Sunday Inspiration: Greater than Kindness

 

Thankful Thursday: February 25, 2021

 

I Am Thankful For:

An extra weekend day

Rainy days and Mondays

After-hours veterinarians

The reaction cleared up

Sleepy puppy

Sunshiney days

Pancakes

The ice storm wasn't anywhere near as bad as expected

Chili in the crockpot

Watching British sitcoms

Conversations in the car with the grandkid

Simple dinners

The puppy is feeling better

Being up for the sunrise

Beautiful blue skies

St Patrick's Day decor

Preparing a new recipe

Family game night

Let's NOT Do That Again!

Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious. Y'all.  What a week.  It was a rough one.  And I know it wasn't even close to what some of you were dealing with. (I see you, Texas!)  

I had plans for a fun little "Pancake Day" post last Tuesday. I was going to give you a brief history of the day and even share my favorite simple pancake recipe. The post wasn't quite ready on Monday evening, so I thought I would just wrap it up and publish it as soon as I got home from taking Max to the veterinarian for his check-up the next day.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

Tuesday started out nice enough.  I got up, showered, dressed, put on makeup.  My Tuesday morning Zoom for online Bible study was canceled (the leader lives in Texas and had no power) so I had a little downtime before heading to the vet office.  Max had a great checkup, received three vaccines, and we headed home

Once we were home, things took a turn.  Poor little Max started vomiting.  Then he walked into the dining room, laid down on the floor, and just stayed there.  When I spoke to him, he didn't even pick his head up - just looked at me.  A quick call to the veterinarian and we were on our way back to his office.  He was having an allergic reaction to one of his vaccines! They gave him a Benedryl shot and kept him for the afternoon to monitor him. 

Around dinner time they called to say I could pick him up since his vitals were good and he had rested comfortably that afternoon.  When we got home, he threw up a little more almost as soon as we got out of the car.  Then he started breaking out in hives, shaking his head repeatedly and rolling on the floor - clearly itchy.  I didn't realize it at the time, but he apparently also had some swelling around his eyelids and face.  Another phone call and we were on our way to the emergency vet.  

 

The ER veterinarian gave Max a steroid shot.  Another for nausea.  And sent him home with a round of oral steroids and directions for oral doses of Benedryl.  He slept well that night.  (At least one of us did.  I was wide awake every time he made a sigh or moved in his sleep)  

 Next day, he seemed to be feeling better.  He did sleep more than usual - probably a result of the medications he was taking.  When he wanted to play, he showed little to no interest in wrestling with his brother - which is normally his favorite activity.  When I thought about that, I realized he was probably sore.  If you were keeping count, you realize that the poor little guy had SIX shots the day before!  

Fortunately, Max is back to his usual silly, mischievous self.  He's done with the Benedryl and is slowly tapering off the steroids this week. 

I'm not sure what this means for vaccines in the future.  I certainly don't ever want to have to go through that sort of experience again.  Especially if there is a risk that it might be even worse the next time around.  I suppose that is a conversation that will have to be had with his doctor.  

Have any of your pets ever had an adverse reaction to a vaccine or other medication?

Sunday Inspiration: Help

 

Thankful Thursday: February 18, 2021

 

I Am Thankful For:

Love

The ability to read

God's Word

A little time for myself

Evening sun shining on the tree tops

Morning kisses as the Man of the House leaves for work

Warm February days

Puppies cuddled up together

My curls

Spring decor planning

An afternoon cup of coffee

Frosted cookies

Responding with grace and humility

Early Valentine dinner

Homemade whipped cream

French toast and sausage breakfast

Taking a long drive

Sunday Inspiration: Valentines's Day

 

Thankful Thursday: February 11, 2021

 

I Am Thankful For:

Another new month

Snow flurries

Feeling motivated

God's grace

Prayer

Berries

Kisses from the Man of the House

Cozy bathrobe

A project completed

Quiet time

The wind finally stopped blowing

The grand kid's laughter

Sweet puppy dog eyes

A new corkboard for the office

Streaming music

Snowy nights

Snow-covered trees

Superbowl Sunday

Caffeinated beverages

Sunday Inspiration: Struggle

 

Thankful Thursday: February 4, 2021

I Am Thankful For:

