tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84183857759925756522024-03-12T22:39:15.497-04:00Amy Jo.....ON THE GOAmy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.comBlogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-49189055817001700732014-06-13T09:30:00.000-04:002014-06-13T09:30:15.071-04:00Summer Lovin<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a little chilly this week (60's to low 70's) and I'm so ready for the summer-type weather to come back. I got a little spoiled when it was mid to high 80's for a few weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>***Note: I want to slap myself for thinking 60's is "cold" after the winter we endured!***</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm enjoying this spring/summer time and have been trying to make the most of every day by spending as much time outdoors as possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are loving having the <a href="http://amyjoonthego.blogspot.com/2014/05/low-rider.html" target="_blank">convertible</a>....but, I think Lainey is still enjoying it more than we are.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0Zwhg8F5owd7DlqFFjLsuAT1f9RVipIUurnD0VCz4nxgnpzTNVlP_pJrMcHE5HgO3fP7WmYzXSDmKqoP5Jz8T-3jqnNwWrpaIYKxSsm6ywG3lMr09zzw4vU8gt6cdtvUHlc-rKqbY5wG/s640/blogger-image--2059719073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0Zwhg8F5owd7DlqFFjLsuAT1f9RVipIUurnD0VCz4nxgnpzTNVlP_pJrMcHE5HgO3fP7WmYzXSDmKqoP5Jz8T-3jqnNwWrpaIYKxSsm6ywG3lMr09zzw4vU8gt6cdtvUHlc-rKqbY5wG/s400/blogger-image--2059719073.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxsKEQkM2Kd8fVRgX9v5gjmCtjOPvicGqFalT0LzCectjnf-vCZCeFBEYVaqtSz1euHqHr7k-4EkZEsA2Ln-KHaZmAr7FCLoW_esDesu4Qk3hjKO0vJrtSxXzAXSAPJRfgItefm9GyYGD/s640/blogger-image-1153766865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxsKEQkM2Kd8fVRgX9v5gjmCtjOPvicGqFalT0LzCectjnf-vCZCeFBEYVaqtSz1euHqHr7k-4EkZEsA2Ln-KHaZmAr7FCLoW_esDesu4Qk3hjKO0vJrtSxXzAXSAPJRfgItefm9GyYGD/s400/blogger-image-1153766865.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to loving the convertible...I am also loving Jamberry nail wraps. My sister just became a <a href="http://rstiverson.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">consultant</a> and <b>I AM ADDICTED</b>!!! Here are some of the wraps I've tried so far....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY1iBYRhm_b332278WpBNhI7HTKJj7jKkjYIG4wMgERfJgbhNasdQ82ZnIgTytRq-5VTtJmIeey-6QqWIC-cCKnQePQqXg-Aa1cvzcaIdLF0Gv4oJt5OrpgaoxtBwAKgImR71iwDSBwKj/s640/blogger-image-1628643628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY1iBYRhm_b332278WpBNhI7HTKJj7jKkjYIG4wMgERfJgbhNasdQ82ZnIgTytRq-5VTtJmIeey-6QqWIC-cCKnQePQqXg-Aa1cvzcaIdLF0Gv4oJt5OrpgaoxtBwAKgImR71iwDSBwKj/s400/blogger-image-1628643628.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This style is obsolete, but I loved the look. <br />Yellow and Gray are probably my most favorite color combo</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRinYyQxucBEVXQB_49kB1I13Rut4bSW49___NeZZVhepU5i1K237Rx7CV6r6YgPUiwh16KkHnG7Fz_HnR_D5iJ06uIkLaqEz4Rj1kI5mHdRfmbsJQz27k7NDFEQNiHEdtGdFpmB7pWpcX/s640/blogger-image--391500635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRinYyQxucBEVXQB_49kB1I13Rut4bSW49___NeZZVhepU5i1K237Rx7CV6r6YgPUiwh16KkHnG7Fz_HnR_D5iJ06uIkLaqEz4Rj1kI5mHdRfmbsJQz27k7NDFEQNiHEdtGdFpmB7pWpcX/s400/blogger-image--391500635.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Venus"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICFZIVIRvfRXQES0yNqEMZS_v-L7YHuEO06EKDYu7-3kg_AhDHUwN5QBImuQAPtmdwmMAy38hyphenhyphenC1Ua5WwL9VPh9AiHpgMcDlNYTjqLVPkLHD3EF1-0ZSoFWmr7VZa66NE-4umuIKHXB_3/s640/blogger-image--1938162940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICFZIVIRvfRXQES0yNqEMZS_v-L7YHuEO06EKDYu7-3kg_AhDHUwN5QBImuQAPtmdwmMAy38hyphenhyphenC1Ua5WwL9VPh9AiHpgMcDlNYTjqLVPkLHD3EF1-0ZSoFWmr7VZa66NE-4umuIKHXB_3/s400/blogger-image--1938162940.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Icy Rose Polka</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGRBrc5CzNjX81vv5PGiWB1rs87z_CcaWZRBflAyproLIhJTgy6QCkXXzrjN6dLYXZvsZatyDlesbQGjjX3C1Ra2_U-zkCEwxWj6GtRDgQ2kqNVW1GzdnEx4WUYn7ntX9Ti6gz32hdmcq/s640/blogger-image--1731486572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGRBrc5CzNjX81vv5PGiWB1rs87z_CcaWZRBflAyproLIhJTgy6QCkXXzrjN6dLYXZvsZatyDlesbQGjjX3C1Ra2_U-zkCEwxWj6GtRDgQ2kqNVW1GzdnEx4WUYn7ntX9Ti6gz32hdmcq/s400/blogger-image--1731486572.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another "Icy Rose Polka"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYULMfq6m9JH_tqra5SlfdOsDP_5lNN7lRunZMDkrJrc7fPf_lKb7gJ4Q3nWP9TbeQvoXgaaeX9InwtgUsqd2VCws1e0QbHGzH2Ju2cjb86C-_7UCnMxQalZ-jDt_sZ53Cx_Gtezr2gqn/s640/blogger-image-203191421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYULMfq6m9JH_tqra5SlfdOsDP_5lNN7lRunZMDkrJrc7fPf_lKb7gJ4Q3nWP9TbeQvoXgaaeX9InwtgUsqd2VCws1e0QbHGzH2Ju2cjb86C-_7UCnMxQalZ-jDt_sZ53Cx_Gtezr2gqn/s400/blogger-image-203191421.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">White Chevron over turquoise polish</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLelcMZcymUavE6_9aYkiovPkSESb-jrJKK6OVcOGSTouhPBkmkBRpsRHL8NQAaf8cAPTkx_MfCG_dDeXLwO-7qUuwTBW2hNcOlnPrTqQhrYCg4L06CKFBy9LilJSGjzwBrZMpFOh5Lal2/s640/blogger-image-52789819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLelcMZcymUavE6_9aYkiovPkSESb-jrJKK6OVcOGSTouhPBkmkBRpsRHL8NQAaf8cAPTkx_MfCG_dDeXLwO-7qUuwTBW2hNcOlnPrTqQhrYCg4L06CKFBy9LilJSGjzwBrZMpFOh5Lal2/s400/blogger-image-52789819.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Morning Dew</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sister and I share all of our wraps so at this pace, I've got about 25 other styles to try. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you tried Jamberry?</span><br />
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<br />Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-21590542537071845562014-05-13T13:44:00.000-04:002014-05-13T13:44:49.611-04:00Low Rider<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hubby and I recently purchased my grandparents car from them. I have put so many miles on my current vehicle in the past 2 years from all the trips taking Lainey to the orthopedic specialist, rehab, chiropractor, massage therapist, etc. This doesn't even count my daily commute to work and back. I was looking for a vehicle to drive over the summer so that I could give my current vehicle a rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My grandparents (actually, just my grandma since my grandpa has passed) had a 2004 Chrysler Sebring Convertible with only 30,000 miles that had not been driven in almost 3 years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It needed some work, but we knew it would be worth it in the long run. So far we have purchased a new alternator, battery, tires, spark plugs, serpentine belt & pulley, an oil change, freon for air conditioner, and a few small items. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's pretty much received more attention and care than my car has in all the years I have driven it. The only good part, is that now I can take the time to do a tune up on that car too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The interior still smells new, but the exterior needed some serious scrubbing. There was 3 years worth of dust, cobwebs, and dead bugs that needed to be washed away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here is a picture of the roof showing all the grime before cleaning (left) and after cleaning (right)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here is a picture of the entire car after a nice bath....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My nephew could not grasp the concept of the "convertible" and no matter how many times we tried to describe it to him, we finally put the top down and let him experience it for himself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Sunday, hubby and I decided to take the dogs for a ride. I'm pretty sure Lainey thought she was the coolest dog around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span id="goog_1526784700"></span><span id="goog_1526784701">Now if only I could get used to sitting so low to the ground. I drove my Pacifica today and felt like I was in a monster truck. