Buster Buddy Goes to Town

On Monday, I noticed Buster was acting drastically different than he was just the day before. He was not jumping up when he normally would be, he was walking gingerly with his back arched. He would stand and stair at nothing for long periods of time when he actually did get up, and was obviously having problems sitting down and turning around. His back legs were giving out on him at times and he had his ears back and his sad face on like he was in pain. Celie noted how he was just standing in the dining room like he couldn't get past the chair beside him, "Awww, poor Butter!" she said, like she knew he wasn't right as he was just standing there. For months, something in me has been worried about Lyme disease, mostly with Celie, but I'd thought there were a few times Buster seemed off. As soon as he was weird Monday, I knew my instincts had probably been picking up on it the whole time, even though he was showing no signs and I thought I was just crazy. After getting Celie ready and out the door, I called the vet while she was at preschool and was grateful they could get him in that same day!

Buster was hilarious going up the interstate, in between solemn open window sniffing, he just sat there staring at the road ahead, calmly, like a pro traveller. He seemed to be deep in thought. What was he thinking? He looked like an old man. Most times I think he seems far wiser than I. Buster is 7 now, he is a boxer mix, he is stubborn, goofy, playful, annoyingly loving, and the best dog I have EVER had. EVER. He is so human in his emotions and expressions. I remember my sister, Ali, laughing at me when I would have full conversations with him...because he totally talks to you, guys!! He was awesome years before Celie came around, but has proved himself to be the best kid dog ever, tolerating dress up and other childhood chaos. He is so good with her, it amazes me. Celie tells me that Buster is her dog now, all the time. She also tells me, "I love Butter more than you and dad, but I still love you, I just love Butter more!" Needless to say, she would be lost without her pal, Buster. 

After a physical exam, a urinalysis and a blood test, the results came back and our poor Butter Wutter does, indeed, have Lyme disease, as well as anaplasmosis, the less heard of but almost as common tick born illness, AND a bladder infection!! No wonder the poor guy was feeling rough. So, now he has two different antibiotics to take, one twice a day for his bladder infection for 7 days and then another for the Lyme and anaplasmosis that he will take for 28 days. Hopefully the antibiotics get him feeling more like his old self again. I am getting a glimpse into old age as he hobbles around and sleeps more. I hate seeing his legs give out but am grateful he had such a bad morning Monday so we took him in. The Susquehanna Veterinary Clinic was great! Everyone was wonderful and I am hopeful that he will soon be on the mend. I am grateful. We want our Buster Buddy around for as long as possible!

Take Anything, But the Kitchen Sink

This week has been surreal, like being down the rabbit hole, or in Wonderland, where everything is opposite or backwards? I went to get a clean bowl to get cereal for Celie this morning. I got it out of a basket under a pile of clothes on her bed. I also had to squeeze past a piano in the hallway to get there. I have been using paper towels as coffee filters just because I can't locate them? I can't really use the countertops yet but am. Everything is everywhere! Shit's all over the place!

We had a few setbacks and because of that couldn't finish up the kitchen to a suitable degree before Joey had to return to work for the week. I don't know what's worse, having no kitchen sink or having all of the appliances in the living room? No...no, I know. It's having no kitchen sink. Talk about inconvenient. You don't realize how central that is to the kitchen until it's gone! I can't cook, can't even get a glass of water? Can't easily make coffee or wash hands or things...that are constantly getting dirty. This place is starting to get gross. I need to take a hot soapy bucket to the place and wipe everything down, but I'm gonna have to walk out the back door and around the house with my bucket because there is a piano in my hallway. I'm pretty grateful we actually have a back door? The piano has been more of an obstacle this week, although I still managed to play it a little, which is funny and a little pathetic. Luckily I got all of the tiling finished and if I finish up the grout here before trick or treat time, which is my goal, Joey can put in the sink when he gets home...or tomorrow, rather. It's Halloween! It's probably not happening tonight. 

So, we have been living off of cereal and sandwiches. It works. My dirty dishes are in the tub. The chaos has left me with the don't-give-a-shits. I've just been going back and forth between playing the guitar and mindlessly attempting to make progress, which is also pathetic. This too shall pass. It's like camping in your house, or something? I don't know. I am just watching The Great Pumpkin with Celie and having my last cup of paper towel coffee. Another life lesson brought to you by remodeling projects: Learn to embrace and work around the chaos. It's going to be awesome when it's all said and done.

