MySpace-December 27, 2009-Christmas

Sigh.

Christmas has passed but the disaster of my living room remains.

So Christmas Eve, I went to school and left around noon. We didn't do anything at school. Just did some rearranging and redecorating of the rounds room. You know, typical food animal medicine. I bought a turkey roasting pan that I had forgot at Hy-Vee and Zach and I met up. We went to China Garden for some chinese and afterwards went our separate ways for some naked naps (a little NN), well mine was clothed. I talked breifly to Joe who thought he might head home that afternoon to beat out the winter blizzard. He called me again just before five and thought that he'd wait till the next day as originally planned because it really didn't look like there would be any blizzard afterall. I decided to continue napping and woke up about 7:30. I didn't do much. I laid on my couch and watched it pour down rain.

Sometime overnight, the temperature dropped and the rain became snow. It blew and blew. I sat around my house being on call and cleaned up for everyone (my parents) coming the next day. It was hard to tell how much snow we got because it was blowing so badly. Regardless, the grass was showing and thus while Christmas was white, it was more of an inconvience than pretty. Joe didn't know if he was going to come home or not because it had indeed blizzarded in St. Joe. He did decide to come home. I baked a red velvet cake from scratch and we went to bed. Before bed though, I opened the stuff from Jackie and Casey and got some socks, clothes and some very nice earrings.

Saturday, my parents came up and brought us their old love seat. It was super exciting to throw out the old one. Now I have a comfy place to take a nap. I remained on call and we worked on making dinner. Joe and I roasted a turkey. Joe made baked macarroni and  I made crecent rolls, carrots and cranberry sauce (*can opener* shake, shake, plop!) (That's how I make my cranberry sauce.). Before dinner though, we opened presents. My parents got us a popcorn popper which Joe was super excited about. My camera hadn't came yet but Joe insisted on telling me all about it. (He's really bad with surprises.) My parents also got Joe another Alton Brown book and ROCK BAND! Which I already knew about and am still very excited about. We ended up playing later before dinner. Joe also finally got his iphone (or well gift cards for it) from me.(EDIT: So Joe had sort of figured out his present prior to opening it. Casey was lording knowing about it over him. And then he caught me doing some math about it. Everyone was really shocked/impressed/surprised that I had got Joe an iPhone. I figured that since I had been dating Joe four years that it was okay. I did some math (which Joe caught me doing) and figured that up to Christmas, it was really only twenty cents a day for each that we had dated. Anyway, Joe had narrowed it down to an iPhone or some sort of iPod. I tried to fudge about it and I don't know how well I did it. Anyway, when he opened it, I still had to explain about why it was so hard to actually purchase one for him and then that I was declared by the guys at the AT&T store to be the best girlfriend ever! Joe apparently went in today to get actually get the phone and asked for the same salesman that helped me. He told them that he was sent by the best girlfriend ever.) My parents got me some books and cake pans and Joe got me a silver bird house necklace (sort of like Birdhouse In Your Soul) and a phrenology bust which might just be the best present ever. We had a good time and after my parents left, we played more rock band and Joe took a nap before he went to work.

It has snowed more and the dogs are enjoying frolicking about in it. They enjoy their new rope bones (mamas) and rope balls to. Like I said, the living room is a mess. I'm not sure where rock band is going to live. I'm not sure where I'm going to put the phrenology bust either. Its pretty large.

Its a shame I have to go back to school tomorrow.

I do get a break that I don't know what I am going to do with it. Do I go home? Or do I just hang out on the couch?

I plan on taking another cake decorating class at Hobby Lobby. This one will mostly be with fondant. Its on Monday nights, I just hope that I don't get called in during one!

Today, I have managed to write this blog, wash some laundry and sit around in my pajamas. I also paid some bills and balenced the check book realizing that we spent too much on Christmas! My evening doesn't look too promising either.

[EDIT-originally published to Blogger-12/24/11]

MySpace-December 14, 2009-VET SCHOOL FREAK OUT (originally titiled VET SCHOO FREEK OUT)

Its been nearly four years coming.
In six short months (exactly to the day!), I will walk across the stage at Jesse Hall, shake some hands, throw out some hugs and receive my diploma that declares, me, Leslie Susanna Pope, as a DVM. I will in fact be a doctor. I wish my diploma didn't have my middle name on it. My mom made me.

Needless to say, I'm doing a little panicking.

Well, more than a little.

So first, let's reflect on some of the earlier panics regarding vet school.

First, there's the joyous panic of being accepted.

And then the panic of Windermere. And if you read other entries in that area, the panic of the first day of classes and orientation.And then there was the moment when I started hating vet school.

So for all the tests and all the freakouts, I managed to make it through. I managed to pass every class and pull out of Ds probably more than once. (For sure, more than once!) I managed to make it to clinics for which I received my white coat. I went places and came back to school. Now very little stands in my way for graduation.

Today, I put on some makeup (and since everyone noticed its very apparent that I don't wear makeup often enough) and curled my hair, TWICE, and had my graduation picture taken. I ordered my gown-but it asked for chest size. What do I put? I put 40"-way bigger than my bra size but less than my overall size. I told them that I wanted LESLIE SUSANNA POPE on my diploma. Sigh.

NAVLE has been taken. And I apparently, didn't freak out enough about that. Maybe after I get the results back which isn't until February sadly enough.

I've applied (I guess) for my MO license but I don't know anything about taking MO boards.

I'm starting to apply for jobs. I've sent out three resumes and cover letters and have one more for a place that is hiring written. And plan on sending at least two more to places that probably not hiring but it couldn't hurt. I'm going to keep freaking out about this job thing until I have one. It might be a while.
[EDIT-originally published to Blogger-12/21/11]

MySpace-December 13, 2009-Merry Christmas to Me!

