Been a long time

It has been a long time since I have posted. Those reasons are many but here I am. I am knee deep in my work and trying to concentrate but it is real hard these days. Ok, everyday. I was never diagnosed professionally with add but I declare I must have a touch of it. At least that is my excuse for not being able to sit still.

If anyone happens to be reading this blog I would ask selfishly that you stop right now- STOP- and say a prayer for me that I will have strength, patience, and endurance to finish this race they call a dissertation. It is truely an endurance race and if you have ever run a marathon (I did one and that was enough) you know what endurance is all about. At mile 18 they say you hit a wall. I did then and I am now. I need to push forward. I want and need to get this behind me. I need to feel successful in this. My goal is to mail off a draft of my results Friday. Pray this will come to be! Then pray that what is written will make some sense.

YEAH

I am excited for the weekend. We have some great events happening at church which I am excited about and MY SISTER IS COMING TO SEE ME. That means Circle M bbq but more importantly it means I get to see one of my best friends. I miss my sister and don't get to talk to her as much as I would like due to her schedule, my schedule, etc. The free time she has is spent with Jim and catching up on her school work. She always fines time though to come up here and check on me! YEAH.

MableLean is gonna bust out Saturday night with her talent. Hopefully she will come through for me. She is excited though and has her costume ready.

Are we really amazed?

Wow, what a week. I was blessed with two days off and really needed it emotionally. Isn't it neat how God always knows exactly what we need and provides for us. Before I was born He knew that this day would come, the emotional state I would be in, the dilemnas I would face, and He promised to take care of me! We (I) often say that we are "amazed" at God's work and I am not suggesting that His grace and mercy isn't amazing. However, with that said, don't we expect that God can answer our prayers, lead us to calmer waters and greener pastures? When we pray don't we expect to hear God, see God, and feel His peace? Of course we do. Of course, we always want it instantly and never want to wait. This weekend was one of those experiences that reminded me to "let go and let God". Wow, that is easy to say when things are going good, isn't it? Well, I had to let go. I knew that my strength was so weak and I would never determine a solution on my own. I needed to turn it over to God, no matter how small it seems to some, although huge to me. I don't say that to boast at all but to remind myself, which I need to do daily, that I am so insufficient on my own. I need to let go and let God do his will. If you would have told me Thursday night that the following Wednesday things would slowly be working out I would have laughed at you through my sobbing. Since that dreadful day so many things have happened. Chloe is getting some one on one time with mom and dad. She is being given essentially a second chance to regain her self-confidence. I said to dad, quite seriously, "how do I know when it is God talking or my selfish nature trying to figure out the solution?" He chuckled and said, "well, you will know. Keep praying". I prayed and waited and tried to just be quiet and listen. I have to say it was almost immediate that God began revealing solutions to me.

I have had one estimate on the fence which was somewhat reasonable, I guess. The awesome thing though is last night my sister called and said that she was talking to her boyfriend and he offered to put up my fence. I got so excited because I immediately thought of the money I might save. Then I thought, "thank you God, thank you for putting Jim in my sisters life so that he could help me in this situation". I believe it with all my heart. I believe that God places everyone in a persons life for very specific reasons. Do we always know why? I don't think so, but I know there is a reason for it. So, I was excited. Jim called me and sounded very convincing that he could easily put up a fence. What a relief and answer to pray. After all, I did ask God to provide for me. I got in the bed all excited but then I began tossing and turning. My mind was racing and I was disturbed. I knew that I needed to sell the jeep, my beloved car that I have only had for one year. Dad has been on me from day one to sell but at the time financially I could afford it. Now that I have a car payment after 7 plus years I can't. SO, once again my dad is right and I am selfish. I decided last night that I must sell the car. after all for one person paying over 600 a month for cars and 100 for insurance is a bit absurd unless you are just plum rich and I hate to break it to myself but I don't quite qualify for that category! So, I made the call. Thank God for good friends. The guy I bought the car from agreed to let me put it on his lot to avoid me having people come to my house. I started getting anxious today thinking "oh no, I have two payments coming up this month" and because I am not getting my big check from work until novemeber and was told it would be Oct. I started freaking out. After all, both car taxes are due at the end of the month!!! I refuse to worry about this. I know that somehow God will provide the funds to cover all the payments. The doctor bills, the credit cards, the cable, the cars, the insurance, the taxes, you get the picture. So as I began to freak, which is my nature, I was once again reminded of one of my favorite verses, which happened to be on a card that my church had out for the taken. The card says, "don't worry about tomorrow, God is already there" ......for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you......

