Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  Keri is having a New Year's Eve party and Lei-Lei had a bath for the occasion.  Here she is all clean, combed and fixed up.  She is enjoying herself at the party, I believe. Or I hope...I think I'll get Keri to bring her to me in a few minutes and make sure she
is happy.  Blizz went out to meet one of the kids and came back in scared to death.  He's now snuggled in between us, listening to the going-ons in the living room.  The tv is turned on as loud as I can stand it to try to drown out the noise (for Blizz, mainly!)


Matt and I spent the day getting the house ready for the party.  Poor Matt's been doing plumbing work for the past 2 1/2 days.  He got the leak fixed in the front yard and in the process broke the plumbing in the kitchen.  So we got a new faucet and I love it.  Traci and I also went to Party City and got decorations for Keri's party and surprised her.  I think she thought it was a little too much but hey, we can have fun too!


Well it's going to be a long night...and yes, I'm getting old!

Leia the Daisy Dog

It's been a long, slow week. I love having the time off from school but there isn't anything to do that doesn't cost money that I don't want to spend.  It is nice to relax and snuggle with my dog-dogs.  Matt has been working on a leak in the front yard and I need water to clean.  I should get started on that soon.  He says I have a while before he turns the water off again.

Leia

 

 Here is my little sidekick.  She is perfect.  I didn't know how much I liked little dogs until I had Marie but I love having this tiny little thing snuggle up with me.  She's so portable and I love taking her to see Meemo or up to get Keri from work or to Petsmart.  I don't think other people think she is as precious as I do but so what!

Leia is fun to dress up.  I don't do anything weird but she has some t-shirts and sweaters and of course bows.  When we went to the boutique to get her she had a huge bow on her head and it made her look even sweeter.  Those people know how to sell a dog!  Ha! Leia blended into our family quickly and easily.  She is a pain to Shadow and Bo but Blizz loves her and Moka tolerates her.  He is jealous because he used to be the sweet baby and now he thinks she took his place (NOT.)

Christmas and the Mavs

Merry Christmas again!

Here are pics from Christmas Day at my brother's. Dang it I didn't get a picture of my mom or my brother!

                                                                       Sophia and Rocky

                                                                 Stoney and River

                                                                       Keri and Sierra

                                                                          Traci

                                                                       Bree

                                                                       Matt

                                                                      Theresa

                                                                    and the tired puppies

We went to the Mavs game last night as one last Christmas gift to ourselves.  We were sitting up higher than we thought we would be and the Mavs lost but we had fun.  I was surprised that we didn't get into any traffic on the way out.  I want to go again, maybe with one girl instead of everyone so we can sit a little closer.  It was too expensive to buy six tickets anywhere but the third level (plus there weren't any available!)

Merry Christmas!  I was thrilled to have all three of my girls with me to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Yesterday started out busy and ended late.  Matt and I decided to go ahead and get Keri a new iphone for Christmas.  We found out when we were at the store that her old phone had to be disconnected in order to set up the new one. I knew it was going to be a long afternoon.  And it was.  She did all right for a couple of hours but then she started begging Matt to take her to AT and T.  We did our best to put her off until Bree and Traci got home. I didn't think I was going to make it but finally they got home. We quickly took a few pictures and opened presents.  I've never seen her so excited, screaming with joy.  I was as glad as she was when she opened her present.

 Traci Lynn Cooper

 Keri Lee Cooper

 Bree and Moka

 He was so happy to see her that he wouldn't leave her long enough to get a picture so he was in all of them.

 The phone was in the red bag behind Keri.

 Then we went to ICE, our new Christmas Eve tradition.  It's at a Resort called the Gaylord Texan.  30 Chinese artists fly to Texas to carve a huge display out of ice.  This year's them was Shrek the halls.  We haven't kept up with most of our traditions but we've done this for three years.  We have always, as long as I can remember, gone out to look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve.  Last night we didn't look for long because we were so tired.  ICE was a blast though.  Depending on who you asked, the temp was between 17 and 3 degrees F. No matter what IT WAS COLD.  This picture was taken outside of the exhibit.  The girls were loving being together. I tried to get a pic of them from behind because they were all walking hand in hand.  So sweet. I love my girls!

