Sunday, March 31, 2024

3 days until warmth! I can't believe April starts tomorrow.

I took a big step yesterday and initiated getting tirzepatide from the same source as Peps. I guess they don't offer it in California but they do in Florida and Massachusetts. I have my telemeeting on Friday, April 5. Walking again the last few days reinforces my need to get weight off my knees.

Amazing how much better I am at 11 days post-op vs. one week. I feel fairly pain-free and am figuring out how to do things with one hand when necessary. In fact I can even do my hair and put on makeup. I also feel pretty comfortable sitting without the sling at home now (no longer any fear that my arm will fall off), so that allows me to do things like type with my right hand. Last night I finally slept in bed with a wedge pillow instead of in the recliner.

Yesterday we took the pictures down that I am sending to Florida and bought packing materials for other decorative items to send along with several furniture pieces and a rug. I checked out a storage unit place and figured out that the best size unit. So making progress on that front.

After that we went out early for dinner where I had to choose a meal that I could cut with one hand (hadn't really thought about that in advance). We met up with the SILs *****turned from a month in Florida last night for a bit before returning home.

Today DS is cooking prime rib for Easter. It will just be Mike, DS, and I but at least we will have a good meal. I have to admit that I am a little miffed that DD didn't come down at all while I was home (I thought she might come for Easter) but I'll get over it.

Have a surprise Sunday!

Happy Easter! Liz you are doing so well! Nice of your DS to make a proper Easter dinner. Your DD seems quite devoted to you. I wonder what may have got in the way of a visit? Maybe wedding planning, engagement party, etc has her head in a whirl.

Still feels strange to be traveling today. We sent a Happy Easter text to both kids. I worry that my son will have nothing special today to mark the holiday. I have to tell myself he is 28 years old, and if he wanted a celebration we would 100% stayed home. Back in the day, my sil and bil hosted a huge egg hunt the Saturday before Easter. Many memories of looking for eggs in snow, and other beautiful , warm days. Sunday, a visit from the bunny at home, and, always, Church.

I think I'm packed. Need to throw in a couple more things. It will be 80 tomorrow, then in the 50s later in the week. Layers!

80 tomorrow! Enjoy! I hope you both like the hotel.

Snowy Easter morning! I didn't think the snow level was going to get this low, but the storm had other plans. Snowing now. My friends were swimming in Phoenix yesterday, 2 hours away.

No plans for today. I haven't had Easter plans in over a decade as my dad has always headed back to MI before the holiday.

My headache drags on for the 3rd day and the scale is up 2.4 pounds. And the internet is down. Life is cruel sometimes!

Kirby continues to be by far the most annoying dog I've ever had. When am I going to like him? I feel terrible for saying that. Here's an even worse thought. I cried last night at the thought of 10+ years of him. I am not someone who would ever rehome a dog, but none of this is fun and I dislike being around him, but I am 24/7. Ugh. Thank you for letting me vent. Hopefully one day we'll laugh about how different he is.

Well, that's all really depressing for an Easter morning! Sorry! I will endeavor to cheer up and be less of a bummer tomorrow.

Hope you all have a lovely day!

I'm sorry you are having a tough morning.

Not definite but my guess is that once Kirby matures most of what really irritates you will moderate and perhaps become a minor part of a great personality. Puppies are difficult - some more than others. I had beagles who I also would have thoughts about giving away when they were biting everything and everyone and getting into food, etc. Ultimately we loved them completely.

You are so kind hearted CC. Perhaps you consider what Kirby wants and don't do what you need. I am no one to talk, one of my friends asked me once, how can you be so good with kids, and so bad with dogs. Maybe i was treating my dogs like kids, and thats not what they need? My Golden was crazy, just crazy, I had to kennel her every time I left the room, or she would destroy something. My Dad urged me to get rid of her, but she was ours, better or worse, so i have some sense of what you're feeling. Looking back through time, I'm glad we didn't. I grew to love her, and cried a river when she died. For now, if you need to kennel him and go out, do it! Maybe you'll be doing 2 walks, one peaceful walk alone, one to help him burn off energy. Does he play fetch? Can you wear him out with that?

Thank you, DD!! Your and Liz's experiences make me feel less alone! I do need to just leave him more and do things that make me happy. The crying when I leave his sight isn't just pitiful, it's grating in how frequently he does it and especially in pitch (hits my ears in the worst way) to the point where it will NEVER get him what he wants. In fact, it makes me angry. And it's constant. So I'm angry and feeling guilty simultaneously! He's rarely calm unless he's asleep and he's relentless in his coming after me. Sigh. Fergus may have been weird and I often wished he was more affectionate, but honestly his independence and lack of interest in me was heaven in comparison!

He loses interest in fetch and switches to jumping on me to bite my clothes (and the skin under it), so we stop when that happens. I would gladly throw the ball for hours to wear him out, but it always turns back on me. I'm sure it's that he's bored and wants a more vigorous playmate. I wish there was a daycare close by! I'd take him every day. My friend said there is a dog gathering on Thursdays at a soccer field in town that I think I'll take him to. It's fenced apparently.

People who meet him think he's amazing and say, "Don't you just love him?!" I fake a smile and inside think no, he's a total !!

DD hit the nail on the head - you have to ignore him when he needs too much and use the crate. Get some me time and let him learn to amuse himself. Not unlike how to deal with a clingy toddler (not the crate, but leaving them at school even though they cry like they aren't going to survive).

Maybe you will meet some people at that gathering with other needy dogs and can make a dog "play-group".

Sometimes Sadie just gets over stimulated and becomes very vocal. The Vet said it was like humming to self-soothe. My guest bathroom is our safe spot for severe weather and her time out spot. Sometimes, she goes in there herself to decompress. If she just can't settle, is vocalizing and getting on my last nerve I put her in there. 24/7 with another living being can be a lot. It is okay for both of you to need a break.

Thank you, Diane! Great advice!