Thankful & Throw Back Thursday

I'm combining both Thankful Thursday and Throw Back Thursday because they will deal with the same subject. One year ago today, my sweet Pooka Bear passed away after having a blood clot cause a stroke.

I adopted Pooka {and his brother Higgy} in May of 1998. He was this tiny little black kitty sitting in a very large wicker basket. I leaned down and he ran right over. I picked him up and he immediately started purring. I was done. He had to come home.

Over the years he was the friendliest kitty I've met. He was like a dog in that he would run up to anyone and rub against their legs purring. He made friends with all our friends and all service people who came to the house. He loved attention!

My little boy overcame so much too. He had multiple bladder infections each year, until we learned he had bladder stones. Once that was discovered, he had surgery to remove them so he didn't die. He had more than we thought, but came through with flying colors!

Next, he was diagnosed with diabetes and had to have daily insulin. He handled it way better than I! We would put him on the counter, grab his meds, fill his needle, then give it to him. He purred the entire time. Afterwards he would jump off the counter and head to his bowl, knowing breakfast was on it's way!

We were lucky that his diabetes went into remission. For a couple years he led a normal kitty life. He was so loved by all that when we went to Europe in 2010, the boarding kennel we left him at almost didn't give him back! They loved him that much and said to bring him back soon.

A couple years ago he was diagnosed with hyperthyroid, which was rough on him because his body wanted to eat, but his diabetes said no. He wasn't thrilled about not getting more food, but he was still his happy self.

Then in Feb. of 2013 he lost use of his back leg. One moment he could walk, the next nothing. They couldn't figure it out, but sent us home thinking he might gain some use of it. He did. He limped around, but he could get around pretty well. We were so happy.

Then a year ago today, I was sitting at my computer desk. The same one I'm at now and looked down. His cute little face looked up at me with his typical, "Hi Mommy!" smile. I picked him up, petted him, cuddled him, and softly put him down. He walked away purring.

A few minutes later I saw him in front of the bathroom door, his normal spot. I called to him, but no response. I got up and checked on him, but nothing. He was breathing, but non-responsive. I kept petting him and talking to him. Eventually he started to come around. He scared me. I tried to get him to walk, but nothing.

I took him to the kitchen and he kinda walks, but not really. We put him in his bin from his paralyzed days and call the vet. We get an appointment at 3:00 p.m. And we wait. I kept him with me at the desk, talked to him, and petted him.

We go to the vet to find out a blood clot broke off, went to his brain, and caused a stroke. There was nothing they could do for him. In all the years we took Pooka to our vet, they had never not  been able to fix him.

So, for today's Thankful Thursday I am so very thankful I was able to have my Pooka Bear for 15 years. He was one of the best kitties you could ever have {he even converted my husband from a non-cat person to a cat person!}. I love you buddy and miss you horribly.

A pretty normal Pooka position

He was a big boy and loved watching the birds.

He loved the Christmas Village...and knocking the Christmas Village over...

Probably my favorite photo of Pooka. He loved drinking water from the sink. I walked by the bathroom one morning and he was just sitting there...waiting. {I caved and turned on the faucet.}

Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for love. This sounds sappy I know, but here's why. I am attending the wedding of a college friend this evening.

Lately, we have been attending a good number of weddings. Last September my husband's co-worker celebrated their wedding in Philadelphia. My cousin married her long time boyfriend in New Jersey. My lovely friend Stephanie eloped in March, then we partied at her reception in June (which I had the honor of photographing) at her parent's home in Gettysburg.

Today's wedding is in San Antonio, TX at Bella Spring. Our friend has always dated a good deal, but never could find one girl that was the one. Well, now he has and we are all going to celebrate them starting their lives together.

To finish off the year of weddings, we have another wedding in the Philly area in September of another college friend. Then in November, we finally get to attend a local wedding of another college friend. Next August another set of friends will be marrying after 20 years together.

So, today let's be thankful for love and finding that special someone to spend our lives with whether you marry or not. A lifetime of being with the person you love is a wonderful thing.


Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday! How's your week been going? Mine's been good thanks! Today is Thankful Thursday. Have you thought about what you are thankful for today?

Today I am thankful for my creativity. I believe it is one of my better qualities and today I am happy I have it. Well...sometimes it's bad. I can't do horror movies because I can believe it could really happen a little too much to feel safe. LOL!

But, overall I am thankful I have a creative mind. I love photography and trying to find an unusual angle for an image or a fun place to take a photo. I was luck enough to photograph my friend's wedding reception this past Saturday {check it out here}. I also had the chance to photograph my college friend's family while they played mini-golf {check it out here}.