 Another picture before we got inside.

 This was at the beginning of the exhibit.  I liked this Shrek except he was missing his teeth.  The workers give you these huge parkas to wear inside the exhibit.  I think Traci hates the cold the most!

 OK, I give up.  The girls want a few pictures of their mom too!

 Carebear loved the movie Puss in Boots.

 Traci was like "You don't have to take a picture of everything!"  She humored me most of the time.

 Bree was happy to be with us last night and I loved it!

Repeat after me, "DO NOT TOUCH OR LICK THE ICE!"  My girls are such rebels!

It was so cold in there that towards the end of the exhibit we were practically running to get out!  It was fun though.

This morning we opened Christmas presents then Keri went to one of her choir director's church to sing with the choir.  She got home just in time to get in the car and head to Uncle Mark's.  We had a yummy lunch of lasagne, salad, rolls and pie.  We opened gifts then the five girls went through Meemo's precious moments and split them between them.  Mark's pups were adorable, of course. I'll post pictures from today sometime soon.  I was happy just being with my whole family.

Weekend

I'm so glad that it's the weekend!  Had a good time today visiting with my best friend K and her daughter while Bree did their hair.  I haven't seen her much since school started and just missed her.  Lei-Lei will be beautiful on Wednesday!  Actually, so will Blizzard and Shadow as they are all going to a new groomer on Wednesday.  It's been a few years since the boys have gone though I have bathed and combed them some they are still a mess and need a professional.  Lei-Lei has only had one professional groom since we got her and it's time for another one.  Matt has take Breezi to the movies, Traci and at the movies with her boyfriend's family and Keri is at a sleep-over.  I won't complain that I am here along snuggling with the canines.

As for Keri's truck, our insurance is finally starting to take care of us.  I think.  Keri needs transportation sooner as opposed to later and something tells me we won't be getting anything from Chicky. I know it's not her fault that she doesn't have insurance but it's her fault that she gunned into Keri.  School is a mess. I'll be glad when this is old news.

My dad is on a Hawaiian Christmas cruise.  He will be back on Christmas Day. I hope he has a good time.   I miss him!  Who will I talk to three times a day?

Well my good friend Chicky Poo doesn't have insurance.  She had a fraudulent card.  Daddy Poo wasn't very happy when we showed up at their house asking for another insurance card.  At least we have his name and phone number.  Matt couldn't believe the guy was so angry.  I'm not only pissed at that but the police didn't let us file a report with them.  They said to go through our insurance.  If you have Metropolitan they won't do anything to help you (just take your money) if you only have liability and uninsured.  We'll probably have to take the uninsured part of it. I can tell this is going to be a huge fight.  The Chick is driving around all crazy-butt, without insurance.  Somebody should be helping us!  Well anyway she really can't hide for long as we know where she lives, among other things.  Funny...she goes to my daughter's school.  


Tune in to the next episode tomorrow, same time, same place, to hear all the wickedly entertaining updates.


Nighty night.

I am angry that my child could have been killed but so thankful that she wasn't.

Well today was quite the exciting day.  My baby was on her way home from school and someone hit her.  Fortunately she seems to be okay. I am wondering if something will show up in a day or two. I am sure she'll be sore tomorrow.  The other car came out of an alley type street without stopping.  Keri was right there but couldn't get out of the way.  It knocked the wheel off and she had no control of the truck.  She spun around and went forward and sideways for 50 or so feet.  The witnesses said that they were afraid she was going to hit the pole.  As you can see from the pictures, her truck is up over the curb and on the grass.  Fortunately she has witnesses but for now she is without transportation.  Thank you Heavenly Father for protecting her.  It so easily could have been very much!

 Ugh!  The more I hear about this the angrier I get!

