Challenger - 25 years today - where were you?

Today marks 25 years since the space shuttle Challenger exploded.  Do you remember where you were or what you were doing?

I was a senior in high school.  I was in senior study hall and they'd brought in a tv for us to watch the lift-off.  I think most of our high school was watching that day as it was the first teacher to go into space.  We watched lift-off and then came the smoke.  I don't know that any of us realized what had happened until the news person announced that the shuttle had exploded.  As I sat there, stunned and speechless, I noticed how absolutely silent our entire school was.  After that, I just remember hearing crying, from everywhere and everyone in the school, including myself. 

Please share your stories about where you were and what you remember.  God bless those members of the shuttle and their families - they are not forgotten.

Why do I bother??

Seriously...sometimes I wonder if, when I'm on the phone at work, what I say is being translated into swahili when it comes out the other end!

A week and a half ago, knowing that my boss was going on vacation and that we'd be closed for a week, I called ALL of our clients whose pets are on medication on a constant basis.  We keep a list of these clients & their pets solely for this purpose.  I specifically told each of these clients that they had until Friday, Jan 21st by 1:30 pm to come in and get prescriptions refilled if they thought they would need them before Monday Jan. 31st when we re-open.

Today, Friday Jan. 21st, at 1:27 pm (not exaggerating here - I checked the time) ,  I get a call from ....well, let's call her Mrs. Livina Lalaland.  She needs a refill on ...let's call her Fifi's, medication.  I say I'm just getting ready to close up, but if she can be there shortly, I'll wait for her.  She tells me - oh no, I can't come today - will you be there tomorrow?  *SIGH*  "No, after today we will be closed until Mon the 31st."  Now she asks - well, how will I get Fifi's medicine??  I said - "Mrs. Lalaland....this is why I called you a week and a half ago and spoke directly with you about this."  *SIGH*   I didn't even know that I knew swahili!!! 

Not quite the lottery - but close!

I have had the worst/ best day ever (or at least the best one in several years)!!  Our receptionist quit today.  That may sound like a bad thing, but to those of you who know me and have listened to my complaints over the past couple years, it's a prayer that's been answered!  I won't get into all the sordid details, but suffice it to say, we got into it this morning and she threw the appointment book at me (and hit me), told me that she quit, and left the office.  Now, granted, she didn't tell the doctor (my boss) that she quit - but she did leave.  So, I wasn't quite sure if this was the end or not.  Have worried all day that she may call my boss, apologize and want to come back.  But just spoke with my boss, and it's over, done, she's history!!  I feel like a huge weight has just been lifted off my shoulders!  About 95% of my stress level went down today as she walked out the door!  And now that I know she won't be able to talk her way back in.....seriously, did someone just lift an anvil off of my head?!  I have always loved the hospital I work in, and I have such a good working (and personal) relationship with my boss - but today/tonight, everything just got SO much better!!   Now I can put my full attention into my job and into making the doctor's job easier instead of wasting time cleaning up messes, fixing mistakes, and putting out fires!  Not quite like winning the lottery - but I feel just as happy!!!  For the first time in several years - - I can't wait to go to work tomorrow!!!  It's a happy place for me now!

Michigan football

I have to get this out.  OK - they fired Rich Rod - which I think may or may not have been a mistake.  He only coached 2 years with a team full of newbies.  He brought us Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson as quarterbacks.  Forcier was good, Robinson  - all out amazing!  What our Wolverine team was lacking was a defensive line.  My thought was, leave Rich Rod, fire Greg Robinson, the defensive coach.  Therein is the problem.

Now they have hired Brady Hoke - who has a pretty good record.  And the fans are all thinking he's the great white hope.  Funny, they all thought that of Rich Rod 2 years ago. 

I am cautiously optimistic.....let's see what Hoke does with this still young team.  But, I have to wonder - if he doesn't kick out an amazing Michigan team in the next year or two....are they going to fire him too??  I AM  a huge Michigan fan. as all of you know, but I'm also realistic.  Bo Schembechler's were not made in a season or two......even Lloyd Carr took a while to make things "click". 