I also take photos of my adorable kitties - Higgy, Pooka, and Elizabeth. I'm addicted to photos of Ferris Wheel's {here and here}. I take pictures at baseball games {York Revolution & Philadelphia Phillies}. And don't get me started on vacation photos {Rome, Florence, Pisa/Venice, Paris, London, Atlantic City...}.

What are you thankful for today? Are you creative? Are you into photography? What hobby do you do that makes you happy?
Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

This week might seem a little generic, but I am thankful for what I have. I have a house with three bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a living room, kitchen, dinning room, basement, attic, and 1.76 acres of land. I have a car {and so does hubby} that runs and I can get fixed when it doesn't. We have three cats {and two who have passed on that we were able to afford their medical treatment when necessary}.

I have a t.v. with cable. When my laptop got all wonky, I had the option of repairing or buying new. All of my rooms have furniture. We have a riding lawn mower to cut the yard. We have a snow blower to help snow blow our gravel driveway in winter.

We have just about finalized the plans to build a deck in our back yard. We have a table with chairs for it, a grill, chairs and a table for reading, etc., and a small bar area already.

We have a room in the house dedicated to workout equipment {weight bench, treadmill, NordicTrack, and elliptical}. I have boxes and boxes of Christmas stuff so I can decorate the house all pretty come the holidays.

I am lucky enough to feed my passion for photography with two DSLR cameras - a Rebel and a 7d. I have lenses for these cameras. I have extra memory cards. I have camera bags. I have a smartphone {though recent} and a Kindle.

So today, as I've been stressing myself out for a week about things I cannot control, I am thankful for the "things" in my life. I know that may sound selfish, but I know I am damn lucky to have what I do. I can stress over what I don't have {as we all do}. Or, I can take the time to remember I am extremely lucky. I have the disposable income to make my life comfortable even if I may wish for things I do not have.

What are you thankful for today?

Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

I am very thankful today for my veterinarian. Since we moved to PA in 2004, we found a good vet for our kitties just up the road from us. We have been taking our little ones there since 2005. We believe our vet gave us much more time with Pooka {who passed away last July} and Higgy {who passed away last month} than we would have with any other vet.

Why do I say this? Pooka had a history of bladder infections for several years before we took him in. After doing an exam, our vet did an ultrasound on his belly and found bladder stones. No one else had bothered to do that, even though we told other vets of his history. Turns out Pooka needed surgery. So, my sweet Pooka had bladder surgery. Afterwards, we found out there were more stones than they realized.

A few years later, Pooka was diagnosed with diabetes. We had to cut his food back and put him on a daily insulin shot. Our vet decided to try a newly approved cat insulin that in trials in Australia put cats into remission 50% of the time {they had to start on this insulin, they couldn't switch from a different one}. We thought it was worth a shot. Two years later, Pooka was insulin free and had gone into remission.

Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with a hyperthyroid. Poor boy! He couldn't eat more because of his diabetes, but his thyroid was attacking him.

Then five months before he passed away, his back legs went paralyzed. Our vet didn't know why, but thought there was a chance he would get the ability to walk back. So, we took him home and a couple weeks later he could walk...wobbly,  but could walk.

Sadly, in July of 2013, Pooka suffered a blood clot that went to the brain and caused a stroke. There was nothing anyone could do. We had to put him down. We knew that we had so many years with our little boy because of our vet.

Pooka's brother Higgy had been pretty healthy. The only big issue he had was being diagnosed with OCD {he liked to lick his tummy bare}. Then a few years ago his thyroid went wonky and he was diagnosed with a hyperthyroid {It was before Pooka's diagnosis.}. We played with medication and while he lost weight, we were able to keep him from losing too much. It was under control.

Then this past January, Higgy's front leg swelled up. No idea why. We took him into the vet that day, he did tests, and determined lymphatic cancer and took 1+ml fluid out of his lungs. We anticipated losing our little tabby then. But, our vet gave us meds and told us to come in the following week with Higgy. We went in a few days later to go over this results and diagnosis was confirmed.

When we brought Higgy in 10 days later, his cancer had grown, but the fluid in his lungs was the same. We had hope. Not that he would live forever, but that it wasn't his day yet. So we took him home, to bring him back in 2 months unless we needed to earlier.

We brought him in 2 months later and his tests were great! No more fluid in his lungs. We didn't do the ultrasound on the cancer since we knew it would still be there. Symptoms were being controlled, so we were happy. Especially after our vet told us as he walked out that he did not expect Higgy to last the two months.

