Throw Back Sort of...

I mentioned yesterday how my husband brought me flowers, and I prayed they weren't from someone's yard.
I wrote this a while back. He loves to mess with me, and over the last 30 years, I have preferred not to be messed with. I still fall for some of the shit he pulls, some not so much. I hope I have learned something in 38 years.

Here are a couple of examples of things he has done to me in the past. 
We were driving through Cooks Forest in PA. 
We were on our way to visit his family. 


We are both quiet. I am enjoying the scenery from my side of the car. 
All of a sudden he starts to sniff. He keeps sniffing. 
I ask, "What do you smell? "

"Don’t you smell anything?"

"No I don’t."   sniff sniff

He opens his window all the way and sniffs some more. 

“Oh yeah. I smell hot sausage, pepper, and onion sandwiches. 
I’m guessing about 2 miles down the road. You really don't smell this?” 

I am now hanging my head out the window like a dog sniffing the air.
"I really don’t smell anything at all, Rick, beside the pine trees.
"Wow." He sniffs again. "I really smell it now, you really don't? Try it again."

So I get up on my knees and am hanging out the window like a golden retriever sniffing.
Then there it is – a clearing and a big silver food truck with a sign that says STOP. Hot sausage, pepper, and onion sandwiches.

"There it is. Oh my God, Rick, I can’t believe you smelled this." 

He pulls over and says, "Well, that made me hungry. Let’s have lunch."

I walk up to the window to place my order and tell the man that my boyfriend could smell these sandwiches 2 miles up the road. I went on and on like a damn fool. The sandwiches were good, and we sat outside on the picnic tables and had a nice little lunch on a beautiful sunny fall day.

On the way home, driving through Cooks Forest again, I see a sign that says, “HOT SAUSAGE SANDWICHES 2 MILES UP THE ROAD.”

I look at Rick, and he began to laugh. 

"There was a sign coming down here that I didn't see, wasn’t there?"

"Yep."

"So I made a complete ass of myself to that man when I ordered my sandwich?"

"Well, I was winking at him over your head – you were cute – it wasn’t that bad."
He was laughing like crazy at this point.

So not funny. I can’t believe I fell for his shit yet again.

"Oh, someday I am so going to get you back."

"Uh-huh."
______________
When I was living in Ohio, and he was in Pennsylvania, he came to visit one weekend with a beautiful potted plant that flowered. 
It was really nice. I had it in my apartment in a beautiful container, and everyone commented on it. 

One evening, I had some friends over, and 2 of the women kept asking me the name of this plant. I told them that I didn't know the Latin proper name, but Rick said they call it a “neighbor” plant. I continue, "You know, like this one here is called Epipremnum aureum, I believe, but generally, you just call it a pothos plant."  

Everyone nods their head, and that is that.
A year later, I am visiting Rick, and we are taking a walk in the early evening. We get to this house on the corner of his block that has been vacant for some time. 

We are discussing possible reasons why it hasn't been inhabited, because it was such a pretty house. As we walk around the one side of the rod iron fence, I notice all of these “neighbor” plants around the fence, and I point and say, “Wow, look at all these neighbor plants. They look so lovely here.” 

Immediately, Rick begins to laugh his ass off. Then it dawns on me….he stole a plant from this yard, and he made up this name. I asked him if that was indeed what he had done to me yet again, and he admitted to this crime.

"Why do you keep doing this to me? I told people this was called a neighbor plant. I look like an idiot now."

"Well, you’ll believe anything, and it's so much fun. How could I have told you after you told me that story?"

"You make me look like a damn fool, Richard."

"Nah, you’re a cute, gullible woman."

"Yes, that is exactly what the paper will say.  "Cute gullible woman kills man for always messing with her, jury lets her off because he was a charming, sadistic shit."

_______________
One evening a few years ago, we were watching Jeopardy he yelled out the question. "What is a Two-Toed Sloth?"  I begin to laugh. 
He paused the television to ask why I think that is so funny.  
Do I not believe him?  I call him Critter Boy, so why wouldn't Critter Boy know the name of this animal?
"Seriously, a Two-Toed Sloth? That doesn't even sound like a real thing. You can make things up better than that. C’mon, a two-toed sloth sounds like a neighbor plant to me."

He laughs and says, "Honestly, this is a real animal, Margaret. "

"Yeah, sure it is."

He unpauses the television, and the question was “What is a two-toed sloth?”

DAMN HIM!

And yet again, I look like the fool. 
_____________

I asked once while at the lake about this land mass jetting out by this marina.
He gave it a name. I never believed him. I would just laugh when he mentioned it. He, too, would laugh, so I was convinced he was lying. 