When I was a kid, my mom wouldn't let us buy anything for ourselves or buy anything for us as we got close to Christmas with the thought that we would get so much stuff then. As an adult, I still don't like buying things for myself close to Christmas or stuff for Joe either. That's why I sort of feel a little guilty for last night.
Last night, Joe and I went shopping for Christmas presents. I feel bad because even though we did get several presents, I didn't really get a lot to wrap. Anyhow, during our adventure at the mall, I decided that I was going to buy a new winter coat to replace the wool peacoat that I have had since 8th grade or so. It still fits reasonably well though the sleeves are a little short and worn. None of the buttons match since they were the victim of a loose corgi puppy about three years ago. Its still a good coat and I plan to donate it to Goodwill or something. Anyway, I bought this winter coat from Penney's. Its dressy and fits okay. For some reason, I don't fit into clothes very well. Apparently, my shoulders are those of a linebacker and thus not a lot fits across the shoulders. I constantly feel like I am going to hulk out of things.
So then, I had also decided that I was going to look for Dansko shoes. They have become very popular at school and I have wanted some even knowing that they were very expensive! Joe and I justified that I would need some shoes for wearing in the clinic and to slip on and off getting into and out of my truck in the field. I just really wanted to try them on and see how they fit. We went to TradeHome and they measured my feet and found me some shoes. As I walked around, they oiled my gross Eastlands (which I had bought with much reluctance because of their price though they have lasted a long time and I really love them!). They had sold me on a very simple pair of Danskos but I decided that the dull brown pair wasn't going to be for me. Instead, I very rapidly decided on a shiny dark burgandy pair of Sanita shoes which are almost like Danskos. I'm very excited about wearing them.
Needless to say, I've bought a couple of expensive presents for myself. The only thing that I have left (well, not the only thing really) is a vet school puffy vest. But that will have to wait until after Christmas. (Unless someone went to the vet school and the bookstore or emailed Ginny Dodam (dodamg@missouri.edu) about purchasing one. I would like a light blue I think. I think they are 10% off right now.

This weekend, Joe and I have been very productive. Yesterday, the house got a light cleaning and all of the Christmas decorations went up. I made Joe clean the closet beneath the steps with me with the understanding that things that go back into that closet would move with us whereever. I told him I didn't mind if nothing got thown out except that I wasn't going to let him keep the paintball stuff. We didn't throw out very much stuff. I posted some assorted kitchen things, an office chair that Bess refuses to use because its downstairs (and she doesn't do the perching thing like Roosevelt did), some gardening stuff and the paintball stuff on FreeCycle. I was instantly attacked with multiple (like two dozen) emails about the paintball stuff. The paintball stuff and kitchen stuff as well as the office chair were gone by yesterday afternoon. The garden stuff is being picked up today. We also cleaned up the back porch and all of the dead plants.

Bess does enjoy sitting on our laps downstairs preferably when the dogs don't bother her. Place her on the floor, dogs or no dogs, and she is instantly back up on the couch. She's a good cat. I think her asthma has improved, though I still need to take her into school for a recheck that was due weeks ago. I'm a bad pet owner.

[EDIT-originally published to Blogger-12/21/11]

MySpace-December 10, 2009-The Truth About the VMTH Part 2

In August, I wrote a blog about an article in the Columbia Tribune. This Tribune article was a one sided arguement about an MU vet that was brought up against the state board by someone that believed that after being vaccinated, his calves died. Additionally, the comments regarding the hospital went on to bash the VMTH. Recently, the paper wrote another article. This article (while still one sided) states that Dr.Schultz was cleared of any wrong doing. It also goes on to say that the farmer that filed the complaint is now considering legal action. In the article, it states that the farmer now thinks that maybe he was wrong about the medication given. But couldn't get any more information on it. (Umm...the bill?) He complained that there wasn't enough room on the complaint form online. (Umm...he couldn't call the state board?) Again, the article was one sided and never looked into contacting any further experts, including the third party vet that performed the necropsies on the calves.

Much like the first article, there was plenty of bashing the VMTH by what I can only assume to be FORMER small animal clients. Many of the people were just repeating what they had said previously.

SO AGAIN-
There is a reason that the vet school is more expensive. It is because we have board certified specialists and diagnostic equipment that other people don't have. It every vet in Columbia had an ultrasound, CT machine and MRI and had board certification in ANY area, then they wouldn't need to refer to the VMTH and they would be equally as expensive. These people talk about how they should receive discounts because they are the public and the VMTH is a public institution. Well, maybe they should contact their representatives in the Missouri state goverment. Maybe if the Missouri state government gave the vet school more money, we could reduce our prices. But the vet school is one of the lowest funded vet schools in the country! They talk about cosmotology schools giving discounts because people are learning. WE ARE NOT COSMOTOLOGISTS! We are future vets! Future doctors! Why should we be treated like someone that's cutting your hair?! Ugh! These people don't understand. It makes me so mad.

Those calves probably had pneumonia already. Yes, maybe the stress of vaccination killed them BUT maybe, they were going to die anyway because someone was a poor farmer.

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on 12/12/11]

MySpace-November 2009-Thanksgiving

I decided that I didn't want to go home for Thanksgiving.

My parents were going to order dinner out with my grandparents. Not from any place fun like Chinese or pizza but stupid Thanksgiving dinner. Joe was going up to St.Joe and I could have gone with him. But honestly, I didn't want to. I'm tired. I was on call Wednesday night till 8am and will be again on Saturday. I've been living in squalor since studying for NAVLE took priority over everything else. Now I can actually clean...haha.

SO I decided that I could make dinner. I knew that Laura would be in town since she is on surgery and that results in no life. I took a hunch that Jenn would be in town since she's from Pennsylvania and on equine. Rachel Ray happened to be on call. Peggy got weighed down with a patient so all of them (and Zach who was working so couldn't show up) came over for dinner.

Peggy brought some pumpkin pie and cool whip. Jenn brought some muffins and rolls. Rachel brought salad and Laura some random boiled shrimp which I don't think were appriciated as much as they should have been.

