Do Dogs Go To Heaven?

I've had a terrible day. Got up this morning and let the dogs out. I saw Fay across the street, so I called her. She walks in and I said "Fay, You don't go into the street." With that she falls down at my feet and starts having seizers(sp). Her legs wouldn't work, and her stomach kept spasming. She wouldn't move. Her eyes were looking as she knew what was going on, but she never even tried to get up. It was so sad. I called Bob in Kansas, and he said take her to the vet. So I went to work in tears, got to go home and get Fay, with help from a nephew, and I took her to the Vet. Crying the whole time. Me. I was the one crying.
The doctor was in surgery, so I waited. Then he comes outside with a vet tech, and carry her to the exam room. Temp, fine. They did many pinching tests and no response. So after about 15 minutes, he said she did have a stroke and there is no messages from the legs to the brain. Anyerysm.(sp) He said there is not much we can do. It could happen again after the first one. Sooooo.....I choose to put her down. She had been struggling with pains for 2 years. Hard stuff. I held her and petted her as they injected the pink liquid into her. I told her 'she could run in heaven now, and that Bob and I loved her.' I pay my bill. I drive home in tears and call Bob to leave a message about everything. AAAGGHHHH. Life is sure not easy. I get home and Pilgrim looks at me like OK where is Fay? I cry. I turn off my phone and took a nap. I turn my phone back on and there are two messages from Bob and one text message. The text message from Bob says..."BLESSINGS TO US FROM GOD WHOM LET US HAVE FORGIVENESS." Fay's race name was Forgiveness. So I ask, Do Dogs really go to Heaven? I sure hope so......Gail

My Birthday

I had a very nice Birthday today. I got lots of e-mail birthday cards, My sister Joey, wrote the funniest story to me, using all our old neighbors from Hickory Ave, in Arlington Hts. I laughed so hard I was crying. It was so funny. Thanks Sissy. I had phone calls, real cards, text messages, and the kids at work kept singing to me. I brought in sugar cookies for our class and gave them to them right after lunch but before nap time. Oops.........The nap lady was about to slap me upside the head. Friday they will have a cake and pop, and present party for me, as we do for each teacher/employee. It's fun. I got to hear Brock on the phone say "Happy Birthday Gamma, I 'ove you." That was my favorite gift!!!. I went to the store after work and got steak and mushrooms, and cooked them up and sat alone, but with Fay and Pilgrim, eating my birthday dinner. I watched 'America's Next Top Model' and was so mad that Megan was cut tonight. She was my favorite. BooHoo. It was fine. I miss Bob, but we call eachother about 3-4 times aday. He left me a birthday card and some money. :) Thanks Bob! So another year I celebrate that God has given me. 49 now. This life, to follow Him to what He wants me to do here on earth. My destiny, is to be able to meet Him face-to-face after my time is up here. Thank you everyone for all the warm wishes. God Bless...........................................................Gail

Peaceful Weekend...........

It's been a fun weekend. Saturday I had class all day learning more about the love and care of little children. Bob and his brother fixed our computer here. Bob and I went out to Chili's for dinner and then went to see the new movie, "Gridiron Gang" with 'The Rock'. Really good . Today we went to church and everyone was surprised to see Bob with me. After church, and a sermon about how we must not gossip, we went to the Holy Cross Abbey Winery. Check it out on the web. It's in Canon City, CO. They had a huge Arts and Wine weekend. For ten dollars you get an engraved glass to keep, and three tickets to try their different varieties of wines. Plus so many beautiful crafters. These people were high class crafters. Gorgeous metal cutters, beautiful jewelry makers, Oil Painters, photographers, hat makers, massagers, (one is a friend of mine), and lots of fancy eats. We shared a crepe. It was so fun. We had to buy this bar-b-que sauce. it is called 'CHEF DEAN MARTINS ASIAN BARBEQUE SAUCE.' Check out their web site.... www.chefdeanmartins.com I think thats it. Its so yummy, I made a roast tonight and used it as dipping sauce. WOW. After the Abbey, we went and visited Bobs dad and step mom. They were home here for the weekend. They brought back more hay. They will be back for the winter in two weeks. :) They have gotten a lot of snow already up there near Monarch Pass this fall. The ski places are so happy. The snow is up there now and they are just waiting for more. I feel we will have a very snowy winter. The Aspens have turned yellow and now they have snow on them. Gorgeous. Man its beautiful here. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE COLORADO.
I wanted to send Heidi and Jim, a Happy Anniversary tomorrow. A Happy Birthday to my sweet friends Eva, and Karla, and Cassie this week. Love you guys.....Thanks Bob for coming home this weekend to see me, and to get your used, new truck. I love you. God Bless....................Gail