Five years later, I learned from an article in the Laker Magazine that it was indeed called what he said it was. 

I just choose to not believe him now. But you know that too will probably bite me in the ass, you'll see. 

It's Spring!

Rick came home last night with daffodils.
He went for a walk with Izzy and came home with a bunch of daffodils.
Of course, my mind went to a bad place.
I said, "please tell me you didn't pick these from someone's yard!"

He laughed and said no, they were on the walking path through the woods down by the pond. These were no one's flowers so I took out my pocket knife and thought I'd surprise you.  Whew! He has given me "neighbor" plants unbeknownst to me before and I worry. (I posted about that didn't I?)
  
Thursday is opening day in baseball.
I bought some shelled peanuts. 
We are ready for the game.
Rick has beer or cocktails.
I drink wine or maybe a cocktail.
It is supposed to be 70 degrees Thursday, perfect for baseball.
Sadly for my team, they are playing in Toronto, so it will still be cold.
But they have a dome so I imagine it will be played with the dome closed.
I get the need for a dome but boy I like to be in the open for a game. But again, I'm not playing, I'm watching and eating....tee hee

Rick and I went to Toronto to see a world series game once.
It was game 6 in Toronto against the Phillies. It was 1993.
We left later that year and moved to Seattle.

But we were in Erie PA at the time and it was only 3 hrs to drive to Toronto and since we got free tickets we just had to go.
Of course, we were rooting for The Toronto Blue Jays. 
But we arrived in Toronto with PA plates on our car. 
So as all these folks were handing out flyers that said their city (Toronto) we took them all and plastered them all over the inside of all the car windows after we parked our car in the lot.

Yes, it looked silly but we felt it was important to have our tires still filled with air so we could drive home after the game. Didn't want them thinking we were cheering on the opposing team.
We forgot we were in Canada and everyone would be nice to us no matter what.
Not like Philly. Bad sports fan in Philly. (sorry Philly but ya'll know it's true)
Toronto won and it was everything you could want it to be.
A home run by I believe, Gary Carter, he won the game by a walk-off home run. 
It was an awesome game to see.

So tomorrow night I will NOT be cheering on Toronto. Toronto is my favorite city in North America. I have always wanted to live there. So I just visit every chance I could get. From age 17 to today. Some of my favorite memories are from that city. I just love it. But not when they play my team so I can't root for them Thursday night.

But I'll have my peanuts and beverage. Wearing my team t-shirt and praying we have a chance to win some games this year. An exhausting 7 months and I'm just watching. 😵

Ah, it's spring and I'm happy!! 

Dreaming

I saw Sean Penn on TV twice this week selling his new book.
He looks quite crackly for only being 57 years old.
He has the ole smokers face. You know the face of a smoker, who have lines before their time and there is an ashiness to their skin as well as it looking all crackled. Different from aging face. Think Keith Richards.

I got up this morning and looked in the mirror. 
Overnight I turned into Sean Penn.  What the hell?
My goodness, what did I do overnight?
I have some wrinkles around my eyes but for the most part, I don't have a face full of wrinkles. Saggy jowls, turkey neck, but not a lot of wrinkles.

But this morning I sure did, I seriously looked like Sean Penn, no shit.
That was frightening. I was fascinated by how I looked like this. I went to bed normal but this morning I have a new face!

Thankfully after my shower and coffee, I looked more like myself.
Whew! 

When I woke up this morning Rick and Izzy had left the bedroom.
I went downstairs with my scary Sean Penn face and asked Rick how long has he been up? He gave me a strange look. He said around 3ish like you don't know.
What are you talking about I asked?

Apparently, I woke him up because I was laughing so loudly and that it woke Izzy who went over to Rick. I guess I continued to laugh loudly and then talk in my sleep and laugh some more. I have no idea I did any of this and don't recall dreaming. 

Rick and Izzy couldn't sleep with my one person party so they went downstairs.
Izzy crawled onto the sofa with Rick and they both went back to sleep.
Or as Rick said, "They left us to my party of one."

I am assuming this was one hard party since I woke up looking like Sean Penn. Gee,  I wish I remembered it, sounds like I had fun.

We Jumped on Izzy's Wagon

Alright, Rick went and did it.

He saw Izzy's great success with her hemp chews that he had to get some human hemp capsules.

We watched a documentary that Dr. Sunjay Gupta did on CNN that was several weeks long. It was all about hemp oil, capsules, and tinctures. This one group of brothers developed something they called Charlotte's Web to aid Charlotte who had constant seizures.

