Stuffie's Stuff

time... time marches on

2012-01-13T17:21:00.002-05:00

and on, the world still turns people still get up and go to work, people live, life goes on. it is going on, although there are days when I want to stamp my feet at the complexity and unfairness of it all. An update (or 12) on dad...

Over Christmas he was int he hospital (again) for another transfusion, and a whole host of other issues (internal bleeding amoung others). He came home the Tuesday after Christmas. We went to see him in his room, and with all of us there laughing with him and joking with him it was almost as if he was home in his chair, not in the hosp, in that bed. My neice took a picture of the two of us, I am waiting for her to send it to me, because it is one that I will always hold close to me heart. (kind of in the same way that we compared bellies when I was 8 months pregnant with Alex) Christmas was bittersweet in the respect that most likely it will be our last one with him. I go to see him again this weekend, he is back int he hosp, with more internal bleeding (they are doing a test now to see if they can pin point the cause). What is hardest for me in all of this is the fact that I see him and on his good days, he just looks, well, bald. He doesn't look sick. On his bad days, well that tells another tale. That is the part I just cannot for the life of me, wrap my head around. He went to the hosp Wednesday in need of 4, yes 4 pints of blood. He was put in ICU. I told him he needs to knock this off, he will be getting frequent flyer miles... He laughed and said it was either that or put him on the pay roll... I hope he will be home tomorrow, but I don't realistically think it will happen. he is supposed to have a Ct and PET scan on Monday so we can see how much and to where the cancer has progressed. We know it has because his cancer markers went from 140 to 260. So time again is another factor. how much time do we have? I know we need to make the most of the moments we have left, but that very thought terrifies me. It terrifies me to think of mom with out dad. (kind of like peanut butter with no jelly) For 53 years they have been bickering at and loving each other. I just don't see it. I know it's coming, and I just want to stuff my head in the sand and pretend it isn't there, that time for once will stand still and not move forward.

Mom, well she's still being the strength, the root of all the force that is keeping the whole works going. I only hope I can be as strong as her someday. Sure she breaks down, sure she has bad days, but in that situation, who wouldn't??

I made a frame for my dad years ago, for his birthday with one of the rare pictures of the tow of us, and on that picture I wrote all the things that I have gained or learned from my dad- My convictions, my ideas of right and wrong, my ability to stand on my own two feet and stand my ground and most famously, my dimples. And as I looked at this picture of the two of us smiling cockeyed for my mom taking the picture, I stood in his room and the tears slid down my cheeks. I can't do this dad. I can't let you go. You ARE my strength. you ARE my convictions. You ARE my feet that I stand my ground with. With out you, I am just a silly girl. I love you. I will miss hearing "yeah me too" when I tell you that. all of you out in bloggy land have no idea how lost I will be. I promised him the last time that I will take care of mom. because I know that will make him rest easy. He wants to make sure she is taken care of.

I am sorry that this makes no sense, I just rambled on and on, this is the one place where I dont have to be strong and stoic.

I love you dad, forever. always.

I've decided

2011-11-17T19:34:00.003-05:00

in all that has been going on as of late, and there has been a lot, that my life will now be divided into two time slots. Before dad got sick and after... well, after. there are many other things going on at the moment, like we're trying build a story on our house, and that in and of its self has been trying for us, and then dad became ill. No, not ill, but sick. because, when you're ill, you will get better. But he is sick. good and sick. He has gone through a lot since I blogged last. Some days good, some days not so good. They put tubes in his back to drain his kidneys, since they were not doing good with the chemo. He has had 5 blood transfusions in 4 weeks. In my opinion that is a lot, but apparently in the cancer world, depending on the cocktail you get it is rather normal.

I went to see him on Sunday this past week, because once again, he was in the hospital. He had not one, but 4 blood clots. That earned him a stay from Wed to Sunday. I call mom everyday for an update, and it breaks my heart to hear her so sad. Her voice is just flat, and I know this is tough on her. To make matters heavier on her heart, she had to have her dog put down 2 weeks ago, so there was nothing to greet her when she came home from the hosp., but an empty house. She fixed that by adopting 3 kitties from a shelter. (see, THAT'S where I get the crazy cat lady gene from) (Oh, and FYI, the cat show in Dec 3 and 4) it is SUPER cool. The kitties are helping both of them I think.

