My Panties Are Confused.....

I kind of had a whirlwind of a weekend. Saturday was one crazy day at the vet's. Looking at the appointment book in the morning, it looked like we'd be steady busy all day. As soon I turned the phones on (meaning, took them off the night message), they rang non-stop for 20 minutes. Part way through the morning, one of the high school girls that works weekends ran out of stuff to do. So what does she do? Parks it at the front desk, texts, and does nothing. In front of people. Yeah. I wasn't overly pleased. So I had her file some patient records while I was doing other things. And I found that she doesn't know how to properly file alphabetically. *sigh*

Mid-morning, the vet tells me that we have an emergency coming in. A guy came in with a dog that has a fractured leg (not our emergency, he had an appointment). The vet wanted a couple of x-rays, so he called the young girl in, found out she's only 15 and can't assist with x-rays. Luckily all the folks up front were totally understanding and extremely patient. I donned a lead apron and took some pictures. Their digital x-ray machine is awesome. We don't have to waste time developing the x-rays, because I've done that and it's not exactly fun. The guy leaves the dog so we can put a cast on the leg.

Papa D showed up to ask the vet a question, and unfortunately, showed up at the exact wrong time. He showed up as the place got massively crazy. He sat around for awhile, and was duly impressed with the Great Dane in the front lobby, patiently awaiting is turn. Papa D wound up leaving without getting to ask his question, but later got to ask the recently retired vet at a Cattlemen's BBQ the next day.

The emergency showed up, the guy having the dog semi-wrapped in a wet towel. He said the dog's chest was cut wide open, so I went ahead and put them in an exam room to keep them out of the bussel that was the front office. They showed me the "wound", and the right side of the chest was flayed wide open. You could see bone and muscle. Evidently the dog was running around their house, and somehow managed to catch itself on a metal stake in their yard, slicing it's chest wide open. Luckily there wasn't a ton of bleeding going in, and we had them drop the dog off so we could stitch him up during lunch. Our regular tech had left for a couple hours to go judge a Humane Society Dog Show, and for about ten minutes I thought I was going to have to learn how to cast a leg.

Fortunately, the tech showed up as I was getting stuff set up, and I ran off to Subway to get me and Doc a sandwich. Doc casted the broken leg, and then started stitching up the emergency dog. People wound up waiting about 45 minutes for their appointments. They understood about the emergency. To help get things moving smoother and faster when the Doc was done, I drew up vaccinations and stashed them in their files so they were all ready to go.

Needless to say, after work, I was pooped.

Sunday I got up early and loaded up papers in my car, and set out to deliver. I got to Redding, ran a couple of errands - namely the book store because I'm addicted to Kathy Reichs now (her books inspired the show Bones), and took my car in for an oil change. I picked up a bag of ice for my parents, and got home just before the party started. I had completely forgotten that it was the night of my parents monthly "friends dinner" and it was their turn to host it that night. My parents and their friends decided awhile back that they never saw each other, so to remedy that, they decided to get together once a month for dinner, and take turns hosting everyone. These are some pretty freaking awesome people, in my humble opinion. Oddly enough, my dad worked with the women for several years at his job. Over the years, my parents became very good friends with those women and their spouses. This group of people are the folks who helped my parents during the time my Granddad was in the hospital and after he passed away. They brought food to Granny's house, to the hospital, checked in on our animals during the day, and hosted the wake. They went above and beyond the call of duty. Mom fixed pulled-pork sliders, cole slaw, macaroni salad for me (because I don't like slaw), and mesquite beans. OH. MY. GOD. Delicious doesn't do justice. Everyone showed up around 3ish, we ate around 4:30 or 5, and visited and laughed until after 7.

And here's where the title comes in. One gal told the story of noticing her 3 year old granddaughter walking funny and "adjusting herself", and asked her, "Do you have to go to the bathroom. The girl replied, "No. My panties are confused!" The entire table was in tears from laughter.

