10/13/09 Working out

Another nice workout with Jan at the aquaaerobics class at QU. It was fun, and this was the best workout ever. My back was hurting, but I kept with it and will keep trying, because this is supposed to help. I really appreciate that Jan encouraged me to do this.


Tonight's article is Chicago Reality TV Examiner--Biggest Loser: Tracy has a guardian angel or is in league with the devil

8/23/09 A beautiful Sunday

We all had such a good time out at the cabin. Thanks so much John and Paulette. Everything was perfect.

Today's weather was gorgeous. Didn't do much. Ate a lot of fried green tomatoes, because when I have green tomatoes in my house I just can't help it. Who else in the world has an addiction to fried green tomatoes? What a dork.

Gus and I walked for a mile throughout the university and it was fun seeing all the kids settling in for the year.

My latest article is Compassion versus justice: Scotland releases Lockerbie bomber

8/21/09 A good day

I worked a half day then picked up Gussie. We went to QU to get my ID updated and I brought him in with me. It was really fun to watch everyone's faces. School hasn't started yet so I thought what the heck.

Then I slept all afternoon. And this evening went to Germanfest with Jan, Tim, Uncle Bill, John, Jane, Pete, and Sarah. I really enjoyed myself. Because of my recent bout with back "stuff" I couldn't polka with Jan like we always have done, but did do the chicken dance with Jan. (And, Jan, I'm paying the price as I feared, but I promise not to call you and cry.)

Here's my first article as the national Mental Health Examiner--Autism service dogs: True service dogs or merely comfort animals?

5/6 Last class

Tonight was the last class at QU for this semester. I love teaching, but it will be nice to have my Wednesdays back for a while. Thanks, Cindy, for taking care of Gussie all these weeks. You'll have some time off too. :)

Today was so crazy at work. I keep saying to myself--June 1 isn't that far away. The stress just exhausts me.

Tonight's article is a "feel-good" one for me--Katrina students graduate

4/25/09 Another good day

Gus and I had a fun day. This morning I (without my faithful companion) went to Great Debate books downtown. Off Broadway, the coffee house located inside, had free coffee and food for QU professors and adjuncts. I met some nice people, including reconnecting with Jimmy's old girlfriend, Barb, who reminded me of when they would come over to John's and my house on Maine Street. (Not brother John, husband John.)

Then I picked up Gus and we went to my office for a few hours. Following that, a leisurely trip to the pet store and we saw Cindy out in the parking lot. She was buying more flowers for her beautiful garden.

This afternoon Jane called and asked if I wanted to go to Jan's for dinner and I yelled SURE! The food was awesome and so was the company. Just got home and finished up the article I'd started earlier in the day.

Now you can 'think' instead of type your Twitter message

4/22 Yawn

Started my day with PT at 7 AM and ended at 8:10 PM. Then I had to come home and write my article, so it's a very tiring day. Thanks so much, Cindy, for taking care of Gus. He loves walking with you and Kirby. How cool for me to see you guys trotting through the college as I was going to work. :)

Tonight's article--Assisted suicide: Compassionate murderers?

4/8 Home from QU

It was a good class tonight, but it sure makes me tired.

Went to Doc today so I got to see Jan which is always nice. New meds for back pain, which I couldn't pick up tonight so I'll get tomorrow. Sure hope they work.

Tonight's article is sure to spark some controversy--New anti-smoking ad: Effective advertising or bordering on child abuse?

Cindy, thanks so much for taking care of Gus tonight. I really appreciate it. Love to all.

4/7 What a day

Again, so busy that I can't believe how late in the day it is. I sure missed Gus. Tomorrow night I teach at QU (thanks, Cindy) and the next night I work late because of teaching a class to parents with children with behavior problems. I'm surprised none of my relatives are in the class.

Tonight's article is--This isn't sexist: Men really are the weaker sex

4/1 Not an April Fool's joke

I still don't feel well so I canceled my class at QU tonight.


