6/23/15-Pushing the Envelope

Bentley got groomed this last Friday. He was thrilled to have a professional job and to not have to sit for hours on end while Mom tries her hand(s) at being a pseudo-groomer. He looks quite fetching, don't you think?

All in all, Friday was a fairly brutal day. I'm not sure how Bentley fared at the groomer, but I was supposed to pick him up at 1. Poor little guy. I didn't get there until 5.

The day started okay. Leslie, John, and my case manager at the advocacy center all agreed that I could try driving to BBT. It's beyond the original agreed upon 10-mile radius, but we all thought it was worth a try since I go there so often.

I dropped Bentley off at 9A (very near my home), and headed to BBT for my 10A appointment (17 miles away). I should have had plenty of time to spare. But I-35 traffic and construction evidently created a time warp. I walked through the door at BBT precisely at 9:58, signed in and sat down. I think I was in shock.

My case manager, the beautiful Alejandra called my name at 10:05. We sat down in her office and she asked me how I was doing. I couldn't answer at first. Then I broke out in tears and began shaking. Driving that far pushed the envelope to the point of breaking. I don't want to ever go through that again.

We agreed that *IF* I feel like it for my next appointment, I will try the toll road (direct route with only 3 turns, no construction and minimal traffic), and have no other venues on my list for the day. We'll see. For now, I am comfortable simply tooling to the store, the pharmacy, the dog park and to Sonic for the occasional happy hour sweet tea - all within a 10-mile radius of my serene home. I'm good with just that and beyond grateful for the opportunity and ability.

Here is a pic of Alejandra being camera shy. Her sense of humor and caring nature put me at ease by the time my appointment was over.

My next appointment was with my wonderful benefits coordinator, Gabriella, but not until 12 noon. I welcomed the opportunity to sit quietly for awhile. Alejandra let me wait in the back lobby instead of the main lobby where it can be quiet crowded and noisy. Thank you, Alejandra!

At 12:30 I went up front to the receptionist to make sure they knew where I was. She assured me Gabriella was just running behind and that she would make sure she knew I was in the back.

At 1:30 I checked again. I finally got to see Gabriella at 2:15. That is not a complaint, merely an observation. Social workers in all arenas are overworked and underpaid. You will never hear a complaint out of me for the services they render. Time with Gabriella is quality time. She digs in and gets to work (as has been my experience with all at BBT). If she was spending extra time with clients, I was confident it was necessary. Besides, it might be me needing extra help next time.

Turns out, my time for extra care was this time. The documents I needed her help with turned out to be quite problematic. Then, get this! Gabriella went next door and bought us both lunch! Jack-in-the-Box grilled sandwiches never tasted so good. 2.5 hours later all of my documents were completed, signed and faxed to SSA. No small task. And every question was asked and answered with a smile. Thank you, Gabriella!

Modified pic from Google search of pile-papers

So, like I said, I didn't get to pick Bentley up until 5P. It was his first time at this groomer and I felt bad, but there was nothing I could do about it. They did a good job on his cut but they weren't personable at all. That could be because I was so late, but I want to entrust my Bentley with only those I feel are warm and friendly. He'll have to put up with mom doing the grooming again.

Right as I got home (6P - a LONG day), a new neighbor invited me to dinner. I almost said no but it was actually quite nice sitting down to be fed without having to think about preparation. And it was fun getting to know her better. She has 2 wheaten terriers. My last dog was a wheatable, a wheaten terrier mix named Bear. He lived to 16. Her dogs remind me of him and they are adorable. I'll try to get a pic soon.

I joined my neighbor for dinner Friday night because my plan was to rest on Saturday, but I didn't realize I was out of dog food. I can make do with most anything in the pantry but not so much for my furbabies. After Friday, a trip to Wally World was really pushing the envelope.

Ugh on running out of dog food and ugh on being out in crowds on Saturday. But I did it. It took me 2 hours and I at first went to the wrong shopping center, but I kept going. KOKO! My dogs were so thankful to have food they sent a thank you note to my ex for the loaner car. Buses don't run on weekends. Being able to go to the store myself also kept me from having to impose on friends. Thank you again, John! You saved the day for many.

It was raining on Sunday so I didn't risk trying to drive to church, especially after the driving debacles on Friday and Saturday. I figured two days in a row was my quota for pushing the envelope. As it was, I ended up having nose bleeds and vertigo. I stayed in bed and recharged in preparation for my schedule at work over the next two weeks which is intense. I can do it, with the help of my friends, but it will leave room for little else. I was grateful to feel better by Monday and be able to get some work done.

I have so many wonderful and exciting things happening in my life. I'm driving again, sort of, lol. My cousins will be here for a visit soon and I get to go to the water park with them. Plus I get to meet their lovely granddaughter! I can hardly wait. It will be my first major outing. Fingers crossed and prayers please that I will be okay with the noise and the crowd.

My first book will be available soon, and I may get to take a road trip in July. For someone who wasn't sure whether or not she'd be a vegetable by now, life sure is awe-mazing.

Leslie and I are ramping up our efforts to get my referrals completed for a neurologist, and in the meantime, I live in gratitude every day for my many blessings. I hope you do too. There is always something to be grateful for.