Granny is getting all settled in at my parents house. Her old house is officially sold, and she is now at my parents house. She's kicked me out of my bedroom, and even my bathroom! I'm fine with it, because if I'd rather be kicked out by Granny than someone random person my parents found to rent my room to or something. My cousin's hubby should be starting construction on the house in about 3 weeks. He's filing the plans and pulling permits. My bedroom will be remodeled and made into a master suite. Granny will have a sitting area, sleeping area, walk-in closet, and bathroom. One of my bedroom walls will be going out 12 feet. Another wall, 10 feet - and my parents will have to have two trees removed and the new paver patio they put in last year. Hopefully my parents will take pics and I will when I'm there, so hopefully I can post pics of the construction and finished product.

Monday I got up and ran back to Redding to run a couple more errands, had lunch with Dad and Granny, ran to Mom's office to say good-bye, and was off to finish delivering papers. I finally made it home around 7ish, and was completely worn out by the time I got my car unloaded.

Aren't weekends supposed to be relaxing? My weekends wear me out!

Oh, and I nearly forgot to update you: Miss Harriet is all back to normal. By Thursday night she was jumping on the couch and running around the house. I'm still amazed at how little she is; that fur of hers really makes her look a lot bigger than she actually is.

I feel so guilty

Nothing and I mean nothing makes you feel more guilty than watching the aftermath of your cat recovering from anesthetics. I feel like the worst cat-mom ever.

I finally decided to just get it over with and take Miss Harriet to the vet. Her rear-end was one big mat, although she's never had mats this bad before, so that sort of concerned me. She's not much for combing, and if I have to comb out even a small mat, she's about ready to claw my eyes out. Plus she was over-due for her vaccinations and was in dire need of a nail trim.

I knew all of it would cost me close to $100 (these are country vets folks, and typically cost 1/3 of what a city vet will cost). I wasn't sure what the employee discount was (this is Job 3), but figured I would be paying for at least half the bill, so decided to just bite the bullet and get it done before the cold weather sets in. But the vet was super awesome and didn't charge me for anything. I was like, "J! Are you sure?!" So now my grandparents want all their animals transferred in to my name! lol

The vet showed up and he knocked out my kitty, and our two other surgeries. I shaved my cat while he worked on the other two. A few times I had to stop to help him or answer phones. I finished Miss Harriet and put her back in her carrier to wake up. The vet and I went about our day, and I periodically checked in on our surgeries. Miss Harriet once awake kept giving me the laser-death-ray-stares.

I left work at 4:30, with Miss Harriet in tow. I let her out when I got home and that's when the guilt stepped in. She weebled and she wobbled and she fell down. She staggered around a bit, and I figured she'd want to hide. A few minutes later, I hear scratching and a tiny "meow".  I ran to my bedroom and she was trying to climb up my bed and had one paw stuck on the comforter. I picked her up and lay down on the couch with her. She promptly fell asleep. She eventually woke up enough to curl up on my lap.

It's now been 12 hours since she was knocked out and she's still a weeble, but she's not really falling down. Her pupils are still dilated.

And I feel so guilty. Every animal reacts and recovers from anesthetics differently. My Harriet doesn't recover very well.

And amidst my guilt is my shock at how small my cat is without all that fur!! I mean seriously, folks, I thought my cat was obese. But minus a little house-cat fat in the belly region, she's actually normal.

When I left for dinner, I placed her on the couch. An hour later, she was in the exact same spot. And let me pick her up and place her in my lap and she stayed there for nearly two hours. I finally set her down as she seems to be getting her spunk back.

And I know she could use another dental. But I hate to put her through this again.

On a happier note, my bloggy friend, Jewels wrote a wonderful post about receiving her postcard from me the other day. Just remember, if you want to join, read the Postcard Campaign page and shoot me an e-mail if your interested! It's all about bringing a smile to someone's face.

An Award For Me? Awww, Shucks.

Before I get to the awards, I would first like to welcome some new followers! A couple of them are also joining up for the Postcard Campaign, which is awesome! Just means more mailbox love! So thank you for following, hope you enjoy!

A little while ago, Jewels named me one of her Gems, in her post thanking those that helped to pimp out her new blog location. How could anyone not want to pimp out her blog? It's pretty awesome. Plus, she pimped out the Postcard Campaign, so that makes her even more awesome.

And the other day, Hazel gifted me the I Dig Your Blog Award. I'm just ecstatic that Hazel is blogging again as I missed her posts.

I know that there were no rules for Jewels' award, and Hazel didn't really mention too much about rules. So I will just mention three random facts about myself and then pass it on to three blogs.

