A Sad Day At The Zoo

The Domestic Zoo is two wagging tails fewer today.

Emian and Sorina passed away this afternoon. We blame ourselves for rushing them out into being outdoor dogs for a day. We tied them down outside (the fence was still too high from the ground for our fearless diggers), and gave them plenty of water. Everything would have been fine, if the fiesty knuckleheads hadn't wrapped up their 'tangle-resistant' leads around the post so they couldn't get to the water. They died of heat stroke, but I'm told they looked very peaceful, as if they had just laid down and went to sleep.

My favorite memory: I was sitting at the computer at home, and my husband had just bathed the pups and brought them down to explore the house. I picked up Emian and held her upside down, like a baby. She was very comfortable and never moved a muscle. I sat there, staring at the monitor, with her in my arms, and then I felt myself fall asleep. I slept in that computer chair for probably 20 min. Emian never moved a muscle. My husband looked at us, and Emian gave him a look as if to say: "It wasn't me. I don't know what made her pass out, but I'm not going to move." And she never did. Never made a sound, just let me hold her.

About the girls: Despite their short hair, they were always super soft to the touch. They loved any and all attention. Emian was the most well-behaved, and more submissive than Sorina, who was just an attention hog and always wanted to put her nose in your hand. Emian was the better runner, fast, and agile. She could turn on a dime and trip up the chasing Sorina at will. Sorina, on the other hand, was a better wrestler, and when she did manage to catch Emian, she took her down like a street brawler. They both loved trying to walk each other by grabbing the other's collar and pulling. They also loved the game of keep-away from each other. Anything would do - a bone, a stick, a piece of fencing. They were exploratory diggers. Sorina always wanted to stay in the house to be near us, and would come to me whenever I called. Emian always wanted to play, and wanted me to chase her outside. The roles were reversed for my husband. We were just learning how to get the other one in. They didn't like the rain or showers, but they didn't mind them much. They were very accepting of being bathed, and would go potty out in the pouring rain with only a few complaints. Their tails were like small whips. Had they grown to full adulthood, they would have been dangerous weapons, and they could wag at a mile an hour. Their chests were growing broader (boxer), and their legs were growing longer and leaner (pointer). They were probably about two feet tall from head to toe - and still growing.

I came home to find my husband in the back yard filling in the hole. We called my parents and let them know. Then we went upstairs to the shower and had a good cry. Ok, I'm still in tears. I haven't had time yet to figure out what to do with all their food and toys. The cats have assumed one toy, a water dish, and their bed already.

To look on the bright side of this tradgedy, I try to comfort myself in knowing that we at least gave them a better chance at life than they would have had if we had not taken them in.

In the mail today, there was a postcard notifying me of their next round of puppy shots due in a week or two. They hadn't even been fixed yet. I was planning on taking them for a treat this Sunday to the Millie Bush Bark Park to make some new friends.

You'll be missed, Emian and Sorina. May you wrestle and run together and inhale all the food you want in the great doggy park in the sky.

Emian - Sorina
Boxer / Pointer Sisters
Domestic Zoo Residents
June 25, 2006 - August 25, 2006

Unwanted Suprises

As I was coming home from work yesterday, I stopped at our little rinky-dink community mailbox (I detest those things) to find only one envelope inside, and addressed to me.

What could be inside? Of course! Another bill. But this was no bill we were expecting. This was another unwanted suprise from the quackerbox doctor I visited nearly a month ago. Evidently, the almost $300 I paid in his office that day, didn't include the gyno lab work. They had no problems telling me I owed money on the urine and blood work, which I grudgingly accepted.

So - on top of the $300 to the doctor, another $440 for the blood work, now another $160 for the gyno. Yeah. There was some yelling involved with certain billing departments. This suprise bill came out of nowhere. We were never told this would be incurred. It was never itemized, illuded to, hinted at, or even suggested. I was under the impression that the $300 was for the doctor and the tests that he was going to do. I mean, common... $300 is more than excessive for some fat guy to look in your cooter and wipe a cotton swab back and forth, stick it in a jar and send it to New Jersey (of all places!!). He wasn't that good. Wasn't even pleasant to look at. He had the face of a flounder and the personality of a rock (and not those cool Pet Rocks from the 70's either. I'm talking run-of-the-mill rock not even suitable for concrete). And here we get a bill three weeks after we switched doctors. Can we say Grudge Charge? I'm paying nearly $1,000 for a 1-hr visit from hell, when I could have as easily gone to the local yokel and spent maybe $100 total for him to look me up and down and say I'm good to go. I mean, what's next? A bill for $50 for the stupid paper robe they made me change into? Or another $75 for the paper on the table they rolled down for me to sit on? They want another $160, fine. We'll pay it - Every month... about $10 worth.