 The good news is she seems to be all right.  At least for now.  I bet she is pretty sore in the morning!  Here she is at her choir concert a couple of hours after the accident.  I'll be taking her to the doctor in a few days, if not tomorrow.

I can't help it if my baby is talented!

 These pictures were taken a month or so ago at the Senior Night Pep Rally that was held that morning. I teased that they should have called it "The Keri Show" since she was in almost everything.  Variety performs for the whole school.  In Variety, Keri had quite the little solo.  She walked around looking like she was a famous singer or something.  She is very good as I do say so myself.

 Variety also performed the National Anthem.  That was really cool to get to hear them sing it.  I love that song.

Keri singing at the pep rally.

 Keri has a lot of fun singing or dancing but especially both.

The next pictures are of the Senior Belle/Cheerleader dance.  Keri choreographed the whole thing.  Every year the senior belles and cheerleaders do a dance at this pep rally.  Obviously some of the athletes thought that THEY were supposed to be included in this dance and were all offended when they weren't included.  One of the girls caused a real stink over it. I wonder if she felt like a fool when she saw the dance and pictured her body down there doing these moves and routines.  That situation was very frustration because she caused a big problem for Keri.  UGH

I am so glad that I took the day off to see her experience this wonderful day.  Aunt Collett came all the way from Las Vegas to see her and to see Traci play a soccer game.  Oh Keri did not disappoint.  She's a performer all the way.

I would like to thank my bestie friend Kerry W. for taking these pictures of Keri!  She's a great photographer but most of all she is a wonderful friend.

Interesting how death affects people. I knew Kiefer just a little. I watched him play soccer mostly.  I knew Traci and Keri were good friends with him. He was one of their best friends.  I cherish the time I drove the girls and Kiefer to the Taylor Swift concert and back.  After I dropped him off at home I said to Traci and Keri, "You didn't tell me he was like THAT!" They said, "Well yeah, mom.  That's Kiefer."  I was extremely impressed with him.  Wow.  Just wow.  So he's not just an excellent soccer player and hilarious but a wonderful person inside that teenage boy's body.  I also remember when he and some friends came and tp'd our house. They were having so much fun. I watched them from the window.  The girls tried to get them back a few weeks later but they got caught and his mom didn't think it was as funny as I did.

What I remember most about that day was getting the phone call that Traci is OK but Kiefer may have drowned. I thought to myself "No, he'll be okay."  As I drove to the lake, I wouldn't let myself believe that it could be true.  I hadn't heard the story of how they couldn't control the canoe in the strong winds or how they had to swim 300 feet in 50 degree water. I didn't know he had jeans and shoes on.  I still didn't grasp the severity of the situation when I sat next to Traci in the grass, looking at the lake and watching only one boat search for him. As the day went on more and more people came to the lake to wait and watch. Terry drove up.  Robert came.  My dad and Georgia came then left to go get Keri.  How I wanted to shelter Keri from the news. I knew she'd be devastated.  Matt and my dad convinced me to tell her because it was going to get on facebook and she'd know then.  Dad and Georgia went to get her from Jason's Deli where she was with friends.  She still won't go back in Jason's.

 I guess it started to hit me when darkness set in and everyone started to go home.  Even when Robert and I both ended up in the same place on the shore that was in the direction of the waves, yelling his name and looking for any sign of him. I prayed and prayed that we would find him on the beach, just hurt and not able to call out.  Then the next Sunday everyone came back again to hold vigil.  It was Spring Break that week so many of Kiefer's friends were home from college. Hundreds of people He was finally found on Wednesday. So so devastating but at the same time grateful that he was no longer under water.  I found out he was found first because Sissy's son is a Garland police officer and he had heard it over the police radio.  The rest of the week I didn't know what to do with myself. How could I go on with my life when Terry was grieving her son.