Just another reassurance that GOD is in control. Yes, I make dumb decisions with my money and have made bad decisions on purchases yet that is in my past. I have to fix my mistakes and then pray for guidance to change my habits. I am thankful for a second chance, although I think I have lost count but this is not the second chance, more like 2 billion chances. : )

Goodnight Chloe. Mommy loves you and misses you and YES I am praying for you my little dog.

Is this what camp feels like?

Perhaps I experienced a little of what my dad felt about 23 years ago when he dropped me off at The Cove in NC for a week of sports camp. I very vividly remember my excitement as we travelled up to NC but I had no idea the emotions my dad was feeling. He was sad to drop me off even though he knew the experience was going to be good for me. I was going with a friend from school and boy was I stoked. If I remember correctly it was not my first camp expereince but for some reason that drive up made my dad emotional. He did not want to leave me and make the relatively short drive back down 26 to Columbia, but he did.

This could be a stretch but in my feable mind I don't consider it too much of a stretch. This morning I said good-bye to my beloved Chloe for a short while. Ok, so she is a dog, but she is my child and I love her with every part of my being. My heart, my mind, my soul. There is nothing I would not do for that dog. When I rescued her from the shelter I committed to love her and protect her. She is going to live for a month with mom and dad while I figure out a solution to the fighting problem between she and Mable. All that I read indicates that their days of playing together are over and that is ok. I can live with that but what I cannot live with is the absence of my dog. She has only been gone since 7:30 but I have already called four times to check on her. Is this what my dad felt? A hole in your gut? A feeling that you have temporarily lost control over something you love? Sometimes I am amazed at my insanity over my dogs but then I realize that this is a blessing from God. He has blessed me with a tender heart to care for animals, his creatures.
So today I can relate to my earthly Father letting me go to camp for a week and to the pain of our Heavenly Father who allows us to make choices, right or wrong, but is always there to pick us up and bring us home. One day soon I pray Chloe will return to me. Return to a loving home where she is desperately wanted and needed. I pray that when she does return life will not be chaotic. I pray that a solution is iminent and that the Lord will show me that solution very clearly. I believe in prayer and unfortunately do not always pray as I should. I so vividly remember the power of prayer when my father was experiencing open heart surgery. I could literally feel God's presence every second of the day. I know He was there and He was getting us through and showing us His plan. His perfect plan. I know pray fervently for a solution and I am not embarrassed to pray for my dog.

