Surgery- Round 2

Remember my 85 pound problem from a few months ago?

Yep.  The same 85 pound problem came back.  

Of course it did.  Because it's my dog, and she just can't make things easy on me!

About 2 weeks after the boy got home from deployment in October, Mocha girl started limping again.  Everyone told me not to worry about it, that she was fine.  (Have I mentioned lately how much I hate that word?!)  I took her to the vet, and was told to keep her resting and quiet. 

So that's what we did.  When December rolled around and nothing had really gotten better, we took another trip to the vet.  She said that something just wasn't quite right, and suggested we take her back down to the surgery center in Richmond.  

Thankfully, we were able to get an appointment while the boy was still around and I was off of work for the holidays.  So on December 30th, we ventured back down to Helping Hands.

I of course had been stressed out for weeks- just knowing the nightmare I was facing once again.  I hated that I had done something wrong, and was causing the dog to be in more pain, and causing us to have to deal with this surgery again.  When we arrived, Mocha was so tense and so stressed out, they had to give her a short acting anesthesia.  Once the doctor examined her, we still didn't really know much.  Something just wasn't quite right with the ligament that had been replaced, and the only way to tell was to do surgery to check things out.  

So we left the brat with the surgeon, and spent the day exploring Richmond.  We went to an art museum (where I was quickly reminded that immature Marines and fine art just do NOT mix) and then did some after-Christmas shopping.  That part of the day was great- and I was happy to have the boy there with me for round 2 of surgery.

When it came time to pick the dog up- I was a nervous wreck. In June, the wonderful people at Helping Hands had to carry her out and lift her into the car.  She was completely drugged up and couldn't hold herself up.  My mom had to hold her down in the back seat the entire way home, and she had to be carried into the house by my fabulous neighbor.  So of course, I was expecting the worst.  The absolute WORST.

Thankfully, this time around was totally different.  Mocha came charging out of the back room like nothing was wrong, and was alert and wide awake and could not be happier to be running around giving everyone kisses.  I got all teary eyed when I saw how different she was.  What a huge relief!!

I must mention here how absolutely fantastic the staff at Helping Hands is- just absolutely wonderful.  Dr. Pasternak was sympathetic and understanding, and really made me feel better about the situation.  It turns out that somehow Mocha had stretched the ligament- and it's just not supposed to do that.  We were told that it was the most bizarre thing- and that she had never seen that happen before.  (Again-of course-because it's my dog!)  I am so glad that we were referred to this place- not only because they are so affordable, but because they genuinely love and care for your pet when they are there. 

Now, I am a professional at post recovery ACL repair in dogs.  Not something I really thought I'd be an expert at, but hey, it's all good!  Mocha's stitches came out this past Tuesday, and everything is healing really well.  I think this second surgery has made the dog a bit more cautious- she's still hopping around on 3 legs, but sloooowly beginning to put weight on her leg.  Hopefully by the time her daddy is done with his latest school, she will be all healed up and ready to run around with him again! 

A Day in DC

Today I finally accomplished the last thing on my to-do list.


And, as a result, I feel.... well, a little sad.


When we moved to Quantico almost 5 years ago, I was beyond excited.  Not only were we 4 hours away from home, but we were 40 minutes away from one of my favorite cities.  


Washington D.C. is a fantastic place- and the boy had never been.  So we sat down and made a list of things we wanted to see and do.  (One of the things I have learned in the Marine Corps is that you MUST take advantage of a place when you live there.  I don't ever want to look back at a duty station and regret missing out on what that place had to offer!)


So the list was made... and we slowly chipped away at it.  

The Washington Monument.  We've not made it to the top... yet!

Today was the last stop on the list- the Newseum.  It is fairly new- and right up my alley.  I am a complete news junkie, and one of my majors is journalism, so it was like my dream place.  The boy was kind enough to suffer along with me while I walked around and enjoyed every second of it.  


But once we were done, I realized that was it.  Not that there isn't 100 other things for us to do in the city, but it was strange to think that we had finished it all.


