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Our Diesel Dog

As I am sitting here in my living room looking for inspiration to write, I am comforted by the light snoring of a handsome dog at my feet.  I glance to my framed pictures on the wall and see a cute Diesel puppy sitting happily with his father in an over-sized leather chair. On the table next to me, are two more photos taken of Diesel his first trip up state. I realize that I haven't written about my dogger in quite some time, and maybe some of you would like an up date. Or maybe some of you haven't had the privilege of meeting this wonderful beast.

For just little over a year I wrote a blog that featured my sweet dog, Diesel.  Diesel Stomping was a big part in getting me back to writing and focusing on my life more. And I am truly thankful for each of you who read the blog and kept me motivated. It was the first time I felt I had an audience. Unfortunately for me, the steady stream of inspiration dried up and I just couldn't come up with anything new and exciting.  There were also new personal developments in my life that made finding the time to share with Diesel ever more difficult.

Diesel would spend his earliest years going through Schutzhund training. This training is generally used to determine if a dog is capable of doing police work. It focuses on Tracking, Obedience, and Protection. To be honest, when I saw it I thought they were turning the poor puppy into a vicious attack dog. But as I grew to know Diesel, I knew that any instinct to attack would only be to protect his owners.

Diesel eventually formed a very tight bond with Mike. Following him just about everywhere and listening to his every command.  Over the years, Diesel has surprised us with his intelligence, made us laugh with his amazing spirit, and given us a few frights. He's a happy dog, that lives his life to the fullest he can.  Even if this means spraining his ankle chasing squirrels, nonchalantly being hit by cars twice, or jumping from a moving boat. With these exceptions attributed to his over-excitement, Diesel is well-trained, and listens when he wants to, is a great snuggler, and a fabulous walking companion.

It was up until this past summer that Diesel still had the energy of a young pup, but we could tell the years were closing in on him. It started taking a bit longer to recover from a weekend up state. And his 10 PM bedtime was not to be taken lightly, his cute way of snarling while also giving kisses is just adorable! But over all things were still good with Diesel. Towards the end of last summer we noticed he was limping, which tended to happen when he would run too hard, especially after twisting and spraining his ankle a few times. But this time it seemed to get worse and not better and so off to the vet we went.

A few x-rays later and we now know that he has arthritis all along his spinal cord. The calcium deposits pinching on nerves that extend into his legs and makes it painful for him to run/walk.  This past week the vet lined up a treatment plan including steroids, enzymes, an anti-inflammatory medication and lasers. After the first shots we started noticing a significant difference.  He got is first round of the lasers today and was all wound up like a coo-coo-clock when we got home this afternoon.

The true sign of the treatment working will be when he stops dragging his rear paw. Unfortunately, we were late in noticing the dystrophy in his muscles and we are working slowly, but diligently to build those muscles back up. Mike has been taking him for brief walks in the morning, and I have taken him in the afternoon.

We were scared for a while, thinking the absolute worse, but I think Mike is sleeping better now knowing that we can reverse some of his old age problems and that we might have our old pup for a few more years. 10 may be old, but it ain't that old yet. 

On The Go: STAR WARS BOUT!!!

I have to get at least one more plug in this week for the Detroit Derby Girls Star Wars Bout this Saturday.

The Grand Prix Madonnas will be taking on The D-Funk Allstars in an epic battle. D-Funk needs to win this bout to hold its place in the championships, but a win for the GPMs would mean a guaranteed spot in the fight for first place.

And if that isn't enough to hold your attention, Michigan's 501st Legion & Rebel Legion will be bringing the magic of STAR WARS to the bout with a parade and photo ops throughout the night.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the bout starts at 7.

Tickets are $15 at the door. Advance ticket purchase is recommended - tickets available at the door can go fast. Up to two children 12 and under are admitted free with each adult admission.

Visit www.detroitderbygirls.com for more information or http://m.bpt.me/event/285481 for tickets.

Pitzy Goes To The Hospital

The other week, I started getting that dreaded feeling in the back of my throat, the one that said there was nothing I could do about it, but I was going to wake up with a sinus infection. And I was right. I woke up with a stuffy, pounding head. I called into work, called my ENT and crawled right back into bed.

A little back story.  A few years back my co-worker noted that I always sound stuffy, and she suggested I see an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor. I went in 3 different times, in 3 consecutive months and each time I was handed a script for antibiotics and sent on my way. The fourth month, I was furious. We talked about my now chronic condition, and the ENT suggested I get a CT Scan and see an allergist.

I went into the hospital and got some images of my head taken, they diagnosed me with extensive chronic pansinusitis. Otherwise known as inflamed and swollen sinuses. I went to the allergist and after two allergy tests we determined I was allergic to cats.  I have had cats my whole life, and at the time had a cat, Garfield, that was my best friend.  There was no way I was getting rid of him, so I loaded on the drugs, and was able to keep my sinus troubles at bay.

