HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE

Happy New Year's Eve!  I am still hibernating.  Everyone I know has either had this flu/cold or currently has it or is in the process of coming down with it.  Since Saturday morning I woke up  with a scratchy throat and have had a runny nose for a week and woke up with an achy body, I thought it best to stay in all weekend and rest in a germ free environment.  The only thing that would have made it better would have been if I could have made a fire but alas we are under Spare the Air restrictions here.  No wood fires.  That includes Duraflame logs.  So no fire in the fireplace during the whole holiday season.

I have been getting things done like laundry, writing thank you notes, starting to take down Christmas decorations, watching lots of movies and binge watching Netflix.   Low stress activities.

Hopefully I will miss this round of cold/flu by taking these measures.

Until tomorrow...

FLANNEL SHEETS

Today I started feeling like maybe I am coming down with the cold that is going around. My throat got a tingle and my nose has been running and I felt achy. Of course it could be nothing. My nose runs most days due to allergies. I feel achy most days due to my RA and my throat may have been bothering me because last night I met my friend in a bar that was kind of loud and we talked for 2.5 hours.  But I thought it was better to be safe than sorry so I stayed in most of the day.

I took a bath. I had some soup. I drank hot tea.  Put on my new slippers.  Then I made my bed with flannel sheets. There is nothing I like better when it gets cold then flannel sheets.  They are so toasty and warm.

We shall see how I feel tomorrow.

The first test results came back on Happi and they show she is fine. Diluted pee. That is all. It usually means she drank too much water before the test. More results on Tuesday. 

Until tomorrow...

DRINKS WITH A FRIEND

Tonight I went out for drinks with a friend. But let me backtrack.

First I went to work and had a horrible day so I left at 11:30 am. It was a half day for most people but I had planned to stay longer.

I got home and Happi had to pee. Then see peed again. Then I took her for a walk and she peed on every tree for 6 blocks. Then I got home and and hour later she had to pee again and 40 min again.  I called the doctor at 4:50 on the Friday of New Years Eve weekend. The new receptionist tried to put me off but I said the doctor would talk to me! He called me back and said bring her right in for testing and antibiotics.

Of course Friday night is the worst time to go to their office because the parking sucks. I drove as quick as I could and believe it or not someone was pulling out 1.5 blocks away from the front door.  We got there at 5:15 pm. They took her right back and took the samples and gave me the meds. We made it to the car at 5:45 pm. I get the test results tomorrow and Tuesday.

We rushed back home because I was meeting a friend at 6 pm. I texted I would be 15 min late.  I let both dogs out back, brushed my teeth, put on a coat, and was out the door in 5 min.

I was 4 min late to meet my friend E. We haven't seen each other in a year (where does time go!) We had a great time catching up.  He even invited me to go with him as friends to Hawaii because he has this condo reservation that he got when he was dating someone but they broke up.  But I can't. I just got this job.

It was a crazy day with ups and downs.

Until tomorrow...

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

A couple of weeks ago when I went to the eye doctor I was given good news/bad news.  The doctor says it is good news but I think it is bad news. I have the very small beginnings of cataracts. Ugh. Another sign I am getting old!

I asked him how to slow it down. He said wear sunglasses as much as possible. So if you see me in shades, you will know why. I plan to be like Bono or Jack Nicholson with shades on all the time.

He says it is good news because once I have cataracts I get the laser surgery and I don't have to wear glasses anymore. I have worn glasses since I was a little kid. I wouldn't know what to do without glasses!

Until tomorrow...

NEIGHBOR DECORATIONS

My neighbor has this vacant lot. He has made part if it into a little garden. The other part is where he has parked some old cars. To hide the cars he built a wall. During the holidays, he decorates the wall. For Christmas he puts up stockings with the neighborhood dogs names on them. 

This year he was not done putting all the names on the stockings and some people left him notes asking if he would put their dogs names on the stockings. Since it seemed like he had more dogs names than stockings I volunteered that Happi and Lucky could share a stocking this year.

