A couple of months ago we added a new puppy to our family. I researched breeders in our area for a Shitzu-Poodle mix or something similar. Along with food allergies my son is allergic to dogs. On October 8th, my two boys, one of my nephews and our current dog pile into the car. We are just going to look at the puppies...just looking.
Once we get there, the house is large on a desolate piece of property. There is a half circle drive way with very little grass surrounding the house. We ring the doorbell and a stark looking man answers the door and lets us in. He says barely a word to us and calls for his wife. She asks what kind of dog we wanted to see, so I gently reminder her. There are lots of dogs barking but there are none in sight. She brings out two puppies to a "show" pen, but it definitely was not kept like a show pen. It was dirty from previous dogs before. The woman brings out these two adorable black and white puppies who were craving attention. The pups couldn't have been more than 5 pounds each. They were clearly not properly managed and had very little contact with people. The girl was rambunctious and the boy was quiet and reserved. They both looked frail with a poor coat of hair, but eager to see people. The woman was not very friendly and did not handle the puppies in a kind manner, or as we thought someone who loved dogs might. At one point, she picked up the boy by his front leg. My almost thirteen year old shot me a look that could kill. I knew what he was thinking, he wanted to scream at that woman. We quickly bring in Dakota to see if she might get along with one of the puppies. But it was too chaotic from the dogs barking, to the smell of the dogs and just being in an unfamiliar place. The boys and I decided quickly on the reserved boy, he would be a good match for our already energetic and loving girl. Honestly, we couldn't wait to get out of there. Once he was crated and our way home, we discussed names for our new little boy. We knew he was going to need a lot of love and patience to gain his trust. He was timid, curious but was so fearful of people. We loved him instantly and after our name discussion on the way home, his name would be Tucker Clark. It was perfect. Dakota is slowly adjusting to sharing our attention and showing him the ways to be spoiled. Now that we have you, we couldn't imagine our world with out you! Welcome home Tucker Clark.
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Where I live is kind of country but not. When there are some winds there isn’t much to prevent them from causing some damage. Take our basketball hoop for example, it fell twice yesterday alone. I’m not sure how many more falls this basketball hoop can actually handle. Not only does it fall but it has to stay there until someone can help me. It is too heavy for me to lift up on my own. So I just slide it out of the way.
Then there is the poor mailbox. It was run over by the plow a few months ago. I can’t have it fixed until the weather shifts. The mailbox has the same issue as the basketball hoop, once the wind kicks in .... down it goes! Due to the weather yesterday, it had one to many falls and is no longer attached to the post. I’m not even sure what to do about that?!? Good thing today is Sunday! I guess it's time to start planning for a permenant fix to the both of these hazards. The boys will be happy to have a new in group hoop and I will be happy to not have my mail blowing down the street. Don’t forget when you visit make sure you choose your parking spot wisely- you never know when the wind will pick up! Sitting on my bed thinking of what to write for my next slice and then my dogs start barking. They probably see a bunny running through our back yard. I quickly realize they are only getting louder with their barks. Slowly I make my way to the front window, remembering that my doorbell is on the list of things to be fixed.
To my surprise there is a car in the drive way, it is now 9:35 and I wasn’t expecting anyone! How amazing to look out the window and see my friend Allie waiving excitedly at me! Our boys played baseball together for years and I have to say she and I were instant friends. This is the third year that our guys haven’t played baseball together. So to see her at my door made my day! Her son was in the area for practice and she just wanted to stop by for quick chat and a hug. It was a perfect way to end a long week of work and late night work meetings. Thanks Allie, I needed that! (so I do believe that people are well intentioned, yet they can be so insensitive. The other day my youngest son was staying after school for "crew." The teachers offered a snack for students who may not have brought one. Due to his life threatening allergies, he always has his own snack.
