A Doggone Good Life~In Memory of Denver~

So here I am not knowing what to write. It's not because I have writer's block, it's because I don't want to cry or hurt anymore. But I feel like Denver deserves to written about. Not just about his last days, but about the life he had with us and his pack.

We got Denver the same year we got Rocko, 2006, but a few months later(around August or so). Denver had to be just barely 8 years old because he was born somewhere around June of 1998. And you're probably wondering, where the heck did Denver live the other seven or so years of his life and how'd he come to live with us? Well, lemme tell ya. He belonged to my brother in law and sister in law, Audrey and Aaron. Aaron adopted him from the SPCA and gave Denver to Audrey as a present either for her birthday or Christmas, not really sure. She was so happy with receiving this cute puppy as a present that she carried him around (a lot!) like a baby with his paws hanging off her shoulders. Now as Denver grew up he got to go on many trips with Aaron and Audrey and met some canine buds along the way. He had a great life with them! But, he just could not stop running away. So now you're thinking, why in the world would this dog run away if he had such a great life with them? Well, quite funny, up until this day, it is to be believed that Denver had a girlfriend a couple of miles away that he'd like to visit. He did a lot of dumpster diving too...lol. The county pound was tired of catching him and Aaron just couldn't afford to keep bailing Denver out of canine prison. So, him and Audrey decided it would be best if they found Denver a better place to live and what better place than to be with us!

Our pack had grown from 3 to now 4 and being dog people, especially me, we loved it! Rocko loved it best because that was the start of lifelong friendship. They were inseperable. Unless it was to the vet, they went everywhere together until Denver got too old to keep up with Rocko. But they played in the old apartment together, wrestled, and even went to the dog park. They looked after each other and that's what makes their relationship special.

Denver was such a loyal and friendly dog. He hated to be away from his family. He would cry and cry when you got home and lick you all over when finally given the attention. Anytime I or Brandon would get up to go somewhere in the house,he'd get up and follow. Kind of annoying, but looking back, I liked it(and miss it). Oh man,how could I forget...when someone would have socks off, Denver would just go to town licking feet. Sometimes he would even go as high as the knee! Ew, gross!! I guess that's one way he liked to show his affection. My favorite thing though about Denver is when Brandon or I, or anyone for that matter would lay down, Denver was right there beside you.

Denver had such a love for squeaky toys, especially the good cuz and bad cuz squeakies. Every time we would come home from somewhere, there Denver was waiting at the door with squeaky in mouth. Anytime we'd go outside, he had his squeaky. He would hold it in his mouth then roll on his back in the grass for hours it would seem. Dinner time also meant squeaky toy. Just sounds like anytime he got excited about something, he had to share his excitement with his squeakies.

Remember when I said Denver ran away a lot with Aaron and Audrey? Well he did so with us too. When we first bought our house in September of 2008, we just had Denver and Rocko. One day, that Winter or early Spring I believe(it was cold anyway), the gate had been left open and Denver decided to roam the neighborhood. Of course once we'd realize he was gone, we went on a Denver (and Rocko I'm sure) search and rescue. I don't exactly remember how long it took, but what I do remember is finding this old dog tromping around in his winter jacket. At least he was comfortable.

Rocko has Roxanne and well Denver had Scout. The two old guys stuck together. I didn't realize how much of a connection they had until it was too late. Scout misses you dearly Denver, but don't worry, I'll keep him company more so now.

I'm sure there are more wonderful stories I could write about Denver, but I'll stop here. I'll save the sad story that I'm trying to block out of my mind for another day. These are the good memories I'd like to remember about him instead.

Denver had a pretty good life. He had squeaky toys, treats, dog and human food, a warm house and a soft bad, and a family that loved him unconditionally and always will. I miss you Denver and will always cherish your time spent with us.

Why do I work here still??? Oh yeah....

I literally hate my job. I love my kids, well 90% of them (ha ha ha...so true though). Anyway, the people who run this place suck. That's a who other blog in itself. There are days, which are usually once a week, where I just want to walk out. I feel like I can never do anything right there. I just want out. I can't quit though. We can't afford it. And there are times, a lot of times actually, where I have looked for other jobs, but either no one's hiring, I'm not qualified, or I just missed it. I'm willing to work for less than what I make to go somewhere where I'm treated like an adult and feel needed. Is that too much to ask? I know I'm a good worker, but they make me feel like a mushroom in the closet that everyone poops on. My opinion doesn't matter. What I do doesn't matter. I know that's not true because my students learn so much. It's too much for the amount of money I make. It's wrong. I know I'm ranting here, but I just needed to vent and get this off my chest. It will help temporarily...until Monday returns. I want to go to a place where I like my job, I like the people I work with, and I come home happy everyday. I like teaching, but this place has really burnt me out. Before my Christmas vacation, I'm going to start my job search. I don't want to leave a class in the middle of the year, but it's for my own sanity. Pray that I find a new job soon. This place is driving me straight to the nut house. Can anyone save me?

