Gone Girl

She was a very good girl. And now she's gone. It's a cruel twist that the length of pets lives does not match our own.

Odie Pearl was just over 13 years, 3 months old when she "crossed the Rainbow Bridge", as they say. It does sound much nicer than died. She was suffering from heart failure, diagnosed in January. Medication had held off symptoms fairly well for four months - but this past week she'd lost her appetite, She started wheezing and coughing - indicating end stages of the disease.

I spent a long week tormenting myself over a difficult decision. I must admit I didn't get much sleep, getting up with her, massaging her chest as she coughed and wheezed. Somehow Paul slept through much of it. I could have taken her back into Dr. Merk for a tweak of her meds - but then ultimately we would have been at this same place again, only Odie may have slid even further down in health after not eating.

That last night I wept silently in my bed as Odie (in between coughing and wheezing) and Paul slept. Then I got up and sat in my chair, researching topics euthanasia and canine heart disease. I cried some more. I determined I did not want Odie to suffer from this disease just so I could enjoy her company longer.

When Paul got up at 5 a.m., I talked it over with him. I was still waffling. It was morning - things would be okay, right? But I thought back on my nighttime angst. I knew more of those nights could be in store with this illness. I let Odie out to go potty and her coughing returned. I knew it was the right decision. A painful decision.

Odie sat quietly on my lap on the way to the Specialty Clinic at 6 a.m. It was quiet there. They were very helpful. It was where Odie was first diagnosed. They will notify our regular vet about her passing, so they quit sending notices. In addition, Odie's ashes will be shipped to our regular clinic.

The procedure itself was very peaceful. Odie had an IV port inserted and she was a little nervous when she came back from that. The veterinarian came in next. He turned out to be a guy we knew from Amy's volleyball days - when she played with a traveling team from Corning. He put a shot of something in the port to make her sleep. It worked in about a minute. The next shot into the port stopped her heart in less than a minute. I cried. Paul hugged me.

Ever since Odie was diagnosed with this serious illness I have tried to drink her in. Her soft, soft ears and warm brown eyes. The way she would bop her nose into my calf and lick it when I came home. Odie's huge appreciation of people food. She loved raw carrots and I loved the way she crunched them. If I didn't feed her quickly enough she would whine insistently. I won't always miss that. I'll miss the way she burrowed under the covers at night - nestling against my calves early. Later we'd wake up and she'd be between us like a third person.

Odie loved treats!

Odie was a "people" dog. She especially loved ladies - like all of my Creston gang, Diana, Bobbie, and Deb. We moved from Creston over five years ago, but she still remembered them and would make a big deal about those gals.

Of course, she loved her sibs - Amy (Sissy) and Jud (Juddy). She called them the names in parentheses. When I'd say, "Juddy's coming", she'd sit staring at the door until he showed up. She loved taking naps with Sissy on the couch. It's hard to believe Jud was a sophomore in High School when we got Odie. Now Jud & Kara, Amy & Corey each have two dogs. It brings me great joy to know that my love of dogs is being carried on by my kids.

Though Odie was my dog, she had a special relationship with her daddy, Paul. Paul has never been a "pet" guy. He's a farm kid. They had pets - but easy come, easy go. Paul is very understanding of my commitment to our pets, and has gotten "sucked in" to loving them too. Every night Odie would sit by Paul's chair and gaze at him. He's pat his lap for her to jump up and get a nice petting massage. She loved it! He took good care of her.

While Odie loved people, she was not wild about her dog relatives. It's my fault - I didn't socialize her with dogs when she was young. She did learn to tolerate Gidget, the boxer owned by Leslee who provided care when we went out of town. We were lucky that we had Lila and Bill when we lived in Creston and Leslee and family here in WDM.

Our house is going to seem pretty empty. No greeter when we get home. I won't need to save tidbits of food from my supper - to share with the tiny hungry hound. No more lingering in the yard while Odie sniffs every blade of grass. Nobody to talk to when I toast English Muffins on Fridays, asking, "Are you ready for the Muffin Man?". She always answered with her bright eyes, barely chewing, gulping the food. There was little she didn't like. 

Odie's ashes will be stored in a special place with Moki. Two good dogs. They are loved. RIP Odie Pearl. A good girl.