Just for the weekend

Bob will be home for the weekend. :) yippie

Baby Update

Just wanted to let everyone know little Annie was born today a little over 6 pds. All was fine. She does have and extra thumb, that they are going to get fixed, but as of right now she looks wonderful. Thanks for the prayers...

GOD GIVES AND TAKES AWAY

So much to say. Good and bad. The good... One of my favorite 3 yr olds and I were talking. He said as he was all teary, , "Miss Gail, I miss my mommy." I tell him, " Your mommy is at work right around the corner, and I miss my mommy too, she is up in heaven." With that he points his little index finger at me and says, "Well she should be at work.!!" It was so cute. Then later the same little boy asks me, "Miss Gail, is your mommy up in the sky in the clouds with the angels?" And I just say..."YEP" . Kids are so innocent and real. Ok the same little boy tells me, as he lifts his little arm up in the air,"I'm gonna have hair here like my brother when I get bigger." I just giggle. We asked all the kids what they wanted to be when they got bigger.....Two said mommies, Three said different kinds of doctors, one said fireman, one said policeman and four boys said they wanted to be THE BLACK POWER RANGER... OK...SURE..So Innocent.
On a sad note I heard of two babies. One had a stroke in the birth canel and was born brain dead. :( The other one still has hope with prayers...She is 2 weeks overdue and they plan on delivery this Thursday, The baby hasn't moved in a few weeks and there is low amnotic fluid. Please say a prayer for her mom Heidi. Why the Dr. hasn't induced before this I will never know. I'd be mad. Then my Sister and Brother in laws friends got a police visit 3 am last Saturday that their daughter and her fiance' were killed in an accident. So much pain, so much sadness. Embrace everyday of your life here on earth and know Jesus Christ as your Savior and King. I love you all....................Gail

BYE BOB, BE SAFE

Bob is packed and ready to go. Today, I had to take my CPR and Universal Percautions tests. I did good. '30 to 2'. After that Bob and I went to 'The Royal Gorge Bridge'. We were married there 9 years ago. It's still awesome. Its the world's highest bridge connected with steel. Suspended(sp). It looks so long when you look at it from a distance, but when you are walking on it, it seems much shorter. Today was real windy, and the bridge swayed a lot. I love going there. With an entertainment coupon two for one. It is $21.00 a person.Yikes. So it was $21.00 for both of us. It was fun.
I got a small raise from work, so I treated Bob to Japanese last night. We love this. Bob and I really like Sushi. Not really the raw gross stuff. We love California rolls. I wanted to share something new together, so we ordered 2 Smelt egg sushi rolls. It had three types of eggs on it and it was pretty good. It was really good til Bob kept saying it was Nemo's family we were eating. Ha Ha Bob.
So Bob is set to go early Sunday morning. I will mope around a few days til I get use to him gone. I will clean and clean the house. Bob did landscaping here and it looks nice, all is in order. Gravel and timbers. It's nice now. Good job Bob.
Sunday, I have to greet people at church, so that will be fun. I always look forward to our church and worship.
Please pray for Bob and his safety, and me and my lonesomes. Thanks.......and have a blessed week.....love, Gail

This Date

Just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SON-IN-LAW MIKE......HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!!!!!!!
As happy as Mike's Birthday is, this is also the second year anniversary of my father dying right by my side . I miss you dad, and your crazy stories. xo
Bob leaves for the power plant this weekend. I'm trying to gear myself to being alone again. I'll do ok. I have lots of classes to make me a better teacher. CPR, First Aid, DECA, and Work Sampling. Bring em on..............
What is the best sound in the world?.........................To me, its a little baby laughing...so real, so cute. Peace.

September 11

Such a somber day. Remembering 5 years ago. Tears fill my eyes. I feel so sad for all the families that lost loved ones that terrible day. Children, who lost parents.
I keep seeing the towers just crumble straight down. We really need to pray for our country's safety.
Cherish your children, love your families. Try not to be out of God's will for our lives. Love your spouse. Be in Peace......Gail

Happy Everything.