I eventually got up and baked an apple cake, did some cleaning, ran the dishwasher and then started preparing the feast. I baked two chickens. We destroyed one so the second wasn't needed but will be appriciated later. The chickens were glorious. I stuffed them with lemon, onion, garlic, celery and carrots. I oiled them like honeymooners in  Florida. When you set the oven to 450 and its full of crud, there will be smoke. Oven cleaner is high on the list for Wal-Mart. Forget other deals.

I made stuffing from scratch because Laura Goldman was too good for StoveTop. It involved letting bread get stale overnight, cutting it into large stale chunks, adding sausage that had been cooked, onions, celery, some random seasoning I had laying around, and walnuts, apples and dried cranberries left over from previous food making.

I made green bean casserole because well, we needed a vegetable. I made mashed potatoes. I made gravy. I mean opened a jar of gravy.

It was a good meal. We ate and complained about school, comparing cases and comparing clinicians and what a-holes they are. It was what Thanksgiving should be.

Tomorrow, I'll clean the rabbit cage. I promise.

[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 11/26/11]

MySpace-November 23, 2009-Damn Those Rossies!

Back in May, I complained about the Rossies. More recently, I complained about someone from St.George.

Well. I'm back to complain about someone from St.George again.

So as we moved onto radiology, I was glad that I wasn't going to be on the same part as Jenny. Even seeing her when she came over from anesthesia was too much. (Couple in the times when I saw Selena and I was having a terrible time.) Kyle was the St. George student with us. There was a Rossie too, Scott.

Anyway, at first, I really liked Kyle. He was nice and smart. He seemed to help a lot. Then he sort of stopped. He was on his phone all the time. He refused to put on the lead and hold animals. When shots weren't perfect because the animal wasn't holding still or the animal wasn't positioned perfectly, he would critize us. He wouldn't help. Just complain. It was frustrating. What are you too good to do what we have to do? Eventually, he did help. I don't know, maybe one of the techs told him that he should more.

As we moved to anesthesia, one of his first questions was if we got done with our stuff, could we leave? It was implied that while we could, it would be better if we stayed around and finished by helping everyone else out. So for the first few days, Kyle stayed around but he insisted on asking incessently if we needed anything. It was annoying. It was frustrating. I can't think about what I need if you're bugging me! Eventually, Kyle would just give up and leave when he had his stuff done and he had made a vague attempt at helping others. Most days, Kyle and Scott would leave before me or the other two MU students. The three of us would be working on cleaning something and we would get to complaining. (That was really the best part!) I think it really just showed that MU students work alot harder than anyone from the Carribean schools.

Sigh. This has been a long block. And will be till its over.

[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 11/26/11]

MySpace-November 23, 2009-NAVLE

How do you compress four years (or nearly so) of knowledge into one test? Its called NAVLE and it is six sections of 60 questions for which you have 65 minutes each. Its a bit stressful.
Today, I took the NAVLE.
So I think that I did okay. I mean there's so much stuff on it and I've been preparing for it for a while. After the first few questions, I pondered if it was going to get progressively harder. I don't know if it did. There were so many times when I wondered if I was even going in the right direction. I kept feeling that unlike VetPrep, I wasn't getting the full story or the answers offered to me were lacking some of the things. Such as answer A would be right but only if it inclued parts of C or if this happened too. Sigh.

I had grand plans about studying. I registered for VetPrep over the summer but was scared to get to far into it too fast, less I finish it way before the test date. However, in my conservation, I didn't finish. I think I have about 600 questions left. My grand plans for studying included an hour every night and two on Saturday and Sunday. An hour became an hour mixed with Facebook, blogging and FarmTown. House was on TV. The dogs really needed to be out. The Golden Girls were on. I fell asleep with the cat. I mean there were endless possiblites that would distract me from my appointed duty of studying. We all know that I'm bad at it anyway. As NAVLE drew closer, I told my friends 'NO! I can't go out with you I have to study!' And by study, I meant have good intentions for studying and ended up asleep on the bed with the cat. (Bess played a strong role in my distractions from studying.)

I can't do anything about it now. I can't go back. I have to wait to see if I did well. And if not, I need to find $500 and take it again in April.

I did however learn that while taking the NAVLE, you can't put your hands in your hoodie pocket. All of those things, those little innocent things, that you do when you're not thinking such as putting your hands in your pockets, taking down and putting up your hair, etc, you can't do. If you do, the proctor lady will come up behind you and tell you to stop. Then your concentration is broken.
When I got home, Joe asked me how it went. I told him about putting your hands in your pockets. About my friend from Cornell that got in trouble for putting up her hood. Anyway, he asked if not having common sense was a prereq for vet students. That was totally the wrong response. What sort of jerk says something like that? Joe. He says those things alot. Sigh.

[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 11/26/11]

MySpace-November 1, 2009-David Sedaris and A Proposal For A Date

I just listened to a very melodic rendition of Baby Got Back on Pandora. We all know how much I love that song. Secretly, I do. Currently I'm listening to Lump. Bringing back all those seventh grade memories and not studying for NAVLE. (Though to be honest, this weekend, I've been good. Not great. Just good.) (And apparently trying to set my bed on fire with my computer cord!)

Anyway, last week, Joe and I made a trip to KC to see David Sedaris since when he came to Columbia in May, it was sold out by the time I found out about it. When I got out of school, which was later than I would have liked, I called Joe. And called him. And called him. He didn't answer. I was getting so frustrated! I thought he was asleep. I knew how he is. He had to be asleep. I grew furious.
Anyway, I get home and he's away. He has most everything done. I frantically change my shirt and we go. Joe has chosen not to dress up. He's wearing a TMBG hoodie with a wife beater on underneath. (Or was it a sleeveless shirt ala Neal?). It starts raining on our way to KC and Joe is getting nervous driving. And as we enter Downtown Kansas City, Joe is really panicking. He misses the exit. (Admittedly, the two exits were side by side.) He misses the exit to get back on. Eventually, we do have it sorted out kinda, and get to the show. We go up to our seats which are way high up. Joe is making grump face the entire night. I was really frustrated but couldn't let him ruin my night. I love David Sedaris and I paid about $100 for the two tickets.
Eventually, it became clear that even though he was making grump face, Joe had a good time. He was happy too that he wore his TMBG hoodie because it made him look like someone's heterosexual boyfriend that was dragged to the show. I didn't appriciate that comment because really? Whatever. He just looked sloppy. Besides, They Might Be Giants? That's exactly like David Sedaris.
So we got some hot dogs on the way home. Had a fight. And eventually, I went to bed.
The show was good. I'm glad I went but I don't think that I will be willing to spend that much money and drive that far for David Sedaris again. He is exactly what I pictured him to be-small, thin, very jockey like. I still think that he and I and Hugh could be excellent friends. The people that asked him questions from the crowd were tools but I probably couldn't have come up with anything better either.

