Why Dogs Have Heart Problems.

We all know dogs love us unconditionally and it's the most selfless love there is. I think that must be why dogs end up with heart problems later in life. They have so much love their little hearts can't take it. I know my heart feels like it's going to burst with love at times, so I can only imagine how often dogs go through that...like every time their owner comes home.

Our poor pup is now feeling the effects of his love filled heart at the ripe age of seven. I could throw a lot of fancy words at you like Congestive Heart Failure and Pericardial Effusion, but all you need to know is our little man can't exercise, coughs through the night, is losing weight, and even faints if he gets too excited. We have him on more meds than I knew I would ever give a dog, and we just hope to keep him comfortable for as long as we can.

When it comes to fur children, you find yourself feeding them fancier food, nicer beds, and providing more medications than you would even provide for yourself at times. With all the love they give us, it's the least we can do. We love you We-Man!!

My Pet Goats

It was wishful thinking when I mentioned we were going to the beach for Thanksgiving. Yes, we were technically in a beach community, but it was Novemburr and cold which kept us hanging with the livestock on the in-laws farm. I use that term loosely because it's mostly goats, chickens, turkeys, and some exotic birds, however we were tromping around the mud and hay in our wellies, which totally counts as farm life to me.

What I didn't know was all their goats were preggers, and two were born Thanksgiving morning! Baby anything is cute, but baby goats are a whole 'notha level. I was NOT joking when I said if they stayed these little, I'd want one. Matter of fact, I think I want to keep goats when we eventually settle down. Maybe I'll start making Goat Milk products or something.

Other than that, we went to the Orlando Auto Show, , took Momma for her first Sweet Tomatoes experience, dined on Venison, and sang by the bonfire. Actually, the dude singing was from season two of The Voice, but I didn't catch his name or picture. #bloggerfail.

On the way home, we stopped at one of my favorite places in the whole wide world! We passed through St. Augustine, so I begged Will to take me to The Conch House. They are off the beaten path, have amazing food, and you just can't beat the view. You can sit in private elevated gazebos, and it's like eating in a tree house. so fun!

All in all, it was an amazing Thanksgiving, and made me realize how much I have to be thankful for. It sounds cheesy, but it's true...every day is a blessing. Even the bad ones make the good seem that much richer. I don't want to hear that on a bad day, but it doesn't make it less true. Seasons Greetings!

Is Your Life As Good As This Kid?

I'm super 'hip' these days with my DVR, and as I was catching up on Rachael Ray last night, I was blown away by a boy up against all the odds. Little Ben is losing his eyesight, and instead of letting it get them down, they have created a bucket list for him of all the things he wants to 'see' before he loses his sight. Most people never finish their bucket list, and this kid will have done everything before he even reaches adulthood. We should all be so lucky, and kudos to his parents. They are raising a truly happy, sweet, humble kid.

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I can only hope to live life half as full as that little guy. So let's talk about what's really been going on these days...you know, the stuff that probably isn't blog worthy, but I feel the need to gab about it anyways.

+ Will and I were on a billboard! Well, technically it was just the back of his head and the top half of mine, but I'm pretty stoked about it. The best part is that we are in the running to win $1,000 smackers. I don't know exactly how we win, but it probably wouldn't hurt if people 'liked' our photo here on the Durden FB site. Only if you have a spare minute.

+ Anyone remember when my wrist was hurt? Well, three months and a Cortisone shot later...I'm HEALED!! I'm now a dork with doctor ordered wrist guards when I lift, but I'll take it. I love running, but I've actually missed burpees and pushups.
Remind me I said that when I'm cursing them next month.

+ Am I the only person that has my life flash before my eyes every time I go through the iPhone update process? I was actually two updates behind, and I blame Will. He asked how he was supposed to know I was behind, and I told him it's because he didn't update it for me or have me whining to him that I didn't know what to do, which usually always indicates that I haven't done it. I'm pretty predictable when it comes to this stuff, dude.

+ But the most frustrating thing...The newest meds my doctor is 'trying' on me have some crappy side effects. First side effect was just loss of appetite, which wasn't so bad, but then I would make terrible food choices because the only foods that I could make myself eat were not so good for me. On top of that, I started getting nauseous {cue a fear of being pregnant}, which just led to eating more crap if I could even get it down. Luckily, it didn't take me too long to figure out what was causing it, so byebye third round of meds that didn't do crap for me. Plus I refuse to take antibiotics. I would rather still have 'spots' on my face than mess with my immune and microbiome system. I think I've gotten better, but it could just be that I'm used to it. My face doesn't look shiny and clear like it used to, but it could always be worse.

Okay, now I feel better. You just can't go wrong chatting while eating homemade Blackened Shrimp Tacos. They were yummy for dinner, and even more yummy as my late night snack. Oh, and I will be eating them for breakfast too. I know it sounds weird, but I love leftovers for breakfast, and I'd rather have breakfast for dinner. I'm weird, get over it ;)

Bazaar Fun

A few months ago, I didn't even know what a Hollyday Bazaar was. I also didn't know how to publicize an event on such a grand scale, but I guess you learn something new everyday. I'm still in awe that we spent a few months with our nose to the grindstone, and transformed a plain ol' Army hanger into a bazaar wonderland.

The morning of, I was blown away at the line of HUNDREDS clamoring to get in. We were offering free 'swag bags' full of goodies to the first 350, and we ran out in FIFTEEN minutes. We were up against four other big local events, and if I had any doubt about how our turnout would be, my mind was eased that morning.

I mostly ran around as a floater/photographer, but our FRG {Family Readiness Group} had a taco stand fundraiser, so I wrangled up some friends and we volunteered for that too. Even Will came to help, which definitely made my day.

But Will wasn't the only one that had me smitten. I have been volunteering with a lot of 'important' spouses that I'm already pretty stoked about rubbing elbows with, but when the Command Team spouses know you by name...it's pretty unreal. I liken it to being a fangirl to celebrities in the civilian world. To me, these people are celebrities as cheesy as that sounds.

Wanna know the best part? We raised $23,000, yes THOUSAND, dollars this year! I still can't believe that a small force of volunteers can pull something like this off, but I guess our small force is a force to be reckoned with, and I'm just honored to be a part of it. That's why this is the hardest I've ever worked for free, and possibly harder than even when I was getting paid. Meaningful trumps a paycheck these days, I guess.

Now, I'm just ready to take a break and enjoy the holidays. Time is flying by, and I'm not ready for what comes next. The next move could come with a lot of factors to consider, so I'll just be living in the moment for now. Happy December 1st!!