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-63522407901319890512014-02-17T10:03:00.000-05:002014-02-17T10:03:04.801-05:00Negative Nancy<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I've been MIA for a while now! It's been hard to visit this place and even attempt to write anything, because all I seem to be feeling lately is negative.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I even went as far as making some New Years Resolutions to help with my attitude and I have failed miserably at those too.</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Stop Complaining: Even about the weather.</strong> <br />It's a bad habit that I got into last year and I'm not even sure why, but I can't seem to stop! I have a great life and I'm thankful, but that doesn't stop me from complaining about...the good...the bad...the ugly....all of it!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Stop comparing my life/marriage to others:</strong><br />In order for me to be content in even the most mundane things, this is a must. I want to re-learn how to embrace the blessings I have and stop taking everything for granted.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Take time for me:</strong><br />I have to take control of my own happiness. Take time to do the things I enjoy. Make more date nights with my amazing husband. Spend some much needed time with girlfriends. Be more intentional with my time.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Watch less TV:</strong><br />In order to accomplish #3 I really need to pull myself away from the boob-tube. Unfortunately, when I have only a few hours a week to relax, this is my go-to. I think in some way...by watching all of the drama on shows like <em>Real Housewives</em>, it makes me feel like my life isn't so bad after all.</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe after this horrific winter ends, I can come back and feel more rejuvenated and a little less grumpy. Until then....I will probably continue to complain about all of this gosh darn snow (an inch per hour expected later today)....Ughhh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-19383016010226136272013-12-16T13:01:00.000-05:002013-12-16T13:01:14.306-05:00Lainey is RUNNING!!!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you who think I'm crazy for all the rehab/recovery work we have done with Lainey....Well, here is a dog who couldn't walk for 16 months....Look at her now!!! Still more strengthening to be done, but my heart about explodes when I see her running...there was a time I never thought this would be possible</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kFYibmnF0nA" width="459"></iframe><br />Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-45098371207877195472013-11-12T07:21:00.002-05:002013-11-12T07:21:40.527-05:00Catch Up<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to the many things in my life that are being neglected, this blog is one of them. Between the dog and her physical therapy, massage, and chiropractor and my light therapy visits and long work hours, I barely have time to fit in the necessities...you know things like eating, sleeping, laundry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm running on fumes lately and so, so tired. Not just mentally exhausted, but physically tired. I have caught myself dozing off at work, dozing on the couch as I eat my dinner, dozing off at the wheel. It's becoming a major issue and I just can't find enough hours in the day to catch up on the many, many hours of sleep that I need. It also doesn't help that most of the medications I am currently on cause drowsiness. Add that to an already fatigued body and it's a means for disaster.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now take the above and add in the busy, hectic holiday season that is approaching and it's enough to bring tears to my eyes. I have our company Christmas party to plan, multiple holiday meals to attend (beginning with my first Thanksgiving celebration this weekend at the in-laws), Christmas shopping to get started.....and the list could go on and on. I don't know how I'm going to physically still be standing by New Years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Any suggestions on what I can do to get me through the next couple months?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">FYI ~ I may sound like I'm complaining, but all it takes is one look at this face to know that all the craziness that we've endured the past 18 months with the surgeries, the specialists, the medications, the rehab....have all been worth it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1395938_10201735668410140_386672049_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1395938_10201735668410140_386672049_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-11734874215808192942013-10-08T11:30:00.002-04:002013-10-08T11:30:15.831-04:00The things we fear the most....have already happened!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may not know this, but I'm basically scared of everything. Heights, lakes, spiders, mice, birds....just to name a few!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Well, on top of all the other things God has put in my path lately, he has also decided to test my fears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It seems like every single time I walk out the door I walk right through a spider web. It is so creepy and it makes me do this crazy arm flailing dance all the while thinking "is the spider in my hair? Get it out...Get it out!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFS9gfbudCGlfL306JK1CYUK4OQ40IWVALUMVUGiL12SxBClTpraDgj9MnoN7hNweshy6jO08oQ0r1YT3sWAqV8L76gCIo5Se0YgSUUdE-o216y90KI1DaP5jzprK_Zm4AY4YViyyAwJkq/s1600/spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFS9gfbudCGlfL306JK1CYUK4OQ40IWVALUMVUGiL12SxBClTpraDgj9MnoN7hNweshy6jO08oQ0r1YT3sWAqV8L76gCIo5Se0YgSUUdE-o216y90KI1DaP5jzprK_Zm4AY4YViyyAwJkq/s400/spider.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Image from Google</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And I've been avoiding cleaning out our shed to put away all the summer stuff, because I was in there this spring and there was a mouse. I trampled my young nephew as I flew out of the shed at lightning speed screaming my wholly head off! And to this day, I have not been back in there. Unfortunately, we now have a mouse in the garage and it is taunting me. My husband says he never sees or hears it, but EVERY single time I am in the garage it either peeks it's head out at me or decides it's dinner time and begins chewing, gnawing and making all sorts of noise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_F9QE-2UXDqvAKOk9_hKzPxI9efybo1v9ZyJlujhqrhUOu1U3knwOHotxNEM-JpPP_m3XD0ThoP5BYqwmXgRp7FK5E8peng8apwg-cUOXI1yU4bmO8SHxXI8xmTwkYFhNblZVBfAu1br/s1600/mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_F9QE-2UXDqvAKOk9_hKzPxI9efybo1v9ZyJlujhqrhUOu1U3knwOHotxNEM-JpPP_m3XD0ThoP5BYqwmXgRp7FK5E8peng8apwg-cUOXI1yU4bmO8SHxXI8xmTwkYFhNblZVBfAu1br/s400/mouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Image from Google</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And as if that wasn't enough...we now have red squirrels up in our soffits and they run around all day/night driving my cats crazy. For a few days I simply pretended it was nothing, hoping they would leave on their own. It didn't work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0caxQEIM1sXEWeafIasRRDVpbQT1sAKFIav58iEDJDES0VfeE_kjcyGjAefG-6cFWF8pxgW_oxzubeMRVZvMvPws3GOMyzuiJgDjD4U2Svk605NXWlCg34dh-iqT7-WCBrJcMtxZTCmx/s1600/squirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0caxQEIM1sXEWeafIasRRDVpbQT1sAKFIav58iEDJDES0VfeE_kjcyGjAefG-6cFWF8pxgW_oxzubeMRVZvMvPws3GOMyzuiJgDjD4U2Svk605NXWlCg34dh-iqT7-WCBrJcMtxZTCmx/s400/squirrel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Michigan Red Squirrel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Image from google</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So now we have mice traps set in the garage and the shed, have sprayed for spiders, and have a wildlife critter control company hired to take care of the squirrel problem. