Restless Days and Sleepless Nights

Isn't that a song?  Restless Days and Sleepless Nights?  I can almost here a 1970s country western singer singing it in my head.  It is the theme song for today.  Add to that grey skies and rain and this gal and her husband would like a good, long, peaceful nap.  NOT GONNA HAPPEN.  At least, not with a 6 week old puppy in the house who cries all night long for its pack to find it.  At 3 am I was reading the dog listener to see if I should ignore the cries or go down and comfort the pup, possibly bring it to my bed.  NOPE.  Ignore it.  Time to invest in ear plugs.

I did learn we should have a playpen attached to his crate so that he has a place outside of his crate to use the bathroom during the night.  I also learned to have some calf hooves available for him to chew on as well.  So off to the store today.  At least Bryce is getting some much needed driving time.  Yes, you heard me.  Bryce is in the midst of driver's training.  I can see the grey hairs multiplying.

A Day with Hugo

Meet Hugo.  He is the newest member of our family.  He is a six week old Lab/Husky Mix.  I call his breed a Labusky.  Isn't he cute?  We brought him home yesterday and we, namely I, have been babying him ever since.  

I have never had a puppy before.  My biggest fear is potty training.  I have learned that as soon as he eats, take him outside.  If he drinks, take him outside.  If he wakes up from a nap, take him outside. If he has played really hard, take him outside.  So far it has worked.  Of course, I need to get the rest of the family on board with my plan.  

Hugo loves being outside.  He loves  the snow piles.  I mean, really loves them.  He runs to each snow pile, wallows all over it, eats the snows, and just has a blast.  His next favorite thing outside are the plastic tarps that are laying around  ( is it laying or lying????   too tired to think it through.)  I think he really enjoys the sound of crunching on the tarps, leaves, snow, etc.   We set up an electric fence last spring for a German Shepherd that we had for a short time.  I tell you that story later.  The wire was broke in a couple of places last summer when some excavators came out to level our land.  Hugo is too small for the invisible fence just yet, but by the end of the summer we will want to get him  used to that.  It will be nice when we can let him outside to play and do his business without one of us holding on to the end of the lease.  

He currently is sleeping on the floor next to me while I type.    I think I will put him back in his cage and head off to bed my own self.  Who knows how many times we will be up with him so I better rest while I can.

Good night!

Blogging again

I may be dreaming but i thought I might try blogging again.  So let me catch you up.  Since my last post Bonnie is finishing up her second year at Washington State University as an architecture major.  Brian is finishing his first year at Wenatchee Valley College as a running start student.  He is also the lead drummer in the high school band.  Bryce is now a freshman at Upper Valley Christian School where I teach full time.  Todd is still the pastor of our church and teaches part time at the same school I teach at.  That is us in a nutshell.

What else has happened in these past two years?  We built a house and now have a place of our own. I can't express how wonderful it is to have our own place.  My house is awesome!  Nothing special, nothing fancy, it is just right.

Today our house was made complete with the addition of our new puppy, Hugo.  He is a six week old lab/husky mix.  Jet black with one small white patch on his chest.  We, I, have never had a dog so young.  I was a bit nervous, but he has been so fun.  We are getting the potty training thing down so I think everything is going to be just fine.

Why start blogging again?  I guess so I can get all of my crazy conversations out of my head.  Will anyone read them beside my mom?  Probably not, but that is ok.  It is my time capsule for my family, so let's see where this goes.

Back Home

Well we made it back home after our whirlwind trip to Tennessee.  Our original plans had us scheduled to arrive sometime today.  It is probably best that we left early.  The transition from traveling out east and back to traveling out to Pullman is less stressful this way, although we still have a lot to do. 

Yesterday we celebrated Bonnie's 18th birthday by taking her out to eat.  Earlier she had informed me that her friends celebrated their 18th birthdays by sky diving or going on a cruise.  I don't know who these friends are but I gently informed her that none of those things were going to happen. Heck, I would love to go on a cruise myself, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.  

Today we return the rental van and do all of our last minute shopping.  Bonnie would like to get a coffee pot, some food, and odds and ends to make life tolerable in the dorm...yes, dorm.  The school is refusing to allow Bonnie to live off campus.  They stated that since she got her AA through Running Start it doesn't count as having a Junior status and since she is eligible for student loans she can't claim a financial hardship.  As infuriated as I am we have no choice but to move her into a dorm.  On the bright side, she was able to secure a single room in a women's dorm so we feel much better.

I admit that sending our daughter off to school is going to be hard.  Is she ready yet?  Is she strong enough spiritually, mentally, emotionally?  Time will tell.  Yet, most of us did a lot of growing up when we left the nest and tested our wings.  It is just hard to push our chicks out of the nest,

Last Piece of the Puzzle

We finally got everything settled for Bonnie's housing at WSU.  Sadly, the school is refusing to let Bonnie to live off campus at the Rock.  For some reason, because she received her AA through Running Start they won't give her junior status.  They still view her as a freshman and must live on campus.  So, the other day Bonnie sat down and applied for a dorm room.  Today we learned that she will be living in Regents Hall which is a women's dorm.  She also got a single room which she is excited about.  Although living in the dorm will but a strain on her finances she has a place to live and we know where we are going next Saturday.  Next Saturday?!  Wow...the time is going so fast!

Prep Day

Not much going on except the usual, normal Tennesssee activities, I.e. shopping.  There are so many stores here within a few minutes drive that we always try to check them out.  Mom found a store where we can get Birkenstocks for $30. That is a steal.  In case you don't know, Birks are $100 sandals.  I love them and was given a couple of pairs early this year, but checked out the store regardless.  Mom ended buying Bonnie and I both a pair of shoes.  We then hit Burlington Coat Factory where Bonnie stocked up on some school clothes.  I even got a few more blouses to wear.

Today has been prep day, as mom and I have been working in the kitchen all day to get ready for all of the family that is scheduled to arrive tomorrow from Indiana and Florida.  On top of cooking we have been cleaning the house and doing final preparations.  Shortly we have one more shopping trip to get plates, napkins, and cups, then we wait.  

A nights rest makes all the difference

It is hard to believe that we have been here now for 24 hours.  Yesterday was hard because everyone was so tired.  The kids did better than Todd or I because they slept off and on the whole trip.  Have you ever been so tired you felt sick?  That was me.  I finally went to bed at eight and slept a solid ten hours.  It was wonderful.  Today us girls are going shopping!  Dad has taken Todd to meet Harold Coker's son, Corky to see if he can help Todd find a hood ornament for his 1955 GMC truck.  The Cockers are big in antique cars and known nationwide.  The boys are having fun playing on the Wii.  I guess playing it on a 54 inch tv is more fun than playing it at home.