Friday, October 17, 2008

A Much Needed Break

The Man and I have not had a holiday for two years. He is burnt out from a very stressful job and I am burnt out from watching him get into this state and from Dolly's condition.

I believe it was 6 months ago that The Man handed me 2 tickets to see Celine Dion in Vancouver. He had tried to get tickets for Edmonton which is only a 2 hour drive from here - but they were sold out. So he opted for Vancouver. At the time we didn't know any of this would be going on or those tickets wouldn't have been purchased.

Some of you may ask why we would want to see Celine Dion. The Man goes to watch my face and to see how happy a concert like this makes me. As for me? I admire Ms. Dion greatly. I remember when she was a young girl and they played her first release (in French) on the radio. They said to watch this girl as she was going to go places. I have admired her dedication to her craft and to her husband and now her son. She has gone for what she wanted and she has more than excelled at it. Being Canadian adds to my admiration for we don't have a ton of people in this country who have gone out and shone like Ms. Dion. Then of course there is her ability to sing. She has an incredible set of pipes on her.

We went to see her show in Vegas at Ceasar's Palace and we were both blown away. It was incredible! We didn't know what to expect when we sat down in that unbelievable theater, but I sat there with tears streaming down my face for half of the performance and my mouth open in wonder at the other half. I know she sometimes seems like a hick who is overdoing the emotions - but to watch her face at the end of the show and see how touched she was by our admiration - well.... I believed the tears she had in her eyes were real. Those are hard to fake.

So now that she is touring again we thought it would be neat to see what kind of show she puts on out on the road. We'll be finding out on Tuesday night at the BC Place in Vancouver.

As it works out, my brother is leaving for his two-week holiday on the same day we are leaving for Vancouver. He has 3 cats. Two of them are beautiful Himalayans and of course his cats are his children as well.

So his three cats arrived on Thursday and they will remain here while we go away. My dear friend who lives right down the street and who was my roommate on the hall is going to look after my brother's cats while we take Dolly with us. Bless her soul for her generosity. My friend has such a huge heart and I know she will look after these precious angels like they were her own. Friends like that are hard to find. I remember very well the doctors telling us that making friends with a fellow nutcase is the worst thing in the world to do. We have proved them wrong on so many counts.

As for taking Dolly with us? There is no way I could leave her behind - even with the best of care. I would fall apart being away from her and not knowing how she is doing. Dolly has slept with her head on my pillow and her little furry body spooned into my chest - every single night for 16 years. We both think it's the best part of the day.

I actually got up the nerve to take her to the vet myself on Wednesday. Her problem at the moment is constipation and she is on enough laxatives to clean out a horse. On top of that she needs to be hydrated to give her enough fluids to help move things along and of course it makes her nauseous. I am unable to do something like that. My nerves just won't let me. So The Man went over and got a lesson on how to do it and he has been giving her fluids twice a day and will continue to do so until she poops regularly. Injecting fluids under the skin just makes me nauseous myself.

I was shaking so hard when I took her into the vets and of course it made her shake as well. Even with the xanax that the doctor prescibed for me - well - I'm just getting by.

I've got multiple whammies to deal with concerning this trip. I am terrified of leaving the barn for extended periods of time. I can go out and come back in as long as it is someplace familiar that I am going. If not then I get all panicky and nauseous. So that is one. Dolly's health and the fact that she has never travelled anywhere except to the vets is two. The third is the fact that I won't be able to keep up my production knitting while we travel and that the date of the huge craft shows looms closer by the second.

The only thing that keeps me sort of safe is the fact that we are towing our little house behind us and we can stop at any time and I can go and sit in it. Our little 13 foot trailer is going to be right behind our car and The Man is going to be sitting right beside me and Dolly is going to be on my lap.

Now if all this sounds a bit muddled it's because I didn't sleep last night with the anxiety of it all. Today I have to pack the trailer and prepare food and somehow fit some knitting into my day. I will be taking yarn to work on bears while we drive. We will be picking up my 90 yr. old aunt who lives in Vancouver and taking her over to Vancouver Island and dropping her off at her 79 yr. old brother's. They are the only 2 children left out of 5. We will visit with them both then until Tuesday morning and then we will catch the ferry back to Vancouver and go to the concert. Providing Dolly's health remains stable, we will spend Wednesday just shopping on Robson Street and Granville Island. Then we'll wander back home. It's a minimum 11 hour drive as the crow flies - we'll be taking much longer than that.

All of that sounds lovely doesn't it? You can't imagine how stressed I am over it. Fortunately The Man recognizes that in me and he wraps his arms around me and holds me tight - trying to relieve my anxiety. If I had my druthers - I'd have Ms. Dion give a concert in the barn and I'd be a happy gal.

So all of this to tell you I will be away from blogging for a week.

Plus - I want to thank all of you for your lovely comments and your thoughts about Dolly. I wish I could put into words how much every single comment means to me. Thank you.

Catch you on the flip side!

31 comments:

Maggie May said...

Have a wonderful time. You will be fine. Hope all goes well with Dolly.
(Hugs) x

abb said...

Do hope you're able to have a good time. It does sound like a nice trip. Hugs to Dolly.

Georgina said...