Well, today proved to be another somewhat intense day of emotions. Chloe decided to go for mable again last night when she headed outside. I thought dad had hold of Mable but I was wrong. Luckily, dad was close and I was able to pin chloe, as strong as she is, down against the crate until the coast was clear. This aggression toward Mable has gotten out of control. Mom and dad seem to think it is too many dogs and this may be true but my trainer believes that two female boxers will eventually fight to the end for dominance and has suggested that I find Chloe a new home. Well, great. That is one of those easier said then done things. Chloe is not aggressive toward Olive or Gracie or to people. She has just decided that she doesn't like Mabes. I decided today that I just should take chloe back to Westminster to the no-kill shelter I got her from since they were willing to take her back. They are wonderful Christian people there and Sunshine, the director, encourage me to pray. Pray I have done. It proves to me that nothing is too small or trivial to be brought before our Lord. He cares about the smallest details which appear so large to us (me). Dad and I were shampooing rugs today and juggling dogs in and out so all could get equal time. I prayed that the Lord would just give me a sign of some sorts or discernment to make a good, rational decision. I let Chloe out with addison and Olive which is usually okay but chloe appears so freaked right now that her hair began to raise on her back. trouble was imminent I feared so I ran to get the hose and luckily nothing came of it. Was this my sign? I began to cry again. Seems that is all I have done since thursday night. Anyone who truely knows me knows that my dogs are my children. How do you give a child away? It is unimaginable to me. I asked my father to pray. He is definately the spiritual leader in the family and the one we all turn to in crisis. It was natural for me to ask him to pray for me and Chloe. He said, "we will tonight" and I said, "No, now". I knew this was hard for him to. He said, "give me a minute" as he began getting somewhat choked up. A father's love. He saw me hurting, he was hurting, and he wanted to help me make a good decision. I was preparing myself for having to take chloe to westminster and asked him if he would help me. Of course, he said he would but needed time as he had to return to Columbia early for an appt.
Meanwhile, life went on. Cleaning went on and the juggling of dogs from crate to outside went on. I went outside and found dad on the phone talking to mom. They agreed to take chloe home for a month while I try to determine a solution. Was this an answer to pray? I have to believe that it is part of God's plan. After all we turned our burden over to the Lord and asked him for guidance. Now, I need to continue to ask for guidance as mom and dad cannot handle a big dog and operate the motel. Somehow I will have to find the finances to build a smaller kennel within my backyard. This month is certainly not the month to do this but I know that the Lord will provide for me.

torn

Sleepless night. I am torn. What do I do and where do I turn? I know where to turn. I know who to go to. Why is it so hard to let go? Why can I not just turn it over and quit trying to physically fix the problem. I guess it seems weird to pray for a dog and the situation I am dealing with now. However, as I write this I am reminded of one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It talks about leaning not on our own understanding but in all things through prayer let your requests be known.

Lord,
I am torn tonight. You know my heart. You know it is breaking. You know my physical body is in pain but nothing near your awesome sacrifice. Grant me wisdom and patience as I deal with my kids. Bless my dogs and PLEASE look over them as I make critical decisions. You know I love my dogs and you have blessed me with your company. You know how my heart is so hurting now and I ask for your peace. mercy, and grace.

new adventures

It seems that in the past month I have somewhat unintentionally tried to not be so selfish. I guess the unselfishness hit me in a weird way- fostering dogs. You truly can learn alot from God's creatures if you will take the time to listen. Okay, so they literally don't speak but their bodies say it all! Today I continued the act of being unselfish. Okay, I admit I did it because I didn't want to be called a wimp. I mean surely it wouldn't be that bad. HA. NOT. A friend at work called me just as I got out of my class and asked if I wanted to go and give blood at the blood drive on campus. I said no way. I am not doing that. I have given blood to myself before surgery, well banked it I guess, in case of an emergency. THen I got to thinking, I don't want to be a wimp so I said, "ok, I will go". Oh my gosh, what was I doing. God gave me blood to keep!! Just like I want to keep my body parts. Then as I walked over and waited my turn I began thinking about all those people out there who are sacrificing SO MUCH for me and you. BLOOD being shed every minute so that I can go to the grocery store without fear, worshop without fear, literally live free. You get the point. Then I thought about the folks who wish they could give blood but NEED my blood to live. But by the Grace of God go I. Yes, I was being stubborn and not wanting to be a wimp so I said I would give but in reality I wish my first thought was "sure I will give blood" without even having a second thought. It was actually NOT a pleasant experience. They couldn't get the vein in my right arm to come to the surface or whatever they call it so they tried the left. well, the left was not wanting to cooperate and the needle came out SO they restuck me. I was not in for this battle but.....there is a child needing my blood. There is a mom needing a blood transfusion. There is a father, just in a serious accident who needs our blood. The nurse said, "can I try the right arm again?" Oh my, I thought. Sure, go ahead. Well, I really was kinda upset that it was looking like I was not a good donor and about that time she called someone over and said "what do you think about this side vein". The nurse agreed that perhaps it would work. Ok, so if you don't know me very well- I HATE HOSPITALS and most anything to do with them. I can handle needles and blood coming out naturally does not bother me but I don't consider myself to have a HIGH pain tolerance and going into the "side vein" HURTS like a mama jama. The nurse said, "this is going to hurt". Well, no duh. Hurt was not the word to describe what I was feeling but I kept thinking about those 3 potential lives I was going to help by experiencing temporary pain and an hour of my day.
I am not tooting my own horn but I have really enjoyed serving others. Regardless of whether it is a homeless, sick dog, someone needing my blood, or helping a friend, it feels good to be able to give back. It is such an awesome feeling.

