Ashes + One ER Vet Trip

For avid animal lovers like myself, whom consider their pets to be part of the family, late night health issues or emergencies can be a scary thing as your local veterinarian is usually not open. I have dealt with many a trips down to our local overnight clinic (which I'm sure you can guess is quite a bit more costly than the daytime veterinarian). Last night was one of those nights. Around 12:45am, I heard one of my cats (Ashes) "fall" from the top of the couch, onto the cushion part. I thought he had jumped down, until I heard him meeeooowww in a tone that he usually doesn't use. I walked over to see whats the matter, and he couldn't really stand. It was as if he had no balance at all and everything was falling towards his left side. I scooped him up and took him into the bathroom where there were no other animals to harrass us as I gently tried to comfort him and figure out what was wrong. I did the ol' debate of "can this wait until my vet open in the am?". He didn't appear to be in any pain, just very disoriented. His eyes were very much dialated and were actually shaking from the left to the right, it was very very spooky looking. I called a friend who took a look as well, and also said he did not look well at all and something was definitely wrong. I really thought Ashes was having a stroke as he is an older cat, with a heart murmur (that I just found out about in October). After much debate, and an attempt to self diagnose via google (I was not able to search as my internet decided it did not want to pick up service, even though I had JUST been online before shutting the laptop down so I could go to bed), we headed out the the over night ER. It's a good 20 minute drive, at least. Got there, got checked in, the nurse on staff actually had to call her doctor to let her know they had a patient, and the doctor was there within 20 minute (I was a little confused as to why the doctor wasn't there ALREADY.) While we waited, immediately when I told the nurse his eyes were huge and rapidly moving left to right, she gave me a term, which I can not remember. I asked her if that meant he had been bitten or poisoned and she said "no, it's usually one of two things: a stroke like you said, or an inner ear infection. We are hoping for the inner ear infection.". That was immediate relief to me as I am going to back this story up a bit:

October 2010: One day I smelled something horrid. It was coming from Ashes. I was wondering why the heck he smelled so horrible, and was debating a bath, when I realized it was coming from his left ear. It was infected! He has obviously been in a cat fight (he's an outside/inside cat). I cleaned it out myself and was doctoring it with bactrin antibiotic ointment, as well as a friend of mine was in town that does really well with this kinda stuff, and she cleaned his ear out well too. I thought we were good to go, even a week later when he got his annual shots at the SPCA, they said it appeared to be healing well. I guess they should have looked INSIDE his ear.

Back to present day: Ashes was diagnosed with a severe inner ear infection last night. He was given fluids under the skin as he probably won't want to eat for a day or two as the off balance dizzy feeling is that of vertigo in a human, and will make him nauseous. I was also given two prescriptions for him. Liquid medicines. A steroid and an antibiotic. After a nice chunk of money was paid, we were on our way home. Ashes has to stay confined to a cage for a few days until he gets his balance back and is eating/drinking. The meds will continue for at least two weeks, and I have to take him to his regular vet in 5-7 days to have a better look at his ear drum, as the infection blocked them from getting a proper view.

I'm just happy he should be able to have a full recovery! :)

Ashes today, confined to his cage. Head tilted to the left as he's off balance.

Ashes in happier days with his buddy Andy (RIP)

XOXO

10 Dine In's I frequent.

I will be the 1st to admit that my fiance and I eat out way more than we should! While I try to cook as much as I can, somehow we end up going out to eat a few times a week on our days off together. If he wants to take me out, who am I to complain? I figured I'd blog about some of our very favorite places to eat. In no particular order:

#1 - BD's Mongolian Grill - Ah, BD's. One of our favorite date places when we do dinner and a movie (they are right next to each other!). Create your own stir-fry and watch it get made right in front of you, as the chefs do some pretty awesome tricks. It's always fun to try to create new concoctions with their different sauces. Of course, if you make one you absolutely love, you won't remember what you did next time!

#2 - ABC Pizza - My fiance introduced me to this awesome place. He took me their because it has fond childhood memories for him. We actually drive to another city to go to a certain location, the one with his childhood memories. :) They have some pretty amazing pizzas there, and their eggplant grinder is not so bad either!