Sadly, at the end of the month he was having bathroom issues. We took him in and started a long two month battle against weakening muscles in his hind legs. In the end, he was struggling so much to walk, jump, go to the bathroom that we could not justify making him go through that anymore. We had to say good bye.

Well, today we received a letter in the mail from the CPAA {Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance}. I had no idea why we would receive a letter from them {I didn't even know who they were until I opened the letter!}. It turns out our veterinary hospital made a donation in Higgy's name. I got through only the first line before I started crying. How absolutely sweet of them to do that. I have no illusions that our vet does what he does because we pay him. Our joke is we've spent enough money on Higgy and Pooka to pay his kid's way through college! So, to receive a letter saying they made a donation in his name? Floored me.

So, today I am grateful for my vet's office. I have always appreciated their knowledge, kindness, and professionalism, but now I am thankful for their thoughtfulness.


Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

Sorry it's been a few weeks since I've posted a Thankful Thursday. As much as I believe in Thankful Thursday, it was rough after loosing my Higgy.

But, I am back and ready to be appreciative. Today, I am thankful for the ability to read. I know that seems strange, but I have always been a reader. I've read since I was a little kid and have spent more money than I want to think about on books. Seriously. You know those hypothetical questions that we always answer for fun? The one that I always find fun to answer is, "If you could max out your credit card at any store, what store would it be?" My answer is always a book store!

Oh yes. I was the girl who took her handwriting book home in 8th grade so I could spend that 15 minutes each morning reading rather than writing. It was kinda funny when the teacher asked why I wasn't writing and I showed her I was done. BTW, I got an A in handwriting. LOL!

I remember reading Christopher Pike and having to stay up all night until I finished the story because he scared the living daylights out of me! I remember reading Choose Your Own Adventure books and reading through all the options. I remember reading the classics at my grandparents house in those books that were 3 inches by 3 inches. LOL!

Today, I read a variety of books - history, biography, horror, crime, romance, self-help, sports, fantasy... In general, if it sounds interesting I'm willing to give it a shot! Reading lets me go to another place, another time. It educated me on things that I didn't know how to do without having to ask. Reading let me be happy.

Favorite all-time book? Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell 

Do you read? What's your favorite book? What should I be reading?
Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

Sorry I missed Thankful Thursday last week. I had one in mind for it, but it was a really busy day. So, I am going to use last week's thankfulness today!

I play around on Twitter {you can follow along with my adventures by clicking on that little button down below!} and have found some absolutely wonderful people! I am so thankful to have "met" them and appreciate the kindness they have shown a complete stranger.

I have had personal trainers give me advise on my training {for free}, nutritionists look at my diet & make suggestions {for free}, people support my thoughts on training, commiserate on a bad run/race/day, and remember when big things were happening & ask how they went. I so appreciate these lovely people taking a chance on "following" me and then interacting me. They are wonderful people and I am thankful for them.

What are you thankful today?


Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday peeps! It's here again! 

What am I thankful for this week? I'm going completely basic this week. I am ever so thankful for my house. Yes. I know. Totally basic. But, this winter and the last wacky weather week has made me appreciate having somewhere warm to lay my head at night.

I admit, my bedroom does not have heat or air conditioning, but we're ok with this. We have adjusted (heated mattress pad/electric blanket in winter & fan in summer) and other than this year, we never had to worry about the lack. This year, I spent Jan. through early April sleeping on the sofa in the living room because it was just too darn cold!

But, you know what? WHO CARES???? I have a house. I have a place to put my crap. I have a place to rest my head - bed or otherwise. I have a place to eat. I have a place to house my adorable furbabies. I have a place to go when I need to get away. I have a place I can decorate and make my own.

I am lucky. There are many people who have no home at all. There are many people who want to own a home, but cannot. There are many people who would love to know where they are putting their head down at night.

So today I am thankful for my home. I am a lucky person to have the lovely place that I have. What are you thankful for today?

Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

Today's Thankful Thursday is a simple one. I am thankful for my bed. You may think this is silly, but no. In my house the bedroom does not have heat or air conditioning. In winter, we normally have an electric blanket and mattress pad, but this year we didn't get them on before the bitter cold hit. Then we dealt with two polar vortex, plus lots of cold weather and snow in-between. When that happens, my bedroom is like ice! For a good portion of the winter (January through April), I slept on the sofa in the living room. It was small when you add in two cats.

But, this past week I've been able to go back to my bed. I've been able to curl up in my soft bed under lots of blankets and sleep. It has been heaven! There is just something about sleeping in your own bed that makes going to bed that much better.