God is Good.

Wow. what a day. I woke up this am a little bit discouraged because when I dropped "little girl" my foster beagle off Saturday morning at Petsmart I just KNEW today was her day. She would find a FOREVER home today. Well, that wasn't the case. This little girl, thus the name, weighs maybe 15 pounds and was from my best non-vet judgement a beagle puppy mill. She was a soon to be victim of "euthanasia row' at the local shelter. I got a call about a week and a half ago from Kelly frantic to get this beagle a foster home. I agreed to take her thinking that I could handle a 15 lb., 8 year old, beagle. Wow, beagles are howlers I am here to tell ya. Anyway, she sat so calmly in her cell at the shelter and I was happy to be able to help. I drove her home and slowly introduced her to my crew plus the foster boxer, Addision. things were going good and the time came to go to bed so I made her a nice bed in her crate and slid it in my room. 4 dogs and 1 in another room. HAVE I GONE INSANE?
To make a long ten or eleven days short the beagle did great when I was at home willing to let her sit at my feet but come work time she howled and howled and it just broke my heart. Besides that she was sick and already on antibiotics but didn't appear to be getting better. I was worried that my girls would get sick and sure enough, Chloe is sick. Probably kennell cough which is curable but a headache. Like bronchitis to us. they cough and cough and hack up saliva. Ok, this is WHY I don't do kids anymore. lol. I called Kelly and said that if she didn't get a home this weekend she couldn't come home with me. I couldn't deal with hearing her howl when I left and pulled up and she was giving my dogs a headache I know. Kelly agreed to take her back on Friday but said that she would likely be put down. Oh no, I thought. Put down because NO ONE WANTED HER. How could I do this? How could I be so selfish not to just deal with her a few more days or another week until next saturday when she would get a chance at a home. So, I agreed to keep her until Sat. am (yesterday) and took her to Petsmart. A family took her home for three hours but brought her back. not sure why. I was asked to come back today after church and get her which I did. I was sad for her because she is so sweet and at the same time a bit selfish because I was tired of the howling. I picked her up and those sweet brown eyes perked up when she saw me. Oh, how could I let this sweet, helpless dog be put down. SOMEONE wants her. We just have to be patient and find the RIGHT home. So we loaded up, said our goodbyes until Satuday and headed home. I got within 3-4 miles, thankfull a gas station and Bi-lo and ran out of gas. Ok, I thought. God, why me, why today? I have this extra dog still, and I am out of gas and I don't have a gas can and I just want to go home. I walked the short distance to the grocery store and bought a gallon of water, dumped it out, walked to the gas station, and back to the car. While on my way to the gas station though I got a call. Oh, I thought, that is porbably my co-worker calling me back as we had just hung up the phone a few minutes earlier. NO! It was kelly saying there was a couple interested in the sr. beagle. YEAH, a NEW HOME. I was so elated. Little girl was getting her second chance. No more cables to cut her feet, no more tireless, senseless breeding for this girl. She was going to her forever home. I almost cried as I waited for the foster mom to meet me at the gas station. I held her and said my goodbyes. Yes, I was frustrated by the howling but already attached to this little girl. Where is this going? I don't know but somehow, somewhere there is a lesson in this. I believe that. Running out of gas was definately a God thing because otherwise I would gotten all the way home and had to come all the way back out to meet the lady at Petsmart. Something good came out of something frustrating.

