Something unexpected dropped by the clinic today

Sometimes you just get something cool at the vet's office.

It's a Great Horned Owl. These folks rehabilitate wild birds, and they think this guy may have seen the wrong end of a barbed wire. It's also possible he was bitten by something. They wanted the vet to take a look at his leg, because the wound wasn't healing properly - too much proud flesh. Proud flesh is a normal part of the healing process, but on occasion, too much builds up and the skin can't grow up to get over it. So you have to "debride" the proud flesh away on a regular basis to get the wound to heal properly.

The gal was putting vet-wrap over the talons, so the bird didn't accidentally slice the vet wide open while working on the would. The vet cut away some of the proud flesh, then sutured it up.

And while I'm writing about the vet clinic, I should make it known that the vet that had the quad accident is back at work. Can't keep him down, actually. He's in a neck brace and his arm is in a sling, but he still manages to do a lot.

I'm just thankful he brings an extra tech so that I'm not alone in the heavy lifting. Plus it's nice to have someone else do stuff in the back while I take care of people up front. Usually, it's just me and the vet, and I have to help him during exams, check people in and out, answer the phones, and grab stuff for him during surgery. Oh, I also try to draw up the vaccines before the clients & patients show up so that everything is prepared for when they show up. Yeah, it gets a little hectic around there.

Next week we have six surgeries, which is . . . how should I put this, only about 4 more than we typically do over here in Sticksville. Occasionally we'll have four, but only two that require surgical packs. Feline neuters don't require them, and they only take about 5 minutes each, so they hardly count. I have two dog neuters, two dog spays, and two cat spays. Every single one of them requires a surgical pack. So I put in a request for two more packs, and I can clean some in the meantime.

Oh and the two dog neuters? Each dog weighs close to 100lbs (or about 45 kilos for my international followers). Yeah. Fun.

I'm thinking winter is here . . .

I have been trying to not freeze to death for the past week. Seriously, it went from 60s and 70s to a balmy 30 degrees (F) with some snow scattered in. I think the highest high this week was maybe 45. Yep, it's gettin' cold 'round these parts.

The vet that had the quad riding accident is already back at work. His left arm is in a sling, and he's in a neck brace, but he's doing surgeries and seeing patients. Apparently, he only took one whole week off before working half-days. While he can't do too much in the large animal arena, he can do most small animal stuff, as long as he has a tech with him. Last week he came to the Sticksville clinic with an extra tech in tow. Which I was ecstatic about, considering I had a 100lb dog to spay and I had absolutely no idea how to get that dog on the table by myself. At first I thought I could lower the table and have the dog jump up on it, and raise it for the doctor. Then the dog showed up. The owner and myself had to literally drag the dog out of the back end of the truck, carry it inside, and then push it through the clinic and into the kennel. Um, call me crazy, but there was no freaking way I was going to get that dog to jump onto anything. So when the doctor arrived with an extra tech, I was nearly jumping for joy.

The new doctor was on this past weekend, and she tried my cell phone while I was driving over the mountain to work. Naturally my so-called smart phone didn't buzz me that I had a missed call or voicemail. So she walks up to me at the clinic with a Starbucks cup in hand, and says, "It's Starbuck's Saturday. You didn't call me back, so I got you a Chi Tea." When I looked at her funny she told me she called my phone. Yeah, there's no cell reception on the pass I climb to get to work every weekend. I tried the tea. Bleh. Next time I know she's working a Saturday I'll text her and ask her for a hot chocolate without the whipped cream. It's only thing I will drink from Starbucks. Because coffee is gross.

I had one of my uncle's over as a house guest this past week as well. He was on his way home from a hunting trip and stopped in Sticksville to visit, and was convinced to stay the night. K texted me and asked me if he could use my spare room. After dinner, my uncle came over and we watched part of a movie on TNT before bed. He asked me to get him up at 7am when I got up. I got up and knocked on his door, and didn't get a reply. So I pushed open the door, and he wasn't there! K told me later that he had shown up at their house to help with feeding about 6:30. Sheesh.

