Amanda's Blog

Well, this is the end.  Alchemy hasn't eaten in three days.  Last night he couldn't even go usptairs to go to bed.  He really isn't having a good time.  He obviously is suffering and Dana and I have made the toughest decision of our life.  We are going to have him put to sleep this afternoon.  Dana has to come home because she is up at Wallops Island for some software testing for work.  She is going to drive down, spend a little time with him, and then we will take him to the vet and let him go.  I called out of work today.  I am in no shape to be answering phones and talking to stupid customers who want to know why their water is cut off even though they've never paid their bill.  I can't even talk about this with out crying, so of course, when I called in and left messages, I certainly didn't sound too good. 

Alchemy can't even get up on the couch so we cuddle.  But, I will be here with him and Dana will be home some time around Noon.  And we won't leave his side.  I just hope he knows we love him.

So, I have been back in the work force for almost two months now.  It feels great to earn a pay check again.  Plus, I am no longer just sitting at home in a strange town not knowing anyone.  The people I work with are really great.  I have made some awesome friends.  I am now a Customer Service Representative for the local waste water treatment dept.  I have always enjoyed customer service, but we certainly get our fair share of crazies!  lol  This past week was especially stressful/weird/crazy. I won't bore you all with the details, but lets just say I had at least one person yelling at me each day.  I had been fortunate up to this point in my past jobs to not have that kind of customer, but I am doing okay with it, I think. lol 

About a month ago, Dana and I had to take Alchemy, our yellow lab, to the vet.  He was diagnosed with an agressive cancer that I can't pronounce, much less spell.  The vet said he had up to 3 months left to live.  This is devestating news for us.  Alchemy is our child.  To some people, that sounds stupid, but it is totally how we feel.  Dana did some research on this cancer, and "they" say he will have some good days and some bad days.  This week was mostly bad days.  It was very hard to leave him in the mornings to go work, and then to not know what we would be coming home to.  We can't help but feel that the end is coming.  This morning seems to be a good morning, though.  He has more energy.  For that, I am very grateful.  It most certainly has been an emotional roller coaster this week.  I think that may be a part of why the customers were getting on my nerves. 

I am very glad it is the weekend.  Dana and I don't have much planned, really.  We both need to get a hair cut.  We also need to do some yard work.  And, of course, the usual weekend activities of laundry and grocery shopping.  As long as Alchemy feels okay today, we will go ahead and do the running around town.  If he doesn't feel okay, we'll stay home and hang out with him.  We just want to make sure he knows he is loved and we are here for him.

Well, I ended up rambling more than I had planned. Sorry.  I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.  It is going to be gorgeous weather here and I hope it is for everyone else, too.

Dana took me to a minor league hocky game last night.  I actually had a lot of fun.  Now, though, I am sure that she is going to interpret that into we can watch it on tv!!!  Ack!  I mean, I like most sports, but I really don't like watching them on tv.  There is a lot lost when you aren't there in person.  However, when there is a Florida State football game on, I don't miss it.  Football is the one sport that I really enjoy on the small screen.  But, Dana is a sports enthusiast... she likes pretty much any and all sports.  Even sports I don't consider to be a sport (Oh look, he made another left turn!!!).  There is a sport being televised all year long now!  Let's start with football... It starts in the August-September time frame... then the Superbowl is at the end of January or beginning of February.  Then, Nascar starts in February and runs thru the summer...not sure when it is done.  During that, we've got Baseball.  Once those sports are done, we've got Football again... ugh!!  lol  Now, I guess I have to endure some hockey games, too. 

Dana and I don't have much of a life, so it is rare to actually have plans for the weekends.  However, we do have plans this weekend!!  lol  Woo-Hoo!

My mom is coming down this afternoon/tonight after she gets off work.  And then, my dad is coming down tomorrow morning.  I am still a little unsure as to why they both don't come down tonight, but oh well.  I believe it has something to do with making it easier on Dana and myself... not kicking us out of our room and what not.  Because, Mom won't let me have her sleep in my room.  Actually, she won't sleep in any of the rooms.  She wants to sleep on the couch.  And, if I wanted her to come down to spend the night, I had to agree to those terms.  lol  My mom is a lot more like her mother than she cares to admit.  The only problem is, I am a lot like my mom (and her mom, of course).  So, it is killing me to not have her stay in a comfortable bed!!! 

Anyways, there is an RV show at the Virginia Beach Convention center this weekend and that is why Mom and Dad are coming down.  Mom really wants an RV very badly.  So, she wants to see what is out there on the market to be able to make an informed decision.  Dad kinda doesn't want one, but Mom wants to do a lot of traveling after she retires in a couple of years and she doesn't want to stay in hotels all the time.  To Dad, hotels sound just right to him.  lol  I don't know who will give in, but I kinda hope it is Dad.  Mom has wanted an RV ever since I was a (younger) kid and it would suck if she can't get one.

