Wow! It's been a while since I've been on here. Married now 15 years and still writing away! My job is very logical so this is where I come to be creative! Hopefully I can keep it going again. Help me and suggest stuff to write about.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
So, I'll get that 4.5 out of 5 yet.
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Friday, February 17, 2006
So, I'm curious what my grade will be. The points available are 5. I hope I get a 4 out of 5 or 5 out of 5. If I get a 4 out of 5, I will have the opportunity to make changes for a half point higher. My hope is for an A or B in this class.
My overall goal is a 3.0 or higher this semester. If I do, it will help me get scholarships so I do not have to keep getting student loans, although I will if I have to.
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Okay all. Wish me luck. I have my first "man-on-the-street" interview in Journalism today. I have to out into the student union (where all the students hang-out) and interview 2 students regarding a story from yesterday's Plain Dealer. But, before we do it, as a class, we have to decide which topic to pick. Yesterday's newspaper had stupid stories, except one on students' families suing bullies' and their families.
Okay. Relax!
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Monday, February 13, 2006
Okay, I've been having a number of dreams over the past few years about my Grandma Muriel. She is my dad's mom. She died in 1989, and died while being in a diabetic coma. Even though she took insulin shots everyday, she also ate what she wanted. I remember her always having ice cream sundae cups in the fridge. Marie ate the fudge ones and I ate the strawberry ones. But, she also had lots of fruits when we came to visit. Marie loved to eat the cherries and I loved the grapes. Hmmm, I wonder why Marie loves grapes now? Okay, I digress!
Last week, I had a dream about her house after her death. I was there at her house, but was seeing things very strangely. In her kitchen, she had a U-shaped kitchen area, where were were a ton of cabinets, with one set coming out of the wall like an island. Well, they were gone. When Marie and I were growing up, we usually sat there to eat on small bar chairs that appeared to be made for that island. Plus, they whole room reminded me of the 1950s or 60s. Also there was a chest freezer in the kitchen, which I said, "I'm glad the freezer is up here now, instead of in the basement." But, I don't EVER remember there being a freezer in the house. AND, on the wall, there appeared to be a copper baking set, with a bowl, cookie cutters, etc. I was adamant that they were to come to me. All of a sudden, there is someone else in the house, and a some-sort of diplomat who was having us auction the house. The person who placed the highest bid on the rental price of the house would own it. What the dream was saying was, you can buy the house, but only to rent it out and the person with the highest rental price would win.
VERY strange indeed! It seems that I have unfinished business in MA where my Grandma lived, but won't know unless I go there for a visit. This is what my dream seems to be telling me. But, when will I get the chance to visit there? Don't know. Dad took us a few times after Grandma died to see his cousins and his Grandpa (known as Gramps). He passed away a year after my Grandma. Since then, we have not been there to visit. Dad absolutely refuses to go there at all. After my Grandma died, everything was supposed to be in her will to go to my Dad, which didn't happen. She never changed her will and everything went to her ex-husband (another story in itself).
It also seems when I have these dreams, there is a jukebox in the dream. I remember, in her basement, there was a jukebox, which I thought was a Wurlitzer, but I'm not sure because I only saw it a few times. There was also a player-piano that my Dad used when he was growing up to learn to play the piano. Now, in our new house, it appears that we have the same piano that he had when growing up. We moved in to this house in July and was blessed to have adopted a dining room table and a piano. It took until Christmas for him to realize that the piano we have is the same type of piano he grew up with. Rob and I would like to eventually restore the piano and bring it into the house. I know it will be expensive, but it appears to be rather old.
So, the bottom line is, something (or someone) is subconsciously telling me that I need to make a trip to MA. Haverhill to be exact! So, any suggestions about when and where to go would be great. I know I would take Cassi.
Okay, gotta go for now.
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
- How Rob and I got married
- My history with depression
- Why I'm going back to school (the work-thing and the family/home-thing go in this)
- My parents
- My weight issues...
- My sister (sorry, Marie, you got moved to #6!)
- Rob's Brother, the full-time Criminal (Still!)
Had to add it here because I thought of it. Thought it was a neat tid bit of info!
Cathy
8^ )
(okay I'm getting a little better feelings-wise!)
So, today, I came to class and found out he had to leave because he had a car accident. Today, was a court appearance by both parties that occurred this morning. He was unable to change the time. So, class was out. I now have this time to blab.
