Hardly Working

Well, not quite hardly working, but I was happy to have two days off in a row. It's been a long few weeks, and now time for an update (WARNING: Long post ahead)

First of all, football has finally started. Once again, the Illini are disappointing, and I take a lot of heat at work for having season tickets, but tailgating is fun, especially since our group is small this year. Don't get me wrong, I liked the larger tailgates, but I didn't really know most of the people in the group as well as I do the group this year.




The last weekend I had off was the first home footbally game. Since we didn't have the dogs that weekend, we were able to have a good time and spend Friday night before the game at Dave's house along with everyone else. The game was a night game, and the weather was beautiful, and as a bonus, we won.

That Sunday we went to a wedding for my friend (and former co-worker/vet school classmate), Chris. We had a good time, and I got to see many of my former co-workers from Prairie Oak along with another vet school classmate and her husband. Unfortunately we spent much of the time outside at that wedding (the reception place had a very nice terrace) and I didn't wear bug repellent-not a smart move. My legs and feet got eaten by mosquitos.

Labor Day Monday was the one summer holiday I had off this year (worked Easter, Memorial Day, and July 4th). Since we were already in the Chicago suburbs, we went to a barbeque at Chuck's cousin's house in Vernon Hills. It was nice to spend time with them. We got to see a lot of their friends (we knew many of them from time at the lake house, and some of them are going on the big cruise in January), and met their neighbors as well.

Tuesday started my nine day stretch of working. I got a call from my former boss at Prairie Oak asking if I wanted to pick up some hours in the clinic while Chris was on her honeymoon, so I decided to go for it. Unfortunately that extended my nine-day working stretch to ten days. I will have to remember not to do that to myself again if I can help it. Although most of the calls I got during that time frame were good, it is very tiring to get up that early for that many days in a row, especially since I'm not a morning person.

Thursday I worked the day at my former vet hospital, Prairie Oak. It was great to be back in the clinic, and I was fully booked for the entire day. I was also excited to see that my schedule was made up of almost entirely my former clients (ie people that used to request me as their primary vet when I worked full time there). Most of my cases were fairly routine, and I only had one critical case (a dumped kitten that I elected to try treatment instead of euthanize).

I came to the realization as I was driving home that evening that although I miss the hands-on part of clinical practice, I like my (relatively) new job better. I get to think more about my cases and learn new things all the time with my new job. I think I also have a better understanding/appreciation for internal medicine and treatment of more difficult cases with my current job than when I was in private practice.

Finally, to Friday and this weekend. It was yet again another football weekend, and early game this time. The football group came down again Friday night, but Chuck and I didn't stay the night at Dave's house this time. We were tired, and Chuck was on call. The weather once again was beautiful. Not much to report as not much exciting happened, and our team lost once again.

Next weekend should be fun as Chuck's cousins, parents, and one of his fraternity brothers are coming for the weekend and to go to the game. Now I just have to work on getting the neglected house cleaned, organized, and ready for company. Wish me luck!