#3 - Sonny's - Good ol' Southern BBQ! 'Nuf said. Seriously, their sweet sauce is so delicious. I must admit that when I go, I don't usually get BBQ. Shocker! My order consists of the salad bar + corn nuggets + corn bread with cinnamon butter. And of course, I eat the BBQ from the fiance's plate.

#4 - Chili's - Pretty common date place. We go here more often for lunch than dinner. Always queso and soup and salad!

#5 - Jimmy John's - This is a new found addiction. A coworker took my fiance here for lunch one day, and he enjoyed it so much, he took me the next day. The sandwiches are SO FRESH! and they use Hellmann's mayo which is the best! My favorite sandwich so far is the the gargantuan. Definitely not a healthy choice, but so so good.

#6 - Red Elephant - It doesn't get any better than a place that has elephant ears and boiled peanuts on their menu. When we go we tend to get boiled peanuts as an appi, split a pizza, and an elephant ear to go. Yum Yum!

#7 - Golden Corral - All you can eat buffet. What else is there to say? I actually adore their salad bar. I think it's the best. It has everything I could ever want on a salad, and more! Also love their chocolate lava cake.

# 8 - Cracker Barrel - Our favorite breakfast location. They have comfy rocking chairs outside, an cool shop with vintage candy and other items inside, along with great food.

#9 - Crispers - Another place that we tend to get "the usual" at. After we started dating, I convinced him we could save money if he'd give the "pick a pair" a chance. Before, he's always get a whole sandwich and salad or soup, then I showed him how feeling the "pick a pair" could be. That is when you get a half sandwich and half salad or soup. I lovelove all their soups but my favorite is the kickin' crab chowder that I coworker of mine turned me on to. It helps clear up my allergies on a bad day! (though when I went to an allergist last year they told me I was allergic to seafood among many other things; i've never had any issues, and they said the food tests aren't always accurate. hmmm.)

#10 - Sonic - We actually drive to different cities just to get a sonic limeade. His flavor of choice is pineapple green apple limeade, which almost every time we order it at a new location, they tell us "such a weird combination. I don't think I've ever made that one before". I must say the tator tots are pretty darn good here as well.

 And there ya have it, 10 of the places we frequent when we dine out. Now that I've posted this I've got the midnight munchies. Enjoy!

XOXO

On Top Of The World - My Proposal

I kept saying sooner or later I'd post the story of my proposal and I figure since I am going to (hopefully) buy my wedding dress tomorrow, there is no better time than today! Most of the story can be told through pictures (so thankful his family was there to take pictures that we will cherish forever) but the short version of the story is:

* he took me to visit his aunt and uncle in his favorite city, Chicago, on Valentines Day weekend.
* he planned a visit to the Sears Tower, one of his favorite places, on February 13th, 2010.
* he got down on one knee and proposed in front of hundreds of people, hundreds of feet up high, in one of those clear boxes at the very top of the Sears's Tower.
* Apparently everyone knew but me, one of my best friends had helped him shop for a ring, he'd asked my dad for permission to marry me, and he told numerous other friends. I'm surprised I didn't find out!
* I am a bit afraid of heights and am just thankful I did not pass out. The proposal definitely took some of the anxiety away :D

Totally clueless, fiance to be.

He's got a plan!

If I only knew what he had in mind

And off we go, train ride to the city!

Popped out the ring

Shocked face. "I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"

"Omgosh! Yes!"

Look at that view, that's the street below us on the left!

Putting the ring on.

He liked it, so he put a ring on it!

Smooches.

Layin' in the clear box, after I said yes.

A few facts about Sears Tower

- it is now known as Willis Tower.'
- it's the tallest building in the western hemisphere and the 5th tallest in the world.
- the sky deck boxes extend about four feet out, 1353 feet up high in the air.
- the Sky Deck attracts more than 1.3 million visitors yearly. about 25,000 daily
- the sky deck is on the 103rd floor, but the tower stands 110 stories high
- there is 25,000 miles of plumbing. 206 restrooms, that take 99 janitors to to keep them all clean
- the tower can be seen from Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and of course Illinois.

I got engaged in:

 

 Wish me luck dress shopping tomorrow!

