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.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Okay, friends! I've changed my template. I didn't like the "all pink" hues of my blog before today! So, I changed it. I'm much more the blues and greys kind of girl. I'm much more subdued, like this template I found.
Last week was Spring Break for me. Cassi still had school. I was STILL married. So, last week was about trying to catch up on laundry, dishes, etc. Stuff that I have to do EVERYDAY anyway. Let's just say, I really did housework last week.
Plus, even though I had a WHOLE WEEK to do homework, did I? You got it! Nope! I didn't start homework until Friday. Plus, Rob was off a few days while I was, so I wanted to spend time with him.
For those of you who don't remember, we had our 9th anniversary on 3/14. I made dinner, but can't remember what?
I'm working right now on brain burnout. We got back a news story that we wrote before break. A man came in to visit us and answer our questions. He was retired from the Cleveland Plain Dealer. My story was picked to be published this week.
There is a lab newspaper that is published weekly for Journalism students at Cleveland State University. Our instructor is the faculty advisor for this newspaper. Of course, he was us in the Media Writing class to have one story published. I had to come home today with some minor changes for the paper. I've been going non-stop since I walked in the door.
I, picked up Cassi from school at 3:15, came home and cooked dinner (home-made burgers and onion rings), remanipulated my story and emailed it back to my instructor, and then have been getting everything ready for tomorrow.
On Tuesday, I have to head to Mayfield, which is east of downtown Cleveland, to meet with our speaker and take a few pictures for the story that will be running this week. Then, I am going to school on my day off to meet with someone in carrer services, talk with someone in the library, and finish my story for this week's publication.
So, for a day off of school, I've got lots to do! And that's not all my housecleaning that I usually do on Tuesday's.
Plus, Wednesday, we head to Euclid City Hall for a press conference with the Mayor. Euclid is also a suburb east of downtown Cleveland. This is a news story of Journalism. I've got a meeting with the department chair of the History Department on Thursday for a story for my beat in Journalism.
Then, I've got my second English paper due in first draft next Monday. This is where the library comes into play. I haven't had to do citing of sources in an English paper in 13 years. I have to now. The professor called it MA citing, which I know nothing about. It's probably something I did over a decade ago, but it was called something else then.
Okay. My brain is FRIED. I need to close this for now.
Love to all,
Cathy
Sunday, March 05, 2006
- 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 (Marie, you're now #5!)
Okay, here's my updated list of specific topics I want to cover. Don't know how long it will take to cover them, but these are it. Yep, Marie, you're moving up the ladder. Maybe I'll talk about you next this week!
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
So, Rob answered my add just after Valentine's Day. He stated to me that he didn't live half way across the world and wanted to get to know me. I replied directly to his email address through my work address. At the time, my email was cathy.valliere at ey.com. From this email, he was able to look me up through the internet and call my apartment. I was shocked and excited as well. Who was this guy who was so worried about me because of my email address and called? He said he was concerned because Ernst & Young (who I worked for at the time) used our full first and last names in our email address. I never saw any problem.
Anyway, we spent the first week getting to know each other through email and the phone. Also, that same week, instead of working in our downtown Cleveland offices, I was working at our training facility in Middleburg Heights. Within a few days, he calls me and tells me that he sent a surprise to me at work! Well, I was so excited, but also sad. I had never gotten anything at work, but all the other girls there did! So, he had to get off the phone and re-route my package to my apartment. When I got home, at my front door was a half dozen red roses. I was so excited to see them! My neighbor was so jealous. She brought in the roses because they had been left outside at the side door.
That next weekend, we had our first date. He took me to Lone Star Steakhouse and to see The Empire Strikes Back! Yes, folks. I am a Star Wars buff. When he came to pick me up, the first thing I did was give him a hug. I love to hug people, so this is what I would have done. He was so shocked. The next day, I had a tremendous amount of laundry to do. So, I told him to come over. I would cook him dinner, and we would have date 2 at my house. Since my parents lived across the street, my laundry went there where I could wash it for free! (such luck!) We went up stairs, and Rob met my parents. On date 2, we discussed the idea of getting married. I figured, "What the heck!" I felt like it. It sounded like a good idea!