On Sunday I went to the hosp to see him, and we were told that he was going to be able to go home. It was nice to be able to be home right after he got there, help him in the house and to his chair. As soon as hit butt hit the chair, the one cat jumped into his lap. It is something to keep them warm at night and something warm and fuzzy under their hands.

The general practitioner dr. ordered Hospice to come in. :( up where they live, hospice is ordered when the end is near, they do not have enough people for para care. They came to see him the other day along with home health, and he sent them away. He told them he didn't need them yet. The GP also told him (before his hosp stay) that he thinks dad has less than 6 months with us. My hope beyond all hope is that he is wrong. However my over analytical, reality stricken brain knows better. It keeps telling my heart the what's what, and what will be. I knwo in my head the end result, but I keep hoping.

the chemo Dr has pushed off chemo. (he was supposed to get it on the 15th) but since the blood clots, it was pushed off. He saw that Dr on Wed and we thought perhaps they would do it then, but alas, they did not. he goes back next week (wed) to see the chemo Dr again, and maybe then they will tell them whether or not they will do chemo again, or if they are going to stop it. He has had only two rounds, and many bumps along the way.

My wish for him, is that he not be in any pain. He has gone from telling me he's fine when I call to telling me he feels crappy, or he's in pain, or something else. I am glad that he no longer feels he has to hide it, I just don't want him to suffer. at all, for any reason, because I know he woudl not let that happen to any of us.

your continued thoughts and prayers are appreciated!

Xo.

my dad, my thoughts, my broken heart

2011-09-24T18:20:00.003-04:00

I don't even know where to begin. A week ago, which also feels like a life time ago, my dad was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Lung cancer, which is in his lymphnodes, his hip, his lower stomach, and his adrenal glands. He has to get chemo 3 x a week, every 25 days, for 9 hours. 9 hours of poison coursing through his veins to kill off the abnormal cells, and hope like heck that good ones form. We were told (well mom was told and it filtered down to us) that he is only being given 75 percent of the chemo he needs because it will be to hard on his kidneys, and could quite possibly shut them down. (A theory which unfortunately proved true after only 2 days of chemo...) we're waiting (or I should say mom) to talk to the Dr's on Monday to see what the next plan of action is. As I type this I have just hit a wall . I cannot think of other things to say, and yet I have an ocean of things I want to say. Let me say this, the doctors said that if they treat him, he has 6 months to a year. if they don't he has so much less time. Less time? I can't remember when my dad was not around, and further more, I cannot imagine my life with out him in it. He has forever more, been my constant, when things were crazy, or scary, or just right. He was always there. He always knew what was going on with my college and masters and wanted to know what was on deck for me for that.

I tend to think about things a lot. I mean in the borderline over analyze part. I drove home today from seeing my dad and my mom, and on the way home I thought. And thought. And cried, and thought some more. I thought about what's going on right now. I thought about what will happen, I thought about what each of the members of my family mean to me, and to each other. I thought about how we're all coping (or not coping as the case may be) with the news that dad is terminal. Terminal. It means many things, and I don't like any of the meanings, especially those that are implied with the recent diagnosis. I have thought about words that sum up my dad, and many come to mind. Provider, protector, confidant, jokester, solid, dependable, and always there. Right, wrong or indifferent to our actions or moods, he was always there. Mom was the one who had to do 90 percent of the discipline while he was away. (still to this day, I don't know how she did it with 4 kids and didn't loose her mind). I have so many memories that I hold so close and near to me, and he know them as well but they need to be shared for those few of you who read the blog I ramble in on, and my drivel.

My mom is being so brave right now, dealing with all the doctors appointments, E.R. visits, medication pick ups, and dispensing, and the frustration when he is not doing what he is supposed to be doing. She is being brave enough fro all of us, even though I am sure she wants to fall apart. She delivers all the facts to us, making sure we understand it, and then she makes sure Dad has what he needs. I wish I were there for her every day to give her a hug, to hold her hand and to tell her I am just as scared as she is. But I am 2 1/2 hours away, so the best I have is a phone and a sympathetic ear. I am sorry mom, I wish I were closer to help you more. I wish I could shoulder half this burden with you, instead of having to watch you do it by yourself, it breaks my heart. I love you, and we'll get through this.

