Joie to See Nerosurgeon Tomorrow Morning for CT Myelogram.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1724 1200We were off to our local vet early this morning.  Joie yelped once before I put her to bed last night, and then twice this morning. She also wouldn’t eat her breakfast. She is not herself. I knew I needed to get her in to see the vet right away.

As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t know Joie’s past history. I don’t know the circumstances of how she went down or how she was treated.  I’m not sure if she was actually diagnosed with IVDD at some point also. I do know that she went down in May of 2012.  I adopted her in October 2013.

After my vet examined her and given her past history, he feels since the disc issue may not have been properly taken care of when she first went down,  it is now causing pressure and pain. Meds may help, but the fact we don’t know what we are exactly dealing with, he felt it best she have a myelogram done. Meds may only mask the problem for awhile and then it could get worse, and then meds would not even help.

Since my local vet does not do myelogram’s it was suggested I call Lakeshore Vet Services, which is about 40-minutes from where I live. Just about a month ago they brought on a neorsurgeon who is well versed in disc disease. I talked with Amy who is the neorsurgeon’s assistant and we will go in for a consult and CT myelogram tomorrow morning at 10:00 am. The CT portion is a newer method that they didn’t do years ago when Frankie went down.  From what I understand, the CT myelogram is able to show more in depth slices of the spine, so hopefully we can see what exactly is going on in Joie’s spine.

She is resting comfortably now that I have her home again. Though she still is not interested in eating any food. She will have to stay overnight tomorrow as that is required since they will have to put her under to do the procedure.  I pray that all will turn out the best it possibly can for my sweet little Joie.

I know many of you who read my blog have been through this before -sometimes more than once with your little ones.  I also know having been through this in a different way with Frankie, that I can take care of Joie as we move forward. I’ll also be refreshing myself and perusing Dodgerslist website today.  As I so often talk about in my blog posts, I am doing my best to stay hopeful and know there are many blessings ahead for Joie and I. Please keep Joie in your prayers.

Starving Artist Bistro Comes to Our Back Deck. Come Experience the Magic.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1742[1]Special does not even begin to express how wonderful our evening was last night.

Earlier this month we took our friend, Cassy, who is currently living downstairs in our home, along with her friend, Christy, to a Packer game.  They were so grateful for the gift of a fun night out that they wanted to return the favor. Of course, John and I didn’t expect anything in return, as it was a pleasure to treat them to the game.

When you know two amazingly creative artists, I should have known beautiful moments will come from that. Unexpected moments. Moments that will make your heart ooze with happiness, and pride, for all the thought that went into making a special night for John and I.

Earlier in the week we received a special invitation that said:  “We are honoring you to a date night at the Starving Artist Bistro.  You will dine on deliciousness prepared by acclaimed Chef Christy & Sous Chef Cassy at the back porch bistro by candlelight, lanterns, and chiminea.  Maitre d’Kylie will greet you upon your arrival and the lovely Joie will be your gracious hostess for the evening.”

Around 4:oo pm a flurry of activity began to happen outside on our deck and in our kitchen.  The creative duo began working their magic. As Chef Christy sliced, diced, simmered, and cooked up a storm in my kitchen, her sidekick, complete with bright pink bow in her hair, created magic on our deck turning a corner of it into a private table set just for two.

John and I enjoyed a cocktail on the deck as dinner was being prepared. The evening was so enchanting that I wanted to renew my wedding vows right then and there with John. It was that special.

Around 6:00 pm we were seated at our corner table (a.k.a. card table turned elegant!). As Sous Chef Cassy poured us each a glass of bubbly, Chef Christy explained our menu for the evening.  John and I enjoy going to the Paddock Club nearby now and then where they serve small plate specials on Tuesday evenings. The menu was designed around this very idea and made with many fresh ingredients.  To tease your taste buds I’ve created an album on Facebook of all the delicious dishes we were served, along with other fun pictures.  But here is a sneak peek inside the secret notes of Chef Christy:

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As we dined alfresco on our back deck, Joie and Kylie at our feet, I sat in awe that here John and I were, being treated to a very special evening. A night I’d have never imagined right here in our own home. Accepting Cassy into our lives this past spring was a big decision for us. We have had our ups and downs (more ups than downs) as we all learn to move within the space of our home with respect and thoughtfulness for each other.

John and I have grown in our own unique separate ways from the experience, as well as our relationship together has deepened  in a way I never saw coming. As we continue to mentor our young friend, we find our hearts growing bigger– we want the very best for Cassy. We love her dearly. It feels amazingly good to help someone take the next step toward living a life of authenticity and passion.

In return, Cassy finds ways in which she feels she can repay us, and last night was the treat of all treats. Though, as I’ve told her many times, she never needs to give us any thing or spend money on us.  Our reward will be when her wings are strong enough to fly off into the life she truly deserves. It will be a bittersweet day. But the moments of love, laughter and friendship we have created, and continue to create, will live on in all our hearts forever. Now that is magical.

To experience the magic of Christy and Cassy I invite you to check out their websites!  Fast Eddie’s Studio for Christy and Cassy Tully – Fine Art for Cassy.

Be Happy with Your Choices

Posted by Barbara Techel

kylie looking back cThis morning as I was getting ready, as I usually do, I had Good Morning America on. I don’t really watch it, but rather listen.  A segment caught my attention when they talked about women trying to have it all.  They said, “It’s a myth.”

I’ve long thought that. While I’m all for equal rights and women having the life they deserve, I do feel many of us have gotten caught up in trying to be perfect. We bought into what the media portrays we should be. Work full time, raise kids, be the perfect wife, have the perfect body, volunteer, and the list goes on and on. Isn’t it exhausting just reading all the pressures we have put on ourselves?

Part of my search years ago was to find my purpose but to also be happy – to find a joy that I had lost because I was trying to be so many things. Of course, I didn’t have kids, but I can only imagine how tired some women are who have that too.

The report boiled down to that yes, we can still have all these things. But we have to realize we can’t have them all at once. It makes so much sense. I also wonder what we are teaching our younger generation of women if we are trying to achieve everything all at once?  They are watching what we do. Don’t we owe it to be a role model for them that perfection is not the route to travel? When I tried to be perfect, I was miserable. I don’t wish that on anyone.

The suggestion from the report is to be happy with your choices. I like that. Now does that mean that is always easy to do?  No, but you have to really sit down and weigh it all out. For me, this is when I really tend to listen to, and follow what my heart is trying to tell me when I find myself struggling.

Eight years ago I decided to pursue my love of writing about dogs and animals, which continues to morph into more. I gave up my corporate job, a sports car, and many material things because I no longer had the paycheck to support those things.  Yes, I have a husband who is the bread winner. My choice may have been different if I didn’t have that. But I think I could have had it in a smaller way, and maybe at just a slower pace, or perhaps at a different time in my life.

Being happy with our choices is what I really think it does boil down to. Choice is something we always have. Our choice – not what others may think is right for us, but what we feel is right for us as individuals.

I chose not to have kids. Does it mean I sometimes wish I had?  Of course. But I don’t regret it. I am happy with my choice. Again, that has not always been easy for me. But it was only because I thought it was something I was supposed to do because so many women do. I bought into the picture of what success and happiness is.

Paint your own picture. Make your own choices. Live your own meaningful life. Sounds like a much better way to live than being perfect, right?  I  think I hear a collective sigh.  Pass it on.

Want a great example of making choices?  Check out this couple who quit their jobs at the age of 40 to travel the world and how it helps them in how they now live today.