What Goes Around!

I received a text message in the early morning hours.  It was from a co-worker and she said that she has apparently gotten the same thing that I had on Tuesday, and she won't be into work today.  She asked if I would please cover for her at the front desk.  If you read my last post, you'll hope as I do, that if her 'illness' is anything like mine was (NOT), that she enjoys her Friday.  I hope you enjoy your Friday too!!

~Lucas~

 **No word from the board of directors of the rescue on Lucas's dental treatment.  I expect and hope to hear this weekend.  

Just Not Feeling It

Despite the sunny spring weather and unusually warm temperatures, I’m really having a blah week. I'd taken Tuesday morning off work because I had to take Lucas to see the dentist.  Because I didn't feel like going into work and because there was only one patient scheduled in the afternoon, I decided to just take the rest of the day off, thinking of it as a needed 'mental  health day.'  My co-workers and the doctor must have known why I took the afternoon off because no one asked how I was feeling  yesterday.

Lucas's appointment went as expected.  The dentist, who I really liked, agrees that all of his teeth should be removed.  There is so much recession, decay, bone loss and infection around his teeth that nothing can be done to save them. The treatment plan is for Lucas to have 2 surgeries to limit the amount of time he will have to be under anesthetic.  The first surgery will be to remove the worst teeth, clean everything really well and treat what will most certainly be sinus exposures from the extractions.  The second surgery will hopefully be much easier, shorter and would be done in about 4-6 weeks.  I've scheduled the first surgery for next Wednesday.  However the board of the rescue has to approve the treatment and its cost which will be around $5000. (about £3,200 or € 3,804)  I spoke to the medical coordinator of the rescue last evening, and there were a few questions from board members about alternative and less expensive ways to treat his periodontal disease. Unfortunately there aren't any and it needs to be and should be done.  I feel confident that the board, in the end will agree to pay for Lucas to have this treatment.

~Lucas~

Punxsutawney Phil

On another note, today Punxsutawney Phil, the world's smallest and furriest weather forecaster who holds perhaps the greatest responsibility of any groundhog, emerged from his burrow on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter.  I guess a winter with no snow, unusually warm temperatures and the early arrival of daffodils won't be too bad!

~Toby~

Good Weather--Good Weekend!!

Our weekend so far could not be more enjoyable!  On Saturday, warmth and bright sun allowed us to enjoy some extended time outdoors.  Despite the high winds, the dogs enjoyed a good round of frisbee.  I enjoyed a round of taking pictures with my new camera.  I'm still getting the hang of it because there is so much to learn!

~Josh~

Toby had a round of rolling in the grass...

In the evening we met up with good friends for dinner.  They are welcoming a new family member next week and are borrowing a few of our 'puppy things.' Their little boy will quickly outgrow them, but are needed none the less.  Below is a picture from when they went to meet the puppies.  

For dinner we ate a beautiful restaurant called 'Clydes of Willow Creek.'  The food is amazing and the setting is stunning.  The restaurant itself has a story to tell.  A restaurant group purchased a series of antique heavy timber structures, dating back to as far as 1780, that had been destined for the wrecking ball. These structures were photographed, labeled, disassembled, preserved, and stored for later restoration.  These four original antique buildings, have now been connected, and restored and represents the classic American Inn.  It boosts paintings of the hunt country, classic carriages and buggies and early American artwork along with other reproduced ells from the early days of our country.

Included within the restaurant is a structure known as 'The Chandler Barn, which was built c.1885. This amazing Victorian beauty has two elliptical cupolas, and was originally built for hay, feed, and stock. (The below picture is taken from their website)

It really is a lovely place to enjoy with our friends and spend a Saturday evening!  I hope you've had a good weekend too!

~Sheba~

The Loss and the Rediscovery

Growing up, my mostly stay-at-home mom cooked almost every meal from scratch. Of course there were occasional meals out, but for the most part, everything was homemade. And in thinking about it, I don't remember eating many pre-made meals at all and when we did, it was a real treat! 

But that was my Mom. And even though I enjoy cooking I'm just not an everyday-from-scratch-cook. With a busy hectic schedule, especially during the week, I rely on frozen or prepared food and a microwave oven.  Unfortunately on Sunday, our microwave stopped working.  I thought we'd be just fine.  But I found that when I would open the cupboards to look for something to make for dinner, there would only be unopened cans and boxes staring blankly back at me.  I was a bit bewildered because I couldn't cook or thaw anything that required the use of the microwave.  In my mind everything in my freezer was now going to waste and collecting freezer burn.  Then there was the moment when I realized that we were not even able to have a favorite treat--microwave popcorn. Oh the perplexity of it all.....!!...

~Lucas~ 

But then, something unexpected happened...I rekindled my love affair with.....the stove-top!  Yes, you read that right, in the midst of my despair over not having a microwave, I discovered that the multi-functional stove-top can revitalize leftovers with the twist of a knob and heat up soup in minutes.  Then there was an unexpected bonus when I discovered it can even make a grilled cheese sandwich!  Okay, I already knew it could do that--But what I did realize that using the stove-top is like so many other good things in life that just take a little time.

~Todd at day-camp this week~

As you can tell, all is well here this week at 'Golden Pines' and I hope it is for you too!  I look forward to catching up with your blogs today, after I buy some 'Jiffy Pop Popcorn!'   ...do they still sell Jiffy Pop??

~Wendy~