the dog days are over...

Not really, I just like that song.

So, let's get this out of the way. I'm caught in an unpleasant spot and have to pay for my Avonex out of pocket tomorrow. Ouch. Second time. I don't want to get into the ins and outs of my insurance situation on the Internet, but let's just say this hasn't been an entirely fun week in that arena of my life. I wish I had a sense of how beneficial Avonex truly is for me. If I thought there was little risk in skipping a month, I'd happily do it until I have insurance figured out.

I'm of sound mind and body, reason clearly, and work full-time. Still, insurance companies are sketchy about coverage for me because I have this pre-existing condition. The words "multiple sclerosis" raise insurance alarm bells. There's just no way around getting my health underwritten. So. Ouch. Let's move onto happier thoughts and not think about the cost…

In much better news, I'm getting a dog! My very first puppy ever! I can't begin to explain how excited I am about it…her. I love having pets, and while Ringo's a great little companion and seems to have adopted me as his family since I've invaded his home, I really, really want to raise a fuzzy something from scratch again. So, a dog! She's a yellow lab from Greyden Farms in Ontario, where my sweet canine niece is from. I've seen some photos, but not of her specifically. I am EXCITED to have a walking partner (once she's more than three apples high, of course) and motivation to get me off my butt on chilly days when I'd rather stay in.

In other news, I'm heading home to Newfoundland for a week for my mom's 60th bash. It was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment decision but I'm happy about it. I have to work the entire time I'm home, but I'll figure it all out. It'll be good to see my parental units. :)

That's about it. Life's good, minus the insurance bumpiness. I've been snowshoeing bunches and have taken stronger steps to track my protein lately. I've had some concerns about my protein since dropping meat from my diet a year ago, but everything looks good and I easily get within my protein range every day. I'd eventually like to drop seafood completely too, but for now it's still in my diet. Ideally, I'd be vegan, but that's not happening while there's still delicious cheese on this planet. And, now that I realize that many cheeses aren't really even vegetarian, I'm trying to make better choices there too.

C'est tout!

Oh, and I'm going to see Serena Ryder, Melissa Etheridge, Arcade Fire, and U2 this year! Sweet!