Her family moved to Colorado with all their belongings and no job. They meet with these men and they gave her the oil. She took it and her seizures were reduced to finally they stopped altogether. Then the documentary follows others who have different ailments and how this all helped them.

So we googled this group and found they sold these for we mere mortals with aches, pains and sleep issues. Rick ordered a bottle and it was amazing.
He takes one in the morning and one at night. Sometimes he forgets his nighttime capsule and he still feels fine. He is no longer constantly bitching about his shoulder, he sleeps through the night without waking every hour or two.
He has been raving for me to start taking these.

For me, it's my hip and knees. After that fall down my steps, things have gotten worse.  So I ordered some for me. They won't get here until next week. I could just take his, but I decided to just wait for my own.

I imagine we will all be feeling wonderful in a few weeks.
Give me a week and see if I am dancing with Izzy and Rick. If these work for me I will be so thrilled. Too bad they can't fix my hearing right? ....tee hee

Oh, not again.

Another fun evening at our house.

Rick was sitting at the kitchen island, I was leaning against the sink looking at him. We were just chatting away about our day.
I don't even know how this all got started but I recall talking to him about a woman I recently met who shaves her head.

Here is what transpired -

Rick: I wonder why? Is she sick?

Me: No.

Rick: So it's a choice?

Me: Who the hell is Joyce?

Rick: Joyce who?

Me: You said Joyce and I wondered who that was.

Rick: I didn't say anything about a Joyce.  He is now laughing.

Me: Sure you did. You said, Is it Joyce? Asking me if her name was Joyce. I don't know a Joyce.

Rick: Me neither and I didn't say that.I said, "IS IT A CHOICE?"

Me: oh my.

Now we are both laughing so hard because we know damn well it's the old hearing again. 
He got up from the stool at the island and walked over to me. 
He hugged me and said, "oh I love you, you old deaf broad."

Yeah, that was my night. Huh? What'd you say?

Pancakes & Bacon

Everyone was home and the federal gov't was closed here in the DC Metro area on Wednesday due to the storm. Since most people work in gov't here everyone was home Wednesday, kids and their parents.
Every business was closed except us I swear. 

We still worked. Rick got to his 2nd job and the whole family was home. Mom, Dad, 4 kids. 
He said they all were in the PJ's and it was loud like on a Saturday morning. (it was at 11am)
While Rick was working in their bathroom he got wind of the breakfast this man was making for his family.

He heard the Dad yell, Pancakes? 
The kids yelled back. YES! 
Want the whole shebang? YES!  
Rick said he wondered what the whole shebang was but soon he smelled the whole shebang.

Rick text me and said, "This man is killing me. They are having eggs, sausage, bacon, and pancakes. I can smell it all and he just came in and offered me some water. I wanted to tell him, "No, but that breakfast would be great"

Rick said as soon as he was done he went to his truck and grabbed his sandwich and devoured it. But now what he really wants is pancakes and bacon. 

Guess what he is having for breakfast on Saturday?

Is it Summer Yet?

Well, the stew was great if I do say so myself.😏

The Big Guy had a bowl and looked at me and said, "Do you know what this tastes like?"  
I said, "Stew?"  
He said, "Nope. It tastes like another bowl."
He had two bowls and while I was putting it away he kept coming by with a spoon to take another bite. What a goofball.

I made a big pot of stew. You know like 8 people live here and not just we two old farts. So I put some in the freezer and kept some in the fridge because I know this weekend Rick and I will have leftovers.

That was the good that came out of the bad snow storm.
I am trying to be positive.

Another positive note - it will be in the 60's next week. :-)

We are planning a weekend away to Virginia Beach to see some friends.
It's just a weekend and it is not warm enough to go to the beach.
But a weekend away from our life is always a nice treat.
We haven't set the date in stone yet, but it will be in April.

Then we have a long weekend over Memorial day where we are going to the lake. Rick is in need of fishing he proclaimed. I don't understand that need but I do like being on the water and the sun. Dear Lord, I hope it is warm by then. Normally in the 70's, so here's to getting back to normal.

I do miss our lake house in spring and summer but then I think of all the work that has to be done in spring there and think maybe it is easier to just rent something when we go there. Depends on when you ask me honestly. It was sad because we had to sell it after 10 years, but now we both feel the majority of the time it is far easier to not have all that upkeep and work to do when we got there. Now when we go we just play and relax. 

