Its a Girl!

Brought Sierra home today. She was really good in the car, little nervous, got a little sick right before we got home. Did ok though. Behaved well while we ate lunch (alpha dogs eat first!). Fed her a little bit since she didn't get any this morning. Wolfed that down!

Took her outside and she pottied. Must have been holding it cause she peed for about 3 minutes straight! Hanging out around pretty well. Doesn't quite understand that her pillow is hers to sit on, may just put in her cage to sleep on too.

Leo has been less than thrilled so far. Did a short meet n greet through the baby gates. I think she wants to 'herd' him, she whined at him a little. Was calm though which is good, doesn't bark at him. HE hissed a bit, but he'll get use to her.

Have a vet check later, hopefully that goes well. Start puppy classes on Friday, can't wait! She does have 'sit' down pretty well though.

Puppy proofing!

Dave had the day off today and lovingly cleaned up around the house for me. Such a good husband. It was SO nice to walk in to a clean kitchen and living room, made bed, etc. Also allowed us time to get stuff for Sierra.

Trip to petsmart!! Luckily, they have a lot of perks sales today, so got her bowls and toys, brush and nail clipper. Still need to pick up a dog bed, thing we're hitting SAMS club for that one. Got her all signed up for puppy classes, start next Friday. Have a vet check Saturday afternoon and her first grooming next Wednesday (hey, $10 for puppies, not bad and she'll smell good!!) Happy that I found a feed store that does the vaccines once a month. If timing works out, may wait a week and do it there! All about less expensive vaccines!

Looking forward to bringing her home and starting classes with her. Having to figure out a schedule right now so we can give her plenty of potty breaks during the day while she continues to learn where the RIGHT place to go is. Crate training her too, just trying to figure out the best spot where to keep it...

So excited. This week will be a calm one, just getting her use to home. But not too long and we'll start acclimating her to friends kids and pets and let people visit her. Can't wait!

Puppy Love...

Yesterday we went to check out another breeder. At this time I have talked with a dozen breeders in the central FL area, visited 3. We're looking for a German Shepherd puppy, but from a breeder so we have a better idea of bloodlines for health reasons. Since they're prone to hip problems, we also like that most breeders so a hip guarantee for 1-2 years. So, we've been comparing. GSD is an expensive breed, we've found some that are $2500 starting, with all the amazing bloodlines back to Germany and the 14 word long registered names, etc. So been trying to balance pricing with quality and a breeder we actually LIKE. Rather pay a little more up front for better health trends than for vet bills later on. Plus we like visiting to see area puppies are for first 8 weeks.

Anyone, was visiting another breeder. Actually was first one I found, but female ended up not pregnant at the time so I had moved on. Has two pregnant, so good sign. Went for visit (only 30 mins away, even better). Liked the lady, she was easy to talk to and her dogs are good lines, but not so crazy that we're having a 2nd mortgage for a dog. While we were there, she had some other puppies that were a little order we got to play with, which was fun.

This is where we got caught... We've wanted to get a puppy at the 8weeks, so we can start training, etc. Didn't want an older one, etc etc. These 3 she has right now, t hey come barreling out of the pen and one little female come right over, plops down between my two feet,leans her head back against my legs with 'love me' look and let me love all over her for a few minutes before going off to play. Dave's watching them play and petting them as they come back and forth. After a few minutes he points to one with a look in his eye, which is the same one that picked me. After a little bit we put the other two up and checked her out alone more. Complete sweetheart, plays good but also calms down quickly. Already learned boundries in the yard, knows not to bite/nibble, little reminder to stay down,.. listens well.

So, we keep talking and kinda paying attention to her. More and more I'm thinking we may consider an older puppy. So, told breeder we'd get back to her. Wanted to check things out and make sure we're ready for a puppy this soon, since we thought we'd have until October. Its been one day and we're already referring to her by name.

As it stands, I think we're bringing Sierra home this weekend...


(One of the right)

You think I'd have enough of doctors...

Lately it seems like I just want to add more in my life though. Had a check up on Monday and found a nodule/lump/something on my thyroid. So of course want to get it checked out. Had to get blood work done for TSH levels, so figured I may as well get some annual bloodwork done too.

So, I fasted for lipid profile. I strongly dislike fasting. My tummy does not enjoy waiting more the 30 mins after I wake up for me to put something in it. Even a little something, but gotta have it. So, going from 5:30 am until around 8am... you can imagine the 'complaints'. Of course, I woke up around 3am for unknown reasons and my stomach started to wake up then... so fought with that until 5:30. FINALLY, getting to work, of course there is a 7:30 case when I'm supposed to go at 8 for bloodwork (which, I had already mentioned and worked out). So, 8 comes around and I'm still sitting in the lab since 'the dr is quick, go after'. Well, at 815 when we find out we won't be starting any time soon, I get relieved to go. Rush over, get that done, scarf a pack of crackers as I rush back. Bloodwork, Check.

