Loverboy and the Santa Cruz Derby Girls...

The weather is finally nice and the sun is coming out so hopefully on Saturday will be able to have a big barbecue and sit outside and enjoy this beautiful weather.

Sunday was our weekly puppy play date and as usual everybody had a great time, we have as much fun visiting as the puppies do playing.

On Monday I went back up to Dr. Owens office so they could read the results of my TB test, I was glad to know I do not have it and I can visit the skilled nursing facilities regularly. I came back home and went to bed and Susan came over for my weekly massage, it always feels so good.

Tuesday was a long day. I met with Andre and Eric to find out where were going to put the laterals on my chair to make me more stable. After that I met with Livnot and Carl to order my standing frame and accessories, I’m so excited to be finally getting one because I have wanted one for a very long time.

Wednesday Kelly took me to Dr. Owen’s office to drop off a urine sample and then to quest laboratories to take a lead test to see if I have diabetes, it is in my family and I’m really hoping that I don’t have it.

Thursday my aunt, Seth and I went out to lunch and then went to see Knight and Day, we all enjoyed it very much... Seth maybe not so much.

Friday while I was cruising with Robby we went down to the end of the wharf, the weather was perfect. I saw a gentleman in a chair with what seemed to be his wife sitting on the bench next to him and a little dog under the bench with a service animal vest. As I rolled by the dog jumped up barking and running towards us. I saw him stop so I assumed that he was at the end of his leash so I continue to pass by. The dog came leaping at Robby barking and biting, poor Robby was just trying to jump out of the way but my leash is very short. The people did not even look at me or apologize. I turned around and said “really?”, and then I said “unbelievable”... at the time I couldn’t think of anything else to say. They just totally ignored me. I went to the end of the wharf and have a hard time going back because I was trying to avoid the dog and the work was really crowded. By the time I got to the lifeguard shack and couldn’t stand it anymore, I was so angry. The lifeguard took my report and called animal control. He said that I could wait there if I wanted to do a citizens arrest but he didn’t know how long it would take and I was supposed to be back home at a certain time. I told him I didn’t really want anybody to get arrested or anything and just wanted them to never bring their dog in public because it was so aggressive, it was obviously a service that that they bought online. I came home and wrote a letter to the congressman in this area, we’ll see what happens.

Friday was the second time that my service dog was attacked by another dog with a service vest, once on the wharf and once at the Boardwalk. When I reported it to Boardwalk’s security I was told that they are no longer allowed by law to ask for proof of a service animal. My service dog is from Canine Companions for Independence and I was on a waiting list for five years. It takes them two years, not counting puppy obedience training from a puppy raiser from eight weeks to 18 months, and $45,000 per dog. There must be a way to have stricter laws for service animals. I saw a news bit on Channel 7 where a lady was interviewing a homeless man with a dog that he had trained himself and somehow obtained a service dog tag, you can get one that says anything you like a pet Smart, and a service animal vest, you can pretty much get those anywhere. While the Channel 7 interviewer was interviewing the homeless man the dog barked and almost bet her arm. I am writing to see if there is anything I can do to help get stricter laws, I can see store owners and restaurants getting more uncomfortable when I bring my service dog into their business and you can’t really blame them.

The concert on the beach was awesome. This week was Loverboy, they really put on a great show. I went with Tom and Kelly and of course forgot to bring my camera but when I got home somebody had posted pictures of the concert and in two of the pictures you can see Tom and you can see Kelly standing next to him in one. Before we left Kelly barbecued some sausages and we have them with some sauerkraut that she got at a farmers market last Wednesday, talk about an awesome dinner. We will definitely be going and trying out the different sauerkraut’s that they have, this time we had an apple and fennel.

Saturday was our second support group, we have them on the third Saturday of every month. We didn’t really expect a good turnout because Shared Adventures was having a day on the beach, we didn’t realize that but we had already settled on the third Saturday. Shared Adventures is a great organization and I wish that I could have made it down to check everything out, I have a lot of family here and another engagement later on. After I came home and had dinner with my family, my sister-in-law made a killer taco salad and got some fresh bread. I went to the Civic Auditorium and saw the Santa Cruz derby girls. It was my first roller derby and I had a really good time. My doctors daughter skated with her group at halftime, I am so proud of her because she did a great job... the rest of the team did really good also.

