Just a ________?...

Recently, a blogger that I follow had an interesting post.  She was away from home for a while, and, while she was gone (or maybe before, I'm not sure), her cat became pregnant.  Many comments flew through blog-o-sphere, some nice, some....well.....let's just say that "venomous" could be an accurate description.  Some people were genuinely concerned about what they perceived to be "irresponsibility" on the bloggers part for not having the cat spayed and I understand where they are coming from.  While I do understand, I don't agree with the nasty comments.  People are entitled to their own opinions, whether I agree with them or not, but everyone should be respectful when discussing opinions.  Normally I don't get involved in commenting on posts or nasty comments for no other reason than I don't want any venom directed at me.  That is, until I read the post.

I am firmly in the "animal lover" camp.  I am not, however, a vegetarian (I love me some beef!), nor do I particularly like cats.  Actually, I don't like cats at all.  I do love dogs, though, and my fur was ruffled as I read through the comments left on the blog post.  Understand, while I do not share the attitude of the blogger, I do completely respect her opinion and her right to blog about it on her blog.  What I do not respect, though, are the insulting comments left to people who disagree with the "It's Just a (insert your pet here)" statement.

Disclaimer:  no one left a hateful comment to me and I do not respect commentors who share my opinion but are rude about it.

One commentor even went so far as to imply that individuals who were "for" animal rights must also be "for" aborting babies.  Hmmmmm.  Really?  That's quite a jump in reasoning, don't you think?  I think all animals (yes, even cats) should be treated humanely and I am against abortion.

My comment was respectful.  I stated how I felt about my sweet girl.  The person who responded was also respectful and I appreciated that.  I was in no way looking to get into a fight.  She left a question thatI am sure she thought made her point, though:  If I had the choice between saving a three-year old or my dog....I am sure that, to her, the choice is clear.  To me?  Well, I don't have children.  If I did, I would sacrifice myself to save both before I would let something happen to either.  I can not imagine the horrendous guilt I would feel if something happened to raven and I didn't do everything in my power to save her.  You see, she is always happy to see me, has never talked about me or stabbed me in the back, and has been more loyal to me that some "friends" I have had in my life.  I know that, without a doubt, my little Chihuahua would give her life to protect me.  So no, she is not "just" a dog.

The following is not mine and I am not sure where it originated.  I am not claiming it as my own but I think it sums up my feelings well:

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."  They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."   Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."  Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.  Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."  "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.  "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.  Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future.  So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.  "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man."  So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile because they "just don't understand."

A funny thing happened...

while I was weed-whacking the yard this afternoon....

(Don't worry--I'll get to work stories in a minute but this is too good to pass up.)

So, I finished mowing the lawn and came in to get the weed-whacker (Yes, I keep it inside.  It is electric and has to be plugged in.)  Anywho.  miss raven wanted to go outside when I was mowing but I wouldn't let her.  I decided it would be ok for her to come out when I was wee-whacking, though, so out she came.  I am merrily whacking away and listening to my iPod (I'd like to take this moment to express my love for the B-52's, P!nk, and Madonna) when I come around the house to the diva's favorite no-no spot.  You know, the place around the side of the house where I really don't want her to go because I can't see her and don't always know what is there.  So here I come with the weed-whacker and she goes postal.  Seriously.  She was FA-reaking out and started attacking the weed-whacker.  I'm so not even kidding.  I was laughing so hard and trying to keep her away because I didn't want her to get hurt by anything flying up or the weed-whackery plastic thingie that cuts the weeds.  She was barking like crazy and kept charging at the whacker like she wanted to kill it.  I wish I had it on video.  It was THAT funny.

Work was pretty good again today.  Still crazy busy but, as I said yesterday, that does make the day go by faster.  I have to tell you, though, I will be SO glad when it is May 21.  Much of my stress will be gone then.

Here are some pictures from spring break.  Again, no pictures from the beach, but some from Skyline Drive (I miss you BFF!) and some from Manassas Battlefield.  The last one is my favorite.

Told you the last one was my favorite.

;)

p.s.  Day two of AC working!

p.p.s.  I think I hear a tornado siren.  I'm a wee bit scared. 

Houston, we have...

AIR CONDITIONING!!!!!

Dear AC Guy,

Thank you for fixing the AC today.  miss raven and I are very graeful.