This whole "foster mom" thing has really been a blessing. I have met some INCREDIBLE people who TRULY have a heart for animals and it is so awesome to see. So far I have fostered three dogs and TWO have found there forever homes. Addison is still with me and is here to stay. He has touched my heart like no other male has done. LOL....but seriously he is great. Thank you God for allowing me to help save three lives. You use us in ways we might never imagine and I know that YOU have called me to this and for that I am THANKFUL.

What a blessing!

Isn't it great to be blessed? Every day we are blessed in the simplest ways and I know that I often overlook God's simple blessings. If you read this blog you will know that I made a HUGE mistake by paying Lowe's way too much money. I freaked and tried to fix things on my own and it was just not working. Go figure. My dad, as calm as he normally is in a time of "crisis" said, "Patrice, what do you need me to do". Ah, the calming words of a father. There to take care of any issue brought to him. At this time I was juggling my conversation with Lowe's and B of A and trying to talk to dad online. I was so frustrated. Dad said, "go to NBSC and get the money out of the beach account. Remember you have check writing privilages". What a relief I felt. I was going to be able to temporarily reverse my mistake and be able to free up other monies to pay bills. What a blessing to have GOOD parents. I am thankful to have them. Not just because they can help me out of a bind but because they raised me in a Godly home. They took care of me the best way they knew how and now, because of their generosity and love, I own a home, a newer car, have a great job, and can call on them for ANYTHING. THANK YOU MOM AND DAD. You are the best.

what a week

what seemed to start as a good week quickly turned to a major trial. One that I should have completely turned over but instead, as usual, tried to fix on my own. When paying a lowe's bill I mistakenly put in 2,000 instead of 20.00 HUGE difference and of course threw my account into a tailspin and me. It is amazing to me that such a large bank such as B of A cannot stop a payment sent within an hour or so but they can't so don't try this at home folks. Just when I was to the point of some serious depression setting in things changed. I had been talking to lowe's and b of a almost two hours as well as instant messaging my dad. He was telling me not to worry but I knew that if I sat back and did nothing that I would be hit with 5 non-sufficient fund fees. the one from lowe's and then 4 purchases made with my debit card sunday and monday. totally freaking out here but my earthly Father like my Heavenly Father was saying "it is okay, I will take care of it, don't worry." What comforting words. After stressing and literally about to go insane my folks reminded me that I could write a check on the beach account since I was authorized some years back on the account. What a relief. I could deposit the money that was not supposed to go to Lowe's and just wait for them to send me a refund check. The funny thing is the money they will refund is way more than my credit line there. Needless to say I am through with lowes and b of a. Sorry, stock holders. they don't need nor want my biz. I rush to nbsc and within ten minutes I am on my way with cash in hand to cover my stupid mistake. What a relief. all the time I was trying to solve my problem and never "let go and let God". Why do we freak and not rely on Him? Or should I say, "why do I freak and not rely on Him?"
today I am checking out my account and realize that I was in fact charged a fee of 35 bucks for the first overdraft. Oh, here we go again. Long story short they credited the fee and things are back to a semi-normal life.