Sunday I skipped the puppy play date and stayed in bed, I had a lot of family and late nights and I really need to get some rest, not only me but my body. I haven’t told Robby yet but I will break it to him gently.

Gregg Rolie...

Sunday I was supposed to meet with Dr. Owen’s babysitter for our puppy play date and an interview, she is housesitting for Dr. Owens. I was really looking forward to meeting her, I really need somebody for backup and a companion to take me shopping and errands. She comes really highly recommended. I never heard from her so I guess we will have to meet another time. I can’t believe that the fireworks are not even phasing Robby a bit, I just about jumped out of my skin every time I hear them and he doesn’t even look up.

Monday my nephew came by with about four or five of his friends to spend the day at the beach and they wanted to park here because there was no parking anywhere near the boardwalk, I love living so close and having family drop by. They didn’t really pick a good day because I don’t think the sun came out at all but they are from Modesto and they said that they had fun, that’s all that counts. They tried to have a bonfire and got kicked off the two beaches because of the curfew.

Tuesday I had one of my last two appointments for my standing frame. We met with the vendor who I am actually known since my injury, I got my first wheelchair from him. At the time I lived in Los Banos and he used to come out and pick up my chair, from San Jose which is about an hour and a half drive, for repair. It was really nice to catch up with him and I’m looking forward to seeing him again on Tuesday. I wasn’t feeling good so I didn’t want to stand up in the standing frame, I thought this visit was about ordering the standing frame and accessories. Next Tuesday I have two appointments, one with a standing frame vendor and the other to see if I can put some laterals on the back rest of my chair to keep me up straighter, I think my scoliosis is getting worse.

On Wednesday Cassie and I went to Mobos for sushi, we were able to go on Monday. We tried his new roll and it was awesome, my new favorite. After that I took Robby for a long cruise and found a new way along the river to get to Ross and Cosco. I really hate fighting the traffic and now I don’t have to.

On Thursday I took Robby to the Santa Cruz Skilled Nursing facility so I could show him off and of course everybody loved him. There was people of all ages and I had so much fun visiting with them, I’m going to try to go back once a week or so. I went to the movies with my aunt Kathy, my cousin Kelly and her friend Laura to see the karate kid. I had heard that it was a really good movie and none of us were disappointed. I went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch before and I had a shredded pork salad, that’s what I order every time and I can never finish it. I remember couple of months ago I was cleaning out my garage and I took a bunch of supplies over to the same place, small world.

We are in the process of teaching Robby to pick up his own poop, does that seem wrong? My caregiver puts it in a plastic bag and tells Robby to “hold” and he walks along and then he jumps up on the garbage can when she opens it, he hasn’t quite been able to put it in the garbage can himself but he seems so proud to help. He just seems to get so happy when you ask them to do things, he is incredible.

Friday of course was the free concert on the beach and this week was the former singer of Santana, Gregg Rolie band, it was a great show and standing room only everywhere. We decided to go to the ideal restaurant for dinner before the concert and then found out when we got there that they don’t start serving until 5 PM, we wanted to be at the concert to get a good place at 5 PM and we would have had to wait 25 minutes so we have something in the bar and appetizers. I had a bread bowl with clam chowder and it was pretty good.

Family visiting...

On Monday Kelly, Cassie and I went to Mobos for Sushi, we now call it Mobos Monday because we are going every Monday. Heather met up with us and then after sushi we went to see Toy story 3. I don’t know why every time I go to the movies I fall asleep at least once for about 5 or 10 minutes, it’s very frustrating.

Tuesday I had my standing frame appointment. This is the longest that I have been able to stand and feel good, not to mention it felt great to stand up. Most people are surprised and don’t realize how tall I am, 5’10” when standing. My next appointment is with the vendor to order the standing frame and accessories that I need and then one more appointment and I will be able to stand at home. Heather had her surgery and is now forced to rest for a couple of weeks, lets see how long that lasts because I know she will get antsy.

Wednesday I went for two long strolls with Robby. We haven’t been able to get out and go for a really long stroll for couple of days and he was ready. It seems like lately when we are cruising along he keeps looking up at me and staring, I don’t know if he’s trying to tell me something or if we have really bonded.

