This week, I'm down in Florida visiting my parents for Christmas (Please stop cursing me. I do, in fact, know how cold it is in Chicago right now!) We went out to dinner tonight and took one of the dogs with us. For those of you who don't know, my mother is a Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) Puppy Raiser and Mentor. She trains puppies for persons who are wheelchair bound.
On this particular evening we took Yana with us. She was supposed to be under the table while we were eating. As I was dining on my salad, I looked down and realized, Yana was gone!!
CRAP!! THERE'S A CCI PUPPY LOOSE IN OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE!!
I looked behind the booth-- no dog. I panicked and had to find her, so I began crawling through the restaurant looking for the dog, whispering her name. I didn't want to alert the other customers (I mean, maybe they wouldn't notice a random woman crawling on the floor.) I found her under the bench of a booth two tables away scrounging for crumbs.
This unfortunately is where the people at the booth noticed me crawling on the floor. I quickly apologized (still on all fours) and told them that I had lost my dog. The woman asked if it was a toy dog. I replied, "No, it's a service dog." (Isn't that obvious?!!? Why else would I be crawling about in a restaurant?)
I called for Yana and she scooted out from under the woman's legs. The woman looked so bewildered to have a dog come from below her seat. I quickly apologized and crawled back to my booth with the dog in tow to find both of my parents laughing hysterically at the whole scene.
Well, at least someone found the puppy!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
I have come to believe...
...the DMV is clearly purgatory. There are some angels that make life a little easier...and Satin's spawn that make me want to become a danger to myself and others.
...there is a cold war between Illinois and Wisconsin. I like to call the state line "The Cheddar Curtain". I don't think the war will end in my life time.
...irregardless of how hard I try, some people are just going to be assholes.
...no one is inherently evil. Sometimes people seem that way as a result of their environment.
...it doesn't matter how bad I think my day has gone, it really could always be worse.
...I should never under estimate the amount of stupidity of people in large numbers.
...if I ask for an angel, one will appear. It's up to me to realize that they are present.
...everyone likes good, old fashioned, 'snail mail', especially when it's a letter or card from a friend.
...I can't control everything (people/situations), only how I react.
...character is what people do when they think that no one is watching them.
...even when I'm in the foulest moods, there are always rays of sunshine sparkling like a gift. Sometimes, I'm that sunshine for someone else.
...sometimes things are going to be painful. It's my choice as to the amount I will suffer.
...there is a cold war between Illinois and Wisconsin. I like to call the state line "The Cheddar Curtain". I don't think the war will end in my life time.
...irregardless of how hard I try, some people are just going to be assholes.
...no one is inherently evil. Sometimes people seem that way as a result of their environment.
...it doesn't matter how bad I think my day has gone, it really could always be worse.
...I should never under estimate the amount of stupidity of people in large numbers.
...if I ask for an angel, one will appear. It's up to me to realize that they are present.
...everyone likes good, old fashioned, 'snail mail', especially when it's a letter or card from a friend.
...I can't control everything (people/situations), only how I react.
...character is what people do when they think that no one is watching them.
...even when I'm in the foulest moods, there are always rays of sunshine sparkling like a gift. Sometimes, I'm that sunshine for someone else.
...sometimes things are going to be painful. It's my choice as to the amount I will suffer.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
It just takes a minute...
I know it's been a while since I've blogged (sorry, Elaine!!). I've just been a busy girl!! I know that I have some posting to do on both of my blogs! I just wanted to take the time to post some info for a cause near and dear to me.
Most of you know that there is a special place in my heart for those serving in our country's military. Having been the daughter of a man who served in the Navy during Vietnam, and the granddaughter of one who was a Marine in WWII, I learned at an early age to respect the gift I've been given at the cost of those who have served. I came to appreciate this much more when I traveled overseas.
I've always believed that even if you don't agree with the reasons that our troops have been deployed it is still our responsibility to support them (I mean, do you really think someone wants to be sent thousands of miles way to a giant sandbox away from their families and friends?!?) I realize these men and women, are just doing their jobs. If one doesn't agree with the allocation of troops and funding it's our responsibility to elect those who will ensure their care.
