Queenies Little Kingdom

I have to be honest. I didn't really want to get another dog. After our beloved black lab Maggie died, I was content just loving on our old poodle Miss Lizzy. The thoughts of starting all over with a new puppy made me feel awful dread. Who has time to potty train (house break) a new dog? Certainly not me. I'm busy, remember? But way back in February, my son brought home this gangly odd looking lab mix from the pound and she's been the star of our family ever since.

I can't even look at her without smiling. She has such a great personality. She oozes with sweetness. I know it sounds crazy, but dogs really do have a persona. Gracie's is very similar to Gavin. He's attractive and he pulls you in when he's around. He makes you smile and thinks up the funniest ideas. Gracie is always moving from one thing to the next. Exploring. Seeking.  Much like Gavin.

This morning as I was getting ready for work, my girls commented on the dogs waiting for me outside the bathroom door.  They do this.  They both follow me from room to room and wait (sometimes not so patiently) for me to finish up whatever I'm doing and then follow me to the next stop.

Sweet loyalty, I tell ya!

As soon as the bathroom door opened, Gracie ran in and went straight for my leg.  You see, she's a licker.  She loves to taste just about everything she comes in contact with.  She's learned that the bathroom usually equals — lotion.  The girls in our family lotion up their legs and Gracie loves the flavor of lotion better than just about anything.  Sometimes, I put some on her own front legs just so she'll have something to lick on besides me.   

I've come up with some reasons why I love her.

1 — She's always happy.

2 — She runs everywhere.

3 — She plays hard & rests hard.

4 — She's inquisitive.

5 — She might be ADHD.

6 — She licks everything she loves.

7 — She loves my son.

8 — She saved him from a dark place.

9 — My neighbors accept her wild invasions.  (I told you she was sweet)

10 — She reminds me to find the good in others.

11 — She belongs to us and she knows it.

See, I didn't realize at the time just how important adopting another dog was to my son.  He was struggling.  He felt hopeless and out of place no matter where he turned.  Bringing Gracie into his world gave him reason to get up and move it.  She filled his hours with love and playfulness.  He needed her and God knew it.  That's why when I clean up a trashed flowerbed or kick a half-chewed bone across the room with my toe (ouch!) I thank God for bringing such a rowdy happy girl dog into my life.

I've always heard "a dog is a man's best friend" and I genuinely believe it.  She's Gavin's best friend and she adores him.  While he's not in the same position he was months ago….he realizes her value and he too is very thankful that she came into his life.  I bet he could come up with an even longer list of why he loves Gracie.  I wonder….do you have a pet that you love?

Dogs rule, right?

It's clear I'm too busy to blog….huh? Work is totally crampin' my style and robbing me of any free time. Not that blogging is only possible for people with no life.  Blogging takes time.  Thinking time.  And I haven't had any, yet.  I just need some time to adjust to the hectic schedule and figure out when writing blog posts is best.

Working girl problems.  Who knew?

In real words…..I have no idea if or when I'll blog again. I'm doing my best by making it to school in the morning and cooking dinner for my family right now.  I'm tired and it's only Tuesday.   

Survival mode…y'all!  Not lying.

Yesterday while I was sitting through ipad training (again) I recieved a sweet text from my college girl that said, "staying home was no fun unless (mom) is there".  She ended it with "stay at home mom please".  It gave me a smile.  I loved staying home–with my kids.  I loved it this summer with busy working kids too.

Home is where the heart is.  Mine anyway.

Last night my youngest (hs senior) told me that she missed me (home/family) while she was working and all she can think about is coming home.  She is just down the street babysitting a few afternoons a week.  I told her what EVERY member of my family says as soon as they come home–>  Where's ______? (filled in with whoever isn't home then).  If someone's missing….the other people want them home too!  

Homebodies…that's my family.  Even our dogs love home.

Maybe I'll get this schedule figured out soon and blog a little more regularly.  Forgive me if you like to read here ( I love it — if you do ) and I'm not posting something  everyday.  I'm working on it, I promise.  AND trust me when I say….I'd much rather be home, blogging than working all day.

Blog or work?   Uhhh, blogging….duh!  Enjoy your Tuesday, friends.

Guess who is getting iPads? For school? We are. This is the line for sophomores to pick up their little tablet of awesome.

Only I don’t get one. Boo! Hiss!

Did you ever think that iPads would be used as part of student curriculum? Me either. Many of these kids have never even held one in their hands before this morning. Imagine carrying one around as their constant companion now… For school?

Wow!

I’m really excited to see such advanced technology in the world of education. The choice to stay in the dark ages is gone. Everything we do revolves around computers.

Why not get with it…and join the tech mania ?

Happy Friday. It’s been a long short week back to school and I’m looking forward to the weekend.

What do you think about students having their own iPads?

It's probably a good thing that I work at my kid's high school. I'm so frazzled and hurried myself in the mornings that I don't have a lot of time to fret over other people's "situations".

Such is the case for this morning.

It's my baby's last first day of high school. She's officially counting down the days until graduation and can even see a light at the end of the tunnel. Which means…I'll be left to my own once again.

What will I do?

Oh who am I kidding? I'm so busy while I'm at school that I rarely have time to think. I'm going to be fine and so is she.

First day of Kindergarten

First day of senior year  (It's funny how God arranged for me to always be WHERE my kids are)

My my…how she has grown.  I miss those cute pig tails.  Here's to a great school year, Gates.  I can't wait to share all the "lasts" with you.  I promise, I won't be a ninny baby about any of it.  

CLASS OF 2013