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Purrsonality

Dec 062012

Since this week has somehow developed an “animal” theme, I thought that I would throw in one more just for good measure.

And I just happen to have some great pictures that I took over the Thanksgiving holiday that will fit the bill quite nicely.

Who better to start off the party than with Thor.

This cat just begs to be in front of the camera. Until of course, he wants to eat. Or hide under the bed.

Now here I’d like you to meet Skeeters. This little cutie is one of Nichole’s barn cats that came to live at her homestead this past summer.

I’ve always said that I love Thor’s eyes, but this little sweetie is giving him a run for his money.

Barn cat #2 is Dynamite. He may look like he’s a little pissed off, but it was the only way I could get a picture of his gorgeous face.

He was a little camera shy, but such a little lover kitty.

I think I could stare at this face all day long. This is the little cutie Nova that I introduced you to back in May.

She has grown up so much and surprised me with how friendly she has become. She definitely has developed a purrsonality!

Thank you for indulging in my little version of Wild Kingdom this week. It wasn’t planned, but sometimes you just gotta work with what ya got!

Thanksgiving morning greeted us with sunny skies and balmy temps in the 50s (yes, that is balmy for November 22nd in the Northwoods). It was perfect weather for our trek south to Nichole’s to celebrate the holiday.

And while the women folk were gabbing and putting the grub together, Grandpa and a couple munchkins took the opportunity to play cards.

Old Maid, to be precise. Given Rick’s love of cards, he was able to keep his poker face when he had “the card” and squeals of laughter and competition filled the house.

Nichole is a wonderful cook (even though she doesn’t give herself much credit) and I loved watching her get the meal together. Having to wrangle 5 kids and prepare a Thanksgiving feast is no small feat, but she handled it like a seasoned pro.

Let me just say something about those rolls: pure nummyness! If the turkey wasn’t supposed to be the centerpiece of the meal, those would have easily taken it’s place hands down.

When Corey came in from hunting, she quickly made it clear that it was his duty to carve the bird.

This did not set well with him.

I don’t know why because I think he did a great job! I told him if you can cut up a deer, a turkey should be a cinch!

He may or may not have growled at me.

After we all had wayyyyy to much to eat, it was time to assume the traditional park-yourself-in-front-of-the-TV position and let all that nummy food settle so that it could make room for pie.

The movie Brave was cued up and all the kids (including the biggest one) snuggled into the living room while Nichole & I cleaned up and had some Mother/Daughter time.

Before we knew it, it was time to make the trek back home before the snow hit the Northwoods (which it did precisely 1 hour after we got home).

Another Thanksgiving, another set of memories to add to the book. I can’t help but think that before long those little kids will be making the meal and Nichole & I can sit on the sidelines and watch.

But then again, that would mean they were older which would make me older. This thought does not sit well with me at the moment.

I think I want to keep them young and playing with grandpa a little longer.

CRF: Not the Calie She Used to Be

Oct 232012

Because of her CRF*, Calie can only eat soft food because her stomach can not process the dry stuff. It can be very exasperating at times when she decides that the one food that she absolutely adores is now nothing more than slime from the bottom of my shoe.

A lot of times when this happens, what is left of the now-I-hate-this-shit can is thrown away and another “flavor” is opened and she is once again on top of the world. Until she hates that can and the process is repeated.

Not only that, but we are down to only 3 or 4 flavors that she can have and likes, so there’s not much room for negotiation. I can tell that her CRF has been getting worse because the toss-a-can/open-a-can routine has increased substantially, and at this stage in her disease, eating, drinking and using the litterbox are the main priorities.

To make things just a tad more interesting, throw Thor into the mix. For obvious reasons, we feed Calie on our bed so we can keep an eye out for this

This is what happens when I turn my back for 2 seconds.

At which time I have to move the big lug away and push him over so he will lay down and leave her alone. Now you’d think that would be the end of it, eh?

You obviously don’t know Thor. (And I’m obviously stupid for turning my back again.)

I don’t know who I get madder at: Thor for trying to eat Calie’s food, or Calie for not telling him to get the hell away! For a cat that used to be a cantankerous SOB in her younger years, she sure has gone to the extreme in the mellowing out department. She’d let him eat the whole thing if one of us isn’t watching.

And as my girls can attest, that is not the Calie they know.

:::

* If you’d like to know more about CRF, this site has some wonderful information and has been a great help to me over the last 5 years.

Mail Call

Oct 102012

Last week the mail delivered 2 presents to the homestead.

The first was a box I received from Christine. I thought it might be an early, early birthday present, so I didn’t open it right away. When I talked to her on her Birthday, I mentioned the box and she was all “No, that was something I got you in Colorado and I just now got around to sending it.”

*Insert image of me ripping open box 10 minutes later*

Inside was a little note and

a little kitty made out of desert Ironwood. Beautiful! I couldn’t get over how detailed this little furbaby was. What a wonderful way to brighten up my day!

A few days later, a large envelope was deposited in the mailbox. This time it was from Nichole.

School picture time! I can’t believe how big my grandbabies are getting. I love how the photography company is being a little more imaginative with how they set up their shots (these kids look like models! ).

Thanks girls for bringing a smile to your sickly Momma. It was the best medicine I could have gotten!

29 + 1

Oct 032012

On this day back in 1982, life became a little more….. challenging for me. I should have seen the signs, but I was too much in love to notice.

You see, it was the day that I gave birth to my first daughter. Before she even entered this world she was proving that she was going to live life by her rules.

Example? She had decided that she didn’t like her original due date (and probably thought that kicking Mommy in the bladder was extremely fun), so she extended play time an extra week.

But when that day arrived, it was more fun to make Mommy act out multiple Linda Blair scenes from The Exorcist and wait until 6 minutes before midnight to bless me with her presence.

From then on, the words of my own Mother rang in my head: “I hope that you have one just like you some day.”

Thanks Mom.

Now don’t get me wrong, the kid has enough beautiful, loving and remarkable things about her that more than outweigh any exasperting-gray-hair-forming-throw-my-hands-in-the-air choices that she has made. (Yes, she is a lot like me Mom so quit your laughing.)

And I do do do do do love her more than life itself.

*sniff*

Now Christine, you know that I would never forget your birthday, and I had your card bought and in the mail with plenty of time for you to receive it way before your birthday.

But then the mail came yesterday and they sent it back for insufficient postage. Dammit!

So it’s gonna be a couple more days til it arrives, but I still wanted to give you a little something to tide you over until then:

Happy 29 + 1 Birthday Christine!

Love, Mom & Dad

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