Flights of Fancy | Getting Personal

By Birdie

Life, Currently…

This Flights of Fancy is supposed to be about what’s going on in my life, and why I’ve been a little quieter lately.  I’m sure readers probably haven’t noticed, but I can’t stop thinking about it.  The thing is, I’m not really good with talking about personal stuff.  I never have been.  Something about writing down my struggles makes me feel icky, probably because I feel like I’m whining.  I’ve read other bloggers say the same thing, and I’ve always been quick to point out how they should write what’s in their heart, because that’s what we love to read.  So, I’m giving it a go today, because I believe it’s relevant to Birdie Bookworm.

♥ ♥ ♥

Jeff
Mr. Birdie expressing our shared frustration.

So, I guess to start, Mr Birdie has a pretty critical foot wound which has put him out of work.  His short term disability has run out and he’s not going to be away from work long enough to qualify for long term.  What it means is half of our income is gone, which for us is pretty detrimental.  We are so thankful to have the best group of family and friends who have been so spectacular I can’t even describe it.  I’m not sure what we would have done without their support and assistance.  It’s still an extremely stressful situation right before Christmas, especially when you have a child.  I know Christmas isn’t about gifts, but every parent wants to give their kid the best Christmas morning so thinking about how we’re going to make that happen right now hurts my heart.  Cross your fingers, he might be able to go back to work next week which would be amazing.

Then, last weekend my poor sweet baby boy Ziggy fell off the back of the couch and tore his ACL.  His screams were awful, and then all weekend he barely moved.  He just wanted to sleep.  Per our vets advice, we gave it the weekend to see if it was a minor injury and if he would get better on his own.  On Monday it was decided we needed to have him seen.  Thankfully Yorkie’s are small because if you have a large dog, and the ACL is torn, surgery is your only option. (Expensive surgery.)  Since Ziggy is such a little guy we decided to try complete cage rest and around the clock medicine for pain, sedation, nerve damage, and inflammation.

Ziggy.jpg
Ziggy’s flying high on the good meds!

Now, a couple things I should explain, Yorkie’s (and particularly my Ziggy) hate to be caged.  The’re the definition of lap dogs.  When they’re not with you, they’re miserable.  He also hates the medicine we’re giving him, and he’s smart.  Once he’s realized the food/treat has a pill in it he’ll no longer eat that type of food/treat.  Our fridge is now full of half eaten things we’ve tried to hide a pill in!  Basically, it’s like having a newborn again.  It’s been so hard.

When you add these new developments to my normal everyday stresses, like work, home, children and my other pets, I feel very thin emotionally.  My mind is moving a mile a minute.  I’m constantly visualizing how I need to rearrange my house (so Ziggy can’t get on the back of the furniture again), figuring out how to get a few sets of doggy stairs (because Ziggy won’t be able to jump up and down from the couch anymore), and figuring out how to cover everything financially.  My brain is never shutting off, which makes it really hard to read and write.  I’m laying down in the evening, which used to be prime reading time, and I’m too exhausted to keep my eyes open.  So far I’ve only finished 2 books in November.  One was before everything happened, the second I just finished.  I’m currently reading a TJ Klune book and I still can’t focus!

Which brings me to the point of this post:  Keeping up with Birdie Bookworm has been hard recently.  I’m managing, but barely, and I don’t have a lot of time left to go visiting.  I am still popping around if I can, but my time is limited right now.  I should take some time away, but I’m way too committed to Birdie Bookworm to think about a hiatus right now, so I’m definitely not going anywhere.  I may be a bit quieter while I figure out how to balance all this new strife in my life, and while I learn to not be so militant about my blogging schedule.  A date change only effects me, and probably in a good way because it relieves an added stress.

I’m sure it won’t take long.  I’m pretty good at problem solving.

On a happier note, Baby Chick is a straight A student and she’s playing Ms. Hannigan in her school performance of Annie.  I’m looking forward to it!

Thanks for listening to me blabber on.

I really love this community.

 

About Birdie

Don’t look for her in any bar, club, crazy raging party, or anywhere there may be a large gathering of strangers. She’s more likely to be found tucked into the corner of the couch watching one of her favorite shows, or preferably under a comforter with her current novel.

21 Responses

  2. @lynnsbooks

    I’m so sorry to read of your troubles. No wonder you haven’t got time to do any reading! Sometimes when you’re exhausted you just need to sleep. I hope everything gets better for you from now and I wouldn’t worry about your blog – it’s not going anywhere.
    Lynn 😀

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  3. Peter Wells aka Countingducks

    I am really sorry to read about the raft of difficulties which have entered the lives of you and yours, and the financial strain that has put you under. I know, from personal experience, that life is not always easy and can be very difficult and I hope very much that soon this things will be in your past and you can return to leading the pleasant family life we all aspire to 🙂

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  4. Beware Of The Reader

    And yet Wendy you still take the time to help me figure my blog out!!! It really sucks that youe husband can’t work and I realize we are very lucky in Europe with our insurance system. We can be ill without having to worry for the money too.
    I will cross my fingers that your husband will be able to go back to work next week
    As for your dog I know how hard it is to see them suffer and yes vets are expensive!
    Congrats to Alex for being the straight A student and for her role in the play. Julie plays theater too and I love watching her.

    Now don’t fret for the blog, take one day out then another one later if you can’t let go (what the overachiever in me totally understand). We’ll still be there and you’ll see this breather might even be good for your inspiration!

    I live to far away to really help you just maybe make you laugh or listen to your rants if you need to.

    Chin high girl you’re strong and it will get better. Promise! Lots of hugs, kisses and prayers from me.

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    1. Birdie

      Getting to talk to people, even to give my advice on blogging, takes my mind off my own problems! I’ve enjoyed helping you, so don’t even worry about that.

      I do wish our healthcare system was better, and more supportive of missing work. We get by however we can though. We’ll make it. It’s just hard to not lose patience with each other, and to stay positive.

      Thanks so much, Sophie! I appreciate your friendship.

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  5. Angela

    I’m so sorry to hear about all this! I’m glad you have a good network around you, though. I hope things start looking up soon and that you have a great holiday season! 🙂

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  7. Steph

    I hope things get better for you ❤ I'm so sorry you have to go through this, and I hope your husband gets to go back to work soon!! Reading is a great escape from real life, but sometimes real life just saps all the enjoyment out of reading. And I really hope your dog heals!! That sounds awful 😦 But I am glad your daughter is doing well!! That is such a relief during all of these struggles.

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  8. Book Twins Reviews

    WOW, after reading your post I can’t really complain about my life/work as much. I hope everyone, husband and dog are getting well soon. I can see how such changes are hard especially if money is tight – which is one of my problems as well – and on top of it the time of year. That would have my mind going crazy as well. I’m sending positive vibes!!! And the blog should be your least concern – we’ll all be here when you get back. 😀

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