Josie's Too Courageous

If you follow my blog at all, you know I have a Yorkie-Poo named Josie. She is almost seven months old, but she is such a fun and playful dog. While only weighing 3.8 pounds, she still loves to play with our other dog, Charlie, a Newfoundland weighing over a hundred pounds. But sometimes she is too courageous...

Like this morning. I was downstairs getting ready for work when I heard a series of yelps from Josie. I ran upstairs to see what was wrong with her. She had either gotten stepped on or bitten by Charlie, and her eye was completely out of it's socket. She was bleeding all over the carpet, shaking, and pretty scared. I quickly called our vet and asked if we could bring her in to get looked at. My sister drove me to town as I held Josie, shaking and still bleeding in my arms. The vet said  that this problem was common in small dogs, because they didn't have strong optic nerves because they were so small. She said that Josie would need surgery, but she would be just fine.

Josie went into surgery early this morning. The vet placed the eyeball back into it's socket and sewed it shut. The plan is to remove the stitches and to re-evaluate the eye in two weeks. It's almost guaranteed that she will be blind in the eye, but it will only need to be removed if it gets infected. Otherwise, it will move and operate normally, even though she will not be able to see out of it. But it shouldn't affect her way of life, and she will live like any other dog.

I guess the situation could have been a lot worse, and Charlie could have seriously injured Josie due to their size differences. It's just I always thought if anything happened to her when she and Charlie were playing, she would get a scratch or a broken leg. I never even considered she could go blind.

So I am sad. But relieved that Josie is alright. And scared that she might lose the other eye if the two dogs play too rough again. Hopefully, we will get lucky. Because I love Josie. She is the first puppy that I've ever owned on my own, and I am pretty sure I would be heartbroken if I lost her.

Diseased

Today I found out that I am diseased. Yes... diseased.

My problem is that I love, absolutely LOVE to chew on ice. And although that sounds very very strange, it's completely true. I chew on ice every chance I get. I especially love chewing on ice that was once cooling my iced tea. It's very weird, and I'd have to say, I'm obsessed.

So after chewing a whole cup full of ice today, I decided to jump on the web to see what in the heck is the matter with me. I mean chewing on ice can be a pretty bad habit. It is definitly not good on your teeth, it can be annoying for the people around you, and one can look pretty sloppy trying to get all of the ice out of their cup at the dinner table. So after a bit of searching, here is what I discovered!

"Chewing on ice is a variant of pica, an eating disorder characterized by craving and eating non-food items such as ice, dirt, glue, paper, and hair. While pica is typically seen in young children, it also occurs in adults."

(Hmm... I can remember chewing on my hair as a young girl.)

"The specific compulsion to chew ice is called pagophagia and has been associated with pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia, a sign of emotional problems, such as stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder or a developmental disorder, and other nutritional problems."

So there it is... I am a pagophagiac. And it's weird too, because I can kind of see myself having some emotional problems. My mother is anemic, so that means I could be anemic too. And I am a little obsessive-compulsive about things. (But no, I'm not pregnant... I can guarantee you that!)

But it's really strange, because as I write this, I am starting to get really really hot and light-headed, and I kind of feel like I might pass out... which someone who is anemic might do. My head is starting to hurt, and I feel like I might cry... which makes me a little over-emotional. And all this new information has really got me thinking AND OBSESSING on whether or not I should go to the doctor and have this all checked out. The evidence is there and maybe there really is something to this.

Or maybe I just like to chew on ice, I'm over-emotional, I'm a little low on iron, and I am a perfectionist. And these four things have nothing to do with one another. They are four separate faults.

OR just maybe... I am a hypochondriac... That could be it too, right?

Christmas Came and Went...

