The cutest, smartest,...

dog. Last week we drove 420 miles to Ohio: Amish Country to get a Bichon puppy. This is the best smartest doy we've ever had (except maybe for our other Bichon). Cute, active, learning to act just like the big boys (our other Bichon and our daughter's Shitsu), Yoder is a complete delight.

Have you read The Four Agreements?

I found out about this book at one of those beginning of the year teacher conferences. Got it (off half.com) read it, loved it. But I keep forgetting what each of the four agreements are.
I always remember: Let your word be impeccable, and Always do your best, but I always forget about the other two. I know one of them has to do with Hey, it's not about you. Meaning that the things people say that hurt or seem to belittle or otherwise disrespect you, really stem from issues and turmoils within that person and often don't have anything to do with you at all.
Well, I keep the book around so I can always check. Here are all four:
Be impeccable with your word.
Don't take anything personally.
Don't make assumptions.
Always do your best.

This last one often trips me up: when I'm busy being depressed about what other people say or do, I usually wander around and don't at all do my best. I have to keep reminding myself.
Besides! being depressed about what other people say and do violates the middle two: peoples' vitriol aimed at me is more about them than me! Also, I commonly misinterpret what other people mean by making assumptions.

I'm so ineffectual when depressed...

It's Been a While

...so I thought I would write a quick update.
First, family news: my wife's mother fell at the nursing home and broke her hip. They sent her to the hospital where a blood test showed a super high platelet (sp) count (which probably means some kind of cancer) and a low hemoglobin, which means she's been losing blood. Not a good thing. She is a DNR, so the cancer thing was not (will not be) pursued, but the low hemo meant she could not have the operation that would fix her hip.
After a couple of units of blood, a weaning off of the cumidn (sp?), and by the end of the week she was ready for surgery.
Every day (she as alzheimers) we would explain the accident, why she was there, where she was, and what was going to happen. She would always say that noone had told her!
Once the new blood brought up her strength, she showed distinct signs of humor!
Well, she's back at the nursing home mending. We still have to remind her of why she's there.