  

Meet me in St. Louis

St. Louis was never a place I thought I'd be visiting often - until Jud and Kara moved there a few years ago. Even then, we thought the city might be a "passing phase". Now it seems they've settled in quite nicely. Kara travels and works from home. Jud is enjoying his new job at Purina, managing lines of pet food. They have lots of friends to hang out with. We're so proud of both of them. 

We hadn't really seen them since our family gathering in St. Louis for Thanksgiving. Sure, we glimpsed them briefly at ISU's fab bowl game in Memphis. But that was a few words in here and there, mostly on historic Beale Street. Not really the quality time one is hoping for with our kids, though celebrating that victory together was priceless! They seemed more excited about seeing the winning players instead of us on Saturday night.

So we scheduled this early March trip to STL - just after Paul's birthday. It worked out well. Mother Nature is trying to hang on - snow showers fell on the way there, and back. During our time in the Gateway City, the weather cooperated just fine.

Odie went along to see her "people" and to put up with the boys, Jud and Kara's dogs Henry and Archie. She didn't have to tune them up as much as usual - the boys are growing up and are past the puppy phase. I was tempted to purchase a pill organizer for her meds. She's now on 3 meds for her heart, but those seem to make a difference. 

We were all overjoyed to arrive at Jud and Kara's home on Friday night. Once we had the tour of all the updates they'd been working on at their 1920's home, we visited a Cajun/Cuban restaurant.

The next morning, we stopped at a kolache bakery right in Jud and Kara's neighborhood. We could choose from pastries filled with cream cheese, eggs, sausage, and fruit. Warm and tasty.

Later that morning we headed downtown to tour the Fabulous Fox Theatre. In Des Moines, we have a fine modern theater in the Civic Center and are fortunate that it pulls in awesome Tony Award winning musicals each year. That building cannot compare to the truly fabulous Fox Theatre, originally built in 1929 as a movie theater. When the building fell into disarray (damn you 1970's rock concerts), Fox Associates purchased and refurbished it - reopening in 1982.

Organ Player

Above the stage

The tour was historical. It included a short performance by the organ player - he and the organ slowly raised up out of the floor as he played dramatically. We traipsed through all areas of the large building. We got to see where the rich people sit and the dressing rooms with posters drawn on the walls everywhere - for Broadway shows and music groups. We stood on stage. The whole thing took over an hour, up and down stairs.  We heard about ghosts at the theater - one of the employees died on the job, running the movie machine.   

You can book this for your wedding for $25K

On stage

That night we celebrated Paul's birthday at a great place Kara and Jud discovered, Twisted Tree Steakhouse. The salad dressing was super and my filet was really good. Thanks to K&J for taking us out! Later we sat up and talked, sharing a nice bottle of red wine.

Have I mentioned how much I like adult children? It's fun to talk about work, tell them family stories and hear about their friends. Jud entertained us with stories from his new job at Purina. It seems they have culinary events at work. And no they don't taste the dog food.

Archie thinks Henry is his pillow

All too soon, it was Sunday morning and time to head home. It's hard to leave when we don't know when we'll see them again. Summer? I hope so. Both sets of our children have weddings here this summer. Yay. We also have a date in August in Washington for our nephew Alex's wedding. Some dates to look forward to. 

The Puppy with a Huge Heart

Odie is a dog with huge heart. Seriously. It's supposed to take up space through three ribs, and now, according to X-rays, her heart is around six ribs. Wow!

Odie the puppy - 2005

Our veterinarian had told me she had a heart murmur at an appointment last year, and Paul and I have noticed the old girl (13 this month) slowing down lately. She's very hard of hearing - no longer greeting us at the door when we come home. We've never taken her on long walks, but exercise is curtailed. Odie is a yard girl - she doesn't like to stray from where her next meal with come from.

We took Odie to Colorado over Christmas, where I noticed the toll the altitude took on her breathing, especially at night. I assumed that she'd be better when she came home, but that wasn't the case. Last weekend I listened to her gasping at night and feared she wouldn't make it until morning Sunday. We visited the emergency clinic where they diagnosed her heart issues.

The young doc put her on meds to help her heart pump more efficiently and to clear some fluid from her lungs. He kept calling her Little Pumpkin. I had booked an appointment to see her regular doc at Ashworth Road Vet Clinic, Dr. Merk, for Friday. Subsequent X-rays from that appointment showed the heart still enlarged, so she bumped up the diuretic and will see the doc again in a couple weeks.In the meantime, Odie seems more comfortable, not gasping and has even been playful.