Sincerely,
me

I cannot even begin to tell you how good it feels in the house right now.  We are both so nice and comfortable and so, so, SO thankful that God answered our prayers.  Well, God always answers prayer, just not always the way we want.  Today, though, it went our way. :)

The first day back to work after the vacation went well.  I was EXTREMELY busy, but it was a good busy.  The rest of this week is going to be busy as well, but, like I said yesterday, that makes the week go by faster, which is always nice.

The kids are excited because they know that summer is right around the corner.  The next few weeks will be spent not only trying to teach them but also trying to contain their enthusiasm for the upcoming vacation.  Trust me when I tell you, that is not easy.  Especially when the teachers (and everyone else) is also looking forward to the vacation! :)

I have much on my plate right now and, because of my Type-A personality, I want everything to be PERFECT.  That, in turn, causes much stress for me.  18 more days.

Note to BFF:  "HOEownership"?!?!?!  Pretty sure that there are laws against that! ;)  Miss you, too!!!

All good things...

must come to an end.  And so goes my Spring Break.

It was a good one, to be sure.  I am not complaining at all, except for the fact that it is over and reality is back.  Sigh.

The rest of my Spring Break week was as nice as my first.  Here is your list:

1.  Went to Manassas Battlefield.  Took some pictures.

2.  Went shopping.  Grocery and fun shopping. :)  Great deals at Old Navy!

3.  Finished a crochet project.  Took pictures.

4.  Got yarn (surprise?!?) for new project.

5.  Got my hair cut!  LOVE it!

6.  Called the AC repair guy.  Currently still waiting for him to show up.  It is OMG hot in my house.  Poor miss raven is so lethargic.  I've got two floor fans and a ceiling fan on and it is 85 degrees in the house.  We are melting...melting...MELTING!!!!!!  He said he would be here in two hours.  That was two hours ago.  He needs to hurry the heck up.

UPDATE:  He came, he saw, it is going to cost me P.L.E.N.T.Y.  Like...I may not eat at all this summer.  Walking to work every day?  Yep.  My AC guy and I have a Plan A and a Plan B.  Plan A is to replace the fan and pray like heck that it works...my part of plan A, besides paying for said fan, is to pray like heck that it works for a looooonnnngggg time.  AC Guy is telling me that replacing the fan is a "temporary" fix.  I, however, believe that God can make the temporary permanent, should He choose to do so.  Please pray with me that Plan A works...for the long term.

Plan B is to replace my (very) old heat/AC system.  That is going to cost me an arm, leg, kidney, and perhaps the right ventricle of my heart.  If I have to go with Plan B, please pray that (a) AC Guy's boss will lower the price some--AC Guy said perhaps 10%, which leaves the total still very, very HIGH, and (b) AC Guy's boss will be accepting to letting me make payments.  There is NO way that I will be able to come up with the total cost all at one time.

Finally, I did have some money set aside for miss raven.  She is due for her wellness exam this June and this is the year of the shots.  Rabies, distemper, and parvo, as well as blood work for her heartworm test.  I have been saving money all winter because the poor thing desperately needs her teeth cleaned and I fear that she will need to have at least one tooth extracted.  Please, please pray that the replacing of the fan holds until at least next summer so that I don't have to choose between heat/AC and getting her mouth taken care of.  I really can't leave her mouth for another year because an infection could get into her blood stream and kill her but I also can't have her cooped up in a HOT house all summer either.

                                                  ROCK.        me.         HARD PLACE.

sigh.

Anyway--God is good and I know that this will work out.  I mean, look where I was this time last year.  House yanked out from underneath me, not sure where I was going to live, stressing out.  Now I am in my own house, which I love, and, although this whole "having to pay for everything yourself, homeowner" sucks, it is WAY better than dealing with an irresponsible, dishonest landlord.

So.  It's back to work for me tomorrow.  I love being off work and the next two weeks are going to be crazy busy.  Actually, the next month is going to be crazy, insanely busy, but that is normal for this time of the year.  Aside from how tired it makes me, I really don't mind because it makes the time go by faster.  Soon it will be summer and I will be able to relax a little.

Now I must go.  The computer is hot, the house is hot, I am hot.  I am also in need of a popsicle.