His billing woman kinda tried to be human (but only kinda), but the other chick that worked there was about as clueless as Anna Nicole Smith. Hell, I had to call them five times to get my results, and even then, the answer I got was rather wishy-washy. What kind of doctor's office says: "well, we would have called you if there was anything wrong"?

Rapists. That's what they are. Nickle and diming to death.

In about an hour though, I'll be heading to UTMB and get this started with them. At least they tell you up front what the final charge is, when it's due, and no suprises. Ok, I may have to pay for Rx's, but I expect that anyways.

In any case, I'll let you know how it goes today.

Old Radio Shows

Ever want to go back to the "good ole days" - before Video Killed the Radio Stars? This site's got quite a library.

http://www.otr.net/

D.B. Echo - This sounds right down your alley. (By the way, I still have the BBC LOTR Radio CD's) =P

No Brats Allowed

I was reading an article on MSN today about brats in public, and it allowed viewers to respond. Here was mine.

I was actually one of those 'good' kids in restaurants. But being good was easy. Was I always so good? Hardly! The first time I acted up, my father asked me in a very stern (but not loud) voice if I wanted to go out to the car. As a defiant little girl who thought she was a big girl, I proudly challenged him by saying (in a very snotty kid voice) "YES". Of course, the trip to the car wasn't what I thought it would be. I thought I'd just be out of that restaurant. Little did I know there would be a sore behind and some tears involved.

Sure, sitting was difficult, but it didn't last all that long, and I never considered my father a violent or abusive man. It was discipline, and it was received as such. I knew I messed up, and as much as I didn't like it, I deserved it.

That happened only twice. Once to learn, the second time to remind. After that, if I ever started acting up, my father would ask sternly if I wanted to go out to the car. It was like magic words. I would be quiet instantly, shake my head, and everything was well with the world. I was happy I didn't actually get in trouble, and everyone else was happy.
It wasn't long before I didn't need to be asked for a trip to the car anymore. Sure, every now and again, I'd forget, as kids do... but a gentle reminder that the option was still there would have me back on track. I made a conscious choice to behave in public for so long, it became unconscious.

When I was about 5, we were in a Chinese restaurant, and an elderly couple approached my parents as they were leaving. They complimented my parents on what a "nice and well-behaved daughter" they had, and that the couple sitting at our table before us, had a little boy who was climbing all over the seats, screaming at his parents, throwing food and tableware, and all sorts of similar temper tantrums.

That day was probably one of my parents' favorite shining moments, and they treasure that memory. So, I try to return the favor and compliment parents who seem to be doing things right. It's easy to scorn bad parenting (which is too common for me to think is mere chance), but it also encourages better parental behavior when the good they do is recognized by others.

I hope every day, that my child will grow up much like I did - happy and well-adjusted to most every social situation... or if it will be like so many other kids who have never had any discipline (for the parent's fear of 'beating' their child), and hence run around like Tazmanian Devils, only to be put on Ritalin and diagnosed with ADD.
My biggest peave, is the parent that threatens their child with no follow-through. "Johnny, if you don't sit down and be quiet, I'm going to spank you... 1... 2... 3... Johnny! Sit down now! I'm warning you Johnny. Johnny, I told you not to throw spoons. That's it, you're going to get a spanking.. 1...2... Johnny, come here!" We've all seen it. It's annoying to watch. You want to just walk over there, turn the kid over your own knee, paddle him, and then look at the parent and do the same to them.

Keeping Busy

It's almost five in the morning. Way too early for my funky butt to be up. But... the puppies wanted to go potty. And since we're trying to make them somewhat housetrained, that involves the sacrifice of one of us getting up to let them outside whenever they need to.

So, to keep myself entertained while they're doing their doo, I'm typing here. Of course, I was actually awake before the puppies started to whine.

I woke up this morning, probably around 4:30am with half a stuffy nose and a little soreness in the throat. I'm really hoping it's just from all the work we did yesterday, cleaning out the garage, the fresh air, the running around town, and moving dusty things about that has me reacting this way. The alternative, is that I caught the same really nasty cold as my husband and 3 co-workers have had. This would be bad, as they all had meds that didn't even really help, and they were all quite miserable. Try being pregnant with a severe cold. Us preggos can't take the same meds most can, so I get to suffer even more. Oh the glee!