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Have any of you had "critter" problems before?</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-8278534235056630662013-09-19T12:11:00.000-04:002013-09-19T12:11:15.786-04:00A Major Makeover<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you who are Apple users and haven't downloaded the new iOS 7 operating system....do it now!!! I'm in love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is such a big visual change. It may seem complex at first, but it's not that dissimilar from what you're used to, and in my opinion, the changes are definitely for the better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm still playing around with it, but the changes I can see so far (and that I like) are:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Bold new look</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">New control center</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Air drop</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Camera</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Safari</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">App switching</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Photo Library</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">iTunes Radio</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It almost feels like I have a new phone. There are so many apps that have a new look. Besides the new look, there are also new sounds, wallpaper, calendar, notes, reminders and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Seriously, what are you waiting for? Go grab your apple device and update now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Note: the download takes 3GB of available space. Unfortunately, my 16GB did not have that, so I had to delete some music, photos and apps. I was able to plug into iTunes this morning and add all of that back in, so I guess it wasn't the end of the world.</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-17351989550607925302013-09-16T09:48:00.000-04:002013-09-16T09:48:25.977-04:00Tid Bits<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've neglected this blog for a month and I feel horrible about it, but I just can't seem to find the time (or the energy) to do anything about it. As it is, you are only going to get bullet points today!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here's a recap of the past month....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I still have my <a href="http://amyjoonthego.blogspot.com/2013/07/gluten-freeno-way-not-me.html" target="_blank">rash</a>! This Wednesday will be 16 weeks and I still don't have any answers. I'm still seeing the specialist and they are still running tests, but at this time there is no prognosis. I am on multiple medications to handle the itching and doing light therapy twice a week, but I wish they could diagnose me with something so that we could take care of this once and for all. And more importantly, so we could figure out what is causing it.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.acnetreatment.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Eczema-itching.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.acnetreatment.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Eczema-itching.png" width="232" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lainey has started physical therapy so we drive 1-1/2 hours twice a week for her appointments. Tomorrow will be her 8th session so we are halfway done. <br />They do laser therapy, muscle building and strength exercises, and water treadmill.<br />She has made huge improvements and I am so thankful for the doctors we are seeing.<br /><br />Here is the water treadmill....she is waiting for the tank to fill up.</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKqF1g9LhNZtz2_gJvOrENsrrZLFBWKgLbb8hF3Aa7zUBK0yiG27yjcuD2NzX8FzWLAXYLg8nGD7y80CJtWqwXj_72qInROQO8xnGpyE8LPYxec-ucDjM9MjpCvvFd94P_6heumZPy9wr/s1600/Water+Treadmill+Sept+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKqF1g9LhNZtz2_gJvOrENsrrZLFBWKgLbb8hF3Aa7zUBK0yiG27yjcuD2NzX8FzWLAXYLg8nGD7y80CJtWqwXj_72qInROQO8xnGpyE8LPYxec-ucDjM9MjpCvvFd94P_6heumZPy9wr/s400/Water+Treadmill+Sept+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We began to notice that Lainey was only limping and/or not using her bad leg while at home, but if we were out in public she would walk fine. She would be completely fine at my parents house, my sisters house, and a friends home, but would act all funny at home. We were advised by Lainey's physical therapist that it was most likely due to our hardwood floors at home. She wasn't feeling confident enough with her leg and was too worried about slipping and sliding on the floors. We just put them in 2 years ago, so there was no way that we were going to get rid of them (or cover them with a bunch of rugs). So, our only choice was to buy huge pieces of remnant. I hate how it looks, but she is a whole different dog since putting these down. </span></li>
</ul>
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<img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrbt7nr6auki09uuTyAUSziFoGnEMjxasKT_XgyN9m_ys9drk0GMstKNxKJ8Obu8NnGNWWaE9R9F2HeVeFtYzx26j503WBpWntwU-THecGfeERVj3IvqWXI7lQ9HBx1_zSeUsSfnBgIk1/s400/LR+Carpet.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qm7TikxZ3nVO0OHPd5VxgxhFT6cBj9Exgqy4QqBT00FXXrJW2PdjT-EzXrzwnRItQmGA4Y_zz8c4mxu_EpM7RdoUZKz_98nZaXG-gHHowu4W9LXbrh2ZYSjd5-jkn35UrzMRoJBt36ub/s1600/DR+Carpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qm7TikxZ3nVO0OHPd5VxgxhFT6cBj9Exgqy4QqBT00FXXrJW2PdjT-EzXrzwnRItQmGA4Y_zz8c4mxu_EpM7RdoUZKz_98nZaXG-gHHowu4W9LXbrh2ZYSjd5-jkn35UrzMRoJBt36ub/s400/DR+Carpet.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's officially college football season!!! Yay!! My husband and my dad got an early Christmas present....Go Blue!!!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EY6Xag50EL8t-09i8iaiPM0sWwP4BOaoUdGnWpU5okgi8SGotUhNPmq0rHCOR1BHoVf6DJPVZZx2VYc1_0UoopuytsS9U_SYdRy-Vf2f1B-NieY5WMyemiguwbAI2AyeHcnxtxMyUo4W/s1600/Go+Blue+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EY6Xag50EL8t-09i8iaiPM0sWwP4BOaoUdGnWpU5okgi8SGotUhNPmq0rHCOR1BHoVf6DJPVZZx2VYc1_0UoopuytsS9U_SYdRy-Vf2f1B-NieY5WMyemiguwbAI2AyeHcnxtxMyUo4W/s400/Go+Blue+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What little free time I've had has been spent doing a couple projects at home. My stepson's bedroom had never been touched and was the last room in the whole house that was still that beige color that was on every wall when we moved in. He is 17 and very rarely at our house anymore so I wanted to make it more "grown-up" so we could use it as a spare bedroom. I love the way it turned out and even happier because he loves it to. I ordered some wall décor that should arrive this week and then the room will be complete.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N4hqbumG2titcJ5snIhptmgbLwJ3zYW-8rqN7KmhW459RIkC3jtwARnsyl9pE0S867AOXqiBQs0epbin3GmjVbfSIMIBh_IEvtv8iDqjzIPO1dMzIAoEIyNyu9YQo5tjRX0uB1UXhmEV/s1600/34+Sycamore+Ave+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N4hqbumG2titcJ5snIhptmgbLwJ3zYW-8rqN7KmhW459RIkC3jtwARnsyl9pE0S867AOXqiBQs0epbin3GmjVbfSIMIBh_IEvtv8iDqjzIPO1dMzIAoEIyNyu9YQo5tjRX0uB1UXhmEV/s400/34+Sycamore+Ave+027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BEFORE ~ This is a picture from the day we moved in</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdxIzk7jjxPHUiVMlkos1KIBEOAtHHRK6oWGpGRcz7RXZ8RY3Zksxf_8otNiJ9nP16lQBy8r9OXQ3ckQ9yl6dCLTBFPFTN_V6cIoXIA0noXekKKPMfO-EfPN00FjMr2BkAysS0351_aSJ/s1600/Lil+Don+BR+Aug+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdxIzk7jjxPHUiVMlkos1KIBEOAtHHRK6oWGpGRcz7RXZ8RY3Zksxf_8otNiJ9nP16lQBy8r9OXQ3ckQ9yl6dCLTBFPFTN_V6cIoXIA0noXekKKPMfO-EfPN00FjMr2BkAysS0351_aSJ/s400/Lil+Don+BR+Aug+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AFTER ~ No more beige :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We used the same grey from the Living Room/Dining Room and accented with Dark Blue</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(we have also added curtains since this picture was taken)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I also decided to try a little DIY project and make my own curtains. I've been looking for low cost ideas to change up our living space and when I started pricing new curtains I about lost my mind. I even tried to find some on Etsy and still couldn't justify the prices. Since I can't sew, I did a little search on google and Pinterest to find a "no-sew" method. After watching a few videos and reading a couple blog posts, I decided to give it a whirl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I went to JoAnn Fabrics and picked out these fabrics (great for our fall décor). I also picked up some twin white sheets from Walmart to use as the lining. Four curtain panels for just over $50...Can't beat it!