The weather

For anyone who still reads my blog. We survived Ike. No damage but some limbs down and a piece of siding that can be replaced. We were lucky, others on my street weren't so lucky, including the mayors house. Charlie set a good example and boarded up his windows, but Ike had other plans and tore the siding off pretty much his entire house and left a hole in the side of it as well. We lost power about 2 Saturday morning, and got it back about 7:45 on Monday. Thank the good Lord for the cool front that came through. We had plenty of water and food, and grilled out when we could. Both Fort Bend and Alief are closed thru Wednesday. Hope everyone else came through realitively okay.

hugs,
Leann

Summers gone...

Hey everyone -

First week of school over. Already had one fight in the hallways and a walk through. Except for about 5 Pre AP students who are pain's in the rear my kids seem to be pretty okay. No major bahavior problems yet. My team doesn't have to deal with Sped kids this year. We just got our secretary on Wednesday, but are still missing a couple of teachers and a whole lot of para's and support staff. My one AP left over from last year is wearing so many hats I don't think he knows which on is on at any given time. My room is way down the hall from the rest of my team and I miss not seeing them daily but I've got some very nice teachers around me and we're having a good time. Went to the Village Friday night and got a project done, so that's good. Rachel and I are just hanging at the house this weekend, both of us need the rest. She seems to really like her job so let's hope it continues. For all my teacher "peeps" I hope you start of school was okay, and for all my other "peeps" I hope that the end of summer and the beginning of fall is wonderful.

Hugs to all
Leann

I'm back

Just got back from my mom's in KC. As always I seem to spend one day too long, but all in all it was a nice visit. Ended up going to four scrap stores, a quilt shop and a stamp shop, not bad... For those of you who haven't read Kim's blog (thanks Kimmy since you know how I blog), Rachel does indeed have a "real job" teaching. She'll be a Hightower in Fort Bend, teaching 9th grade Biology. She's scared and excited all at once. This came totally out of nowhere and I thought she wouldn't get something because school starts in a little over a week. The HR person called Wednesday AM, they interviewed Wednesday PM, and after checking one more referenced offered her the job Thursday and she went to in-service on Friday. Hit the road running as I always say. She won't have time to think about it and worry or over-analyze too much. Well, Beth is settled more or less in California. All that ended up missing in the move was her pillows and her shams which matched her bedspread. They were in a big trash bag and evidently got tossed, so not too bad.

Well, gotta go. Hey to everyone.

Peace out,
Leann

Update on my life.

It's been a month since Able left us and still the tears come. Rachel and I are both having a very tough time with this and can't really figure out why since we've lost dogs before. He was such a part of us and who we are.

Taught at the Village Saturday and it was one long class. But really a pretty fantastic class. There were five of us and I must say I learned a few things myself, even from Suzanne. If you haven't met Catherine Smith once you get use to her quirkiness she's really sweet. She is a very talented artist and works outside the box alot. One of her projects was making a card using Perfect Pearls and a dress pattern, yep you heard right a dress pattern, who'd a thunk it... Already working out ideas for a couple of classes. One will be a black and white layout using a Technique Tuesday stamps, an acrylic album class and an acrylic card class (with Catherine). By the way if you've never looked at the Technique Tuesday Idea Book/Catalog it's really got some fabulous ideas in it. I've ordered one so when it gets here I'll share. Phyllis and I talked yesterday about doing an accucut class which is now in the works, just finding a schedule.

Trying to get things organized between school and the house. Beth is working at B&N at Pearland thanks to Rachel. Rachels actually there too for a couple of days to help out. Beth has a promise ring on her finger. Got it for her one year anniversay. Yeah, she's head over heels. What can I say....

Meeting Carol and Kim for lunch, seems like I haven't seen them forever. I'll try to do better about blogging, but there's a reason I don't make New Years resolutions.

Toodles,
Leann

Ables passing

We were called this morning at 4:30 that he was beginning to have seizures but they had them controlled. About 7:45 they called to say they had resumed and were trying to alleviate them. About 9:00 they called to tell us that they were performing cpr but were not hopeful even if he did recover the chance of more seizures and his quality of life would not be good. Rachel had to make the decision to have them stop life saving procedures. We have come from seeing him. He looked peaceful and asleep. They are going to do a necroprosy (sp) on him to see is they can get any insight into what was the cause of all this and his rapid decline over 48 hours. I'm very proud of my kid. Beth is on her way home and does not know yet. I wish she had gotten some last time with him but it was not to be. Annie is missing him and doesn't understand why he is not here. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Leann

Abel

Rachel took Abel to the Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital this morning. Last night he had a plasma transfusion at the emergency cliunic. GCVH says he has a lot going on and he is in guarded condition. He now has some neurological problems, his kidney and liver are not functioning correctly, he has fluid build up and other things wrong with him. I really don't know what is going to happen. He was in a lot of pain on the way over this morning even though they had given him something for it and they are concerned about that which also might be giving him his neurological problems. This was extremely hard on Rachel and she is in pain with him also. She walked into their office without an appointment and basically said you will see my dog. We're not telling Beth anything at this point as she is packing up and coming home tomorrow and we don't want her to drive any faster than she already does. Will keep everyone posted.

Leann

Sick Puppy

If any of you know me really well you know what a big part of my life my dogs are. Able has not been well since before the first of the year and we've treated him for numerous symptoms with numerous meds. We took him to the emergency vet clinic this morning and have left him there hooked up to an IV, on morphine and other drugs. The emergency vet there is thinking myo.... gratis (can't pronounce it or spell it) or a form of distemper. Rachel is taking him to the internist tomorrow down in the Galleria without any appointment. The emergency vet is sending a fax to them that this is an emergency and needs to be seen asap. Rachel won't take no for an answer, she'll campout in the lobby if necessary. I'd bee the one going but have this institute that I'm in. However, if it wasn't Rachel's day off I'd screw the institute. Needless to say many would think I'm either stupid or crazy or both for the amount of money I have put into him. Let's just say Sunday was over 1400 and who knew what the internist will be and that doesn't count the months of vet bills before today. He is Beth's dog, but my buddy and is as much a part of this family as any of us is. I'm praying and hoping for the best, because if not then I have failed him and I have failed to keep her dog safe. So if you're into praying, lift him up please.

Leann