He couldn't remember which teacher said it, but he distinctly remembered their wording. "Who has a food allergy? We have cuties for you." While appreciate that they had a safe snack for students with food allergies, it could have been managed differently. They just blatantly yelled this across a room of 70 some students. I asked him, did any other children say they had allergies..."No just me." In their mission to ensure physical safety they missed the boat on emotional safety. They didn't think about how that could make the one child in the room with food allergies feel isolated, starred at and excluded from the group. I equate what they said to someone saying something like "if you have a learning disability, this book is for you.” You just wouldn't say that to anyone. It could have been just as easy to say "if you have any concerns about the snack, please ask or we have Cuties here for anyone with food restrictions." I have worked very hard for him feel included in everything in relationship with his food allergies. I have to say that was a disappointment, especially since he has a 504 plan specifically for his food allergies (so they should have already known). This situation tells me I need to continue educating those around him. As I walked through the intermediate wing and turned the corner there it was - this odor that may not ever be able to describe with words. It hit me like a slap in the face. I am not one to be meek with strong odors, but this one took me out at me knees. I see my principal and we lock eyes, I am fighting back the gagging reflex, but I can't even make it to the next connecting hallway. I made a break for the door, I had to step outside to catch my breath. My principal makes sure I am ok and hurriedly walks to find the custodian. I asked her to double check the sewer isn't backing up!! I am then greeted by the gifted teacher with a look of horror on her face. The horrible smell is unavoidable, we make a break for the front foyer and are overcome with the smell of Lysol. That seals it, we dodge back out of there and seek a new retreat.
I see a different teacher headed in the direction of where I just came from. She approaches me with worry asking if I am ok. I continue to fight off the gag reflex and all but have tears streaming from my eyes. I warn her, “don't go that way - DON'T DO IT!” I grab my next social work group, stop by that teacher and offer to deliver her paper. Really there was no need for her to suffer too, I HAD to go back that way anyway. By the time that group ended, life was back to normal. Come to find out it was a little one who had diarrhea...they entire way to the office - POOR KID. It honestly was the most wretched smell I have ever encountered in my entire life! Usually, I order my groceries online but this weekend I decided to go in the store. I didn't need much and had some time to spare. I found myself wondering down the chip isle. I am always looking for a fun snack. I stumbled across this little gem. I have seen it at my sister’s house but have never tried it. So I thought why not.
BOOM CHICKA POP - SWEET & SALTY KETTLE CORN Now I think WHY did it take me so long to taste this amazing popcorn. I can’t believe how much I love this stuff. I could lie, but I won't I ate an ENTIRE bag of this deliciousness over the weekend. I love it so much that I find myself not wanting to share with my kids. I think I need an intervention! The sound the glove makes when the ball is caught perfectly to creating that snapping noise screams BASEBALL IS COMING. I enjoy watching my son play every sport but I have to admit this one is my favorite. It doesn't matter which position he is playing, I enjoy all of them.
I love watching him get excited when he learns how to throw a new pitch. So far he knows the two seem, four seem and a change up and is looking forward to learning how to throw a curve. He loves the game so much! He loves this games so much. I wish his confidence matched his level of enjoyment for playing baseball. Watching him catching is amazing to me. He loves being a part of every play. It is physically and emotionally demanding position. It forces him to use his loud voice to call out the plays, which doesn't make an appearance very often. The crack of bat from that perfect pitch sets the excitement in the air. BASEBALL IS HERE! Tomorrow my youngest is attempting another food challenge. As awesome as this is, it is the scariest thing I have ever had to encounter. You long for the day to hear the words that your child may have outgrown at least one of his many life threatening allergies. Yet my heart is racing, my chest is tightening and I am doing everything I can to push the tears out of my mind. Each time I remind him to be brave, I think I am trying to remind myself of the same thing. We have been planning for this for months and now the day is here. I couldn't be more proud of him for taking this risk, I am not sure I could. My boy is one of the bravest people I know; I like to think I had some part of that but really the credit is all his. His spirit reminds me to just be brave.
We live only minutes from each other, but see each other rarely. Yet there is security just knowing that my best friends are just a few minutes away. That's the main reason I moved here, to be close to the people I love the most.
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AuthorI have worked in social work for over 25 years. The past 19 years have been within an elementary school setting. Archives
March 2022
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