Now, if you don't mind, I am going to sit my butt in front of my heater and try to get warm with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

Postcards, Weather, & Construction

Just a reminder:

If you'd like to join the Postcard Campaign and start receiving postcards in November, the deadline to sign up is October 31st - which is Monday. After that, you'll have to wait for December. And trust me, you don't want to wait.

The Postcard Campaign is simple - we take turns sending and receiving postcards so that we get a nice little something in the mailbox each month. Because I don't consider bills and junk mail to be nice little somethings. If your curious, please check out the Postcard Campaign page - link up top.

I hope everyone was able to receive their postcards from Mynx! I haven't seen too many posts about them, so hopefully the Postal Service didn't sweep them under a table.

I'm not sure about the rest of the planet, but it got freaking COLD here recently. It was 20 degrees yesterday morning. There was ice on the front steps to work. While I'm cool with the bundling up deal, it's like Mother Nature just decided for a few nights it would be in the 20s if we were lucky. And then to have it not get above 45 degrees just so we never quite get rid of the chill that's lingering in the air. Helloooooooooooooo hot chocolate. And the heater. And my blankets. And my electric blanket.

Have I forgotten anything? Oh yes, my fuzzy socks. My thermal undies and socks. My insulated ranch gloves. And scarves. And my slippers. Both pairs.

I heard from Mom the other day that the wall frames have been put up at their house (around my room and bathroom for the extension), and the trusses were delivered yesterday so the roof will start going up! I will be home this weekend and take pictures, plus I will post the pics Mom sent me from her cell phone. As long as the weather holds out (we're begging, Mother Nature . . . .), progress can continue!



Meet Captain Cute

Okay, so his name really isn't Captain Cute, but it definitely could be. His name wound up being Turbo, and quite often K and myself add something to it. So his name ends up being Turbo Squeak, Turbo Turd, Turbo Fart, Turbo (fill in the blank). You can see that we come up rude names for the poor kitten, however Turbo Squeak was the nicest. Yeah . . .

Anyway, here are a few more pictures of the little terror fur ball.

I figured if he could crap out, so could I! Unfortunately I wasn't really sleeping, but oh well. Him sleeping right under my chin made typing up stories for the publication a bit tough. But don't worry, I didn't get into trouble. After this, Papa D and I actually had a Solitaire war on each of our computers. Yep, that's how productive we were today.

And since I'm doing a easy post of pictures, here's another my cat, Harriet. Did you ever get that feeling that something is watching you?

Nope, not creepy at all. Creepy never entered my mind. Nor disturbing. Nope. Never. Not once.



Blogger Scratch Off

I stole this Scratch Off thing from Hazel as an excuse for an easy post. Yep, I'm going the lazy route today. So sue me.  ;)

If you want to do this too then all you do is "scratch off" the things you've done/relevant to you etc.




Appearance

I have/had piercings besides the ears.

I want piercings besides the ears.

I have many scars.

I tan easily.

I wish my hair was a different color.

I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.

I have a tattoo.

I want a tattoo.

I can be self-conscious about my appearance.

I have/had braces.

I have more than two piercings.




Embarrassment

Disney movies still make me cry.

I’ve laughed so hard I’ve cried.

I’ve glued my hand to something.

I’ve laughed until some kind of beverage came out of my nose.

I’ve touched something sharp/hot/etc to see if it would hurt.





Health

I’ve gotten stitches.

I’ve broken or dislocated a bone.

I’ve had my tonsils removed.

I’ve had my wisdom teeth removed.

I’ve had chicken pox.

I've had malaria.

I've had typhoid.

I've had jaundice.





Travel

I’ve been on a plane.

I’ve been to the US. (I'm cheating - I live in the US lol)

I’ve been to Europe.

