Tam’s Think Tank

We took a little ride today.  Errands and such.  Had to go get dog food, bully sticks, and deposit a rent check. Very glamorous, but nice.  It was nice to ride over with my honey, chat, get a tea, chat some more.  Lovely really.

Now we’re back home, my honey is working, I’m watching Point Break, and Weston is asleep next to me on the sofa.  I think he’s drunk on bully stick.  He chewed on one for a bit and then it was nap time.

Now that is a long title for a post.  Just had to use it… The Pogues Tuesday Morning is playing right now.  It’s not that fortuitous, I actually looked up songs with Tuesday in the title and liked this one.  That’s what a person does when they have some time on their hands, which I happen to.  I’m amazed at myself for all the things I’m looking up now.  Knowledge is power they say, if, and that a big IF, I can remember anything I’ve already looked up.  Chances are not high it will all stay up there in the old noggin.  Or, more precisely, that I will be able to access what is up there.  A lovely side effect of all of this is an even worse memory than I had.  LOL  Ah well… I remember the important things… like the people I love.  So it’s OK.  Besides, my memory will improve again after.

Today has been a mellow day.  My honey has gotten a lot of business done, both professionally and personally for us.  She and Kev are, right now, at one of our rentals looking at the dryer.  Seems it quit working and since we put it in there we are responsible for it.  If Kev can fix it, great… if not, we buy a new (actually a used) one.  Not too terrible.  I’m here, hanging with the dogs.  They are actually sitting in the living room on the chair looking out the window longingly waiting for Karen and Kev’s return.

Sunday, day 9.  It’s been a similar day to yesterday… decent morning, slightly rocky afternoon… but not bad.  My honey went to the store today, cleaned the house, and has been outside washing cars and cleaning and weeding and playing in the shop.  She is a busy girl, and amazing.  The little girlie is out with her, the boy is laying next to me on the couch chewing on an old bully stick Karen found in the car under the seat.  He is a happy little man.

It’s beautiful out there again today…. a little hot (I was just outside for a couple of minutes) and a tad humid, though that could just be me and my bald head in the sun.  I wasn’t out for that long.  Now I’m here again, on the sectional in the family room, watching the third in the Librarian series on TNT.  These movies are so corny and not that good, but that sort of makes them good.  I can’t seem to stop watching them.

Tomorrow Karen is busy busy in the morning… she is still getting emails today about that work situation yesterday… and then, in the afternoon, we are going in for my first blood draw of this series.  We will see what my numbers are.  I think they are down, but I don’t feel that tired, so maybe not really.  It will be interesting to see what happens between tomorrow and Thursday, when I go in again.  Back to the bi-weekly blood draws.

Nothing much else going on here.  Kev is still camping, but coming back some time today.  I think I have another week of ATRA.  Will be nice to get a couple of weeks off from taking it when I get that chance.    I have a nice fan blowing on me right now. Seems my thought has become somewhat freeform, which probably means it’s time to wrap up this entry.

So here we are, day 8 from the first day of this last chemo round.  All in all I’m not feeling too bad.  Woke up well, but have felt a tad queasy since lunch.  Took the temp and it’s all good, no temperature, and that’s the biggie.

Karen ended up having to work today for awhile.  Got a call from her boss asking her if she and some of her team could rectify a huge issue in another department.  Not even Karen’s department, but they fixed the problem.  Once again, she steps in and gets it done.  That’s my girl.  Pretty amazing.

Right now she and pups are on their way to the vet to get some more heart worm med for the dogs.  They went along to get a little adventure.  She’s going to score a chai while she’s gone.  She deserves one.  As for me, I’m sitting here drinking green tea and watching HGTV.  It’s not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  :-)  Later, a much needed bath….  LOL  I’m finally done sweating out the poison.  Not longer the toxic avenger this time around.  Sheets washed, Weston can once again sleep with his mamma, and Karen can once again, sleep in the same room as me with the dogs. Back on her air mattress.  Yes, she’s been sleeping on an air mattress on the floor next to the bed since I came home on July 1.  Safer for her when I’m sweating it all out, better rest right now for both of us.  It’s not ideal, at all, but it works.  She is so amazing.  That girl knows how to love and take care of me.

It’s Friday.  What else?  It’s the 9th of July… so big happy birthdays have to go out to two of my favorite guys…  Arnold and Eric.  Happy birthday gents…  you are spectacular men and I love you both.  What else does it being the 9th mean?  It’s the 9th… Karen and my 7 year and 3 month anniversary.  LOL  We used to celebrate every month… in the beginning.  Now we just smile and say happy anniversary.  So, happy anniversary honey… it’s been a magical 7 years and 3 months and I know every month and year that’s ahead of us will be just as magical.  I love you.

Otherwise… I’m hanging out in our coolish family room, Weston is curled up asleep next to me, Karen is working away in the office and the little girlie is curled up asleep in there with her, and I’m watching a continuously changing strange array of television shows.  There are no appointments today, meaning we don’t have to go anywhere if we don’t want to today.  Kind of nice.  I’ve had breakfast, my morning oral chemo with it, and my morning tea.

A nice mellow day so far…. life is good.