We are the stocking just left of center.

Until tomorrow...

HEARD FROM A FRIEND

Out of the blue today I got a text from an old friend. He was one of my volunteers years ago and became a friend. Once I stopped working there, we lost touch. Last year I found his number through LinkedIn. We got together for a drink last Christmas and he came to my annual holiday party with his girlfriend. Then he volunteered to come put together a cabinet for me before my foster inspection.  I haven't seen or talked to him since then.

Out of the blue today I get a text wishing me a happy Christmas.  We made plans to meet for a drink. Obviously our yearly tradition.

I can't wait to hear what has gone on in his life.

Until tomorrow...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Santa came to visit! Merry Christmas! The dogs each got a new dog bed and a dog toy.

I went to the movies to see Coco the Disney movie. It was very good.

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS EVE

This year I have no packages to wrap, no gifts to run out to buy, and no last minute chaos. I am so happy. I am home watching Christmas movies and old Christmas shows like Prep and Landing  and T'was The Night Before Christmas and Charlie Brown Christmas.

Until tomorrow...

LAZY DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Just a lazy day.  I walked to the post office and picked up two packages.  One was a gift basket of fruit with 2 apples and 6 pears.  Yum!  I finished up my remaining Christmas cards and wrote some thank you cards. Watched a Christmas movie on Netflix.  Just a lazy day!

Until tomorrow...

SUPER TIRED

I literally fell asleep at 7:30 pm.  I was watching TV on the couch and I was sound asleep.  I got into bed to watch TV and bang, I was out again.  I guess I was tired.

Until tomorrow...

HOLIDAY GATHERING OF FRIENDS

Tonight I had my friends H, M, and B over for a Christmas gathering. Lots of desserts and chatter. I learned all about Twitter from B who used to work there.  It was fun.

Until tomorrow...

HOLIDAY GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS

Tonight I had a small gathering of neighbors over my home. It was wonderful. Everyone sat around and talked and ate, boy did they eat!  Everyone loved my peanut butter cups and my lemon cookies.

It was so nice having seven people over rather than 30 people over at one time. When it is a large group I barely get to talk to anyone. I am always running around cleaning up or cooking food or making punch or getting drinks. Tonight I was so relaxed. People could get their own food and I just filled drinks of which I had very few options.

Everyone seemed relaxed and seemed to have a good time. There were good conversations. We steered clear of politics talk mostly.

I think I will do this again next year. Tomorrow night is another group of friends.

Until tomorrow...

STAR WARS AGAIN

I had lunch with a friend today. We went to an Ethiopian restaurant. The food was delicious.

I was sitting at home, just finishing my Christmas shopping, when I got a text from my friend M. He was asking me if I was coming to see Star Wars. Huh? I thought there wasn't a ticket for me to go tonight. Turns out he thought his email told me there was a ticket for me for the 8:15 show. The movie started in 19 minutes. Could I get there? I could miss the previews. Okay, I would try.

I threw on shoes, took the dogs out to pee, called a cab, put on my coat, put Lucky in her cage, and the cab arrived. He got me to the theater at 8:14. I ran inside and found the theater. I sat down just as the previews started. Whew!  This theater has a policy that you cant enter if you show up late, if you talk or use your phone you will be asked to leave and if you have a problem with someone, you put up a flag and the management will deal with it. SO civilized. They also serve food and alcoholic drinks.

The movie was just as good the second time!!

I also decided to put up my little fake tree. It is cute and easy. 

Until tomorrow...

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

Today was the day I need to finish my Christmas present buying. I can't believe I waited this long to finish my shopping. At this point I have to have everything shipped directly.

I am also thinking about whether I want to buy a tree or not.  I love a real tree but it is a lot of work and this year I am not into it. I'm tired. Exhausted.

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN DESSERT SMORGASBORD

I made some great vegan lemon cookies today.  They are great.  I used some lemons from my lemon tree.  They were super easy to make and will be a hit at my parties.