The canoe accident affected Bree too.  She knew Kiefer's older brother from tennis in high school.  I didn't know for several months how Bree still feels sick that it could have been Traci.  I think that too but I feel guilty that Traci is alive but Kiefer isn't.  Why did Heavenly Father protect and not Kiefer?  I don't want it to be Kiefer, either!  OR CHRIS!!!  He had spent the night with Kiefer the night before!  They made the plans to take the canoe to the lake and called and invited Traci.  They both had their bibles with them.  They were all going to read the bible on the lake.  Other kids?  They may have gone out to the lake to make trouble, do drugs, drink, have sex? BUT NO!  These kids were out to read the bible.  Those bibles are now on the bottom of the lake. And I have no doubt where Kiefer is now.

Moka

Moka was quite the surprise to most of our family.  Bree took some of her graduation money and bought a puppy.  At the time we thought her boyfriend at the time bought him.  Then we found out that they split the cost.  THEN we found out that Moka belonged to her only.  Of course that was after Moka had been living at our house exclusively.  He was supposed to live at Jordan's, we were told.  He was the cutest and most fun puppy ever.  He was six weeks old and weighed around 7 pounds.  Now he will be four in April and weighs 95 pounds which is huge for a lab. He has a gorgeous face.  He could be on the cover of a doggy magazine.  He loves everyone and is just a big baby. He has no idea how big he is though he is gentle with Leia.  They play tug of war and he has just lifted the rope up and carried her across the room, dangling from the end.  The best thing about Moka is that he is so loving and important to Bree, who is his little (real?) mama.  Moka adores her and he knows when it's her coming through the front door.  If Bree is gone then he is my boy.  When Bree is home he'll hardly have anything to do with me.  


Everything is planned and ready for the last seven days of school before Christmas break. I love staying in my classroom late.  It's kinda me time as weird as that sounds.  Our day went much better than yesterday. I called some parents tonight so I am hoping that tomorrow will be even better.  I am taking a half-day in the afternoon so I can attend Bree's family therapy.  Crossing my fingers that Mr. Fish will be healthy!  He had to cancel on me last time.  The kids were really disappointed.  Only nine more days of school!  YAY!

Here are my little piggies. The brown and white one is Cookie. The black and brown one is Cupcake and the black and white one is Monster. Funny story is that I was positive that Cupcake was a boy. We got Cupcake and Monster in March to be companions to Cookie after Lucky died. We got two because Keri and I couldn't agree on which one to get plus just in case Cookie didn't accept one they would at least have each other. They were SO CUTE as babies. They are just as cute now though and Cookie likes both of them. Anyway, I guess Cupcake was just being a little dominant but since she turned out to be a "boy" she would need to be neutered. Took her up to the vet about a half hour away to have her check-up before the surgery and turns out she's a girl. Thank goodness. That saved us over $100 and I got all three's nails trimmed while I was at it. Guinea pigs are social and are much happier with at least one other guinea pig. They are true to their names too, pigs. They eat a lot and if their cage gets dirty it smells like a barnyard. My piggies love to eat a spring mix of lettuce, spinach, apples, carrots, bell peppers, grapes, hay and guinea pig pellets. They live to eat. I enjoy them very much. Dogs and guinea pigs. Best animals ever.

Traci is home from college. YAY YAY YAY I love her so much. She is so supportive and such a help. Her sisters miss her a lot too. She will have her associates degree after the next semester and then will go to a four year university, possibly Baylor or maybe UNT.

There's only ten more days of school before Christmas break! I love this time of year at school...now if I could just remember to get my Christmas (and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa) books down. They haven't even asked for holiday books which surprises me. I am going to remember that in the morning.

I finally found a picture of Dustie to share on the blog. We got him as an Easter present for our girls when Keri was two. I guess that mean Traci was five and Bree was seven. He was a surprise to Bree and Traci. Keri came with us to look for a puppy that day. We chose him because he was so cuddly and was the only one not running around the yard like a maniac (normal puppy!) Dustie was an exceptionally sweet boy. He was never very active...about all the exercise he ever got was barking when someone was jumping on the trampoline. He would kind of jump with his front paws leaving the ground maybe an inch. Just TRY taking him for a walk. He just wouldn't go. In his younger days he would lay underneath the yellow trolley handles. If we'd push it across the yard he'd chase it. He also loved to bark when Blizz was playing frisbee. Dustie loved his food. He was also loved by Reezi so much. When we'd get him up on the bed she would bop around as happy as could be. We suspect that Dustie had cancer. He did very well until the very end when we suddenly had to put him down on his 13th birthday. It was just his time but that didn't make it easy. It'll be two years this coming February. I miss him so much.

