Did You Say Field Trip? I’m In!

Posted January 18, 2016 by Barbara Techel

Remember field trips as a kid? Oh, how I loved them!

It’s an impromptu-of-sorts plan that John came up with and it didn’t take much to convince me (okay- twist my arm!).

Tomorrow we are going to have a field trip date day! After a morning meeting I have, we will head to the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory – a fancy way of saying, Milwaukee Domes.

Their specialty showcase right now is “Attack of the Giant Monsters Train Show.” While I don’t know exactly what that means, John loves anything trains. So we shall chug on down there to check it out.

And me, well, to be around lots of beautiful flowers and greenery and snug and warm inside the domes — well, that will be a bountiful feast my eyes will most happily take in and my body will most relish after these last two days of frigidly cold temperatures.

I read somewhere where someone calls this a one day vacation – though their little getaway included an overnight stay. I like the idea of a one day vacation, or as I’m calling ours, a field trip date.

We will have lunch somewhere too and who knows what else may strike our fancy to stop and take in.

But all I know, is I’m super excited to be taking a day to head out on a little adventure. I’m sure it will inspire my creativity in some shape or form and this is always a good thing. Good for the heart and spirit!

Thank you for subscribing to my journal posts.

Optimistically Hopeful Celebration

Posted January 17, 2016 by Barbara Techel

Since writing a post last week about Gidget having seizures, I’ve heard from so many who understand what it is like to have a dog with epilepsy.

I try to remind myself of all the lessons I’m learning, though challenging at times. And I also want to celebrate in the goodness that comes from this too.

I shared on my Facebook page yesterday that Saturday was 30 days since Gidget had her last seizure. I’m optimistically hopeful we are on the right path with the combination of the Chinese herbs and Potassium Bromide drug that is helping her stay seizure free so far.

I understand this can change at any time — there are no guarantees. Epilepsy is a tricky one to figure out and deal with. But I have hope and that goes a long way.

We did have to adjust Gidget’s meds as she was pretty out of it and it was bothersome to see some of the side effects.

But almost a week later, most of them have for the most part, have gone away. The only challenge right now is the ataxia (weakening of the hind legs). She still can’t walk.

And this is when you count your blessings. And I’m thankful to still have Frankie’s wheelchair from Eddie’s Wheels that I bought in 2006, which became Joie’s for a short time, and is now perfect for Gidget.

In the mornings I buckle her in and she works on navigating from the living room to the kitchen to get to her breakfast. We hear lots of clanks and thumps as she learns to navigate around the furniture and get past walls. But when there is food involved, well, she’d fly in that wheelchair just to get to it!

So she is trying hard and I smile with a grateful heart that she has that perseverance that only a dog can have! Doxie power! Full speed ahead!

If it ends up that her being able to walk on her own again does not return, and I’ve heard from others that this can be the case, I’ll take that. I can work with that, and Gidget is showing me that she can too.

And the biggest reminder of all is that each day is precious. To be grateful for all of it and to remember to celebrate the good days.

Thank you for subscribing to my journal posts.

This Really Got Me Thinking

Posted January 15, 2016 by Barbara Techel

I read something recently that really got me thinking. It’s about how “busy” is a sickness. Did you ever notice that is the stock answer so many of us give when asked how we are?

My intention for many years has been about living a life that is meaningful. To be busy feels like my life is out of control. While at times it does truly feel that way, I try to make a conscious effort to ground myself and look at why I might be feeling that way when I find myself in this place.

And I wish I had a dollar for every time someone asks my husband, John if he is busy. He owns and operates his own construction business. It’s funny though, because no one has asked me in a long, long time if I am busy. I find this fascinating.

In the article, a woman responds to a man who asked her how she is and she replies she was crazy busy. She was surprised when he asked her what it was she had going on that day. She frantically rattled off everything she had to do.

His response? “Sounds like a full day. Have fun!”

Whoa! What a seriously, cool way to look at one’s life, I thought. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. So I checked in with this idea of a full life instead of a busy one, asking myself these questions:

Am I doing things that are meaningful to me?
Am I making a difference?
Am I tired in an accomplished feeling way and not a stressful way at the end of the day?
Am I, for the most part, happy every day?

The answer is yes, this is the majority of the time, and how I feel. This, to me, is a full life and not a busy one.

And when I think of life as full, I think of it as rich, content, and wanting more.

How about you? Full or busy? How does this feel to you? I’d love to hear!

—

This is the article I refer to if you’d like to read more, “Busy is a Sickness.”

Thank you for subscribing to my journal posts.