Rainy Mondays

Picking out a new book with the grandkid

Thunderstorms at night 

A great big full moon

Warm winter mornings

Messy buns

Quesadillas

Spotting a huge blue jay in the pear tree

Tea with honey

Cold and blustery days

Socks I can tolerate wearing

Getting stuff done

Dachshund bed sheets

A huge full moon in the morning sky

Crackers with nut butter

Bratty little dogs

Treating myself to a coffee

Falling snow

An extra day with the grandkid

Dogs watching tv

Currently... February 2021

Welcome to February!  And Happy Groundhog Day!!  This is the shortest month of the year.  However, I know for many people it feels as if it lasts for-ev-er.  If that describes you, hang in there - spring is just around the corner. 

I'm trying to stay focused on my One Word for 2021.  Right now, it seems to be happening more in hindsight.  I'll get to the end of a day and think about something only to realize "Oh, I should have been looking at that as a challenge."  That in itself seems to be the first part of the "Challenge" for the year.  It's a work in progress.  

My goals for January were a mixed bag.  Staying on task and checking more off the February list is another challenge for this month. 

The only part of a relaxing bedtime routine that I did pretty well with was following my skincare routine every (ok... most) nights, regardless of whether I had worn makeup or gone anywhere.  I did get the bedroom pretty well cleaned up and organized.  I have one final step to take care of once the new storage containers I ordered arrive today.  I was very hit or miss about tracking my food.  (Mostly miss)  I only created one new hat, and two new cotton bath puffs for the Etsy shop before I got swamped with orders and needed to focus my time and energy on those. 

How are you doing with the goals, resolutions, or focus you set for yourself at the beginning of January?  If you are slaying it - good for you!!  Keep it up.  If you're struggling to start or already fell off the wagon - Don't give up.  You can start (or restart) at any point.  It's not too late.

Working On: A 14 day sugar detox.  Today is day two.  And can you guess what I'm craving right now?  Did you say "sugar"?  Ding Ding Ding!! Actually, it's not as bad as I thought it would be.  So far...  

Reading:  One of my goals for January was to read A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemmingway.  I didn't get started on it until late in the month, but I did finally get to it and I'm still working through it now.  Next, I will be starting In The Woods by Tara Finch.  

My nonfiction/personal growth book - The Struggle is Real: But so is God by Misty Phillip is part of a virtual Bible Study I am participating in via Zoom meetings.  So far it is not at all what I expected based on the title.  But I am still finding it helpful. 

The grandkid and I finished a couple of Ramona Quimby books in January.  We have now moved on to The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo.  We previously read The Tale of Desperaux by the same author.  This is completely different from that fantasy story, but I think the grandkid is enjoying it.

Celebrating:  Valentine's Day... duh.  I'm trying to think of something that's social-distancing friendly for the Man of the House and I to do this year.  I also plan to be celebrating hitting my first weight loss goal by the end of the month. 

Loving:  Reading with the grandkid.  Every afternoon as part of his remote learning schedule is time for reading.  I have him read out loud to me during this time.  It gives him some good practice.  And I get to enjoy a nice story.  Some I read as a child and am now sharing with him.  Some are brand new to both of us.  If anyone has any suggestions for chapter books that are good for a 9-year-old boy who is a strong reader - please let me know!

I'm also loving the winter weather we've had lately.  We haven't had any significant snow fall yet.  A couple of inches here and there.  But it's enough to give me all the cozy snow day feels.

Wanting/Needing:  Sleep.  It seems to be taking me a long time to fall asleep. I am waking up around 2 or 2:30 almost every night and it takes a while to fall back to sleep. Especially if a hot flash is the thing that woke me.  Then the doggos are up early demanding to be taken out for potty time and wanting to eat breakfast.  Sinus congestion is also causing me to toss and turn and wake frequently throughout the night. I suppose this is motivation for creating and sticking to that relaxing bedtime routine I was talking about last month.

Dreaming About: A time when I can feel comfortable about going out to dinner with my husband again.  Maybe stopping by a local brewery for a drink and/or going to hear some live music.  

Goals for February:

• Create and follow a relaxing bedtime routine every night
• Stay offline one day per week
• Reach next weight loss goal by February 28
• Plan a Valentine "date"
• Journal everyday
• Complete 14 day Sugar Detox

What are your goals for February? Share in the comments!