Good night! :)

So far...

this is what I have accomplished on my spring break:

1.  Sleep.

2.  Clean house.

3.  Mow lawn.

4.  Entertain diva.

5.  Take a trip to Skyline Drive.  See four (alive) deer feeding on the side of the road.  Get some low quality pictures.  Will share those in a later post.

6.  GO TO THE BEACH!!!!!!!  :)

7.  Become furious with myself for forgetting camera on trip to the beach.

8.  Learn that diva does NOT like seagulls, people, sand, people, the ocean, people, the boardwalk, people, new places, and people.  Spoiled much? 

side note:  I must tell you how absolutely HIL-arious it was to watch her on the beach.  She couldn't decide if she wanted to whine because of the sand, bark because the seagulls were seriously #*$%*# her off, whine because of the cold, bark at the ocean because it was also seriously #($&^$& her off, or just hate me in general.  She is so funny.  I would have love to have shown you a video of all of that but alas, I FORGOT MY STUPID CAMERA!!! 

9.  Read two books with two more waiting.  (You can do a whole lot of reading while sitting on the boardwalk.)

10.  Walked five miles yesterday, up and down the boardwalk.  We will not discuss what I ate in this post, although I didn't do too badly because I didn't eat everything that I *wanted* to eat.

Phew!  And I still have several days of spring break to go!

And, lest I forget:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST BROTHER IN THE WORLD!!!!!!! :)

:)

Enough...

is enough.

I am sick to death of mean girls.  Does it ever end?  Mean, catty, nasty, arrogant little girls.  I've had enough.  And I've also had enough of their enabling parents who think that their "angel" would never, ever do anything wrong and it MUST be all the other girls picking on their sweet, innocent daughter.

Pardon me while I gag.

I also got yelled at by a parent today.  Seriously.  I mean YELLED at.  For fifteen minutes.  It was so bad that I had to hold the phone away from my ear.  And you know whar?  Nothing will happen to her.  This would be the same parent who barged into my office last December and yelled at me (in front of her son) for something that supposedly happened that her son didn't tell anyone at school about.  (Come to find out that her son was the actual instigator.  No apology, of course.  Nothing happened to her then, either, which is why she feels that it is no problem at all to continue doing it.)

I am beyond tired of being treated like this.

Tomorrow is the last day before Spring Break.  It should be a nice, enjoyable day but, no.  I have to deal with mean girls.

Grrrr.

}: o(

I am....

...tired.  Very, very, tired.

...sore.  Oh my Lord am I sore.

...a wee bit chilly.  Where the heck did the warm from Monday go?  Please, come back.

...lonely.  miss raven refuses to talk to me.  I tell her all about my day but she neither comments or tells me about hers.  I also miss my family, my BFF, my Freddie, and mostly my mom.  A lot lately.

...annoyed.  If I get yelled at by one more parent...

...thankful.  For things like hot water, indoor plumbing, and coffee.

...anticipatory. (I think I might have just made up a word.  Not sure.)  Spring break is only 2 days away.

...signing off.  Good night.  :)

Ten (random) Things Tuesday!...

1.  I am in desperate need of Spring Break.  Thankfully, it is right around the corner.

2.  I did, in fact, drink coffee last night after I was done posting.  It was good and I slept.

3.  I pretty much found out today what I am going to be doing next year.  If everything stays the same (and please pray that it will) I am going to be so happy.

4.  According to the carton of (sugar-free) ice cream that I bought last Friday, there should have been 12 servings.  I am seriously considering writing to the company because I am certain I was cheated somehow.  I only had four servings in my carton.

5.  I hate math.

6.  I also hate winter.

7.  I love miss raven.  Thankfully, she also loves me and thinks I am the best thing in the world.  Next to a rawhide boney with meat in the middle.  It's good to know where I stand.

8.  I love Ikea.  If I had a billion dollars, I would buy one.  And everything in it.  Well, almost everything.  There are some thinks that those Sweedes like that I just can't get behind.

9.  I'm loving my Kindle.  Currently I have purchased two books and downloaded several free ones.  Free is always good.

10.  Bridges scare the nonsense out of me.  This is not a good thing since, if I want to go to the beach next week I have to cross one that is of the devil.  What to do, what to do.....and no, closing my eyes isn't an option.  Me being the driver and all.