After A Walk, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Had to post this little number. Karen and I took a walk, with the pups, around the Belmont neighborhood last weekend. It was gorgeous out and gorgeous weather always calls for a walk. The dogs, of course, love it when we go on a walkabout. They were a bit thirsty, as you would expect, by the time we got back to the car. Riley is in the red collar, and Weston is behind her.

Pups, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The pups love camping. Weston is on his lead here, but he got to be off of it. They both did. They were worn out by the time we got home. Two hikes in one day just about did the little souls in. They made it though, and actually wanted to go to bed that night. Pretty funny.

Getting a Drink, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We went into Sisters one day for a couple of hours while we were over camping. It was a bit warm. Weston, who never drinks out of “other” bowls, drank. It was a first.

This particular shot was taken outside a great gallery in Sisters. We love this place and in fact have purchased stuff there in the past. Sisters is a cool little town, though now it’s a bit touristy. But who cares, it’s fun none the less.

The Little One, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

A little closer in. She’s really lookin’ at me.

Running Man, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Weston going a pretty good clip toward me. I’m sitting on the bricks of the raised bed where I was looking at the addition straight on before I turned toward the little man.

Out For A Walk, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The dogs love going for walks. So much to smell, so much to see, people to greet (and bark at depending on which dog you are), loads of stuff to pee on. It’s a grand grand thing going for a walk is.

What Hydrants Are Made For, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This is how Weston always throws out his patella. He stretches too far and pop, it’s out. Luckily he’s pretty good about knowing how to get it back into place. We’ve only had to pop it in a couple of times for him. I can’t do it, Karen has to. The vet showed her/us how, but I admit I’m too much of a wimp to do it.

Hunting Chipmunks, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The mighty chipmunk hunters in action. Sticking their heads in the very hole those pesky chipmunks were sticking their heads out of a second ago.

Little Miss, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Riley had never been camping before. I think she liked it. Chipmunks to chase, sleeping in a sleeping bag, running around off leash, barking at anyone who walked in her vicinity. She had a blast.

It’s Here Somewhere… I Know It!, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Weston loves to chase chipmunks when we go camping. He always corners them under someone’s car. It’s cute. His tale, all curled forward like that, and him down on his front paws is called play stance. He was in it a lot at Davis.

Weston, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Here he is… the handsome boy looking intently at Karen’s slice of pizza hoping for a bite. He ended up with a couple of pieces of sauceless crust. As did the little girl. What can we say… we’re suckers for the looks they give us.

Lovin’ The Street Fair, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Riley was, again, a pretty good girl with the crowds yesterday. She got a bit overwhelmed and had to be carried when we wandered around in the dense thick of it, but she didn’t bark very much and she was pretty brave. She’s taking a break in this one, waiting for her mums to finish up their slices of pizza so she can get back at it. Or, perhaps she’s saying… forget it, I’m done… take me to the car. Yeah… that might have been it.

What’s Over There?, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This is Weston at Hondo Dog Park looking through the fence over to where the big dog area is. He might have been fancying himself as a big dog, but he’d never make it over there. He loves big dogs, but when he’s with them he spends most of his time laying down being submissive to them. He’s no fool.

Little Girly, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

She is so darn cute. And so is her milk mustache. Simply… adorable.

Peeking, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Weston has been to Hondo a few times. Most of the time he’s sort of been like the little kid who is so shy they stand on the sidelines, waiting to be noticed or picked. We always sort of felt bad for him and tried to encourage him to get out there and play. This time, finally, he did that, even if it was just a little bit. He chased, he sniffed, he ran around with some of the other dogs. He didn’t do it tons, but he did it. Our little boy is growing up. Yeah, OK, he did still spend a lot of time jumping up into people’s laps. He’s like that. It’s how he rolls. He prefers the loves he can get from people more than the friendship he can get from fellow dogs. Ah well… lover, not fighter. We’re OK with that. And… so is he.

Shaking It Off, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Took the kids to Hondo Dog Park yesterday after work. Perfect weather for it. It was Riley’s first time there. She did pretty well considering she can tend toward the anti-social. She never bites, or even tries to, but she sometimes likes to give a warning high pitched bark or five. Yesterday though… not bad. She didn’t do bad at all. I think there will be many more trips to Hondo in her future.

Mo, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Ziggy is frequently called Mo. There’s a story behind this, which I won’t go into. Needless to say, these two pups are loved. Oh, and if you’re wondering about Ziggy’s breed. He’s a West Highland Terrier and Pug mix which makes him a Pesty. And… he’s all man. He is one macho little dude. Very sturdy, very strong, and surprisingly, very athletic. This little guy is fast.

Sir Wickersham, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This is, to his friends and family, Wicket. He is more formally known as Sir Wickersham or, if you really know him, Wiggles.  He’s a schnoodle.  Same as our pups.  He is the elder statesman, being all of 4 now.  He’s particular, stubborn, and very sheepy looking.  Don’t let his cuteness fool you though… he’s a very good catcher of the ball.

Mr. Ziggy, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Here he is folks… the one and only Mr. Ziggleston. Known to his friends and family as simply… Ziggy.

Life Behind Bars, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Here they are… Kev is right, all they need are tin cups to bang against the bars and the picture would be complete. They do love being able to go outside at will however. They just don’t like it when one of us is on “the outside”.