Friday I went to see Naked Eyes with Teresa, last year we went to almost all of the concert’s together and always have a good time watching and eating Boardwalk food. I was surprised that the boardwalk and the beach were not crowded at all. We didn’t get there until five and we got a real good seats in the limited mobility section, I get the zip lock rice lady to her crew somewhere else.

Saturday my uncle and I decided to cruise around and check out the yard sales, we will love to do this and the weather was perfect. We stopped to get some coffee and donut and on the way back I lost control of my chair, ran into a pole and the leg of my chair fell off. Usually I go in front of my uncle but for some reason I was behind him so I watched him ride about a block before he realized I was not behind him. He put the light back on my chair and a little while down the road it fell off again, I guess I bent it up pretty good. He put it back on again and we went by a bicycle store to see if I could put an odometer on my chair to see how far we go every day, the guy said that he didn’t think it would work and I should get a GPS. We came back and my uncle fixed the light on my chair, he can fix anything, and we were going to go out again but when I came home I could hear a dog barking, Tom & Kelly were here. It was so great to see them and they are going to be staying here, right across the street, for a month. I just love having them around. My niece, Desiree, was supposed to come for a visit last night and stay for a couple of days but she didn’t make it on the plane. My brother works for Delta so she gets to fly free but on standby so it’s not always a sure thing. I was really looking forward to it. Next weekend my brother, David, is going to come for the weekend so I’m sure that my older brother, Stanley, and his family will come and we will just have a big family party, I love when everyone gets together.

Woodies on the Wharf...

On Monday my cousin Rich brought Alexia over to spend a couple of days with Corinne, they live so far away that they don’t get to spend much time together and it’s always really nice to have her around. I had an appointment to get my teeth cleaned so the girls went to the movies.

On Tuesday I had an appointment for my standing frame. The therapist has to make sure that you’re going to be able to stand up in it for a certain amount of time before they would recommend I have one at my house. I was in the process, in fact we had already ordered one, before I had to go in before my surgery so now I have to start all over again. This is only my second appointment and I stood all the way up for about four minutes so that is exciting, I feel really good but my blood pressure was really low so we quit for the day.

On Thursday we went to have sushi at Mobos and then went to pet Smart to get Robby a couple of balls since I left his at the elementary school that last Sunday. After we got home Heather came over and made me calamari steak and prawns with asparagus over quinoa and some beets, it was so good.

On Friday Kelly and Bailey got here so we took the girls over to the arcade on the boardwalk. We decided to get one of those old-fashioned pictures taken and of course just as we got dressed my mom called and said that my high school friend showed up at my house so we took the pictures and I rushed back to the house to walk over with her. I didn’t get very far and Kelly came running after me to say that they were going to meet us at the arcade, she came here with her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend. As we were headed back to the arcade I heard somebody called my name I didn’t recognize the girl but she came running up to us, it was Lisa’s daughter. I hadn’t seen her for a very long time and I couldn’t believe that she remembered me. We finally caught up with Lisa and left the girls in the arcade and we walk down to the end of the boardwalk. We decided to head back to the house so we could get ready for the concert on the beach, I didn’t want to bring Robby with me because it was too crowded. We walked back and found a place and got something to eat just as the concert started, it was blue oyster cult and they put on a great show.

On Saturday we were going to go to the wharf for the Woodies on the wharf but I got a late start and I had a meeting to go to, we are trying to set up a face book page for the support group. The meeting went really well, I’m so excited about the support group I just can’t stand it. I came back and Stanley was here to spend the night and take Corinne home. It was time for me to go to bed so everybody went out to dinner and they brought me back something.

On Sunday I didn’t have a morning or evening caregiver, everybody is sick this week. Since I didn’t get up Dr. Owens decided to bring her dog here so Bella and Robby could play, usually we meet up at the elementary school for a puppy play date. Stanley and Corinne took Lexi home and Kelly and my mom took Bailey, my cousins little dog, to the vet because he wasn’t feeling well... of course it has to happen on a Sunday. It turned out that everything was okay, Bailey just ate something that didn’t agree with him.

First support group...