I miss my grandson. I miss my family in IL. I'm not complaining. I have a right to miss home. Happy Birthday Katie. Happy Birthday Isaiah. God Bless you. Happy Anniversary Greg and Cheryl. Happy Wedding Jennie and Scott. Much love to you all. Gail

TATTOOME

This is so neat. Church was great as always. Our 450 person church commited to over $800.000.00 for our building fund. It blows me away to see how people want to honor God. We love our church. Its growing every week.
After church, Bob and I drove to Colorado Springs to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. It is a very nice Zoo built on the side of a mountain. Ok, so it sounds real cool. Well, if you have any kind of walking handicap don't go there. Its ALL up or downhill. We really got our exercise today!!!! It is not easy getting around this zoo. I kept thinking, If someone had to push a wheelchair here,forget it. Granny would be flyin down a hill at 90 miles an hour. Not to mention the poor person huffing her UP the paved walkways. Plus there weren't any tram rides. I did love the awesomely cute baby Silverback gorilla. He was so cute. There was a caretaker in the cage thing with him, acting as a mom to him. He would climb the tree logs then jump on her. So cute. I'd love that job!! I love Monkeys!!! After the zoo, we drove to town of Colo Springs and walked around there. Stopped at a book store and then a music shop. After that, Starbucks and I treated Bob to a extra large, ice coffee drink. I got a Carmel Machhitti(sp) which was so good, and I went outside after I paid for our two drinks. Well, Bob got his and he comes outside with both hands full. The guy gave him another large, chocolate ice drink for free. At Starbucks! It was so cool. We sat there and enjoyed eachother and our yummy drinks. After about a half hour we walked downtown and found a place I use to go to after work at the dog track. Jose' Muldone's. We were seated in the back, outside. Very fun. Our waiter Matt, came over and we goofed around with him. Telling him we weren't real hungry, so we were going to order something small. So we each had a glass of lemon, ice water and a taco each. Plus they give you chips and salsa. Matt told us after I guessed his age as 20 yrs old, that his birthday was next week. Oh wow. Very neat and he just moved here from PA. WE had a nice talk with him and showed him a picture of Molly, Mike and Brock. He says about Molly......"Wow". Anyway, We told him how Molly used to work as a waitress and tell people it was her birthday so they should tip her good. haha. He laughed. Then when we were ready for the check he comes over and gives me a piece of paper and says," Just don't say anything to the manager, I told them to comp this." HE DIDN'T CHARGE US FOR OUR TACOS." I was flabbergasted, and I said Matt "Don't do this , I don't want you in trouble." He said to us, "You two have been so nice to me and fun, and everybody else, has been jerks today, so, don't worry about it.".. Oh my gosh, we had two free things today. Blessings. Plain and simple..Blessings. God is GOOD. We are home now relaxing. I love Life.....I am still hoping Molly and Mike come out here for me birthday...Hint hint. Until next time..Peace. xo Gail

SHOW AND TELL DAY

Had to share this real quick. You know how I love show and tell? Well I do, and had to share this today.. One 4 yr old shared his two small, motor cycles, Then another boy shared his green whistle, and a silver Smokey the Bear coin. Very cool. Well the last little cutie who is three, gets up and shows the class about 4 blades of grass clenched in his tiny fist. It was so funny. He walked around the class and showed everyone............... The life of a three year old is a wonderous thing..........Gail

Is the Fair, Fair?

Hello, Today after church and a nap, Bob and I went to the Colorado State Fair. $8 bucks to get in. Each. Okay thats somewhat fair. Then you go to eat. $6.00 for a hamburger. $2.50 for a 20 ounce drink. $6.50 for a very spicy/hot polish sauage. Oh yeah, $5.00 for a 44 oz ice filled lemonade. Man we didn't have enough for a $5.00 Elephant Ear. I just feel it is a big rip off. But I did get to hold a baby pig. I kept thinking......Someday this little guy will be $7.00 for a pork sandwich. Not really. I just held him and he squealed.
I am really missing my family back in IL. I know I was there in July. But they are all so special to my heart. I just miss them. Mostly Brock. I so hope they come out here soon. I keep having dreams about my parents. Like they are still here on earth. I miss them too. I can't wait for fall. The prettiest time of year, and my birthday. Like I really want to get older.
Betty is getting better. Art came down this weekend with 90 bales of hay he cut and baled, and then they both went back over the mountain. Together at last. :) This coming weekend we are going to a cabin up over Cottonwood Pass. We will meet Bob's parents up there and share a cabin together. And fish,fish, fish.......Wish us luck. Have a great week. love, Gail