That being said, I am sitting at the computer doing stuff and my house is a wreck!  Well, it isn't too bad, but it certainly isn't good.  I need to empty the dish washer and load up the rest of the dishes, straighten up all the mess in the kitchen, dining room, and living room.  I need to vacuum and mop the floors.  I also need to do laundry (which is the one thing that I have actually started on).  I have had all week to work on this stuff.  But, I am a born and bred procrastinator.  So, it all still needs to be done.  I do work well under pressure, though.  I should be able to get it all done.  lol

I have been thinking about doing a "what if" post about winning the lottery.  Then, Kelly did one and I thought I would jump on the band wagon!  lol

I have been day dreaming about this for many years.  I was going to pay off my parent's mortgage and find them a house they both loved, but I don't need to do that anymore.  I would definitely pay off our mortgage.  Then, we would design and build our dream home.  I am not sure where, since I don't know if Dana would want to keep working.  If she wants to work still, then we would stay in the Virginia Beach area.  If not, then I would LOVE to move out to the west coast.  Oregon or Washington.   But, we would also have a vacation home, probably in the Outer Banks because we both love it there.  Maybe one in Ptown, too...lol

I would definitely donate to charity.  Not sure which ones,  really.  There are so many deserving ones out there... I would also set up a scholarship fund for students whose parents make too much money for federal aid, but make no where near enough to really afford college.  Speaking of college, I would go back to school and get as many degrees as I want.  I love school.  lol

I would also own the Mustang convertible of my dreams.  Of course, Dana would get a jeep, I think.  That's her fave car.  And Dana and I would do a lot of traveling.  I love to travel and miss it soooooo much.  So, I guess that means that she is gonna have to stop working..lmao.

And, put a lot in the bank or stock market or whatever.  I am definitely not gonna spend it all, but I am not going to be as thrifty as I have been my whole life.  It would just be nice to not have to worry about money. :-)

Dana and I just got back from our daily 1/2 mile walk.  Today, I decided to time it to see how long it takes us.  It was 15 minutes on the dot.  I am both happy and disappointed.  I am pretty stoked about it only taking us (namely me since Dana is in sooooo much better shape than I am) 15 minutes to walk 1/2 a mile.  I was sure it would take me longer.  But, at the same token, some lady on The View yesterday said that you should walk for 1/2 an hour a day.  So, we aren't there yet.  But, I am sure we will be soon.  The walk today seemed a little easier than the past few days.  Oh well, we shall see.

Speaking of The View, that is my number 1 favorite daytime show.  I loved it when it came out, but I love it even MORE since Whoopi joined the cast.  And, since I am in the statistic of the unemployed American, I have had time to actually watch it again.  I have missed very few shows since my lay-off last February.  Anyway, in Hot Topics today they were talking about the tv show The Bachelor.  All except Elisabeth (Joy was out, so I dunno how she feels about it) don't get it.  Elisabeth loves it.  And so do I.  I have quite a few weaknesses... Food being the major one.  But, a more recent weakness has been reality tv.  If Big Brother is on, I watch every episode (ever since the Evel Dick season... I just go sucked in!).  I don't get Survivor or The Amazing Race, but I do love the Bachelor!  I got sucked in on last season (Technically, that was the Bachelorette, but it is pretty much the same show).  I watched each episode (I missed the first one) faithfully and I just knew that Deanna had to be with Jason.  And then, no.  She chose Jesse (not sure if I spelled his name right).  So now, Jason is the Bachelor.  I watched the season premier on Monday and it was okay.  The first night is blah.  I like to watch it when you actually get to see the real people.  That comes up in the next couple of episodes, I am sure.  However (and this is big) at the end of the show, they showed clips of the upcoming episodes... and Deanna comes back!!!  She says she thinks she made a mistake (duh!!) and wanted to let him know that he still has a shot with her.  I am so PISSED with ABC for doing this to Jason!  I know, I know... I don't really know the guy...but he certainly looked  very upset in one of the clips.  I know in my head that tv networks only care about ratings, but to f*ck around with someone's head and emotions like this....???  Whew- anyway... I don't really know much yet.  It was only a series of clips and it could have just been the way they edited it to make sure we tune in for this season.  I really hope that everythin is all right with Jason.  He just seems like such a nice guy. 

I can't believe that I have just done a whole post about The Bachelor.  I am pretty darned pathetic.  Heh.  Sorry.

I have been very remiss in posting on this thing, so I have a few subjects that I wanna post about.  I figured, though, that I should start out with one about the new year.  Go figure. lol

Dana and I don't really do resolutions.  Basically, because it kinda sets us up for failure.  You do a resolution, you tell someone about it, and then inevitably, you cave and don't stick to it.  So, we are just TRYING to change a few things this year.  The big one is to eat/be healthier.  It has been nothing but a weight gaining past couple of years for the both of us, so we want to make a real effort to stop that process.  So, no eating out as much as we have been.  ONLY once a week is the goal we have set, but I am hoping we can make it more like once or twice a month.  Not only will we save on calories, but we will save money as well.  I am ALL about saving money!  lol  Also, we are walking every day (we just started this Sunday, so we've walked twice so far).  We have started out slow with a 1/2 mile walk.  Once we (namely me) can do this without getting so winded, we will up it to 1 mile and then 1 1/2 miles, and so on.  I need to buy a scale so I can see if any of this is working and go from there.  As it is, we've only just started, so no real results are expected right now.  I do, however, refuse to call this a diet.  I start to resent it and everything when it is called a diet, so I am hoping to prevent that.

