Quick Blurb

I have a public service announcement everyone. In just five days I have filled out two applications for jobs. Two applications!! I know, this is a small number (some people looking for work have turned in three times that by now!) but for me it's a big deal. I hate job hunting, but, in just the first week of being semi-unemployed two solid leads and ins for positions came my way.

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And that makes me feel damn lucky. Even if nothing happens, I am just grateful for the opportunity to get something out there.

ps-Real post w/pics about this weekend coming soon. Right now, I have to get the pets in for their shots. Woot!

What a Feeling

The heavens must've heard my boredom plight. The past two days I have been helping a friend of mine, Rhonda an elementary school teacher, get her materials and classroom ready for the beginning of school. It still amazes me how much there is to do, despite watching my mother [special education teacher] do this for years. I have been laminating, cutting, stapling, glueing, organizing, etc all in the name of getting Rhonda ready for her fourth grade class.

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This may sound like a lot of tedious work, and it is most of the time, but, I have been having a blast. I haven't felt this productive in weeks... heck, probably months! Despite getting up earlier than normal and working until 4pm or 5pm I have come home with more motivation to get things done around the house. Productivity? In more than one place?? Say it ain't so!!

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Today when I recieved a call from the a co-worker about an upcoming staff meeting for the studio I a funny feeling welled up inside. The general crankiness and hurt stuff is there, yes, though it is better, but, there was something else. After mulling it over for a few hours, and continuing to get stuff done, it hit me. I haven't been productive! When I began my old job I was so excited and ready to get things done, help the studio become more productive and help my boss in anyway that I can. After some months, personal drama for my boss (not her fault mind you, but, I respect her privacy so I'm not going to go into details), and other multiple issues I was just getting through each day in my job. Doing what needed to be done to keep things running, but, not really being productive.

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Yes, okay, I was doing something it wasn't as if nothing got done. Heck, there were times I was practically keeping the studio together with scotch tape and a prayer. However, it was all in the name of survival. What I really wanted was to get involved in some areas at the studio, to help the partners with more that just the everyday studio needs, change how things were done, help with projects that created more business, etc. It fact, that was the original idea behind my position; to do many if not all of those things! However, I couldn't do as much as I wanted as none of the partners were actively at the studio and communication was weak at best. This led to months of frustration and I became very unmotivated and 'unproductive'.

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Sure, frustration and miscommunication happens with any job. To be honest, I thought the 'survival' mode would ride out as the partners were coming together and promising a larger presence at the studio. When they started coming together, however, is when I lost my job. I have realized that, i,n a sense I was denied the opportunity to make the impact I wanted to in the studio (though I did something by keeping things running for sure). If I can feel more productive by cutting out fishes with motivational words on them, but, not running the studio I think that screams the job really wasn't working out- for ME.

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There must be a position out there for me, one that despite typical frustrations that come with job, will utilize my talents. A job that will help others and be productive. Something that will give me motivation to make a difference for people. That is what I want in a job. All it took was going back to elementary school to figure this out. ;-)

Finding a New Routine

This post is going to feature Leo's new routine picture wise, but, I'm really going to discuss little ol' moi and my new routine. Today marks the third day of my new kinda unemployed status. I am still teaching as you know, however, it is so WEIRD not having a pile of emails, calls, and projects to worry about. To be honest I didn't even think I worked all that much as I did quite a bit from home, but, I'm beginning to realize I did put in more time than I originally thought.

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So, I've been spending plenty of time with Leo and Louie. We can't go outside for walks as it is WAY too stinkin' hot around here. And technically Leo is not supposed to be doing much of anything so my new routine has consisted of keeping him (or attempting to as reflected in yesterday's post) calm and as still as possible.

My boys. Those faces make any gloomy day better.

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Easier said than done of course, but, oh the satisfaction that comes when I and the Benedryl succeed in taking down the puppy energy. Leo's pin removal comes at such an interesting time too. Now that his pins are out I don't have to spend so much time keeping his leg cleaned. Seriously, cleaning those blasted pins could take up to 10 minutes though by the end I was getting it done in about 5-7 minutes. Now mind you I don't mind not having to take care of all of that at all. It's quite a relief actually. However, that leaves me with more time.