Aims, I'm sure you will have a great time and when you get back you will wonder why you were so worked up. As for Ms. Dion, you can't knock her talent, she does have an outstanding voice.

I can understand why you can't do the injections for Dolly, I can't do them either. I don't know if you have rape seed oil over there. My cats love it so much that I give it to them once or twice a week (it stops them breaking into the cupboard, knocking the bottle over and stealing it.) It does however make them shit through the eye of a needle. You never know it might help to get her moving.

Massive hugs to you on your well earned vacation. Love Debs & Bob xx

Rachel Green said...

Have a great trip away :)

Daryl said...

Keep breathing ... you'll have a wonderful time and so will Dolly!

:-Daryl

dND said...

Do have a wonderful time - you'll get through it fine, I'm sure you will. I know exactly where you're coming from, it's been a tiny bit like that here but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger every day.

Lots of love to you all and strokes and hugs to Dolly

ADDY said...

I am sure you will be fine. Sometimes the thought of doing something is actually worse than the real thing. Enjoy Celine Dion and all the shopping in Vancouver. It looks a great place. I am sure the change of scene will do you good. And, as for Dolly, I am sure she will be happy wherever you are.

Living the Dream said...

I hope and pray you have a good trip and I envy you going to see Celine Dion, I just love to hear her sing. Enjoy every moment and tell us all about it when you return. The man is brilliant giving Dolly her medication and I think you are right in taking her with you. Have a wonderful trip, take deep breaths and enjoy it all my friend.

Breezy said...

Aw sweetheart I hope it all falls into place for you and that you, The Man and Dolly have a wonderful trip. I'll be thinking of you

softinthehead said...

Aims try and relax and enjoy yourself. We will all be thinking of you and looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back. Have fun!!

bichonpawz said...

What I wouldn't give to see Celine Dion!!! I've wanted to see her for the longest time! I really admire her too. Shania Twain is Canadian too....isn't she? So glad that you two will be able to take your break AND enjoy a concert AND have Dolly with you. I would never be able to give shots either, so good thing for THE Man!! Enjoy yourself aims....can't wait to hear all about it!

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menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Its an adventure for all of you. Dolly will be fine having new sights and sounds to absord and give her a sense of something different. Have a great time and there is nothing better than having your home come along for the ride to! Hugs.

Akelamalu said...

Oh lucky you going to see Celine!

I hope you manage to stay calm through it all so you can enjoy the show and I do hope Dolly enjoys the trip with you.x

Anonymous said...

Hi Aims, it sounds like you need Dolly near as much as she needs your care.
Concentrate on the good ahead hun rather than the outside possibilities of what might go wrong. This trip has the possibility to expand your horizons. Try to embrace that.
Your rock your man will be there too wanting and needing the break. You've been strong before and can be again.
Have fun!

Mean Mom said...

Your 'fellow nutcase' sounds like a friend indeed, to me! I imagine that you can understand, share your fears and help each other. What could be better than that?

I can understand just a little of your fears, as I have a few small anxieties of my own. Your trailer will be a great comfort, I'm sure and I'm so glad that you are able to take Dolly.

Take comfort in the thought that we are all thinking of you and wishing you well. Have a good time!

Dianne said...

just keep thinking of how wonderful the soaring sound of Celine's voice live will be.

And me and my brood continue to send out good thoughts to you and Dolly and all everyone you love.

travelling, but not in love said...

Have a great trip ... and enjoy celine ... but enjoy Vancouver too, a great city, I hear

x

Anonymous said...

I'll be thinking of you, Aims. You'll have a wonderful time and you know how much I love Celine Dion. Enjoy your much needed break, you both so deserve it.

I'm struggling with a sore throat at the moment so won't call on Google tonight but will just say take care of yourselves and come back refreshed. Missing you already!

CJ xx

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

I do hope you will all be fine - and have a good time if you can. I envy you your trip to Vancouver - it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit.Hope Dolly enjoys it too, as much as possible. M xx

BT said...

Hope you're having a wonderful time aims and that it all works out well for you and the man. Dolly will be such a well travelled cat!

Missing you

Gina

Unknown said...

Well I am hoping you calm your anxiety enough to enjoy yourself at least a little. :) Have a great time and hug that Dolly. :)XO

San said...

You must be getting ready to enjoy the concert this evening--may it be every bit as lovely as you've anticipated!

Safe journeying home and we await your return...

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Saran Soman said...

[a beeeg hug]

glenda said...

?? What how could you hold Dolly close to you if you were on the Hall, Just a ?

Potty Mummy said...

Stay strong. And I hope the only time you find yourself crying is for the right reason - when Ms Dion uses that gorgeous voice. (Though I have to agree, she does overdo it a bit sometimes...)

Lane Mathias said...

I love the idea of you travelling with your little 'house' behind you and Dolly on your lap.

I hope you're having/have had a wonderful time and hope Dolly is doing well. x

Brett said...

Hi Aims, left you an award at my place, hope you like it.

dulwichmum said...

I hope you are having a wonderful time. I love the way you talk so lovingly about Dolly. I love my pets so much.

Best wishes,

DM

Gill - That British Woman said...

What did you think of the Celine Dion Show?

We saw her in Toronto, and I have to say it was one of the best shows we have ever seen........

Gill in Canada