Anywho, off my soap box and on to my point. While there are many sites that offer ways to send care packages to soldiers (anysoldier.com, Soldier's Angel's, The Hugs Project, ect...) here's a even simpler (and cheaper) way to show a soldier you care. Let'sSayThanks.com donates cards to send to troops that are overseas. It's as simple as a few clicks of the mouse. Second, Walter Reed, VA accepts general cards to recovering soldiers. I know that I always have a few extra holiday cards from the boxes, and maybe you do too! Just send it off to the hospital, and send some cheer to someone. Here's the address:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
I hope that you all can find time to spread some cheer. It only takes a minute!!
(Thanks to Petra for the link and Mom for the info!)
Most of you know that there is a special place in my heart for those serving in our country's military. Having been the daughter of a man who served in the Navy during Vietnam, and the granddaughter of one who was a Marine in WWII, I learned at an early age to respect the gift I've been given at the cost of those who have served. I came to appreciate this much more when I traveled overseas.
I've always believed that even if you don't agree with the reasons that our troops have been deployed it is still our responsibility to support them (I mean, do you really think someone wants to be sent thousands of miles way to a giant sandbox away from their families and friends?!?) I realize these men and women, are just doing their jobs. If one doesn't agree with the allocation of troops and funding it's our responsibility to elect those who will ensure their care.
Anywho, off my soap box and on to my point. While there are many sites that offer ways to send care packages to soldiers (anysoldier.com, Soldier's Angel's, The Hugs Project, ect...) here's a even simpler (and cheaper) way to show a soldier you care. Let'sSayThanks.com donates cards to send to troops that are overseas. It's as simple as a few clicks of the mouse. Second, Walter Reed, VA accepts general cards to recovering soldiers. I know that I always have a few extra holiday cards from the boxes, and maybe you do too! Just send it off to the hospital, and send some cheer to someone. Here's the address:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
I hope that you all can find time to spread some cheer. It only takes a minute!!
(Thanks to Petra for the link and Mom for the info!)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Here Comes the Sun
This past weekend was clearly a bomb. I'm sure you've read the previous posts, but I will add that my wallet was also stolen. That's right; no cash, no ID, no credit cards. NADA.
I called and cancelled everything. So far, I have a new Driver's Licence and State ID as well as my debit card. I'm about to go postal on UPS because according to my tracking number, my cards were delivered yesterday. I haven't seen them yet. This blows!!
I also finally made it to the doctor. A bout of steroids and antibiotics later, I'm hoping I'll start feeling better. I'm still questioning the 1/2 marathon this weekend. We'll see if it's walker friendly. If nothing else, I'll still be there to cheer on Amy.
So why the sun? Well, first of all, I am going to the Sunshine State tomorrow! I also went to the CARA Volunteer event where I got my new running jacket! It's even got built in gloves! If that wasn't exciting enough, I won the raffle!! I've never won a big prize like that!! What did I win? Oh, round trip airfare to anywhere Jet Blue Flies! Oh-yeah!
Were you aware that Jet Blue flew to the Caribbean? Here comes the sun!
I called and cancelled everything. So far, I have a new Driver's Licence and State ID as well as my debit card. I'm about to go postal on UPS because according to my tracking number, my cards were delivered yesterday. I haven't seen them yet. This blows!!
I also finally made it to the doctor. A bout of steroids and antibiotics later, I'm hoping I'll start feeling better. I'm still questioning the 1/2 marathon this weekend. We'll see if it's walker friendly. If nothing else, I'll still be there to cheer on Amy.
So why the sun? Well, first of all, I am going to the Sunshine State tomorrow! I also went to the CARA Volunteer event where I got my new running jacket! It's even got built in gloves! If that wasn't exciting enough, I won the raffle!! I've never won a big prize like that!! What did I win? Oh, round trip airfare to anywhere Jet Blue Flies! Oh-yeah!
Were you aware that Jet Blue flew to the Caribbean? Here comes the sun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)