Freak Accident

Have you ever gotten the feeling that you aren't completely embarrassed yet, but you glimpse tomorrow's embarrassment?
Tom Cruise

Earlier this evening, I was taking one of those preciously few breaks that harried mothers have, and escaped to the shower to linger under the flow of warm water and soap suds.

Suddenly, my reverie is broken by the sounds of my two dogs howling in pain and my kids screaming for help. I raced down the stairs to find that, somehow, Baxter had not only gotten his lower jaw hooked around Daisy's collar, but also completely wrapped around it! He is shaking his head and yelping which only served to tighten the collar around Daisy.

I frantically tried to unbuckle her collar, but it was too tight and the hook was too near Baxter's jaw to allow me to get it loose. So I had one of the kids bring me a heavy duty pair of shears, and after trying to calm the two dogs long enough to slip the scissors under Daisy's now very tight collar, I managed to cut it off her. Just as well, I could hear her breaths getting pretty rattled.

Everyone, luckily, is no worse for the wear. Everyone, that is except for me. Much to my chagrin, I had performed the collar extrication in the living room. In front of two windows with the shades rolled up. You see, in my haste, I had come barreling out of the bathroom (and more precisely, the shower) and down the stairs at the first cries, both human and canine. So, the entire time, I was dripping wet, stark naked, and totally oblivious to everything but the plight of my poor pups!

Maybe no one noticed?

Good News / Bad News

Good and bad - this is the story of my life.
Martha Reeves

First, the good news. After being told that my job was being cut (enrollment is down), I got a new job at an award winning urban school. I will be teaching 3rd grade again too! (out of 19 years of teaching, I have taught either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd for 17 of those years).

Now the bad news. My mom's liver biopsy was confirmed. Although we all knew that it was probably cancer (spots like hers don't just appear for no reason), it is still hard to hear it confirmed. She had breast cancer a few years back, so now she goes to the oncologist on Friday to find out her course of treatment (and whether it is a NEW cancer or matastisized from the breast cancer). The thing that has me worried is she wasn't supposed to know the results of the biopsy until Thursday or Friday, and the oncologist called her today. Makes me think it might be worse then she portrays it to be.

The Wicked Witch of the East

Ding-dong, the wicked witch is dead.
from "The Wizard of Oz"

Ah, if only that were the case. Unfortunately, she is alive and well and living in Massachusetts. She is PC's ex-wife. And she gives NEW meaning to controlling, visciousness, manipulating, self-centeredness, and lack of culpability. She is also the queen mother of PAS or parental alienation syndrome.



Given my penchant for quotes, here are a few of her latest:

When asked why she continually circumvents the girls from seeing their father, she replied:
I DO feel very good about my parenting under the dire circumstances you placed us under! The proof is in the pudding!!

When asked why she called our house for the upteenth time (she once called 17 times in a 2 hour period!):
I have to wonder if Laury was lying as she often does about you being there, because I called your office and you didn't answer. I am in no mood to play games.

Threes

Nearly everything in life goes in threes and fours.
Ninette de Valois

I have heard the old wives tale that things (good or bad) come in threes. I sure hope not.

First, I found out that enrollment is down at my school, so they are cutting my position. Because I don't have tenure yet (I moved to a new district), I now have to look for a new job. Again.

Second, my mom is a two time breast cancer survivor. She went in for a check up, and her "markers" (not sure which ones she is talking about but they indicate the possible presence of cancer cells) were elevated. So she had a bone scan and breast scan. Both came back negative. So they did a PET scan because they were still concerned about the elevated levels. They found cancer in her liver. They don't know yet whether it metastasized from the breast cancer, or is a new primary cancer. She and my dad are taking a trip to see relatives in Europe, so she is going to have a biopsy done when she gets back. She lives in CA and now that I am in MA it feels SO far away!

So, now I am just waiting for number three to come along....

Play Ball!

The only real game - I think - in the world is baseball.
George Herman

Spring is here and baseball is in the air! Or in our case, softball! All three of the girls, even HyperBaby, are playing softball this year. That means my Saturdays are pretty much spent living at the field. So far the weather has held out, but it is only the first week. Last season was literally a washout considering how much rain we had. Hopefully this season won't be!

As far as the quote goes, I just HAD to choose that one. Why? Because I was lucky enough to have actually met the man behind the words. George "Babe" Herman lived next door to my piano teacher. I have many fond memories of going to his house before my lessons and hanging out with him. We didn't always talk about baseball, we discussed a lot of things. We talked about the dove with the injured wing that he had rescued. It used to sit on his shoulder while he was watering his garden. His wife would bring out lemonade and cookies while we chatted. He would often come to our recitals, and always had a positive word for every performer. He may have had a legacy in baseball, but his legacy for me will always be the kind old Mr. Herman who made waiting for piano lessons a whole lot easier.

Daisy Dog

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.
George Eliot

It has been quite awhile since I posted, but Life has kept me busy. Here is my newest addition, rescued from a high kill rural shelter in Georgia.



Here she is hanging out with our other rescue dog, Baxter. We have had him since he was a puppy.

Pop!

I just think that there is very interesting stuff in the mundane.
Harvey Pekar

I love bubble wrap. There is something very cathartic about taking a sheet and twisting, wrenching, and tearing it all while listening to the various sounds that are emitted. I remember how my brothers and I would love it when a package arrived at our house. Not, mind you, for the treasure that might lie within, but for the bubble wrap. We used to fight over who would get the biggest sheet. We would also have contests as to who could pop the most the fastest, who could pop the loudest, and so on.

If you enjoy bubble wrap too, grab a sheet and let's see who can pop the fastest!

Bad, Bad Blogger: The Excuses

Bad excuses are worse than none.
Thomas Fuller

I know, I know! It has been eons since I last posted, but life has been a bit hectic. (Though considering I have about 3 readers...) New school, new job, new class to set up. And I got hired THREE days before school started. Then my parents came to visit. Fun times had for all. Made me realize how much I missed the near constant contact I had back in California. Ah well, such is life. Then, the stupid router went out! No router, no internet access on the ole laptop. Aargh! So, no posts up til now. I have some ideas knocking about in my brain, so I will return to flesh them out in the very near future! Caio!