Made My Choice

Well, I have prayed a lot. I have asked advise a lot. And I got it. What most people have said was, "Gail, you keep saying that God brought you to the Day Care Center, so it doesn't pay great, but your reward will be in Heaven." Yes. I totally understand that. I know Bob is very dissappointed in my decision. I want to be with him and travel. But I had so many mixed feelings about leaving our rented house for 6 or more weeks and bringing both dogs with, staying at a motel with the dogs. Not being able to get mail and bills for 6 or more weeks. So much to ponder. I am pretty much of a homebody. So I will keep the home fires burning while Bob goes to WI, October 2.
Speaking of the Day Care Center, today I was in charge of our class, and I had kids show their Show and Tells. Some boy brought a cool maracca(sp) from South Africa. Very cool. Then another little boy had a stuffed animal. Cute. But the best was a little girl 3 years old with her Barbie. She showed the class how long the Barbie's hair was and the nice outfit, etc. Then I ask "What else can you tell us about your Barbie? " Without a beat she says..."She's got big soft pink boobies." Need I say more?

What do I choose???????

I got a phone call today. Early this morning. From the Nuclear power plant recruiter. She wants ME to be in WI on Sept. 25. To start testing. I gulped. Do I really want to do this? Can I leave work for a month and a half and still have a job when I get back? Will my boss still even like me if I leave for a while? Or want me? Will the teacher I work with be mad at me? Will the kids be sad if I up and leave?
Is this God talking to me? I really thought God told me 2 weeks ago to keep working with the kids and enjoy the blessings. But now I get this phone call. I know Bob wants me to 'try' the Power Plant thing, so I can see into his world. And know what he does. I know the money is good, really good, but can I even pass the entrance tests on Access training for the Radiation worker, and Power plant protocal, dangers, how Nuclear Power works...Protons, Gamma radiation etc, etc. AAAAGGGHHHHH I just don't know. I am scared, and seeking prayer on this fast decision. Help me. I need to go pray.............................Gail

TATTOOME

Yo, Bob went up with his brother Randy, to see their dad. Betty is home with FIVE broken ribs. Ouch. The poor thing holds her chest as she walks. I am just so glad it wasn't worse. Amen. So Betty's kids are caring for her down here, while her hubby is on the ranch up in the mountains. And this Wednesday is their anniversary. Bob and Randy went up and took dad out to eat, and tend to chores. They even got to ride not horses this time, but the four wheelers. They were careful. I stayed home to clean and go to church. Church......it was good. It had me thinking. Greed. Greed is a very bad thing. Us as humans are so into wanting more, wanting bigger, wanting the best. Better than our friends. Greed. How stupid. We can't take it with us when we leave this earth, so why do we have to be big show offs? God wants us to be humble and live meekly. We don't need the fanciest car. We don't need the big house, in the expensive neighborhood. We don't need the plasma TVs. We don't need the big and the best. Look at us. We are greedy humans. We like to show off.
How sad that must make God. I learned a lot today at church. Bob and I rent our home. Its only one bedroom, one bathroom, with a shower, no bathtub. A very small kitchen and no garage. But we love it. Simple. We live on 5 acres, and our landlords have four cows out back. I yell "Hi Cowgirls". I look out our front window and see a pasture full of Arabian horses across the street. I love it. Yes, Bob and I do want our own house to own. But, I just want simple. Enough, not more. God knows what we need. And He provides. He is the God who Gives and Takes away. Have a blessed week....love, Gail