The pin wounds have already closed up! I've been looking at those babies, cleaning them, and praying for them to close up and there they are closed up just a mere 24 hours post-surgery.
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More time to do what exactly? Well, read blogs, post blog entries, do laundry, clean up, and....?? If I had a/c in my car I would go ahead and run errands, but, since there isn't a/c and the temps have been in the 100's I'm not getting in that hot box on four wheels unless I absolutely have to.

Leo still needs to take anti-biotics- that has stayed the same.

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What's a girl to do? I've already put on hold library books to read, have been putting in inquires about jobs. Yet despite all I've been doing and will do, I still feel as if I have a bunch of time one my hands. I may have to start scheduling projects if this keeps up. I think I am going a bit stir crazy, which is just silly but, there nonetheless. Then there's the fun conflicts that have begun to surface. This morningI cried on the phone with Jon frustrated that the Irish dance class schedule [starts in September] will likely conflict with my [current] work schedule. How the h*** did that manage to happen? I have TONS of time during the day, as I'm not working full time any more, but, when I do work it conflicts with my life/activities?? Really?

Leo's the best pill poppin' dog in Eastern Oklahoma.

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It's a challenge isn't it? Finding ways to keep preoccupied when I have all this free time. I may have to get more organized than ever before just to feel productive. I know it's too early to really have a 'new routine', but, I'm ready to have one soon. In the meantime at least I can enjoy time with my pets and getting to sleep in a bit. That's someting right?

The Morning After

Don't you just love it when the high of a great moment comes crashing down?? Leo's sedatives wore off and oh-my-GAWD has it been a bumpy ride this morning. Here's the breakdown:

8am- Wake-up to barking. Yell 'Quiet', 'Wrong', and 'NO' repeatedly and try to go back to sleep.

8:30am- Barking hasn't stopped. Yell at Jon to take the dog out and drug him with Benedryl. Attempt to fall asleep. (Keep in mind I was up half the night with cramps and thus really wanting more sleep- sorry male readers for the tmi)

8:45am- Jon takes care of dog and goes to work.

8:46am- Barking starts up again. Put pillow over head and pray for sleep.

9:45am- Barking continues, as it has for the better part of nearly two hours. Decide sleep isn't going to happen, get up, take dog outside, kennel him, and get coffee and breakfast.

10am- Coffee made, dog begins to whine. Take dog outside. Feed dog, give him antibiotics, put back in the kennel, get on laptop.

10:15am- Whining and barking continues and replies to comments on blog continue to be interrupeted; about every five minutes. Begin to loose sanity.

10:30am- Dog won't stay settled and whines. Create elaborate leash system in hopes that he'll lay down next to the couch (on the leash as per doctor's orders) and settle down.

10:45am- Leo won't settle. Put him on the couch (yes I have to lift his 70 plus pound body myself) in hopes he will. Decide to give another dose of Benedryl hoping the combo will take him down.

11:05am- Dog still won't settle and makes multiple attempt to launch himself off of the couch (BIG no-no). Call Jon begging for more Benedryl (we're out) and in the middle of the conversation throw the phone down as the dog makes another attempt to kamikaze like jump off of the couch. Remove dog from couch and carry him over to the the floor pad praying, pleading for him to settle.

11:20am- Since Leo continues to whine take him outside for the fourth, or fifth?, time. Walk around outside for 20 minutes, in the 95 degree, 100 degree heat index, weather hoping he'll wear out.

11:40am- Come inside from the heat, sweaty, and cramping, and loosing it with the dog who won't listen.

11:45am- Dog continues to whine. Take him outside again. He lays in the grass- proceed to mini-'Dear God why are you doing this to me????' breakdown.

12pm- After lots of water put the dog in the kennel and start coping by vacuuming.

12:10pm- Still vacuuming as it's good therapy. Yes, I do realize how OCD and neurotic that sounds.

12:15pm- Realize the dog has been quiet for a solid 15 minutes!! A first in the past four hours.

12:30pm- Sit on the couch, dare to open the laptop again, and realize the dog is fast asleep (one would think after having two doses of Benedryl within the three hours this would've done the trick earlier, but, hey at least we have something now). Thank God and beg forgiveness for loosing it.

12:40ishpm- Blog about the morning.

Happy Tuesday everyone!!

It's Actually Happening...

Before... On our way to the vet this morning.

Blissfully unaware he was about to be neutered.

