And get this...I'm heading out again tomorrow.
Florida this time. So much to do...so little time.
I've got so much that I want to post about, but
just can't seem to find the energy. But here's a start.
I had a wonderful time Visiting with Family, Attending the Casual Blogger Conference,
Temple hopping, Road Tripping, and SO MUCH MORE. I've met some fantastic new friends,
learned a lot, and have something really exciting that I'm working on - I'll tell you all about that
in just a minute, but first I want to do a shout out to a guy Blogger. HI MATT!
This is Matt
Matt is a tie junkie. He loves the things. He blogs about them, and I told him that I'd send you all over to his place. Why now? Because it's getting close to Fathers Day, an don't all dads get ties for Fathers Day? Click HERE to go to Tiepeida. You can check out his ties (maybe buy one or two - and no, I'm not getting any commission), access his personal blog, and also learn everything you could possibly want to know about ties!
Next - The something exciting...well exciting to me anyway. A lot of you know that I have quite a few medical issues. Fibromyalgia, Reynauds Disease, a Bundle Branch Block, Hypothyroidism, RLS and Hyperinsomnia, just to name a few. I also suffer from anxiety and confusion...especially when in public places with lots of people, noise, and movement. I get panicky and dizzy and have the greatest desire to spew my cookies (if you get my drift). Well maybe desire isn't the correct word - I get overwhelmingly nauseous - yep, that's more like it. Some of the feelings of anxiety and dread come from stress, but the dizziness and nausea are caused by movement and changes in lighting, flooring , and colors in my periphery vision. Roll them all up together and you get a time bomb.
So that's not really the exciting part, but what is exciting, is whatI learned from a lovely lady and her furbabby. Hi Leanne, Hi Sally. Get this - I can help relieve a great deal of my stress and anxiety with a PSD= Psychiatric Service Dog. Yep - according to the Americans With Disabilities Act, I can have a PSD with me at all times. Hotels, restaurants, airplanes...you name it and I can take a PSD there!
There is a lot of work involved. I have to:
1. Find a psychiatrist who believes in the benefits of a PSD...and pay the
bills to see him/her on an on going basis, so that I can get a letter of approval
stating that it is deemed medically necessary to have a PSD.
2. Find a dog that fits my needs (Yes - I love my furbabies, but they are older, and like
the saying goes "You can't teach an old dog new tricks!" Hint, Hint...this is where things start to get
really exciting.
3. Find a reasonably priced, and nearby training group...I want a properly
trained dog, who not only can be a constant companion with good manners, but who can do small tasks for me, when I'm having really rough days. ie: Pick up small items that I've dropped.
Ok - drum roll please...I've applied to be a Puppy Raiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs.
If approved (after a home study), then I get put on the waiting list. When a dog is ready for
me, and they have transport...they will bring me a puppy that I will raise for 14 - 20 months. During
this time the dog will go everywhere with me. Church, grocery shopping, doctor appointments, traveling to visit family and friends. I take care of the food and toys, and Southeastern Guide Dogs
pays for veterinary care. We go to training classes twice a month.
This way, I don't have to choose a dog (which would be soooooooo hard for me to do), one is choosen for me. I don't have to commit to more veterinary bills. I can learn to train my own PSD later down the road, I get a dog to help me with my anxiety and I know that I will be doing something to help someone else. I'm bursting at the thought. I know that it will be hard to "let go" when the time comes for my special companion to go back to the training center, but I can do it, I know I can!
So what do you all think. I'd really like to hear from you.
More later:-)