This stage of a pet's life is so difficult. I want her with me. I don't want her to suffer. If nature doesn't take her, what is the perfect intersection of those two things?

Three times I've had to make the most difficult decision - with my beloved cat Bucko. He pretty much hated everyone but me in our family. And he didn't always like me. He'd lay on my belly while I read, then out of the blue, bite my chin and run!

Bucko

Then, the best white dog in the whole world (not to compete with Odie). Moki the Wonderdog - raised as the kids' bro. If Amy went down a slide, Moki would slide. When the fam went sledding, Moki ran along. We dealt with his diabetes for seven years - shots twice a day. He lived to be 13, seven years after diagnosis. Amy and Jud learned how to give the shots.

Fall Slide with Amy

Balloon Days dog show

Amy's cat Samantha, always just called Kitty, did not like the vet. She rarely saw them. In the end - at age 17 years, she was mostly blind. A stray early in life, she became more affectionate as she aged. I miss having a cat around.

Samantha liked my water best

For now, I'm enjoying each day with Odie, happy that she's my good girl. I have been so blessed with the animals in my life. They enrich life. I donate to the Animal Rescue League through One Gift at work. They do great work. I believe those who abuse and abandon animals are the lowest of low.

Hug your pets, think back on the "good boys and girls" you have been blessed with. Stay tuned - we'll be back at the vet in a couple weeks. I guess that new stove can wait.

Hanging with Mr. & Mrs. Goldsmith

Paul and I packed Odie up Friday and headed the Subaru south to visit Jud and Kara in St. Louis. We hadn't seen them since the day after they got married way back in April. Wow! We had a lot of catching up to do. We've been places, they've been places. Sure, we've talked on the phone, but it's just not the same as in person, you know.

The theme of the weekend was mainly food (and family togetherness). We arrived in a rainstorm Friday evening. Henry the grand puppy was so happy to see us. He is such a lovely boy - I don't believe I've ever heard him growl or bark. He does like to jump up and greet you right in your lap - so hold onto your drinks. Odie was not impressed.

Odie watches Henry like a hawk

Friday we headed out in the rain for yummy cornbread crust pizza. Our son the gentleman, dropped us off at the door and arrived a big soggy at the restaurant. I forget how funny and full of information the guy is. He loves to podcasts and NPR. Kara likes to give him crap when he spouts less than factual information - as a good wife should.  They make a great pair! My mother used to believe everything my dad told her - no matter how far-fetched!

Farmer's Market

Saturday morning we attended a Farmer's Market in the Soulard neighborhood. It was all under roof, which was interesting. There were live chickens and fruit I'd never seen before.

Jud, Kara and Paul place their orders

Ribs!

Next, we arrived early at Jud's favorite Barbeque joint, Pappy's - just to make sure Jud and Paul could get Burnt Ends.
That afternoon, we went with J&K to look at a couple houses - just like house hunters on HGTV. It was fun! I like house shopping, though the kids are getting a bit tired of it. The market in town has been very tough - with houses going above asking price, and quickly! They are trying to be patient, but it's hard when they are so excited and ready to move into their very own place. So we went for Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard at a local place that obviously quite popular. Yum. Of course we had to rest and watch football after that.

Jud and Kara live in the Grove neighborhood where there are lots of cute restaurants and bars. That's what we did last night, when it was so nice out. We walked a few blocks over to the Cowboy bar, which is surrounded by bamboo out back. We could only muster up enough appetite for a few chips and wings. No surprise right? Then we stopped at a couple more bars that were still pretty quiet as the night was young. The Urban Chestnut Brewery is always fun. Odie and Henry were happy when we arrived back at J&K's apartment.

After we left this morning, the kids were going to look at yet another potential future home. We wish them luck! I remember when Paul and I purchased our first house in Creston. It took a while to settle in, but we made that place on Prairie Street our own. We lived there 12 years!

The good news is that we'll see Kara and Jud later in October when they come up for a football game. Yay! Life is good.

Busy mind and other stuff

Technology is making it easy for me to have limited pondering time. The result is less blogging my friends! I used to come up with blogging topics as I drove or walked, listening to music. Random thoughts would pop into my brain and I'd think "I should write about that."

