Day 352

#np - Amber Waves by Erin McCarley

Day 351

#np - Try Again by Aaliyah

Day 350

#np - Carry On by Fun.

This week has been tough so far.  This blog is about celebrating life and getting older but when you're sick, that's a bit of a struggle.  I think it's far worse when you're taking care of someone or something that can't tell you where it hurts.  Poor Barkley has been sick this week.  Starting Saturday night, he couldn't keep anything down - water or food.  All day Sunday we worked on cleaning everything and trying to get some water in him.  All he wanted was food.  I thought he was doing better by the end of the night and he kept his food down all night into Monday morning.  

But as I came home over lunch to check on him I basically found him laying around little pools of vomit (sorry, TMI) and I got him to the vet ASAP.  I was so worried about dehydration.  HUGE shoutout to Plantation Animal Clinic in Louisville.  They just met Barkley a couple of weeks ago when he stayed with when I was in Nashville.  They made time to see him and took absolute care with him. I never felt stupid for talking about his symptoms.  They ended up giving him a little fluid sac injection under his skin (like a little camel back) and an anti-nausea injection with a followup call to discuss the need for x-rays if he doesn't get better.  They also gave us bland food for him to eat that would also keep him hydrated.

I think he's doing better now.  We're going to stay on the bland diet for a couple of days to give his digestive system a rest.  Plus, he loves that food.  The worst part of this was that he couldn't tell me what was wrong.  Like a baby or child, he could just cry and give me pointed looks.  

Through all fo this he's been super snuggly (which is pretty usual) and I can tell he trusts me.  Even when he was sick and vomiting he knew I'd be there for him and that he wasn't in trouble.  I don't like have a sick dog but knowing that he loves me as much as I love him is heartwarming.  It's sad thinking that as I get older, so does he.  I want to freeze him just as he is now so I have him forever.  I know it's not realistic but it's what I want!  Instead I will resolve to enjoy every day with this perfect dog - even the sick days.  He deserves it.  So do I.

Day 349

#np - Settle Down by No Doubt

Barkley ended up spending some time at the vet yesterday getting fluids and bland food.  My little biggins is struggling with a stomach virus.  I'm hoping things settle down so he can feel better and we can enjoy our three weeks together.

Day 348

#np - Shooting Star by Owl City

Day 347

#np - Lean On Me by Bill Withers

Little Barkley is sick today so it looks like we're going to spend the day relaxing and hopefully making it to the trashcan or sink before he vomits anymore.  Last night and this morning were pretty nasty and the sheets on my bed are now in the washer.  But I'll do anything for this dog so if that means clean up his vomit and give him a second bath (he got one yesterday) then that's what I'll do.  He'll also get lots of cuddles to make his tummy ache go away.

Day 346

#np - Big Poppa by The Notorious B.I.G.

Day 345

#np - Somebody's Watching Me by Rockwell

Driving back to Louisville today.  So long St. Louis!

Day 344

#np - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!

Less than 30 days to 30!  I'm starting to get a little sentimental about this entire thing.  I don't know that I blogged as much as I wanted about the perils of aging but I found that I don't really feel 30 (or almost 30).  Sure, it hurts to uncurl my legs after sitting cross-legged on the bed for a while but I don't feel any different.  Maybe it's because aging is so gradual.  I know I'll have more to say on this when my birthday rolls around.  One thing I know is that I probably won't stop dancing in the morning.  Whether it's when I wake up or in the car on my way to work, my morning dance is a great way to start the morning.  I've really enjoyed taking a moment to smile to myself and work out a little stress by shaking my butt!

Day 343

#np - Raspberry Beret by Prince

Day 342

#np - Pinch Me by Barenaked Ladies

Day 341

#np - Cupid Shuffle by Cupid

Heading to St. Louis today for work.  As sad as I am to leave Little Biggins (Barkley) every time I go on the road for work, I do love this job and the traveling that's involved.  Thank goodness I have friends and family willing to help me with him so I can keep him and keep this job. I don't know what I'd do without either one.

