On a Roll...

I have been hitting the pavement and walking! I have some weight to lose and some toning to do. You know we are nearly a year away from the big day but, never too early to start!

I walked one day last week and so far 2 days this week.

Anyway...I have a wedding/renewal of vows to go to this weekend. My cousin had a civil ceremony this summer and now is renewing her vows and having a reception. My uncle from Texas is coming for the wedding and staying through Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see him. He hasn't met Phil either so I'm glad he can meet him before we get married.

I am looking forward to the break. I'm hoping to go look at some dresses and get an idea of what's out there.

I still love my job and my new school, but the kids are starting to wear on me! Today was the Teach In at school and the kids were crazy but we had some pretty good speakers. We even learned how to Hula Dance! We saw some really neat xrays and of course saw the firefighter put his gear on. It was a pretty good day-only 2 more to go!!!

Challenge Tag

I was tagged by Robin...

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
Share:
1. A childhood Thanksgiving memory.
2. A family Thanksgiving tradtion.
3. Five things you're thankful for...besides family, friends and health. Give it some serious thought and be specific.

My childhood memory of Thanksgiving is always watching the Macy's Parade. I always liked seeing the balloons.

Our Family Traditions:
*Always getting together with everyone...and I mean everyone. We have a large family and I just love getting together on this holiday to see everyone.

*In recent years we have been walking/running in the Turkey Trot.

*While we are letting our dinner settle we plan out our shopping day for Black Friday. Last year was the first year I didn't go. Not sure about this year-I usually shop for myself on that day and with the wedding looming, I need to cut back on that.

Five Things I am Thankful for:
1. That the vets were able to repair my girl and give me more time to love her.
2. That I have a career and love what I am doing. I am thankful that I have switched schools and finally feel like I can teach.
3. That I own my home. I am so thankful that I am not renting and haven't been for over 6 years now.
4. That my Grandma is doing so much better now!
5. That I moved back to St. Pete after college. I was able to be a part of my brothers' lives and watch them grow up. I think we have become close because of this.

Now I tag Kip!

Let the Countdown begin!

We are a year away from the wedding. Next year at this time-(6:48pm) we will be celebrating! I am getting excited now-before it was so far away to really feel like it was real. Now I'm just smiling knowing that I'm getting married!!

Today was a rough day though. I got up and thought about it being a year away only to get on the scale and see that I am at my heaviest. AGH!!! Time for the diet to begin! \

Then my kids were just rotten today at school! I had one kid tell another "You are an a%%hole." OMG! I couldn't believe my ears. Then he threw a stick at another child! In the meantime I had another kid tell some others to "shut up." Yes-I know that is nothing major so I asked him to come over to me and he wouldn't get up-was just going talk to him and tell him that wasn't nice. Then he started throwing mulch at the other kids. AGH!! I had to practically drag him back to the class for him to start kicking the charts and knocking them over when we got in the class. I tell you I was quite over them!!!

The rest of the day went ok. I got home with the idea of going for a walk...well I had a parent call me-she does this often-I don't answer her calls. Well she left a message this time regarding her daughter's jacket being lost and that it wasn't at her afterschool care so they wanted to go in my room after school but since I wasn't there they wouldn't open the door for her. So she wants to know if it's in the room or if it was stolen or lost and informed me that she would be there in the morning to look for it. She drops off her daughter at 7:30...well tomorrow I'll be at breakfast with some friends at that time so good luck getting in lady!!

She is a pain! She calls me for no reason-and no I didn't give her my number. I made the mistake of calling her from my cell phone and she decided to keep my number. She calls me to know what she can do for reading, that she feels she is falling behind (she is reading and writing just fine!), that she forgot her folder at school, and now to tell me about her jacket. Tomorrow I will be letting her know to not call me at home anymore unless it is an emergency such as her daughter being in the hospital and not just for a cold or broken bones. I will also inform her that I remind the children to get their belongings before leaving for the day and if her daughter forgets something then she will have to wait until school starts the next day to get it. If it's her jacket then when she's cold tomorrow she'll remember to take it home won't she.