SO I forgot to tell the story about one of the last days when we worked cows on therio. We worked these crazy Brangus heifers. Dr. Volkmann did very little allowing us girls to get the full brunt of mud and manure. Everything was covered. Dr. Volkmann got out his camera phone and snapped away. Including this little gem, where of course, I am looking the wrong way!

Anyway, when we were in the process of getting shit covered, the owner asked about what we wanted to do, etc. Upon finding out that I wanted to be a dairy vet, he asked if I was single because his nephew had a dairy farm and he was our age! I explained that yes, I had a boyfriend. To which I was told that if it didn't work out. We ended up going out to lunch with the owner which was super cool. He introduced me to his wife esp. since I could somehow get involved with the dairy farmer nephew. This isn't the first time that something like this has happened. There was the farmer in Aurora. Joe should watch out.

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger-11/2/11]

MySpace-November 1, 2009-NEW CAT VIDEO!! An Engineer’s Guide to Cat Yodeling (with Cat Polka)

All of the cat-engineer videos are incredibly funny. I suggest watching them. Okay, the one about Ginger for president, not that great but the original one, excellent. Just google or go to YouTube and type in 'engineer' and 'cat' and you should get it.

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger-11/2/11]

MySpace-November 1, 2009-HallowWeen and Some Randomness

I've always loved Halloween. Its always been one of my favorite holidays with Christmas being close behind it. It should mean a lot to both Joe and I since it was at a Halloween party that we met and drunkenly made out. Aww, the memories.

But as I grow older, my Halloweens seem to get progressively more and more boring. The bright spot to the 'season' if I can call it that is dressing up the pets and taking them to PetCo for the Halloween contest (see an earlier post for the results of that). Then on Halloween, I actually take them 'trick or treating' to the apartments of the various vet school neighbors and show off my handiwork a second time. I didn't even do that this year since wrangling Riley and Bess by myself would have been too much. Instead, I watched Night of the Living Dead back to back while I repacked my snowglobes. Exciting, I know. Not even one trick or treater. Which meant more candy for myself. But I've been eating it all along anyway. Trick or treat.

I just wish that I could have a Halloween where I would be exciting to dress up like a slut (since apparently that's how costumes for 20-30 year old women are) and get drunk. I want to have a good time. I should have gone to the med school Halloween party as a real doctor. Sigh.

Oh well, eventually, at least I know given the care that I put into animal costumes, I know that my kids will have the best Halloween costumes in the neighborhood.

In other news, I am starting to wonder if I even know how to study for NAVLE. Its only three weeks away and time to get serious but do I know how to compress four years of my life into studying for one big test? Each day on VetPrep, its one big disappointment and one big surprise (when I get things right). I just don't know what to do. And Facebook and its damn farmtown keep getting me distracted. Joe tries to make study suggestions (such as studying with others (which I HATE doing) but I'll still be distracted. And what does he know anyway?

Radiology is going fine. I'm getting a little tired of it. Monday, I'm on call. Sigh. So thinking about radiology here is a picture of what I look like when taking radiographs (x-rays for everyone else).

So that blue thing is the heavy lead apron we wear. That black blob in the area of my neck is the thyroid shield. And the green monster mitts where my hands used to be are lead lined gloves. They are very difficult to work with esp. when trying to hold something very small. Like a cat leg. This is the thing I don't get. We have all this new technology in all of medicine, yet no one has thought of a better way to make gloves to take radiographs with? Seriously? Nothing flexiable and light yet radation proof? Disappointing. Tisk, tisk.

I've been a little blog crazy tonight. I had a lot of things that have been going through my head. The cat says its time to make some biscuits so I better go.

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger-11/2/11]

MySpace-November 1, 2009-First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage, Then Comes The Baby Carriage

First Comes Love
I’ve known Joe for four years. In December, we’ll have officially dated for four years.  In four years, we’ve had our ups and downs. For as much as Joe and I argue and fuss with each other, in the end, we really do love each other. I love Joe for a thousand different reasons that don’t really make much sense. They are obscure things and fantastically simple things sometimes. But sometimes, isn’t that what love really is? Isn’t it really just loving without any reason? Like a dog? In the end, don’t we all just want that unconditional love? Well, at least I do. I’m pretty sure that if Joe and I aren’t there, we will be one day. Hopefully, sooner than later.
It’s a relief too that I’ve found love. Because if I had to go out and do it all over again, I probably just wouldn’t. That’s sort of sad but it is true.

Then Comes Marriage
Joe and I have been progressing nicely on an imaginary timeline during our entire relationship. We did a year of long distance, a year of living in the same town, a year of living together and as we are entering our fourth year together, one would wonder where it is going? Naturally, it should be a year of being engaged. Followed by a lifetime of marriage bliss. (And kids.) Yet, it hasn’t reached that point.
I’m starting to worry.
Joe has always been about getting married to me. Something that I found to be odd when our relationship was fairly new. And now all that excitement has died down leaving its own oddness. Odd especially since at one point it definitely looked like I wasn’t going to make it out of vet school without a different last name. This leaves me in an odd place. I can nag Joe about getting married which will only breed resentment (something that doesn’t need to occur since some days I think I’m already walking a fine line on being single) or just wait around for it. Well, honestly, I’m sort of tired of waiting around. I think I’m more worried. I mean honestly, is Joe really ready for a move to a different state? To move away from his friends, family and job? Just for a girlfriend? No matter how serious he is, I just don’t see that without some further commitment to our relationship that he can be 100% committed to moving away from everything he has known. Moving to Columbia was hard enough. Three hours. What about moving to Pennsylvania? Sixteen or seventeen hours away? Really? He’s up for that?
Key point here-I want to get married something bad and am seriously worried that its not going to happen. (Maybe I do too many nice things for Joe. Maybe he needs some toughening up to realize how good he really does have it.)