So, I'm hoping it's just the dust and fresh air. We'll see how I am later today, and tomorrow. I have Wednesday off, so if I need to, I suppose I can make a run to our local Dr. in town and see if he can help at all.

Well, puppies want back in. Later ya'll.

Now Craving...

There's a veggie sandwich at Ruby's resturaunt that I really want right now. Wheat bread, lightly toasted, with mayo, tomato, avacado, tomato, romaine, and alfapha sprouts.

Yup. I'm definately having a veggie baby.

Status Report - So Far...So Good

I called the QuackerBox Doctor's office (that I am gleefully leaving behind) to get my test results. So far everything is normal. No AIDS, no gonhorrea (sp?), no syphillus, no abnormal metabolism, no Downs Syndrome, no cervical cancer. Everything's A-OK. (So Far)

I'm 'normal'. Horrifying thought, eh? Guess they don't have a test to detect brimstone yet. *evil grin*

Of course, since it was an out-of-pocket test, they didn't do all the tests. So I figure once I start going to the new doctor, I'll have to do the glycemic tests, anemia tests, etc. But... that won't be for at least another month or so, I figure.

Butter Fingers

Well, it looks as though the clumsiness has officially started. I've been fumbling things I don't normally fumble, but last night, I had my first casualty.

Cleaning out the dishwasher, I cracked one of my husbands favorite super-large glasses. Really thick glass - ideal for rootbeer floats and the like. Yup. It's in the bottom of the trash can now. We still have 3 more, and luckily it was a $4 Wal-Mart special, but still.

What's next?

Ditz on the Fritz

QVC-Anonymous - Where are you? Intervention has failed. There's QVC on satelite, on the web, in every room of DitzyGranny's house. I suppose she could use her cell phone to cruise QVC, or she might even use her PDA. If there's a way to get to QVC, she'll find it.

But don't take my word for it that she's addicted. She'll tell you herself!

Freebies Gallore

I was 'wowed' yesterday by a co-worker. I hardly know her, really. Just the occasional 'hi' and 'how ya doin?' and idle small talk that co-workers do. Friendly girl, early 20's with 2 kids. Well, she IM'd me yesterday at work and said: "Do you need a crib? My youngest is turning 2 years old, and so I'm going to buy him a 'big boy's bed, so you can have a crib if you want it."

!!!!

So now I have a crib lined up with my name on it. I haven't seen it yet, nor do I know the condition it's in... but still, how bad can it be that a little cleaning can't fix? Besides, it's free.

It's amazing, really. You can be in financial trouble up to your eyeballs (and then some), have every disaster happen to you, and no one will help. Get yourself pregnant, and whether you have money or not, the world can't give you enough baby stuff. Not that I'm complaining in any way, shape, or form. Believe me. I'm more grateful than words could ever possibly express! It's just a strange concept, none-the-less.

So, yeah. In about a month or so, I'll probably create a baby gift registry for my friends to puruse through. It should be enough time for people to figure out if/what they want to get, and by then, I should have a sex determined.

One site that my husband has been drooling over, and myself as well: OneStepAhead.com. That's probably where we'll register.

Awesome Music Video

My husband found the best music video Ever on one of his daily excursions to AllDumb.com (no longer in existance). It's by a guy that calls himself Basshunter, and he's from Sweden. Can't understand the language, but it's subtitled for your pleasure. The message is silly, but the music and the beat is awesome, and once you hear it, you can't shake it. The song is called Boten Anna. (not Boat Anna) And, believe it or not, this guy was diagnosed with Turrets.

Lil'un gives this music video: 5 Kicks

(See entry below)

UPDATE: I re-added this video in January, because the previous one seemed to stop playing.

Basshunter - Boten Anna (English Subbed)

This crazy guy sings about a bot he knows on a channel named Anna.

About Being Five Months Pregnant

Well, I figured I'd write less about the woes of quacks and moneygrubbers, and actually spend a little time with the lil'un.

The little one has definitely begun to tell me it's there. It wriggles around, pokes, prods, kicks. Not all the time, but at short intervals during the day. I can go a few hours without feeling it. What does it feel like? Strangely, the best description I can give that everyone can recognize quickly, is it feels like really strong gas rumbling in the wrong places. Last month, it just felt like mild indigestion in the wrong place - a gentle, uncomfortable feeling, but not bad. Now days, it sometimes tickles because it's moving so much.