Now I fill up that time with reading - but not the traditional kind. I listen to books downloaded on my phone. Less pondering. Listening to books is enjoyable in some ways, but does limit my thinking time. Am I just into avoidance? Yes.

I'm going to try to allow myself a bit my time to ponder again. I do love my books - "Calgon take me away". But spinning my brain on life's daily issues and thinking back about how my life today connects to my history is important to me.

It's been a fun couple weeks, after a rough work week. You would think at this stage of my career I would have things all worked out in that department - but no. There is still angst. It's been suggested that I should care so much. I just don't work like that. So I fret and tear myself up. I'm glad it's behind me anyhow...

Last weekend we picked up tickets to the musical Cabaret. Neither of us really knew what it was about - Berlin right before World War 2. And raunchy! We enjoyed it. The male lead was very talented. Prior to the musical we split a sandwich and had martinis at 3 Olives in downtown Des Moines. We enjoy sitting at the bar and chatting up the bartenders. This one talked to us about the upcoming big event - the NCAA men's basketball tourney.

When the show ended, a text from McKims took us to a West Des Moines bar to listen to talented singer Damon Dotson, friend of Phil Conover. It was a good time hanging with longtime friends. There was even a bit of dancing. We miss that after our move to WDM. Don and Diana made us of our guest room that night - one reason we picked the home we did. Convenient for travelers.

Keg Stand with McKims

On Sunday we enjoyed watching more talented performers when our niece Barb invited us to watch the Dowling Catholic High School Show Choir perform their last event of the year at the school. Barb and Mike's junior lovely daughter Mandy is a member of the group. I'm so glad Barb hit us up to attend!

Mandy - 2nd from right

This week I went out to eat with the Diamond Brooke ladies (our townhouse association) - a group of about 10 of us this month. We wet to Granite City and had a great time - gossiping about the units for sale - one is right next to us. This weekend was our soon-to-be daughter-in-law's bachelorette party in St. Louis. Amy headed there from her home in PA. Jud (not invited) headed here with our newest grandpuppy 4 month old Henry in tow. He's a Cava-poo. But he mostly looks like a spaniel.

Odie, I'm sitting in your bed...

Jud was a good puppy dad, bringing along all the gear - kennel, bed, treats, food dishes, toys and more! Henry's harness requires a college degree to remove. Let 's just put it out there that Odie does not like Henry any more that she likes Franklin, Amy and Cory's puppy. She believes she should be the only dog on earth. Henny Penny as I called him, or Hank, was rather cowed by the old bitty. As he should be. Not yet used to his new longer limbs (he's growing quickly) he would awkwardly fall down at random times or bump his head. He's really cut though and quite love able. He reminds me of my Aunt Marty's cocker spaniel Zelda.

Kara with sash and Amy to her left

The photos from the bach party indicate that the weekend went well. It was fun having Jud home one last weekend as a single fella. It will be really weird to see him married - my baby boy. I've been compiling pictures of him for a slide show for the wedding reception. Damn he was cute!

I attended a fun baby shower for my friend Deb's grandbaby yesterday. Jud and Deb's son Keith were pals through their early years. Of course I know all the hostesses - her 3 sisters. They are so funny. I was pleased to be included in this special event and happy to catch up with several people there.

Kelsey Peterson with Deb to her left and aunties.

Today after Jud left, Paul and I went to the DSM Home Show and stopped for a nummy Bloody Mary at Buzzard Billys before shopping for groceries for Amy's week long visit to DSM. can't wait to have our firstborn girl home for a week!

There you have it - not a thoughtful blog. I'll work on that - but a catch up on whatup with Leslie. Hope you have been doing okay.

Flee Fly Flow, We're the Class of '76

It's been a rough week, I can't lie. Oh, in the big scheme of things - it's nothing really. But I certainly didn't enjoy it. First of all, we need to replace our windshield for $500 due to that mysterious rock chip. Ugh!

Next, we've had fleas. Which made me think of that childhood song. "Flea Fly Flow" . It is much more fun singing that song than having fleas. I noticed Odie itching last Friday night - and spied one of the little bastards on her Saturday morning. We treat her monthly with expensive medicine - so I was not happy! After lots of thought, I decided the possums left them when the skeddadled.

