In Boxes
So busy. Driving back and forth to Texas, trying
to find the energies and lack of pain to sort and pack up more things.
Helped Mike get settled in to the new place. Things didn't go the way we
originally planned; when do they ever? Lack of Uhaul Northeast side
meant all of our belongings and furniture that was at his grandmother's
ended up having to stay there. Which meant he only came with what he
could cram and Tetris into his car, most of that room being taken up by
his work computers and chair and work necessities, and a handful of
other stuff he could jam in. So once again we started with nothing and
had to get new furniture and things, with the hope his family will go
and take pictures of the stuff we left and sell it so we can get some
money back for it, but the likelihood of that happening anytime soon is
slim. Lots of stress, the move almost not happening because Mike's pay
drops so drastically from the supposed "cost of living" difference.
Which is horrible that companies can do it and base it however the hell
they base it off local rent costs or whatever, because when you base it
off a city that has reduced prices because of the nearby military base
then of course that might be cheaper - only if you live on the base and
have access to the reduced base prices. But the rent isn't. And milk and
other things still cost as much when you are on civilian side. It's
disgusting that by relocating to get closer to work, it basically set
him back to his beginning pay rate, removing 3yrs or so worth of raises
and a promotion to a higher position. But job opportunities and
affordability long term is better, so it was worth doing. It just means
things are going to be insanely tight for a while.
Crafty Things
I
have all sorts of things going on and in the process of being completed
art and creativity wise and with related efforts. The ceramic rattles
are completed, but they were one of the first things I moved via car to
ensure they wouldn't be damaged. I will get pictures of them next trip
and get them posted online for sale, though I might ask Mike to take a
few teaser shots of them I will share via Patreon for anyone interested
in catching them before they are released to the general public. Most
of my art supplies are going to be packed away until they can be
relocated, but I will try to keep out some basic things like a
sketchbook, my Wacom for digital, and maybe a few other odds or ends.
All of my corals are doing well. I have finally grown some out enough
to where I can frag them, and plan to have those frags up for sale when I
do. Moving the tank and its inhabitants is going to be all sorts of
insanity, but I already have it planned out and hope to document the
process and share it later. I have been prepping plants for bonsai and
doing my annual collection of flowers for drying. The Sweet Olive and
Gardenia smell so wonderful. I have a few ceramics items that are
glazed but not yet fired, so I really need to run the kiln and fire them
before they get packed for travel. Making of new items is on hold for
the moment.
Dogs
Ember stayed with Mike so I
could focus more on working with Tesla individually, similar to how I
did back with Journey. Training has been a little slow going with all
of the other crazyness going around, and my body having an absolute fit.
My ankle has been messed up over a month now, making it painful and
hard to walk. Poor Ember was getting to a point where I was having to
give her more medicine when she was more active going places with me,
and it was clearly effecting her behavior and her ability to alert
accurately, to where I decided it was in her best interest not to work
her anymore. As a DDR line descendant GSD, Tesla is a very high drive
dog, and far more challenging to work with. I'm still not completely
certain he has the correct behavior for assistance dog work. He'd be
excellent for Schutzhund and IPO activities without a doubt. In fact, I
have been in contact with a local Schutzhund club and we went out this
weekend to meet some of them and see them work their dogs. Tesla even
got to become acquainted with some nosework for tracking. Tesla is
insanely strong for his size, and he has a beautiful bite and grip when
engaged in play. It's just honing in the focus and building the self
control over those instincts, and helping build his "on/off" switch that
might prove to be an issue. He is a puppy though, so I am hoping I can
shape it and use that drive to our advantage, in a controlled fashion
that will make him the best working dog he can be.
Going back to
the topic of size, that is really the only other concern I have with
Tesla. I am not sure if he will be big enough. His growing rate is more
closely resembling Chakotay's, which was on the smaller side for a male
Shepherd. Journey was huge by this age, but he also had obvious
physical issues as a result despite my best efforts to do everything
right to ensure physical soundness. You just can't beat genetics.
Still, at 4 months old ( going on 5 ), I feel like even Chakotay was
larger by this point. But it could just be that I am so worried about
if Tesla will work out or not after Journey and Chakotay washing out,
that my mind is playing tricks on me. We went in for Tesla's last round
of puppy shots/ rabies vaccine. I discussed it with the vet. With his
current rate of growth, unless he hits a huge growth spurt, she isn't
sure he will be more than 60lbs. He is a very strong little dog, even
now. But I need the size. He needs to be tall enough for full mobility
assist and have a sound structure for the weight bearing support work
and counter balancing. Once again I am not sure how this will play
out. If he ends up being too small, I might not be able to use him,
even if he is physically sound otherwise. Ideally a person my size
should have a dog no less than 80lbs, preferably 100lbs+ for the
mobility assist I require. With Ember, I fudged a lot and always used an
additional surface/wall/furniture/whateve
r so I didn't hurt her.
Now I am to the point where I can't do that anymore, even if Ember was
still young and workable, my body just can't tolerate as much as it used
to. I need a larger dog. I am really hoping Tesla will be that dog.