I love Ansel Adams photography.

I once had a dream that Jennifer Love Hewitt made out with a guy I was dating, and the poor guy had no idea why I was mad at him for a week. I despised her for years.

I'm addicted to popcorn. It runs in the family. ;o)

And now for the blogs I will pass on the I Dig Your Blog Award to! Canadian Blogger Girl, The Adventures of Cinderita, and The Frisky Virgin.

Scary Water and Politics

Evidently Mexico is not the only place with water that you shouldn't drink. Or swim in. Or possibly be in the same zip code as.

Three people have died from a brain eating amoeba in the water.

What the . . . ?

This little brainless organism was discovered in the 60's, and it doesn't kill everyone it comes into contact with. Picky little buggers. But it seems that 3 or 4 people die each year from this single-celled organism as it climbs up their noses and eats their brains. One kid died after being dunked in the water at a fishing camp. Another after just swimming. And the last guy from using tap water for his "neti pot". The CDC found that it was just his house that was contaminated, not the general supply and suggests that only distilled or boiled water be used for "neti pots".

Moral of the story?

Plug your nose.

Know what else is scary? Brain eating Politicians. Now, normally I don't talk politics. One, because it's typically not discussed in my family, because in some cases, it's polar opposite views. Two, I'm pretty much of the "middle of the road" mentality. Three, all politicians lie to varying degrees. Four, it's getting worse - like to the point I'm ready to claim I'm Canadian. And five, it's just a really big can of worms, because it opens up all kinds of worm cans.

Politicians have always seem more full of hot air than the average person. However, the new crop of politicians for our Presidential 2012 race is scaring the heebie-jeebies out of me. The Republican front-runners, to me, come off as more Evangelists than politicians. And that kind of combination has me shaking in my Skechers.

Now, this where all the other worm cans get opened. Anymore, politics isn't just "politics". It's religion. I'm not sure how religion became such a huge part. Maybe it's always been there and I've just been completely blind. That's entirely possible. But this Presidential race seems worse than just four years ago. I myself am not very religious. I have never attended church, and it actually just doesn't appeal to me all that much. I do have decent moral compass and try to be a good person and citizen. I recycle my bottles and my cans. I don't make fun of people with disabilities. I volunteer when I can. I don't believe in cheating on a significant other. And I try not to hold other people's decisions or beliefs against them; I try to keep an open mind.

But this . . . this I don't get. I recently read this about Michele Gagman Bachmann:

“She’s a perfect product of the religious right…” In detailing Bachmann’s biblical world view that stemmed from Francis Schaeffer, “All reality is determined by theological starting point, and so basically every single aspect of public life, science, history, economics, everything is determined by your religious beliefs and only those with the correct religious beliefs can correctly perceive any sort of reality, and it’s a way in which you can dismiss huge swaths of history, evolution, you can basically say that anything that doesn’t fit with your ideology is the product of mistaken theological premise.” source

Call me crazy, but I'm not sure I understand. I understand religion plays a huge role in a lot of people's lives, but I'm not sure even the Pope is so extreme. What really confuses me is this:

" . . . everything is determined by your religious beliefs and only those with the correct religious beliefs can correctly perceive any sort of reality . . . "

Yeah. I don't get that. Just stick a dunce cap on me and stick me in a corner. Religion is one thing. Extreme is another. I'm not really sure I want someone who thinks that way to lead my country. Actually, I'm damn sure. Religion isn't really going to help get our country back on track, it will only divide the masses further. What the candidates should really worry about is the economy, jobs, the country's credit rating and debts.

God didn't have a hand that mess. Man did. So man needs to fix it.

So, if the world ends in 2012 as the Mayan calendar suggests, do we get to blame the world leaders (at the time) for that? Or an ancient civilization?

According to a recent poll, 35% of those who support Michele Bachmann thought the rapture was coming on May 21.

Yeah. That is scary.

Hmmm. Politicians or brain-eating amoebas?

Anyone got a coin to flip?

