Missing my puppy

I can't believe how much I still miss my little puppy. He was just such a personality. One of my friends at Ivy Tech told me to get another dog, but that would be like replacing a child - it just wouldn't work.
I have started on my paper. It's beeni kind of difficult as I've been a little sick today. I also had to go shopping as we were totally out of food. I have to finish my paper by Friday; get the house in some kind of order, and fix some meals for Grandma. I've tried to get her to call Steve to see if he can come and spend a couple of nights with her, and she hasn't yet. I don't know what I'm going to do. I really need this vacation. Maybe a change of scenery will help me to be less sad. I certainly hope so. I just haven't felt like doing anything since Copper died, and this just can't go on. My ex stole so many years from me, and I would like to have some good, happy ones in the future - beginning now.
I hope my paper turns out well. I think I have good research, and it's a topic I feel very strongly about - dating violence and rape. I'm thinking that if it's good enough that I may forward it to some of the people at work. Rape prevention really needs to start much earlier that it does. Well, it actually doesn't as the majority of rape prevention programs target women, making them the victims. Many rapes have already been perpetrated before college age, and alcohol is a contributing factor - beginning at home as kids have to have someone older to give it to them.
Well, I'm not making much sense now. I'm really tired and still want to do a couple of other things before bed. I just hope I can sleep tonight. Last night was rough!

Copper's been gone a week, today

Copper's been gone a week today. I still expect him to come home! Everyone misses him so much. Callie waits at the top of the porch stairs for him and often just wants to turn around and come back without him. Gretel goes through the house and barks when she smells his scent. This morning, she jumped at the bathtub and started barking - and barking and barking. She barked all morning. She also went into my room to sniff around and bark a little. I hope it gets better soon. This has been a miserable year.
I've felt so bad, and we were ripped off by Gary to the tune of over $300 dollars. It's just been so difficult adjusting to new medicines and being so tired. Then Rhea Dawn dying on Easter Sunday like she did was just awful. But I had to keep on - work, work, and more work.
The wedding was beautiful, but stressful, and then my money disappearing like that just when we needed it the most. I just don't understand how that happened. Going from extra to a big negative was quite a shock.
All the things that I have to do at home is so overwhelming, and now this! The puppies have been like my children, and now Copper is gone, and I miss his quirky sense of humor. He was so funny and happy. He didn't deserve to go like that. I don't know why he would go like that - especially that day as it was so hot, and he always stayed close when it was hot.
So, for nearly two weeks, I've worried and mourned. It's difficult.

Still Sad

I'm still so sad over Copper's passing. I just miss him always being here. I could trust him with my life; he would protect me with his. I miss his "Copper and away" morning greetings when he would come into the room and stand on his hind feet to tell me he was ready to go outside. He was mean to the cats (not totally undeserved), kind of selfish, but I loved him all the same. He was like one of my babies after the kids left, and I just miss him so much!

Copper

I am so sad. Copper didn't survive his injuries. It is just about unbearable. This year has been so bad anyway, and now this. I just feel like I should have done this... or that. I know that you can't second guess and that hindsight is better, but I'm just at the point where something like this is just so hard. I really loved that little dog, and I was so sure that he was going to make it, and then he didn't. I don't know how I'm going to clean out his little man cave under the dining room table or take his little bed out from under the end table in the living room.
I will miss him being under my bed and coming to get me up in the morning to let him out. He was an annoying little dog, but he was so sweet, too. It just wasn't right that it should end so.
Copper, I love you and will miss you. I will see you again because I'm sure there's heaven for you, too.

Copper Update

Copper seems to be feeling a lot better today. He's drinking a lot more water but hasn't eaten yet. I hope he gets to feeling better soon. He's so lucky to be alive.
It's still HOT here, and I'm awfully tired of it being hot! Doesn't help the puppy either.

Copper

Copper is doing better today. He's drinking a little water but still not eating. I'm worried about him, but he seems to be feeling a littler better as he is now fighting me when I try to give him his medicine. I hope he'll start feeling better soon. There sure are a lot of pills to give him.
Just a few weeks and my youngest and I will be in Colorado. Got a lot to do before we go. I'm looking forward to going - I just wish it didn't cost so much.
Guess, I better close. Just wanted to post a Copper update.

Homework and more homework

I just finished my homework for my Psychology and Social Change class. It was interesting trying to fit my topic - campus rape and dating violence - into sustainability of the enviornment. I can't believe that after all these years I'm finally pursuing the dream of completing my master's in mental health counseling and beginning my PhD in psychology. I have wanted to get a PhD since my 20's and decided on counseling a few years later. Unfortunately, an unhappy (to say the least) marriage, and a horrible divorce prevented my returning to school.
I was lucky enough to get a job teaching, but I couldn't get counseling, and hopefully helping others, out of my mind. I guess that counseling is a calling, for when I began my practicum, I felt like this was what I was meant to do. I finally understood the idea that if you're work is something you love, then it is not work.
I enjoyed working at the homeless shelter so much, and I miss the people there. I wish I could continue working there, but I can't afford to at the moment. I learned so much about people and what they have to endure. I wish that I had money! I would love to be able to help them out.
Well, I am so tired and not making sense, so I'd better close for now. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Housework, taking caring of Copper, getting things for mom, working on my paper and syllabus, and can't forget the lesson plans!

Golden Dog

What a day! Copper, our beagle, came home looking terrible and dripping blood. I called the Cat Hospital which makes house calls, and they came out to see him, and then I had to bring him in. He is home now, but he apparently tangled with at least one coyote - and we're within the 2 mile fringe - and didn't come out so well. Now, 100's of dollars later... But, I couldn't let him just die. He's been a member - although an obnoxious one - of the family for years now. I must go shower - doggie stuff all over - and then I need to fix my dinner and something for my mom. Then, it's time for homework, for which I still have a lot of reading to do!
Nothing like the little curves life throws you to make you feel.....