OK-enough venting!!! I did take my walk-3 miles! I need to keep up with that so I can drop some of this weight. We'll be going dress shopping soon and I can't wait!!!

Take care all! I'll keep you posted on any wedding plans as they arise!

Warning-Graphic pics below...

I finally sent away the paperwork to have the pitbull classified as a dangerous dog...

I know it took me a while-but I really didn't want to have to relive that day and remember her yelps.

I had to include pictures with the report and they just brought back a ton of memories.

I just wish he would pay the bills. I can't take the fact that I am sitting here in debt while he is just living life as it should be. I would love to have that extra money to pay off other bills, pay for the wedding, etc. Let alone have her live pain free and without anxiety. I know the day will come when he will pay off my debt, but in the meantime when I hear the dog bark it makes my skin crawl. My neighbors told me that the dog got out last weekend. It's gonna happen again and I pray that whatever dog it is makes it out alive like Peanut.

Her abscess is healing nicely and she's almost finished with her medicine. I'll leave you with one of my favorite pictures of her. Isn't she precious?! I love her!

Catching up...

Last week was a short week of school as we had Friday off. I had a great time at a scrapbooking class with Robin on Thursday night. It was nice to scrapbook! I haven't done that in a while. Robin is trying to talk me into going to a Winter Scrapbooking Retreat with the scrapbooking gals, but with the wedding approaching, every penny is spoken for. I told her I'd have to talk to my banker-aka Phil-to see if I could go.

I love my school and but had a tough day on Thursday. I had to write a referral for a child and it breaks my heart. I know I had to do it, but it's still hard to do.

Friday I spent time working in my room to get a little more organized. It was nice to have that time to do it. I think there was only one other teacher at the school that day. I left around noon to take Peanut to the vet for a follow up for her abscess.
Seems as though she is healing fine where her abscess is, however she still is draining in one spot and the vet thinks she may always have that as an issue. I just have to keep it clean and dry so she doesn't get an infection...but she also said she may get an abscess every once in a while...hmm. I'll just keep adding that to the pit bull owners bill!!!

Saturday night we went out with some friends downtown and today spent some time watching football. Tonight I need to get ready for the coming week. I start conferences this week and have 2 on Monday. Another cool thing about my school is the secretary schedules all the conferences!! Can you believe it?! WOW!! She just asks what days, or times don't work for us during conference week and works around them. She even asks others to attend if I need them there-like Speech, or Guidance, etc...

Well, nothing new on the wedding plans. Just puttering along. I'll have to put up a link to the reception cite so you all can see pics.

2 in one week!

I know-can you believe it?!



Well...I have a lot to update you on.



First-We have a reception cite! YAY!!!! We are having the reception at the Heritage hotel in downtown St. Pete and we were given a pretty good deal since we are friends with the GM. So one thing to check off my list and about 100 more to go. Actually, I am relaxed now, knowing that the reception site is taken care of.



Second-Peanut had to go back to the vet this afternoon. She had this mass under her skin that was tough but had an indentation in it...I had just been keeping my eye on it as I figured it was scar tissue. Well, I got home from work this afternoon and her fur was matted there so I knew something was wrong. We went to the vet and it turns out to be an absess. So they cleaned it, and shaved that area and gave her some pain meds and antibiotics. I'm just hoping that is clears up and doesn't come back.



Third-I am getting a check from the dog owners insurance company to pay for my medical bills...not Peanut's. We are still going after the owner for that and for my pain and suffering too.



And Finally-GO KNIGHTS!!!!! UCF is plaing USF tomorrow and though I am a USF student, I have to root for the KNIGHTS!!! That's where I had all my college fun!

I'm updating!

I've been harrassed by those who want to read more current things on my blog so here you go...

