Thanks giving and all of that

Sometimes you have to say goodbye. And it sucks.

I can sometimes be found working at a vet hospital. It's not a "calling" or a "vocation," it's more like an unpleasant pastime that pays the bills. Please don't get me wrong, I love working with animals. The people, not so much. I am lucky in that I am still employed despite the truly atrocious economy. And that I am employed despite being a middle-aged plump female of middling health.

Don't laugh, you have no idea how lucky I am. Or maybe you do? Maybe your Aunt Edna lost her job when her company office downsized and she can't get re-employed to save her life. Now she's living in her geriatric parents' sun room, working at Walmart part-time just to pay for her car note and food. This is, all kidding aside, exactly the fate of many 40 & 50-something aged gals.

The incoming young people, fresh faced and right out of college, look so much more appealing to the HR department. I know, I AM the HR department at my place of employ. And it's not like I am some lecherous creep. I just foresee less management problems with the younger crowd. Although, come to think of it, one of my teenaged coworkers called me at 9:45 last night, waking me from a sound sleep. She wanted to discuss more hours. Believe me, calling me at that hour is a sure way to get me to agree to anything just to get you off my phone. She's not stupid, that one.

But in the end, even despite the "Gen Y" peculiarities, I am saying I wouldn't hire myself, if there were a younger option.

Because I am still recovering from one surgery and getting ready for another I have a lot of time to think. I am thinking about where my life is going. And whether that's where I want to go. Do I really want to "keep fighting the good fight" with my clinic? Or would I rather be painting and starving? The painting and starving options might not be as bad as it seems. I need to lose some weight, and I need to get these ideas up on canvas so I can move on to other ideas. And make those happen next. Also, I need time to focus on getting healthy and stronger. I don't have much time between work & home duties.

My chiropractor said it would be a full-time job to fully recover in a year's time. He wants me to cook all this special food, and eat a very "clean" diet. Then, walk 4 plus miles a day, and fit in all the exercises both he and the physical therapist have prescribed. And resume cycling, etc.

And where does that leave me-time? Me as in painting, and knitting, braiding, sewing, making...? I am not getting any less tired, that's for sure. So here's my Sunday after Turkey Day blog. Lamentable as always, an Eyore for sure. And on that sad note, a last photo taken by me of one of my all time favorite patients:

Good bye Max. We will never forget you.