I have truly enjoyed my time here at Quantico, and I am so sad every time I think about leaving.  We have had so many amazing experiences here- things that only would have happened because of the boy being in the Marine Corps, and things we have done with fantastic friends we have met in the Marine Corps as well.


I know I'm lucky to be squeaking a bit more time out of living here, but I know that all things must come to an end.  Until then though, I will enjoy being so close to such a great city.  


If anyone wants to stop by, I love playing tour guide!

Onward to the New Year!

I'll say it again... Where the HECK did this year go?


How is it possible that we are 3 hours away from 2012?


Now don't get me wrong, I am happy that a large chunk of this year went as quickly as it did.  (I still can't believe a deployment has come and gone.)  But wow... where did the rest of the time go?


It does scare me sometimes- and make me feel old.  I remember when I was little feeling like time was standing still... my birthday, Christmas, and summer vacation always took forever to get here.  Now, it seems like its just all gone in the blink of an eye.


It makes me appreciate the time that I do have that much more though- and enjoy the time I have with my family and friends.  I have learned to take advantage of every opportunity I am given, and live each day to the absolute fullest.  


2011 overall was a good year- I honestly cannot complain.  Yes there were sucky things- deployments are never fun, the dog nearly sent me straight to the looney bin- but each and every bad thing made me appreciate the good that much more.  I cannot dwell on the suckiness- because then you miss out on all the good stuff- a trip to California, seeing high school friends that live on the other side of the world, and happy homecomings.  


2012 will be even better.  There will of course be challenges- the pup is already recovering from round 2 of surgery, the boy will be leaving for 6 weeks of training (and its just about making me crazy that thats about all I can say about it... ugh!), and there are always challenges that the Marine Corps throws our way.   But each and every one of those things will only make me appreciate the good that much more!


So here's to a great 2011, and an even better 2012.  

Happy New Year!

I found this picture on Pinterest- I just love it!

Home for the Holidays

Merry Christmas!

Ok, so I am a few days late.  Better late than never though!


I know- I've not been the greatest about blogging lately- I'm trying to be better about it- but its hard when  I don't feel like there's much to talk about that would interest you.  Hopefully 2012 will be exciting and I will have lots to write about!


Anyway, this Christmas I was lucky enough to have Randy HOME.  That right there was enough for me.  I didn't need one single other thing.  We've done a Christmas deployment, and they SUCK.  There's no other way around it.  Everything reminds you about your loved one- the empty seat at the table, spending time with their family, collecting their gifts for them to open upon their return... ugh.  It makes me teary eyed just thinking about it.  


We were also lucky this year that we were able to go home for Christmas.  While it wasn't a white Christmas in PA, it was still Christmas at home with our families.  I know the odds are against us at this point- the Marine Corps has been kind to us as far as proximity to home, but I know it won't always be that way.  So that makes each holiday we spend at home even better.  


I'm still having a hard time believing that there are only 2 days left in 2011.  I honestly don't know where the time has gone, but I'm happy that this year that included a deployment went by as quickly as it did.  I could not have done it without the support of my fantastic friends and family.  Thanks to those that called, wrote, visited, and supported me when I needed it.  It was definitely a challenging year.  


2012 will be great- although I am less than thrilled about my impending 30th birthday- blah.  The boy is gearing up for training that could potentially change his future in the Marine Corps, and I am just along for the ride here in VA.  We had to cancel the cruise because of that training- which really really sucks- but I know in the end it was the best decision, and hopefully once we are through the training, we will have an opportunity to cruise again.  It turns out those "grown up" decisions are not so fun!


I am looking forward to what the future holds... it will definitely be interesting!

Penn State thoughts

Oh boy.  

It's been a roller coaster week for anyone who knows and loves Penn State.  I am honestly surprised at how hard this whole thing has hit me- especially since I never really wanted to go to Penn State, and swore up and down I would never be one of those crazies that bleeds blue and white.  

I was in tears when I was talking to Randy last night on the phone.  I am just so mad.  Sad. Angry.  Devastated.  Betrayed.  Disgusted.  Confused.  Hurt.  Overwhelmed.  Embarrassed.  

I think what disgusts me the most is that children were hurt.  These boys were deeply betrayed by someone they trusted.  Someone that they idolized.  And that person used his position of power and trust to molest these children.

  Somehow that is being lost in the debate and finger pointing.

I've heard a lot of people say that if you don't have children, you can't possibly understand why this is such a disturbing situation.  Well, I don't have any children, and I am positive that I am just as bothered about this situation as any parent is.  I worked with kids for 4 years.  I know how much those children look up to the adults in their lives.  I've seen what an impact a simple hug or a kind word can have on a child.  I know how much children trust.  


It horrifies me.  It's as simple as that.  It makes me so angry.  It makes me so mad that so many adults knowingly chose to do so little.  How?! How could adults in such positions of power turn a blind eye to abuse?  I know that the second I had witnessed abuse, or the moment a child came to me in confidence to say that they were being mistreated, I would have been running to the authorities.  That's all there is to it.  Regardless of whether or not my job was at stake or at risk.  It is my responsibility as a human to be an advocate for those that don't have a voice- or can't have a voice- regardless of the "chain of command"


There has been a lot of talk about the head coach- and at this point he has announced that he is going to "retire" at the end of this season.  He says that he wishes he had done more when he initially was told about the situation.  Some people defend him- saying that legally, he did what he was supposed to.  He told his superiors.  But morally, he did NOT do enough.  Nobody that had any knowledge of these events did enough.  More children were hurt and preyed on while these adults were legally doing the bare minimum, if anything at all.  It breaks my heart.  That's all there is to it.

I am a Penn State alum.  I know that ultimately, those that harmed these children will be prosecuted, and those that took no action will be dismissed from the university.  I know that we as a Penn State family will move on from this, and make some good come of these terrible injustices.  I hope that we can redeem the university that we are so proud to be a part of- and I hope those that have been hurt and betrayed by this terrible man, and let down by so many others  can now begin to heal and move forward.

November

November is Military Family Month.



photo by Christina Canterbury

(The Marine Corps Birthday is also coming up- which means one thing- the Birthday Ball!! But more on that later!)


You can view the Presidential Proclamation here.

I think that it's important that our sacrifice is recognized in as many different ways and by as many different people as possible.  Mostly because most members of the military family do not want the recognition.  We quietly do what we do- just like our servicemember does.  Not because it's easy, not because it's fun, not for all the "perks" (perks?? what perks??)- but because we know that somehow we are serving some sort of greater good. 

Randy's latest response to any sort of discussion or "argument" we have is "But I defended your freedom!"  I usually reply back with "And I supported your butt while you defended my freedom!"  We laugh-but what he says is true.  He has spent the last 8 years of his life as a United States Marine- and he defends my freedom (whether I choose to admit that or not) every single day. 

I am so privileged to know so many people who consider it to be an honor to defend the freedom of all Americans.  Not only that, I am so privileged to be a part of the families- who support those military members while they are defending our freedom.

The members of my military family are some of the toughest, strongest, and bravest people I know.  They know how to savor every minute, take advantage of every opportunity, and enjoy every duty station.  They know how to make the best out of nothing and make lifelong friends in 10 minutes.  They know that it is always "see you later", and never "goodbye", because chances are you will see them again.  They will drop off the face of the earth for a year or more, but show up when you least expect it- and most need to hear from them.  We are there for each other through missed holidays with our families, births, deaths, and all the stuff in between, both good and bad.  They will always answer the phone- no matter what time it is, and know exactly what to say, whatever the situation.    

I have learned so many lessons, and met so many people.  I have lived in 3 different states and supported my husband and our friends through 2 different wars.  The last seven years certainly have not been easy, but I know that I have been made a stronger and better person because of my military family. 

bad blog friend

Ok, somehow October just slipped away.  


Turns out when my husband is NOT deployed I don't have a whole lot to say.  Hmm. I'll come up with something here soon.  


Thoughts, suggestions... anyone?