My grandma had triple bypass surgery 3 weeks ago and was in the hospital for 2 weeks due to some complications. She's better now, and we are all taking shifts to care for her. I'll be over there tomorrow night to give her dinner and get her ready for bed then I'll come home and rest. I'm glad everything worked out ok with her. She is a trooper and was off the ventalator within 3 hours of the surgery. I love her dearly and want her to be around to meet my children.

The wedding plans are slow going...I've put things off for a while now that we've changed the date and it's a ways away. I know time will fly but I was a little busy recently. I've called a place today that we are thinking of having the reception and am waiting to hear back from her.

On the school front, I love my job. Did I already tell you that? Well, in case you forgot I'll tell you again...I love my job. I have a room mom and she rocks! She notifies the parents of things we need in class, prints flyers, you name it-she does it.

Phil and I are doing great, except he keeps adding to our guest list and tells me that I'm the one that wants a big wedding...hmm...
By the way we have a wedding website, it's still in the works, but here's the link...
http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/AmyVail&PhilMatthews

Stop by and see the site. I have to update it at school as my home computer doesn't like that I visit that site, so it will get updated when I have a few moments.

I guess that's it. Check back again in a month for another update... :-)

Don't save the date just yet...

We keep changing it!
First we were thinking December 2008. Then we switched it to March 29, 2008. And now we have moved it yet again! November 8, 2008. So there it is-but don't pencil it in just yet. You never know what can happen with us.

We sat down this morning and figured out our budget as we don't want to put anything on a credit card. So I'll be eating PB&J's for a while.

So here's some more things we have thought of to make our wedding complete:
Everyone that comes to our wedding/reception needs to bring everything-from their own fork to their own chair to their own music. Oh and we can't forget that they need to bring their own drink, their own party favor and of course they should bring us a gift too! What do you think?! We are thinking our wedding will be the best that anyone has ever attended! And if they want their picture taken they need to bring their own camera and make sure to send us copies!

Actually, we will have a nice wedding! I am not worried....yet. I would like to just get a place reserved before our date is taken and we have to move it for the 4th time!

The latest on the Wedding Planning...

So my Dear Fiance (add a little sarcasm here) doesn't like the places that I've picked for the reception and wants me to keep looking. Um...isn't he getting married too?! Anyway, he wants to just look in the phone book for a reception place...(more sarcasm here)...so I pull out the phone book and being a smart ass turn to "R" for Reception locations (I'm sure you know as well as I do that they don't have that category in the yellow pages). I tell him ohh, no, there isn't anything listed-now what? Well let's look under hotels....ok-there are over 200 hotels and some I have never heard of and have no idea where they are...so he says let's look this weekend. So we may not get married until 2010 at this rate. Did I tell you we moved the wedding date up to March 29, 2008. That way we can have Spring Break for a Honeymoon.

I was talking to Robin this morning about the woes of finding a reception place and she had a great idea!

We are going to get married right here in the garden where I live...all the guests can hang over the balconies, and afterwards the reception will be in my place, we will shuffle them in and only give them 10 minutes for each group of people to get their food, drinks, and cake...oh and charge for the bathroom-HAHA!!! (We are kidding, but you know I will be telling Phil these plans!!) I think these are the best yet!

On another note, I still love my school and my class so much! I miss everyone at BPE-ok not everyone, but most of them.

Say a prayer for my Grandma on Tuesday. She has to go in and have her arteries looked at as she's been having chest pain. So pray that everything looks good or if they do find something that they can fix it with no problems!

That's it-take care!

I LOVE....

* My new school!!!! Everyone is so nice, they do their job, they don't complain, and they are always willing to help.

* My new class!!!! They are sooo sweet! Even my little pistols are so sweet. And their parents-OMG-they are so very supportive. I had one little boy that was hysterical on the first day and he calmed down soon after I started reading a story. A couple hours later, he told me that he loved me. Hasn't cried since! I do have another boy that gets teary every few hours, but once I reassure him that we will be going home soon (even if the day just started) then he is fine until an hour later-when I reassure him again. I LOVE THEM!!!