That was until last year, everyone I know had sinus troubles last year and I was no exception.  So the other day when I was back in the office, the doctor suggest that I get a minor surgery done to go in and clear out all the ick and open my sinus cavities back up.  Better sooner than later. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, and I am more excited than nervous.  I am really hoping that this will be the end to my chronic sinus infections!

I will be in good hands in the OR that my own mother works at.  I should be done by noon and if I have any energy I will post an update.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me, Facebook me or leave a comment below. 

Stark White, Natural White, Ivory or Champagne?

This past weekend I had the pleasure of joining my mother, and fellow bridesmaids as we shopped for my sister Jessica's wedding dress.

My sister Jessica has been dating a real sweet guy, Brian for quite a few years now.  They have been engaged for a while now, but they opted to wait until they had bought a house before they started planning the wedding.  Well, they bought a house over the summer and so a date for this autumn was set.  It was only a matter of time before all of the planning would begin.

Surprisingly, the planning has been going pretty smooth. She has all of her centerpieces bought, and she has been working on the guest list and seating chart. And now, the dress.

My cousin Amber, my sister Jerrica, Brian's sister Amanda and I will be her bridesmaids.  We ventured out to a bridal shop and amongst way too many people my sister managed to try on 5 or 6 dresses and we all critiqued them and suggested different cuts, colors, and fabrics. Wouldn't you know it was the last one she tried on that would be The Dress.  And it fits her very well, needs just a few alterations, but its my sister's style and personality. Not to mention it looks comfortable enough to spend an evening in.

While my sister was paying for her dress and scheduling a fitting, the rest of us browsed the bridesmaid dresses.  We each picked one in the color my sister wants, and in the same fabric, but she gave us the option to choose a fitting that we think will be most flattering for our varied body styles. We decided to come back in June and do a fitting and order the dresses. You know to give us all time to lose those few extra pounds we all say we're going to lose. Yea... My mother also looked around the mother-of-the-bride dresses too, but they all pretty much look the same to me.

Over lunch we discussed invitations, the shower and what to do for the bachelorette party.  Hard to believe my kid sister is going to be a married woman by the end of the year. I am so very proud of her! And feeling incredibly old!

I would include a picture but come on now that would spoil the surprise!

Missed Deadlines - But Awesome Prevailed

Whoops! I missed my own deadline of posting a new blog on Thursday.  I am trying to stick by a schedule this year. 

And if you are wondering why I missed my own deadline, it's because I had to go to the movies. And I really mean had to. 

Last weekend was another fun adventure in the derbyverse.  Saturday was another Detroit Derby Girls double-header. This one featured two hard faught bouts; one between the Grand Prix Madonnas and the Devils Night Dames, the other between The Pistolwippers and the DFunk Allstars.  I scoreboarded the first bout with little to no issues, and for the second, I made my debut as Jam Timer.  I think I did pretty good, though after watching the bout footage, boy do I need to lose some weight! But overall I think I had a pretty successful night, and was happy that a few of my friends were able to make it out. Oh speaking of which, I feel bad for the few friends that were turned away at the door because we actually sold out! Whoo Hoo! Oh and how could I forget the part where I got a really kick ass trophy at the end of the night for coming in 2nd in the Dames Karaoke Kristmas?

The after party was a lot of fun as well, as always. With plenty of dancing and horsing around. I sure do love my Stat Army friends.  This after party was a pretty sweet, new to me, bar called Small's in Hamtramck.  I am going to keep an eye on their Facebook page as I wouldn't mind seeing some other gigs there some day. 

I stayed the night in Ferndale again that Saturday, and that was a great idea as Hi-Death, his wife Robyn and I went up to Dino's Lounge for brunch the next morning.  All you can drink mimosas and bloody marys is just one reason to try them out, the other is the food!  We had a pretty great time, laughing and conversing and took a little stroll through the Rust Belt Market.  That was another thing I had been meaning to do in Ferndale and hadn't yet. 

All the while I was texting back and forth with Ian about getting out to see Quentin Tarantino's latest film, D'Jango Unchained. If you like Tarantino, I highly recommend this film. It just might be his best one yet! As a matter of fact, I loved it so much I downloaded the soundtrack on Thursday. And after listening to it all day, I came home and asked Mike if he wanted to go see it, and he actually said yes, so we did. And that's how I missed my own deadline.  I couldn't pass up that opportunity! Night out and a great movie? Yes Please!

Bonus! A Look Back at 2012

It's that time of year again to reflect back on the year and look forward into the unknown new year ahead.  WARNING! Lots of photo's and links cause I just had to end the year with a bang!

