Monday's Mayhem

 The crazy thing is if I went through how Monday unfolded, could I even get it in the right chronological order?  I'm not sure.

Let's start with early morning.  I let the Prisoner in before I got Ember up and out, then fed.  We played glow in the dark retrieve.  We played with the Tearrible toy.  We played tug.  All the usual stuff.  Before 6:30 a.m., though, I got a message from my daughter in law that she had tested positive for Covid.  Yikes!

That kind of set the tone for the day.  During Ember's puppy nap #1, I looked up the expiration dates on the Covid tests I have on hand.  Three of them are about to expire, and three tests negative on days 1, 3, and 5 after exposure should ensure you don't have the thing.  So I took a test.  Granted, I only saw DIL and son through the car window on the opposite side while everyone was fussing over Ember Sunday, but if they are going to expire anyway...

Negative!

Anyway, took Ember on a practice car ride and picked her up some treats and a new toy between puppy naps.  When I took a bathroom break and did not contain her, she bit through my internet wire!  Yikes!

I managed to call the Internet company, and they looked up my account and said I was on the list of folks who were eligible for same day service calls.  They had a guy out here within the hour.  He not only replaced the wire, he also replaced the wireless router.  And there is joy in the web again. 

Ember had to cool her heels in the crate while the technician worked, but for the most part, she was clueless as to having done anything wrong.  

Got her up for her "follow the leader" walk with Frank and his hu-mom Susan.  Frank is a little touchy about energetic Ember, and kind of snapped at her a couple of spots in the walk.  She balked on the last leg (like she does) on the way back.  Susan slipped me a note with the name of an e-collar company on it.  This is one of those "the levels", the sound, the vibration, and at the highest level the shock.  She used it to help Frank over his pulling at the leash.  My heart sank at the very thought of putting such a thing on Ember.  Susan said she never had to use the shock, the vibrate seemed to be enough to remind Frank of her expectations.

Carl has such a collar, too.  I only ever put it on him once, and never used more than the jiggly vibration, either.  Mostly I have not used it with him at all.  The very suggestion that I might have to put on his "bark collar" (his particular issue was his barking) was usually enough to remind Carl that Grandma likes a quiet puppy.

Anyway, I sulked a bit internally over the very suggestion but eventually came to peace.  Just 'cause someone suggests something doesn't mean you are obligated to do it.

Simultaneous to the internet drama and the co-dog walk, the fur was flying (figuratively) across town.  Remember the foster grandchild?  Yep.  He, his older brother, and his younger sister were removed from their birth dad's home again.  Son and DIL have their little one back since after school, and Carl and the birds were rejoicing!  

My heart goes out to these kids and their being kind of yo-yo'd around by the system!  Thankfully, my son and DIL had kept his space and special things safely there for "respite" times he might visit, so he should feel loved and cherished tonight.  He's only been back with birth dad for less than a month full time, with a couple of weekend overnight stays before that.

Lots of last-minute arrangements for transport (the other foster grandparents are stepping up for school transport tomorrow) and some shopping because when they remove these kids they come with a bare minimum of "stuff".  DIL sent videos to the private group of the reunion time.  They will have him until the next court thing changes something.  Praying for children in such situations!

To top off the day, got a text message from the trainer, who has been ill today, and is waving off tomorrow's training sessions with me and a couple of other ladies.  After today, I'm totally OK with that.  Ember will go to daycare, anyway, and I'll work on housecleaning.

Choose when you have a choice.  Find a way to choose your attitude if you can't choose anything else.  Choose to LIVE your life.  And Spark on.