Denice... my chronic lopsided optimistic. I know this is hard that you are the only one there with mom and dad and close to them. I am sorry that you have to do this with mom, and I miss you too... I loved hanging out with you today, it made me feel almost like a kid again, that is until I started thinking again of why I was there. I wish I had your ability to not think about things. Oh how I wish I could turn off my over analytical brain, and let it just go blah... Make sure there's room in your bubble, I will bring my own squeegie.

My husbad is stoic. just taking it all in as the information is funneled to him through my choppy voice and tears. I love that you know what I need and that you just do it with out me even realizing that I need it done.

Empty nester??

2011-08-31T20:58:00.003-04:00

Today was Ethan's first day of Kindergarten. The other two kids went on Monday, but a bad ear infection kept him home from his first two days...:( He was feeling better today, so he went. Yesterday as we were walking the kids home from school, he puts his little hand in mine, looks up at me and says "mom, are you going to keep me away from school for the rest of my LIFE?" "no, I say, it is only because you're sick." "Mom, really, I am not sick, my EAR is." The logic is dizzing... although he did have a point, I did not tell him that his ear was in fact, a part of him and was making the whole part of the kid sick...Sigh.

here comes this morning with an eager 5 year old anxious and more than ready for his very first day of school- to which he tells me, that it isn't his FIRST day of school, it's his third, "so let's just pretend it's my third day, o.k. mom?" At 1:00 I pack up my youngest, kiss his little cheek that smells of baby soap and peanut butter and send him off to school.

I drive my truck away from the school and head to Target for a few things I needed. (or though I needed at least).

This feeling is a first for me... Since 2001, I have always had a child (or three) tag along with me where ever I went. Going to the stores was a chore at times, because I was always amid a baragement of "can I get this?" or "He's touching me" or "she's looking at me"... A simple trip to get laundry soap inevitably left me feeling frazzled. Thank goodness for the Starbucks that resides with in the Target store...

Well here I was today, at 1:30 p.m., in Target, in the soap isle all by myself. It was AMAZING! I could think, I could choose which brand of soap I wanted. I swear the sky opened up and the angels sang. I mean I had 10 blissfully quiet moments in the isle by MY SELF! I could rifle through the coupons I had brought along, I could SMELL the soaps. I could have done a cartwheel in the isle if I chose. (OK, let's not get ridiculous, I would have ended up in a 6 foot tall brunette heap, I am not that coordinated...) ha ha.

So in the end, I picked up a bottle of body wash, two Hershey bars and three packs of cascade that had 4 bricks each of those packets, and I paid a whopping .79! Yup. 79 cents. I was pretty happy with myself, since I scored some things I needed and spent so little. Now don't get me wrong, I am not one of those coupon crazy hoarders that you see on t.v., I am just a girl watching her pennies... every one of them! I will add in pictures later on, so you can see my babies first day of school and the soap I was able to think about all by my self for a few moments!!

Peace out, girl scout!

2011-08-16T12:59:00.003-04:00

the band...

2011-08-16T12:57:00.003-04:00

Petie is a

2011-01-22T21:05:00.002-05:00

MOONLIGHTER!!!!

yup. Now, when you say moonlighter, I think of the back hills where someone has a moonshine stand.... however not the case here. let me explain, shall I?