Postcards and Music

For those that sent me addy's via my email, all of the postcards have officially been mailed! Whoohoo! I do have to give Mynx and Hazel some trouble however, as their postcards actually took some work. It's now blatantly obvious that this extremely rural county that I live in does not often see international mail. At all. Nor are they well stocked in postcard stamps in general. It took a bit of work for the poor gal covering for the Post Mistress to figure out the stamp price just to send one to Canada. Australia and Northern Ireland, however, were far beyond their capabilities in my tiny town. It's as if there is some kind of issue if it has to cross very large quantities of water, like say, an ocean. In the end, I had to make a special trip to a larger post office in Town and the guy was still flummoxed. Clearly these folks need to see more international mail. But don't worry girls, your postcards were sent today (Monday), and as long as it moves faster than an actual snail, hopefully you will both get them before September rolls around. lol

As for whose turn it is next month to send out postcards, I've decided to go with the order in which y'all agreed to participate. Which means Average Girl is next up for September!!

Now, if you guys would like to make it go a bit faster and have two people sending postcards, just let me know. It was something I just thought of, considering it's already a growing group. I'm excited to say that, including myself, there are now 10 people joined up for the Great Postcard Campaign. I think that is an absolutely awesome start, and I've practically purchased every postcard in town that I can so I'm prepared for when it's next my turn.

I will also be adding the names of all those who are participating to the Postcard Campaign page. If you have a blog, your name/blog name will show up as a link. Just some minor blog pimpin'.

And in the name of mailbox happiness, I have to give a shout-out to my BFF for sending me some. She made me a CD after our last visit in Redding when I told her I actually missed listening to the hip-hop and alternative stations I was always forced to listen to at my old job in Sacramento. So, she made me a "mixed tape" so to speak, and now I can't wait to listen to it. Including a song she introduced me to that day, which was absolutely hilarious, and which I will be so kind as to share with all of you. I must warn that the artist uses the "f" word a few times, so if that's not your cup of tea don't take a listen.

Now, I should probably get back to cleaning up my house.

The Great Postcard Campaign: Mailbox Happiness

Thus starts the first month of the Great Postcard Campaign. Right now I have a total of 5 wonderful bloggy friends who have been so kind as to join me on my quest for some mailbox happiness.

I will go ahead and kick start the who shebang for the month of August. If you wish to join up, all you have to do is shoot me an email and provide a mailing address. I will not do anything with your mailing address except send you a postcard. When it's the next person's turn, I will provide them with your address to send a postcard. This is on the honor system and therefore, anyone who abuses this will be cut out of the "circle". You are only asked to send one postcard to each blogger on the list. You can spread them out, or send the postcards at once. When you receive a postcard, you can share it on your blog and if possible, link to the blogger who sent you the postcard. I do ask that you link back to me, and hopefully we can get more to participate in the campaign for mailbox happiness. Just grab the button and link to me.

If you wish to be a part of this, please email me! We'd love to have more join us!

Blog Pimpin'

Alright folks, I have some serious blog pimpin' to do here. Move aside, move aside.

Thank you.

My dear friend Jewels, who used to write the great blog Jewels Turning 30 has created a new blog. I insist that you follow the link to her new blog and follow her.

http://accordingtojewels.com/

To follow her new blog over at WordPress, click on ADD at the bottom of your blog roll, paste her URL in, and click follow!

Whew. I'm beat.  Now if you'll move aside again so I can get some rest, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks so much.

;o)

I have an idea - but will it work?

I shall toss this idea out into the blogoshphere even though I have no idea if anyone will jump on the bandwagon. Or exactly how it will work. I just know that I've thought of it before, and after a couple days ago, I've been thinking about it every day. And I will gladly take your input.

The other day I got my mail. It was all a bunch of crapola. Most of my bills I either pay online or in person anymore. My rent and utilities are graciously paid for by my employers (aka, my grandparents). So in my mailbox was all junk mail. I didn't keep a single thing. I ripped it up and shoved it in the trash. It's freaking depressing, folks. Anymore, the only thing I have to look forward to is a DVD from Netflix, or on the off-chance I've made a purchase online, a package from whatever website I splurged on.

That's just sad, people.

I've written in the past about pen-pals I used to write to. I mean, actual physical letters. I was put a stamp on it, and mail it. And waited on pins and needles to get a reply. And believe me when I say, I always smiled when I got mail. Now, I started writing to pen-pals when I was in the 7th grade. And back then, that was the only mail I received at that age. After I moved out, I got bills which didn't make me smile. But what did were the letters I received. I even wrote these letters not using an email. After awhile, I would type the letters instead of handwriting them because I was usually typing an essay or research paper for my professors - so why not write a letter while I was sitting there. But I would always sign my name. It was the least I could do, right?

