On An Extended Hiatus

Don't cry...

Link source...

I Love This Sketch by Charles Dana Gibson

A sketch by Charles Dana Gibson with a little Chi pet. I am so in love with this breed of dog...

My Beloved Chico Is Gone - And Probably My Last Blog Post (???)

Edited once again on 8/4/2017 - Had my dates all wrong. *sigh* It was hard to write that day.

It is such a sad, sad, painful day for me...

What do you do when the little guy that has kept you company 24/7 for 12 years (and ended up pretty much being your therapy dog) - is no longer with you?  He took on that job so willingly too. In these later years I was his therapy person.  It was only fair...

My Chico passed away early this morning in his freshly washed bed with the first blanket I bought him 12 years ago after he came home with us at the age of 3 to be my little companion.

HE made the choice (and made it known to the breeder/owner) that he was coming home with me that day when hubby and I answered the ad his owner had put in the paper.  He was 3 years old - a stud dog she wanted to retire or as I looked at it - get rid of and make a little money at the same time.

The night before he died, he got to enjoy one of his most favorite foods - take-out pizza! (well, only tiny, tiny bits of the crust bottom), He always got so excited seeing that box come in the door.  And, he so loved Easter this year; very much enjoying tiny bits of the ham I prepared.

He and I had our last cuddle and pet session on my lap that same night. We think he had a heart attack while he was sleeping.  I left him sleeping as you see him below in the pic.... I was out of the room at the time it happened - maybe Chico planned it that way. He had been living for several years with an enlarged heart; among other things, and I had been faithfully giving him 2 different medications 3 times a day for 2-1/2 years - almost getting back the three years he wasn't with me after his birth.

I had been uploading a Walmart grocery receipt to a couple of apps on my phone only a couple or so hours earlier and just decided to snap a pic of him - always knowing he wouldn't be around for much longer....I just didn't know that today, only a few hours later, would be THE day he would be gone...

He was a happy boy right up until the end despite his medical problems.  I did so much editing of this blog post 'cause I wanted to get it just right.  He was the bestest dog ever...I will miss him SOOOOO terribly much!

https://youtu.be/ynagKrMeY24

https://youtu.be/gxWm7lvIYq0 

It's A Miracle, but I'm still a...

Hubby says he's like a little Energizer bunny...Vet still continues to be amazed...His coughing unfortunately has increased though...I'm really sad and worried about that, but he's still enjoying life.

Now 14 years old...A Big Day To Celebrate

Today is Chico's 14th birthday! Born Peedro Canello Pepe on September 16, 2002.

Two years ago our vet said his days were numbered because of his enlarged heart and other less serious medical conditions and yet here he is 2 years later - still with me!!!

He's been on a couple of meds 3 times a day for 2 years, yet he's doing very well and is still enjoying life, regular rides in the truck and an occasional short walk.  He is indeed a little miracle!

We took Chico to the vet last week for his Fall check-up and his vet is very pleased/amazed and glad that he was wrong in what he told us 2 years ago. He pats us/me on the back and I pat him on the back for this continued wonderful outcome. If we hadn't changed vets I'm convinced he still wouldn't be with me.  We have a great vet now who immediately knew what was wrong with him, did some testing and got him on meds.   He was even put under twice in that 2 year period for teeth cleaning and pulling and did well.

Here is a pic I took of him this week and the cookies I made for his birthday today.  He's still a real cutie...

As We Remember 9/11 - 15 Years Later

Birthday Gift From My Daughter

My daughter works with stained glass and made me this free form vase for my birthday that was the 5th of July!

Happy Mother's Day

Finally...

The surgeon who operated on my broken shoulder finally released me from his care...

Am I 100% ? No, but I can do pretty much everything I used to do, only now with a bit of difficulty.

Hopefully, that will get better with time.

Happy Easter

Color Combos For Your Crafts, etc.

I found this really useful SITE to use for crafting, sewing, needlework, adult coloring, etc. or as the intended purpose - web site designing.

http://www.colorcombos.com/index.html

I've added it to my list of must see web sites located on the right side of my blog.

Happy St. Patty's Day - Adult Coloring

Festive Dog colored with - Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils

Design colored with - Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils

More FREE coloring pages

Free coloring pages AND a 3 month at a time 2016 calendar to color at michaels.com  Pretty cool...

My Shoulder Is Still Healing

Unfortunately, our insurance ran out re: my physical therapy visits.

I've been going for 3 months (three, then two times a week) and my latest x-ray this week shows I'm still not healed completely or have the range of motion my doctor wanted.  In parting, my PT and her assistant came up with a stretch and strength exercise program for me to do every day at home to maintain what I have gotten back (which is actually a lot!) and to maybe progress a bit more.