I have been looking for a loveseat for my front porch, I had a swing loveseat there but somehow it got tweaked. while I was at Home Depot I saw a love seat, two chairs and a coffee table for the same price that I have been seeing loveseat, they matched the color of my house and they were sturdy. Another lady was waiting to see if they have any more in stock so we started talking. I decided to get it and so did she but when we brought it out to the van there was no way it was going in so she volunteered to bring it to my house, her husband had a big truck. I thought that was so sweet because it was warm and she had her two kids with her, sometimes people can be so sweet.

On Friday I had a really great birthday. My sister-in-law, Janet, and my niece, Corinne, came down on Wednesday and on Friday we went to the Gilroy outlet’s and met my brother, Stanley, and my nephew, David. We shopped for a while, had a great lunch and then came back and went to the concert on the beach. It was Herman’s hermit and they put on an awesome show, he is so funny. It is a great lineup this year and I can’t wait to go every Friday. I was woken up at 4 AM with a flashlight shining around my driveway and my front porch. Somebody was pounding on my front door, my living room windows and even my door... there was no way I was going to answer the door. I called my brother’s cell phone and I could hear it ringing in the living room, they were staying across the street so I knew that would not do me any good so I called my sister-in-law’s cell phone and she did not answer but she called me back. I told her what was going on so she and my brother came running across the street. There was four police cruisers, an ambulance and a fire truck out in front of my house. My brother told the police that I had called them and they wanted to know why I didn’t answer the door so he brought an officer in to talk to me to see if I had seen anything. He was very excited to see that I have surveillance cameras but very sad to hear that they do not record. Apparently a security officer saw two guys breaking into a vehicle and tried to stop them and the two guys beat him up REALLY bad. The security officer said he saw the guy run into my house.

On Saturday was our very first support group, I have been trying to get one together since I moved here. I talked to a guy, Roger, who had one in the past but he just didn’t have time to keep it going so I told him I would do whatever I could. About seven people showed up so we all introduced ourselves and then talked for about an hour and 15 minutes, some people have scheduled rides and they had to go but we could’ve talked for a very long time. I am so excited and I cannot wait until the next support group. We are going to have one on the last Saturday of every month. We scheduled to have the rest of the support groups at Dominican rehab, it is more convenient to get to and pretty much everyone knows everyone so I think more people will come.

On Sunday was our puppy play date, always a good time. Corrine went with me, she always has a good time playing with Dr. Owens daughter Nina. I got all the way home and I realized that I forgot Robby’s favorite ball, Robby doesn’t really like to play with toys but he LOVES this ball. It belonged to Dr. Owens dog, Bella, but she gave it to Robby last week. We went back up to the playground but it was gone.

I love summer and parties...

They say that everything happens for reason and it’s a small world and I’m starting to believe that it’s true. This morning I took Robby for a cruise down by the boardwalk and it was a little cold and foggy so I came back, I was going to the movies with my aunt but we ended up not going so I waited around for a little bit and I decided to take Robby for another cruise. As we were cruising down the next street over I heard somebody say “hey Tammie” a car stopped and a lady got out and she said “hi, it’s Jill Downey”, I went to middle school with her and I can tell right off because she looks the same. I saw her at a 20 year eighth-grade reunion a couple of years ago but I don’t remember much about that day. I think it was about 120° that day in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the reunion was at Loma Prieta school on Summit Road. David, my younger brother, took me and it was so hot that day. We ended up going for a ride just to be in the air-conditioning in the van. The van vapor locked and we ended up having to call an ambulance to come and get me. The ambulance driver got rerouted to three hospitals that day because so many people were having heatstroke. Jill and I talked for a while and decided to get together and have lunch, it will be really good to find out what she has been up to. I found her on face book, face because in so wonderful to get back in touch with people from my past.

On Friday my uncle, my aunt, my mom, Lee and Claudia came over to play cribbage. We always have so much fun when we get together for cribbage, we do it whenever we can. I don’t know what is more fun playing cribbage or the banter that goes along with it... the snacks are awesome too.

