Cooper...what now?

28. Ruler
29. Cardboard from TP roll
30. Beer bottle cap
31. Book of matches
32. Comb
33. Coyote Ugly DVD (destroyed)
34. Remote Control to the DVD player

After the holiday

Well, another Christmas has past. Yet again, "Santa" spoiled all of us. "Santa" never ceases to amaze me in how well he knows me and what I want/"need." I got some great gifts, but I really enjoy getting to spend time with my family and just hanging out. Our Christmas is usually relaxing and pretty low-key. A lot of it depends on my nephew and like a great gift, he was very good and even opened a present or two. He was happy and even pulled himself to a standing position next to an ottoman on Christmas day. It was pretty cool to see and it just goes to show that little steps and strides are wonderful and welcomed!!
The new year is days away and I am excited to have some friends, old and new, at my place this year. It sounds to be the safest option and it will guarantee that conversation can take place.
I look forward to a nice celebration with friends.
I am hoping that you all have a safe and fun beginning to 2006!

New additions to Cooper's List (see previous post)

21. Tube of Toothpaste
22. Slipper
23. Tennis shoe
24. Scarf
25. Rug
26. Measuring cup
27. Styrofoam (from my new George Foreman Grill, thanks dad!)

What's in your mouth now?

I thought it might be funny to keep track of some of the things that my dog has had in his mouth. He has destroyed things and also just nibbled on others. So, off the top of my head, these are some things that he has had in his mouth this week (not including the acceptable food, treats, rawhide of course).
1. Hairbrush
2. Garbage bill (destroyed)
3. Wedding invitation RSVP card
4. A cup
5. Eyeglasses
6. TV remote
7. Socks
8. Bra
9. Flip Flop (where he got this I have no idea, it's winter afterall)
10. Book (address, novel, phonebook cover)
11. Rubber scraper
12. Tealight candle
13. Colored Pencils
14. Many pens
15. Kleenex
16. DVD case (from Hollywood Video, destroyed!)
17. Pop bottle
18. Scissor
19. CD case
20. Magazine

This list did not take long to compile and I am sure there are many more things that I can't remember right now. I'll keep you posted on any new and weird things that he grabs, pulls of the table or counter, or finds in the closet.
My mom bought him a Christmas present--that should be interesting.

Holiday Craze

Well, I have 1 1/2 days left of work before a much desired Christmas break. I get a whole week off and I am looking forward to this. Here's my problem....I can't get into work this week. My mind is elsewhere and I can't seem to get my brain to focus on anything or anyone. This isn't a good thing since I am a counselor. I have only been doing my job since January and I am wondering if I am experiencing the first signs/symptoms of burnout or if I am just caught up in the holiday craze? Either way, Thursday afternoon can not come soon enough.
So, for those of you that celebrate the birth of Jesus...Merry Christmas.

A productive day of rest

I had the pleasure of spending most of the day at my parent's house today. I wanted to get my Christmas cards done and mailed (which I did and now my site will be flooded with visitors!) and help my mother with some baking. I never know how things are going to go with the dog and all. He was such a good boy at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I am so proud. Another thing I wanted to do today was spend time with my parents. I don't get to just hang out with them very often anymore.
I really like my parents. Of course I love them, but I just really like them. They are good people and I enjoy their company. I have taken trips with them and spent Friday evenings with them where I've had more fun than going out with friends. I am lucky to have parents that love me and let me hang around at their house---but I think they kind of like me too.
Tomorrow is my dad's birthday. Happy Birthday to a great Dad and friend!

A funk...