I called the vet's office Saturday and they advised me to pick up a couple pills to kill adult fleas. Then I was to treat her with the monthly medicine the next day. We also purchased some spray for in the house and yard. We washed bedding, vacuumed and all the usual routine when one finds illicit visitors. On Monday I called Orkin and they treated the house that afternoon. None of this seemed to phase the evil biters.

Odie and I haven't slept well. She's been restless and itchy. I've been fretting and combing her frequently on the deck - producing dead and live critters. Even I have bites. I've poured over the Internet looking at options. I tried apple cider vinegar cut with water sprayed on her. I'm tempted to sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the yard. Paul think it sounds crazy. See...it's got me trying crazy stuff!

One week later I took her to the vet. Poor Odie isn't eating and neither of us can take much more of this! Dr. Merk prescribed an anti-itch medicine that is not a steroid. Plus she gave us a chewable flea med that kills fleas when they get on the dog - not after they bite the dog like her present med.

I hope this works. So does Odie!

The highlight of my week was a get-together with a group of my high school classmates - the decoration committee for our June 2016 reunion. We met at a restaurant in Ankeny. It's so funny how the years melt away when one sees old friends. Even though we didn't always go to the same school, Cindy, Dawn and I were in Catechism together most of the years. A bonding experience for sure! Jeanne, Cindy and Roger all went to Jackson school. And we all attended High School together - though Jeanne moved to Ames during our Junior year. I sure enjoyed seeing my homies!

We decided not to decorate but came up with some ideas for the Saturday night gathering at the Country Club - like nametags and a backdrop for photos. (Jeanne has suggested Zombie prom, but that sounded like too much effort for me...) On Friday night we typically do a picnic at Sunnyside Park with golf on Saturday. I'm in charge of looking into a walk or bike ride that morning too. Sounds like fun. Hope there aren't any bugs.

 

Too Old to Muzzle

Odie's Mother's Day gift to me was to get her nails trimmed. Of course she didn't offer that up. I kinda forced her into it. PetSmart discovered her rabies vaccine was expired that morning.

Odie last year after surgery to remove a tumor on her chest

"I can't muzzle her. She's too old," the doggie tech told me. As I drove home with Odie (she thought she was getting out of the nail trim...wrong) to get the form, I thought about it. Odie is 10 - so what's that in dog years? How old am I?

I'm too old to muzzle too. Or as my pal Deb and I have stated - our mufflers have rusted off.

I have always been a smart ass - in the right company. But I was quiet in many settings and sometimes failed to speak up to those in positions superior to mine. Yes...I bit my tongue! Maturity has given me the confidence to speak my mind in all situations today. Yay - a reason to be glad to be a grown up.

And now this. Muzzle free. Okay - I'm likely not there yet. But someday - when I'm retired...a few years down the road - I'll let my hair go gray and I'll let fly whatever is on my mind.

 

Odie had her wisdom teeth removed

Oh wait...that was Amy, our daughter who lives in Denver. She had the two un-emerged teeth removed Monday and came through it swimmingly. Fingers crossed no dry sockets ensue. Amy is also just finishing up with Invisiline braces and her teeth look great! Miracles of modern dentistry.

And today Odie, our wiener dog, had her teeth cleaned. It was her first time. She also had a badly sheared tooth removed - I knew that going in. They told me another one was very wiggly so it got yanked too. She's going to be eating canned food for a couple days instead of the usual crunchy stuff. Plus no chewy toys...or GASP no Dingos.

Odie loves Dingo rawhide chewies. She eats one nearly every day when I get home from work. Oh, when the scare came out about dog treats from China, I tried to find a substitute. But there's nothing like telling your dog, "A Dingo Ate My Baby"! It's a line from an old Seinfeld episode...the one where Elaine says that at a cocktail party to get attention. Dingo treats last Odie just the right amount of time. She's hooked on them.

Now after Odie had dental work I'm going to have to give her soft treats for two weeks...but she'll gulp one of those down in scant seconds. The dentist, um veterinarian reported some of Odie's other teeth were a little loose. That's worrisome. I don't suppose I will be able to get her to gargle salt water....to avoid a dry socket.

I'm glad my girls got through their dental procedures. Pearly whites!

Dr. Merk provided this write up of the procedure. Look at those pearly whites!