* My Fiance!!!! We are so happy! Even Phil is getting into the wedding planning with me. He still picks up my hand and looks at my ring. Yesterday we were at a friend of his house and they hadn't seen the ring or us since we got engaged. His wife and I were in their daughter's room talking all about how it happened and in walked Phil to make sure that he did a good job. Of course she and I both said yes!!! He is moving in soon and don't tell him, but I'm not ready to share my bed every night with him. I enjoy having the bed to myself. Not to mention, if I don't want to wash the dishes or throw my stuff on the table and leave it for a few days, I don't have to worry about someone else getting irritated that I am not cleaning up. I know that will have to change.

* My dog Peanut!!!! She got the all clear from the vet last week and she is almost back to her old self. They are so impressed that she has healed as well as she has. I told them I didn't know what I was going to do now that we don't have to go to the vet every week. We have been there every week-sometimes twice a week-since this has happened. I told them that I will have to bring her by for a visit so they can see her. She will be boarding there in a few weeks when we go to PA, so I know she will be in good hands and will be spoiled!

* My family!!!! My brothers are now out of the house and off to college. My mom and stepdad are beside themselves. The house is quiet. I told my mom that she needs to pick up scrapbooking more so she can occupy her time. At least we have a wedding to plan so that will occupy her.

* My friends!!!! I have asked Robin to be my Maid of Honor and am so happy that she said yes. I promise not to be a Bridezilla! Now I need to ask a few more friends to be in the wedding. But who? I have so many great friends.

So there you have it! I'm off to clean my house. Enjoy your day!

Did I tell you

That I'm engaged!!! I still can't believe it! I am on cloud nine and can't stop smiling. I love my ring and love my fiance! It's weird calling him that. He's been really great about listening to my ideas and looking at what I've found in the magazines. I don't want to wear him out so I'm trying not to talk about it daily. But it's so hard not too! That's all that's been on my mind.

Until today, well only a little bit of it anyway. I went to my classroom today and man what a mess! I never knew I had that much stuff, but after 9 years of teaching, I have collected quite a bit. I tried to get my furniture in order and it was really tough-always is, but was getting easier, but now that I have a portable with different furniture than what I'm used to, it was the hardest yet. But I left there with it all how I wanted it, so tomorrow I'll start unpacking my stuff and unit materials. FUN, FUN! Anyone want to help?!

Ok, gotta run. Peanut and I are headed to the vet for a follow up visit. She's doing ok, been limping some, so she's in pain and I can't seem to pick her up without hurting her. :-(

I'm engaged!

Yesterday, August 7th was my birthday and Phil and I went to dinner at Carrabbas' and then to the beach to watch the sunset. Before we left for dinner he told me that I can open my present when we get back from dinner and the beach.

As we were watching the sunset and looking around at everything, he says Look what I found in the sand. I turn to look and he's holding a ring-I was shocked! So he asked and I of course said.....YES!!!!!!

Here's a picture of my beautiful ring.

It's 3/4 ct. and is a Leo diamond-apparently the cut is better with a Leo diamond and the clarity is supposed to be better too. But I don't care about all that-it's just beautiful!!

I can't stop smiling and looking at the ring!

It's been a nice summer!

And it is nearing it's end...how depressing!

Even though this summer has had some hard times, I have enjoyed my time doing absolutely nothing!