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chevron for the Living Room and the Polka Dots for the Dining Room</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the final result....I love them (and so does the hubby). It is just that small change I needed.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And to end this....here are some adorable pics of Lainey in her new Doggles. She insists on having her head out the car window for the ENTIRE drive to physical rehab and I was so worried about debris getting in her eyes. Hopefully, she will get used to wearing these and then mama won't have to worry and stress so much.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry for my absence...let's hope another month doesn't go by before I stop by here. At the least, I can promise that things in my life should slow down about November and I hope to be back here more regularly.</span><br />
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Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-82995295649337087322013-08-14T09:56:00.000-04:002013-08-14T09:56:48.705-04:00Keep Calm and Enjoy Camping<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have so many memories of going camping when I was younger. Watching all of the adults sit around the fire singing songs, the smell, roasting marshmallows, listening to the bugs at night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But somewhere along the line as I grew into adulthood, camping no longer seemed fun. I like convenience and I hate public restrooms to put in bluntly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fast forward many years later to when I met my now husband. Prior to his accident that left him paralyzed, he was an avid camper. I have to admit that I was thankful he was no longer able to do this, as I don't think for one second I could have gone along. The bugs, the cold nights, the outhouses....ewwww, gross!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But then a few things happened. Mainly, my parents bought a travel trailer. And not just a travel trailer....a trailer big enough for my husband to be able to get around in his wheelchair. And a bed just perfect enough for him to sleep in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Obviously, this got the wheels spinning in my husbands mind that he was going to camp again. He's not one to let his disability get the best of him, so I knew I was going to lose this battle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fortunately, the trailer has most of the modern necessities that I require....air conditioning, flat screen tv with cable, a dvd player, a full shower with hot water, electricity, a fridge, microwave, stove and oven. Most of you won't consider this "camping", but for me, it allowed me to stick my feet in the big, scary camping water and test it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I LOVE IT!!!!! We have now gone camping twice. Once with my parents and once on our own. I'm already counting down the days to Labor Day weekend because we are going again! Who would have thunk it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And to make it easier for my husband, we purchased some portable wheelchair rails so he can go in and out of the trailer as much as he wants.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Testing out the new rails before heading out</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The dogs have done so well and are much better behaved than we could have imagined they would be. I was so afraid that Stewie would bark at EVERY.SINGLE.NOISE which then causes Lainey to follow suit. Fortunately, that has not been the case!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lainey helping Grandma Joyce finish her plate</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lainey's first camping adventure</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stewie's first camping adventure</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daddy & Stewie in matching outfits</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stewie getting some lovin' from Grandma</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom & Dad</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lainey enjoying the fire with Grandma</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are your thoughts? Is camping your thing or would you rather stay at a Holiday Inn?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-15231430979074575832013-07-23T12:53:00.000-04:002013-07-23T12:53:19.164-04:00Gluten Free.....No way, not me!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow marks 8 weeks that I have had some sort of rash. It is mostly on my lower back (upper buttocks), on my sides, around my chest, on my lower stomach, behind my ears and all over my scalp. It is so itchy and drives me nuts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have been unable to see my family doctor as they are booked about 3 months out, so I have visited the urgent care 3 times and the emergency room once. On all 4 visits I was diagnosed with contact dermatitis. Meaning, I am coming into contact with something that I am having an allergic reaction to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've been prescribed mass amounts of prednisone, topical steroid cream and scalp wash....but, it continually keeps coming back. We have gone through every item in our home (indoors and out) to see if there is something out of the ordinary that I have used and to this day we have thought of nothing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thankfully, I had an appointment with my regular physician yesterday for my annual and we were able to discuss my rash. She made a phone call to a dermatology office and explained my situation and they were able to get me in yesterday afternoon. Miracles do happen!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A biopsy was taken off my lower back and will be sent out for testing and I also had some blood work drawn. The specialist is thinking that I have <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatitis_herpetiformis" target="_blank">Duhrings disease</a> (aka dermatitis herpetaformis) and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_disease" target="_blank">celiac disease</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Unfortunately, if this is the case, I will be on a strict gluten free diet and this will be a lifelong requirement (along with medication). I've been wanting answers for weeks now as to what is causing all of this....but THIS is not the answer I would have hoped for. I love food way too much to even "think" about having to go gluten free!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As much as I want this chronic itching to end.....I just never imagined this would be my answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do any of you have to avoid gluten? If so, what tips do you have.</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-13462613287794315732013-07-08T13:22:00.000-04:002013-07-08T13:22:30.301-04:00Back to work blues<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is the first day back in the office after 9 days away and to say the least...it is horrible! I really need to find a way to find some happiness and fulfillment in this job or else I think I may have a breakdown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Don't get me wrong, I must like it here since I've been with the company for 11 years....but I am far from being happy. The problem is that I can't pinpoint exactly what it is that is making me so miserable. The obvious reason is that my job responsibilities have increased ten-fold over the past 5 years or so, but yet I haven't had a raise in almost 7 years. It is so frustrating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I also don't appreciate the amount of "off the clock" work I do because the other managers are incompetent and most of our customers tend to call me when they need something because they know it will get done. Regardless of the fact that the things they are calling me about have nothing to do with my position in the company.