Another Sporadic Update

First day of summer yesterday, a little trip to the beach, too lazy to carry my shoes, hot sand, fairly severe burns on my soles and toes. Clinic appointment today. Just proves I don't get out enough.

Falstaff's listening more, but I'm still not sure he's the right dog for me. It's still REALLY hard to get him to listen with all the stuff out there -- birds other dogs, what Sturmz is doing, all those smells. Reminds me of the guy who hits the mule over the head with a 2x4 and says, "First, you gotta get his attention."

I'm still working too much, but the Hudsons (my weekend job employers) are headed for Maui at beginning of July for a month. Not a moment too soon for me to get weekends off. Yard sales! Church! Naps!

Sturmz, Frank's 11-year-old Shepherd/husky mix, and Falstaff, my great Dane/lab puppy, play whenever they have an audience....




Falstaff tries to hold his ears up, but they're just too heavy...

Despite his serious look here, Falstaff has quite the sense of humor, and a nearly constant joie-de-vivre.

Oh, no! I forgot to blog!!

I can't believe it's been over 2 months.

Biggest thing has been a problem with my hands -- 8 or 9 years ago I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (numbness and pain in my hands) with moderate nerve damage from bad computer setups. I've been having a BIG flareup since I've been working at the Senior Center. Combination of bad computer setups (get a donated desk, slap a computer on it, call it a work station), stress (tight shoulders & eating too much of the wrong things), bad diet (too much dairy, chocolate etc) and Falstaff pulling on the leash. The food thing bugs me the most, because I know that some of the things I eat are bad for my body, but I eat them because I associate them with calming and relaxation, two things in short supply these days.

Frank and I are both working too much -- he's starting out in real estate, I've got too many commitments. One of mine -- respite care for Michael, twice a week after my Senior Center job -- will end in mid-December. Not a moment too soon for me. I really like Michael, but it's time to have a bit more time for myself.

Let's see if I can post a couple of photos.

The more things change....

New dog: He's really great. I worry about his dominance, of course, but he's so darn cute. When he sees something he doesn't understand or needs to study, he sits very straight and puzzles over it, his ears attempting to stand up straight and the wrinkles in his forehead becoming more pronounced. You can just see him going, "Hmm, what's this?" So far he knows "sit" and is pretty good at "down," especially for the jingle ball or a treat, and he goes into his crate and settles down when bribed, but "come" is abysmal. He definitely seems to have a sense of humor -- the other night he went racing in circles around the living room furniture, grabbing pens or papers in his mouth without even stopping. I was in hysterics. He's killed all the stuffed toys by shaking them (high prey drive), and had his butt kicked repeatedly by Sturmz and Hazel the cat. Huey the rooster ran at him the other day too. I figure he needs all the limit-setting from any quarter that he can get. He still growls at me sometimes and puts his teeth on me when I try to get his leash on, tho less frequently. He plays well with other puppies, I was relieved to see, even though I won't be able to take him to puppy class (not enough vaccinations yet, not enough bucks yet, time conflict). More photos soon!

New job! I started at the Redwood Coast Senior Center on the day after Labor Day. My title is Outreach Worker, and for 30 hours a week I answer questions about various services, assess people for home delivered meals, schmooze in the lunch room, keep track of contracts with the county social services department. It's very laid back, and my direct supervisor is more like a friend. I actually know her from Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The difference between this non-profit and the private business I was with before is like night and day. There, I couldn't do enough, know enough, do anything right. Here, they're so grateful that mostly I know what I'm doing and take initiative. It feels great! They're also willing to train me in areas I'm weak in or interested in, so today I went to a seminar on communicating with clients with dementia.

Old jobs: I'm still looking after Michael 2 afternoons a week, and getting Todd up on weekends, so effectively it's still 7 days a week, but feels more spacious. Frank is getting set up in real estate (is working for a broker in town) and we both feel quite hopeful about his prospects, like there's some sacrifice now, but at some point things will change for the better -- like we'll be able to buy some land and I can quit the weekend job (which is in trade for part of the rent).

Say hi to our newest family member...

Falstaff is an 11-week-old lab/great dane mix. He came from the Coast Animal Control office, where these pictures were taken. He's been home just about 24 hours, and we're all learning fast. Frank's dog Sturmz sets constant limits and the little guy tests them mercilessly. Falstaff retrieves fairly reliably, and uses his crate with moderate good will. The pound lady told me he "sleeps through the night," which is kind of a relative phrase. I went to bed at 9:30 last night (Frank was driving for the County) and when Frank got home at 4:30 am, Falstaff decided it was morning. After all he'd been asleep for more than 7 hours! I took him out and aftere much whining by the side of the bed, he got to snuggle in with me, and we all slept a few more hours. Then, about 6 am, Huey started crowing. Through some glitch, most of chickens, including Hugh, had spent the night outside the coop, and he was announcing MORNING. Usually he doesn't get out till about 8 am,and then he doesn't crow as much. I decided it was indeed morning, and I got up and took the puppy out, then got Huey back in the coop where he was quiet. Trying to run Falstaff's energy off is going to help me lose some weight....



Falstaff (Sir John) is a character created by William Shakespeare. He first appears in Henry the 4th, Part 1. He's a disreputable guy, but brings much-needed humor to the history play. We think the puppy will grow into his name, tho he's already adding humor...