Sunday, August 31, 2008

Sorry...life is crazy!

We are sorry that it has been so long since the last post. Almost a month now! WOW!

Life is on a roll here. Garett is starting to finally do some installs and house calls not just doing audits....he hated them....we understand the importance of them and we welcome the knowledge of the area that he has learned from driving around Liberal...but we are both glad that those days are becoming fewer.

As for me and school, the days are getting better. I have 11 kids on my case load, had my first IEP meeting last week and I think that we are going to start with testing some referrals in September. I learn something new every day and it is exciting to see the light bulbs come on for some of the students that we are working with. My next hurdle is to get a handle on lesson plans for these students, at least for the ones that come into my room. My principal has been VERY supportive and when I asked about the deadlines for lesson plans, like which day everyone hands their next weeks lesson in on, she said don't worry about that. You have enough to do right now. We will talk about them later. How cool is that? It is nice to not have that over my head just yet...you know...get to know the kids, let the kids know me and my aides.....then we start the push.

Luci is doing great! She has a new friend. Matt got a puppy from one of the teachers at our school. Dakota, a boxer, is 10 weeks old and FULL of energy. I think Luci wishes that we had our lazy little Otis back sometimes.... :) Luci usually runs around with her for awhile and then jumps up on the couch to get away. Well, little Dakota isn't so good with those BIG paws of hers and can't seem to get up on the couch to get at Luci. However, on Friday...Dakota got up there so we might be in trouble now! One GREAT part about have Dakota is that when Luci jumps at the TV because she sees an animal on it...we can tell Dakota to get Luci and she does it. Literally, Dakota will stumble over to Luci and jump on her back....it is truly wonderful and funny at the same time.

The weather has been changing down here lately. So, Garett and I are both on allergy meds. Stuffed up and icky but we are sleeping good and drinking lots of liquids. Neither of us work on Monday and I have teacher in-services on Tuesday, so no kids. We are working on the house a bit this weekend...cleaning, laundry, bills....you know the stuff you which would just go away! Tomorrow I think that we will go to my school and work in my room a bit. My principal allows us to bring Luci with us too...so that is cool...she runs and runs around my room.

I better get some lunch together here. Garett is out on a call for work. This is his first weekend on call for work, they all take turns. Anyhow, we hope that all is well. Take care and God Bless.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Friday, August 1, 2008

Terrible News

We regret to inform our family and friends that we are now a family of three. Otis passed away last night.

After bowling last night, we came home and let the puppies out to go potty and play in the backyard. We have them hooked up because it is not fenced in. Matt, Garett and I were sitting in the living room watching some TV and talking when we heard our landlord yelling. I told Garett to go and check on our dogs. When he went into the backyard, he saw Otis laying on the ground, bleeding from his neck. Garett came running back into the house to tell me that Otis was hurt and it looked bad. I ran to the door and out to the yard. Otis was laying on his left side, not moving. When I got to him, he was spitting and took a couple gasps and then there was nothing. I knew what had happened, but I did want to believe it so I just stayed with him and rubbed his head and tummy. Our neighbors came over the fence to help. Their daughter was also home for the week and she came over as well.

Meanwhile, I yelled for Matt to come and get Luci so that she didn't get hurt as well. Garett was on the phone calling the area vets. The first vet said that he couldn't help us but the second one said that he would meet us at his office. So, I ran inside and got a towel and wrapped Otis up and ran to the car. We arrived at the office before the vet and so we had to wait. Inside, I knew that Otis hadn't made it...but I tried to stay positive and think that he and Luci would be running around playing again soon.

The vet opened his door and we went right into an exam room. He listened for a heartbeat or any sign of life but Otis had already passed. We went back home to check on Luci and then go to the neighbors house to thank them for help. I had to have Garett go and talk to Bruce (our landlord) because it was his dog that had done this to Otis and I was too angry and emotional to talk to him.

Everything has been a blur and we still can't believe that Otis is gone. He was a very, very loving puppy and for all of you that were able to have met him you know what I mean. Otis had a tough start in life, and then our family rescued him. We gave him the best home and setting that we could. He had definitely came out of his shell with us and seemed very happy. That is what makes this situation so difficult for us to deal with. Garett and I are extremely heart broken. However, we are grateful that we still have our little Luci.

Luci had seen the whole thing and Garett even said that when he first went out there, she was laying next to Otis, licking him. She seems to be ok, however, traumatized I am sure. We went for our morning walk after dropping Garett off at work and it felt weird to be walking only one dog.

Anyhow, this post has become long enough and I best get ready for a meeting that I have at the school. Garett, Luci and I just wanted to inform all.

Take Care.