My next door neighbor called me today and said "I just want you to know I will be going to my daughters for a few days and will not be able to feed the cat." HUH?? Um, "ok," says I, "not a problem, Petie gets enough here. " "oh," says Mrs. G. "I was worried about him, because it is going to be so cold, I didn't want him to starve." (seriously, are talking about the same 14 lb stocky, belly goes from side to side cat here??)

then she goes on to say "you know, I am really afraid of him." (who, Petie?? he is a bully to small ish critters and other cats but not to humans. well, except the vet, and you can read about that here) but if you're not a vet, I'd say odds are he will like you. "Why?" I ask, because no one I know is afraid of him. (although he is a bad ass.) "Well," she says, "when he comes in my house," "WAIT," I say, "he comes IN your house?" "Oh, all the time", she says, "most every afternoon, he howls at the back door and then runs through my house, up the stairs and onto my spare bed, where he will take a nap for 2-3 hours." I am dumbfounded at this point, total loss for words, and am trying to figure out that why, if she is afraid of him she lets him IN her house. "Ok, Mrs. G., why are you afraid of him?" (Now i HAVE to know, because I cannot figure out the whole scenario). "well," she says, "he will look at me and arch his back and jump a little bit." I start to laugh a little bit and I say to her, "when he arches his back, that means he wants a pet, that is his way of granting permission." "Oh, no..." says Mrs. G, "last time he did that, I put my hand out, and he tried to bite the leg of my pants, so I am really afraid of him. Some days it is a real battle to keep him out, he is persistent." Oh boy.... so last week when it was super cold out, Petie didn't come home and I worried about him... guess now I know where to look!! Wonder if I need to petition the courts for joint custody????

Random images from

2010-08-03T13:14:00.002-04:00

lancaster... Some of them I just like. I cannot put my finger on it, but I just like them. Like this one. Train tracks. Simple. Been around for a long time. Hard working, never complaining and under appreciated train tracks.

and this guy. Have NO idea who he is, but now he's floating around on the internet. And lemme tell you, when he yelled "all aboard" the whole little town heard him. Whoda' thunk?

The water tower. I have been to this particular railroad I can't tell you how many times. Several to say the least. here it is, standing, just waiting. Anticipating the train that will be coming down the tracks for a refill.An old broken down flat bed. Sad and majestic all at the same time. Who knows what these wheels have seen. How many hobo's have ridden in these cars??
this little Amish boy, it was BLAZING hot outside. He was walking in the train yard on the macadam, with bare feet. Owwie. Seriously. I wanted to take this poor thing otu and buy him shoes!
The beauty queen.... She was less than thrilled to be going to a "smelly train yard". But, I found some flowers for her to sit by and all was good, until she found out we were not going back to the camp site immediately....
the boys... all teeth. the whole entire time. Ethan is holding a little green frog whose name is Roger,and he stays on his bed rails... He attaches himself to the oddest things sometimes. Pig was safely back at the camper...
The train. They just don't make things the way they used to, do they?

have you ever driven

2010-08-03T13:08:00.002-04:00

down the road and something caught your eye? I mean REALLY caught your eye, like it was just begging to tell you the history it's seen? We were in Lancaster a few weeks back, and I saw this. I was not really paying attention to my surroundings, we've been to Lancaster scads of times. And out of the corner of my eye, I caught this. I knew I just needed to go back and take the picture. I asked the hubs to stop and turn around. He loves me, he really does, because at the first opportunity he saw, he turned the truck around to go back to what I'd seen.

This picture speaks to me. it speaks VOLUMES. What is it saying? Not exactly sure, but it sure is speaking.

so much to share..

2010-08-03T13:03:00.001-04:00

but first, something that just makes me smile when I see it.

just a quick drive by...

2010-06-25T19:24:00.001-04:00

it's hot, and humid, and I am not in the mood to be witty, or even charming... lol

BUT, I did want to pass on the information, that I ACED my final. Yup. ACED it. 25/25! floored, but one more class down three more to go and I will be really edumacated.

been a while.

2010-06-22T22:32:00.010-04:00

and boy howdy do I have stories to tell. LOTS of stories. Pee your pants stories. Some will contain pictures, some, well, you'll just have to rely on my recount (mis spellings and all) to relive my amusement. Story 1.

remember that episode of Sinfield, where they played it backward? Well for this post to make the most amount of sense, start reading from the bottom up....