I didn't tell you but, I went up to North Carolina in the middle of July for a little over a week. I had been really stressed out with everything going on with Peanut, and then Phil and I had a tiff...so I was talking to my mom and about things and crying to her, and she told me to come with them to NC-the next day-Sunday. Originally, I was to "babysit" my 19 1/2 year old brother while they were away so he wouldn't have any parties, but she said it'd be ok and I should come with them. Then it dawned on me that my final paper and presentation for my one class was due that Wednesday and my for my other class I had a final exam. So I called my professor and told her that I needed to get away, and I'd email her my paper if that'd be ok. She said sure no problem. So, I told my mom that there would be no way I could do my paper before the next day, so she said they'd wait until Monday morning. Sunday morning, I woke up at 7am and got right to work, finished my final exam and other items due for the one class and then started the dreaded research paper citing 8-10 research studies...UGH!!! I started working on it around 11:30am and did not finish it until 3:30am!! But I got it done and had no worries! I could leave for NC in the morning at 6:30am and not have one thing to stress about. I sent my professor my items and that was that. Or so I thought!

Off to NC...Peanut, me, grandma, mom and my step-dad. I slept most of the way up there and decided this would be a great time away from everything. I gave my professor my # in case there was a problem but wouldn't you know, we had no reception. On Wednesday we were headed to our next cabin and we stopped at some shops along the way-I found an internet cafe and decided I better email my professor to let her know that I had no reception, well she emailed me that she hadn't recieved my paper! AHG!!! I quickly emailed my neighbor describing exactly what to do to email her my paper. Then decided I better call him too. Needless to say, after quite a bit of walking him through things, he finally sent it on it's way. Thank goodness!

Peanut and I (and everyone else) had such a relaxing time. No phone service, only 1 TV channel, and secluded in the woods. We had really cool weather and even got COLD at night. Here are some pictures of us and our adventures.

Here's Peanut looking down at Bill, my step-dad. She loved putting her head through the slits on the balcony.

Here she is just looking at us from the outside,

she often would leave the cabin and sit on the porch. Isn't she a cutie!

Here she is feeling free as a bird. She had no fears to leave to porch and would just wander off. At one point, my mom and grandma were worried that she'd take off down the road and my mom didn't want to have another emergency with her.

I finally had to tie her up so she wouldn't run away.

Here I am at the local brewery. Very neat place. Bill and I each bought our own jug of beer. This picture was taken at our 2nd visit to the brewery. We went the day before-Friday-and decided we need to fill our jugs again before heading home. They were closed, Sunday and Monday so we had to head back on Saturday. That meant we had to finish our jugs on Friday. Each jug holds a little under a 6-pack.

This is the first cabin we stayed at in Murphy, NC. My mom works with the lady who owns the cabin. We stayed here from Monday to Wednesday. It was a very nice cabin. We each had our own room and bathroom. All the amenities-washer, dryer, beautiful porch, etc. but no reception for the TV. We watched some movies.

Here we are in front of the 2nd cabin near Waynesville, NC. We stayed here from Wednesday to Monday. There is more to do closer to this cabin. Downtown Waynesville was very cute and quaint. We were close to Cherokee, Maggie Valley, and Sylva-where the brewery is. My younger brother friend's parents own this cabin. They had 1 TV channel and had a phone, but only 1 bathroom and 2 bedrooms. But hey, you can't complain when it's free-right!

So there you have it. My trip to NC. Did I tell you I want to move there?! I would right now, but think I'll wait until I finish my master's before making that decision. It's just so calm and relaxing there.

What a day!

I was so enjoying the rain and thunderstorm we were having here this morning as I was trying to sleep in...but then, I heard drips in my shower...well I've always had the drips, but the drips were making a bit louder sound. Seems that we were not draining properly. We as in the rest of the people on the downstairs. So we called the plumber who came out and released the drain to the sewer and snaked us out...problem solved...I was lucky that my tub didn't overflow and there was no overflow from my toilet, but still serious scrubbing needed to occur in my place. My neighbor has a shower in his place with no tub, so the water overflowed and went throughout his entire place. Sewer water at that. YUCK!! His rugs are soaked, speakers ruining, some furniture ruined. I am so glad that I'm not in his shoes...