Some say that the weather causes people to enter a state of funk. I wouldn't say that I am exactly affected by the weather, but I find myself at times feeling stuck in the funk. My funk is very different than for instance your funk. I can't necessarily tell right away when I am in mine either or identify exactly why I am in it. Well, enough explanation of the funk. I am in it.
I am in the funk right now...well actually since about Sunday. My funk is an overall feeling of blah, blech, sigh. Someone asked me what happened on Sunday or what has changed since Sunday and I couldn't answer that question. This is all I know, I told him. I know that something just doesn't feel "right."
I'm not worried about my state though. I know that it will pass and then it will be months before it settles in again.
My job title is counselor. Kind of ironic really that I deal with other people and their funk all of the time and encourage them to find things that make them happy or changes their perspective on it. It's no wonder I experience resistance from them.
These thoughts are in my head and I am acknowledging my funk, which is the first step in sending it packing.
Acknowledge your funk people.

You know you're a midwesterner when...

Tonight on the news, our local trusty weatherman indicated that today's high temperatures were in the upper 30's over the vast state of South Dakota. A day in the upper 30's is welcomed especially in the middle of December and I was pleased to not have to wear my bulky coat for much of the day. In fact, I only wore it this morning when it was about 32 degrees. Here's the funny thing...Mr. Weatherman (with great hair mind you) indicated that we would have another "warm one tomorrow." What's the high for tomorrow, you ask? 38 degrees. So, you know you are a midwesterner when you start to call 38 degrees warm. I think using the word warmer would be appropriate, but warm? Granted only a week ago it was -5 degrees or colder, so I guess warm is okay, I'll give this one to the crazy weatherman.
Well, since it's going to be warm tomorrow, I better get up a little earlier tomorrow so I can shave my legs and wear shorts...maybe I'll break out the sunscreen too.

Not Shakespearean, but a tragedy in itself...

While getting ready to head out to a little wine tasting event last evening, I notice that the dog is quiet, too quiet. I peek my head into the living room and see him attacking a plastic pill bottle. It was what every "mom" fears. Cooper had gotten a bottle of Excedrin and chewed through the bottle. There were little pills all over the floor.
What's a "mom" to do? I worried if he had eaten them...of course I have NO idea how many pills were in the bottle or how in the world he had gotten it. Do I take him to the vet and risk an enormous vet bill? What if he didn't eat any of them anyway? Well, I did what I thought was best. I went to the wine tasting. Damn right. I left him in his kennel. I figured I had about 2 hours before any signs or symptoms would occur.
I enjoyed the event and shared my sorrows of being a bad dog "mom." They were all sympathetic and asked, how many did he eat? I don't know, okay? I don't know.
Well, long story getting shorter is, I came home and he appeared fine. He continued to run and chew and chase the cats. I think he's okay. Worry no longer, maybe he just had a headache.

The main attraction...

Here he is. Cooper, the main attraction at the Bennett Zoo. He is about 7 months old now and he is a Beagle/Miniature Pinscher mix. A mutt I suppose, not one of those new fancy hybrid breeds.
Cooper acquired me as his owner in July. While running one of my groups at work, a student said he couldn't take care of his 2 month old puppy. I was a sucker. He came home with me. My life has been full of laughter, challenges, frustration and fun since then. Cooper is a lot of work, but it's worth it because he really loves me, he really, really loves me.
Many of my future posts will be about him--the trials and the joy.
You'll learn to love him...just you wait. I know I have.

Another Member...

Percy has been part of the zoo now for almost 2 years. She is the cat that might just think she's a dog. She loves to snuggle and is always in my face. This is also the cat you'll find drinking out of the toilet and getting into mischief. She, of course, loves Miko and secretly enjoys the dog.

Member of the zoo

Meet Miko. She's about a year and a half old. She joined the zoo last July after I accidentally went to the Humane Society. She's gentle and very independent. She loves Percy and despises Cooper. Everytime she meows at me she's really saying, "What's with the dog anyway?"

Here it is...

My first blog post. I've given in and joined the trend of posting random thoughts and comments on the internet. My thoughts will be floating around cyberspace instead of always floating around in my head. I usually quit everything I start, so we'll see how long this lasts! Bear with me folks, I am kind of a slacker!