I love my team and I will say - we have the most loyal fans - I'm just not sure how far some of the fans look into the future and see "big picture"!  Two years ago we were rebuilding the team....we'd lost almost everyone.  The team is still not back to being as strong as it once was.  Hiring and firing coaches on a "2 year-and out" basis does not do this Michigan team any good.  If Hoke doesn't beat OSU in the next 2 years, I wonder how fast these "fans" will turn on him - and who will coach after that??

Sorry for the rant....just had to get it off my chest!

Getting a boxer - harder than I'd thought...

Well, when the woman with the 4 month old didn't get back to us - I went looking again.  We found one who looked to be about a year old and cute as all get out.  Sadly, he had already found a home by the time I sent his owners an email.  So- we're still looking.  Found one pup who will be ready by Valentine's day....but if we're going to do baby dog, I'd really rather wait until the weather warms up.  I have no problem housebreaking a pup - but I SO don't want to do it in 4 degree weather, considering with a tiny one I'm looking at getting up once during the middle of the night!  So, perhaps my original idea of waiting until spring might be the best way to go after all.  But, the feelers are out and the search is on!!

Puffs vs. Kleenex tissues

OK - don't laugh.  Has Kleenex recently changed their tissues?  I normally buy Puffs because I've always found them to be thicker and softer.  The other day at the store, I bought Kleenex because all the boxes of Puffs were in colors that didn't match my bathroom (yes, I am that much of a decorating dork - this is the don't laugh part).  These tissues are wonderful!!  They're really thick and SO soft!!  Who knew?!  Puffs may have just lost a customer! 

In other news - still have not received an email back from the woman with the boxer pup.  So bummed.  And how rude!  If he's not available anymore, a courtesy email is just good manners.  Two others that I emailed with questions about their puppies emailed me back within one day.  So- perhaps that little cutie won't be coming to us.  Bummer.

So hoping....

This is the puppy we are hoping to get!!  Seriously, how cute is he??  Wasn't looking to get a pup until the weather got warmer, but as I was putting out feelers today - saw this face...what can I say - I'm in love!!  He's a bit older than we were looking for  - but, on the up-side, he's nearly potty trained and he's crate trained!!  Now just waiting to hear back from the woman that has him up for adoption.  Keep your fingers crossed for us!!  If all goes as I hope - he could be living with us in 3 weeks!!!

Grace is at her dad's..

Wow, I'm such a mom!  Every other Friday I take Grace to her dad's house to spend the weekend.  Once I get home, I feel like - "yes, I have a little time to myself"!  But within a few hours, I find myself listening for her, want to go check on her...have to remind myself that she's not here.  By bedtime, I'm wishing she was here - just so I know where she is and that she's okay!  And, I know she's safe at her dad's.....I'd just feel better if she was here!  And I miss her- even though she's only been gone a few hours!! 

National Drive Like an Asshole Day

Apparently, it was today and, once again, I didn't get the memo!  From the jerk on I-75 who thought highways were meant solely for his use and almost ran me out of my lane (and this is why God created car horns) to the old lady who didn't deem it necessary to look before she backed out of a parking space (again, car horn) - I've had my fill!!  Personally, I think when people renew their driver's license every 4 years, they should be made to retake the driving test...at least the written "rules of the road" part! 

On a nicer tangent....my boss is planning her annual Disney trip in a few weeks - which means I get a week off work (insert happy dance here).  With all the Disney talk around us, Grace & I have been looking through our Disney books, figuring out what we want to do this next time around.  What we'll see that we missed, what we'll do again, what we'll skip this time...it's very fun to plan even though we have another year before we go back in Feb. 2012!!  Between Dr. Anne and 2 sales reps that we see that also do Disney on a regular basis - a monster has been created!  Grace & I are becoming Disney addicts!  We're already thinking 2014 too!! 

Just starting....

I enjoy my sister-in-law's blog so much that I decided to start one of my own.  So - here it is -such as it is!  Be forewarned...I may go on rants from time to time, or ramble on about seemingly nothing - but I will try to keep it entertaining/ informative.  I'm new at this, so bear with me as I learn!