I promised a story for you, with no pictures... My camera was unfortunately down stairs in my scrap room... Daisy, was on the cat tower. (you know, the 6ft tower in my living room???) anyhow, I looked at her, and she went all "Halloween" on me. Back arched, hairs on end, ears flat back, plastered to her head. WTH says I. I mean, kids are not around (they were playing in their rooms) and the one dog was outside. So, being the deductive person that I am, I followed her line of sight... to the basement door. Now, for those of you in bloggy land, that don't know, I have a kitty door in my basement door, b/c that is where all the kitty "business" gets taken care of. That, and it keeps the dog outta the cat box cafe. (ew.) Anyhow, I looks at the door, and what I see, is our Border Collie's head poked through the hole. She has NO idea what the hell she was looking at. Funnier yet was watching her spit and hop around when I opened the door to let the dog up...

Later that same day, Daisy saw a balloon floating in the kitchen. For what ever reason, she thought it was a good idea to "bat" it around. One bat+ Big bang = halloween kitty.... Daisy does halloween REALLY well!

We have birds. 4 of them. here's the thing... we cover them every night, so they don't wake the house at the crack of dawn. (other wise, we'd have parakeet fricassee for dinner). Well, hubs took the cover off the birds, only to find this... She was NOT up there when I covered them up... Here's the funny part. Parakeets have to tilt their heads side ways to look at something above them... so what you cannot see are 4 little birds, heads contorted sideways to check out the "predator" on top. Daisy, we DO NOT eat family members. No Matter how tasty they might be...

shit rolls down hill. Just sayin'.

Oscar... dude, NOT smart. Do you know, it takes Petie 1.2 seconds to go from sound asleep to kick your ass mode? Yeah, Oscar found it out. I warned him. All that fuzz MUST be in his brains.

The two contestants of wrestle mania IV that takes place on my bed each and every night. For you gambling folks, lay odds on the black one. She would put Jimmy SuperFly Schnooka to shame...

Daisy... good thing she's tiny. I spend time in my sanctuary. (also known as my scrap room) A place, where Petie has not gone. Sure, he comes to the basement, but it is only to snooze on the futon... daisy... she's in one of my paper cubes. She jumps in, turns around and scooches backward, until you go by. Then, she jumps out only to touch you with her paw. Now, when I leave my scrap room, i hit the lights, because I can walk through my basement, and there is no such thing as boogie men, right?? Lemme just say, that I can scream like a 6 year old REEEEALLLLLLy well... 'nuff said.

sorry, this.never.gets.old. EVER. Have a box on the floor? Petie will find a way through it, cat nip or no. This was one of his more lucid moments. No cat nip involved. Love him.

trying to come up

2010-06-02T07:28:00.002-04:00

with something witty to say. What do I have? nada. I could tell you about taking the new kittens to the vet for their first check up. That would NOT be very exciting, because there was no need for Kevlar, like with Petie. The doc would pick them up, examine them, and then they would curl back up on my lap. B-O-R-I-N-G. I could tell you about Petie licking all his fur off again. Not exciting. I could tell you about Oscar and Felix hunting a fly in my bay window. (THAT was funny) I could tell you about Felix digging through the cat food and getting it all over the window. He has a favorite flavor of kibble and will eat ONLY that one piece... Makes a mess every time. I could tell you how Oscar and Felix (well Felix really) has grown so much he dwarfs Petie is size, but Petie will still kick his ass. Every time. And Felix will NEVER learn....

And a closing thought for this morning as I ponder something earth shattering to tell you about, is this. Have you ever seen a cat go bonkers for sparkly pom-poms?? Not the plain ol boring ones. The sparkley ones you used for holiday crafting, the ones the size of a quarter.... I found 20 of then UNDER my stove compliments of Felix and Oscar thankyouverymuch. ~sigh.

mom...

2010-05-31T16:22:00.002-04:00

I hear this. I am in Kimberly's room, and I have just helped her into her **New** 2 piece bathing suit her daddy picked out for her. Now, If I were 46 lbs, I would look JUST as smashing in that suit. OK, no i wouldn't, since I am 6ft, I would look emaciated. It is a cute suit. Notice how I did NOT say bikini?? I do this for several reasons really. 1. she's 6. -I don't think she NEEDS a 2 piece suit.