It is the 27th of December and just like that, Christmas came and went. It was actually one of the best Christmases ever for me. Don't get me wrong, I can remember many great and wonderful Christmases, but I was just so excited and so happy this year. My family is amazing and so fun to be around. My boyfriend and his family are equally fun and enjoyable. I got everything I wanted as far as presents go, which is outstanding! The food was great, while I don't feel like a pregnant cow from eating too much. And Jesus was born yet again, reminding me the real reason for the season. I am just so lucky! It really makes me wonder why I complain so much. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my life right now... besides the fact that I have to return to work tomorrow after a five day weekend. But at least I have a job and can pay back the rather large credit card bill I've acquired over the holiday season, right? Oh and I have a wonderful puppy, Josie who just ran into my room to say hello. She's my pride and joy right now... Wow, I've never thought I'd say that about a dog, but she's a great friend, and she fits into my life (and my heart) perfectly. I don't think I could be in any better position as we head into a new year...

But we'll see what tomorrow brings.

My 1st Year Blog Anniversary

Today is December 14th. And on this exact day last year, I wrote my first blog entry ever. I can't believe it's already been a full year... and 139 blogs... since that day. Of course, like with every anniversary, one thinks back to the day it all started. Here is my first blog written December 14th 2009 at 8:57PM...

Reality...

The reality is... A million thoughts run through our head every single day, but few people ever write them down. They come to the front of our mind for a split second and then are lost forever in the matter and mush that make up our minds. Grocery lists, old memories, shoe prices, fairy tales, dates and times, song lyrics, dreams, hopes, wishes.

The reality is... everyone has something that makes them smile. Everyone has something that makes them tear up and cry. Everyone has something that ails them and keeps them from sleeping at night, realities that would be all too horrible even for a nightmare. If only we would share these thoughts with the world. My triumph might make your day a little brighter, or your despair might remind me to be grateful for my own blessings. We could help each other. We could relate.

So here I am trying to connect with you, trying to help you, to teach you, to learn more about you. The world is easier to conquer when you are not fighting it alone, when someone can relate with exactly how you feel. We can struggle together.

Maybe I am crazy, but the reality is... maybe you are crazy too. And that is the whole point.

So 365 days later, I reflect. Have I accomplished my goal? Have I made you smile? Have I made you cry? Have I shared my real and true thoughts with you no matter how horrible, no matter how exciting, no matter how personal? Have I been able to relate with you? Have I helped you to realize that you are not alone in this world?

I hope so. I really really hope so.

I know I have gotten some comments on my blogs saying, "I know exactly what you mean..." and "I totally agree." And I've also received some disagreeing comments as well. But I still have so many questions... Who exactly am I relating to? How many people am I reaching? Am I doing enough? Can words really make any kind of difference? Are words any kind of answer?

Are words any kind of answer? Wow! That is really a question for the books, huh? All I know is that I read every single day, whether it be a magazine, a book, a blog, an online article, or a newspaper. And every word I read contributes to an emotion I have. I get nervous and alarmed when I read about a robbery and murder online. I get anxious and happy when I read a wedding announcement in the paper. I feel warm and hopeful when I read about a romantic couple in a novel. And I regain a sense of peace and faith when I read one of the many verses of the Bible. Words do something for the soul. They are traces of our past. They hold the key to our heritage and our future. They invoke communication, which is our largest method of relation and connection with every other human being in the universe.

So are words enough? Is this blog doing anything? Helping anyone? Are words any kind of answer? Are they enough? They are for me.

And I hope my words inspire you to agree ...and to hope ...and to believe ...and to feel empowered ...and to relate ... AND to face reALIty, not alone...

... but together with me.

Another Wedding Down...

My oldest sister got married last weekend...

It was an overall good time. There was a 70's rehearsal party. With bright costumes and platform shoes. There was the big day itself. With one pretty white dress and a suit pressed to fit. There was good food and great champagne. There were six flavors of cake. There were Grandma's sugar cookies, and my great aunt's kolaches. There was lots of family home. An inch or two of snow. Lanterns glowing and a fireplace lit. Good music and crazy dancing. Great company and better friendships. And I think my sister is truly truly happy... which makes me happy.

Congrats K and S!