 XOXO :)

Wedding Venue, Deceiving Desserts and an Impropmtu Christmas Party

Well Hello Blog World! I've missed you over the last few days, but I must say they have been extremely busy for me (hence the no blog updates!)

On Thursday, and Friday my fiance and I worked on narrowing down a venue for our spring wedding. We actually have been debating this for months now, and as it ends up, deciding on a place that we fell in love with quite some time back. I'll try to do the short version. Months ago we fell in love with a historical scottish house on a lakeside preserve. We decided against it as we felt it was going to cost us too much with tent rentals (since the reception would be outdoors). Well, in the end we had narrowed down our venues to two choices, a local church, or one of his family members Blueberry farm. We had envisioned doing the reception inside the barn at the Blueberry farm since it has been used for events in the past, however our wedding is right in the middle of blueberry season. So no barn. This would have meant we needed to rent a tent for that location as well. Though the site would have been free, we were still planning to pay his family for letting us use their farm. When I crunched #'s I realized we were talking a difference of a few hundred bucks for the Blueberry Farm, compared to the other historical venue that we both fell in love with months ago. So, long story short, we have settled on one of our 1st choices. We went and paid the deposit on Friday, and we are good to go. Here's a few pictures for your enjoyment. We are oh so excited!

House on the Blueberry Farm

Driveway leading up

Barn we wanted to do reception in

Blueberry farm, woulda been full bloom in Spring

Puppy doggy :) <3

He wanted to go home with us :)

Our official venue. 1915

More recent, 2009

Arch that can be used for ceremonies

Lakefront with Gazebo

Bridge

On Friday I met up with a friend that made me a "diaper cake" for a baby shower. This friend has started her own business, Deceiving Desserts. She specializes in towel cakes, diaper cakes, and gift baskets. Don't let the sweet treats fool you! The picture below is the diaper cake she made for the baby shower for me. Check out her site for some of her other work.

After running around from 8am to 7pm, ALLLLL day Friday, nothing looked better to me than a relaxing night at home, in my PJ's. Afterall, I wanted to be refreshed for my fiances companies Christmas party the next day. Imagine my surprise when my fiance called me about 7:45pm and said he had some "exciting news". The Christmas party was TONIGHT, and happening right then. SAY WHAT?! Yeah. Not good. We both thought it was Saturday night @ 7pm like years past, not Friday at 7pm. Needless to say panic ensued. We had already missed the wonderful steak dinner, and the company photo's; should we bother going at all? My dress was due to be ready SATURDAY ( I was having a long black bridesmaid dress shortened ). I actually cried and laughed at the same time. I was really disappointed when I thought we were going to miss it because most girls love the excuse to play "dress up". I was sad because I didn't want to miss this, yet laughing because leave it to a guy to get the date COMPLETELY wrong. We decided we would go anyways, after all the party only happens ONCE a year. I literally got ready within 20 minutes and we were on the road. We ended up having a good time, and I am glad we went. Now I will just have to wear my shortened bridesmaid dress to another party I have coming up.

12-3-10

I had to throw something together in 15 minutes.

Until next time,
XOXO

my little corner, yardsale shoes, roadside hazzard, and cute toads

When I went in to work yesterday for the 1st time in over 2 weeks (yes, we have been super slow) I was pleasantly surprised to see that my laptop and little "cubicle desk" had been moved to the way back! All by itself :P This makes me happy because life in a call center can be quite loud and hectic, and now I am isolated and don't have to deal with as much nonsense.

My lil desk

posin :)

yardsale shoes!

ran over yet another, something, big and black with a screw in the middle

two toads I found under some plywood. Cute!

XOXO

Dear Self

IT'S THE LAST DAY OF THE 30 DAYS OF TRUTH! I am proud of myself. I think I only missed two days. For today, day 30, I am supposed to write a letter to myself telling myself everything I love about ME. Interesting, right?

