Flowers for your Sweetheart

Posted on by jennariedi

cat-flowerPlease remember to be careful in your flower purchasing decisions this Valentine’s Day as many plants and flowers are poisonous for your companion pets.  Here is a full list of all flowers, but just to be safe and not have to sweat it, get your sweetheart roses because those are safe for all pets.  Not only are roses classic and fool-proof, you can also tell your sweetie you picked them out because you knew they were also safe for his/her amazing pet(s).  You will earn double the brownie points!  Stay safe and whether you have a two-legged or four-legged sweetheart this year, enjoy your Valentine’s Day!

The Road Not Taken

Posted on by jennariedi
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

What I Am Thankful For

Posted on by jennariedi

My family

The most supportive people I have ever experienced.  My parents are always right there, cheering me on when I make (questionable) choices I feel strongly about.  “So, you want to go to graduate school to work for nonprofit organizations, basically spending money to not make money?  Sounds good, get to studying!”  “Oh, you want to move to a state you have never been in, where the closest person you know is over 1000 miles away, and you will be underpaid and receive zero benefits at a young organization but the job is exactly what you want to do?  Sure.  You go, girl.”  Seriously – how many parents would be accepting of this stuff?  Sometimes I get the much needed tough love and sometimes we don’t always see eye-to-eye, but my family is a group of rockstars that always have my back.  And I love them for it.

My friends

While my friends are all over the country and I’m lucky if I get to see most of them once a year, they are the best group of friends a girl could ask for.  They accept me for who I am, flaws and all, and I love their faces for it.  No matter what happens in our lives, I know I can call any one of them and they will do whatever is needed to help… and they know (I sincerely hope) that I will do the same for them.  I will never see them enough, but when we do meet up, it’s amazing and I’m beyond grateful to have them in my life.

My companions

Montague and Loki have been there for me over the years, unconditionally loving me and trusting me to be their mom.  Through two cross-country moves, countless heartbreaks, dozens of jobs, and five homes, my fur babies have been my true companions.  They are the most supportive and loving creatures.  I can’t imagine this journey I have been on without them.

My man

Things are still fresh and new, but he’s an amazing man that so far I somehow convinced to hang around.  He’s a man, not a boy (check Mindy Kaling’s book for the definition) which is both scary and refreshing at the same time.  He spoils me, but thankfully not too much.  And those damn butterflies – haven’t had those in years.

Myself

Yep.  I’m thankful for myself.  Sound selfish?  I don’t think so.  When I was 17, I should have died.  But by some act of grace, I was in the right place at the right time and survived a condition that less than a dozen people in this world have suffered from.  My life is definitely not perfect, I live in chronic pain, and-being human-I obviously have made my fair share of mistakes.  Nonetheless, I am so thankful to be alive and grateful to have all that I have.

Last, but not least: My haters

Yes, I am thankful for my haters.  Because if I didn’t have any, I would know I’m not doing it right.  So keep on hating – and I’ll keep on rocking.

Aging Pets

Posted on by jennariedi

It’s a very scary reality that I have personally avoided up until now thanks to my pets being very healthy.  However, both Monty and Loki have been recently diagnosed with conditions and these are their first real health problems.  Loki has chin ache (my little teenager is growing up so fast!) while Monty has an autoimmune problem in his nose and mouth.

Monty and Loki are my first pets that are my own, so while I have experienced pets getting older and the family decisions that are never easy, I really have not had to handle the aging of pets on my own before.  Amelia, who I had for about 3 months, was my first experience in making the decision of euthanasia, and that was beyond difficult.  I am nervous and a little scared now that it’s a reality for me – Monty is 6 and Loki is 13.  They are not getting any younger and health issues are inevitable as time passes.

Logistically, I’m also worried about the financial obligation that comes with older pets.  I do not want to get to a point where the decision I am making for my pet is affected by what is in my bank account.  I have always kept an emergency fund for my pets in case a large expense does come up, so I am hopefully somewhat prepared for the future as my furbabies enter into their senior years.  (And it’s something I recommend for all my pet owning readers!)

Gods willing, I have many years ahead of Monty’s crazy fly-biting/mind rabbit chasing and Loki’s cuddles every morning.  The biggest lesson I am taking from this little scare of health issues finally surfacing for them is to appreciate every moment and experience with them even more.