I started to write over the weekend, but life just got in the way. So here we are-it's Wednesday night, three days late, but I'm finally getting around to finishing what I started.
While I started last week committed to our goal of three walks per day, averaging at least three miles total daily, and taking the girls for an adventure of some kind five days per week, we were quickly sent off course. Monday started well with a quick sixth tenths of a mile morning walk in the neighborhood before the girls settled in for a nap and I started my work day. Mondays are always busy, and my lunch is always late, and I decided we'd get out for a trip to the dog park to ensure the rest of my afternoon would continue to be quiet.
When I asked the girls if they were ready to go for a car ride, Mina jumped up and ran to the door, but Peaches didn't make a move. So I loaded Mina into the car and off we went for our 40 minute, 1 1/2 mile walk around the park. It was a great way to break up my work day.
After my work day ended, I was debating what to do to get Peaches out for some exercise when I decided I'd take her for her own trip with me to the dog park. I gave Mina a Kong and then loaded Peaches into the car and off we went. I really enjoyed this one on one time with Peaches, and it was nice to be able to visit the park without a ball obsessed crazy youngster.
The weather on Tuesday was gray, cold, windy, and dreary, but I was determined to get keep up our walks. I didn't have a chance to take the girls for an early morning walk, so I decided we'd get out for a walk on my lunch. We started with a walk around the neighborhood before I drove down to the gas station to fill up my car. Then we parked at the park down the street from the gas station and got out for another walk before driving home. We got in about 2 3/4 miles over lunch and the rest of my work day was quiet.
Late that afternoon, I received a call from my mom letting me know that she was taking my dad to the emergency room. What I haven't shared with you yet is that my dad was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. His oncologist has told him that his prognosis is good and he is feeling pretty optimistic. But it hasn't come without its complications. He was three weeks into his six week regimen of chemo on Tuesdays and radiation every day-Monday through Friday. After completing his chemotherapy treatment, his oxygen levels dropped dangerously low, so they made him skip his radiation treatment and go straight to the emergency room. He was eventually admitted to the hospital for observation after a long evening in the ER.
Since there was nothing I could do for him, and needing something to take my mind off of everything going on, after work, I decided to get the girls into the car for a little geocaching fun. We got lucky and the forecasted rain stayed away for most of the evening so we were able to get out for our final walk of the day. As we got back to the car, the rain started to fall and we had a rainy drive home. The rain stopped by the time we got home and we enjoyed a stunning sunset.
I was also excited to see Picasso, who shares his birthday with Fiona, and is now eight years old. Of course I brought him some gifts too.
Before I left, we went outside so that Fiona could see the girls. She especially loved running around with Peaches.
Finally, we got into the car to make the drive to the hospital to visit my dad. Mom had spent the whole day with him, so I felt good about taking the evening shift to keep him company. I was happy to see him and he looked great, so that made me feel better. We had a really good visit talking about Fiona and sharing pictures and video I had taken. He sure does love that little girls too. By the time I left, it was nearly dark, but I made a quick stop at the Owosso Dog Park to let the girls stretch their legs and burn a little energy, then grabbed some food at KFC for the drive home. It made for a really long day, but I was glad I had been able to visit both Fiona and my dad.
Friday finally arrived, and after the busy week I had had, I was happy to have nothing planned for the day. We slept in and had a slow morning before we got into the car to head to Okemos for a quick geocaching event. I thought we'd be able to get out for a couple of short walks on some of the trails in the area since we rarely get to that side of town, but thunderstorms moved into the area, so we had to change our plans.
So we made stops at Pet Supplies Plus and Feeder's Pet Supply, and then I made a stop at Trader Joe's. After all of our stops, the rain cleared up and I got the girls out for a quick walk in Okemos. Then we headed home for lunch.
After spending the afternoon at home enjoying some quiet time, we headed out for the Preuss Pets Dog Easter Egg Hunt.