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can bitch and complain all I want, but I guess until I can pinpoint all my issues and then confront the necessary people, nothing will change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There will be some big decisions being made in the near future! Wish me luck...</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-91877559459402291562013-06-24T09:03:00.002-04:002013-06-24T09:03:23.679-04:00Whirlwind<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The</span> past few weeks have been a whirlwind of events and the next couple weeks will be the same....don't you just love summer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We started off with my stepdaughters graduation open house. It was such a good time and worth the many weeks of prep leading up to the big day. Although, in typical Michigan fashion, it decided to rain about an hour into the party, which caused about 30+ people to gather under 2 small canopies, our gazebo, and the garage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day after this party, I couldn't even get out of bed! I prepped for about 3 weeks and put in well over 100 hours getting our backyard ready.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;">This</span> past weekend my sister and I drove from Michigan to West Virginia to attend the Fiestaware Tent Sale. It was so much fun, but exhausting all at the same time. I awoke Friday morning about 3am and was on the road by 4:30am. By the time we arrive back home I was whooped! Not to mention a wee-bit sunburned :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We normally stay in a hotel the night before, and then get in line about 6am to get our tickets. But this year we decided to try something different. We arrived about 10:45am and only had to wait in line about 2+ hours before entering the tent. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We rounded the corner and could finally see the tent</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you've never had the chance to experience this.....It is an amazing site!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bin after bin after bin of colorful, fiestaware. I am drooling all over again just thinking about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was hoping for a few more pieces than what I got, but that just means we will have to go back again next year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was able to catch up on some much needed quality time with the hubby and the pets yesterday. It was a gorgeous summer day here in West Michigan and we enjoyed every minute of it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lainey</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's so hard to get my tongue all the way into this cow hoof</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This upcoming weekend I have a bridal shower for a good friend of mine and then the following weekend is the July 4th holiday/wedding. If I can just get through the next 12 days or so, I think I will be able to relax.</span><br />
Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-780061254739249422013-06-13T08:22:00.002-04:002013-06-13T08:22:54.188-04:00Empty<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This pretty much sums up my life right now.........and NO, I was not at the gas station when I took this picture.....Ugh!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please disregard the dust.....Cleaning out my car </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is about the 200th item on my list of things to do</span></td></tr>
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Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-68264163381499108462013-06-06T10:08:00.000-04:002013-06-06T10:08:35.993-04:00Catch up<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To say I've been busy is an understatement! Funny how life can go from simple, effortless and quiet to complex, complicated and distracted overnight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There is so much going on both at work and at home that there are days I can barely keep my head above water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In a nutshell, here is what has been keeping me busy....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My stepdaughter graduated high school last Friday. It was surreal to see her in her cap and gown. My husband shed a few tears, but he won't admit it. I think in my mind she will always be this awkward pre-teen. So to see her enter this next phase of her life was mind blowing to say the least. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVMcqmYrNVHb0ENVvrzavoS1XJzVH9U9OuN2dYB0UQc5U05-atZ51esrz-3Yn9_WDGalOe-_zzT3H1MWFMIWWxpch44We4iG2yXMzEDZjJdZQvIiStbTn1rokZhPocOH44BGkXHKPRBmc/s1600/Graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVMcqmYrNVHb0ENVvrzavoS1XJzVH9U9OuN2dYB0UQc5U05-atZ51esrz-3Yn9_WDGalOe-_zzT3H1MWFMIWWxpch44We4iG2yXMzEDZjJdZQvIiStbTn1rokZhPocOH44BGkXHKPRBmc/s320/Graduation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are having her graduation party at our house on June 15th. I've been working my tail off trying to get the backyard ready for such a shindig. Short of still not having grass, it is starting to come around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of my favorite projects has been taking our plastic outdoor furniture and spray painting it fun colors.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc59CMPWA5aGBsqXIa3yPq2GimHxTE37PmyY2lFXxp_ayDENDrJCCTQyL-CXnwIS6mgJqvuI3QifToUludktatGznd38IsW72eR_bq6nFtKJKxgSf7diA7H73EIArgJVxIq9EhsykpOnLm/s1600/furniture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc59CMPWA5aGBsqXIa3yPq2GimHxTE37PmyY2lFXxp_ayDENDrJCCTQyL-CXnwIS6mgJqvuI3QifToUludktatGznd38IsW72eR_bq6nFtKJKxgSf7diA7H73EIArgJVxIq9EhsykpOnLm/s320/furniture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I mentioned, we have no grass in our backyard. Well, I shouldn't say "no grass", but it is spotty. This was going to be the year we put money into this project, but due to the expenses with the dog, it is going to have to wait another year. This has been an issue since we bought the house. <a href="http://amyjoonthego.blogspot.com/2012/09/stressed-to-max.html" target="_blank">Last year</a> we put down stone and it made a big difference. But, there was still a large area next to the house that was a disaster. We haven't put much effort into this area because our end goal is to build a deck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Spur of the moment I decided to tackle this area and it's amazing what a little topsoil and some colored pots will do.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dOuu7CD_wC-1J2i99hZFFBoALk46771PyHVG-4V3fh1FWo4D3fOS9mTWsOCMSWWBlsbCzl-B4QEE0JVbbJbgDVvjytozSdiunHzrpWzN-zpp_KSBV2NxcNqFgydi7hbPUQj9GUbdbZ_k/s1600/yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dOuu7CD_wC-1J2i99hZFFBoALk46771PyHVG-4V3fh1FWo4D3fOS9mTWsOCMSWWBlsbCzl-B4QEE0JVbbJbgDVvjytozSdiunHzrpWzN-zpp_KSBV2NxcNqFgydi7hbPUQj9GUbdbZ_k/s400/yard.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(notice how the grass is "spotty")</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These pots are currently full of flowers and the difference is amazing. We are no longer looking at DIRT!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There is still SO MUCH more going on, but as I suspected, this post has to be cut short because I am needed by a million different people all at the same time....Ughhhh!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Is it Friday yet?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">PS ~ I do not have time to proof read this...so I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-59520514338777528092013-05-23T13:16:00.000-04:002013-05-23T13:16:44.073-04:00The good news is......<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a reminder from a friend this morning, I realized I never updated Lainey's status after our appointment on Monday. There was some good news and some bad news....</span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><ul>
