for the puke. Did he just have a wet burp or something? I can't be sure, I can't find the evidence. Then, I move the sleeping bag to keep searching. The reason why I couldn't find the vomit was because I ROLLED OVER ON IT IN THE SLEEPING BAG. It was a massive, reeking pile of sticks, twigs, leaves and only God knows what else. I think I described the scent to Brandi as what one would imaging Satan's taint to smell like.
So after I properly dispose of all that grossness and a little sitting with the last of the drunk people at the fire, we sleep in my car until about 8:30. We're on the road again by 11AM.
On the bright side, I got to see Brandi and her family, who I love dearly. :) And I am pleasantly surprised with how well the boys did with the car ride. Let's see they do going to TX. :)
OK well it is time to lay back down on the couch. I am going to get as much relaxing time as I can today before back to dreaded work in the AM.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