That next Wednesday, Rob came over and spent the night. In the parking lot of my apartment building, there was only room for three cars. So, my car (oh yeah! A month after I dropped Jason, I went out and bought my own first car! A saturn!) went across the street to my grandfather's parking lot. You see, my parents live in the same building with my grandfather, his business on the first floor and two apartments on the second. The next day, I went to retrieve my car. I went upstairs to say hello to mom and dad.
Dad says to me, "I see you had company last night!"
Was I embarrassed as heck or what!? I replied yep. Not much to say here!
Dad says to me again, "Where did you meet him?" Where I replied on the Internet. He says, "Oh, you have to watch those guys on the Internet. Remember, if you look in the trunk of his car and find a bowl and some flakes, RUN LIKE HELL! He's a Cereal Killer!"
Oh, my god! My dad just busted on Rob! Okay, here's the deal. If my dad likes you, he picks on you. In the four years I dated Jason, he didn't once pick on Jason. So, I just knew that my dad approved of Rob. Believe me, Rob and my dad are completely the SAME!
After that, I started staying at Rob's apartment and commuting into town to work. Rob lived in Elyria, about a half hour from my apartment.
We got married on March 14, 1997! We're coming up to our ninth wedding anniversary. It has been good times and bad ever since. Mom and dad treat Rob like their missing son! Go figure!
When my parents found out we were getting married, they were cool with it. Rob's parents wanted to disown him. With or without their approval, we got married. It was a civil ceremony, in front of a judge. The whole thing took five minutes. My mom came to the ceremony; then we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner! Rob's mom was very jealous because at first my mom wasn't going to be there because of a dentist appointment. At the last minute, she rescheduled the appointment and went. Well, we didn't call his mom to tell her of my mom's change of plans, which further pissed her off.
Oh, well!
The week after we got married, I had to take my first-ever major business trip. I had to go to Phoenix for 10 days. While I was away, Rob and my dad moved all my JUNK from my apartment to his. What a site when I got back, jet-lagged and exhausted! Just about ALL my stuff was in a separate storage room, where I had to make heads or tails of the stuff. My stove, tv, and bed all went to my mom. The two dressers I had went to an antique dealer.
Remember all those emails Rob sent me? Well, I still have them to this day! For those of you who don't know, we are a family of 3. It's Rob, me, and our daughter, Cassi. Plus, the adopted cat, Charlie. That's all we need.
All my life, growing up, I admantly denied that I would ever have a family. I didn't want to get married, just have a career. Of course, I didn't want kids. But, Cassi is a hoot! She can be a real PITA (pain in the a**). But, she can also be so much fun. You can see all the wonder that is going on in her brain.
Okay, enough of that for now, I have to get back to my English paper. I've got the final due tomorrow. I had to analyze a poem. Of course, I do things at the last minute, but it's done so well.
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Okay, I'm going to spend some time over the next week talking about my "list of topics" from earlier.
As for a little history, I had met this guy, Jason Birzer, in Washington, D.C. We met in passing on the subway system. At this time, I'm not going to get into detail about Jason, just that we dated for four years. At the end, he complained to me that I wasn't trying hard enough to be with him in the Washington area. I had indeed tried very hard to get a job in that market. But, I had a lot of bills at that time. For me to move to that area, I would have needed to buy a car and insurance, along with rent an appartment, which would have costed me over $800 a month. At the time, I was living in an apartment for $200 a month and didn't need a car or car insurance. The only position I was able to find was comparable in salary to the one I had. Now, I was being very logical about the whole issue. Why should I move to another part of the country, paying more than I needed, for the same pay? Plus, Jason was planning on moving in with me. So, what was the point? I dropped him like a dead weight.
After that, work started to go well and I was working a lot of extra hours at the office. One particular Saturday, I was working and the computer decided it didn't. So, instead of working, I be-bopped around the internet and found Match.com. Don't ask me how I got there, I just did. I applied and looked around. That was in November of 1996. By February, I had received an email from Rob (of course I don't know him yet), stating that he didn't live around the world, etc and wanted to meet. I figured why not?