Time's a wastin'

Today went well. My morning class did fairly well. We were only able to get through two chapters, but they were rather difficult - and one was really long. I haven't graded their quizzes yet, but I bet that they didn't do as well on the pronoun quiz as they thought!
Why am I writing about my students? I guess because I haven't got a real life, so...
I'm down another couple of pounds, but I've been eating like crazy the past couple of days. I'd like to get down to where I go down a size, or two, so that it shows that I've lost weight!!!!!
I have to go to the doctor's sometime this week to have blood work done. She said at first that I didn't need to have blood work, but when the secretary called me this morning to tell me that my bone density is good, and my X-rays were okay, that the doctor was waiting on my bloodwork. But they didn't give me a paper for that! Anyway, the bloodwork will tell her more about whether I have rheumatoid arthritis, full-blown, or not.
It's so hot today. Last summer, it rained - a LOT - and was cold. This summer, it's rained - a LOT - and is sweltering. We didn't even need an airconditioner last year, and this year, we can hardly move with the heat, plus the air conditioner.
I have so much to get done! I need to write an outline for the paper that's due in three weeks. I need to write a syllabus for the class that I'm teaching this fall for Ivy Tech, and it's due for one class, and the outline is due for the other class on Sunday. Then, I have lesson plans for German and Spanish classes to do - in addition to writing quizzes, games, etc. for Bedford. I have tons of papers to grade! Then, there's a ton upon tons of stuff to do around the house - both my daughters' rooms need a lot of work, plus the living room needs a thorough cleaning, and the dining room - let's not talk about that. There's all kinds of papers, and games, and ..... they need to find homes in other rooms, so that the computers and printer can go in there.
After the house is given a good cleaning, then it's time to start on the garage. I'd like to be able to get the car in there. Then I wouldn't have to go down the front steps with my huge book bag, and all the other things that I carry around.
Well, I'd better stop my complaining and get busy. Homework for Teaching Psychology and lesson plans for German 2, here I come!!!!
I hope everyone had a great day. (I know tomorrow will be. I'm going school supplies shopping!! There's nothing more fun that paper products!)

Another fun weekend

Another great weekend! I've worked a lot this weekend. I got the last two chapters of the German 1 lesson plans done, so now I can start on German 2. I also got a couple of stories copied for German 4 which I now need to clean up and get on another page, but that may have to wait until I get back to school.
Today I worked on reading for my paper, answering the people who responded to my post, and tried to get some ideas for my syllabus that we have to turn in this coming week! The syllabus is for a class that we might teach. Well, since I have to make a syllabus for the psychology class, that's what I'll do.
I have some papers to grade and grades to figure, but it's after 10, so I doubt if that will get done tonight.
Friday night, my daughter took me to her husband's band gig at Max's Pizza. It was really good. My brother and sister-in-law came over, and we had a good time. He's having a hip replaced on September 1st. I asked him if that wasn't the date that Germany invaded Poland, but he didn't know.
I guess I'd better try to grade some papers for tomorrow's class. My students are really great. I have a couple who have bad attendance. I will try to email them. There was an outage earlier today, and we couldn't get online.
Until later.

Another Great Day!

My son is getting his truck - without help from his father! Yeah! He's so excited, but he has to find his keys to Jada's car. He can't find them and locked them in her car.
I just watched part of one of my favorite movies - Meet Me in St. Louis! I forgot it was on, or I would have watched all of it. Ma and Pa Kettle is coming on now. I love that series. It's so funny. There are so many movies that I love - and TMC is playing a lot of them this summer.
Got a lot of lesson plans done this morning and will work on something like that now.
My middle daughter and I went shopping this afternoon. What would we do without Walmart? I'd like to find out! Prices have really gone up since the new store came in. With this recession going on, you'd think that they would try to help out people who are sinking. A lot has changed just in the past few years. Well, we did have a good time. Don't know what the oldest girl is doing. She hasn't called as much since she returned to Colorado. I really miss the weekly chats (not at the fireside - but I guess most of all of you might not remember those!). The youngest one is at a wedding. She bought her dress the other night. She got the one that didn't look as good on her - she didn't like the color of the one that was so good on her, but they do what they want when they're out on their "own." She'll return the charge card tomorrow!
Well, I'm tired, and thirsty, and have a lot to do, so it's me and the textbooks.
It'be been a nice day.

Day Tripping

Yesterday was a great day. My daughter, her new husband, my new grandson, and my mom went to Lawrence County and visited Blue Springs Cavern. I didn't go this time, so Mom and I sat on the porch enjoying the breeze. They had a good time; matter of fact, the son-in-law is interested in working there, so he can go into the cave and explore - something only the employees can do.
After that, we drove to Montgomery and ate at the Amish restaurant there. We drove out for a while into the countryside, so that J-boy could see buggies and such. We also did a little shopping, and I was able to pick up a few Christmas presents. Christmas, you say? With my financial and time budget, I have to start early.
At any rate, it was a beautiful day - my favorite type of summer day, not too hot and a great breeze coming through the trees!
After I got home, my youngest was waiting for me to pick up a dress for her to wear to her boyfriend's wedding. I left my ID and cards in the car, so we had to come home. I gave her the card to go back, and I went in to do my homework. I did more homework, today and have a mini-paper due Sunday, and I still have to read some articles for that, plus work on my lesson plans for the high school, plus my new class for the community college, and write a paper for my social change class, and do a few more mini-papers for my teaching psychology class. PLUS, I need to clean house and get all the girls' things out of my new rooms!
Guess I'd better get busy!!
Hope you day has been as good as mine have been lately!