Another thing I am going to TRY for the new year is to cut salt out of my eating habits.  If not entirely, at least by A LOT!  I am a salt person... always have been.  I put salt on everything that hits my plate (that may be a slight exaggeration, but only slight).  I am 28 years old and have been put on blood pressure medication (over a year ago).  Obviously, this is not good.  So, I have finally decided to try to do something about it.  Woo-hoo for me.  heh

The final thing I would like to happen for this new year is to find a job.  Any job.  Really.  I don't care anymore.  My unemployment (I am already on the second extension) runs out after next week.  I was hoping to find something way before now, but it hasn't come in to reality yet.  I am sure that I probably haven't done everything that I should/could have, but I have done a lot.  Promise.  Every office that was hiring in Virginia Beach and Norfolk have my resume.  It really sucks.  So now, I am gonna have to apply to Wal-Mart probably.  I really wanted to have my weekends so Dana and I could have our time, but whatever.  I need a job and that is that.  Wal-Mart obviously won't be my last job, so that is good.  lol

I guess that's it.  I am sure if I thought about it more, I could come up with some other changes I want for the new year.  However, I think this is a good start.

Every time I see this commercial, I laugh out loud.  There aren't many things that do that for me and I just wanted to share it in case ya'll haven't seen it yet.  Love it!

Thanksgiving and the following weekend was a lot of fun!  My brother, Rick, was able to come for Thanksgiving, too!  We weren't sure if he was gonna come since he is now working at MickeyD's, but the one where he works was closed.  So, he came down Wednesday night after he got off work.  My parents came Thursday morning and the dinner was excellent!  Dana really outdid herself.  We had a lot (and I mean A LOT) of food.  We have been having leftovers since Thursday, and are just now about halfway thru them.  We will get there, I am sure of it.  I just know I am gonna be tired of turkey when all is said and done... lol!

Rick went back home Thursday evening because he had to work at 7 am Friday.  My dad left Friday morning after we had breakfast (at the House of Eggs!!!  What a wonderful place!) so he could get some more stuff done in the new house.  (Mom and Dad just moved into a new house about 2 weeks ago.)  Mom stayed with us and we took her home when we drove up on Saturday.  We had a baby shower to go to on Sunday in  Pennsylvania, so we were planning on coming up anyway.  Anyways, on Friday, the three of us girls did a little shopping.  We went to Wal-Mart first and got some new DVDs and a new stereo since ours broke somehow in the move... the cd carousel wasn't working.  We got a little stereo this time.. one that only holds one cd at a time and I love it!  Then we went to Catherine's, a clothing store, and found some awesome deals!  After that, we decided to go home.  We had turkey subs for lunch and just relaxed the rest of the day.  Mom beat us at a couple games of Scrabble, and we watched a couple of movies. 

We left Saturday morning just as soon as we were all ready and spent a few hours at Mom and Dad's.  Then, we all went to Greene Turtle to watch the Florida State vs. Florida game since Mom and Dad don't have cable... and that is like THE game to watch!!  lol  Not that it was a fun game to watch, but it is a must!

Then Sunday came around!  We drove to PA and  had a blast being with Jenn and her family.  I can't wait 'til the newest addition of their family arrives!  Little baby Hendrickson (they haven't come up with a name yet) is due December 26th.  He is gonna be soooo cute, I just know it!!!

Whew...that was our Thanksgiving weekend!  Dana is actually a little under the weather and had to call out from work yesterday.  It is no wonder she and I both feel exhausted, though.  Now I can't wait 'til she lets me decorate the house for Christmas!!! WEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

I am getting really excited about Thanksgiving tomorrow and the upcoming holiday season.  My parents and HOPEFULLY my brother are going to be here.  We have quite a menu planned.  It is as follows:

1. Turkey

2. Stuffing

3. Butternut Squash (I am not a fan, but Dana and Mom both love it, so we will have it! :-D)

4. Mashed Potatoes (This is my favorite part of the meal... we bought ten pounds of taters, and I will be peeling every single one of 'em tomorrow morning... yummy!!)

5. Peas

6. Corn

7. Dilled Carrots

5. Deviled eggs (Dana is working on those, now.  We decided to try something new and put a little bit of dill in them... I can't wait to see how they turn out!)

6. Sweet Potato Biscuits

7 Cranberry Sauce (The canned kind... heh)

8. Pumpkin Pie

9. Apple Pie (my daddy's making that and bringing it... he makes the best home-made pies!)

This is the first Thanksgiving that Dana and I are having people over to our house.  All the other Thanksgivings, we've gone to relative's houses for dinner.  So, I am pretty stoked about having it at our place this time. I am just sorry that not more of my family could make it.  It is a longer drive for everyone, though, so I totally understand.  I just miss everybody!