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Barbara Fritchman Thompson Diary

Week of 15 April 2000 (Week 16)

Tuesday, 14 May 2002 18:03

Sporadic reflections that recount the events of my life

wpoison

Saturday, 15 April 2000

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I was in Cleveland, NC again today for another sheep dog trial. Cold, wet , muddy, rainy, misty, yucky was the state of today's weather. We did not do much business for CBCR. The few people there after the weather broke a little this afternoon were those people running dogs who had attended the last trial. Due to the weather, not a lot of spectators milling about to buy stuff or talk about Border Collies.

I packed up the stuff and left around 3:30 and got home about 4:15. Oh well, let's hope for better weather for our next event.

I fixed dinner and worked on my conference session notes I am writing up for the AIIP publication, Connections. 

Duncan seemed to be feeling better today after his ordeal at the vet yesterday. He was still pretty groggy last night and I think his hips might have been sore from all the manipulation Dr. Sue had to due for the x-rays. When we picked him up late yesterday afternoon I think he thought he had been abandoned by us. While he is used to me being gone for a week or so at a time, he has never been taken anywhere and left. Poor guy looked pretty sad. 

After looking at the x-rays with the vet, I was too bummed out to talk treatment, etc. I am meeting with her next week to decide what we can do to lessen the advancement of the hip dysplasia and make his life still complete and fun filled.

The news could have been worse. HD is not the best news but it could have been spinal or cancer, which it isn't. I will probably have Malcolm's hips done when he reaches a year old to see if he is showing signs of HD.

Sunday, 16 April 2000

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I have some projects to do this morning around the cleaning schedule. I also have to give Bob a haircut. I want to reposition the CD player and VCR up higher on the stand to make it easier to access and for me to read the tiny print on the buttons with my bifocals.

The afternoon is watching the race and golf and catch up on some reading materials. Bob did the laundry yesterday while I was gone to the sheep trial and he was doing the backup. I will do a load of Lenore's and the wet stuff from yesterday.

I will put a chicken and rice casserole in the oven tonight for dinner. Easy meal, easy cleanup.

Monday, 17 April 2000

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One sure way not to fall asleep while watching the race. I grabbed my walkman radio and mowed the yard while listening to the middle part of the race. I hate restrictor plate racing anyway, so I would just as soon listen as to watch. By the time I finished I was able to watch the last 30 laps on TV. 

I am off to get my haircut this morning and run an errand. I have to take Lenore for her doctor appointment this afternoon. I may go to the gym when I get back or just wait and go in the morning.

I want to start working on Bob's Linux machine this week now that things are back to normal.

Tuesday, 18 April 2000

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We got the PC cleaned up yesterday and put back together so we can make it a Linux machine. I guess we will work on that this afternoon when I get back from the gym. 

I have some other things I want to work on today but will mostly hold down the fort so Bob can work on these last few chapters of our book

Marcia Bilbrey had an interesting comment on her page yesterday talking about her house cleaner coming.

(Yes, that is one of the main reasons that I don't do the cleaning-- I just can't see dirt!)

There are times when I envy you and others, Marcia. I wish I could not see and/or ignore the dirt or clutter or whatever. I can for a short period of time but not for long. I think it has something to do with my organization skills and needing everything neat and tidy physically and metaphorically. 

Cool and raining today. Have a good one. 

Wednesday, 19 April 2000

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I just hate it when one of my favorite authors starts going south. And I don't mean geographically either. I am now reading the newest Sara Hylton and as with her last book, I am quite disappointed. I reviewed her latest work on my favorites page if you are interested. 

Bob and I successfully installed Linux yesterday.  He had apparently tried once before and was not successful. This was the first time I have had a look at this operating system and I do not know very much about it. 

I have missed spinning class at the gym the last couple of weeks. I will go this morning and then over to my dad's to help him with some yard work. Looks like we will have a nice day for being outside.

Maybe I will take the dogs to the park tonight after dinner.

Thursday, 20 April 2000

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My next door neighbor pointed out a dove's nest on the ledge outside of my office window. I have a desk sitting under that window which prevents me from looking out other than across, not down. I climbed on my little stool and looked in. There are no eggs yet, but she said the mother was sitting in it. This morning when I came back to my office to do my page and check my mail, she was in the nest. The male dove was bringing her twigs to build with.

Worked all day at my dad's yesterday. We planted bushes and plants and did all kinds of things he has trouble doing without some help. I love being outside working and it was a beautiful day.

I came home, jumped in the shower and we headed off for the library and dinner. I was pretty tired after all that, so we did not go to the park.

Speaking of tired. Since my trip to DC I have been struggling with my stamina which is usually pretty hardy. I  can always tell when my body is telling me to take a break. But this time it has been a different experience. I get to the gym wanting to work out, but once there, "my get up and go", falls rather flat. Last week I thought it was from being so tired playing catch up from the trip. I just have not had the energy to sustain a long workout and for that matter a long day.

Yesterday  morning I was the only one in the spinning class. When this happens the instructor just joins in beside me and we work out together with her leading as if she was in front of a class. Sort of like having your own personal trainer. Anyway, we got to talking, and she agreed with me that it is time for a break from the gym. I will take this week plus next week off and just do regular activities like yard work, walking the dogs, and golf. 

Playing golf this morning than need to make a few stops on the way home. 

Not sure what I will do this afternoon.

Friday, 21 April 2000

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Thank you Marcia Bilbrey. I took your advice. In my post yesterday I said I did not know what I would do in the afternoon. Marcia recommended a nap. I checked my mail, took my shower, and settled in to watch the golf tournament from Greensboro, NC. Then I fell asleep. 

I am essentially taking this week off from "work" Other than check my mail, I have not really done anything else. Unlike Bob, I cannot go weeks without taking a few days off. With spring I have double duty lawn and house plus the dogs and Lenore's laundry. When I worked a "regular job" I had the same amount of work that needed to be done. But, I often took a week or an afternoon off to get that extra stuff done. 

It is very easy, working at home, not to remember to take time off now and then, even for half a day or one whole day. 

I am going over to my sisters house this morning. She is off today and needs some help with a couple of things in her yard. To me, yard work is like a hobby, so I don't mind. I am going to come home this afternoon and follow Marcia's advice again. Golf match and nap. 

Our vet is coming over tonight to talk about options for Duncan and his hip problems. Current treatment strategies and what lies ahead for the future.

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