These days, I'll get a birthday card, or a Christmas card in the mail. That's about it. And that's only two days out of the year that people take time out to send someone else a card.

Here's what I propose: Some sort of letter campaign. Not even really a campaign per se. Devoting time to a lost art of sending something in the mail, just knowing that when that person opens their box, they get a smile. Postcard, letter, a simple card that just says "hi". Something simple. It doesn't have to be a 10 page letter unless you want it to be. There could be a rotation of some kind - one month it's my turn. Next month it's your turn. Of course, this only works if we are willing to hand over our physical/mailing addresses. I wouldn't ask anyone to post their information in the comment section - sending it via email would preserve some amount of privacy. And when you get a postcard, letter, or regular card from so-and-so, you can share it. Tell us what state it came from or something.

Anyway, I know that postal rates differ if we're mailing over our borders, but buying a stamp or two to send a card to someone across the pond or something can't be all that bad, right?

So, that's my idea. I'd love your feedback on this. Even if I just get a couple of people who want to do it, that's okay, too. So tell me what you think.

Awards, Turn-On's, and a Music Video

I really hate to say this, but many times there just needs to be more hours in a day! For the last couple of days I've been wanting to blog, but there just doesn't always seem time. Maybe too many addictions? Too many jobs? Well, I can't necessarily say I have too many jobs, because the average person in this county has at least two jobs to make ends meet. Too many addictions . . . well, that's feasible. Reading, movies, Facebook (Farmville, Frontierville, etc.), blogging, Scrabble via email, harassing my cat . . . yeah, I'm screwed.

And today's post really won't even be what it was originally going to be. Partly because I've already forgotten what I was going to write about (and I'm not smart enough to blog in advance so that I have something to fall back on). But mostly it's because I was bestowed not one, but two awards!! Plus I have a few new followers to welcome.

So, first off, I'd like to welcome three new followers to my little corner of the blogosphere. I'd like to welcome (back) Hazel, who used to follow me under her old blog and has finally come to her senses to blog again! Next is Elliot MacLeod-Michael, and Deirdra Eden-Coppel, who not only followed but also bestowed an award! Actually, I'm twice blessed as she gave me a different blog award awhile back as well.

A huge thank you to Deirdra Eden-Coppel!

And to the wonderful Frisky Virgin, a huge thank you for the next award - The Blog on Fire Award! If you haven't checked Ms. Frisky yet, then I'm not quite sure what you're waiting for. That was a hint to, like, go. So, this award (like so many) have a few rules to follow.

1. Thank the blogger who bestowed the award - See above.

2. Reveal 5 things about yourself. (If you want, how about making said revelations a little hot? After all, this is an on fire award!)

• Listening to anything, and I mean anything, by Josh Turner makes me melt. If I could marry his voice alone, believe me I'd so be there. It doesn't hurt that he has the good looks to go with said woman-melting voice.
• I love me a good Wrangler-butt. I was taught by the best, my mother, to spot a really good Wrangler-butt. Anytime she and I are at a country concert, our eyes are on the prowl.
• Certain colognes - Lord help me. Obsession and Stetson are just two of them. Pair that with a Wrangler-Butt who has Josh Turner's voice, there will only be a puddle of JDay left.
• Accents - I love accents. Well, as long as I can still understand the words that are coming of their mouths. British, Irish, and Australian are my favorites. *swoon*
• But most of all, what will do the trick is a guy who likes me for me. Quirks and all.

Now I get to pass this on to 7 fellow bloggers.

Canadian Blogger Girl

Alfred Lives Here

Drake's Doomsday Corner

Dribble . . .

It's An Average Life

Talkative Taurus

Pablo's Angel

And to leave off, I am posting a video of a new release by Toby Keith that makes me tear up every time I hear it. I know America is having some issues on Capitol Hill and we would all love to tell them where to stuff their political bullshit and storm congress with pitchforks. I know our country looks like a fool to the rest of the world. Whatever happens next won't be pretty, I'm sure. But even with all this going on, I'm still proud to be an American, and wouldn't dream of living anywhere else.