Then we were off, following the egg hunt map to find the 10 businesses that were participating and handing out treat-filled eggs for the dogs. This Easter egg hunt was much like the Trick or Treating for dogs that is held every year in Old Town, just with a limited number of dogs allowed to participate which made it a really nice event. Luckily, the rain held off until we were finished, so no one got wet. We are so grateful to have the Preuss family in Lansing creating these fun events for us!
We only had three dogs spending the Easter weekend at the shelter, so we were able to get them all out for the walk with us.
After the dog walk, I headed to Dewitt with the girls where we were met by Vanessa for another Easter Egg hunt. This was a more traditional egg hunt with plastic eggs full of treats spread around a grassy field next to the Feeder's Pet store in Dewitt. This Easter egg hunt was a fundraiser for a local rescue group, and I was happy to support them and give the girls a chance for a little more Easter fun.
After the Easter Egg hunt, we drove to St. Johns for a hike and some geocaching along the Fred Meijer ICS Trail. We had a great three mile hike and found several geocaches along the way. It was a great way to spend our Saturday.
I debated making the drive to the hospital to visit my dad, but when I called him he said he had had several visitors already and he sounded tired, so I decided to just go home instead.
On Wednesday, I had promised Fiona a visit. With her birthday upcoming over the weekend, we were going to celebrate a few days early. As I got updates on my dad, I debated on when I should visit him and if I should delay my visit to Fiona, but when I called Nicol early in the day to discuss this, Fiona was so excited for my visit and kept asking me if I was still coming. After a little discussion with Nicol, I decided to still make my late afternoon visit to celebrate the birthday girl.
She loved opening all of her gifts and then we got right to work playing with her new farm and the game I got for her. We read books and talked, and I enjoyed our visit so much.
She's such a smart little girl and she's quite the ham! I was sad that I had to shorten my visit, but I was really glad that I went to see her. She's growing up so fast!
Thursday was an extremely busy day at work. I had a lot to get done in preparation for a week off for my vacation, which was starting the next day, Good Friday. We were able to get out for a quick trip to Soldan dog park on my lunch, but it wasn't much. After work, I had plans to visit my dad again, and I brought the girls along for the drive.
I had another nice visit with my dad. I really do enjoy these visits, although I hate that he's in the hospital. Since I had gotten there earlier than I had on Wednesday, I was able to have a longer visits and still able to get the girls out for a walk before we left town. We had a lovely walk around the neighborhood next to the hospital, and we were able to make another quick stop at the dog park on the way home.
The girls met the Easter Bunny and even sat nicely for a picture with him. Mina really wanted to climb in the basket with him, but we were able to keep her out.
After a couple of weeks off, I was happy to be back at the shelter for our Saturday morning dog walk.
It was the perfect start to my Saturday, and the dogs were all very happy for their time out of the shelter
The girls weren't patient waiting for the hunt to start, but they were really good during the hunt. They loved hunting for the eggs and breaking them open to eat the treats inside. We were able to keep them from opening them all and came home with a small stash of treats and two very happy girls.
I started my Easter Sunday with a visit to the hospital to see my dad. He had a busy morning of nurses and doctors visiting the room, but we had a good visit in between all of the interruptions. Before I left, my mom arrived, so I enjoyed a visit with both of them. After a couple of hours at the hospital, I left to attend a family Easter party. Then, on the way home, I stopped at the new dog park in Corunna to let the girls run a bit before heading home.
Before the end of the day, I had to make sure to give the girls their Easter Basket of goodies. They were such good girls through all of the craziness of the week. There are a lot of ups and downs with a parent in the hospital, and my mom needs extra support too, so it is a lot even if I'm not at the hospital every day, I'm so glad that the girls are always there for me and up for an adventure or just some snuggles when I need them. They are the best!
I've been on vacation this week-a much needed break from work, although I had to change my plans and stay home for most of the week with everything that is going on with my dad. I'll share more about what we've been up to this week when I write the blog on Sunday, but I am happy to share now that my dad was released from the hospital today and is happy to be home. Thanks for your understanding and patience. Now I'm off to bed!
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