Remodeling the Heart of the Home

I have never in my life tiled anything before, so I don't exactly know why Joey and I have wanted to do it? Or, was it me? I wanted to do it? Regardless, I find myself tiling our kitchen countertop. It was actually quite fun. My DIY part loved the project! Deep down we love remodeling; it's exciting and fun! It's a new take on an old thing. Deep down we hate remodeling; it's hell! It's where marriages go to die! I jest, but seriously, you want to test the strength of your marriage, remodel a room together...preferably a bathroom or kitchen. The more walls you need to tear down the better, and the grosser the subsurface, the better the results! This is our last room in this place; we have remodeled each and every other room together! It's down to the heart of the home. If you can survive remodeling together, especially in a trailer where nothing is square and nothing ever lines up, I believe your marriage is golden. 

I came back from my Memphis trip and fell right into a remodeling project. Joey already did the entire ceiling of the dining room and kitchen in wainscoting and moved and changed the light fixtures while I was away. What a guy! The top cabinets were ripped out. I made it back in time for the removal of the infamous island and the unearthing of the before time flooring. We took three eras off of the floor, and had to sledgehammer the island out. It almost seemed like sacrelige at the time, but it was the only way to get the beast out! And I had already planned to salvage and save the heavy HEAVY countertop to use as the top of a badass work bench for me...someday. So, even if it's ten years from now, I will see that island again! The island has seen some great times, and has been used for everything from feasting, partying, card games and dice, to sewing, printing, painting, and piercing. But, alas, an oversized island in your kitchen can eventually be a setback. No man is an island! Is this a metaphor?

In dreams, they say that houses represent your psyche or self and that the different rooms are aspects or parts of your self. They also say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. I think it's fitting that this is all happening right along with my Memphis trip. I feel I had a mini rebirth! I came back inspired and in love...right into this mess...which isn't without it's own metaphor. A change of heart is in store; no more islands in my center! I am remodeling my soul, let's use some tile! Let's put all of the pieces together like a puzzle. Let's hold it down with mortar, and fill in the cracks with grout. Smooth it off and let it set...this heart is good as new. 

Memphis or Bust: Pt. 4

We made it safely to Memphis! 13 plus hours, 900 plus miles...my pelvis aches, Elvis awaits! We are down at the end of Lonely Street...at Heartbreak Hotel!! I am off of the road and in my comfy pajamas, laying in bed under a huge picture of the King. Life is good. It was a beautiful ride!

Finished up the trip listening to some Tom Petty Radio on Pandora, I checked the phone and it was 11:11, even though the car said it was after midnight? I didn't realize we would be doing that; I've never driven through a  time zone before. So, we actually made a huge journey back in time today! Quite the accomplishment.

Memphis or Bust: Pt. 3

HAIKU:

Love Banshee, crooning.

'Hundred miles to Memphis.

The Music Highway.

Memphis or Bust: Pt. 2

The road trip continues! Leslie is my Steward. I am grateful for her driving bad assery and her willingness to woman the wheel. This allows me to help navigate and to get to know Miss Scarlet (my Nikon D5500). I bought a For Dummies book because that's what you do when you want to understand your lady! She's complicated and capable; everything a lady should be! She's gorgeous and practical. She's fiery and functional! She'll love Memphis. 

We started a playlist of Memphis songs. Apparently, according to the Rock'n'Soul museum, there are 969 songs that mention Memphis, Tennessee in the lyrics. We couldn't find that many, got sick of them repeating and found a superior Memphis Sound playlist to listen to for awhile. It's a work in progress, we'll build on it! Now we are just listening to Elvis, letting the King prepare us for the home of the Delta Blues! 

We are heading toward Nashville. It started to get dark just after we made it past Louisville, Kentucky. The moon is interesting, tonight. It's a tiny crescent; it looks like a fingernail clipping. Take a gander! We'll be under it...onward to Memphis! 

Memphis or Bust: Pt. 1

So, I decided to make a grand road trip for my 35th birthday! I am traveling with my friend Leslie and my sister, Kate, to Memphis, Tennessee to meet up with my aunt and cousin, who are traveling to Memphis from Washington state to celebrate my cousin's 40th birthday! We SHARE a birthday, you guys! It's actually on the same day (October is a busy month in our family) and I thought it would be the most amazing excuse to make the trip especially since they said we could room with them! ROAD TRIP!! 

A 13 hour road trip! So, here we are...on I71 heading toward Cincinnati, a few hours in. I am grateful for my husband being able to stay home with my daughter. As much as I desperately need this, I was sad to leave this morning. This will be the longest I have been away from her and the most miles there have been between us. It's gonna be good. I need time away and she needs Daddy time. I am missing Show and Tell for Purple Week!?! Ahhhh! I get to see Memphis...totally worth it! 

Our destination for tonight is Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel, only 8 and a half more hours to go! We have a fun itinerary for the weekend, I'm excited to see my family and to experience Memphis with them! "We're going to Graceland...Graceland!" Wooo!