I was sitting with my boss the other day, going over some prototypes for potential webpage redesigns, and I started giggling. He looked at me a little strange, then looked at my monitor - studied it, actually - trying to figure out what I was seeing that was making me giggle so much. It was nothing on the monitor, it was the lil'un rolling around. Lil'un likes to wake up after I've eaten and when my hubby plays loud music. (See post above - baby likes this song as much as momma and pops do.)

I'm not as tired as I was for the first 4 months. I still have my moments, but they're not nearly as bad. (Smokie is saying 'Hi' to you as I'm writing this, by the way.) The insides of my legs, near my hips, are sore with every step, as is my lower stomach muscles. It's all the new weight being accounted for, and it feels like I ran miles the day before. I should exercise more, but finances and doctors, puppies, cats, laundry, cooking, dishes, unpacking, working, SLEEPING, and eating, oh... and now Blogging... have taken up most of my free time. The leftover free time I do have, I spend with my husband (who I have to rub all the time because his work is so strenuous on his back and muscles), curled up on the couch watching DVD's of Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, or watching DVR recordings of Dead Like Me, Eureka, or Fallen (which I can't wait for them to actually make that a series!) Of course, rubbing my husband while pregnant puts me to sleep faster than a double-dose of Ny-Quil.

Yes, I'm visiting the bathroom several times a day now. And by several, I mean... Several! I'm trudging in there about every 1-2 hours, if I'm lucky.

I can't eat large meals now. Not enough room for baby, bladder, and food. But, I nibble all day long. I always have an emergency stash of some snack, somewhere on my person, whether it's a banana, a cup of applesauce, an apple, a nutri-grain bar, a packet of oatmeal, a cup of pudding, a slice of pizza, all of the above.... (with exception to the pizza, it's usually all of the above). I don't drink sodas or coffee anymore. It's water, juice and milk. Sure, I get strange cravings - mostly for milk, baked potatoes or something starchy, peas, ice cream. Basically my cravings have been 90% healthy foods, which I'm thankful for. Candy bars, fried foods, and the like, just haven't really appealed to me, for the most part.

Anyways... just for laughs, here's a random thought. Check out this AllDumb entry. Regimental Kilt

I Have Archives!

One of the first stepping stones of Blogging...Getting the ever-famous archives list.

Woot! I'm getting to be a seasoned veteran now.

Finally - No More Stress

After a month of stress, stress, more stress, and then some added on top of that - the stormclouds finally broke, and the sun is finally shining through. (Complete with Rainbows!)

It looks as though the lil'un will be a Galveston baby. Born by the best medical students in Texas.

Yup, you read right. Students. Univ. of Texas, Galveston Medical Building, to be precise.

Finally, the world-sized ball of stress is gone. No more wondering how we'll pay, who we'll pay, where we'll pay, and how many more suprise bills there will be along the way.

The other doctors I had called or seen, all wanted between $2,800 - $3,500. That was just for the doctor, and didn't include any labwork, hospital bills, anything. That was just for prenatal visits! On top of that, they all wanted to be paid that amount within the next 2-3 weeks. *choke, hack, cough* It would be more if it was a C-section delivery. eek!

UT will charge either $2,000 or $3,650, depending on how much we make. But that's it. I have to have it paid off before I deliver (that's still another 4 months! Sure beats the 2 weeks!), it includes EVERYTHING. There are only two catches. Baby HAS to be delivered in Galveston, and the Ultrasounds have to be done in Galveston. (wah. I can drive that for the occasional visit). But the rate includes:

• Prenatal visits


• Delivery (yes, hospital fees too! not just the Dr.)


• Room & Board nearby for when I'm close to due


• 2 Ultrasounds


• Labwork

Everything but the college tuition. *wink*

Now, I'm going to try to see if I can sneak in an ultrasound tomorrow at the last place that did it for me, but I doubt I'll get it. Something about liabilities and such. They say they won't do it after 14 weeks, and now I'm about 20 - Going on 21.

I don't have my first UT appointment until Aug. 22. So that's quite a ways away yet. Oh well. At least I have that security blanket now of not having to worry about what's going to happen. Now, I can FINALLY stress out about how to prepare for the baby once it's here. That is a much more welcome stress, and a much more fun one. :)