So a cleaning I go...scrubbing away the yuck! Then I jump in the shower and as I neared the end of my shower, the toilet gurgled again...AGH!!! I flush and sure enough, it rises to the top...and the plunging didn't help one bit. I check with my neighbors and they hear gurgling too...so we have to call the plumber back to fix it again. Man! Good thing I wasn't going to do anything today-except scrapbook, but now I may put that off until tomorrow.

She is already healing!

I am so amazed! Last night when we were at the vet, they showed me one hole that is still open and to just keep it clean. They even opened it up for me to see inside-I about threw up! So when we got home, I cleaned all her open wounds, and the gross one too-ugh! This morning I tried to open the one-and it wouldn't budge! YIPPEE!! I don't have to look at it anymore-I mean YIPPEE, she's healing!!

And she's still breathing normal!!

Peanut's Lifesaver!

This is Dr. Kern. She is the vet that has been primarily taking care of her. She told me the day after her surgery that she was worried all night about Peanut and called the vet in the middle on the night to check on her. I just think she is great! She is very upfront with things and I like that-knowing what might happen lets me not have such a shock if/when it happens. (Like her pneumonia and the hole in her lung)

We had our vet appt tonight to get her staples and drains out. She looks so much better already! There will be a little more draining and she has some open wounds that will heal in time, but I can handle that! Like I said before, Peanut is not out of the woods just yet. We are still to take it easy and that's fine by me. She hasn't had her toys yet, and I think I'll keep those away for at least the next month...her ribs need 2 months to be sure they are healed so I think until then, we will be doing a lot of lounging! Like I said, I don't mind! So if you are in the neighborhood, we are welcome for visitors!! Better yet, I'm ready to get out of the house for some adult time!!

We brought the vet staff some cookies and brownies tonight along with a card and picture of Peanut. They thought it was very nice, but it's the least I could do for their care and devotion for my girl! I know they will be getting my money-well not mine, eventually the other dog owner's money-but I know how it feels to know that you are appreciated!

Besides, everytime we walk into the vet, they know Peanut by name!!

She's sleeping right now and looks so peaceful! To know that 2 weeks ago, her life was in jeopardy is just baffling. Maybe tomorrow I'll wake up and this will all have been a really bad dream!

Long time no blog

As most of you already know, my girl Peanut was attacked 2 weeks ago by a pit bull. We were outside ready to go walking when it came over and just bit into her back. It was the most horrifying experience I have ever seen! I felt so helpless!

But my girl is pulling through! She is resting a lot, and taking it easy. She has been on lots of medications and is starting be act like her self again-barking/growling when people pass my door. Her barks are soft now because of her lungs, but I'm sure in time, her barks will be back to normal. She wants to be everywhere I am, which is normal. But she isn't too fond of going outside to go to the bathroom now. When I take her out, she just sits there are looks at me like I'm crazy. There are puppy pads around the house for her to use and when we can go walking again, hopefully she'll be back to normal in that area.

I hired an attorney to take care of getting money to pay for the huge vet bills. The owner of the pit bull will not return my calls so I'll let the attorney take care of that!

Here are some pictures of my girl and her recovery. I'll start with the better ones and work my way to the gross wounds. They really aren't that bad in the picture, but I know some people have weak stomachs. I'll end things here too, so if you don't want to go on you don't have to. I did caption the pictures though...Anyway, we go to the vet tomorrow evening to get the staples and drains out.

Here she is when she first came home from the vet-resting on the couch.

And here she is in the oxygen cage. She had to go back to the vet 3 days after we'd been home because she was breathing funny. She had a collapsed lung with air in her chest cavity and pneumonia in the other lung. Doesn't she look so pitiful?!

Now for the kinda yucky ones-they are really just sad looking.

This is the side that had the bad lung wounds. She has staples from the top of her back to where her front leg is. There are drains coming out to help the inside wounds heal. They had to shave her back...

Here's the other side-see the staple and drains. This is the side that ended up getting pneumonia.

And this is the top view of her. This looks the worst. I just felt soo bad for her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Today is my mom's birthday. She is 29 and holding...if you figure I'm 31-she had to be not yet born to have me!

