Indi sleeps. Brad works.
I have not written in a while, but I have a good excuse. We moved. It all happened so fast– where do I begin?!
Long story short (long, long, long story) our land lady gave us 30 days notice to move out of our house because she is putting it on the market. Then she had the house power washed and a DHS sign appeared in the front yard that read, “WARNING: Lead based paint work in progress. KEEP OUT”. To that I said, we are out of here. Two weeks later, here we are on the west side of Portland living in an art gallery with Brad. That’s right. An art gallery. With Brad.
Our new neighborhood, called Old Town, is very different from our old one, Irvington. Irvington was quiet and residential with tree lined streets, a big park, and houses built in the early 1900s. Our building in Old Town is right on the boarder of the fancy expensive arts district (The Pearl), the downtown business district, and the strip joint- homeless shelter- crack dealer district.
I keep my distance from the drug dealers, needles to say, but I don’t mind the homeless people. They all love Indi. Just on our walk today one guy said, “She gets around just fine, doesn’t she.” Another guy said, “You should tell people she lost her leg in a logging accident!” He went on to tell me that is what a buddy of his used to say about his tripawd. It was actually pretty funny. And another crew that hangs out in the park says, “Hey, there she is!” every time Indi hops by. Indi pretty much ignores all of them.
The biggest challenge about the art studio is the stairs. Downstairs is the art gallery and kitchen, and the loft above is where the bedroom is. Indi can take the stairs just fine, but I want to limit the ups and downs for long term joint health. So far we are working on going up at bed time and coming down in the morning, and that’s it. She really is doing so well, but I still worry. My days are consumed with keeping her safe and happy.
yikes – lead based paint is awful. good for both of you that you skeedaddled from that place. good you could move in with brad, sounds like the making of a screenplay to me…. glad to hear you and indi are adjusting well, stairs can be scary, but indi will show you her limits. paws crossed you can stay planted for a while.
charon & gayle
Thanks, Charon and Gayle. I like what you said about Indi showing me her limits. It helps to remember that.
My days are also consumed with keeping Bruiser safe and happy. I think I may be over doing it a bit though. I analyze every little thing Bruiser does. I am worknig on chillin out a little bit, but it is hard! We also have stairs to contend with and this makes me nervous. But good news! Bruiser went up the stairs today by himself for the first time since his amputation! Previously, he wanted assistance, but not today. We were so excited we broke out some meatballs and had a little party. It’s funny because before amputation, I never really thought about Bruiser and the stairs or Bruiser and tile floors. Now I see everything differently. My sister used to say (this was before his diagnosis) that everything in my life revolves around Bruiser. After diagnosis and amputation, there is no denying it – everything really does revolve around Bruiser!
You are not overdoing it. Don’t forget it has not even been a month! This is all so new. The days feel so long when dealing with cancer and illness, and we want to do all we can… Sometimes I can’t believe it has been barely over a month since Indi’s amputation.
Indi looks like a perfect patient and living near the Pearl must be pretty cool. I love that area!!
Lincoln is all ready to meet Indi. Even though we live in Seattle, we are in Portland all the time to see family. He’d love to meet another tripawd his size.
They really are good at letting us know what they want…sounds like you are listening, and there isn’t much more that you can do.
🙂 Lincoln’s Mom
Hi Lincoln and Lincoln’s mom! I JUST read about you on James’s post about the Puget Sound Tripawd Pawty. We would love to meet Lincoln. Indi does not have any Tripawd friends yet (well, in real life). Later this month or in early November Renee and Wyatt and Wyatt’s dad, (whose name I forget at the moment) are coming to Portland. It would be great if we could coordinate and you could come down then. Let’s keep in touch. So far Indi is the only Portland Tripawd and I want to get some others here for the pawty!
So glad to connect,
Raina, Indi’s mom.
Sweeeeeeeet ‘hood you’re living in Indi, nothing like a little excitement eh?
My pawrents used to live in San Francisco, and I’m from Oaktown, we know all about that crazy stuff that goes on there!
Hows about you and me go hoppin’ in the ‘hood and show those gangstas and crackheads what badass really is?
Hahahahah! I try to sound tough but I’m really just a big lover inside! Ssssssh!
Nice, Wyatt. I’m from Oaktown, too! It is an adjustment, to say the least, but we are not giving up!
What a stressful few weeks, Indi and Raina. We are glad you are settled in your new home. Be careful about those drug dealers. It doesn’t surprise me that Indi is a hit in your new neighborhood. How could people not love her? She’s beautiful.
Thanks, Ginger. Like everything we are taking life day by day.
Wow, living in an art gallery. How cool is that! Sounds like Indi is doing great. I bet it would be a lot of fun if Indi and cover boy Lincoln could get together one day. I know Fortis would love that.
Sorry I haven’t checked in lately. I’m glad all is going well. Take it easy on those stairs Indi. Keep up the good work.
Fortis and Dad
Thanks, Fortis. Indi is rocking the stairs. Taking them slow but very confidently. Lincoln is going to come to Portland when Wyatt and his pawrents are in town! I’m looking forward to our first tripawd pawty 🙂