Home sweet home!! Sans an item or three... ;-)
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After... Notice anything different??? Yes that's just a bandage on his leg he's finally hardware free!!! I am still processing it all, but as you can imagine, I'm SO thankful and relieved!! The neutering and the pin removal went off without any problems. Dr. Mary, vet extrodinaire, said she actually had to really concentrate to find the break on the x-rays his bone looked so good. The next two weeks we'll have to work [hard] to keep Leo more low-key as now the wounds and bone have to heal from having the pins in. As long as he doesn't do anything too stupid (yes, we have a bit of a challenge ahead!) he can go back to being a normal, bouncy, playful, and [most importantly] healthy puppy.
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Two weeks. I can actually say there is an end to all of this, I am actually beginning to believe that we are almost done. I haven't been able to think about the end for so long because I had to focus on keeping Leo from injuring himself and mainting his hardware to prevent infection. All of that is paying off now and I am starting to breathe again. Yes, Leo is a dog and I know some people would think it strange I spent so much energy on his recovery. To be honest, if it had been even my roomie's dog with the pins in I would've done the same thing. However, factor in that Leo is going to help someone someday in a way that I cannot comprehend and my sense of responsibility was heightened. I believe that I owe it to Leo's future partner to do everything in my power to ensure Leo will recover and come back 100 percent from this injury. Because if it were me needing a service dog I would hope that my service dog was given the best care in the world. I couldn't in good conscience allow Leo's leg to not recieve the best care that I could dish out. And so I gave Leo's recovery every ounce of enegery I could spare, sometimes to my detriment, but, the importance of what his recovery means for his future partner always won out.
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I have no regrets at all. Though I think I should've taken a chill pill or two during this process. Would've smoothed a bump or two [or ten] over for me. ;-) Here's to two more weeks!

Waiting

Louielou keeping Leo's kennel warm for him. Isn't that ear sticking up hilarious?
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Nothing major to report, but, as I'm full of nerves and anticipation I just had to take a picture and post. Call it a compulsion, coping mechanism, whatever I just had to post something. Leo's at the vet and is going to be neutered and maybe be 'de-pinned'. I don't know when the vet will call me to tell me how everything went and if we have to wait another week or not. So here I am, an hour away from work, tons of things around the house to clean-up and all of those things I can't really think about as I'm anxious and waiting to hear some news.
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Where's Prince Valium* when I need him? ;-)
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*please note that's a joke!

Last Day???

Leo is such a good poser now. He held this position for at least a minute! Oh and ignore the dirty floor and hair everywhere, it has been a busy weekend for me.

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Brace yourselves here guys....okay you ready? Have you sufficiently braced? Today just maybe the last full day Leo has his external fixator on!! Tomorrow we'll drop Leo off at Dr. Mary's vet clinic where she will later take Leo to get x-rays at the other vet clinic where he had his surgery. Can you believe how accomodating she is and how awesome she will be there with him? Couldn't ask for a better vet!

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As he will be sedated for the x-rays they will go ahead and neuter Leo. Typically they wait until service dogs in training are about a year old so that way the dog has a chance to fully grow (and bigger service dogs are good for the physically disabled) as hormones help with that. However, since Leo is taller and longer than many of the full grown service dogs in training Therapetics isn't exactly worried about him needing more time to get bigger. If the x-rays show the bone is healed up they will remove the pins out of his leg; yes Leo will get a two surgeries in one deal! Worse case scenario? We wait one more week for pin removal.

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Either way folks it's one more day or one more week of pin cleaning, hardware wrapping, and, making sure Leo doesn't do anything stupid (ie being a puppy). I can hardly comprehend it! Though it has been just eight weeks since the accident there are moments when I feel as if this recovery process has lasted for eight months! I actually cried when the vet told me that there was a good possibility Leo would be pin free by tomorrow. Honestly, I'm trying not to get too worked up about this, however, I do think Leo is ready. He has been running as if there's nothing wrong, is acting more and more like his pre-accident self, and despite a close call with an infection last week he walks with virtually no limp! We will see, there's no telling until the x-rays have been processed.

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But either way we are in the final stretch and I couldn't be more elated! Thank you all again and again for all the support, good vibes, prayers, etc. You guys have really helped me and thus Leo throughout this whole process. Couldn't have done this without ya!