<li>GOOD news ~ The sutures were able to come out. </li>
<li>BAD news ~ She was limping the day of the appt. </li>
<li>GOOD news ~ Even though she was limping there were no signs of any damage to the leg (maybe sore muscle or something). </li>
<li>BAD news ~ She needs a new "customized" brace for her hock as the one she has doesn't fit her properly. </li>
<li>GOOD news ~ She has started on some new joint medication. </li>
<li>BAD news ~ I have to inject her with it myself</li>
</ul>
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Within the next week she should be off of bed rest (again) and can go back to running, playing and just enjoying being a dog. Fingers (and toes) crossed and praying that this saga is over!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJefaQQ-6vL_pWe2HldU0prB8S2kgf482iHEfTMyjelDCj6UCk4jvBE0vSXq2iZ1mDoYg-OxqFQ4nqOzKY9IE9pXWbANM_Y6j2gkrkTpY8zKDtNs04eWQX9l2oxx-nXxLmb06bahaPcvux/s1600/6.2.12(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJefaQQ-6vL_pWe2HldU0prB8S2kgf482iHEfTMyjelDCj6UCk4jvBE0vSXq2iZ1mDoYg-OxqFQ4nqOzKY9IE9pXWbANM_Y6j2gkrkTpY8zKDtNs04eWQX9l2oxx-nXxLmb06bahaPcvux/s320/6.2.12(1).jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lainey and her friend Kappy hiking last May<br />
This was the last hike we took before tearing her ACL! <br />
I can't believe this saga has been going on for a year now! And to think that I almost cried when the first doctor told us we were looking at 4-6 months recovery. <br />
If only I knew then what I know now </td></tr>
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Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-91436701187590086022013-05-16T10:44:00.000-04:002013-05-16T10:44:55.797-04:00Bullets<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every day I have this fabulous post in mind....and I just can't seem to find the time to do anything with it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So today....you are getting bullet points. It's all I've got the brain capacity for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lainey landed herself at the emergency vet on Saturday evening. The incision from her most recent surgery was very infected and needed treatment ASAP. The specialist office who is handling her surgeries is over 2 hours away, so we opted for a 45 min drive to the nearest emergency vet instead. She is doing much better now and will go on Monday to the specialist for a check-up and to hopefully have her sutures removed.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Due to the above....Lainey is going crazy! She has been on bed rest since May 1st and the amount of pent up energy she has is driving us all a little nuts. We try to stimulate her mentally, but it seems to only work for a short period of time. It is killing her to not be able to take walks or run zoomies around the yard. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My birthday is Saturday and I will be spending the day with family celebrating my nephew turning 4. I don't feel like celebrating my birthday this year as I realized yesterday how fast I am approaching the big 4-0! It's hard for me to imagine that I will be 37 in a few days, because in my mind I was in my mid-late 20's only yesterday.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The mosquitos are HORRIBLE this year. The other night I tried to apply some weed killer in the backyard and was eaten alive. Last night I tried to mow the lawn and had to cover my entire body. It was almost 80 degrees out and I was wearing long pants and a hooded sweatshirt tied tight around my chin. It is absolutely ridiculous!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My step-daughter graduates highschool this year and we are hosting our own graduation party for her at our house (there is some bad blood between her mother and my husband so separate parties were a must). I'm so worried about the mosquito issue since we plan to have everyone outdoors. Any advice would be much appreciated.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have 3 girlfriends who are (were) pregnant and 2 of them recently had their babies. I'm dying to meet these adorable babes, but unfortunately, they both live about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from me. Hopefully, in the next couple weeks I will be able to make a trip down for the day and love on these little ones.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's all I have time for.....Happy Thursday!</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-29775012700904694852013-05-09T10:52:00.000-04:002013-05-09T10:52:44.918-04:00Full Plate<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must apologize for my temporary leave of absence. Life has gotten the best of me lately.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For starters....Lainey had to go in last week for another (emergency) surgery. She is currently on bed rest again and we will go on Monday to get the sutures removed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After she had her 2nd ACL surgery on her left leg, we noticed a bump on her leg (see pic below). Come to find out, the crimper plate was actually protruding out of her leg. The surgeon knew at some point it would need to be removed, but she wanted us to try and get past 16 weeks of recovery before opening that leg back up again.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQpT9tmttd58Rb-l4bUPUK76mqetOYDMSM49aYFKA5FLF62fuuarV0xSRAuL2YG2oD63Wibaf1ufpScP0uP7QJmHi9lhRk2tzVAEe74f2pveKz4TKngARhpA1MBjLFeZwDhGN4TS0NeNk/s1600/Sore+on+leg+2.14.13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQpT9tmttd58Rb-l4bUPUK76mqetOYDMSM49aYFKA5FLF62fuuarV0xSRAuL2YG2oD63Wibaf1ufpScP0uP7QJmHi9lhRk2tzVAEe74f2pveKz4TKngARhpA1MBjLFeZwDhGN4TS0NeNk/s400/Sore+on+leg+2.14.13.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We made it 12 weeks, but could not put it off any longer. She had started limping again, she refused to lay or put any pressure on the leg, and her recovery was declining instead of improving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm praying that this saga is now over and after her sutures come out, we will never have any more issues!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In addition to Lainey's surgery, I also had a 2 day audit at work and I needed to prep about 2 weeks leading up to it. Thankfully, this only happens once a year...and now it's over and I won't need to stress about it until next year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I need a vacation! I want sand between my toes and a drink with an umbrella...anyone with me?</span><br />