Tonight I had my friends J, G and E over to my home.  First they took me to a vegan Chinese restaurant, then we came back to my house.  We had a vegan dessert smorgasbord: chocolate cheesecake with raspberries, lemon cookies, shortbread cookies, peanut butter cups, and chocolate bark.  I got a thumbs up for everything but of course the peanut butter cups were given two thumbs up!

Until tomorrow...

TWO GIFT BASKETS

Yesterday I received a gift basket from a client. It included crackers, cookies, chocolates, hummus, cheese, cheese sticks, and fruit.

Today I received another (the same) gift basket from my aunt. Since I can not eat any of it but the fruit, I am happy I am having friends over this week who will assist me in eating these snacks.

I spent my day making desserts for my friend gatherings this week.  I made my famous vegan Reese's cups and some chocolate bark with pecans and cranberries.

I also had to go get my bus pass exchanged since it stopped working a few days ago.

I went to a friend's Christmas party this evening.  I don't always do well at parties. I have a hard talking to people.  I ended up talking to a woman and her 5 year old child. I played with her child almost the whole time.

Until tomorrow...

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

Tonight I went with a group of friends to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi. We are a group that goes to see Star Wars, DC and Marvel movies. They are super fun to go with.  After the movie they go out after and talk about the movie. I usually can't do that because I have dogs that need to go out after a 3 hour movie.

Star Wars was really good. I don't want to give anything away. There is a new "character" that looks kinda like an owl. It is called a porg. It is super cool. I bought a small stuffed one to put near my Hedwig owl from Harry Potter. 

The other new cool thing in Star Wars is an Ice Fox. They are also called a Crystal Fox. The way they move is very life like.

I would see Star Wars again. I recommend it.

A client sent me a gift basket today. It has cheese, crackers, cookies, hummus, chocolate, cheese sticks, and fruit. It is a lovely basket. Great for entertaining.

Until tomorrow...

NO BIG PARTY THIS YEAR

This year I decided not to have my annual holiday party. I think many of us are just exhausted. I know I am. With natural disasters, sexual harassment claims, budget talks, internet votes, holiday preparations, work, family, dogs, getting sick, it is all too much.

I decided instead to have small groupings over for dessert.  I had my first person over tonight, my friend S. We spent 2.5 hours catching up and eating cheese cake and shortbread cookies (vegan of course).

I got my pulmonology test results back today.  I do not have interstitial systitius.

I do have nodules on my thyroid and in my lungs. They will have to retest in 6 months. Nothing to worry about.

Until tomorrow...

HAPPI'S TESTS CAME BACK PERFECT

I got good news about Happi today.  Her blood and urine tests came back perfect.  That put my mind at ease.  She had a tough night last night waking me up at 5 am.  She has been very playful and eats like crazy.  She has started drinking more and that is really good.  We are keeping her on the flagyl for many more weeks to see if she has a tummy infection. 

Until tomorrow...

SHORTBREAD COOKIES

I got up at 5 am today and made the decision to take Happi to the drop in at the veterinarian's office before going to my clients. We saw the doctor and he thought Happi looked better. He agreed to run blood work and urinalysis. I think it will make me feel better knowing her blood and pee are okay.  I get the results tomorrow.

Yesterday I began making vegan shortbread cookies. I made the batter and put it in the refrigerator.  Today I took it out and it was too crumbly. I thought about it for a bit and decided to add some water.  The batter came together and I was able to roll it out.

I was able to make a bunch of shortbread cookies. They taste okay. 

Until tomorrow...

VEGAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES

I tried to make shortbread cookies tonight.  The batter is dry and "sandy" but it tastes very good.  I am not sure what to do.  I read somewhere I should put a tablespoon or so of water to the batter until it pulls together.  I will try that tomorrow.  I have the batter in the refrigerator.

I am really excited to make vegan shortbread cookies.  