Then Comes The Baby Carriage
So what really started this all, was that Joe and I went with Jackie and Casey to see Baby Ruby. Beautiful Baby Ruby who is the most amazing little baby ever. I am terribly jealous. My ovaries hurt and my uterus is lonely for a boarder for nine months. Needless to say, I have baby fever.
And in a right world, I would be married and then have a baby. I want one! (And then I start freaking out because in reality (counting out the fact that Gabbi and Scott have been married for three years), I’m not even a year younger than Gabbi. I should be having babies too before things start drying up.

But wait! The real question is: WHEN DOES THE CAREER COME?
Somewhere in all that, I am supposed to establish (well, at least start) a career in veterinary medicine. Not just veterinary medicine, but large animal veterinary medicine which is a whole different beast into itself. Its physically demanding. Not something you readily want a pregnant woman to do. (Not that they can’t, but sometimes, they shouldn’t.) And there are long hours. And phone calls in the middle of the night. And let’s not forget the fact that in May, I’m only graduating. So I actually am working from scratch on establishing a career. Not something that will be made any easier if say, I decided to have a baby. That career, baby thing becomes rather complicated.

In an ideal world, I would be about two years younger. I would still be graduating. I would be getting married. I would have about two to three years to enjoy childless marriage bliss as I establish my career. Then I could have a baby and enjoy not worrying about wanting to take time off and getting to enjoy the joys of motherhood.

But let’s face it. That’s not happening. I firmly believe that what will come will come and it will all work out in the end. But let’s not forget that my left hand is still feeling rather light and my uterus is still lonely. (And well, I haven’t graduated and don’t have a job. Yet.)

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger-11/2/11]

MySpace-November 1, 2009-Christmas List

Every year, my mom asks me what I want for Christmas. Every year, she declares me too old for a Christmas list. Yet, still, two weeks later or so, she asks me for one. As an adult, I don’t think that asking for things (most things) outright, is very nice. I think that as an adult, other adult present givers should be able to think of things that the present receiver likes and gets something that fits accordingly. If I was getting a present for my friend Amberle, I know the exact things that she likes and could get a present for her. I think in fact, I’ve given her some rather nice presents in the past couple of years.

This year instead of flat out writing a Christmas list, I am going to instead write a list of things that I like and like to do. Of course, I have some exceptions that will make it on a list list. My friends and family that intend on buying me presents should perhaps compare notes. Does this come off sounding greedy or spoiled? Maybe.  But really, wouldn’t everyone rather have a present that they like rather than one that was crappy. Now if someone obviously put a lot of thought or work into an unrequested gift, then that’s totally cool and should be respected as such.

I also thought that since Joe is so hard to shop for that I would help everyone out there too. Honestly, I don’t think he reads my blog very much so I feel confident about putting out present ideas. Even if he did, I probably already told him about everything on the list. But talk to me first about these things, since I still have to buy Joe some presents too.

This is my list for Joe-

Pillows (He likes firm ones. The ones that he is currently sleeping on are gross!)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies  (It’s a book. He likes to read and loves zombies.)
Rock Band  for XBOX 360 (Who am I kidding? Its really for both of us. And that way we can invite over our  (my) friends  and have ‘game’ nights. Of course, his XBOX has been rather finicky lately.)
GPS
Joe loves his dog. I think he would like a Milkbone cookie jar with Mary’s picture on it. (I have the order form and needed UPC codes.)
Cookbooks-esp. anything Good Eats/Alton Brown (But he has the first Alton Brown one-I’m Just Here For the Food.?)

As for me-

One of the few things that I am going to outright ask for is a digital camera. I always feel guilty that I don’t take more pictures. But I have been using Joe’s camera since we started dating. So here are the criteria for a camera for me-small (so I can put it in a pocket or purse), fast (so I can whip it out and take celebrity photos at a moments notice), easy to use (I’m a dummy.) and if possible, a cool color (maybe red, blue or dark purple).

I collect old (pre-WWII) veterinary and dairy text books. ( I have about 10. I can send you a list of titles and copyright dates if needed.)

I still like to write letters. (This is another one that I’m going to just lay it out there for. I need a small and interesting address book and some stationary.)

One of my favorite books as a child was The Patchwork Quilt by Adele de Leeuw. (Its an expensive, out of print book so I’m not really expecting it.)

Even though I am graduating from vet school in May, there are still lots of things that I don’t know. So I need some more veterinary textbooks. In particular, some about large/food animal surgery and food/large animal medicine. Ones that include equine would be well received. I think there’s a book fair this week at school so someone could just give me $200 or so and I can get some myself!

I like Asian things. (Maybe Jeremy Otto can win over my affection this way.)

I love ultra fine tip Sharpie markers.

 I like to do crafts, art, bake/decorate cakes and sew. (Thus I love Hobby Lobby.)

I like to buy clothes until my self esteem is crushed or I realize I have no money, at which point I feel really guilty. (My favorite stores are Penney’s, Kohl’s and Target.)

I like to read.

I like old, original photos and/or ads of dairy cattle, Shetland ponies, horses, etc.

I like odd, kitschy things like Western horse clocks from the '60s, phrenology busts, vintage horse paint by numbers, and vintage mah jong sets.(E-bay is awesome for this sort of stuff.  Check out the links.)

Like I said before (or did I), these are suggestions (for the most part) of things that I like that should get your mind rolling with ideas. Good luck!

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger-11/2/11]

MySpace-October 2009-Happy Cat News!