We rented a condo this time for Memorial weekend. 
Normally we rent a house. 
But we thought we would try a condo this time. It has a dock slip for our boat so it should be fine. We are outside all day and in the evenings Rick likes to striper fish so it will just be me and the dog a couple of nights. What space do we need really? It was far less expensive. It just is difficult to find someone who will allow Izzy The Wonder Dog to stay too. I had to pay $100 fee for the dog. I  did not think that was a bad price. I will get it back should Izzy not damage anything. She never has damaged anything in her life so I should get it back.

I just know that the 3 of us are really ready for sun, water, boating and fun.

Sounds good after all these nor'easters doesn't it?

So Much for Good Intentions

I was to leave around noon today to head north for my Aunt's funeral.
But a nor'easter had other plans.
I am sick to death of this.

We have not had snow at all this year. We have to get it just when I can leave.
I should have left yesterday. I just couldn't. Between doctor appointments for my eye and the dog and work it just wasn't feasible. I figured no problem. Leave at noon get there at 7p, funeral in the morning. That all worked fine....on paper.

My husband wasn't thrilled with me going alone due to the ole eye and possible weather but he said whatever I wanted to do, be careful, drive slow, call me when you get the regular stops. You see we do this route and always stop in Breezewood Pa and get coffee, gas, and pee. The 2 hr mark.  Then hit the turnpike and drive for 2 more hours. Then get off the turnpike in Pittsburgh for gas and a potty break if necessary. Then 2 more hours up the interstate. Call when you get there. I said, of course, I would.

I packed last night. All my winter things that I have not used this year.
He fixed my headlight. At least I got him to do that. He put a shovel in my car along with a blanket. I guess he thought I would need these if stranded. He makes me chuckle.

I could tell he was worried but God love him, he never says, you can't go.
He expressed his concern and I heard him. But I really thought it would pass us.
But no, not this time.

This morning we are being pounded with snow. We are west of the district and so far we only have 6 inches. Expecting more as the day goes on. 
But I have to drive north through the mountains of MD and West Virginia.
That is the part he and I both are concerned about. They are getting far more snow and bad weather than us.
Rick reminded me of the trip up to my hometown when it was dry here and we got up in the mountains of WVA/MD  and we had a tow rope in our Jeep and had to help pull cars out of ditches. I remember that trip very well. I felt so badly for the people trapped in the car with a baby less than a year old. 
They were freezing. I got the woman to get in our car and turned the heat up high. They were waiting for AAA but it had been 2 hrs. They were afraid they would run out of gas keeping the car running for heat.  I was scared for them. She sat up front and got warm while Rick pulled them out and I stood outside. We gave them a blanket and told them to keep it. Just get to where you are going safely. They were heading to her parents home. They kept thanking us. They were very young and obviously 1st time parents and not prepared. She hugged Rick like she was never letting go. They tried to give us money and we wouldn't take it. Just told them to be safe and stay warm. I know he had visions of this happening to me. I felt he was foolish but understood.

So we tuned into the weather channel to see that area.  He looked at me and said, "Please don't go."  In 31 years he hasn't said that before. He continued with the I know it means a lot to you, but is it worth risking your life for a funeral? Okay, I said it, now I know you'll do what you want. But Margaret, please be smart about this"

Yes, schools are closed, yes they are telling us that north of me where I am to drive is far worse. Visibility is bad. So I text my cousin this morning. His flight yesterday was canceled due to the weather. So he was re-routed this morning from Tampa to Detroit to Erie. He said, "boy it would sure be something if I can't get to my own mom's funeral,"  He told me to stay put, he loves me too much. 
He understands. God how I love Bobby. (I know, yes I still call him that and he is a grown ass man in his 60s) He told me to visit in Tampa this year and we'll be all fine. :-) I hope I can.

So I am not venturing out except to use my shovel and snowblower.
Why do I feel so damn guilty?
Why does this bug me so?

I called my hotel and canceled. They were nice enough not to charge me the fee for prepaying due to the storm. They understood and were nice.

Everyone has been nice but I can't shake the guilt.

So this morning what did I do before work? Made a big ole pot of stew.
When Rick gets home he will have some beef stew and rolls and be warm and happy.
Izzy and I will go out at lunch and shovel the driveway and paths.
She loves the snow. 
God, I wish I did.

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!