2. she wants to cheer lead, because she will "look cute in the skirt" according to her. No doubt she will, however, I do not believe that is the reason one should cheer lead. (But since I am OLD, what do I know.)

yet I digress. The husband is going to take the kids into the pool today, so I can get a bit of laundry done, and sit around and pick my toes if I feel like it. (no seriously... I really DON'T pick my toes)

Anyhow, the boys are dressed, and waiting in the living room for their take-forever-to-get-ready sibling. Kimberly skips out of her room to show her brother the new suit that she has been in her room, in the mirror, twisting this was and that, to get different angled looks at her new suit. Sigh.

Alex comes storming up to me and says "MOM! MOM! did you SEE what Kimberly has on?? Don't you think she's a little YOUNG to be wearing THAT?? (to which he points at her new suit.)

With Alex on the scene, I don't think I will have to worry much about the boys... Kimberly, on the other hand, is the reason the grey hairs have been sprouting out of my head at an alarming rate....

i promised mom

2010-03-01T21:56:00.002-05:00

that I would post about the kids and their snow fort, built from the brick makers.

both boys had fun, and no boy was injured int he making of the fort....

how can 14lbs

2010-03-01T21:37:00.005-05:00

of cat(s) sound like a herd of elephants from the Serengeti? Seriously. I mean when they were young, it was kinda funny. Now? damn. have you even had a cat collide into your shin (a rather bony one at that) going mach 12? I had a bruise for a WEEK! did I take a pic? NOOOOOO. seriously, explain that one to the doc... nope I just take pics that show you how sweet they are. Yup. Do I tell you about the bed hog sprawled across my bed at night, weasel I try and watch the T V show LOST. Have you ever SEEN Lost? It is flippin confusing enough, never mind concentrating on contorting so as not to disturb said sleeping weasel, lest your toes be under attack. AND those little buggers can do a 3 ft standing jump. You've seen those videos of a balloon being jumped on and all the air escaping and the end flailing about? Yeah, that was me at 1 a.m., after a marathon of Lost. So, you can see by the afore posted pictures, noting but cute fuzziness and love, right?

Lock your toes up!

have you ever been

2010-01-26T21:06:00.005-05:00

so proud, you thought your heart would burst? I mean, literally implode? Those of you that know me, know that I am not an overly emotional person. I don't usually cry at the drop of a hat. Ever.
this past weekend, however was an exception.
Alex raced in his first ever pine wood derby for Boy scouts. **sniff**
he has so much fun, it wasn't even funny. He was all dressed up in his class B I believe it is called uniform.
He went into the derby, not knowing what to expect. He won a 1st place ribbon, for most realistic looking car. He took second place in his division, for time. He will be doing to districts. he placed 5th overall!!! Holy moly!!!!!
i love him. I am so proud of him!

Houston,

2010-01-13T10:15:00.003-05:00

we have a missing tooth. I repeat, we have a missing tooth! I know, exciting stuff here on the home front!
On Sunday, Kimberly lost her first tooth on Sunday. While eating an egg. She was so stinking excited, she could not stand herself!!! The one right next to it is loose too, and we are going to the dentist today, so see if he is going to pull it, since her "big girl" tooth is coming up behind it. I am sure it is fine, but... better safe than sorry.
The tooth fairy did some, and delivered to her, gold going is a mesh bag. She also left sparkles behind... all over the dresser where she left her monetary prize, and on the bed and floor... (she musta hit the sauce before flyin' I tell ya! I have never seen a kid so excited to loose her teeth!

Petie

2010-01-08T09:20:00.003-05:00

has anxiety.
that, and he has OCD. Who knew a cat could have OCD. Certainly not me. Just one more thing to help him make the "i've never had a cat like this" list. They gave us a kitty pheremone diffuser, which should help calm him, so he stops pulling out his fur. It was either that, or a shot of depro-prevera, which is birthcontrol for humans. They said the side effects would be he would drink more and gain weight. Super, my cat will be come a closet drinker, and turn into a chick... Here's to hoping the pheremones work!

This...