I picked Odie up early this afternoon. I hope recovery is uneventful. Odie is acting in somewhat dramatic fashion - whimpering periodically and giving me that, "how could you?" look. She does like the canned dog food. Wish me luck! #babydoggy

Odie is going to be alright

The vet called me at work Monday as I was heating up my leftovers for lunch (we cooked scallops Sunday night - yummy!). She gave me the good news - Odie's growth, removed from her chest last Thursday, isn't cancer! Yippy! The tumor was some long scientific name - cell growth from a trauma. And now it's been removed and she's feeling really good. Especially since I took the damn shirts off of her.

Pasta with scallops

Dr. Merk had told me to protect and support the stitches with a "onesie" baby outfit. So I rushed to Target and got her 3, Cyclone outfits of course. Plus some undershirts in case those didn't fit. I know - overprotective mamma. She hated them! And whined the whole time she had one on. It may have been because she was in pain - but as soon as I took them off - she was better. (She did look adorable - but she's a nudist at heart...). The stitches are set to come out Friday. Our little $700 medical excursion has had a good ending. Relief.

Thanks to all for those puppy prayers. As I was putting my hopes and prayers out there that she would be okay, I began to wonder...do we only get so many requests we may ask of the Big Guy? (or Higher Power - whatever you might call that being you pray to). Did I just use one of my "markers" up on a dog? Ah well - she's worth it!

I would have posted this earlier, but my Internet Explorer and blog software were not playing nicely. I ended up having to uninstall IE11. Google didn't like it.

Monday afternoon Paul and I took off early to drive to Atlantic to attend the visitation for Jody Henningsen. Despite the sad occasion it's always nice to see my wonderful friend Robyn. Her sis Karla was there and the Henningsen siblings too. My homegirls and I (Paula put herself in charge) went in on an arrangement with an angel and Roger Underwood sent one from the Class of 1976.

There was laughter and a few tears. I enjoyed hearing some of the Jody stories some of the other attendees shared - like the woman from Brinks flowers shop. She told about when Jody and Tom first moved into their home north of town - it was a cool place and had a huge great room that featured a fireplace in the middle. Jody stopped at Brinks and said "I want to decorate in red. And I want YOU and You to come help me. Be there tomorrow and bring That and That and That." When they got to the house the next day, Jody put them to work. She also made them lunch and slipped them bottles of booze and cash as they left. I bet lunch was really good - she was a fab cook!

Rob told me Tom Henningsen's brother Denny also just passed away - so the fam is headed to Clear Lake tomorrow for that funeral. At least the weather is warming up a bit for that drive and event. Robyn says that even though her mom is gone, she'll still visit Atlantic every year. It will be different though. I'm glad she's so close to the Henningsens. Mike still throws a big party for the 4th of July every year at his hangar at the airport.

Last night we enjoyed a great basketball game - #9 ISU beat #7 Baylor in Ames. Our team just keeps finding ways to win. They're fun to watch!

Today I had a work meeting at the Kum and Go (I know...awful name) Corporate office - in the Hawkeye room, of all places. The Krause family members are big Hawk fans and I appreciate their support of their team. I thought about how my parents would have gotten a kick out of seeing the memorabilia in the room. I liked the photo on the wall featuring all the assistant coaches who went on to be head coaches. Shelly picked up lunch from Palmers Deli for all of us - I got a turkey sannie with a slice of granny smith - delish! Some unknown person bought our whole group. Pay it forward...I'm looking for my opportunity!

After work, I went to my YMCA for orientation on the weight equipment. Yep - I finally settled into the Y long enough to be comfortable enough to do that. (I'm a slow adapter when it comes to things that involve other people). Eric was very nice - and a young woman shadowed us too. He showed me how to use each piece of the equipment. Most was similar to the Creston equipment - but there were a few different pieces.

I asked about a workout routine - and Eric asked if I wanted to get set up in the ActivTrax program. Sure! I didn't realize that meant I had to do a workout. I'll be sore as hell tomorrow. I did 35 crunches in 1 minutes ya'll. AND didn't wet my pants. That was an accomplishment! The one I really struggled with was a shoulder press - not surprising with my frozen shoulder issues. Hey - that's why I'm doing this.

