Profile of Our Personal Hero: Mom F

Today I just want to point out a friend of ours that is also a great personal hero.
People who know me, know that I've always been a fan of superheroes, but some superheroes don't wear special costumes or fight evil (although we all put up with idiots- LOL).

L to R: Mom F, Rob, Braden, Tom

  Our personal hero is "Mom F." She faced colon cancer about 10 years ago and beat it. Now she's dealing with another cancer and is undergoing chemo. Instead of wallowing in sorrow or depression, she says "bring on the juice, I'm going to kick some ass."  We LOVE her attitude. It's that attitude that is going to get her past it, and help eradicate the cancer. It's that attitude that will bring her to full health. Optimism is the key.
  I wish we lived closer to help bring her to and from her chemo treatment, but her amazing son and his partner are up there this week doing just that.
  Mom F has a great sarcastic sense of humor that always makes us laugh  and forwards the funniest jokes to us every day. No matter what life throws at her, she still manages to make others smile and that's another mark of a true hero.  
  So, today I ask that you send Positive thoughts and prayers her way to help her overcome the cancer and regain health. We already know she's going to beat it.

The perfect 4-minute film to start your new year

Check out this amazing short film — about one young man’s quest to make the people of Washington, D.C. smile — which premiered on January 1, 2013! This young man has been around the District with his helpers, and has apparently made news around the world. What a great thing to do to make people's day, and you'll smile after watching it.

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Cathy in PA for this one: 
 

A guy named Mike called into work and said to his boss, "I can't come to work today, I'm really sick. I've got headache, stomach ache and my legs hurt."

The boss  replied, "But I really need you today. When I feel like this, I go to my wife ask and tell her to give me sex. That makes everything better and then I can go to work. You try that."

Two hours later Mike calls his boss back. 'I did what ya said and I feel great. I'll be at work soon. By the way, you've got a nice house."

Dog Surgery Update: Dolly and Franklin

Dolly and Franklin resting today after surgeries

Two of our kids had dental surgery yesterday, and Dolly (the Weimaraner) had two fatty lumps removed that come with age. Dolly and Franklin (the Dachshund) cam through surgery well, and were both very,very groggy when we picked them up last night.
  Both had to have one top molar removed, because they cracked or split from a nylabone. It happens when you get older, teeth get brittle. They're both 8 years old.
  Both are on antibiotics and painkillers, and enjoying rice and ground up turkey burger, tuna and chicken until their mouths heal.
  Dolly's two fatty lumps required about 8 stitches each and she's SO good, that she doesn't touch them. So, no "Elizabethan collar" is needed. How many dogs are that good? We're really fortunate that we raised such a good and patient dog in Dolly. Franklin and Dolly are both resting and recovering, and Sprite and Tyler both sniffed their mouths, now knowing that they had surgery there.

Gifts that aren't all Things

Tom and I realize at this stage of our lives we have what we need, and wants are just those - wants, not needs. So, with Christmas "in the rear view mirror" we thought it would be a good time to reflect upon gifts. Tom  saw this list online and thought it was pretty much on target... and I added to it.

Gifts that aren't Things

This is my very favorite idea. These are things that your loved one could buy for themselves but probably wouldn’t. They make very thoughtful gifts for someone who is actively trying not to accumulate stuff.

• Donations to dog rescues (we like doing this one)
• Homemade cookies, cakes, or breads
• Certificate for spa treatment
• Gift card for haircut
• Car detailing
• Oil Change
• Custom playlist on iTunes 
•  eBooks (or gift card for paperback books)
• Tickets to local events
• Subscription to an online magazine or newspaper
• Consumables (especially beer or wine!) 
• Restaurant gift cards
• Supermarket gift cards
• Stationery
• Coffee or tea :)

Fun Video 15 Sec. Short: Dolly Parton and Kermit Duet: Fun!

Here's a short video from an ABC News appearance that Dolly Parton had on Nov. 27, 2012 to promote her new book "Dream More, Celebrate the Dreamer in You." - I (Rob) read it, and loved it!
- When she was interviewed on ABC news, the Muppets were also a guest on the morning show, so Dolly wound up doing an impromptu duet with Kermit the frog and some surprise chicken muppets!  It's fun and well worth the 15 seconds it runs. Enjoy!

BONUS VIDEO: a great interview ABC News did with Dolly Parton where she talks about her career, the drag queen contest she LOST, and more! 

(FULL STORY: http://abcnews.go.com/US/book-excerpt-dolly-partons-dream-celebrate-dreamer/story?id=17813533#.UNyp09ewUzR

Take This Challenge: Impossibilities in the world

Thanks to our friend Cathy for sharing this: 

 

IMPOSSIBILITIES IN THE WORLD

1. U can't count your hair
2. U can't wash your eyes with soap
3. U can't breathe when your tongue is out

Put your tongue back in fool!!

10 Things I know about you...

1) U are reading this
2) U are human.
3) U can't say the letter ''P'' without separating your lips
4) U just attempted to do it
6) U are laughing at yourself
7) U have a smile on your face and you skipped No.5
8) U just checked to see if there is a No.5
9) U laugh at this because you are an idiot & everyone does it too.
10) U are probably going to send this to see who else falls for it.