Last week, Joe and I went to the Central Missouri Humane Society to look at cats to find one that could help make me happy. It was going to be a hard task since Roosevelt was so freaking fantastic.
I like castrated males because they generally are bigger and I love a good big, ol' dumb cat. I really wanted Joe to be part of the cat picking out process since I wanted the cat to like him too. We looked and the first cat was an orange male. He was playful but a little too dumb and not very pretty. The next was a fluffy gray male. He was pretty and still playful but not all that awesome. Joe inquired about Willow a black male I had seen before and luckily he had be adopted out earlier that week. There were four cats that we had narrowed the room down to. An orange male kitten, a black older male kitten, a brown female tabby and a fluffy brown female tabby. I then narrowed it down to the fluffy female and the black male but was certain that the black male was going to be it. We took the female to the room and then entire time she stayed on my lap making biscuits and purring. She loved to be petted and didn't mind being brushed. I was crying because this cat was so lovely. I couldn't pass it up. I didn't even want to see that black male. We filled out the form, ran to school for the vaccination records of the pets and paid my money.
Her name was Teacup. She's sort of tiny-maybe nine pounds. She's fluffy and a brownish copper tabby. She has fluff around her face, between the toes, curlying from her ears and long whiskers. She purrs and makes biscuits happily.
She spent the first two days or so underneath my bed. She'd come out when called and sat happily on my lap at the computer.
Keeping with naming cats after presidents, I decided to go with First Lady names. So Teacup (which admittedly is very cute) became Bess Truman. (We call her Bess or Bessie.)
Bess doesn't like the dogs. She spends most of her time upstairs. She readily comes into the bathroom for shower time though I think she's not terribly fond of it. She sleeps on my bed all day and climbs in at night. She likes to be cuddled and petted. She has a tiny meow. She knows that she's cute and we call her our princess. She likes to play with stuffed mice about 6am.

Yesterday, was the pet costume contest at PetCo. I had just begun making Roosevelt's costume when he disappeared. I had proceeded forward with Riley's costume of a walrus. However, I wondered if it alone was good enough to win as we had in the past. Joe didn't think so. My mom came up to help. After some discussion, we hurridly worked on the penquin costume. Bess was loaded into the cat carrier and off to PetCo we went. There weren't very many people in the costume contest. Maybe 6. Riley looked very cute and Bess did too. She was happy to be held. Everyone was amazed that we had adopted her only a week ago and she was so good. After stripping her of her costume, Bess decided that the carrier wasn't for her. While on the harness, she tried to trot around the store.

We won third place in the costume contest. I was sort of sad that we didn't do better. As always, I had worked hard on making these costumes. But at least I know that the penquin costume didn't go to waste. Bess made a very good penquin.

I still miss Roosevelt.

[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 10/16/11.]

MySpace-October 14, 2009-Sad Kitty News

So after the jackass called and said that he had Roosevelt but wasn't going to give him to me because my reward wasn't big enough, I decided that I still needed to do more. I placed an ad in one of the local newspapers which cost me $20. (I think that's a rip off because if I had free kittens to give away, I wouldn't have to pay! But I do for a lost one? Whatever.) Eventually, I got a phone call that my cat had been spotted on Columbia College campus.

Columbia College is probably about five miles and several busy roads away. But then again, Roosevelt had been missing for almost two weeks at this point. Joe and I go there and look for him. No luck but everyone we asked said that they had seen him and the cat they described (such as laying on the sidewalk lazily watching rabbits hop by) seemed like Roosevelt. Joe and I returned to put up fliers which earned several more calls thoughout the weekend. I also managed to snag a cat, cuddle on it and then let it go. It was pretty-like a Maine Coon or something.

Monday, I recieved several more calls about Roosevelt being there on campus but after a through description, concluded that it wasn't actually him. So Monday, I got out early enough to go to the humane society to check. No such luck. While there, I saw several very cute cats and one in particular that didn't really seem special but he caught me named Willow. The lady there said they had so many cats that they were most likely going to euthanize some. This made me cry and cry and cry. I felt so bad that I couldn't take a car load home right then and start what is destined to be my path of crazy calf, cat and pony lady. I wandered back to the CC campus to have an animal rights activist help me locate 'Roosevelt'. This cat turned out to be a lighter, furrier, less male version of my cat. I caught her, cuddled her, called the number on her collar and returned home. Her owner called me back assuring me that Ginger just liked hanging out there (on campus).

I was still crying on and off about the poor humane society cats and Roosevelt when I got another phone call. This one was saying that they had bad news but a cat missing Roosevelt's description had been found laying dead in a tree near my apartment. I asked for details and was told but promptly forgot them. Joe and I went to investigate. Once to the rough location and seeing nothing, I made Joe call them back. They didn't answer and Joe said it was probably a hoax. I made him call again. This time they answered and we found two people, one was a girl from Ross that goes to vet school with me, standing in the parking lot. They pointed to the trees in the woods where Roosevelt liked hanging out and there he was, hanging in the crook of a tree high above our heads. Sadly, he was dead. Joe took care of getting him down and burying him the next day. That's what fantastic boyfriends are for.

Needless to say, I was devistated. But I feel that at least, now I know. I won't be waiting for him to come home.

I don't think that he had been there for two weeks. Joe doesn't think that he suffered or struggled to get out. I guess he just fell. It still pains me to think though that he was out there stuck in all this rain or had heard me calling for him and wanted so badly just to be back home.

I think I'm going back to the humane society to get a cat. Joe worries that getting one so soon will just keep me sad. I worry that not having one will.

I really miss Roosevelt. Before finding him, I had to take his food dishes out of the bathroom because they were making me sad. I was still catching myself looking over from my desk when studying for NAVLE for him curled up on my bed or sprawled out on the floor waiting to take a bath. I occasionally pull back the shower curtain and expect him to be sitting on the toilet meowing at me. When my alarm goes off, I wonder where the claw to the eye is.