Children who have autism have teacher who celebrates their gains

Please click. My numbers have been down lately. Thanks. Love you.

3/29 Slept a lot

Took a few naps today, and then did some work for QU class. Other than that I just did laundry and wrote my article.

Speaking of which--Dog adopted our social behavior: Now 4 things we can learn from them

3/25 A very long day

Went to work at 7 this morning and got home after 8 tonight. A long day; the last few hours of which was spent teaching at QU, and that was fun. My regular work was difficult today, full of one crisis after another. Of course, that's what the job entails, but it sure takes it out of you.

Thanks, Cindy, for taking care of Gussie. I think he looks so cute since he got groomed today. All clean and cute. Of course I like him with long hair too. Guess I just like him. (But clean is best.) :)

Tonight's article has an illustration by a friend of mine, so I'm happy about that. Suicide and mugging: Is it all in the family?

3/18 Family therapy

Taught my first family therapy class tonight at QU. There are only five people registered so it was impossible for me them until 9. Only four showed up. It will be a fun class to teach, I'm sure. I feel lucky to have three jobs I really enjoy.

Tonight's article is Sometimes swearing just feels good! Remember I get paid by the click, so keep clicking. Thanks bunches.

And a big thanks to Cindy for taking care of Gussie tonight.

3/16 Very busy day

Work just didn't seem to end today, but at least the day went by fast because I was so busy. I didn't come home at lunch to let Gussie out, so he was in the house for over 11 hours and he didn't have an accident. I was so proud. (Then why does he go outside sometimes, come back and pee?) Anyway, he was a rock star today. I took him for a quick walk then had to write my article. As soon as I have dinner I'll get to work on my QU class. It starts this Wednesday.

Tonight's article: Couple violence not limited to adults

3/11 We walked

Gus and I walked tonight. It felt good to get out there with him even though it was only 2/3 of a mile. I'm so happy we were able to go. This is my last Wednesday at home for a while; I start teaching again next week.

Tonight's article is More abuse, more depression, more poor health

12/4 I'm a homeowner again

After a series of mistakes, mishaps, and miscommunications I finally own my home. Kris and I met at 4 PM yesterday at the abstract office, and they didn't have the paperwork yet from my incompetent mortgage closer.

Despite that, we finished before five. Kris and I hugged outside in the snow and we both said, "Finally." I've lived here eight months already.

We're both very pleased. She's been a great landlord, don't get me wrong, but I want this tax help.

My little cottage was built in 1896, making it 112 years old. (I'll make it's birthday be 12/3/1896--that'll be easy to remember. The third of December is when I bought it.)

We both would have loved to have celebrated with nice dinner and drink, but I had to get to QU and teach the last class of the semester. It went really well.

Cindy did a great job with Gussie while I was gone. And, Cin, thanks so much for putting some salt on my back walk. I wanted to buy some, but couldn't carry it. Anyway, thanks a lot.

Gussie was at the groomer yesterday. I finally found one I like--Buttons and Bows and 24th and Spring. They're open from 6:30 AM until 2 or so. So it's easy to drop him off before work and pick him up on my lunch hour. They did a great job on the "face, feet, and butt" grooming. Yep, I left the rest of him long-haired for now. Figured he had a built in winter coat as a lhasa apso, so I'll take advantage of it. He not only looks like an Ewok, he blends in with the snow and it's hard to see him at night in the back yard.

Yay. I own my home. Love to all.

PS--don't forget to read my new Mental Health Column.

11/19 Wednesday again

One week from today I'll be in North Carolina with Rob and Beata. For some reason I thought they were coming to Quincy for Christmas so I didn't do Christmas shopping for them. But Rob said they hadn't planned to come, so now I have to frantically search this weekend for just the right gifts. Hard enough to do anyway, but in a time crunch it's even harder.

I can't wait to see them. It'll be so nice to have another mini-vacation. Sure wish I could take Gus with me though. I'll miss him terribly.