2010-01-05T14:25:00.003-05:00

adorable fuzzy critter has turned into this

which in turn has led to this:

what you don't see, is the smack down that Oscar got from Petie. You would think the time he got waffled into the heater he would have learned. Or you would think that the time he got thumped on the hardwood floor would have taught him something. N.O.P.E. Not Oscar. I swear he is Forrest Gump reincarnated. Petie on the other hand is more than happy to dole out thumppings. I think he rather enjoys it.
mama always said... stupid is as stupid does...

Oscar

2010-01-04T21:11:00.002-05:00

is getting so big. Hard to believe they are almost 6 months old. He and felix are still into trouble and everything under the sun. Their favorite past time is batting Freck. Poor freck!! They both like to hang out with me while I am in my scrap room, which has not been a lot these days. Going on a gurlies weekend soon, and man I am soooo looking forward to that! He has tried to go toe to toe with Petie and has been quickly thumped down. Silly Oscar...

Happy New year!!!!

2010-01-04T10:57:00.002-05:00

It has been a while since I have blogged. It has been a while since I felt like it. I am bound and determined to get my groove back!!

Petie is doing well. He is adjusting to the kittens, who are gaining on him in size... Petie needs to see the vet, he is pulling out the fur on his inner thighs. Poor guy. I will make the appointment today, and make sure to remind them to don the Kevlar gloves. He is less than a good patient. But...
The kittens will also be going back to the vet, to have certain spare parts removed, so they do not create any more kittens...
Oscar and Felix enjoyed the Christmas tree... they would nibble on the branches and I Had ornaments everywhere... They were great fun to chase across the kitchen floor. Of course Oscar also likes to chase bamboo skewers across the floor and shiny pom-pom's. silly kitties.

hope your holidays were nice, and you all got what you wanted!

what brings me joy these days.....

2009-12-06T07:50:00.002-05:00

Petie. With out him I would not be nearly as entertained as I usually am. He is doing just fine, and up to his usual antics. Yesterday, we got some snow. not a ton of snow,but snow none the less. Well while out with the kids, the hubs observes petie. He would crook his tail straight around, and speed in the snow just as fast as he could go (and he has put on a *few* holiday pounds)and slide and rip around and tear back the other way. He came in SOPPING wet. Sopping. I thought cats didn't like to get wet??
So, later on, he got Oscar inside a paper bag, and kept jumping on it. REPEATEDLY. Then, while Oscar would try and attack Petie's tail, while he ate, petie would take so much, then we would hear "Thump", which would be Oscars head being thumped into the wall.... I swear I have not laughed this hard in a long time.
Go check out Aud's blog... She has quite a few adventures herself. So, get a mug of your favorite stuff, curl up and enjoy!

oh, the indignity of it all....