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Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-15643956308622622922013-04-17T09:25:00.000-04:002013-04-17T09:25:29.649-04:00Dasher....You silly boy!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather here in West Michigan finally decided to behave on Sunday. It snowed on Saturday, but by Sunday is was almost 60 degrees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This allowed me to open up the windows and get some fresh air into the house. It's amazing how such a little thing brings so much joy to my life :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Unfortunately, we quickly figured out that Dasher wants to enjoy the nice weather as much as we do. We adopted him in December and he spent 2 years at the shelter prior to that, so we have been anticipating how he would act once the weather got nice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He is becoming pretty tricky at trying to find ways to escape through the door when you are trying to leave. It's now become a circus act trying to open the door, stick your foot out, wave your hands in some crazy motion to scare him and then quickly turning and jumping out the door while pulling it shut at warp speed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, on Sunday, when I opened up the windows....this is where I found him</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ipr3cKc9vJcq_MMS9kv2GLpZ3eO1sjtEe_V301MCzRwQv2l0w5vvjq6zWJxrNH9TrGohgOFehrYNrd_UUzzhDAYg_3fc2GISbO4RekdvWP17r41cbfXBYDQk6Fv54cU0DiQmck3_lSTM/s1600/window+climber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ipr3cKc9vJcq_MMS9kv2GLpZ3eO1sjtEe_V301MCzRwQv2l0w5vvjq6zWJxrNH9TrGohgOFehrYNrd_UUzzhDAYg_3fc2GISbO4RekdvWP17r41cbfXBYDQk6Fv54cU0DiQmck3_lSTM/s400/window+climber.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">At first I was mad because he had put a bunch of holes in the screen (welcome to our home mosquito's), but then I just laughed. He is such a silly cat!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I think the next nice day we have, I am going to put one of the cat harnesses on him and take him outside to explore. That's the least he deserves to make up for the years in the shelter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-61518416960075149232013-04-11T08:21:00.003-04:002013-04-11T08:21:58.322-04:00Animal Cruelty Prevention Month<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNnrU9-kQn3UtoiyiI14Aa6DwsmsIR_SZFsmcimSt_BQbv2TDfOxJEdme0t20FBwx2jYPUbMrfHZUx1VhrWUDhPKKsF3q7ZlIBO8PV32fJfwTv6Xs8g8NCoQiTR5VHAKpLQf1cJM2u2MO/s1600/creulty+free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNnrU9-kQn3UtoiyiI14Aa6DwsmsIR_SZFsmcimSt_BQbv2TDfOxJEdme0t20FBwx2jYPUbMrfHZUx1VhrWUDhPKKsF3q7ZlIBO8PV32fJfwTv6Xs8g8NCoQiTR5VHAKpLQf1cJM2u2MO/s1600/creulty+free.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In honor of this, Lainey decided to wear her orange collar and show her support. Isn't she the cutest?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Basketball is not my favorite sport...I'm definitely a football kind of girl! Nonetheless, when the Wolverines are doing as well as they have been, I can bring myself to watch a little b-ball.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tonight Michigan will play against Louisville in the 2013 National Championship game. It's been a long time coming.....Well, since 1993 when the Fab Five played in the championship game against North Carolina. Unfortunately, Chris Webber infamously called a time-out with 11 seconds left in the game when Michigan was down 73-71. There were no time-outs remaining, which resulted in a technical foul that clinched the game for NC. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets hope the Michigan Wolverines can walk off the court with a National title under their belt tonight.....GO BLUE!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, the game doesn't start until 9:30 tonight and as much as I love my Michigan Wolverines, I don't think I will be able to stay up to watch.</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-91443262909823552362013-04-04T08:34:00.000-04:002013-04-04T08:34:00.704-04:002 Years<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two years ago today, my life was forever changed. I lost my brother...but the world also lost a father, a son, an uncle, a brother-in-law, and a boyfriend. I miss you like crazy but know that you are looking down on all of us from Heaven. You are forever in our hearts.....</span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"></span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-82993737701638674552013-04-02T12:52:00.000-04:002013-04-02T12:52:31.859-04:00Best Day Ever!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday we had Lainey's 8-week check up with the surgeon. I was literally SO nervous. This has already been a 10-month process for us and so far, we have gotten nothing but bad news. I was anticipating "worst case scenario" in my mind the whole way there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We arrived at the vet after a 2-hour car ride and I was so afraid that Lainey's legs would be sore and tight after being in her cage that whole time. The cage is small enough to fit in my car so she doesn't have a lot of room to spread out and get comfortable, which I assumed would cause her to limp a little and be sore. Thankfully, that didn't happen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The girls at the front desk were amazed that this was the same dog that they took care of for 2 weeks post surgery. They were loving on her and kept saying "she looks so good" and "look how good she is walking". It put a smile on my face and put me at ease (a little).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The surgeon came in to the little room to see us and I was a ball of nerves. She asked a few questions and then took Lainey with her to go get some scans done on her legs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The walls aren't very thick so you can hear the doctors and staff on the other side. As the surgeon was bringing Lainey back after her scans I could hear some of the staff say "is that Lainey? Oh my gosh...what a different dog" and another gal said "Lainey, is that you?".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I felt so warm and fuzzy inside and knew that we made the right decision by bringing her here. The staff took such great care of her during her stay here and they still love on her when we visit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And now is when my whole day changed.....the doctor said that Lainey's scans showed that she is TOTALLY HEALED in both legs! The surgeries were a success! Lainey is free to run and play in the yard....she can be a DOG again!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I nearly started crying! It took me a minute to catch my breath before I could even say anything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">She will be sore after running/playing, but that is normal. Compare it to us sitting on the couch for 10 months and then one day deciding to go run a mile....our muscles would be sore too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We let her run in the yard yesterday and it was hilarious. She was doing zoomies with her tongue hanging out and smiling so big! We could tell she was sore last night, but this morning she was walking like normal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I just can't believe that our nightmare is almost over! It's been such a long haul and Lainey has endured so much in her young age. I can't wait for her to "be a dog" again. Fetching sticks, chasing squirrels and running after her brother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Life is good and with patience comes great rewards!</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-70490085227465607092013-03-20T14:47:00.000-04:002013-03-20T14:47:04.674-04:00It's Always Good to Learn from your Mistakes<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we first got Lainey she was such an easy dog to take on walks, take hiking through the trails, or even to public events. She loved everyone and was never reactive towards any humans or other dogs.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hiking through one of our State Parks with Lainey's boyfriend Kappy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doing a very good Sit-Stay for mommy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After Lainey's first ACL surgery last fall, our trips around the city came to a halt. She could no longer hike through the woods, walk on the trails or even attend doggy daycamp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The most we could do with all of her surgical complications, was to walk up and down the street we live on. Or on a good day, make it around one block in our subdivision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I began to notice during this time, that I was having to pay special attention to her body language while we were walking. She would become very stiff and inattentive whenever anyone approached our direction. She wouldn't bark or get loud....her tactic was more of a stare-down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One evening early this winter, it was just getting dark and I had decided that once we got to the end of our street we would turn the corner and head to the next side street before turning around to head back. Just as we turned the corner, a very tall man dressed in a lot of heavy clothing (it was cold) with a big furry hat on, was about 30 feet away and running straight towards us. I pulled Lainey into the grass and away from the sidewalk and put her in a sitting position. I assumed that once the man saw us, he would transfer to the road or at least pick up the pace and run right by us. He did not!