Returning To Life As Normal
This last week has been one of the hardest and also most insanely bizarre weeks of my life thus far. In some ways it’s like I’m living in a 1990s (horrible) made for tv drama.
I am not going into details about what is going on, so I will just say that it is not resolved and it may go on for weeks or months. Or, if I’m lucky, it may vanish from my reality as quickly as it started.
But, I also realize that I cannot continue to obsess about it. Given that I am not in control of the situation, I have to figure out a way to live with it for however long it may impact me. Basically, I have to figure out a way to live with this in the background, rather then in the foreground impacting my every single move.
And so, starting this weekend, I decided that I will go back to life as normal. I have a basic plan:
First, I went to Dairy Queen. Rather then buying a blizzards as planned, I bought this ice cream cake. It seemed fitting to my plan to get back on track. And sometimes, a happy day cake is just what is needed.
Second, we went back to the vet with the intent of seriously determining if their is something neurologically wrong with Doodle MPB. We were at our final straw. Our vet directed us to immediately buy a citronella bark collar as the training is simply not working fast enough. And so we did, and we promptly put it on her. We have now had 1.5 days of almost normal dog barking. I have no idea how to eventually wean the dog off of the bark collar, but at this moment I don’t care. I can hear myself think for the first time in weeks which will undoubtedly help me feel more grounded and sane.
Third, I will get back into working like a normal functioning adult. I have literally done zero work this last week. That has to change because our bills still need to be paid. I will re-focus because I simply have no choice. And to help with this, I am scheduled to be on the road with work this week, so I literally have no choice but to work.
Fourth, I will get back to writing. Writing helps me make sense of my life. But oddly, I cannot write about what’s happening right now (one day I promise I will, but right now I simply cannot). But, I will still write about other things, such as Infertility Awareness Week and what can only be describe as my newest obsession with paw patrol cruisers. I write for many reasons, but right now have to remind myself that writing is too important to my mental health to stop, so I need to get back into it.
Fifth, I will spend as much time as possible with Little MPB and Mr. MPB. Focusing on the bad has been taking away my quality time with these two, and that’s just not an option.
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Hey friend. I’ve been meaning to email you for the last couple of weeks. I promise I will soon. I hope things turn around this week and you have Happy Day x infinity.
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Thank you my friend. You have also been on my mind lately and I too am behind on writing an email. Sending all my love your way. 🙂
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I hope that things will return to normal for you soon, and you can focus on “regular” life again soon. I’m sorry you’re going through a rough time right now.
As for the puppy…I’m glad you finally found something that’s working! Give her a while with it, then you should be able to leave it on her and either turn it off if it has a switch, or leave the citronella empty.
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Thank you Amy! I too really hope life returns back to normal soon! And thank you so much for the tips on eventually removing the bark collar. Honestly, at this point if she has to wear it for the rest of her life, I’m okay with that. 🙂
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Hahahaha!! She will learn eventually 😊
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Enjoy your cake! And hopefully some good weather.
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Thank you my friend. I’m definitely enjoying the cake, and I’m making a point to enjoy the good weather too. The sunshine is definitely good for my soul.
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I’m so sorry to hear you are struggling. Uncertainty about how long and how deep a problem will go is the hardest on me. Thinking of you. Also, citronella collars for the win. They seriously were saviors for us with our shrieking lab.
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Thabk you for this. Were you ever able to take the citronella collar off?? If so, how’d you do that?
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There were places that were never “fixed”, primarily at the back door to come in and when new people came into the house, but the constant whiney barking basically self-corrected with the collar under most instances. I’ve heard of folks turning it off for intervals, then removing it for intervals and using positive reinforcement heavily, then weaning the reinforcement (treat every time, treat randomly, reduce until exstinct).
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Waiting with bated breath to hear the story behind your obsession with Paw Patrol cruisers! We spent the last week running to every Target in our area trying to find the Skye racer for my son, with no success. We ended up ordering her for twice as much from Amazon 😏
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Oh paw patrol….. How is it that I, a grown adult, can be this obsessed with the toys? But it sounds like you are just like me on this one. We totally have a skye cruiser. 🙂
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Yep, right there with you 😊 We even have two of a couple characters because my son and daughter are miserable at sharing them, haha!
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It sounds like you are having a really tough time and I hope focusing on the positives helps you get through it. Blogging as a release really helps me too. I hope it all sorts itself out sooner rather than later.
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I am having a really rough time, but I do know that I’ll eventually find my way back to my normal self. Thank you so much for your support and love.
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I hope you’re doing ok, and I’m sending you lots of good thoughts and well wishes.
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Thank you my friend. I’m a tough spot at the moment, but I’ll get back to myself soon enough.
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Oh my friend, it all sounds uber stressful. I’m so glad the barking collar is working. I bet that helps your mind so much. Sounds like it was slowly driving you mad. That cake looks yummy!!! Mmmmm
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Uber stressful is a pretty accurate way to describe how life has been this last little while. And yes, the new found quietness is much needed. 🙂 Thank you for your support my friend.
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Here’s to lots of happy days ❤️
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Sending thoughts and hoping life starts to get better soon.
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