It was a week after Valentine's Day when we met through the internet....
Okay. That's it for tonight. More to follow tomorrow.
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Okay, last week, in Journalism, we had a guest speaker. He does a special section of the Sunday Plain Dealer. He came into class, talked to us about what he does, how he got there, etc. We also had to come to class with questions ready to ask him, much like a news conference.
I came to class with a tape recorder. Boy, was that ever HELPFUL. I was able to record the entire class, which helped me to re-listen to the discussion to include exact quotations in my news story. I received a 5 out of 5 for the news story! It appears I may get an A in the class, which is my goal!
My math class is something else. We had our first exam. My score was 51 percent. Okay, that was pretty bad. But, the highest score was a 79, and my grade was the sixth highest. The average grade was a 17! He wouldn't give letters grades for the percentages, but it appears that for his grading system, I'm about a B. Even if I get a C, that would be fine for my GPA.
My English class has become a hoot! I am always saying that I don't like analyzing poetry. But, according to grades we have gotten back, it appears that I'm better at it than I thought. We have in-class writing assignments. She has given us back two of the assignments thus far. Both of these assignments would make a grade between an A and a B.
I would LOVE to get a 3.0 GPA for my first semester. Once my grades are in, I'll start applying for scholarships. I think with a good GPA like a 3.0, I'll be able to get a few, even if they help pay for part of my schooling.
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
Okay, sorry to y'all about my not writing in ALMOST 2 WEEKS! It has been VERY stressful and hectic here at the homestead. The main problem was the dogs. You see, since we had gotten the dogs, I was unable to go anywhere. My girlfriend, Jacci, well, she lives in Euclid. I haven't seen her in ages. A trip to her house is one hour, one way. Rob and I also have campground friends, who live in Wooster. A trip to their house is an hour and a half, one way. Needless to say, all I have done for the past 2 months was: 1. be mom to the puppies, 2. be mom to Cassi, 3. go to school. I have had NO social life. The most Rob and I had the chance to get out was going to the Home & Garden Show, which we were out for four hours. Let's just say the puppies needed to pee a river when we got home!
I kept saying to Rob that it was very difficult for me to be able to do all the things I needed to do to get my grades and not have so much stress. Plus, on top of it all, my sleep was starting to get affected from all the stress. So, he kept saying to me, "If you don't want the dogs anymore, call Dave & Pat and give them back." I wanted him to confess that it had been a bad idea to get the puppies, which he finally did last week. Pat & Dave Manning were the couple who play Santa & Mrs. Claus for the kids at the Kindergarten Village where Cassi is going this year. Because of them loosing the mom of the puppies from the fire, along with four of the six puppies (we got the only two survivors), I contacted them about the stress we have been dealing with.
So, last Wednesday, we took the puppies back. Last Monday, I talked with Cassi, explaining to her we needed to give the puppies back. She started to cry. Since they came into our lives, she has been pushed into her bedroom. She has kept trying to bring her toys out, play dress-up in the living room, etc. But, because the puppies lived in the living room, NOTHING of hers could come out there. They were chewing up everything in sight. But, I explained, that once the puppies go to their old home, we would be able to see our friends, "Nana Betty" (from campground), Aunt Jacci (in Euclid), and Aunt Patty (in Brunswick). She said, Okay, let's take them back. After taking them on Wednesday, we continued our trip to Wooster to see Nana Betty. Cassi just loves visiting with Bob & Betty.
So, it has been VERY quiet since they've been gone. We just have Charlie, our cat, who adopted us at Christmas 2004.
Today, after taking Cassi to Pa's for an overnight sleepover, Rob took his afternoon nap for work, and I took a nap in the living room. The nap was three hours. I could imagine what Charlie was saying when she laid down on my chest to help me to sleep. "Oh, the dogs are gone. Mom is sitting in the recliner with her blanket and pillow for a nap. I get to FINALLY take a nap with her on her boobs!" So, she slept with the entire time I was sleeping. We used to do this constantly before the puppies. I know she's happy.
So, I'll be able to continue my writing here more regularly!
Love to all,
Cathy 8^ )
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^ )