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The closer he got to us the more agitated Lainey became. She was barking, lunging, growling....I had never seen this side of her. I used my body as a blocker between her and her site line to the man, kept a loose leash and tried "leave it" and "look", but nothing worked. I just needed him to get by us and keep moving on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Instead, he stopped literally 2 feet away from us and asked me if I needed any help. I explained to him that I would just appreciate it if he could move along due to the reactivity from my dog. By this time, I am walking away from him through someones yard, just trying to put some distance between us. Instead of getting the hint, the man just simply stood there trying to talk to Lainey. This of course, was causing more harm than good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After a good few minutes, the man finally continued on his way and Lainey and I headed back home. I was exhausted, nervous and of course scared of what had just happened. The next morning I called our dog trainers. They seemed to think that since Lainey and I had been walking the same street over and over the past several weeks that she had grown to think that she "owned" them. That this was an extension of her property. They also stated that due to her medical issues and surgical complications that she was probably feeling a bit nervous that she could not protect herself (or me) if anything was to happen. Her barking at the man, was her way of "protecting" and giving the man a warning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This was the only time this has happened and I am much more aware of our surroundings whenever we walk. At each corner I stop and look to see if there is anything that might make her uncomfortable (people, dogs, bikes, etc).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Unfortunately, months later and two more surgeries later, we are still only able to walk up and down our street or our block. I have made some changes in our routine that I think have helped. We don't walk the same "direction" every time. We also change it up between walking on the sidewalk and walking in the road. We also switch up on which sides of the street/sidewalk we walk on. And most importantly....we have been working on loose leash walking along with a solid "look" command. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think that all of these changes has helped. She is much more relaxed and our walks are very enjoyable. We have come in contact with multiple people, dogs, bicicyles, etc. and she has not reacted at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can only hope that a year from now when she is all healed with 100% mobility, we will be able to get back into hiking, walking the trails and enjoying nature as much as we both want to. I think we are both ready for some new scenery!</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-87724988909026856872013-03-19T14:27:00.001-04:002013-03-19T14:27:26.766-04:00It Ain't Easy Being A Pit Bull Mama<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all know that it's hard to be a Pit Bull Mama! You have to be well-educated on the breed, be willing to put in the time training and advocate as much as possible.... and you MUST have thick skin because people WILL talk bad about your dog (most of them without even having met him/her).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The joke in our house has always been, that if you come to the front door, you should be more afraid of our Jack Russell than our Pit Bull. The most dangerous thing our pittie would do, is lick your face inappropriately (on your mouth) or bruise your leg from her tail wagging so hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Unfortunately, the stigma around these dogs and the way the media portrays them....makes people believe they are vicious killers and should never be trusted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The way I see it....NO DOG should ever be fully trusted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Pit Bulls need early socialization, but I believe that EVERY dog needs it. Pit Bulls are terriers which means they are strong, stubborn and determined. And since they are a terrier, they also can have a high prey drive. But, so can a Chihuahua, a ShihTzu, Jack Russell or even a Greyhound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Due to the incident last week between my dogs....people have assumed that our Pit Bull MUST have been at fault (She IS a vicious killer after all). This couldn't be farther from the truth, but I've quickly learned that no matter how many times or in how many different ways I tell the story....I'm not going to be able to change their mind. Does it bother me? Yes! Will it ruin my day? No! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As long as I know I have provided them with nothing but the facts from that day...they are allowed to see things how they want. What more can you expect from people who have an irrational fear and hatred for a breed due to all the media hype.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can say one thing....I've received more love and loyalty from my Pit Bull than I have most people.</span><br />
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<br />What have been some of your biggest obstacles to overcome being a Pit Bull Mama?</span><br />Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418385775992575652.post-33802968682180661382013-03-18T11:34:00.000-04:002013-03-18T11:34:28.699-04:00Good Signs<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After last week's <a href="http://www.amyjoonthego.blogspot.com/2013/03/does-this-mean-war.html" target="_blank">debacle</a>, things have been pretty smooth around our house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We took Stewie to the vet and he has been on his new medication for a week now. I can't say that I have noticed any huge changes, but it is still early.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We started to "re-introduce" the dogs this week and it went well. We began with leashing each dog and letting them sniff each other from opposite sides of a gate. They were each rewarded for proper behavior, but as soon as one of them seemed to become stressed or high-strung in any way, we ended it and took them each to their own spaces. We did this over and over until we were confident that each dog felt secure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The next step was taking down the gate and allowing them to meet without any barrier. Each dog was leashed and again, rewarded for proper behavior. As before, as soon as one of the dogs became too hyper, too rambunctious or too stressed, we ended the drill and took them each to their safe zone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We have become better pet parents and are paying closer attention to any tell-tale signs that either dog is uncomfortable. I think it was a big wake up call to us both and we need to "do better"!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here are the both of them last night.....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Playing nice with their tennis ball</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cuddling on the couch watching Animal Planet</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can only hope that these are signs of good things to come! We will continue to pay closer attention to their needs and hopefully, life will keep on keepin on!</span>Amy Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342337286981773291noreply@blogger.com3