Dear Self,
I must admit. I think you are one pretty amazing chick! I know it's hard to pay compliments to yourself, but let's see what I can come up with. You can kinda refer to day 2 of the 30 days of truth as that day the "truth" of the day was also things that you love about yourself. My short version of that? My smile, and my passion for animals. My smile because I get SO many compliments on it, and my dad worked hard to afford the two years of braces I needed to GET this smile. And my passion for animals because I know that is my momma shining through me. Expanding beyond that? I'd say I love my ability to forgive so freely. Some may say this makes me naive and gullible and more susceptible to getting hurt. I say that I am forgiven for MY sins so who am I to judge? Sure, it may get me hurt once and awhile, but the pain is usually worth it. I love that I snort when I laugh reallyreally hard. I love that I will try any food once, before making an informed decision on whether or not I like it. I love the fact that I am very laid back and not extremely picky. This makes me easy to please. It's the little things in life. I love that I am financially responsible. I love that I love my friends and family unconditionally. Yes, we don't always see eye to eye, but in the end, I'd do anything for them. I love that I see the glass half full in almost all situations. I love that I am kind and generous and that I love to give so much more than receive. I love that I love my dog as if he were my child, with my whole heart. I love that I am a good listener and that I am very empathetic. I love my little "rabbit" birthmark. I love that I enjoy reading. I love that I rarely wear makeup and am okay with that. I love that helping others makes my heart swell with joy. All in all, I'd say I am pretty happy with the woman I have evolved into over the years, and am much looking forward to seeing the woman that I will continue to evolve into over the next few years. Rock on self! I love you! <3

Day 1: Something you hate about yourself.
Day 2: Something you love about yourself.  
Day 3: Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 4: Something you have to forgive someone for.  
Day 5: Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 6: Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 7: Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 8: Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 9: Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10: Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11: Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12: Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13: A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14: A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15: Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16: Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17: A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18: Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19: What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20: Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21: (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22: Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23: Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24: Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25: The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26: Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27: What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28: What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29: Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30: A letter to yourself: tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.

Day 29. angry cat. and random vase find.

Day 29: Oh Gosh, there are a ton of things I could change about myself. I guess it would depend on if I am answering superficially or not. I'm going to go with the non superficial answers and go a little deeper.
* the way I come off to others. I've been told that I put off a vibe of appearing better than others. I don't like this at all, and if this is how I appear, I want to work on changing that. I don't see it as bragging when I post different charitable things that I do. I see it as sharing something that causes my heart to swell, and makes me happy, and I want others to see that, and maybe be inspired to do the same.
* My ambition. It is my desire to have more ambition and follow through on things. I have wanted to complete my first actual 5k for about 2 years now. I think 2011 will be the year! I also have so many ideas in my head about things I want to do that I am passionate about, one is publishing a book for shelter animals. I've started the website, I just need to be more ambitious and expand the concept.
* My attitude in a fight. This is embarrassing to say, but as an only child, I am used to "getting things my way" and I don't always act maturely when things don't go my way. I have been known to be the one in an argument to say "well maybe we just don't belong together" if me and a significant other don't agree on something. I know I shouldn't act that way just because we don't see eye to eye on something.
* I wish I'd think before I speak more often. I am a lover, not a fighter, but when I do fight, I fight with words. Words that pierce the heart. This is not fair, and I realize how hurtful these actions can be so I'd really like to change the way I act in that aspect.
* Dedicating more time to the Bible. I'd like to say I take time daily to read and study my Bible, but as of now, I don't. I am working to change this.

 Welp, one more day left on the 30 days of truth. Then mission accomplished!

Day 1: Something you hate about yourself.
Day 2: Something you love about yourself.  
Day 3: Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 4: Something you have to forgive someone for.  
Day 5: Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 6: Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 7: Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 8: Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 9: Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10: Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11: Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12: Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13: A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14: A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15: Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16: Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17: A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18: Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19: What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20: Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21: (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22: Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23: Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24: Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25: The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26: Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27: What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28: What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29: Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30: A letter to yourself: tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.

 and I will end with a few cat pictures and a random vase find. The cat pictures are of one of my cats (Friskie) with her angry cat face as she was angry because another cat (Chloe) came and sat next to her. There is also a picture of Friskie being much happier in a box of Christmas lights she made herself comfy in.

Angry Cat

Mellow Cat

Happy Cat

As for the random vase find? I found two pretty awesome (pink) vases at Ross yesterday. I was super excited because, hello, pink is one of my colors for my spring wedding! Both vases are pretty tall which is exciting, and at Ross, they were cheap! I am going to keep checking back there. Maybe they will get some more in!

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

XOXO