I'm finding out it's a long road to complete recovery after a severe injury.  And, I've seen at least one other person that had a more severe injury than mine while going to PT...

This is my first x-ray after surgery was done...

Caring For Orchids

On one of our warmer days this Winter I bought a beautiful orchid at Walmart.  It's in the sunroom with the parrots (please pardon the white bird dust).  I'm adding this new, informative link for you to my list -

ORCHID HEALTH

Adult Coloring Book/Calendar

A few coloring projects I've finished using a combination of mediums...Sources:

1.  Color Me! - pilbooks.com
2.  Posh: Coloring 2016 Day-to-Day Calendar: For Fun & Relaxation Calendar by:
http://www.thaneeya.com

And, my blood pressure has finally magically come down after starting to color.  Even though I'm on 2 meds for it it jumped up and stayed there after I had my accident.

Two More FREE Coloring Pages

Two FREE Pages - An Owl and A Paisley Design To Color

http://www.kappapuzzles.com/coloring.html - Two Sample PDF Downloads

Enjoy...

On The Mend With Adult Coloring Pages

www.coloring-pages-adults.com/

Life was a bit difficult after surgery.

The  surgery with a few complications (I see a bone health specialist this week) went well for the most part after dislocating and fracturing my shoulder November 20 in a fall outdoors.

But, I didn't do all that well with the shoulder block they gave me before going into surgery.  I had a bit of trouble with my breathing coming out of surgery because of it that wasn't comfortable.  And, of course immediately after surgery for anything and then for maybe a day after life just isn't too great.   I ended up with 2 screws in my shoulder: a small one and a much larger one underneath it for good measure.

But, I've been going to my 3 x a week physical therapy sessions that just this week dropped to 2 x a week and doing home exercises since December and my range of motion is returning.  It's a painful process, but I'm doing it and getting there.  My two PTs are working wonders. I'm proud to say that other than putting my hair into a ponytail (hubby had to learn how to do a ponytail) to be completed in a messy bun by myself and hooking and unhooking my seat belt (I couldn't drive either), I've pretty much done everything else for myself (all of the personal stuff), unlike others I understand.  Counting the time after the accident, waiting for surgery and time after the surgery I was in a sling for 7 whole weeks.  I could write an article on how to get through your daily life after shoulder surgery - hints and tricks: the best clothes to wear, how to shower, how to wash your hair, how to dress yourself,  how to get your shoulder sling off and on yourself, etc.  Why the surgeon's office or the physical therapist doesn't share any tips is beyond me.  I know an article would help someone going through the surgery I had so maybe I will eventually do that here in my blog.

Anyway, after spending some money on a few adult coloring books and some coloring pencils, I found a great site that has FREE pages to print out and color with a lot of different themes.  I've printed out a few and they do print out well.  I could have put the money I spent on coloring books into some better coloring pencils!  But, the books were fun to shop for...

On to the link -www.coloring-pages-adults.com/

Accidents - They Do Tend To Happen At The Most Inconvenient Time...

right before the holidays.

Last Friday I tripped outside over a low fence that keeps Chico out of the backyard.  My left shoulder took the impact when I hit the ground.  The force was so hard it was like I'd been shot in the shoulder or something - meaning how far my shoulder shot back.  I will never forget that feeling.

I was taken to the ER by ambulance with a posterior dislocated shoulder  (which I later learned about only 3% are - most are anterior).  And it is true, a dislocated shoulder hurts like hell!!!  It was excruciating pain!!!  At one point, hubby told me I had 7 young guys around me helping, too bad I wasn't younger and/or not in so much pain - I would have enjoyed that...He said he didn't see why there had to be that many...  :op  I don't know if this is everywhere, but when you call 911 here both the first responders and firetruck arrive to help.  As you always hear - A great group of dedicated guys...

Once the x-rays came back, in the ER, I learned that I had also fractured one of the bones in my shoulder.  A trip to a specialist/surgeon yesterday revealed just how bad it was.  Unfortunately, I need rotator cuff surgery and the repair of the fracture using screws.  Then, 6 more weeks in a sling and another 4 months before the doctor could call it complete recovery (hopefully).  That would also include physical therapy.

Regarding range of motion - the doctor said he thinks he can get me back to raising my arm to at least shoulder level.  Let's hope with a determined will and extra attention to physical therapy I can get it further.

It was a lot to take in and accept...At least it's my left shoulder and I'm right handed.  And, of course other things could have been worse.

The surgery is set for next Wednesday, December 2, 2015.