Sleazy sales person just called.
It went like this : 

SSP: Hey, let me talk to Rich. 
Me: There is no Rich here (knowing full well he was asking for Rick) 
SSP: laughs, oh is it Rick maybe? laughs some more
Me: Yes, but Rick is not in the office, may I help you?
SSP:  No, I need to speak to the owner.
Me: You are speaking to one of the owners.
SSP: LAUGHS TOO LOUDLY. 
Me: Hmm, you are obviously selling something sir, do you think that just won you points?
SSP:  Oh you were serious?
Me: Yes I was. Does the owner have to have a penis for you to understand?
SSP: ah, well, I just thought...
I cut him off.
Me: You didn't think that is the problem. My tip of the day for you sir is to always be nice to the gatekeeper because you don't know who they are. 
Did you get any training? That is sales 101.  I am assuming you want to sell me something but since you never introduced yourself I am not interested.
SSP: Gee you don't have to be like that.
I hung up. I wish I didn't have to do that but you guys are making me an angry person!

I know he is telling his buddies, Hey you should have heard this bitch I just spoke to. He sounded like  Joe Pesci in the movie My Cousin Vinny. 
What a dufus. Actually, he's an asshole, let's not sugar coat it.

I am so tired this bullshit. It happened yesterday too. I contacted a company about a piece of software we are interested in using/buying for estimates. My name is in the email. My name on the bottom of the email saying, owner under my name and company name. I requested the call. Yet they ask for a penis. 
I did the research and found 2 companies. This company responded by having a dufus call and ask to speak to the owner. I said I was the owner he then implied I couldn't possibly understand this construction software. Why is that I ask? He said well you wouldn't use it so it just won't make sense to you. Why do you think that I ask again?  He stammered. I then told him perhaps he won't be able to understand what I am about to say, "we are no longer interested in working with your company if you can't give everyone in this company respect. I know that XYZ company has the similar software. Please don't call us back" He stammered and stuttered as I hung up. I am sick to death of the way I am treated by stupid men/boys. Boy they got me fired up!

21st century and we still have to deal with this bullshit. 

Off to the Tundra

Having worked the majority of my adult life in the travel industry there are some things I always do when trying to travel. Ask for upgrades, all the time. 
Hey, I never flew coach until I lost my job and it sucks. But you can do that with hotels too.

When you get to check-in, just ask if they can upgrade you. If you want an ocean view or you want a King room etc. 
If they aren't sold out a lot of times they will do it, especially if you are a rewards points member. But I've done it at a Westin before and I am not a member and I got upgraded with no additional cost. Just be nice and ask. All they can do is say no. Usually if they say no, they may offer you something else in it's place. Once they told me no, but they gave me free breakfasts for my stays. So it always pays to ask and to say thank you!

If I am booking a hotel and it is not an all-inclusive deal I call the hotel directly if I want to ask for a favor or a discount when booking. It has never failed me.
I learned this one 30+ years ago. Do not try the stuff online. Never ever is this the cheapest you can get it, no matter what that little skinny grayed hair guy on TV for Trivago tells you. You can get much cheaper rates 2 ways. 
A travel agent who has discounted/negotiated rates with hotels because they book so much with them. Or call the hotel directly, not the 800 number. You would be surprised what they can do for you at the hotel directly.

When I want to go west or to Chicago I call a couple of travel agents that I used to know. One has negotiated rates in Chicago because they do all the travel for a company who goes there all the time. I would get such great rates in high-end hotels it would blow your mind. The travel agency that was my client in Manhattan could get me great rates in the west and Europe. Their negotiated rates were so far less than what you'd find online or calling because they did such high volume. Travel agents have so much for people, yet everyone thinks online is the best and cheapest and I would bet 99% of the time it never is.

I just called the hotel today because I am having to drive to the Tundra for a funeral. Not money I wish to spend but I really should go up there for this one.
Online the best I could do was a senior discount. When I called the hotel the woman at the desk was so accommodating. I told her I was coming up there for a funeral and were there any winter specials. She laughed and said, "Oh you heard it is still winter up here while the rest of the world is celebrating spring." 
Then she told me that she could help me out. I told her I did not care if I had a lake view, I've seen the lake my whole life. I just need a nice room where my family is staying and because this is not pleasure I would prefer not to break the bank.

Next thing I know I got $65 off the room for each night. That is $130 people, that is helpful. That can contribute to my gas for the trip. 
I am paying less than $100 a night (until taxes of course)
She said she combined it with the senior discount now that I just had a birthday, and the rest was her discount. 

So remember that tip - always call the front desk. Just don't call at check out time or check-in time. Somewhere in the middle so they are not swamped.
They know the inventory better than an 800 number where their info isn't updating instantly. They also have the authority to do something for you where the 800 number normally does not. And be nice, being nice is so rare that they will be so helpful when one is nice. 

