The Kindness of Strangers

The Kindness of Strangers was a difficult book to read - not as difficult as The Lost Dogs - but TKOS was on a whole new level of disturbing. Thank goodness it's fiction.

The book is narrated by separate characters each chapter. Unlike some other books that employ this technique, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of needless overlap.

As an overview I will admit that I was reading this book while having my hair cut at my local Great Clips (yes I am cheap). I'd seen this particular girl a couple of times and she remembered me as "the reader", so she asked me about my current book. I described it to her as delicately as I could and she just said, "Wow. I'm fairly certain I couldn't read that."

It's true, but I'm glad I did. It's a story told in reminiscence - and that last scene in the book - from the past - is truly uplifting. Amazing. I can't think of another way to describe it.

After reading this book you'll want to immediately run out and volunteer for some underprivileged organization!

Read more about The Kindness of Strangers here...

Predictions of an unstable future...

I have recently spent more hours than I would ever care to dedicate to anything to the effort of locating a medication that I have been dependent on for more than 10 years. Apparently the manufacturer of said medication has either decided to abandon all of the millions of people prescribed this medication, or they are following through with an elaborate plan to continue making money off of brand name drugs that have no generic - both scenarios are evil and they suck for people like me - the patient.

I'm currently at the end of a month-long battle to procure my meds. I've spoken to countless pharmacists (who unfortunately and dispassionately laugh at me when I ask about said meds) and now my doctor's office is ignoring me. REALLY?!

I'm supposed to take 2 pills a day of the aforementioned medication. I've been rationing my limited stash to 1/4 of a pill a day. This will come to stalking - I promise you. Updates to come.

BFPA's recent stars

I attended Best Friend Pet Adoption's recent event at the Apex Petsmart on 10/22/11. Below are two of the total cuties who stole my heart:

1st is Winnie, who honestly looks to be talking to Susan in that shot. She is still a puppy - 6 months old - shepherd mix - currently 35 pounds but will get bigger. She has one brown and one blue eye - totally gorgeous.



2nd is Taco, a heartbreakingly adorable tiny shepherdish mix - not sure of his weight but he is much smaller than foster sister Winnie. He has a precious underbite and a little puppy yippy bark. Beautiful coat and very loving!

Embracing a change

I started seeing a dermatologist regularly in the spring of 2007. I will call her S. I love S a great deal and we became quite good friends over the years that I spent in her care.

She recently moved away and recommended a colleague of hers for my continued care. Knowing S I was not worried, but still felt weird not knowing what to expect given our easy banter every time I saw her.

I was very pleasantly surprised by my visit on Thursday. My new dermatologist is beyond sweet, very accommodating and one of the most gracious healthcare professionals I've ever met. She told ME thank you for absolutely everything!

Without question I recommend Carolina Medispa and Central Dermatology Center of Chapel Hill for any and all dermatological needs.

I will be getting a skin scan at CDC before the end of the year. I recommend that to anyone over 26. It's covered by insurance and will keep you from being blindsided by a melanoma or any other strange skin anomaly. Be smart and take the time to get your skin checked!

Recycling motivation

in the Spring of this year, I decided to follow in my father's footsteps and collect aluminum cans to be exchanged for cash. I take my cans to J&D Recyclers in Durham on Cheek Rd - they pay $.55 per pound/$.60 per pound to senior citizens.

My co-workers and friends faithfully collect and deposit cans into my collection - it really is very little work on my part. All I do is rinse most of the cans and smash them with my foot. (Quick tutorial: slightly squeeze the can on both sides in your palm. Lay on flat surface, tab side up, and stomp on the top of the can with a sturdy shoe. TaDa: very compact can.)

I bought a 96 gallon trash can that I keep in my back yard, and the last time it was full I hauled 57 pounds of aluminum to J&D.

I'm keeping my receipts and at the end of the year I'll write a check to my fave dog rescues/organizations. It's tax deductible and I'm helping sweet furry animals. What else is there to ask for?

Having said that, I've posted this in the hopes that more people will recycle, for whatever reason. Start your own can collection and do with it what you want. Start a fashion-want fund, support a local women's shelter, keep the money for your savings - just recycle!!!

Luke duty

How sweet is that face? S-W-E-E-T! and he's the best dog ever on top of his suave looks.

In addition to impeccable house manners I was pleasantly surprised by his "house guarding" tactics. He reminded me a lot of Zoe from years back - every time I leave the house he goes over to the closest window to the door and makes his way under the blinds and into view. He keeps his eyes on me/us at all times. The noise of the blinds being rattled as he noses his way into view has become a source of comfort - I love that he's on the lookout!

Lucas will soon be a permanent fixture in my house and I eagerly await his induction into all that is TARHEEL.

Larger-than-life Lucas

He really doesn't know how big he is, but he manages to be the most well-behaved dog I've ever known in my life. He's a prince!

Lucas lumbers - but out of the way. He never crowds me or runs in to me in an attempt for attention.

That's not to say that he doesn't get excited and prance, but he's oddly reserved in his joyous celebration of my daily return home from work. Hence another reason to LOVE him :)

Lucas is a rare find and I know I am SO lucky to be the one to have rescued him!