Author Archives: ramblingsofaperforatedmind

Well-Pet Checkups

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This lovely feline called Purrful depends on her family for care and love.

This lovely feline called Purrful depends on her family for care and love.


Do your pets get treated like family? Do you care for them as you would your kids? I suspect the answer to both of those questions is a resounding YES! In that case, do you take your pet(s) to the vet for an annual checkup? There are so many asymptomatic illnesses that a yearly checkup is necessary. Something evil, insidious and deadly might be lurking within our precious pet. A thorough checkup might be the only way to uncover a killer.

If you are like me, you notice differences in your pet’s appearance or behavior quickly. I can even distinguish between my cats by the meow. As vigilant as I am, I don’t know everything. I do know the importance of an annual check by the vet. S/he will be able to delve deeper than the outward appearance to diagnose problems. This is especially important for older pets and the very young. If something is wrong, things can get worse quickly.

Don’t leave the health of your pet to chance. Be proactive.

Poppy is usually gregarious and a bit snarky (between naps). Watch for behavior changes in your pet. It could a warning sign of a health issue.

Poppy is usually gregarious and a bit snarky (between naps). Watch for behavior changes in your pet. It could be a warning sign of a health issue.

Vendors and Ice Cream!

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If you’ve been reading the blog lately, you know by now that I ended up at Fire School over the weekend. FUN!!! I was tied up in a (great) class for a couple of days, but I made time to check out the building full of vendors at Fonner Park. I didn’t get a T-shirt this year, but I finally bought a gear bag of my own. There were two vendors selling them, but I checked the prices and spent only $30 instead of the regular $45. Sure was happy about the savings! I used part of that $15 to get us a triple scoop each at Baskin Robbins! Ysabela had never been to a Baskin Robbins, but she knows how good it is now! She spent her Saturday in the hot tub while I toiled away in class, but we both are looking forward to next year’s jaunt!

Baskin Robbins was across the street from the hotel!

Baskin Robbins was across the street from the hotel!

A Learning Experience

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Thanks to Tyler, I snapped this picture.

Thanks to Tyler, I snapped this picture.

As you can see, Grand Island takes Fire School seriously. I learned that Long John Silver’s gives firefighters a discount, too. Many businesses do the same, and it is very much appreciated.

I went to a workshop called Volunteer Retention and Recruitment. Apparently, recruitment is not a problem exclusive to rural volunteer fire departments because there were 20 of us from all over Nebraska. It was nice to meet J. D., one of our dispatchers from Ogallala. The instructors, Greg Render and Kevin Quinn, were wonderful. Lyndsay, the super assistant, kept them organized. Greg Reddin, Project Director for ADAPT, also shared a lot of information with us. Most Fire School classes run 1-3 Friday, 8-3 Saturday and 8-12 Sunday. Mine was a bit different because we were in session Friday 12-5 and Saturday 8-5 (with a lunch break, of course).

Lyndsay is enthusiastic and knowledgeable!

Lyndsay is enthusiastic and knowledgeable!

The best part of the workshop for me was leaving class with a solid plan to recruit new volunteers. Lyndsay scanned our plans while we shared in class. She will follow up with each of us as the year progresses to make sure we are on target. As a technology junkie, I especially appreciated the flash drive and CD with sample documents to use in the recruitment process.

I hope to be able to implement some of the ideas from class. Realistically, some may not work for my area, but I sure can try!

Greg Reddin, ADAPT Director

Greg Reddin, ADAPT Director

Kevin and Greg--awesome instructors!

Kevin and Greg–awesome instructors!

The Chicken Chick

Throwback Thursday

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This cake was fabulous.

This cake was fabulous.


There’s nothing sweeter than a cake for a quince party. This particular cake had seven layers. The layers with fruit were tasty, but my favorite flavor was the tres leches. (For those who don’t know, a “quince” is a quinceañera—a 15th birthday party. Padrinos—godparents—pay for some of the expenses of the party.)

Cake for Paulina's quince

Cake for Paulina’s quince

Solution or Problem?

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This post will be brief, but I sincerely hope it will make you think. My question for you today: What are you doing to make the world a better place? Do you complain about what’s wrong with society? Do you do anything more than complain? Are you taking an active role to improve things around you?

What do you do to protect weaker beings? Do you foster a child? Have you ever adopted/rescued a pet? What causes do you champion? Life isn’t just about “me.”

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem!

The Chicken Chick

Your Own Fault

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I remember when I was a junior or senior in high school, a graduate of my school wrote a letter to the school board. S/he complained about not being sufficiently prepared for college at the time of graduation.

At first, I felt afraid that I would not be ready for college either, but then I really thought about it. I felt like I was learning in all my classes. I had to work harder to achieve in some classes than others, but I did well. Math was my hardest class, but I still made it through with the basics I needed to move on. That’s when I decided that the author of that letter probably didn’t apply him/herself to studying. I believe you get out what you put into things.

Teachers spend a lot of time trying to teach students. Students spend a lot of time trying to avoid learning much, but they still cry and whine when they don’t have an A or a B in their classes. If students want to do well, they must learn enough to “pass.”

Students, if you have trouble in a class, go for extra help. Teachers are more than willing to spend the time it takes for you to understand a concept. If sports practices are more important to you than your grades, go practice. Just don’t be mad when you discover YOU had your priorities all confused. Don’t whine and beg for extra credit. Extra credit implies that you have done all you can to achieve and are still not doing well. If you have missing assignments, don’t cry to the teacher for bonus points. It’s not fair to the other students who work as hard as possible on a daily basis.

I have seen a few kids breeze through high school without studying much. Many do well in college, but a few of those students actually have to STUDY to succeed in the university. It’s not a bad thing! Saying it’s “too hard” and giving up—those are bad things. If it were super easy, anyone could and would do it!

The goal of education is to challenge young minds to think and solve problems. If every student had 100% in every class, it would imply that the curriculum may not be challenging enough. That’s not education.

Parents, try not to pressure your kids to get 100% all the time. It is NOT a reasonable expectation. Many times, it can backfire. Let your kids learn and have the freedom to fail once in a while. Only then will your children understand the value of the lessons.

Slipping a Gear

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Wow…..here I am, blogging and having coffee, at 5:30 a.m. I wish I could truthfully say it’s my special writing routine to be on the computer at this hour. We call it the butt crack of dawn, by the way. Alas, it was an error on my part (that has never happened before!). I figured I had to do laundry this morning since I’m off next weekend for fire school. I didn’t actually eyeball the schedule on the kitchen counter. Anyway, I “bounced” out of bed a bit after four, put the pups out (and back in) and hopped joyfully (?) into the shower. I remember thinking, “Oh, I wish I could sleep in this morning!”

Note to readers: When I say “bounce,” what really happens is I ricochet off the bed to the floor and stagger to the bathroom.

I walked across the street to work and met the other laundry gal coming from the other direction. We discussed the merits of sleeping in and went downstairs to check the schedule. I was pleasantly surprised. I AM OFF THIS WEEKEND! Oh, JOY! I got a couple of loads washing while she clocked in, we chatted a minute or two and Big Momma came home…..to climb into pajamas again, fix coffee, check the weather channel and blog. I should be snuggled in bed with the pups. They agree if the accusing looks I’ve been getting are any indication.

I have now reached the conclusion that Big Momma has slipped a gear. So be it. At least I will be reasonably rested when Monday rolls around!