So today just sleeping in my own bed makes me very thankful. What are you thankful for today?

Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday again! This has been fun. I hope it is getting you thinking too!

This week I am very thankful for where I am in life. I am not where I would like to be professionally honestly, but I do have a job. Hubby doesn't like his either, but he has a good paying one. I am thankful that I can be picky at the moment about my employment, so I can work somewhere I like, rather than hating my job to pay the bills.

This past week (as you read about last night) I had to replace my laptop. While I did closely look at cost and wanted the best one I could for the least amount of money, I knew I could go out for a new one immediately. We have the finances to do that.

Since February we've been talking to contractors about building a deck in the backyard. We've lived in our house for 9.5 years and it was really something I had wanted when we originally looked at houses in 2004. I had to chose between land/price vs. a deck. The land/price house won out. But, this year we are investing in a deck. We will finance it, but we are in a place where we can.

I don't say this to be all "look how awesome I am that I can afford these things." I share this because I know as the hashtag says #firstworldproblems is really what I am thankful for. I am thankful that I am in a place in my life that I am fortunate enough to do them. I understand that I am lucky. Life could be so much worse than mine is.

And this is what I need to remember when I'm frustrated over not being able to do something or buy something. Because in reality, what I can't do or what I can't afford are all "extras." My basic needs are met. I so appreciate that this is my life.

What have you done recently that's really a #firstworldproblem?
Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

It's Thankful Thursday again! What a great way to remember what is good in our lives!

Today I am thankful for my friends. I have some amazing ones and am ever so lucky to have them. I'm gonna cheat and include my hubby as my best friend. Yea...yea... I know, so cheesy, but it's true! He has always been a good friend, someone I can talk to, vent to, laugh with, joke with, ask questions, and just have a good time with. We have many things in common, though not everything (licorice and pickles are yummy! {not together}). I just know no matter what happens, I have someone who has my back.

I have some amazing friends (who aren't married to me) too! I have a few from college who think about me and make me feel special. It's not everyone who does that for you. I have friends who drive from New York, Maryland, and New Jersey for parties and just to visit. They send silly cards or small presents just because. They remember birthdays, Christmas, and are there to comfort when bad things happen. They really are fantastic people and am so glad that as the years go by we have not lost touch, that we still email/write/text/FB.

As much as we can all bemoan the drain social media puts on our lives, I've been very lucky in that it has let me reconnect with many people I had thought lost. I've caught up with friends from elementary and high school, from past jobs, and family who are far away. It's been amazing being able to get back in touch with people I had no idea how to touch base with, but wanted to know how they are doing. I lost touch with my fabulous cousin from across the pond and we got in touch last year through FB. It has been wonderful as we were pen pals in the 1980s and I was fortunate to attend her sister's wedding in 2000.

I am fortunate in my friends. I do not have millions of friends like some people. But, what I have realized is the ones I have are incredible. They are just the people I want in my life. They are a blessing and I am thankful they are there.

Follow @NeverTrade2013

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am starting a new weekday meme - Thankful Thursday. I know the cool thing right now is Throw Back Thursday, but I think this is more important. I hope that we can get Thankful Thursday to be just as big as #TBT, but in my opinion Thankful Thursday will do more for us as a people than #TBT.

My very first Thankful Thursday is to be thankful for my family. I am an only child, to parents who didn't want their children to out number them (at least that's what they always told me!). But, my mom is from a very large family - she is one of eight. My father was an only child as well and I only knew his mother. But, my mother's family? Well, that's a totally different story!

My family became my mom's family. My grandfather was one of seven, my grandmother has a half-brother in England with a family of two. All of my aunts and uncles are married, then there are the cousins...18 first cousins (19 grandchildren) and 10 great-grandchildren (and counting!). Then my uncle in England has two daughters, who have five children between them. And that big family my grandfather has? As many of us as possible would get together at least once a year at Christmas, so we got to know all those other great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins, and second cousins!

Then, I went to college and met my hubby - well, I didn't know I would marry him at the time! But, I did meet the boy I would marry. So, I now have an even larger family with in-laws as well. Of course, I prefer hubby to all of them. ;-) My husband and I have been together 18 years (4 years dating, 2 years engaged, 12 years married), so he's become a very close member of my family.

Today, on the very first Thankful Thursday on the Never Trade blog I am thankful for my family. They made me who I am today and for every member of my family I appreciate what they have done for me.

Who and/or what are you thankful for today?


Follow @NeverTrade2013