My Sweet Mother-in-law

Hi , Just wanted to share a prayer request with you. My Mother and Father-in-law were taking a nice ATV ride in the mountains yesterday and my Mother-in-Law, Betty, lost control of hers and went rolling head over Atv. MY father-in-law looked back and couldn't see her. Then all of a sudden he sees her head in the Sagebrush and the ATV straight up and down ON HER Chest. To make a long, sad story short, we drove 2 and half hours up there. She was in the ER flat on the bed. They were saying she may have broken her back. Also broken ribs. She had a cat scan and with much prayers, all that is wrong was four broken ribs!!! Praise God. This is the same tough farm woman that a couple years ago had her tractor run her over and break her leg. I love this woman a lot. Please pray for her to heal fast and low pain levels. Also for Art, her husband, and Bob's dad, to get through this with her. He worries so much about her. The 16th of this month is their 15th Anniversary. :)
On a happy note, I had my work evaluation today, and was praised up and down by my boss and the assistant director. I so feel, and I told her that I feel God wants me there working . She agreed and said it is too bad we don't get paid better as teachers of these little ones we are nuturing. I am glad I am doing something for God. Love ya.......Gail

Laughing with Miss Gail..or at Miss Gail

Had to tell you another cute 'at work' story. We were all outside yesterday, on the play ground, before inside time. I had about 11, 5-10 year olds all around me. One of the boys had a 3 inch Praying Mantis (sp) . It was crawling on his arm. It was so pretty. I had all these kids around so I look at the bug and say...."You are a cute green bug..so pretty." With that the insect jumped square onto my forehead. It was so funny. I didn't care. Just seeing all those kids laughing made my day. It was fun. These kids know I am real picky about bugs. I hate worms, I hate ear wigs. Praying bugs are alright with me.
Today is my Daughter and her awesome Husband's Anniversary. August 5. I love you guys!!!!!! Happy Anniversary.xoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Life around home has been a bit rough lately. Just a bit of money problems, temporary. Its hard when the person you live with and love the most treats you like you aren't even there. I hurt.
I am glad work is going good. Today was really fun. I got presents from three different kids. I got three roses, one pink and two peach (my favorite color roses) from a set of 9 year old twins, and another little girl, made me a heartshaped clothespin clippy thing along with two colorful cards. It just made my day. Then near the end of the day, our class was outside and two of my favorite boys kept running up to me leaping into my arms. It was just so fun. A day of love for Miss Gail . I needed it.
Yesterday at work I wanted to have our class make or should I say create, a pizza together. Well, we did and it was so great. I did the crust and I let all 12 kids do something to the pizza. We put on our masterpiece..sausage, pepperoni, pineapple, mushrooms and lots of cheese. I feel it is important to let kids cook with you. I just wanted them to do a teamwork thing. It was awesome. Then today we all made an apple pie together from scratch! The kids, ages 2 and a half, to five, all got into it and it was deeeeelicious! I want these kids to feel loved, helpful, needed, and special. We have so much fun together. And I want to do what God wants me to do to glorify HIM.

My Trip to ILLINOIS

Back at home in Colorado.
I had a very quick visit in IL. Got to see my sisters, Barb and Joey and their families. Got my hair re-done by Molly. I love it. Got to play a lot and laugh with Brock. Saw my dearest friend Barb R. who took me out to lunch at a steakhouse. Oh, and we got a Moolatte. YUM. Got to eat Silo Pizza, and mexican food, and Olando's, and went to the Lake County Fair, in Grayslake , IL, Also went to Lamb's farm in Libertyville, IL. That is a place where they employ mentally challenged adults and give them a meaningful job. It was fun. I was so excited to be a part of Brock's first pony ride. He was so cute petting all the animals, goats, buc-buc's(chickens), horses, sheep, pigs, puppies, kittens, lizards, fish, cows, Well he didn't pet the fish. haha. It was so much fun. I told him when he comes out to Grandma's house he can ride the horses and pet goats and cows. I hope he remembers. I can't wait for them to come out. Also got to see Katie, Tommy, Zaih, Maya and Denver, Krista, Hayden and smily little Reece. I didn't get to see Mandy or Heidi. I wish I could of but the time just went soooo fast.
The train ride from Denver to Chicago was five hours late. Then coming back to Denver we were 2 and a half hours late. I do not enjoy the train anymore. Too long. But just being with little Brock and away from the daily grind was so great. I didn't get to see 2 friends I wanted to. :( Next time??? Bob picked me up at 9:30 am and we went out to breakfast. It was good getting home . But my heart is totally back with Brock.
I want to thank everyone who made my trip so fun..You know who you are. All of the above. God Bless you all...Gail/Mom/Aunt Gail/Grandma :)