I've been to at least one other country.

I've never been out of my country.

I’ve driven/ridden over 200 kilometers in one day.




Experiences

I’ve gotten lost in my city.

I’ve seen a shooting star.

I’ve wished on a shooting star.

I’ve seen a meteor shower.

I’ve gone out in public in my pajamas.

I’ve pushed all the buttons on an elevator.

I’ve slapped someone.

I’ve kissed someone underwater.

I’ve chugged something.

I’ve crashed a car. (okay, but it totally wasn't my fault - the cops said so!)

I’ve been skiing.

I’ve been in a musical.

I’ve auditioned for something.

I’ve been on stage.

I’ve caught a snowflake on my tongue.

I’ve sat on a rooftop at night.

I’ve pranked someone.

I’ve ridden in a taxi.





Honesty / Crime

I’ve been threatened to be arrested.

I’ve broken a law.

I’ve done something I promised someone I wouldn’t.

I’ve done something I promised myself I wouldn’t.

I’ve sneaked out.

I’ve lied about my whereabouts.

I’ve cheated while playing a game.

I’ve been in a fist fight.




Death

I’m afraid of dying.

I hate funerals.

I’ve seen someone/something die.

Someone close to me has attempted/committed suicide.

I have attempted suicide.

I’ve thought about suicide before.

I’ve written a eulogy for myself.





Materialism

I own over 10 music CDs.

I own over 10 novels.

I own over 5 electronic gadgets.

I’m obsessed with anime/manga.

I collected comic books.

I own a lot of makeup.

I own gaming console(s).

I own a car.

I own a bike.

I thrive on compliments.

I thrive on hate.
 

Random

I can sing low key.

I’ve stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant.

I open up to others easily.

I watch the news occasionally or always.

I like to kill bugs.

I sing in the shower.

I’m a morning person.

I’m a sports cricket fanatic.

I twirl my hair.

I care about grammar.

I love spam.

I’ve copied more than 30 CDs in a day.

I bake reasonably well.

My favorite color is either white, yellow, pink, blue, red, black, purple, or orange.

I would wear pajamas to school.

I like Martha Stewart.

I laugh at my own jokes.

I eat fast food weekly.

I’ve not turned anything in and still got an A in a certain class.

I can’t sleep if there’s a bug/insect in the room.

I’m really ticklish.

I like chocolate.

I bite my nails.

I’m good at remembering names.

I’m good at remembering dates.

My memory sucks.

I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.





People

...used to ask if I was anorexic/bulimic.

...called me fat.

...say I’m skinny.

...have said I’m ugly.

...have said I’m pretty.

...have spread rumors about me.

...force me to eat.

...say I eat too much.

...say I eat too little.
...say I eat too fast.

...say I eat too slow.

...have called me a genius.

...have given me gifts.





Eating

I’ve lost weight.

I’ve gained weight.

I’m at my thinnest.

I’m at my biggest.

I’ve lost weight and kept it off.

I’ve lost weight, but gained it back.

My weight affects my mood.

I diet.

I’m vegan/vegetarian.

I exercise.

I’ve fainted from exhaustion.





Family

I’ve sworn at my parents.

I’ve planned to run away from home before.

I’ve run away from home.

I have a sibling less than one year old.

I want kids.

I’ve had kids.

I’ve lost a child.




Relationships

I’m engaged.

I’m married.

I’m a swinger.

I'm in a relationship.

I’ve gone on a blind date.

I have/had a friend with benefits.

I miss someone right now.

I have a fear of abandonment.

I don't like to depend on others.

I’ve gotten divorced.

I’ve had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back.

Someone has/had feelings for me when I didn’t have them back.

I’ve told someone I loved them when I didn’t.

I’ve told someone I didn’t love them when I did.

I’ve kept something from a past relationship.





Sexuality

I’m a cuddler.

I’ve been kissed in the rain.

I’ve hugged a stranger.