I call yesterday to make my appointment for an ultrasound. Now the Dr I'm referred to, likes to do his own, doesn't like radiology's. So, I try to make an appointment. They're booked until September. Ok, so here I am, at this point with thoughts of thyroid cancer and is it because of working in radiation, I'm going to have to quit my job, etc... Now I'm wondering how to get this stupid scan done. Make a tentative appointment, call my Dr to see if I should do something else or just wait. They sent over an order to have it done in Radiology (which, I already know, isn't going to be acceptable to the endocrinologist. Well, he'll have to take it). I call scheduling to take care of that. "Oh we don't have the order yet". Me "They office just faxed it over". ..."Well, we get about 2000 orders a day, it can take 24 hrs to get it through". (hang up). I'm not happy at this point. Now, I realize at this moment that scheduling takes care of the whole hospital system, but I... really don't care. I can understand why patients become so upset, when you're worried about your health you want things taken care of right away. So they called me later that day (surprised) and sets up scan for Tuesday.

I get a call today to pre-register (I assume). Try to call back and they NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE. I go online to see if I can do anything there, just some info. Now it says that they want you to pay copay at time of pre-registration. HAHA. Yeah, I'll pay the day of services but not a moment before. Don't think I will call back, they can register me the day of, it'll be ok. Not like I have far to go to get there. After this, I get a call about my lab work. Normal levels BUT on the low end, SO still need to do scan and could be something. Adding to that...

Borderline cholesterol! Gotta love it. This DID prompt me to go for a bike ride today, do some stretches. REALLY gotta get back in shape. I admit, felt good to be active. Going to have to watch the foods though, start cooking a little lower fat and watching portions again. Exercise is probably my best bet though, I've been slacking.

Dave comes home tonight -- YEAH!!! I THOUGHT he'd be home, NOW, but I guess they're running behind or something. Looks closer to 10pm when he last checked in. Not great, was hoping to have some time this evening. Even defrosted the sirloin filets, have some ears of corn to grill, asparagus... was all ready to make a nice dinner... Will have to wait until tomorrow night I guess. Hopefully they aren't much later though, I now have a 7:30 case tomorrow morning. So much for sleeping late...

Other news, we're hoping to check out another breeder tomorrow. This one is in Clermont, so hoping for a closer one and that its a good place. Would be ideal that its closer. Puppies due at end of August, so end of October would work out well. They do have 2 black and tan females left from another litter though... 4 mos old, which we want to get younger to start, but I feel like I may have weakened resolve once we see them... So ready for a puppy. Then I HAVE to go on walks!! Already picked names, Bravo for male or Sierra for female... guess if one REALLY fits the name... hehe

Off to waste a little more time before Dave is back. Probably should do something for dinner... probably should be something healthy....

Bachelorette: Week 2

My husband has mentioned time and time again that I should jump on the band wagon of blogging. I figured since I have nothing else to do while he is gone, maybe I'll take it to pass the time. So much coming up though, it will probably be a good place to write down thoughts and share our stories as they unfold.

Nothing exciting at this very moment. Dave has been gone the past week, at Warren Willis Camp, for work. He did surprise me by coming home Friday night, when I thought he'd return midday Saturday. As he has posted on Facebook, I nearly did him in with tweezers. In my defense, I hear the door opening and have no idea of his return. All I am thinking is, I KNOW I locked the door, how is someone getting in, what do I have in the bedroom I can defend myself with... and I see tweezers on the bathroom counter. 2nd defense, they're BIG tweezers, 6" or so, -- I'm not even sure WHAT they're for -- but they have a pointy end, so it could work. As I'm formulating a plan of attack, Dave turns the corner. So you can imagine my relief and adrenaline rush. I happy that I amuse him though.

This week, I am once again a work widow. Dave is with middle and high schoolers at SIFAT (Serving in Faith and Technology), which is actually a pretty cool thing. Its set up in Alabama. Its a mock set up of villages, where people and learn technology that makes life more efficient - better clay bricks, better roofs, ways to boil water at a lower heat, etc. In exchange, they train missionaries about their culture and the like. They do a week long camp though, which really give a unique experience for the kids (chaperones too I'd imagine). I would highly recommend asking a student about it when they get back. I would be a neat trip to volunteer for, though I had to say saving my week off for Ireland was a great choice.

Speaking of Northern Ireland, it was AMAZING. Beautiful sights, interesting people, and a history to learn from. I loved being there and in honesty, would move in a heartbeat. Even for a few months, just to experience more, would be amazing. That and they know how to drive better!!

On driving, FINALLY finished my basic driver course online. Took FOREVER, so much long than 4 hrs I think. After watching the films though of car wrecks, I am blessed that mine was so minor. Even with the TMD, its a minor thing considering that losing my life could have been the outcome. I'm blessed that there were no serious injuries.

Well, my cat is crying for attention... he's thrilled that Moose is gone and now claims me for himself again. He's so not going to be happy when we get our puppy...