When I was younger, I always knew my mom's age as she was 20 when she had me. Well she kept trying to tell me that she was 29-every year. Being the smarty pants that I am, I would always tell her she was wrong and that couldn't be. I used to think nothing was wrong with telling your age. But as I'm getting older, I see why she wanted to remain 29.

So Happy 29th Birthday Mom!
(not that she'll see this as she doesn't know about the blog)

Also Happy Birthday Gracie!

I am on a roll...

And it's not even 9:45 yet!
This morning Peanut and I were dumping her garbage from her walk :) and we found a wallet in the alley. I picked it up and looked to see who the owner was...then decided to call the police so they can drop it off to the owner since he didn't live in the safest of neighborhoods. Since I had to wait for the officer to pick it up, I decided not to go back to sleep but rather start laundry...then washed the dishes, loaded the trunk of my car with things to take to the shelter, and just now dismantled my old computer in the back room to take to the dump...it is no longer working so is of no use to a school or shelter...so off to the dump we will go...

But I realized that my wireless router needed to connect to something for my laptop to work...uh oh! Don't tell me I need to reconnect the computer and now will have to keep it! UGH!!! Well, I checked out the cords and I don't need to keep it!!! YIPPEE!!! It works and I thought I'd blog to test it out too.

So, now I'm headed to the shower, and off to the dump and shelter to unload my car! I feel so free of the junk!!! I'm also taking a TV that no longer works to the dump so I am cleaning house!! When I'm done, I need to head up to my mom's to drop off part of her birthday present-a large plant. When I'm done, I'm planning on doing my homework and take a nap!

Oh-by the way-I LOVE MY NEW SCHOOL AND PRINCIPAL!!! More about that later!

I'm beat!

So Saturday was Tim's birthday-my brother. He turned 18 and we all went to dinner to celebrate. One day last week, we were discussing where we were going to eat when my mom and Tim tell me that the family was going to Universal Studios and did I want to go. Apparantly teachers get in free for a limited time and can bring guests for only $40 each. So I said sure, but then I realized I have a dog to worry about...where would my sweet girl go? (They were going to leave on Sunday evening and stay in a hotel and then go to US on Monday) I didn't want to take her to the dog sitter as I want to be able to have her when I go away for longer periods of time, not just for the night. Then I thought about putting her in the kennel-which I just hate to do, but sometimes is necessary. But, she would have to stay for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as we wouldn't be back in time for me to get her on Monday night and Tuesday I have training so I'd have to get her after that. So I'd be charged $60 for the kennel-not exactly a free trip to Universal... so I declined. Then when we were at dinner, I got the guilt trip, puppy dog eyes from Tim that this will be the last time that we will all hang out as a family since he leaves for college soon. Boy did I fell the guilt set in. Those boys sure know where to hit me!

So my mom called my aunt, who lives in Orlando and has dogs and asked if we could stay with her for the night and leave my girl with her while we are at US-she's a teacher and is out for the summer. She said sure and not problem about Peanut. She is a dog person and understands the needs of a dog. So off we went.

She tried to make friends with Peanut from the get go and Peanut actually didn't mind her. Her dogs didn't mind her either and Peanut couldn't get enough of them. She didn't sleep that night because she knew there were dogs in the house and she wanted to play.

We had a blast at Universal. I felt like a kid again. It was fun to ride the coasters with my brothers and some of the rides the whole family went on. We went on some a few times. We went to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures. (We got in free to both) It was fun, fun, fun!!! But, man we were tired!!! I slept great last night and was supposed to go to that training today, but I just couldn't get out of bed. I was looking forward to go to the training too. So, here I am. Home, not at the training, and wondering what I should do today. I think I may go to the new Whim's and see what it's like and then organize more school stuff. That's my plan for the day. Peanut is already napping. If you are a teacher, and want to go to Universal for free, let me know and I'll get you address to get your free coupon.