hi tech world ain't so great

what ever happened to paying bills the old fashion way??? Why do I have to join the high tech world of paying bills online? I, like probably MANY folks made a HUGE boo boo on my online banking. I sent lowe's 2,000 instead of 20.00 last night. after realizing what I had done about an hour later I immediately called them and tried to get the payment stopped. Clearly they could see that my balance was not anywhere NEAR what I sent (by accident). they said they could not stop the payment and saw that it had to be a mistake and they would call Lowe's for me. They never contacted me today as they said they would so I called them. Long story short they cannot do anything and we had yet another high tech invention going on...three way calling. Me, lowe's, and b of a. the lowe's lady suggested I call in the am and HOPEFULLY get the payment stopped. the problem is that if that posts it will clearly be returned due to the funds not being there AND of course that means HUGE fines. meanwhile I cannot pay any bills because my account is tied up with this. ARG....it seems like when it rains it pours. well, it is freaking flooding right now!

AWESOME WEEKEND

Well, what a weekend. The big adopt-a thon is over at petsmart and ALL of the dogs that were taken there by upstate resuce were either adopted or fostered EXCEPT for 5 puppies. As I was driving home I couldn't help but think what the outcome would have been had I not taken that leap of faith and I do believe it was a leap of faith to foster cletus and tarheel. Brylan is now cletus. decided against Moses. The chihuahua that I was told wouldn't go up for adoption for a couple of weeks got his forever home and the two that Linda fostered, Sadie and Buster, got their FOREVER homes. I knew Sadie would go. She is a 1 yr. old labradoodle and so sweet. Buster is the 5 month old corgi that had been in the shelter for 3 months. HE FOUND HIS FOREVER HOME TODAY. YEA, BUSTER. Thanks to Linda he was able to get out of the shelter, get a nice bath, and find his new home today. The only fellow left (besides Cletus) is baxter, the little boston mix. He went home with Linda today until his foster mom returns to Pendleton and HOPEFULLY in two weeks when he returns to PETSMART he will have HIS forever home. Now, if we had not of fosted these dogs this week they still might have been sent to petsmart and found their new homes but I know that the chihuahua would not have. I am so thankful that SO MANY dogs and cats get a new chance at life. Poor Cletus, or should I say poor me. He had a few looks this weekend but because he did not stay at the adoption for a long time he didn't get seen much. They prefer not to keep boxers there because of drawing the wrong person to adopt them. I am hooked on Cletus and Cletus is hooked to me. He is super sweet and has definately found his place in my heart.

What a day!

What a day the Lord has blessed me with. tarheel got his FOREVER HOME and Brylan (now known as Moses (or moe for short) is still with me. gosh, what a sweetie. He had a nice bath and is ready to get dirty again. I volunteered today at Petsmart between my duties at work and what a blessing it was. It is such a relief to see people coming out and adopting or fostering pups. Young, old, fat and skinny. Many got new homes today and that is just so awesome. The sad thing is that there are so many more animals to fill the vacant pens. WHY ARE PEOPLE SO MEAN? I feel like God has really blessed me this weekend. I love helping the animals and working with other animal loving and respecting people.

Saturday tears

We had a good night. No one cried, well the dogs that is. Of course, I did. Why did God bless me with a soft heart? Sometimes I wonder but then why question God. He made me the way that He wanted me. Unfortunately at times that soft heart hurts and it definately is breaking this am. I will take tarheel to be shown this morning at petsmart. I honestly have not gotten attached to him like I have Brylan. Not that I don't like him but I have never been a fan of chihuahuas. This am Brylan went out to play and I let olive and mabes play with him. he loves to fetch and will bring the toy back. Olive is tolerating him. It is actually good for her because she needs to get over her territorial self. Chloe is a little but scared but she is coming around.

I really hope tarheel will get his forever home today. Because he is SO tiny he cannot play with the others and I fear him getting out of the fence in one of the holes dug by Olive. If you read this pray he finds a GOOD home that can give him what he desperately needs and deserves.