Here's a brief rundown of my year:

MMDG Bout in Jan

January started out pretty derby heavy as I started traveling to nearby leagues to help NSO.  It was a good learning experience and just what I needed to start feeling more confident in my knowledge and skills.

February put me on my very own skates and I got my but kicked at Derby! U. Not to mention I was horribly out of shape and still am!  It's pretty sad to add that I still don't know how to do cross-overs or stop effectively. Maybe I will try again this spring.

March brought an early spring and some new and exciting adventures! I registered for the WFTDA Officials Clinic in Toronto, was accepted to officiate Brewhaha in Milwaukee, and discovered a new local bar, Clubhouse BFD which became an instant favorite.  I also got to meet an idol of mine, Henry Rollins!

Officials Meeting before Brewhaha

April was apparently not as fun, based on Facebook status updates I spent most of April sick or tired. Must be allergy season! I did get to take in a Piston's Game with Ian and I believe they lost.

May was a countdown to Brewhaha and getting pumped for my high school's production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Oh and an impromptu trip downtown with my sister to see Mayer Hawthorne.

June. BREWHAHA FINALLY! My first trip out of state with people that I was not related to! So much fun was had, so many new friends made! This was also the conclusion of my first home season with the Detroit Derby Girls. Ian and I went to my new favorite venue, the Crofoot and saw Mickey Avalon and The Millionaires.

Backstage Crew of JCS

July had the privilege of hosting not only my engagement but my marriage to the bestest derby husband ever, an amazing Rollies where I won Staff Rookie of the Year, and the construction, performance, and conclusion of Jesus Christ Superstar.  As a present to my sister for her graduation, I took her downtown to see Fiona Apple.  There were also a lot of rocky days in July that prompted some new life changes. Can't take the good without the bad.

A Sam Adams at Cheers

August started out in Boston with my sister visiting my aunts. A trip to Toronto for the WFTDA Officiating Clinic was soon after and I finished out the month in Lincoln, Nebraska! I couldn't ask for a better month for self discovery!  And I also got my awesome first tattoo from Inky Gash!

September saw one last trip as I headed across Canada to Niagara Falls for the WFTDA North Central Regional Championships. And if that wasn't derby enough, it also started off DDG's 8th season with the Fresh Meat Faceoff!

NC Regional Champs

October brought my 30th year on this planet and big life changes. This was also a time of reflection as I worked my 2nd Mitten Kitten tournament and remembered how far I have come.

November the start of my new blog! and the start of the busy season; derby, friends, family and food!

December is still fresh in my mind. Well at least the memories not whipped out by alcohol!  There were shenanigans, and Mike and I's 16th Anniversary, and the Karaoke Kristmas.  Looking back on a great year and looking ahead to what I hope is an even better one! 

...And A Partridge in A Pear Tree

After a little break I am back.

It's been a busy holiday season that isn't quite over for me yet, but the brunt of it is done.

Each year Mike and I have multiple gatherings to attend, and by multiple I mean 5 family gatherings, a few work parties, and a Christmas Eve birthday party for a friend.  Not to mention the extras that we get invited to as well.  Our calendar usually ends up pretty full, and it usually causes Mike to whine a bit cause all he wants to do is go upstate and avoid it all.  Thankfully, he was laid off this December and he was able to work going up state in between most of our obligations.

Chewbacca?

I enjoy it all for the most part, and of course there are some get-togethers that I enjoy more than others.  This year I was able to attend a Karaoke Kristmas that was hosted by the DDG's Devils Night Dames. I had an absolute blast!  I think Mike's favorite so far was the neighbor's party, where he got to eat some awesome Polish food and try the venison neck roast he's been donating the past few years.  Though I would bet we would both put our friend's birthday party at the top of the list, especially since I kept winning at Shut the Box.  And who's going to forget the year I came home from my aunts with a wookie costume*?

We have one more family get-together in a few weeks, this time its a Merry Canadian Christmas. I was the only one who suggested smuggling the Maple Flavored Crown Royal back into that country as that stuff is downright awful but no one got the joke. I was trying to return it, get it?  But anyway, that will be the end of Christmas for us, well, except for the tree that's still up, and the lights outside.

I hope everyone reading had a delightful holiday season as well.  Feel free to share the number of events you had to attend in the comments, I would love to hear that I am not the only crazy one.  If I count every function, I am at a total of 11 just for me.

*Oh, hey there footnote! The costume is for the upcoming Detroit Derby Girls bout on February 2nd.  The 501st Legion will be attending and making it an official Star Wars event!  

Edit (01/01/13): I found out over the weekend that I won 2nd place in the Karaoke contest! I am still amazed! I love my DD Girls & Guys!