So that is my tip of the week.
If only I could fly up there and avoid my one eye driving in winter, which I am not used to driving in. (but at least I can see my Dad)
Flying up there takes me through either JFK, O'Hare or Pittsburgh. 
No good choices. I'd be flying longer than the drive.
And the cost is equivalent to going to Europe.
I'd much rather go to Europe.
I am not staying over a Saturday night. I am going up and returning immediately. My cousin paid $1,200 from Tampa. And that isn't first class. He was not happy.
But it's a funeral, none of us are happy.

Ten years ago, I told my father on his 80th birthday right after his brothers funeral that I couldn't take another funeral up here in winter. Why does everyone pass in winter? Because they are sick of it and figure, I'd rather die!
We stood at the grave site with the wind blowing the snow so hard it hit and stung your face, it was horrible.
I am a southern wuss now, I can't take it nor do I have clothes for it.

I suggested to Dad that when he passes to be sure it is Summer. He got a kick out of that and laughed and told me he'd do what he could for me.  

Be Careful What You Wish For

As I mentioned Izzy's vet said her cannabinoid chews for mobility would take about 2 weeks to see a difference. We notice changes pretty quickly but nothing dramatic. Until...
Day 8, Sunday, we thought she awoke as a puppy.

Holy Shit was she her ole self!
Her eyes were bright and she was bouncing around like she used to.
She jumped on our bed at 6:15am. She hasn't done that in over a year!
She barely napped all day. 30 minutes was her top nap.
She was just active but we humans sure didn't want to be so active Sunday.
Typical right?

Sunday, she went up and down the stairs a couple of times. 
(No begging her to.)
She went swimming, chasing after her bumper in the water.
She played Chuck-It. She played with her BFF Libby.
Libby's owner said, "wow Izzy hasn't been this active in a long time"
Oh, we know, and she is making up for lost time.
She behaved like she just awoke from a coma. 

I am so happy about all of this. When they tried giving her Rimadyl last year we had to constantly manage her liver and kidneys because it had such bad side effects. This has none. I am thrilled this is working so well.
Because honestly that medication just didn't help a whole lot, some, but not enough.

The treats smell awful and I imagine taste awful to humans.
My crazy husband took a teeny bite and spit it out. Dufus.
He said, "ooh these are gross"  Gee, big surprise they are for dogs!
Thankfully Izzy loves them. She thinks they are treats and that is all that matters.
As all Labradors are prone to, food is their big love other than their humans.

The vet is scheduled to call us this week. 
I can't wait to report the change in her.
Hopefully, this is all that is needed and her Lyme did not come back.
She sure isn't acting like it right now that is for sure.

I wonder if we took the cannabinoid capsules for humans if we would feel this much better. Gee, not having hip or knee pain, which is constant for me, would be heavenly. I may not jump on the bed but not having pain 24/7 would be lovely. It'd be even better if it made Betty (mass in my eye) go away but it doesn't work like that. But a gal can dream about getting her eyesight back can't she? 

Mansplaining.

A couple of Updates - 

You all remember the nut job who turned on her water without the overflow plate stating we told her to put it on after 24 hrs but not that it was mandatory?
Well....now Rick tells everyone it is mandatory as do I.

This woman yesterday said to Rick, "Are you speaking to me like this because I am female? Would you tell a man this? This is most certainly common sense."
(good point) Rick said she turned from sweet to lion in a snap after he said this.

He said, "No ma'am. I am telling you this because another person told me I should have said it was mandatory because she did not put it on and water went down to her 1st floor and her ceiling drywall came crumbling down."

Rick said after he told her this she laughed so hard he couldn't believe it.
She said, "what an idiot. I apologize to you I thought you were mansplaining to me. Smart women hate mansplaining you know"  
Oh, he knows. 
If that other woman takes us to court I may have to ask this woman to be a witness.

Izzy is doing better mobility wise already. They said it would take 2 weeks before enough was in her system. I hope this only gets better for her.
It could also just be she has Lyme again so we are just waiting on her tests to come back.

We are 20degrees colder than normal and I am about done with this cold.
Last night on my last walk with Izzy I was wearing so many clothes I could barely get my coat closed. I've had enough.

I understand my hometown has 191.5 inches of snow so far this winter.
I spoke to a friend up there and she said she is so sick of the snow but at this point what is another 9.5 inches so they can break the record.

Oh, my! We so don't think alike, I wouldn't give a rats ass about the record. 
I would just want it gone!

Another Flashback from 2015

Another flashback from 2015.

Old readers, I'll be back later in the week.

Newbies, enjoy my stubborn father.