Took the day off work because of a medical procedure so it was a wonderfully lazy day--just me with Gus and Bozie. I loved it, and the rest felt great (emotionally, not just physically). Tonight I'm teaching a class at QU but it won't be full-length.

11/15 I hit the family jackpot

I'm always wanting to be with family on the weekend and I really hit the jackpot today. I spent all afternoon with Jane and Sarah, having lunch and shopping (lots of that). Our lunch was free because it took so long to get to us. That was cool.

And in about an hour and a half I'm going to have dinner with a huge bunch of family. Yay. I love it.

This morning Gussie and I went to the Padua Pet Parade at Quincy University. KHQA-TV interviewed me, while holding Gus, and it's supposed to be on the 10 PM news tonight. In the middle of the interview Gus jumped out of my arms, so we'll see if they air it. :)

It was a fun experience, even though it was mega cold and windy. I look forward to doing this again next year. It was a fundraiser for the Quincy Humane Society.

10/22 Dog poop

What a way to start the day! I was going out the front door this morning when I smelled an unmistakable odor. Yep--I'd stepped in dog poop. Dear Gussie left me a present in the dining room, an unusual occurrence. I was in a hurry to get to an appointment so just kicked off my new athletic shoes and put on my (very) old ones.

I still love the little crapper, but it wasn't love at first step this morning, that's for sure.

I'm going to have an easy, relaxing day at home with the animals today and then will teach tonight at QU. Sounds like a really good day to me.

10/16 Misc

I got a beautiful picture frame with family engraved on it for Boss's Day. It's gorgeous and I appreciate it so much--also the funny card that came with it. Made me chuckle.

Gussie is so cute in his "shorn" state, but now that the weather is cold I almost feel guilty about having him shaved. Guess I can let his hair grow again until spring. We'll see if I'm patient enough.

Last night I started teaching a new course--Social and Cultural Conditions. It's going to be a great class--10 students who are near graduation. It's a senior level course. Last night started well, and I sure hope it continues.

Today I saw my doc--my bronchitis is totally gone. Yesterday I saw a neurosurgeon. He said my spinal stenosis was bad but he's seen worse. :) He also said I will need surgery some day because it's going to keep getting worse, but that I'd know when I need it, and then he'd do it. So that sounds like a deal. I'll hold out for a long, long time. :)

Decided today that I'm going to walk in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, instead of working on the crew next year. I'll do my fundraising and my training. And if I can only walk a few miles, then so be it, but I'm going to do my best to walk the whole way.

I really miss my kids. It was amazing how sweet they were to me. The only bad thing was that when I had to go back to doing things for myself, my back started hurting again. However, I'm used to it again, so things are back to normal. :)

Love to all.

9/17 It never pays

It never pays to say your back feels good. Because immediately it will start hurting in a revengeful way. Take my advice.

Still have my cold--blah, blah, ho-hum.

Had my MRI and it will be read today and the doc will probably dictate tomorrow. My doctor will probably have it tomorrow, which means my sisters will have it a few minutes earlier and they will call me with the good news. I'm going to win the "white spots on the brain" contest. It's an aging thing. And most likely nothing else will be wrong. I'm adamantly convinced it's my meds causing the balance problem. Saw my doc when I was visiting with Jan and he said the St. Louis neurosurgeon recommended surgery--same thing he told me.

Saw Lesa, the lady who adopted Quincy and Cookie. She told me wonderful anecdotes about them. I'm so happy they are so well-loved. But I still tear up when I think about them. Thank God it's only when I'm alone. The dogs have become outside dogs of their own volition--they really don't want to come inside at all, in fact they sleep outside now. I told Lesa they may change their minds in winter. These dogs are used to Mississippi winters. We'll see.

Guess that's it. I teach tonight so will go and prepare. (Jan and Jane, it was nice to see both of you today at the clinic.)