Monday and Tuesday were very bad for me. Rob had to work this weekend, which required me to stay put in the house and not go anywhere. Plus, with the puppies, we cannot go anywhere for more than two hours at a time without needing to get back to take care of them. Now, I know we didn't go to very many places before the puppies, but my freedom has been cut 100%. Even now, I cannot go visit my friend Jacci because she lives so far away. Because we are in Elyria and she's in Euclid, the trip is almost an hour one way. Plus, when I go to visit, it's not just a quick, "Hello. How are you visit?" We gossip and have a good time. And, when Cassi goes for the trip, Jacci always has grandkids there. Cassi loves to go because she ALWAYS has kids to play with and has freedom that she doesn't have at home. Example, she now has to keep EVERY single piece of toy in her room. Because of the puppies, none of her toys can come out in the living room. That was the way I wanted it, but kinda slid because she has always had toys in the living room. She can't take anything out now because if the puppies get them, they will destroy them.
With that said, next point. I am really enjoying going to school. When Cassi came home from grandpa's Sunday really sick, I knew that I would be unable to go to school, which made me even more depressed and made me REALLY tired. Because we have the puppies, who cannot be left alone, when they are out of their cage, someone must sit with them 100% of the time they are out. If you don't, and even when you do, you don't watch them, they potty on the carpet. This happened Saturday, Sunday, and Monday! So, I get to clean it up everytime! Our living space is a huge room. The room is 28 feet by 13 feet, which consists of living room and dining room. After getting the puppies, we purchased two baby gates to keep them confined to oen area. Well, I rearranged the living space to physically break up the room into two spaces, limiting the puppies to a smaller space. I cannot even sit in the dining room side of the living space to work on homework because I have to watch the puppies.
Rob doesn't realize how upsetting this is to me. In the beginning, when we were first married, Rob knew that I didn't want to have children because of my career. But, God decided that I was to have a child. After having Cassi, I lost my career and have been unable to get a new job IN FIVE YEARS!!!!! So, on Monday, when I didn't get a chance to go to school, I was frustrated even further, even though I knew that I was going to school today.
To top it off, Rob and I have been running a Watkins Home-Based Business. 2005 was the first year that we would be getting a 1099 for making enough income to report on our taxes. But, we are STILL waiting to get the tax paper. Rob's dad processes our taxes each year. We are waiting on this one document to complete the taxes.
Going into Tuesday, we get a communication from Rob's dad that he wants Rob to call him. I have been very anal in tracking every dollar in expenses and income from our businesses. Last year, I also added a creative services business to what I do at home to try to make income. Not much happned. Because we moved in July, any extra spending money we had to do craft shows went down the tubes because of the extra expenses we had with purchasing the new home. Rob's dad tries to imply that I shouldn't be running any kind of home business. I should be working at a job. This is the impression I get from his comments. Last year, I tracked our tax expenses and income the same way I did this year, but tracked even more detailed this year. AND IT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH!
Day #2 of being depressed. Plus, I don't feel any empathy or compassion for the fact that I trying sooooo hard to keep all this stuff tracked, keeping up the house so Rob can work, and now going back to school to try to regain my career when I'm finished.
I know the phone rang for me over Monday and Tuesday, but I just couldn't answer. I had an email requesting that I come to a meeting for the Berea Animal Shelter. There is an animal shelter in the area, that had a fundraiser this past weekend. I donated a gift basket in name of our business toward their effort. Because the shelter is a no-kill shelter, they are trying to raise funds to build a larger building for the animals. Okay, that said. On Tuesday afternoon, I received an email that they were having a meeting in Berea about volunteering with the shelter. We had two hours before we had to go. I still had homework that had to be completed. We had to eat dinner and get the puppies out before we left. Rob sat on the computer for two hours, instead of helping me decide what to eat and help prepare it. I was SO frustrated that I had laundry to put in the dryer, dishes to put away from the dishwasher and dishes to put in to wash. Even after getting that done, there was no help on dinner. So, we ended up not going. Also at the same time, Rob's work called, asking him to come in for overtime. He worked the 11-7 shift. We need the money bad.
Today, I'm kinda on the blah side of my episodes. I am getting very frustrated that I feel like certain people in my life are putting me down because what I am trying to do. Typically, the comments don't bother me, but they did these days. I am trying to better myself in school. I cannot get a career, one that paid me like I did at Ernst & Young five years ago. Nor am I am able to even obtain a job in the field that I want because of my education. I currently have an Associate's Degree in Communications, with over eight years experience in the technology field. So, I'm sick of people telling me I have to get a job. Even the $10 an hour jobs don't want to hire me because they know I'm over-qualified. Plus, they feel that I won't be there long enough for them to make the investment in hiring me. I will get my degree to support the work experience that I have.
Hopefully life gets better. I know it can get worse because it hasn't gotten worse yet.
Okay, that's it for now. I know it's alotta rambling, but I needed to get it off my chest.
Cathy
8^ (
Thursday, February 02, 2006
So, today we did. This eye doctor specializes in working with children. He not only does the "ususal" eye check, but also reviews the results based on a developmental approach. He was able to tell us that Cassi is farsided, and also has an astigmatism. Bottom line, Cassi needed to get glasses.