After my workout I ran to HyVee to pick up supper and some Allegra - isn't winter supposed to be when my nose isn't plugged up? I ran into Meg Gammell Jackson in the college paraphernalia aisle. She and Mark and 3 kids live in Grimes right across from sister Kate (due to have baby #2 on the 20th) and her husband. She said her folks were in the deli. Fun to see some familiar faces at the store again!

Crestonians - Eldon, Marg, their son-in-law and grandkids

I talked them into to posing for a blog pic.

It's been a busy week - and it's "Guess what day it is?"

Tomorrow Pablo and I are giving blood. So it should be a quiet night. I hope your week is going well!

Under the Knife

My fretter is going. Odie is scheduled for surgery Thursday and I've been fretting about it since we got back from Colorado. I (mostly) squelched my fretter before then. Odie has a tumor on her chest. Our veterinarian aspirated it with a needle, but could not determine what type of cells it was made up of - other than it's not just fat.

I remember when I felt a lump on our first dog Moki's side. I was sure it was cancer. Luckily it was only a fatty tumor - that grew quite large, but never seemed to bother him. Unfortunately, Odie's tumor isn't fat. Our vet wants to find out just what it is - just under the skin.

I wonder if she'll have to have a cone on her head after surgery. That would suck! And look stupid too. I don't think she'll be able to reach this where it is on her chest. A little jacket would probably protect it better. I worry that she'll be a real wiener about this surgery...literally and figuratively. Just look at those eyes - they bulge when she wants something or is upset. Thursday night will probably be a long one - and I am glad I work at home on Friday.

Odie doesn't seem to have any other symptoms going on - so that's good news. It's going to be hard to concentrate at work on Thursday as she goes under the knife. I'm not sure how long it will take for them to let us know just what we're up against regarding the tumor. Fingers crossed! Send your good thoughts out for my puppy! Thanks.

Odie likes to sit on the back of the couch - on this fluffy blankie

Pooches don't fret

We went to the new Hunger Games movie Friday night - Catching Fire. I liked it! I read all the books on my Nook E reader a couple years ago - that's when we saw the first movie, in sunny Marco Island with seester Cindo. It took seeing the movie this movie for the plot to come back of course. It's that Bookheimers I have...they all the plots start to run together.

I must admit I was a little distracted at the movie. We had been with Odie to the vet late Friday afternoon. The poor girl has that anal gland problem. The stinky glands fill up and need to be squeezed out. I know - it's TMI and icky. But they must be uncomfortable because she starts scooting when they're full.

My lil buddy is squeezed in by me while I type this blog...

Odie rode along with us when we took Amy to the airport last after our fab Thanksgiving holiday. As she sat on my lap, I felt some bumps on her chest that aren't supposed to be there. So at her vet, um - treatment, I asked the vet to check that spot out. Dr. Jessica Merk ended up doing a needle biopsy on that bumpy area. Unfortunately, the cells weren't recognizable and the growth needs to come out. It's some kind of tumor.

Of course I'm heartsick with concern. Odie's my baby puppy. She'll just be 9 years old in January - just middle-aged. I'm hopeful this is some type of benign growth.  Our longtime college vet friends have been consulted. It pays to have veterinarians as groomsmen in your wedding. Yes - it's probably hard on them to do consultations sight unseen - but we needed their opinions none-the-less.

Odie is going with us to Colorado on the Saturday before Christmas. Therefore I have postponed her surgery until January 2nd. At that time they'll remove the thing (as must as possible at least) and biopsy it. Until then I'm going to spoil her rotten (like usual). Her anal problem is much improved and it wasn't even too hard to talk her into going outside in the frigid cold tonight.

The good news is that dogs don't fret about surgery scheduled in January. (Okay their mommy's do...)In the meantime, send evil tumor zapping thoughts Odie's way - would ya? Thanks!

Saturday night we went to the Big 4 Classic - Basketball at Wells Fargo Arena. Too cheap to pay $8, we parked at St. John's Lutheran Church west of the arena. ISU was playing the UNI Panthers. Our seats were past the basket but were down low - not nosebleed seats for once. Sometimes it pays to be an athletic donor - even though we're not real high rollers.