3 days and counting until Spring Break!

:)

p.s.  11.  The people on the Biggest Loser are jumping of a building.  They are crazy.

Two in a row!...

...don't get too excited, little brother.  I make no promises as to how long this will last!

Today was stunningly beautiful.  I mean it.  Absolutely, completely gorgeous.  It was like Monday decided to cut me a break.  The weather was gorgeous, work was uneventful, the weather was gorgeous.  It was so nice and warm outside today I wanted to just stay out there all day long.  Alas, I could not.

Aside from having to suspend a child today, work was not bad.  I took a walk at lunch and it was wonderful to feel the sun on my face and arms.  Positively delightful, I tell you.

After work (because really, no matter what kind of a break Monday cut me, do we really need to talk about work?  I thought not.) I came home and let miss raven out.  We did not go for a walk.  Not because she didn't want to but because I was just too lazy to do so.  I let her play in the yard and I sat in my lovely chair with my lovely kindle and got to reading a new book.  Lovely, I tell you.  Simply lovely.

I cooked on the grill tonight!  Yea for warm weather and chicken on the grill.  OMG!  I rocked that chicken.  So yummy!!!  I was a freaking culinary genius tonight thankyouverymuch.  The only downside was that I should have cooked more than two pieces.  I have one left but that has already been delegated to being chopped up and added to some cooled couscous and chopped raw veggies for salad for lunch for the rest of the week.  Yummy!

The warm weather is sadly not going to last long.  It is supposed to be back to being dreary and rainy and winterlike tomorrow.  Our Spring Break is next week and I am praying hard for at least one nice weather day so that I can go to the beach.  Oh heck.  Who am I kidding?  I want every day to be a nice weather day next week.  I am greedy like that.

Right now it is twenty of nine and I am trying to decide if coffee would be a bad idea at this late hour.  I have a feeling that the craving is going to win out because it sounds so good right now.  If I blog at two in the morning you'll know it was a bad idea.  Here's hoping not.

Goodnight!

;)

this is for my brother...

who has been complaining mightly because it has been a (very) long time.

I have zero excuse for not blogging except that I just haven't had anything to say lately.  Well....that isn't exactly true.  I have a lot I *could* say but since it would sound something like this:  "blah, blah, blah.  whine, whine, whine.  complain, complain, complain.  moan, moan, moan.  blah, blah, blah.", I chose to spare you. 

You're welcome.

Spring break is right around the corner and I can't wait.  I don't have huge plans but I do plan to go to the beach one of the days that I am off.  And, may I just say this one little thing....if the weather is nasty or if I am sick I swear by all that is good, right, and holy in this world, you will hear me scream no matter where on this planet you live.  I promise.

I am watching a show on the Food Network.  It is all about donuts.  Three guess as to what I am craving right about now.

miss raven is doing well for those of you that care.  She has enjoyed this weekend because, except for a trip to fibre space, I have been home.  The weather outside was nicer today so she got to spend some time outside, also, and she liked that.  I am hoping to take the little diva for a walk tomorrow. 

It is supposed to be about a hundred million degrees outside tomorrow.  Me likey.

No, really, this donut show is making me salivate.

Ahhhhh....the beach.  Yes.  I have not a beach body at this point.  Well, unless you count doubling as a beached whale.

Bwahahahahaha!!!!  Does anyone besides me see the irony in the commerical that just came on?  JENNY CRAIG?!?!?!  lololololololololololololol!!!!!!!!!!!

Suffice it to say, I will not be wearing a bathing suit as I do believe there are laws against public disgustingness.  Sigh.

Any suggestions on healthy, portable, hot-weather proof snacks that I can take with me so as not to be tempted by the oh-so-yummy boardwalk food that I will want to indulge in?  I am thinking that I can resist the pizza, french fries, and other crap like that.  Funnel cakes never tempt me, either.  What about the ice cream, peanuts, and cotton candy, though?  I. AM. DOOMED.  Is it ok to limit myself to one treat?  Say a Rita's Italian Ice?  Especially if I get it sugar-free?  I will take water, also.  I was thinking about cheerios, grapes, an apple, and maybe a couple of pieces of sugar-free salt water taffy.  Seriously, though.  Any suggestions or feedback?

Ok, there little brother.  Are you happy now?

;)