So, off we go to view the glasses that she can wear. We had her try on about a half dozen pairs before picking a pair with liked. Okay, here's the conclusion, her glasses cost $320!!!!!! Rob was so shocked that when we left, he went the wrong way and almost had a car crash. But, we had to get the glasses because our daughter needed them!
Who would have thought that a child's pair of glasses cost as much as an adults? Go figure!
Okay, had to vent and get my shock out! Now I'm tired! Nap anyone?
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Topics that I would like to write about here in this blog:
- How Rob and I got married
- My past work history (some stories, etc)
- Why I'm going back to school
- Our businesses that I run, along with going back to school and family
- My parents
- My weight issues...
- Why I like to write...
- My sister
- Rob's Brother, the full-time Criminal (Still!)
- My notes that I need to take for my Journalism Class
- My notes that I need to take for my Poetry Class
I'm going to keep this one short. Yep, I'm adding my notes for each of my classes. For each class that I have writing to do, also known as the "Cool" classes, I am going to write them out here. Mostly, I'm writing them here for feedback. Plus, when I've got an idea, I can write it here to see (and read) how it sounds.
I've got to close this for tonight. I'm having a bout of insomnia, coupled with migraines. I had one yesterday and today, until I took an hour nap, which probably helped me with not being able to sleep now. But, the puppies will not wait for me to wake up in the morning. I just know that by 6:30am, they'll be crying for me to take them out and get our life started again for the day.
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
P.S. I just noticed the time when this post was created. Based on what I think is happening to the time, add 3 hours to the posted time because it appears to be Pacific Time, which I am in the Eastern Time. So, if you can agree, it's after midnight when I actually created this post.
Monday, January 30, 2006
We had gotten a call from the owners on Jan. 3. The owners' names are Dave and Pat Manning. Well, Pat called me. She was so upset about the whole tragedy. She had the puppies in her house because the barn was completely destroyed. There was one in the local vet hospital that was fighting for its life, later called Rocky. Well, Rocky didn't make it, most likely due to smoke inhalation. Plus, out of the six puppies and mom, one of the puppies and mom were missing. Since we wanted two puppies, one boy and one girl, it had appeared that God saved one boy and one girl. For us! I told Pat that I would have to talk with Rob, but we should be able to come get them that Thursday, which was one whole week earlier than planned.
After talking with Rob, we ended up getting the puppies the next day. That Thursday, we were able to squeeze into our vet's office for him to see the puppies. By that time, we also gave them their names. We decided to call them Bonnie and Clyde. They are DEFINITELY their name sakes. Bonnie was just fine, just a little scorched hair, but no burn spots. It appears that she might have been the first puppy out of the fire. Clyde did have some pretty good burn spots on him. The vet had to shave most of his left side, where there was skin that fell off. But, after 2 weeks, most of the open sore are was healed. The last time we went to the vet, he was astonished at how well Clyde was healing. We were also afraid that he was going to lose his tail because of the extent of burn marks on his tail. But, short of a miracle, he is not going to lose his tail. Plus, the vet figured the shape he is now would not have happened for a few months, not a few weeks.
So, right now, we are training them for sleeping in a cage. But, because of the size of the puppies, which have now grown 50% in 3 weeks, we are going to have to look at getting a second cage, one for each. When we first took the puppies, they were 10.6 pounds. They are now over 16 pounds and growing. Plus, we are continuing to work on their potty habits. Because they ARE NOT to potty in the house. It's been tougher for Bonnie than Clyde because she gets excited when company comes over (oops! she tinkled!). We are training them to bark at us and go to the front door to alert us that they need to go out.
They are almost there. We've been pretty lenient on them right now with the leash thing. They have been pretty obedient not to run out of the yard when they go potty. Because it is winter right now, we're not letting them stay out for an extended period of time. This will all change once the weather stays nice. We're looking at the possibility of Invisible Fence to put up fencing to allow the dogs AND cat to be able to go outside without having to be on a leash or even hard, metal fencing. Will leave a note if and when it happens.
Okay. I've got to finish this up for now. I've got photos of the puppies from then until now. As my sister eluded in one of her comments, "I'm so suburban." Okay, Marie. Before the puppies get up from their nap again, I need to start a load of laundry washing, hang-up laundry on hangars, and fold what's on my bed. Plus, I've got homework in all 3 of my classes for Wednesday. I've got to get that done tonight and tomorrow.
Plus, I've got to order a CD for my home business, along with designing new tea bag envelope templates for sale for St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Patriotic, Education, Birthday, etc. because I have a few craft shows coming up that I'm trying to sell my products and design business.
You can find our home business at: www.naturallyhealthyhome.com
My design business can be found at: www.cathyhennes.com
You can email me at: crhennes@alltel.net
Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )
Rob has said to me over the years that he wanted a dog. At one time, we even had a puppy. It was a Jack Russell puppy. But, after a week, and both of us working ungodly hours as consultants, along with problems with the puppy, we took it back. That was back in 1998.