I know no cat can ever replace Roosevelt. He was one of a kind. That first night that I found him, he tried to eat a giant piece of dog food. It was really funny. No other cat will climb the walls litterally like he did. (Admittedly, this had decreased with his increase in girth.) None will tolerate taking baths with the dog like furry naked babies as well. None will lay on top of the dog crate or in front of Joe's digital TV just to be part of the family. None will wake me with a claw to the eyelid, a cold cat nose directly on my eyeball or to be scratched and lean into it so hard that he falls over onto my arm. None will be the cutest sheep ever. None will wear his penquin hat the same way. (His costume still sits unfinished on my sewing table.) No cat will get me for my shower around 10pm the same way. None will let me carry them like a baby or tolerate being held on my lap in such a way that they look like a furry fat old man the same way. None will sit in the windows waiting for me like he did.

In some ways, maybe a cat will. It won't ever be like Roosevelt though. Am I setting the bar too high for this new cat? Yes. Am I allowed to? Maybe. I just have to remember that 1) I love cats and 2) this new cat will provide me with new funny cat things.

I think that finding Ginger on the CC campus and going to the humane society and thus crying so hard had to relate to finding Roosevelt even if it was such a horrible way to find him. I think it was letting me know it was time. It all fit in together. I'm always going to miss Roosevelt. I loved him so much. He was my favorite boyfriend. 

[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 10/16/11.]

MySpace-October 5, 2009-The South's Gonna Do It Again!

For the entirity of this block, I have been with a girl named Jenny, who I have deemed 'The South' (She's from Arkansas.). Jenny went to vet school at St. George, which I believe is the Ross school for those that didn't make it into Ross. While this is a bold statement, I stand by two things I believe to be true (wether they are or not) 1) People from the Carribean schools are either very good or very, very bad and 2) Missouri takes more 'Rossies' than other vet schools. (I really don't know if that is true or not but it seems like it and Missouri is very money hungry.)

Okay, so anyway, I find Jenny to be essentially useless.
First of all, she's older. That's not generally a problem. She wears too much make-up. I guess that's a personal choice but the fact that we are now on theriogenology and spent the day outside palpating and working cows, I think now, make-up isn't needed.

When on oncology, I know some of the clinicians complained about her-about the SOAPs she wrote (one resident said she was going to send emails to some of us about the SOAPs w wrote. I never got one!) Jenny also struggled with writting prescriptions for chemo which in addition to drawing blood was one of the few tasks we had. If this had been her first rotation, that would be fine. BUT she's been through surgery AND medicine. She shouldn't have a problem doing anything any more. AND she was always late (maybe on time but too late to help us and to barely get her own things done) and didn't seem to care to take care of the grayhounds much.

These last two things carried over to ophthomology. AND she always had coffee in her hand. I don't know where she got this coffee, or more importantly when she had time to get said coffee. I was there early and always busy. I didn't have time to get coffee! Then she complained about having to come in one morning for a work up on a cateract case. Yeah, it sucked but 6:30 isn't really all that early. Collectively, Rachel and I had been in much, much earlier, much more often. She always had less cases than Rachel or I and because she often wasn't around was deemed to be the 'ninja'. There are lots of ninjas at school! There were lots of times that I would find her out in the lobby randomly talking to strangers or to Sarah the cashier. That's find, but sometimes I need some help. And she wasn't around.

So now that we are on theriogenology. Jenny still hasn't put down the coffee. Friday, as we were getting ready to go, our patient had to be assigned to someone. Because I was the only one going to be around on Saturday, I had to be the student. Rachel had already arranged to make plans but Jenny had decided that now would be a good opportunity to go to Arkansas to file a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend. What drama!!!! Always drama with her! Sunday, she got called in on emergency and did a surgery. She wasn't here this morning to help with the cow this morning. Anyway, we had another surgery on my patient. Jenny was still the emergency student and she had to be there even though she had agreed to let me go to surgery. She was mad that she had to change back into her scrubs. Whatever. Then today, I had told everyone to meet me at school at 7. Even though we didn't have as much to do with the alpaca, I hadn't told anyone any different. I was running late and Rachel even later. Then Jenny strools in at 7:30 with her coffee and asks what she should do. Doesn't put her coveralls on, didn't put her boots on. Was still holding her coffee. Essentially, she was asking because she had to. Not because she was actually interested in doing anything. Then today, we were at the farm and the entire time she was wearing these fancy sunglasses looking all well, dumb. And in the end didn't want to help much. Rachel was trying to help push up cows and record, while I ran the head catch. Jenny moved a gate. Which while important, could have also been done if she was recording.

Additionally, in addition to being useless, I find Jenny to be stupid. I once heard her telling a visiting student from NC that also had a strong Southern accent, that when people heard her accent they automatically deduct 100 IQ points. I wanted to tell her that they don't deduct them because of the accent but because she actually is that stupid.

I think we have the next block together. Hopefully, we get separated because another block with her, I might punch her. Today, I said something vaguely mean as I was scrubbing boots (Rachel was doing laundry.) and of course, she was right behind her. I don't think it was too mean, I think it was sort of quiet and well, it probably was true.

She just really, really frustrates me.

[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 10/16/11.]

MySpace-October 3, 2009-How Can You Be So Heartless?

Roosevelt is still missing.

Last night, I was sitting on the couch watching The Golden Girls and texting Joe and Jackie. I was on call (and still am) so when my phone rang with a withheld number, I could only assume that it was go time and I was getting called in. I answered it and the man on the other end asked if I was the one that was missing the cat.

I answered yes. He asked when I lost it. I told him. He said that on Wednesday, he and his wife came home from jogging there was a cat on the porch. I described Roosevelt and he said that it sounded like my cat. I asked where he was and he said on Providence. I suggested that I could come over and see if it was Roosevelt. ( I was pretty excited at this point thinking that Roosevelt had been found!)

At that point, he asked how much the reward was. I told him it was $50.