As for Brylan, he will go this am to get a bath. He is supposed to go to Petsmart with me for a short time but honestly I am having such mixed emotions about it. On the one hand I want to keep him. I know the burden of 4 dogs is alot but he has just taken to me immediately. I have never seen that from a dog so quickly. then my emotions swing to being unselfish. after all there IS someone out there that wants this dog JUST as bad as I do. So, again, if you are reading this PRAY that if we find a good home today that I will be able to say good-bye. after all the goal of this is to FOSTER and get dogs placed. Not adopt. Perhaps fostering boxers is NOT a good idea but I believe God's plan is perfect and I believe for whatever reason He led me to Upstate Rescue.
One of my favorite verses can be found in Joshua 1.9
For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not hurt you.

His plan, whatever it is, is perfect. If His plan is for me to keep Brylan he will bless that. If it is to get him a new home, He will bless that and heal my heart too.

Forever homes!

I hope you had a chance to look at the two pics I posted of tarheel and Brylan. I know what some might be thinking if you are reading this. Who are those dogs and what are they doing in my house??? I had been somewhat indirectly asked to help foster a dog last week and thought about it for a few days. should I foster? If I do, how will the dog get along with my three? What if I fall in love with the dog and then he gets his forever home. Well, these are questions I have to answer now. I took the leap. I called kelly at upstate animal rescue and volunteered to foster a male boxer. she had eight needing temporary homes. This group removes dogs from high kill shelters, places them in foster homes and then adopts them out through petfinder.org and petsmart. Anyway, I finally got the lady and agreed to meet her at the animal shelter. Oh no, I thought. here we go. the last time I went to the shelter Olive came home with me. I kept saying to myself, Patrice, this is going to help save A life. One life. Well, I brought Brylan home with me. He had been in the shelter for a month and if you have never been to an animal shelter it is really sad. I mean, really sad. I believe in love at first sight, at least with dogs. He was beautiful. My words were "oh my, I want him". I decided to walk him down to the play area and he immediately ran around. So happy to be out of his 4x4 cell. I asked that a female boxer come down and join us so I could see how he would do with a female dog. GREAT. they played so nice so I said I would foster brylan. I took him home thinking what have I done. Just keep telling yourself this is temporary. I am still telling myself that. the story really gets better. I go to work the next day and I had already tried to convince a co-worker to foster. She was hesitant since she already has two dogs but agreed on Wednesday to foster A dog, meaning one. So, wednesday afternoon we head to the shelter. I had one dog in mind for her that was desperate. He is a 5 month old corgi and had lived in the shelter for three months. How cruel. She took him out and decided that she would also take a 1 yr old labradoodle. needless to say they both went home that day to their new foster home. Well, as we were heading out the lady says let me show you a 5 lb dog that desperately needs a home to survive. ok, that is all you have to say to me. some would call me a sucker. I call it a heart for the innocent. this little chihuahua was shivering, scared, severely malnoursihed, and in need of meds. I felt compelled to take him. I mean who can leave something like that to die. Not me. So we load up. the labradoodle, the corgi, and the chihuahua. here we go. who would have thought that by my taking the leap that four dogs would get fostered in two days?? I decided to email a few folks and another friend agreed to foster a dog. I took her a boston terrier mix Thursday. He was so scared. he did not want to come out of his pen but little did he know he was going to a better place. I got him out and into the car and started on the trek to Pendleton. I delivered him and about an hour later afer returning to his new foster home he had really perked up. He was so happy!! Five dogs in three days. YEAH. Now we begin the journey for forever homes. Two people are already interested in my two foster kids and I will take tarheel tomorrow to be seen. With any luck he will get his Forever Home tomorrow. I will be so happy for him. A nice lady with a female boxer is looking at brylan. it will be hard to see him go. YES, I am attahed. I love that little boy. I fell in love at first sight and it brings tears to my eyes to think that he might soon be gone but then I look at my Chloe and think about the folks who rescued her and their unselfishness. You see if they had been selfish and kept Chloe for their own she would not have joined my little family. What a sense of security and love she brings. I cannot imagine my days without her or my other two. So I know that Brylan will bring that joy to someone as well. I have to be very unselfish and do my job as a foster mom. Loving these innocent, helpless victims of abuse, neglect, and man's disrespect for God's creatures into their forever home. These past three days have been eye opening for me. I cannot explain the emotions I have had for these two little fellows. I even thought about how I would like to give up teaching and pursue my dream of opening a resuce. Crazy right now but one day it will not be. If you are reading this and you or someone you know is considering getting a dog (or cat) PLEASE consider saving a life and adopting one from your local shelter. There are SO many homeless pets that just want a chance at life. Won't you give them that chance?