This past summer, we started camping again at a campground in West Salem (near Ashland), OH. Most of the campers there had dogs. So, we spent the summer around LOTS, and LOTS of dogs.
Then, Cassi went to school. As part of being a member of the Parent-Teacher Club at the school, I chaired a project, which had a couple come in to the school, as Santa and Mrs. Claus. The project was a riot! They had been playing these parts for the school for the last 8 years. On the first day, while we were waiting for the kids, they asked us if we knew anyone who was looking for dogs. They had a dog, an all-white Great Pyrenees that had puppies. They believed the dad was a black lab as all of the puppies were black. We decided that we wanted to visit to see the puppies and adopt 2 of them. There were 6 puppies.
When we visited, they were still being weaned off their mom. So, we were told a couple of weeks, around the second week of January, we would arrange to get the puppies. But, on Jan. 2, the couple had a fire in the barn that the puppies were living in. Based on the fire and where they found the puppies, it appears that the puppies we have are the only ones left. No one has been able to find the mom.
More as soon as possible... Time to start class!
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Okay. That's it for this post!
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Topics that I would like to write about here in this blog:
- How Rob and I got married
- My past work history (some stories, etc)
- Why I'm going back to school
- Our businesses that I run, along with going back to school and family
- The new puppies (started discussion on 1/30/06)
- My parents
- A New Topic to Give Marie #8
- My sister (okay Marie, here's your #8!)
- My weight issues...
- Why I like to write...
Okay, go ahead and post comments on this one for extra topics. All topics will be written about.
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Okay. I know I may offend, but this is how the emails went. My father in-law emailed, asking Rob (for those of you who don't know, that's my husband's name) to call him before American Idol came on. I figured I would be nice and tell him Rob went to work, plus when his schedule typically is set for. Week 1 (this week), he works Monday night, Tuesday night, and Saturday night. Week 2 (next week), he works Sunday night, Thursday night, and Friday night. He works as a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) at a nursing home on 3 12-hour shifts. So, I replied all of this information to him. Plus, I told him Rob probably won't get to talk with him because it was going to be a crazy night at work.
Well, here is what he said in response: I don't know how you guys are going to do it with him only working three days a week. Has he found anything else yet? Why did they cut the days like that? And now with you going to school it will be even harder.
So, am I REALLY annoyed at this response or what. So, here is my response to him:
He requested the 3 12-hour shifts to be home more often with Cassi. She’s been needing extra help with school. I can only do so much. They didn’t cut his hours. Right now, he is looking for something part-time, but may not. My schooling is completely covered by Financial Aid, plus a refund. I’m going to school full-time hours while Cassi is in school. We will make do like we have been. Plus, when we’ve had trouble, my parents have had no problem helping us out.
I didn't care if I offended him or not. I have been having a crappy night, being tired from the puppies, kid, and husband. So, I didn't want to hear it from him. Plus, ever since we've been married, they've made it very difficult for us. Unlike my parents.
So, I know I'll hear it from Rob about these emails, but FRANKLY I don't give a CRAP!
Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )
I know this is going to be a strain on our family for the next 2 years. However, I will be able to go back to work and have a meaning career. Rob will be able to stay at home with Cassi.
So, today, I went to downtown Cleveland. I needed to register my car/purchase a prepaid parking card. Can you believe it costs $141 for a prepaid card. I will be able to park at CSU anytime I want this semester for that price. Right now, my classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11am until 2:30pm. But, if I ever need to go on other days, it won't cost me. Then, I had to register for my student ID. I had one 13 years ago, but never attended because of money issues. (With just moving to Ohio 13 years ago, I was unable to get financial aid for school.) Then, I had to purchase my textbooks. I am taking 3 classes, Media Writing, Intro to Poetry, and Math. My books were a total of $289! Not bad for 3 classes. I had to take a math class even though I received my AA with classes I had from attending Drexel University.
I've got this HUGE Excel spreadsheet created to track what classes I need to take and their credits, along with tracking how many credits I will need to graduate. As it stands right now, I've got about 7 semesters to take classes. Over the summer, I will take 2 classes. During the Fall and Spring, I will take 3. Since I'm at upper-level classes, my classes are worth more credits, meaning I can take fewer and still be at full-time with 3 classes.
There are sooo many thoughts going through my brain right now, but even typing them here, blogging isn't enough. So, I will try. Gotta go. I've got a strawberry/apple bread in the oven ready to take out.
If anyone has any ideas for me to write on in this blog, I would love to hear your comments.
Love to all,
Cathy
8^ )
Friday, January 13, 2006
This blog will be about my life as a mom and all my thoughts and daily STUFF!
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )