Walking Snicker

This morning was the first time in 2 1/2 weeks of working that I felt guilty leaving the house. The morning went better than I had expected. I got ready for work in record time, had my lunch packed, coffee poured and the game plan was to take the dog for a walk before work- at least 30 minutes if I could squeeze it in. I tried, I think we got 20 or 25 minutes in - I walked him to the library and let him run in his favorite spots - the ground cover that he LEAPS through. I have to admit, I LOVE watching him leap through it! But it was a stressful walk - he was pulling, I was stressed, had to keep watching the time. I don't think it accomplished what I wanted. I kept reminding myself - CALM ASSERTIVE - but it wasn't working, it was more like STRESSED ASSERTIVE - not a good energy to share with the dog.

So, when we got back to the house, I had everything ready to go. My lunch was packed, the dog's food was ready, his treats were already outside and all I had to do was take him out. He didn't want to go out, he just got in and wanted to stay in. When I leave in the morning, I leave him in the backyard. The girls let him in when they get up. And then when they leave, they put him back out. He doesn't behave well in the house just yet and I am learning it's because he has too much energy. I've been reading and watching Cesar Millan's books and TV show, The Dog Whisperer. Everything comes down to some basic rules: EXERCISE, DISCIPLINE AND THEN AFFECTION and communication is based on NOSE, EYES AND THEN EARS. So our words mean NOTHING but our actions mean EVERYTHING!!

Everyday I will keep trying - I will keep trying to be the pack leader - 24x7 - CALM ASSERTIVE. I'm not that good at the calm part and maybe not that good at the assertive part. When I took my dog to see Leonard, he instructed me that I have to get myself in that state of mind first, then the dog will follow. So I can get this through meditation or yoga. I have never been able to meditate in my life, but I think I will have to try. OY! HELP! IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCED AT MEDITATION, PLEASE WRITE TO ME! I NEED HELP WITH THIS!!
Right now, I would say he is "better in the house" than on a walk, which tells me that he still doesn't respect me or see me as the pack leader. I instill consistent discipline in my house for him and all members of my household uphold it. So, we have followed the instruction of Leonard, I have put into practice the things that I have read and seen on the TV show. And I do see a difference in my dog. We both have a way to go, but that's what today is. The here and now.

As for my guilt from this morning, I will just try to do something better for him tomorrow morning. Afterall, it was the first time that I heard him whine while I was locking the doors and bark as I walked down the driveway. If it means getting up a little earlier, so be it. It won't hurt me to get a walk in before work, it will clear my head, get my blood pumping, prepare me for a mentally challenging day on my new challenging job. Besides, today was the first time I walked him in the morning and plan to walk him after work just like every other day. Maybe tonight I'll take him an extra long walk - as long as my foot can stand it! It will help him sleep better and me too!!

As an additional note - I came home from work and took him for a walk - he was HAPPY!! He ran and played while we were walking. So all's well that ends well. Besides, my honey ended up coming home early today because he was not feeling well. So it really ended well today.

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen

Happy Memorial Day...always remember the soldiers

Today is just one holiday set aside to honor our veterans. In my own family my Grandfather served in the Spanish American War in the later 1800's. My father served in the Army Air Corps (which later became the Air Force) and then the Air Force; he fought in both WWII and Korea. My Mother was even a volunteer nurse's aid while she was married to my Father and traveling with him. He later retired from the service in the 60's. I honor their memories not just because they are my family, but because they were patriotic and taught me to honor my country.

Today I remember, honor and appreciate all those who served my country to preserve our right of freedom. I appreciate that we have the right to speak freely, to have opposing opinions, to vote our hearts in the polls and to support our government in local ways. It's a wonderful country and for those of you that have never gone to another country - please do - then you can understand how fortunate we are to live in America.

All past, present and future soldiers, I SALUTE YOU!!

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen

Finished My 2nd Week!

Today I finished up my second week on the job. One thing I realized today was how much I still don't know!! There's so much that I don't know that I don't even know what I don't know - does that make sense? I expressed that to my manager/trainer and when I did he assured me that I am getting it and know alot more than I realize. Wow! What a day to finish off my week and head out for a nice long weekend.

Hope you have a great weekend, enjoy Memorial Day Holiday!! Grill out!! Eat Food!!

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen

Happy Monday!!

Week 2 and all goes well. Tomorrow I have my first face-to-face meetings with a client, which I'm looking forward to! I rode the Coaster again today and that went well. The job is a good thing!!

This week is finale week: tonight is the season finale of two of my favorite shows - 24 and Heroes. Thank God for TIVO!! Going to watch Jack Bauer kick some ass on 24 and save Heroes for another day....:) Then who will be the next American Idol? Will it be Blake or Jordin? What do you think?

This week I'm going to enjoy my new job, enjoy the finales, and write all about it!! :)

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

My First Week at Work

Well, even though I was stressed while I was off work and didn't get to REALLY enjoy my time - there's something to say about not having to get up at 5:30am and start my day!! This week was my first week on my new job. I had to recalibrate my internal timing to wake up early.

Fortunately, day 1 I didn't have to be at work until 9am. So I got up around 6:30am. The office is at least an hour drive from home, if there is heavier traffic, then it's 1 hr 20 min. My first day, I made it just in the nick of time. The rest of the week I needed to be there at 8am because there were meetings everyday at 8, so I had to get up at 5:30am, take care of the dog and myself to get out of the door in time. After 4 days of driving in heavy traffic, crawling along, I decided to ride the Coaster. It's really great here in San Diego, I can get the coaster about 10 mi from my house, ride it to the station closest to my office in 20 minutes, then catch a shuttle to the driveway at my office!! I'm at work in 30-35 minutes and have had time to listen to my book on IPOD, relax and I loved it!!

I learned alot at work - I am working in the telecom industry for a hardware/firmware manufacturer. I have to learn the industry, the language, the hardware, the process, the supply chain and my customers!! I'm well on my way, I've had many training meetings all week. It's very interesting and I'm glad that I accepted this position. I believe I will do really well here.

The company is global and I love working with global teams. I find it to be fulfilling, fun, and interesting making friends in other parts of the world.

The fun things that I did this week - I got to shop for new clothes for work. I got some really cute clothes. Since I'm still recovering from my foot surgery, the shoe thing is the challenge. I bought 2 pair of Ugg Clogs, very cute and will work when I have to dress up. The only problem, the first time I wore them, I got blisters on toes - OUCH!! So, I had to give those a rest this week and will have to wear bandaids on my toes and wear socks when I want to wear them at work.

We went out to eat on Saturday night to celebrate my new job! That was sooooooo good! We went to Vera Cruz Fish House in San Marcos. It was fantastic! I got Blue Nose Sea Bass and all I can say is that it was so delicious that a day later I recall how delicious it was. MMMmmm! I spent alot of time walking my dog this weekend, after listening to Cesar Millan's book. Everything he does with his dogs are after they have been exercised. So, I've been walking as much as my foot will allow.

I'll try to write more often, this week was just a bear. But I have to get going - it's almost bedtime! I'm not used to going to bed so early, but I have to or I can't get up! Take care!!

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

Transplant delayed for now

The kidney transplant did not happen this time. But it's ok, at least we know it's coming and could come at any moment in time. :)

God bless you! and Thanks for the prayers.

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt

Kidney Transplant

Today we got the call that my soon-to-be husband could get a kidney transplant tonight. There are alot of conditions and he's just one of the folks on the list that has been notified. We won't know for another hr or two, but it could happen.

Please pray for this to happen, either today or sometime soon. He would feel soooooooo much better if this would happen for him.

More on this later and have a great weekend!

"Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!"
--- Eleanor Roosevelt