Until tomorrow...

POTLUCK

Today was the neighborhood potluck.  I brought the chocolate bark that I made yesterday.

It was a hit.  Everyone said it was good.  It is always fun to go to these neighborhood events and meet up with folks I usually just say hi to on the street.

Update on Happi:  I seem to see a change in Happi that is good.  I took Happi in a walk for the first time since she had her dental work.  She did great.  Her back legs did not tremor at all.  She wanted to sniff everything.  She drank a bunch of water.  I am really hopeful that she is recovering from the past weeks and months of tremors, stuffy breathing, teeth chattering, chills, sleeplessness and listlessness. 

Until tomorrow...

MADE SOME BARK

I spent the day with my friend's foster son.  First we went for burritos and bird food.  Then we got the ingredients to make Chocolate Bark.  I am going to a potluck tomorrow and need to take something with me and I decided to take Bark.  I thought it would be a fun activity for us to do together.  We each made our own flavor.  E was in charge of melting the chocolate and we each prepared our ingredients.  I was in charge of getting the parchment paper ready on the baking sheets.

E's bark is a peppermint candy cane bark.  I had a taste and it was good.

My bark is a craisin and pistachio bark.  It tastes AWESOME!  It should be a hit tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

MAGIC POOP SPRAY

My new dog walker did the nicest thing today.  I came home and he cleaned all the dog poop from my backyard.  The other day I noticed that there didn't seem to be the same amount of poop in the backyard but I thought I was hallucinating.  Then today all the poop was gone. I felt bad because I was supposed to clean up the poop last night since it was trash night but I was at the protest pretty late and it was dark. 

I texted him to ask him if he did it and he said he has a magic spray to make the poop disappear.  He is very funny.

He needs a special holiday present!

Until tomorrow...

NET NEUTRALITY

I took Happi to another veterinary appointment.  I am very worried that this teeth chattering is getting better but it is not going away.  I have done some research but I can't figure it out.  The other symptoms she had (shivering, tremors) went away.  She is still licking but not like she was.  Her mouth seems dry but her nose is wet.  She is yawning and teeth chattering periodically.  This new doctor thinks her stomach is bothering her.  We now have her on Flagyl and something to calm her stomach that I have to give her 1/2 hour before she eats.  I said I would give this a try and see if it does any thing.  He says those symptoms can be a sign of pain and he is thinking that the drugs upset her stomach.  She has been having strong (run you out of the room) gas for weeks.

I went to a Net Neutrality protest today.  In case you have not heard, Net Neutrality is the thing that keeps the internet free.  Everyone has access.  No Internet Service Provider can slow it down.  Keep the internet free.

Until tomorrow...

NEW EYE DOCTOR

I visited my new eye doctor today.  I stopped going to my old eye doctor of many years because he was not covered by my insurance.  Because I take Plaquinel, I have to see an eye doctor every six months.  This was getting expensive.  After paying $800 in six months, I decided I could not see my old eye doctor anymore. They were not willing to work a deal with me.  I had to go.

I found an eye doctor in my insurance who was very nice.  They did all the same tests.  The only thing that they found was that I have baby cataracts.  Ugh.  He said that was good, I would not have to wear glasses anymore.  Looking on the bright side?

Other than that my eyes looked good.

Happi slept with me and ground/chattered her teeth twice. I decided that I was calling the vet in the morning and see if I can get a cancellation appointment first thing in the morning.

Until tomorrow...

DO DOGS GET ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS?

Happi is looking so much better.  Her legs are no longer trembling.  She is walking better.  No chills.  The only part that keeps happening is the teeth chattering at night and the licking her lips.

I did some research about opioids and dogs.  Although some doctors say dogs do not get addicted to opioids, there are some doctors who believe animals do get addicted to opioids.  After this experience, I believe dogs do get addicted.  She is certainly acting like she is coming down off some kind of drug.  Not being able to sleep, licking her lips, chattering teeth, having a hard time walking.