We posted this because we didn’t want to be alone in the “Idiot” category.

Happy New Year!

Have a doggone great new year!

We think you should have a Happy New Year

Happy New Year from our house to yours.

May 2013 bring everyone peace, employment, no money worries, good health and fun.

Love, Rob, Tom, Dolly, Franklin, Sprite, and Tyler the foster dog

Laugh often!

Tyler hopes to find a forever home in 2013!

Get some rest this year!

Double Dog Surgery Week

Franklin and Dolly - this summer at a winery in PA

Over the weekend I mentioned that Dolly (the Weimaraner) and Franklin  (the Dachshund), both now 8 years old, cracked teeth on their dinosaur dental nylabones. Apparently, that's because like humans, their teeth get more brittle as they age. 
  They've been enjoying the dental dinosaurs since they were puppies and loved them. In fact, the vet said during the consultation appt. this weekend, that the dinosaurs likely kept their gums in great condition, and kept the tartar off their teeth. Dolly has never needed a dental cleaning in her entire 8 years!
  Well, now, aging has caught up, and they both need a molar removed, and both on the same side.  Dolly also has a couple of fatty lumps that dogs get, so she's going to have three of those removed, too. 
  SURGERY DAY is Thursday, January 3rd for both Dolly and Franklin, so please keep them in your thoughts. 
  NOTE:  If you have an older dog, don't give them dental dinosaurs- although I recommend them for younger dogs- they really have saved a lot of dental probs during our kids' younger years. 

Video blog:Great new book by Dolly Parton: "Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You"

There's a great new inspirational book to offer you guidance to achieve your dreams, and it was written by my (Rob) favorite singer/entertainer, Dolly Parton. I just finished reading it and really enjoyed it.  Of course, I highly recommend it!!
    The book is called  "Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You." ABC News says "Parton reveals how she achieved such success and how others can too, advising people to "Dream More," "Learn More," "Care More" and "Do More." Parton's book is based on a 2009 commencement address she gave at the University of Tennessee that became a YouTube sensation."
  Here she sings a short song based on the book called "Celebrate the Dreamer in You" - LOVE IT!  (of course, I'm biased).

 AND HERE'S THE VIDEO OF HER ABC NEWS INTERVIEW:
  |

Here are some Questions and Answers Dolly answered recently in an interview with The Hartford Courant newspaper: 

Q: Did writing the book do more for you or for others?
A: I enjoyed writing it but I wanted to write it for others. It was something I knew about. I thought it might be helpful to other people to know my philosophy, how I do my work, how I try to live. It was a way to generate money for my Imagination Library while I take a break from touring. I thought it would be a good thing to dig down and gather up some things I could share.

Q: In your book you write almost happily about being part of a poor family. Was there a positive side to wanting?
A: The good thing about being needy is you don't really realize it until you are older. Coming from a poor family, it made me always appreciate the value of a dollar no matter how much money I make. I remember how my daddy would scrape by to raise us. I never squander money. I don't spend thousands on a piece of clothing and while I have some good jewelry, I like my costume jewelry the best.

Q: How did you approach writing the book? How long did it take?
A: It didn't take me long, maybe about three months. I was asked to give the commencement speech at University of Tennessee and that kind of started it. I talked about my dreams and my life. After I gave the speech, people said 'you should put that in a book.' I am a writer. I do write songs. But writing songs is much easier than writing speeches or books. I'm sure I'll write another someday but not right now.

Q: Reports are that you smell really good these days? What perfume are you wearing? A: I am working on a line of perfume of my own and still testing combinations so I guess that is what everyone is smelling. There's a lot of musk in the trials but we are getting close. It is going to be called "Dolly" and I've been working on it for a few years. 

How did I Spend 3 Days Off?

I (Rob) had the entire week off, but Christmas eve and Christmas day were planned and busy, so I don't consider those days off. So, as Tom went to work Wed. through Fri. what did I do? 
Book Revisions; Dog Care; Puppy training (for the foster dog)  Christmas clean-up, Doc's appts., answered old emails and wrote hurricane updates for work!

BOOK REVISIONS: The main thing I did was revise my first book 'Ghosts and Spirits: Insights from a Medium" because I'm bringing it to another publisher.  The contract with the original publisher expired, and the new publisher, CreateSpace, is the same one where I published my second book "Lessons Learned from Talking to the Dead."  

- I learned some things from the publishing experience. The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) (a unique numeric commercial book identifier based upon the 9-digit Standard Book Numbering) code is not something that transfers from publisher to publisher, so I had to pay for new ISBN numbers. 

- I had to basically re-read my entire book and make edits, reference this has been revised, and correct any errors. I also added some notes about joining Inspired Ghost Tracking, and referenced medium Barb Mallon and Ruth Larkin. 

- Submitting the book with the new publisher means that it had to be exactly formatted to meet the 6x9 page format, and I have to re-insert the photos used in high resolution. 

   It's now Saturday, and I'm STILL working on re-reading and re-editing and formatting the book for the new publisher. It's time consuming, but I do enjoy it.