I’ve kissed a stranger.




Bad times

I regularly drink.

I can’t swallow pills.

I can swallow numerous pills at a time without difficulty.

I’ve been diagnosed with depression at some point.

I have anxiety problems.

I shut others out when I’m upset.

I don’t have anyone to talk to when I’m upset.

I have taken/take anti-depressants.

I’ve slept an entire day before.

I’ve plotted revenge.


So there you have my easy post. Feel free to steal it!

Happy Sunday!

I got me some mailbox happiness today! I received my postcard from Mynx over at Dribble....  I did a little happy dance in the Post Office. I believe my little Post Office happy dances are the reason why folks around town are suddenly looking at me funny. 

If you would like something other than junk and bills in your mailbox, shoot me an email with your name, address, and blog address. If you have no idea what I'm referring to, please click on the Postcard Campaign page link up top. If you send me an email before the 1st of November, you could get your very on postcard from the next blogger on the list in November and every month thereafter. So, what are you waiting for?

So, that means I get to announce the next blogger to send out postcards for November!

CWMartin over at Tilting at Windmills
(I will email you the addy's on the 1st)



So, really . . . whatchya waiting for? Shoot me an email and join us!



Award, Construction Update, and Doctor Down.

Before I go any further, I must thank my good bloggy friend Hazel over at Pablo's Angel for the award (of her very own) she dished out last week. She said many sweet things (and no I did not bribe her. Or blackmail her.).

And she had this to say:

J.Day/The Ramblings of Charlie Brown - "BraveHeart"

I called you this because you were brave enough to follow your heart and move to the back end of nowhere to work with your grandparents. I found this so inspiring! And I'm glad that it's worked out well for you as it's so nice to see you happy. You're also the brains behind the "Postcard Campaign" which is cheering up so many bloggers on dreary mornings with pretty postcards! Overall J.Day, you're very inspiring! Plus, I have fun saying J.Day over and over again too...

I have yet to understand why everyone I know loves to say my name over and over and over. People at my last job did that to me all the time. It drove me nuts. LOL Evidently my name is just fun and no one cares a snit about my poor sanity.  ;o)

 

Construction has officially begun at my parent's house! Hopefully the weather will hold out out so that there are no delays in getting everything completed. In case you're late to the party, my parents  are remodeling their house for my Granny who moved in officially a couple months ago, shortly after my Granddad's passing. She has taken my room and my bathroom and I am therefore relegated to sleep in the 5th wheel. My (old) bedroom is being remodeled into a suite where everything will be ADA compliant. They are taking one wall out 10 feet further and another wall 12 feet further. My parents had to cut down at least two trees in by the front porch and also tear out the front porch they had just put in last year. But here's how things are going so far:

 

This is the front of the house, in front of my room.

That little window is the window to my bathroom.

Back around to the front, the concrete is poured! My parents tell me it was pretty thick to match up with the house's original foundation.

And more concrete . . .

In other news, one of the vet's at the clinic I work for had a nasty accident while riding quads with some friends on vacation. He took a spill off an embankment of about 40 feet. It happened about a week and a half ago. He's pretty banged up, but he should recover well. He will, however, be out of work for a good couple months. He broke his collar bone and a shoulder blade. Last week one of the retired vets covered him over here in Sticksville. But now he's gone for about a month. I get the new vet for the next two weeks - should be interesting as I haven't work with her yet. I've met her, though. And the other retired vet is helping cover some stuff as well. It's another busy season as ranchers need their cattle preg checked, vaccinated, or need health certificates. And we're not talking just a few cows here and there. I'm talking herds of a few hundred head of cattle each.

 

Yeah. Fortunately most of our clients have been understanding about some schedule and/or doctor shuffling that's been required. And everyone wants to know how the guy is doing. I am, unfortunately, completely out of the loop as I'm only around other clinic employees two days a week.

 

I will do what I can to keep y'all posted.