Saturday was a DAY

Mabel greeted us at the door yesterday. We went upstairs to find her cage in the above state. Houdini chewed her way out. But first she pulled the area rug into the cage and it being balled up (think making paper snowflakes when you fold the paper and cut)her chewing created little holes all over the rug.

It was a ROUGH day yesterday. We left here at 8:30 for a Special Olympics basketball game that started at 10:30. Sally was in RARE form. Or should I say the Autism was. Crying, whining, pooping her pants - it wasn't pretty. But as soon as the game started she was in heaven. Now, Sal doesn't actually play - she runs up and down the court and stands at either basket - trying hard not to come in contact with the ball. She also stands in the middle of the court and waves to us. :-) But she is one of only 7 and has to be put in for the other kids to have a break. Plus, she provides comedy. :-) But to the family yesterday she was a miserable little brat (and I HATE that word).

So by the time we arrived home *I* had had it! I have some kind of swollen gland thing in my neck - it's not awful - just annoying - so Mabel's little trick was just what was needed to put me over the edge. I just had to laugh. Bill and I collapsed on the couch and watched our new addiction: "House" and just let the day pass by.

JBSRA won one and lost one yesterday. We play at the State Finals in March, down in Bloomington - which means we will be staying overnight in a hotel. Sally and ANYONE in a room with her - NOT a good match. It will prove to be VERY interesting - I'm SURE! :-)

Jack and I sat on the bleachers yesterday - waiting of Bill to bring a drink and popcorn and Sal was warming up. I talked to him about Sally (she's been riding him pretty good lately) and I commented "She's really on your last nerve lately, huh? I know it's hard, Jack. It's hard for me too, but we have to keep trying together as a team." I said

"Mom, you don't even know," he replied "I have 20 at school and 1 at home, that's 21 people on my back,"

It took EVERY ounce of strength I had to not bust out laughing. It was SO funny - but I knew he was serious and would not have appreciated his Mom laughing in his face. That boy can make SO much drama out of nothing. I swear he'll be a politician, lawyer or actor (if he doesn't end up in jail) the way he can deliver a line of bs is unbelievable. :-)

Mabel Goes To Jail

Wednesday morning Mabel got out the front door as Sally was waiting for her bus. Of course, being Mabel, she ran as fast as she could down the sidewalk and out of sight. I have given up chasing her - esp since we now have inches of snow covering the ground and the fact that I have a very time sensitive morning schedule.

So,as you would guess, she wound up in Animal Control doggie jail. I got a call at work around 2:00 telling me that they had Mabel and kind of "scolded" me about letting her out. Ughhh. Telling me that she could get eaten by a coyote - oh if only..... Now don't go giving me grief about that - I love Mabel and I'm just joking - but just like my kids she is very good at pushing my buttons and can rub that last nerve of mine off the scale. And besides, no coyote in his right mind would go after Mabel. Ewww - Mabel germs. So, after telling them that I would indeed retrieve her after work I hung up.

When I got to Animal Control I heard no barking - so that would mean that Mabel was ALL alone. "Good," I thought, "maybe she will have learned her lesson if she didn't have fun this time, playing with all the other doggies."

Oh, what we Americans do when we give a little power AND a badge to a teenager. This monster size, pimply faced man cub let me in and showed me Mabel's "file". Yes, Mabel has a rap sheet AND a mug shot. Seriously - they have a picture of her and all thees papers of the times when they have caught her. Again, I get the dripping water on the head and the light bulb in my eyes about how Mabel keeps getting out. I would have LOVED to confess that I am so attracted to this little man child that I keep letting the dog out just so I can rondevu with him. :-) Let's get a little perspective here, Sparkie - she's a dog - a beagle at that and they are best known for letting their noses get the best of them. So I hung my head and played all sorry like and picked up Mabel and lectured her all the way home.

Of course I got the eyes this morning - you know those eyes from a dog laying in your bed that say "I'm SO tired, I just want to sleep here all day, I won't make a mess or destroy the house, I'll be good - I'll just sleep in this bed all day. You don't need to put me in the cage." Oh, she's good at the eyes. If only she'd use her power for good instead of evil.

Mike Gooding Benefit

www.mikegooding.com

Date: Saturday, 27 February 2010
Time: 2:00 - 10:00
Location: Southeastern Elementary School - Bowen IL


Description: My brother-in-law, Mike worked for Alexander Lumber Co for 38 years. Last May he fell from his roof and is now paralyzed from the chest down. Mike and his wife, Jill (my sister) live in rural LaPrarie.

A meal will begin at 2 pm to include soups, sandwiches, deserts and drinks for a Free Will Offering. There will be a 50/50 drawing and three raffle items to include a 50" flat screen plasma TV, a $500 gift card from Game Masters in Quincy and a Nintendo Wii. You need not be present to win.

Tickets are available for $1.00 each or $5.00 for six. The Hancock County Piecemakers Quitling Guild are now selling tickets and will be on hand that day to raffle off a handmade quilt. There will be an auction beginning at 4 pm and music throughout the day by DJ Danny Veach.

For questions or to hlep with donating auction or raffle items, please call Teresa Wood at (217) 842-5884 or Anita Marlow at (217) 392-2323. Matching funds from the benefit will be provided by Thrivent Financial Lutherans Chapter 30630.

4 Daves: Mike Gooding Benefit!

4 Daves: Mike Gooding Benefit!

Mike Gooding Benefit!

Type: Causes - Fundraiser

Date: Saturday, 27 February 2010
Time: 2:00 - 10:00
Location: Southeastern Elementary School - Bowen IL

Description My brother-in-law, Mike worked for Alexander Lumber Co for 38 years. Last May he fell from his roof and is now paralyzed from the chest down. Mike and his wife, Jill (my sister) live in rural LaPrarie.

A meal will begin at 2 pm to include soups, sandwiches, deserts and drinks for a Free Will Offering. There will be a 50/50 drawing and three raffle items to include a 50" flat screen plasma TV, a $500 gift card from Game Masters in Quincy and a Nintendo Wii. You need not be present to win.

Tickets are available for $1.00 each or $5.00 for six. The Hancock County Piecemakers Quilting Guild are now selling tickets and will be on hand that day to raffle off a handmade quilt. There will be an auction beginning at 4 pm and music throughout the day by DJ Danny Veach.

For questions or to help with donating auction or raffle items, please call Teresa Wood at (217) 842-5884 or Anita Marlow at (217) 392-2323. Matching funds from the benefit will be provided by Thrivent Financial Lutherans Chapter 30630.

If you would like to send a donation, please make check payable to The Mike Gooding Benefit, c/ Marine Bank and Trust - PO Box 216, August IL 62311.