No Pretenses

Really. I have nothing special to say today. I saw the opthamologist who has informed me that my exercise is now to be limited to the pool -- cold water only. The Uhthoff's symptom is serious stuff and cannot be messed with. Yoga -- okay, too. I'm getting really tired of this endless stream of doctor's appointments. I've been to the doctor more in the last 2 months than I have since I turned 18. And I freaking feel fine!

Lia is chewing madly on the bone Auntie Janelle gave her. She has been at it for two hours, now. I gotta get some more of those because it keeps her out of my hair for long periods at a time. She takes an occasional break to chew on Mommy's stuffed Monkey - of course, Kevin's Sara had already chewed up that one foot so I suppose it's okay if my baby chews on it. I wasn't mad at Sara, I shouldn't be mad at Lia. I wish 99 could play with her. 99 loves puppies - or she did. But it's okay. Lia has lots of playmates. I guess I am just feeling a little melancholy over 99 and Sara -- guilty because I finally found someone I could love that was my own and that no one could take away from me.

I gave her a bath yesterday and she looked and smelled so good for a few hours -- then she helped my mom do so planting -- and dug in all the pots. Mommy's little piggy :). Typical lab, though -- loves the water. She has finally figured out how to go downstairs. We have the gate across (that's been there since Dutch was a puppy some 13 years ago). So, she goes up the stairs, sits at the gate, whines for a few seconds, and then comes down. Five minutes later -- rinse and repeat. Lia wants to take a nap, now. She WENT IN HER CRATE ON PURPOSE. God she's a good puppy -- and she hardly ever whines, cries or barks. I am so lucky -- I hope it stays this way.

I am playing hookie. I feel horribly guilty about it but it was a toss up -- my puppy or my students. The puppy won. I was going to help some students in my office today before my 6:00 class, but Lia and I took a nap together instead. I will help them tomorrow (on Reading Day, I might add -- my own free time) for a few hours. I think I may go to see Jay's band, but I really haven't decided. If they are playing outside, I'll go for sure and take Lia to see Jay. If not, I will stop by -- but I have a lot of work to do -- finals and all.

I feel even more guilty because I got the nicest e-mail from one of my students today -- an "end-of-term" thank you:

Hey Kristen,
This is Tanisha I just wanted to tell you thank you so much for helping me and
being so understanding this term. It really means a lot when one of my
instructors compliments me on my work and my overall personality. You have
really helped me not only to become a better student, but a better writer as
well. I just wanted to tell you thank you from the bottom of my heart. I also
wanted to let you know that I have been putting you done as a reference on my
job applications so just in case somebody calls you, you'll have full warning. I
would also like to keep in contact with you just in case I need further help in
my writing. This summer I am starting my major which is Journalism and I want to
make sure that my writing shows I have what it takes to make it in the world of
journalism. Overall, thank you for just a wonderful semester and for taking the
time to actually care about your students and thier work. If there were more
instructors like people would actually enjoy going to class.

Thanks a bunch for everything.
Sincerely,
Tanisha


Okay, so some proofreading may have helped, but overall -- Damn. Did that feel good. Lia's fallen asleep in her crate already so I am going to get my butt out to school.