On Saturday my uncle and aunt had about 20 people over for Swiss steak, my aunt makes the best Swiss steak. It was really hot and I got out of here late so I decided to go up on Westcliff where it’s usually cooler and it was for awhile but all of a sudden it started heating up so when I decided to turn around it was really miserable the whole way back, it was 95° that day. On the way up I noticed there was somebody setting up a big barbecue and a box with some announcers, it was the cold water classic. While I was cruising back somebody told me that they were giving away free T-shirts so I went to check it out and it looked really cool but I didn’t have the nerve to ask for one so I went home without one, I wish I would have just asked.

On Sunday was the puppy play date. As soon as we turned towards the elementary school Robby knows. I thought it was going to be really hot because it was the day before but it was actually pretty cool and Teresa came by and took some pictures. There was only two puppies but we met two new ones and everybody had a good time. Today Cassie and I went for sushi at Mobos, I think we are going to make it a weekly thing. After I came home and gave Robby some water Heather and I went to the movies to see “get him to the Greek”, it was hilarious. They are finishing up putting a gate in my driveway. The neighbors like to park there while they run next door to the apartment complex and sometimes forget about it. It would also be nice to be able to let Robby out and not have to worry about a stray dog trying to bother him. It looks really nice. It’s a family owned construction business and they have done a lot of work for me and I have been really happy with everything. They keep adding stuff on and waiting for them to get frustrated with me but they are very sweet.

Movies and lunch...

I think it’s finally time to get a new van, mine is a 2000 and it has been a really good van for me but the battery keeps going dead and nobody can figure out why. I took it to one place twice and another place once and it still doing it. The first time I took it to the first place he decided to take all of the fuses out which meant that NOTHING worked, we couldn’t even adjust the outside mirrors. I decided to take a to a place closer to my house so I could have my caregiver drop it off and walk back. They thought that they have a problem fixed but the battery was dying again so I took it back to the first place and again they could not figure it out but it gave me a solar battery charger to keep in the front window and of course the next time I went to go use it it was dead again. It’s really a shame because it runs really well but it’s very frustrating to have an appointment and get ready to go and the battery is dead.

On Saturday was the Woof to Woof in Scotts Valley. One of the ladies that I met at our graduation at CCI asked me if I would do a presentation with Robby. Normally I avoid these because I get so nervous that my mind goes blank and I forget what to say. I wrote down what I wanted to say and went over it a lot to more or less memorized it so I thought I was ready. When I got there and went to the CCI booth the lady told me that they had moved my presentation from 10:30 AM to noon. It was really hot that day and there wasn’t a lot of shade so we went down the street to the Farmer’s market and found some trees to shade as for awhile. We got back and sat in the booth for a little bit and then did the presentation. The lady that started the presentation explained everything about CCI and told me that I was just supposed to talk about my experience before and after I got Robby, I thought that would be even easier. Once I got up there and they put the microphone in my face I just rambled about... I really don’t know what. I rambled on for a while and then my mind just totally shut down and I couldn’t think of anything else to say, it was a good thing that there was only about four people listening. I feel really dumb afterward and thought that I did a terrible job and I really hope that she gives me another opportunity, hopefully the more I do it the easier it will get.

On Monday Cassie and I went to Mobos, in my opinion the best sushi place in Santa Cruz. It was so good that we decided every Monday should be mobos is Monday.

On Tuesday I went to see Claudia to get my haircut, I had gotten a perm a little over a week ago and wanted it trimmed. While I was there, she works in a beauty shop in a retirement home with about 120 residents. I met a lady who recruits service dogs to visit retirement homes and cheer everybody out, perfect for Robby I thought so I told her I was interested and she’s going to send me an application and then I will have an interview. I had an appointment at the DMV to get my ID renewed. When we got there the place was packed and there was a young gentleman at the front of the line and when it was his turn he looked at the lady behind the desk and looked at me and waved me forward, I thought that was so sweet. I don’t know why you bother making an appointment because we still had to wait a long time, apparently the girl was on break or lunch. I agree that they deserve breaks and lunch but can they schedule them around my appointment?? I tried to do it online or over the phone but it was impossible.

Today I went with Heather, Cassie and Jack to see Shrek three in 3-D, it was my first 3-D movie and I really enjoyed it a lot. I cannot imagine Shrek or Toy story being a bad movie and I cannot wait for Troy story to come out. On Friday I’m going to see karate kid, I have been waiting a long time for this one. I love Jackie Chan.