I wanted to write (what I believe will be) one last blog before I take a month off from Myspace/Facebook.

I brought Gabriel home last night which was a game within itself.  If I wasn't attempting to see the road during manic rainfall, I was trying to keep from getting hit by two assholes who decided to ride my ass during said rain.  It was also a game to get Gabe out of my car and into my house.  He did better in the house than in the car.  Poor thing was sooo nervous and overwhelmed that he whined a good bit of the way home.  Dawn said she was told he was a Lab/Pyrenees mix and he's so pretty!

He sleeps exactly as Dawn described, like a teenager.  He snores, too.  He found some of Prescott's/Pookie's toys that I stashed in Jon's room (I had closed the door, but Jon woke up and opened it).  He happened on a mint green and ivory colored squeaky mouse that is now missing a leg.  Everyone loves him so far (although many do not like his name, I stand by what Nici and I discussed).

We spent some time today outside and he fell in love with the back yard and is VERY eager to make it his.  Right now, while it's raining, he's staying on the leash because I don't want to have to bathe him just yet.  He did mess today on the kitchen floor and so I'll be working to keep him as calm as possible during his adjustment.

I'm going tomorrow (I think) to get a kennel.  I want to get him kennel trained asap.  While he's adjusting and still in his puppy chewing stage, I don't want to just leave him out and about to chew things up.  And I want to be able to take a shower in peace.  He love nips and I'm working him out of that.  He's already trained for sit and stay, so I'm working on him with laydown and drop it.  He's such a good boy and he's a lot easier maintenance than even I thought he would be.  And I've posted several pics and will continue to post up until my 1-month sabbatical begins.  He's just soooo silly and funny!

I'm taking this sabbatical so that I can really maximize the time I have before my first Praxis.  I don't necessarily expect to pass it this go around, but I don't want to bomb the hell out of it either.  I want to prep somewhat and then take it so that I can have a feel for what to expect (types of questions, procedure, timing, etc.).  I also need to read A LOT.  My prep work says to be up on The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, so I need to reread that for sure.  Plus work on the Trail of Tears stuff, my articles for Grable that I never seem to justify doing, my 10 hours in a special needs/GT classroom, etc.  Lots of things to do and I'm convinced I'll get a shit-load done in the next 31 days.

If you need to reach me, you can email me at my gmail or yahoo email accounts.  You can also catch me ONCE in a while on YIM - I'm rarely ever there anymore.  Or if you have my number, you can reach me that way.  Email is still probably quickest.

Anyway, enjoy the pics and I hope everyone has a really great month.  Have a super St. Paddy's Day and Spring Break for those of you taking one.  Be safe.  I love and miss you all!

"Plus que ma propre vie."