It's been raining all weekend. I know we need it but it makes for a dreary couple of days. And the dogs, especially Leia, doesn't want to go out to potty. I'm loving the cold though. Me and my menopausal body gets hot easy.

Yesterday I cleaned house and brought my mom over here, bathed and clipped her dog and wrapped her presents. Then Matt and I went to eat with Breezi and Christmas shopped a little. I am excited for Christmas this year. I'd like to have all the shopping done before Christmas break but that probably won't happen. We need to get paid again before we buy anything else. I want to bake cookies, go to movies and other fun stuff with the girls instead of rushing around. I think I spend more money that way because I am in such a hurry.

Field trip was a success. Only a couple of minor injuries and we returned with as many kids as we left with. Everyone loved the play/musical "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters." I was amazed at their talent and everyone was engaged throughout with all the wonderful acting, singing, dancing and drumming. One thing that I thought was really cute was one of my students, A, was waving enthusiastically to the actress who played the kind daughter and the actress waved back at her...a nice long wave. Very sweet. Afterward, we went to the park even though the weather was dreary and cold-ish.

Fridays can't come soon enough!

My sweet Shadow came to us in an interesting way. Apparently I visited with someone in the vet's waiting room once and we talked about shelties. Years later she remembered me (or it could have been months, I don't really remember) and wanted me to take in her sheltie. Come to find out he was a rescue and we ended up being his fourth home in his five little months of life. He is now five years old. He is out outdoorsy doggie, the only one who wants to stay out more than in. He is afraid of rain and storms but any other time it's hard to get him in the house. He would probably prefer to be an only dog. He ends up in another part of the house than the other three. He is a fattie. He scavenges and eats whatever he can find. We try to keep the crates doors shut but if we forget, he goes in and eats everyone's food. He also hates to have his picture taken! I have no idea why!

Here are a few pictures of Traci trying to get him to pose. She finally gave up!

Little Sister had a flat tire last night. There was no spare to be found (stolen? Never there to begin with? Who knows!) so Matt had to take the tire off the truck and have it repaired. So glad that happened in a nice, quiet neighborhood instead on a busy road.

School went well. My kids were much better today. I know they are excited about the field trip tomorrow. I am nervous as I always am with field trips. Hopefully it'll be a nice day and we'll be able to go to the park for the picnic as planned. We're all wearing our green second grade shirts. I'll try to get some pictures (for the school blog.)

My next furry baby is Blizzard. He is six years old and is a frisbee fiend. He would fetch all day if he could get someone to throw it all day. We stopped playing this summer because he had a hurt toe and didn't know when to stop. We'd think it was healed then it would open up and bleed again. Blizz was one of our spur of the minute dogs. We woke up one morning and thought that we wanted one of our friends' sheltie pups. When we found out how much they cost we thought we'd see if we could find a blue merle instead. Blizz was the only one we found and he was in Frisco. He was an awesome splurge purchase though and we haven't regretted getting him. He's a tad bit on the strange side. For one thing his eyes are each a different shade of blue/hazel and when he looks at you, his eyes make him look feral. He just has a wild look to him. He is snuggly and a sweetheart to us and also when he is home. If he's out of his territory he is nervous and cautious. He's getting out of that a little bit since Matt likes to take him for walks. He enjoyed swimming in our pool this summer. I loved it and it was better for his toe. He is ALL indoor dog unless a human family member is outside with him, which is pretty funny when you see how athletic he is. Keri claims him as HERS but I say NOT. He's MINE! LOL Sweet boy!