2010, you're so nice

It's been awhile since I've blogged and figured tonight would be a good time...
With good comes bad and with bad comes good. My uncle, my mom's brother, died the day after Easter this year. I know it's been a pretty rough time for my family. Needless to say it's been bittersweet. With the passing of my uncle, my family and I have realized that life is too short to be holding hatred, anger, and resentment towards one another. He was the thread to mend my family back together and I think that's the way he would want it. My mom and I are now talking and we both really want to work things out. I don't want to have kids who only know one set of grandparents, I want them to not only know both of them but love both of them. It's like this 500 pound weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I know it sounds really cliche, but it's so true. I miss my family, my friends, and my hometown. My parents are thrilled just as much as I am. I'm going to be visiting in mid July! Mostly to see family because it will be a short visit,but I'm sure I can squeeze in a lunch or something with my friends.
At the beginning of the year, I knew it would be a good year. I had a really good feeling. And you know what? It's been pretty darn nice to me and to those I love. Several of my friends are pregnant, I have my family back, work is good, Brandon's company is doing well, and I think this will be the year for Brandon and I to finally start a family. It's not so foggy for me anymore. Things are starting to look up for me and I have Heavenly Father to thank for that. He does know what's best for me in my life and he knows me. After all, he is my father. :) I'm greatful for everything that I have and I'm actually enjoying my job now. Well, I think I'll end here. I have to be at the Relay for Life at 2am so it's time to take a nap. Peace out...

And you think Everybody Loves Raymond family is dysfunctional?

I just don't get people sometimes. I have a brother in law who is such a sore winner or loser no matter what game we play as a family he acts so immature and annoying. And he thinks he's the greatest person in the world and when you try to tell him he did something wrong, well it wasn't his fault, someone else is to blame. He'll never take the blame. It really gets on my nerves. Then whenever people try to tell him how annoying he his, it turns into this big argument and everyone else gets in trouble (because it's at the parents house) but him. Oh man it drives me nuts!! Then it's his own child's birthday and the poor kid has to compete with the Super Bowl. And he couldn't even play with his presents! So we sing happy birthday, he opens his gifts, eat cake and ice cream and then it's back to the game. How crappy is that!?! I will say that I will never put the Super Bowl or anything like it before my child's birthday. They only have one birthday a year. I really felt sorry for him. Ever since we went over there today it was just contention and chaos all rolled into one big ball which made it seem ever so dysfunctional. Maybe we could have our own tv show! We can call it, "The Dysfunctional Bunch". This kind of crap though happens every family get together. There's never a dull moment at the Welling house.

excited, sarcasm, annoyed, optimistic, confused...

Can these words all be in a title together? No way Jose. How can one express themselves over the computer? It just doesn't happen. The person on the other side reading what your writing doesn't know what emotion you're trying to convey. To make it easier for people I guess at the beginning of a sentence, paragraph, etc., I'm going to put in parenthesis the emotion intended for how it is to be read. So are you ready?
(excited) Brandon got a nice bonus for Christmas so now we can remodel the bathroom. I will be glad when it's finished. (optimistic) I think it will be completed by February. (annoyed and frustrated) Then again, Brandon works a lot and when he is home, he's home late and on Saturdays there is always something planned. (sarcastic) Oh well, I suppose he'll just have to deal with me doing the renovating. I can't wait to see how it's going to turn out.
So did my 'parenthesis emotions' help you better understand? I sure hope so, I don't want to confuse anybody. And by the way, I hope you used sarcasm for this entire blog. :)

good friends

You know, good friends are difficult to come by these days. After we graduate from high school, most of us go our seperate ways, whether it's moving away, going to college, getting married, or whatever other options there are. The people that became my best friends in my childhood are the ones I wish I would've hung out with more in high school. But it's never too late to get to know them more. My best friend in high school and college turned out not to be my best friend after all...sad, I know. Many people along the way have shown me what true friendship really is. It is being there for each other when the times get sucky, doing stuff for each other you normally wouldn't do for anyone else, telling each other the truth all the time, and many more things I can't think of right now. I am pleased to say that I do have friends like that. I hope they can say the same about me. :) Tonight, after talking with a close friend and reading her blogs, I realized how alike we really are. We share a struggle and we both look at this struggle the same way, feelings and all (and have a difficult time accepting it), and try to handle it the same with by putting in the hands of the Lord. What she doesn't know is that, she is what friendship is all about. Everytime I was negative about our common problem she was there with something positive to lift my spirits. She is truly an awesome friend. I know Heavenly Father has a plan for me and whatever that plan is, I know I'll always have a friend to share a part of it with.

P.S.-"Patience is the key to happiness"