I just want my baby back.

I went to the Jonathan Richman concert tonight.  It was great.  He used to be my neighbor and I miss seeing him and his wife and their dog Dexter around the hood.  They are such fun people.  He will be coming out with a new album soon.  

Until tomorrow...

I THINK I FOUND OUT WHAT MAKES HAPPI TREMBLE

For quite some time now Happi has been trembling. Her back legs will tremble when we go for a walk. Then during her dental problems, she has been having neck/head trembling and her teeth have been chattering. 

Yesterday I did some research on all her medications and the side effects. I found out Tramadol has tremors as a side effect. When I asked the doctors no one told me this could be a problem.

Yesterday I stopped giving Happi the Tramadol. I gave her another pain killer instead. She slept like a baby for the first time in weeks maybe more than a month.

Today I did not give her the Tramadol and gave her the other pain killer. Still no tremors. No teeth chattering. She is laying there snoring.

I started my new gig today.  It is going to be good.

Until tomorrow...

EMERGENCY ROOM WITH HAPPI

At 5 am this morning I had to take Happi to the emergency room. She was licking her lips, shaking her head and nashing her teeth all night. She could not sleep and neither could I.

I tried to stick my finger in her mouth and she cried.  That was when I put my clothes on and jumped in the car.  At the ER the doctor was stymied.  He thinks the stitches from her tooth extraction is rubbing against her cheek and has irritated her. The doc spent a lot of time sitting on the floor thinking out loud trying to figure it all out.  There does not seem to be anything that answers why she is acting this way.  I am supposed to take Happi to her regular vet on Monday. At least I know she is okay. 

I got home and went back to bed. My mind was still thinking about what the doc told me. It had to be something else. When I got up I started googling things. I started to Google side effects for her medications. She has been taking a medication called Tramadol.  When she started taking it I asked if there were any side effects and I was told it is really safe and she can take it for a long time with no issues. Since I have heard this before, I should not have believed it. But I did. She has not only been taking it, I have been increasing her dosage due to this dental procedure.

At multiple doctor appointments I have mentioned that Happi has developed these tremors. They just started a few months ago. She has had them in her legs. I was told older dogs get them.  I have been suspect since they just appeared one day. Usually these things gradually appear. 

One of the side effects of Tramadol is tremors. Here I have been increasing Happis dosage. She is trembling in her legs, face and mouth. I immediately stopped giving her the pain killer. I began giving her another pain killer that knocks her out. Let's see if my instinct is correct. 

Until tomorrow...

POTLUCK PARTY

Happi is still doing the chattering thing with her teeth and is licking her lips.  I have to leave her to go to a potluck for the foster/adopt agency.  I am worried about her. I gave her the medicine and she is going to sleep.

This morning there was a giant car accident that caused a back up on the freeway.  I was debating whether to go to the potluck since the freeway was backed up for hours.  I decided to go and had a great time.  My friends J and G were there with their foster some E.  We hung out.  I saw my social worker and we talked about me getting a foster kid.  She said some kids have come across her desk but she declined them for me.  She wants me to get a kid just right for me.

I know you want to know what I brought: Mexican Bean Salad.  It was a hit!

The ride back home was not as bad as I thought it would be.

Until tomorrow...

NEW TEMPORARY DOG WALKER

Happi is still not doing well.  I called the doctor again but he doesn't seem concerned.  I am concerned.  He says to give her more pain meds.  He says she is still having issues coming out of the anesthesia.  She is still doing the chattering thing with her teeth.  

We met the temporary dog walker today. He is very nice.  He will be coming on the days that I work and letting Happi out in the backyard and taking Lucky out with his group.

I am so happy about this.  He seems very nice and Happi really likes him.

Lucky was not very nice to him.  She laid on her bed and growled at him.  She would not let him pet her while I was there.  I think it will be okay.  She was just scared.  She will calm down once she gets to know him.

Until tomorrow...