Coal Update: Sleep Twitching

Coal is still having major issues going to the bathroom (especially number2).  Besides taking him out through out the day and whenever possible, my father takes him out every morning around 6:30 am and every evening around 3pm and then again around 8pm.  My mother and I take him out every night anytime from 11pm - 12:30 am.  The past few nights when we have taken him out, he just will not go to the bathroom.  The other night we had him out for over an hour, and of course within 20 minutes of bringing him back inside, he goes to the bathroom at 12:30am inside the house.  And then to top it off he goes again at 5:30 am which is almost time for my dad to take him outside.  It was such a "ruff" night that typing this makes me about to cry.

Today was actually gorgeous outside for it being January in Chicago.  We took Coal outside for over an hour in the woods.

playing My Little Pony in the woods

After coming home from doing some late night errands, we noticed that he can now twitch his back legs heavily in his sleep.  I hope this means he is making better progress.  When we work with him his right leg is making the least amount of recovery, but in his sleep I feel likt it twitches and moves more than his left leg.

Here is the video: Coal Sleep Twitching
((Please ignore the sloppy diaper.  His sleep twitching must have shuffled it around))

LiveBinders.com Great Organization

My newest course, Technology in Education, just started this past Saturday.  We had a brief introduction and now the rest of the course including the assignments are all online.  So far I have come across many useful technology tools that could be used by the teacher, student, parents, etc.

Today my favorite tool is LiveBinders.com!! It basically your 3-ring organization binder, except it's all saved online!  You can use it for your professional portfolio to give to future employers.  If you do not want everyone to see a specific binder you created, no worries!  You can set up a passcode to allow people to view it.  You can either upload documents, or just use it to save and organize all those wonderful websites you forget about.

You do not need a LiveBinder Account to view other binders available.
Here is a link to my current ((and still a work in progress)) LiveBinder: KateTraits - Teacher Nook LiveBinder

For each binder you create, you can make tabs to organize your information.  Your tabs can then be even more organized into sub-tabs.

livebinders.com

Good Ending, Ruff Beginning

Although 2012 had some of its downs, I had a good time celebrating NYE with Michelle and Joe at their fiend's house.  Coming home the next day was dreadful just from being over tired and knowing I need to help out with Coal and do homework for school since we didnt get a winter break.  These past 3 days he hasn't made any progress, but has been making more bathroom messes.  We try to take him out every few hours, especially when he is tooting, and even when he goes outside he manages to go potty in the house as well.  When I look into Coal's eyes I can tell he is ready to throw in towel.  I am not sure if that is really want he wants, but especially these past two days you can tell he is just very depressed.
For me not having a real life at the moment, there is just so much going on in my life right now.  I'm trying to stay optimistic and realistic but that has just been turning into stress and anxiety.

Joe and I

Joe and Michelle

Me and Meesh

  

CoCo Puff

Puppy Update: Coal can now move is left back paw!!

Coal went back to the pet spa the past few days and my father picked him back up yesterday.  My brother slid on ice and hurt his hip really bad so while I stayed home doing homework by myself my mother took my brother to the ER.   Coal and I had a good time watching the Lion King while I did homework.  After a while he kept farting really bad so I assumed he might have to go to the bathroom.  All by myself I lugged his 130 lb body into his wheelchair, helped him down the front steps, and took him from a stroll.  When I would walk behind him I noticed he could use his left back leg really well to help push himself!  

Here is a video link to Coal's Progress: Coal Can Now Move His Left Back Leg

Midnight Stroll

Still looves his water bottles

Making friends with the reindeer

Poor thing got stuck in the dead bushes :(

Fit-Spiration 2013

This morning I woke up at 4:30 am and couldn't decide what to do with myself.  After cleaning my room, I decided to weigh myself for the first time in a looooong time.  My digital scale is currently in my storage unit in Arizona.  The scale I have here in Chicago is like a pink dial-style one.  The little pointer was just under the 140 mark, so I'm guessing im about 137?  This is disgraceful for me especially because last March I was 120 lbs.  My freshman year at ASU I gained not only the dreaded Freshmen 15, but an addition 5 lbs (20 lbs in one school year).  Luckily during the summer I was able to get a little bit back in shape and eventually went back down to my normal 124 weigh-in by winter break.  I have noticed for the past few months that I have gained weight and instead of deciding to do something, I made excuses and ignored the situation.  This morning it hit me like a brick in the face.  I'm not one for New Year Resolutions, so I started my life-style health-kick today.  I used some of my Christmas money to purchase some motivational workout gear from Target.  Now I just need to sign up for a gym.

Here is my Target gear:

Click each piece for the link:
Socks, Shoes,    Pants,    Sports Bras, Tank

ChinaTown

Last night my mother, max next door and I ate dinner at ChinaTown.  We at Emperor's Choice then went to a few different bakery's to bring home a variety of butterfly cookies for max's mom.

ChinaTown Chicago

 

Chinese Bakery

Butterfly Cookies

Yummm, Chicken Feet!!

Merry Christmas

Christmas has always been just another day for our family.  For the past few years we haven't done much.  Today Coal came home from his pet spa and him, my parents, and I visited my brother up in Lincoln Park for a little bit. 

I only received one gift so far, but i absolutely loove it!  Max next door got me a pair of Stompeez. 

My Stompeez!!

Coal at his Pet Spa: Paradise 4 Paws

FlashBack: Chrismas '92 with my old neighbor Shayna