Day 340

#np - Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson

Confession:  I'm a HUGE Honey Boo Boo fan.  And for some reason I'm really in touch with my redneck side when I'm watching the show (Here Comes Honey Boo Boo on TLC).  Growing up, my family wasn't a redneck family.  We didn't do any of the stereotypical activities that you see on TV.  But I'm CRAZY protective of them.  I don't know what it is.  I feel the same need to defend when people make fun of Kentuckians.  I don't like it.  If you already don't like rednecks, for whatever reason you've come up with that couldn't possibly be simply because you've lumped them all into a group that you'd never want to be in or around, I suppose Honey Boo Boo (real name - Alana) and her family (Mama, Sugar Bear, Pumpkin, Chubbs, Chickadee, and Glitzy the pig) is a little much for you.  But I find them to be sincere and funny.

I just hope Honey Boo Boo doesn't hate herself when she is an adult.

Day 339

#np - Eyes Open by Taylor Swift

Hungerrrrrrr Gamessssss out on DVD!  Lets do a little dance for Katniss, strong female characters, and strong women.  We need more role models in literature.  They don't have to be perfect but they should be real and we should be able to look up to them and acknowledge their faults.  

Day 338

#np - Sky by Joshua Radin (feat. Ingrid Michaelson)

Reunion with Barkley this morning.  After last night's storms, I've never felt so bad leaving him at a kennel.  Boo!

Day 337

#np - Upside Down by Diana Ross

Day 336

#np - Let's Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams

While driving around Brentwood with Mom last night this song came on the radio.  It was a nice little throwback after dinner and dessert with one of my favorite people. 

Day 335

#np - Ready or Not by Bridgit Mendler

Being on the road for work isn't so bad when your momma comes along!  :)

Day 334

#np - Spice Up Your Life by the Spice Girls

Driving to Nashville for work.  Boo.  I'd rather be watching gold medal montages.  Olympics hangover.

Day 333

#np - If You Leave by OMD

In honor of watching Pretty in Pink last night.  

I'm spending the day packing for Nashville (work and visiting my Momma) and maybe getting Cheesecake Factory.  And snuggling with Barkley, of course.

Day 332

#np - Skinny Love by Birdy

Slow it down for a Saturday. :)

If you haven't listened to Birdy's music, do yourself a favor and have a listen.  

Day 331

#np - Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men

Day 330

#np - These Are Days by 10000 Maniacs

It's important to remember the lessons of this song.  I love it.

Day 329

#np - Follow You Down by the Gin Blossoms

Day 328

#np - I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz

Today is my mom's birthday!! She's one of the absolute best people in the world and she deserves an entire month of celebration. Luckily I get to see her next week. :)

Day 327

#np - West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys

Day 326

#np - Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane

On the road to Lexington today for brunch with some school friends and then a meeting at Alpha Gam.  I've missed this place!

Day 325

#np - Give it Time by Tyrone Wells

Day 324

#np - Rock 'n Roll All Night by KISS

I stayed up WAY too late watching the Olympics and Big Brother.  Whoops.  Just rockin' and rollin' all night.

Day 323

#np - American Idiot by Green Day

**Disclaimer:  This has nothing to do with the Olympics.  I'm totally Team USA.**

I found myself so disappointed yesterday.  I switched on the news and saw Americans of all beliefs creating a divisive culture that alienates people.  I won't rehash the issues surrounding Chick-Fil-A.  It's in the news.  You can google it.  I think my feeling are very apparent on this blog so I won't go into those either.  This song does that for me as well.

But I'm sad.  I'm sad because I prefer to love people rather than hate.  There's too much hating going on from both sides.  When I die, I want people to remember me for how much I loved everything and everyone.  I've stated before that I don't want to leave this life having taken things for granted.  That includes people.  I want to love and I want to experience people.  I have no room in my heart for hate. None.

It's hard to wake up and celebrate another day toward 30 when I know people are using their days to perpetuate hate.  I must redouble my efforts to put positivity and love into the world.

Day 322

#np - Home by Phillip Phillips