Enjoy a Flashback

I have so many new readers. 
Welcome! and thanks for stopping by.

I have a rather crazy next couple of days ahead of me so I am doing some flashback stories.
Newbies won't mind (hopefully) because they are new and have not seen these.

To those of you around in those days - just come on back later in the week.

We are heading back to 2009, just 9 years ago.
Click away.

Be back soon.

Hemp for Dogs

Izzy has not been well for some time now.

Before her ACL surgery, she was showing signs of lethargy, off and on constipation and just no joy in wanting to do anything. We'd throw her favorite ball, instead of chasing it she would watch it go.

She seemed in pain and sad all the time. This is so not like this active dog. Except for swimming nothing interested her. But even her swimming was different. Not nearly as fast and she quit before we made her. Walking was something she just didn't want to do. which is something she drove us crazy about doing all the time. We blamed all of this on her upcoming surgery and just assumed she would be fine as she was after her last ACL surgery within a week.

She is 100% recovered from her ACL and as the x-rays showed she was perfect. The surgeon said she was textbook perfect now in her healing. 
However, she is still lethargic and all the other things I explained above. 
Once again, we thought if we gave it time, it could just be a slower healing from the surgery this time. But this is not it. She is not herself in any way. She is a different dog. We also began to say it was age. But something told me it just wasn't. I just felt it. I don't know what it is but Izzy is not the same dog and she appears to be in such pain. Steps are no longer her friend. (I know the feeling)

Because she had Lyme disease once there is a very good chance it will rear its head again. A great many of her symptoms are just like when she had Lyme so I wanted to get her tested. I even laughed and said, hey this was what I was like prior to my thyroid diagnosis. Rick and I laughed.

Friday after work we went to see our favorite vet.
I thought the appointment was at 5:30pm. 
Rick insisted it was at 5pm
So we got there at 5pm. It was at 5:30p. 
We sat on the bench just the 3 of us and watched the goings-on.

2 couples were having their dog put down.
Oh my goodness, this was horrible.
I saw a woman come out of a door with tissues and very red eyes.
She walked to the counter and said something to the young woman and the young woman directed her where to go.  
I said to Rick softy so no one could hear me, I think she may be having her dog put down. A little bit later she and her husband came out of the room. A man that had to be 6'6" and with a linebacker build, They both were crying like babies. This got Rick and I all welled up with tears. 
We knew.

I said to Rick that I think being around this kind of energy all day would be exhausting, draining emotionally and I don't think I could do it.
The couple said something to the women at the counter and they left.
We sat there rubbing our dog sitting between us on a bench.

No one else was now in the waiting room and I said to the women at the counter. Did they just lose their dog? She said yes and there is another dog in a room over here and she pointed. The dog is having difficulty breathing and the doctor you are seeing is in with her now. We may be a bit later and she apologized.
Jeez, that is okay. If someone was telling me they think my dog should be put down I don't want to rush out of the room. We can wait. She thanked us for understanding. Who the hell wouldn't in this situation? 

Rick got up and said, "I think me and Iz need to go for a walk."
I knew what he was doing, the big macho man and his dog.
I swear he will be a hot mess when Izzy dies more than if it were me. 
He claims not, but I am not certain of that. 😃

Izzy and Rick returned and I told them the other couple was putting their dog down. We saw this couple, this time younger, crying after coming out of that room. My God this was heart-wrenching to witness. I can only assume the pain I will feel when I have to go through this. It was killing me, actually us.

Finally, we are called back to a room to see our Dr. M. I love Dr. M.
He apologized for being late. (only 15 minutes) Rick said, "We saw what was going on and no need to apologize. I would want you to be kind and patient with us too."  He thanked us.

Then Miss Izzy....

He too feels that her Lyme disease has come back. But that would be a full blood panel. And while at it let's test her thyroid too since we need to eliminate things to find the culprit. We talked about her issue with steps now and could this just be pain from arthritis and or Lyme. 

He told us it probably was arthritis, x-rays showed some, and if she had Lyme again we all know how this makes her joints extremely painful. 

So blood was drawn and between those two tests, it was $596.83. The vet office bill was more than normal by $20 because we were there for an extended time. Then add a urinalysis and her new arthritic "chews" and the bill was $831.26.

Dear Lord!  How do people afford to care for their dogs properly without dog insurance I ask you? I put it on a charge card and should be reimbursed for all by $76.95 as the office visit which they do not pay.