Tyler

DOG STUFF: Our foster dog, Tyler, has required a lot of attention. At 2 years old he had no training from his former North Carolina owners, which I find unfathomable and cruel to the little dog. So, I've been training him.  Also, because he can't run outside, when we get up at 4:45 a.m. I need to quickly get dressed and run outside with him and the other three dogs. It's not fun in the wintertime to do this, but it must be done. He's getting used to being here, and loves chomping on his dental dinosaur. He's only had 4 accidents in the house, but those were early on, when we didn't know he had to go out 10 minutes after eating.Now we know. 

TWO DOG DENTAL WOES- Just learned that Franklin, our 8 year old Dachshund has another chipped molar and Dolly the Weimaraner, just chipped a tooth, as I heard it crack last night when she was chomping a nylabone. VET APPTS today for both!

DOC'S APPTS: Since Dec. 1st, I've been having a lot of pain in my right jaw from TMJ. It's a result of stress and it started the day Tom and I went to a local shelter and saw a 5 year old Dachshund that was so ill he had to be put down. That tore me apart. The same week, we were contacted about two other dogs that were also abused or ill, and also had to be put out of their misery. Too much stress. Every morning I wake up with jaw pain.

- I also have trigger thumb, where the tendons in my thumb have constricted, causing my thumb to "stick."  **Two doc's that have relieved some of the pain and discomfort are Dr. Colette McKie, a great acupuncturist in Bowie, and Dr. Bill Cox, Chiropractor in Gambrills. 

- MORNING RITUAL - Each morning when Tom gets up for work, so do the dogs, to I've had to get up  and  make Tom's breakfast, pack his lunch, take the dogs out, and feed 'em. At least I've been able to go back to bed for an hour, though!

SO, I ask, when does the vacation really start?!? :)

Tyler's Heartworm Treatment - a Long Road

Our new foster dog, Tyler, the 2-year old mini-dachshund has heartworm. It was doubly confirmed by our vet.

Tyler posing

  Here's the catch. The treatment to cure him and rid him of the heartworm takes 6 months! Yup, half a year. That's a long time to keep a puppy immobile. SO, PLEASE give your dogs heartworm preventative. It's not only the time, and the challenge of keeping a dog from exercising, but it's also costly (the rescue is covering expenses for Tyler, although we're willing to assist).

NOTE: I didn't show a picture of what the heartworms look like because it GROSSED ME OUT. *Please put your dog on heartworm preventative**

  Here's how Tyler's treatment will work: 
  It's 1 month of pre-treatment with antibiotics (and Tyler doesn't take pills easily and hates peanut butter and cheese - a weird little Doxie).
After a month then a series of 3 shots are administered over 5 months with pain killers, because the shots hurt a lot afterward. That entire time it's: short leash bathroom breaks, no playing, etc.
   It's a challenge to say the least. He's so young that he's worth saving. He's got a long life ahead, and he's so adorable.
  During the short time we've had him, Rob has been training him to sit, stop, walk, stay and come. He's had virtually no training from his first home in North Carolina, which btw, really ticks us off.
  Why do people in the south (in general, not everyone.. and I lived there, too) not give heartworm preventative, and not train their dogs?  That's just cruel to the dog. Rescues also find that southern folk also abandon their dogs on the side of the road to fend for themselves - How cruel!
Southern residents are also famous for not spaying or neutering their dogs and then turning the puppies out in the cold. I only know this because of the rescues we work with that encounter it daily.

Canine Heartworm Disease:  http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/canine-heartworm.html

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?  In most dogs, the heart and lungs are the major organs affected by heartworms with varying degrees of clinical signs. SIGNS; coughing,   exercise intolerance, abnormal lung sounds, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), abnormal lung sounds, hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver), syncope (temporary loss of consciousness due to poor blood flow to the brain), ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity), abnormal heart sounds, death
WHAT IS IT?  Dogs are considered the definitive host for heartworms. However, heartworms may infect more than 30 species of animals (e.g., coyotes, foxes, wolves and other wild canids, domestic cats and wild felids, ferrets, sea lions, etc.) and humans as well. When a mosquito carrying infective heartworm larvae bites a dog and transmits the infection, the larvae grow, develop and migrate in the body over a period of several months to become sexually mature male and female worms. These reside in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. As mature adults, the worms mate and offspring go into the blood stream. Offspring can be detected in the blood about 6 months after the infective larvae from the mosquito enter the dog. 

SOME SIGNS A DOG SHOWS:  A heartworm infected dog with mild disease may appear to be perfectly normal upon physical examination. Severely affected dogs, however, may show signs of right-sided heart failure. Labored breathing or crackles may be heard in the lungs due to vascular clots and elevated pressure. A history of coughing and inability to exercise are among the earliest detectable abnormalities.

TREATMENT: Adult heartworms in dogs are killed using a drug called an adulticide that is injected into the muscle through a series of treatments. Treatment may be administered on an outpatient basis, but hospitalization is usually recommended. When the dog is sent home, exercise should be limited to leash walking for the duration of the recovery period, which can last from one to two months. This decreases the risk of partial or complete blockage of blood flow through the lungs by dead worms.