Now he told me that $50 wasn't going to be enough and that I needed to work with him. I apoligized and told him that was how much I had to offer. He suugested that he was going to just sell the cat to a Chinese resturant (I chose to ignore this.) He said that I needed to give him some more. I told him that I loved my cat but this was how much I had to offer. He proposed that he had a $20000 gambling debt and I should work with him. I said that $50 was more than generous and I was sorry that's what I had to offer. I asked if he was holding my cat for ransom. He said no. Then he asked me if I liked ponies.

Then I hung up knowing that I should have earlier.

I love Roosevelt, but I'm pretty sure this asshole didn't have him. I thought it was possible that it was one of my classmates playing a joke on me but even though some of my classmates are assholes, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be so cruel. I figure it was some asshole going through the classifieds on Craigslist and thought it would be fun to be mean and nothing else. (I had my email address (ponygirlrocks) on the Craigslist ad.) Why would someone be so mean? There are lots of sick fucks out there.

Joe went to the Humane Society on Friday and looked at the cats in isolation. The people wanted so much to find Roosevelt. They suggested all of these cats could be him. 'What about that one?' 'That's a female.' 'What about this one?' 'That one is black and white.' But they have the report and Roosevelt does have that microchip. Maybe one day, he'll be like this cat: Cat Returns Home After 10 Years. But I hope I don't have to wait 10 years; 10 days is too long.

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on October 3, 2011.]

MySpace-September 29, 2009-Missing Cat

Roosevelt has been missing since Sunday night.

Roosevelt is known for escaping but normally he comes home after a few hours. Or he lets himself be caught. I can call him or you can leave the back door open and he'll see himself in.

Sunday, about 7:00pm, Roosevelt escaped. I tried to catch him and rapidly gave up. I left the back door open. About 8:30, Roosevelt had not returned. I went looking for him and saw him in the woods. I called him and he trotted off. I figured he'd come eventually. I called and called and called. At 9:30, I heard some cat fighting noise. I went outside and didn't find any sign of him. All night long, no cat. I slept on the couch with the back door open so he could find his way back in. But no Roosevelt. Monday, no Roosevelt. I called the local vet clinic. Today, I put up flyers and stopped by one more vet clinic. I put an ad up on CraigsList.  I went past the Humane Society-but they were closed today and tomorrow.

I miss Roosevelt. I miss him a lot. More than maybe I should. Some people say, 'its just a cat.' But would you say 'its just a baby'? or 'its just a dog'? I love Roosevelt. I love him alot and I have a costume to try on him. (He's going to be a penquin.) I really, really want him to come home. Luckily, he's microchipped so if he shows up someplace like a vet clinic or a shelter, he most likely will be scanned. I just worry about him being hurt some place and unable to come home. I HOPE that someone has found him and since he's so friendly has brought him inside. Maybe they'll see my flyer now and bring him back to me. I'm offering a reward. ($50)

I miss Roosevelt and am very sad about it.

(When can I get a new cat?)

Seriously, I'm sad but I love cats too.

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on October 3, 2011.]

MySpace-September 28, 2008-Explaining Milk Fever

Milk fever is a disease that cows get after they calve (have a baby). It goes by a lot of other names but milk fever is what it is commonly known as. Basically what happens is because the cow (most often a dairy cow, but it can happen in beef cows, too) is suddenly producing so much milk, there isn't enough calcium for normal body functions. Some signs are nervousness, anorexia and muscle twitches. Often the cow is recumbent (lying down). There are different stages and severities to the disease.
So to explain the physiology of this disease, imagine the cow as a bank account. In this bank account there is money-which would be calcium. Its stored in bones mostly. Everyday, this money is being used for routine stuff-nerve functions, muscle contraction, etc. Those would be like buying food, gas, paying the bills, etc.
When the cow calves, she suddenly has to make a huge volume of milk. Like owing a huge gambling debt to the mafia. All of her money (calcium) has to go toward that debt (lactation/milk). She can no longer pay her everyday bills (nerve and muscle functions). Even though she's getting a huge paycheck (calcium in the feed), she doesn't know how to use it wisely and instead of being used for bills or saved away (in the bones), it all gets poured into the mafia debt as well (milk). The gas and electricity get turned off which would be like the signs of the disease.
So how do you prevent that? A low calcium diet is fed when the cow isn't making milk. Its like getting a very small paycheck. The cow has to figure out how to use the calcium (money) she is getting wisely. She can use it for bills (normal body functions) when she has it. Then when that gambling debt comes calling (lactation) she also gets a pay raise (a higher calcium diet). But she knows how to manage her money (calcium) wisely now. The calcium (money) in her account (body) and her paycheck (feed) is both being used for body functions (everyday bills) and for that nasty gambling debt (lactation).
If the cow comes down with milk fever anyway (or because there was no prevention) (i.e. can't pay its bills), it can be corrected in part by giving subQ or IV calcium-like getting a loan from a friend. This may be enough, maybe not-it just depends on how severe the problem is.
And now you know about milk fever in cows.
[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on October 3, 2011.]

MySpace-September 24, 2009-Funny Websites

Back in April (the 9th to be exact), posted a blog about four websites that made me laugh. If you haven't checked out some of these sites, you should. I know Martha did and she spent an hour or so looking at CakeWrecks laughing histerically. And here are three more that I have recently found and love!

1) thereifixedit.com-This is about jury-rigged things around the house and on the road. I argue about the term jury-rigged because I always thought it was either jerry-rigged or jimmy-rigged. Some racist people would believe it was also something else.

2) www.peopleofwalmart.com -This is another blog about the crazy people you see at Wal-Mart. Some of the things are really bad, but if you are like me, you will find yourself trying to justify some of the things people are wearing. Additionally, if you spend a lot of time at Wal-Mart, you will also find youself thinking, 'If I saw that at Wal-Mart, I wouldn't think twice!' And then you realize, that you are just from Missouri.

3) thatwillbuffout.com-This is much like the thereifixedit blog and the ihascheeseburger site had a baby that was a car. I enjoy it but it gets old and very redundent sort of fast.

I hope you enjoy these sites! I know I do and pretty much anyone that finds them does too.

[EDIT-Originally published to Blogger on 9/24/11.]