Those UNI Panthers came to play - and the Cyclones dug themselves into a deep hole before a furious run pulled them close. The Cyclones ended up winning in overtime - phew. I was afraid it was going to be a Panther state in hoops just like football! We watched the first half of the Hawkeye vs. Drake game and headed through the chilly night to our car. This is what we found. Revenge of the birds! Let's hope the right birds come out on top (Cy) when ISU plays Iowa Friday night.

That will teach us to park under a tree - with the Lutherans...we hit a car wash on our way home. Damn crows!

Et me Brutae...and other stuff

Have you ever noticed "not that nice" behaviors in others that you recognize in yourself? I had that occasion this week while traveling with a group. We stopped at a rest area and one party member expressed displeasure with our parking spot. It wasn't close enough to the door - though it was only a couple spots from the absolute closest spot we could have gotten.

I wasn't driving, but I felt bad for the guy at the wheel. He took it like a husband used to such criticism. Like my husband. I myself have been a parking Nazi - critical of where Paul chooses to park, especially in winter. From the outside looking in, the behavior didn't look good. I vow to try for better behavior when it comes to parking. And other similar things like driving. It got my attention.

Other Stuff
You may have read Amy's recent blog. Amy's Blog
She comes home in about a week. Yippy! That kid is doing some cool things. She had a run in with a bad ass taxi driver a couple days ago. He tried to extort her for $90 for a 15 minute taxi ride. The accident and that taxi have been the only two things she's let us know about that have freaked her out. Can't wait to hear...the REST of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say.

Last night we attended Morgan Conn's Des Moines Christian High School softball game. Morgan is my ISU roommate Jane's daughter. Jane and her son Jacob, and Jane's sister Susan were there at the game. It was fun to see them all. Jane told us that DM Christian wasn't going to be able to field a team this summer because not enough girls were going to go out for the sport. It takes a lot of time! So Morgan talked a couple friends into joining her and she put in the time to go out for softball - after she graduated from high school! She hadn't played the sport since 7th grade. What a kid!

I'm sorry this lousy pic doesn't show Morgan who I think is behind #42

Morgan will attend ISU next year - she received a great scholarship in the food/nutrition department - 4 years of tuition! Way to go kiddo! They won the game and will play again on Monday night in Boone. Jane has done a great job raising her kids and can be very proud. I look forward to seeing Jane and Morgan at ISU football games this fall.

On the ride in

Strudel ahead!

Strudel!

This morning Paul and I loaded up the bikes on the rack on his car and drove to Gray's Lake in downtown. Then we rode a couple miles to the Farmer's Market - wearing our backpacks for stuff we knew we'd purchase. They have a bike valet service at the market that is free. I remembered to take my own coffee cup today so I didn't have to do Styrofoam! The market wasn't as crowded today - I'm not sure why. There was a DM Public Works thing going on at the Court Avenue Bridge too.

We scored some Iowa sweetcorn, got a couple baby gifts - our young friends keep popping out those babies recently! Congrats to Christine and Ryan (Christine was a consultant who worked with me when I ran the landfill and we still see each other lots through work) who are parents of Ethan born July 3rd and Karla and Andrew - (Karla worked for Paul in Creston) who had a little girl, Payton, to join big sis Lilly, two days ago.

Paul pointed out this t-shirt..didn't buy, but liked it!

We talked to the DM Public works people about bike trails and got free trail maps and a long sleeve t-shirt left over from a ride a couple years ago. I can't ever resist checking out the pony rides. Those were so thrilling when I was little.

Takes me back to my Bar-L Ranch days...

As we rode back to Gray's Lake  (we went the other way back, riding east) we saw the Color Run taking place. My friend Mona Jones' daughter Dru was running with friends. I would have liked to meet her, but figured meeting an old friend of her mom's was probably low on her list of things to do in DSM. Yeah, I can still remember what it was like to be 18!

This is a 5K for charity where participants get sprayed with colorant along the route.
 

I loved riding bikes around Gray's Lake on the trail! There were a lot of people walking, running and riding. It makes me feel so alive and happy to live in a place with active people and things to do. We need to continue investigating the trail system! I'd like to kayak at Gray's Lake sometime too. So many activities, so little time.

Odie update. Odie has weakness in her hind legs with no pain. She is on pain medication, but the vet and I are concerned that she has bad spinal stuff going on. It could progress or not. She's always been such a leaper - which is very bad for dogs like her. We need to baby her back from now on. Send good thoughts her way!