Now to the arthritis medicine.
We were discussing meds to help her joint pain.
He mentioned that there were 3 options.
One was Gabapentin, but she is just a zombie on those and we weren't thrilled.
Two was another drug (Rimadyl?) which she has had before but it causes issues with her kidneys and liver so she would have to be monitored. Not a thrilling option either.
Three was a Broad Spectrum Cannabinoid & Terpene.

Rick and I said at the same time, Pot? Cannabis?

He said yes. How do you feel about this?
I said, 'Well this is wonderful because this would not have THC correct?"
Dr M stated it did not, only hemp oil. He went on to explain the testing down. Rick and I have watched many documentaries on this on humans we understood it completely and honestly were thrilled he was progressive enough to want to go this route.

He went into great detail on how this study was done, how it has been published and accepted across the board. He named the journals etc. 
He has had some kickback from humans on this. 
Everyone assumes pot not the actual hemp without the THC.
We were not those humans. We both knew this worked fabulously in humans so why not my dog. Better than having side effects from all the drugs which could kill her.

Rick made a joke that since we got her down 18lbs we sure didn't want to have her have the munchies. He assured us this did not have the THC which is what gets humans high and the munchies. He went on to explain in great detail how it works and the receptors it hits etc. He gave us papers to read and the link to the website.

This "chew treat" has the following ingredients in each chew.
It has this companies proprietary hemp oil blend along with glucosamine HIC and Chrondoitin Sulfate. The last two are great for her joints and we were giving her these supplements but this will be more concentrated so I won't have to buy those anymore. The "treat" was expensive through the vet $100 for 60 chews. When I got home I went online to the company who's "chews" we just received and found that we could buy them on their company website for only $80 and some cents for the same bag. Whew. (https://ellevetsciences.com) If you subscribe it goes down a bit more. So sorry, Dr. M. we will buy them online if they work.

We begin at 2x a day for a 2-week protocol. Then after that 1x a day.
It takes time to build up in their system and we are to be very conscious of the time span. 8 hours apart.   

On the drive home, Rick said, "Dogs get humane treatments like euthanasia and they get hemp oil to elevate pain. No side effects, no addictions, just no pain. Too bad we don't treat humans with the same compassion."

Boy, do I ever think he is 100% correct. But then the pharmaceutical companies would be out of business and it's all about the money.

Izzy waiting for the doctor to come in. 

She even looks worried.She hates it there so much. 

Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time, oh how I love thee.

Izzy The Wonder Dog slept until 6:15am. Yea. I was outside at 6:30am walking her and it was light out. I so love this. 
Why oh why can't we just friggin' stay on DST?  
Can I tell you how nice it was not walking a dog at 5:30a in the morning and in the dark? I did not even notice that I lost an hour.

I see where Florida is trying to pass a bill to make it permanent for them.
I know this is a complicated thing for our government to wrap their heads around but I think that the majority of the people want this. 
Why not just pass this already?  You on board?

Part 2 - Answer

I just finished booking someone and went over all the things needed to be done prior to our arrival. Then I sent them an email confirming the date and time and the documentation that I have just gone over on the phone but this is in even more detail. This is all standard. 

BUT what changed was this - when it came time for me to tell them what to do after the job is completed I added something new today, At the 24 hr mark, you should remove the gloves and put on the overflow plate before you shower.  
(Normally I say you can remove the gloves at 24 hrs and put on your overflow plate at the same time - but that wasn't enough apparently for one woman over 12 yrs) 

The man on the phone laughed and said, "I think that goes without saying." 
I responded with, "You'd think so wouldn't you?" 
He then said, Why do I feel there is something more to this that I might enjoy hearing."  
I said, "Sir you may be right" and we both laughed.

So yes, a woman called me to tell me she didn't know she HAD to put this back on even though the person on the job site told her to put it on in 24 hrs. 
Her comment to me was "He just said to put it on after 24 hrs"
Her issue was No one told her it was mandatory to put her overflow plate back on. Just that it should go on in 24 hrs.

So the dumb shit took a bath and the water went to the floor below and she wanted us to pay for the drywall ceiling damage and all other damage.

I called the insurance company and they said what I wrote yesterday. 
Pete, our agent who owns the agency stated that we did our job well. 
We told her 3x and in 3 different ways of communication so our job has documents and she signed off. She was negligent and they will not pay the damage that occurred because she was stupid and then he said, well not stupid, let us say because the customer was negligent.  
Okay then. But she was stupid.

I am certain she will make a bigger fuss and try to go to court. I can't imagine anyone telling her she is right but like Toni said they sued and won for hot coffee. 

I am thankful it is Friday.
I only have to deal with stupid people until 5pm.
It is now 10am....just a few more hours.