God's creatures.

when the light bulb goes off

Man, it has been a great week. I have spent two days on the road, okay well not on the road but I have been able to spend some quiet time in the car as I travelled to see two student teachers. I love my job. I get to spend time in the classroom, the gym, other peoples gyms, and it is just awesome. This week I have watched two special guys teach. They were awesome. Not that I doubted they would be but it is so cool to see hard work pay off. Sometimes when you are teaching you feel like no one is listening. you are so passionate about what you are talking about and sometimes it feels like it falls on deaf ears. Well, this week was great because I saw two wonderful student teachers. There hard work is paying off. the kids love them, the cooperating teachers love them, and that makes me proud. Gosh, kind of like a proud mom. Ok, maybe that is a stretch but it does feel good to see the product of your hard work. When the light bulb turns on and stays on for a long time.

Way to go guys! Although you won't read this (mainly because you don't know how to get here) I am proud of your accomplishments.
I am blessed to have such a good job. Many times I hate it or am frustrated by it but I really have some awesome majors.

a dog's life

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be an animal, specifically a dog, even more specifically my dog? I do. As I sit here tonight finishing my prep for tomorrow's exciting class I wonder what is going through the brains of my dogs. My FOUR dogs because Gracie is here tonight with me. Mom and dad came for the night and so I get to see my precious little girl. Currently, Olive is curled up in the chair, the only chair in the den and Mable is sharing my new couch with me. Gracie is, as usual, perched on gammy and Chloe is somewhere looking for more food. What a life of luxury. Dogs that get to sleep on a sealy posturepedic bed each night if they choose. Or if they decide that is not the place for them they have the options of the love seat or their own single size fold up cushion (chloe's fav). I mean, am I crazy or does everyone let THREE huge dogs sleep on the bed where ever they want while the human literally clings to the side. Why do I not put an end to it? What is it like to be them? Pampered, spoiled rotten, loved, trained (even though at times it is arguable), constantly rubbed, and the list of adjectives could go on. I just wish I knew what they thought. Do they know they are dogs? Do they think that I am crazy or do they even know any better? Ok, so these are questions that we will probably never know but then again in ten or twenty years it is likely that some researcher will be reading the brain waves of dogs.

That is really what I am pondering right now. What would it be like to be one of my dogs?!

Why you should RESCUE a dog.

Ok, enough said. Just look at this beautiful girl. You know the story. I am a softie for needy dogs and Chloe needed a GOOD home. She was found starving and sick in a local hospital parking lot. Thankfully, some nurses with a kind heart picked her up and took her to a no kill shelter in westminister. I happended to look on Petfinder.org and saw several boxers needing a home at this no kill shelter so I checked it out. Now, Chloe is a thriving little girl who loves to leap through the air and chase birds and squirrls. PLEASE consider ADOPTION for your next dog. There are SO many animals that need a good home. We don't need our innocent babies to end up in the arms of people such as a certain IGNORANT FB player.

Where do I begin?

I welcome myself to the wide world of blogging. Wow, how times have really changed. It seemed like yesterday cell phones were making there debut and now we can vent and share our thoughts online. Kind of scary but I guess everyone is doing it, so here goes.

I don't have much to say tonight as I am pretty pooped but come back for some thoughts later.