2009-11-05T07:49:00.002-05:00

Ok, I have been telling myself, I will get these Petie tales out to his public, but then life is getting in the way. It is life getting in the way of me having to play referee to Petie and the kittens. One of which is sitting under me as we speak meeping at me and purring his little heart out. I have missed the sound they make. Sounds like a bunch of nails in an old tin can. LOVE it.
Petie, well, he is still rather pissy. I mean, he has been taking it out on the critters he has been catching. He does not only kill them, this time, he consumes 1/2 of them, and leaves the other half on the side walk for us to find. Ethan found half the other day. Squish.... Blech. Thanks, Petie.
Then there is Pete defending his bed. He would sleep on our bed every now and again, but he was not a regular there. That has not changed much. The kitten however, LOOOVE our bed. One night, not that long ago, I scooped up petie and decided that I would take him into bed with me. I did not see Oscar and Felix trailing along behind me. Petie did. He would grousing the whole way. I put him on the bed, and started to pet him. I turned my back for a second, and i heard this horrible hissing. I turned around and saw that Oscar had jumped on the bed, and Petie was having no parts of it. He smacked Oscar so hard, he fell off the bed. You would think that Oscar would leave well enough alone, right? Wrong. He would stand on his hind feet and just pop up and "look" at Petie, which would send Petie into a fit of hissing and spitting and smacking. Petie started to loose his grip and he was sliding off the bed. He dug into the blankets with his back claws, and continued to smack, hiss and spit. Oscar must have been highly amused, because he kept it up. Talk about Puppy dumb. Well, Oscar decided he had had enough, right at the same time Petie slid off the bed. Oscar ran up the hall way, and Petie was right behind him. RUNNING three legged, hissing, spitting and smacking the whole way. I have never seen a cat run three legged that fast before. He delivered a thumping to Oscar the whole way.
Things had simmered down some, until.... Petie had gone outside. It was cold, so he decided to come in. While he was out, the hubs moved Petie's crack den upstairs. This was done for two reasons... One. so the kittens would stop scratching on my sofas. Two, so they would play with it. And play they do.
Yet I digress. So, petie comes inside, and is rather pleased to see his crack den upstairs. He runs over to it, and scales the side with ease, only to come to a screeching halt when he gets to the top. There on the top curled into a tight ball, is Oscar. Snoozing away, blissfully unawares. Petie Hisses, which in turn wakes up the sleeping babe. he hauls his fat arse up to the top level and Oscar hopped down to the tube below. (good move on Oscar's part) I put some catnip on top, to soothe my savage beast, and he took to squirreling round on the nip. Well, while squirreling around, his tail fell. Oscar took that opportunity, to smack said tail, which in turn made Petie do a 180 to see what the hubbub was. He leans his face over to see what was smacking his tail. Not only did he see Oscar, but he got smacked, RIGHT IN THE NOSE by Oscar's paw. Hubs and I thought for sure, there would be blood shed, or at the very least we would find Oscar on the side walk in the morning, with his entrails being extrails.... He tried to smack him back, but to no avail. Oscar is to little, and he is fast.
so far Petie 0 Oscar 1
and, Oscar, each time I open the door to let in or out a dog, he races for the outside.
sorry little man, you need to form an alliance with petie first.....

finally

2009-11-03T09:24:00.003-05:00

a post. It has been a while. For those of you wondering,. Petie is alive and well, in fact I am composing some new stories about him right now. However, he needs to take a back seat to Halloween. Dana make his costume again, and won best costume at the party. I was the chick who helped marilyn manson. I think I made a rather good dead chick...and I took the pic myself.

you know how they say

2009-10-09T14:40:00.003-04:00

never wake a sleeping baby? Well, who ever "they" are, might have been on to something there. Oscar is fuzzy and soft and he is sooo stinkin' cute. I mean LOOK at him! Does that not scream come cuddle with me?? Yeah. Right. Sure it does. The you awaken the beast. (I mean soft, fuzzy kitten)
and the terror begins.
In his short time with us he has already:
Scaled the drapes.
Climbed up the back of dh's legs while he was shaving.
Smacked Dolly on the nose for on apparent reason. Oh wait, she's a DOG, so apparently, that is reason enough)and his brother? Lemme just say this, there is never a dull moment here.

Petie is less than

2009-10-02T07:38:00.002-04:00

thrilled by the latest acquisition of the "ping ping balls". Yesterday, the kittens were out and exploring the living room and all. Felix (the skinny one) jumped into the window and started checking that out. Petie came in the front door as per norm, and when he rounded the corner to jump up and see his dinner, he came to a skidding halt. I mean, he was poised mid jump and just s-t-o-p-p-e-d. I look over to see what the hub-bub was, and I see Felix standing in fight mode, all 8 feet of him (he puffs up REEEEEALLLLLLY big) and he is hissing at Petie.
To Petie's credit, I will say, he did nothing. Not one thing. He did not hiss is return, he did not try and take over his spot, he just stood there. he looked over at me with this look on his face like "WTF is THAT??" I don't think Felix realizes what he is up against. Peties 12 lbs to his 1. hmmmm.... Doesn't seem like a fair fight, does it? Now, all someone needs to do is tell that to Felix.

drive by

2009-10-01T14:33:00.002-04:00

Felix

Meet Oscar.

posting so you can meet Oscar and Felix...

a funny Petie story.... or two

2009-09-14T21:14:00.002-04:00

I have to share these two stories with you all, because they, I mean HE had me laughing this morning.
I was loading the kids up in the car this morning, to go to school. nothing spectacular, happens every morning much the same way. We trip out of the house, Petie looks at us, as we walk by. (truth be told, he usually hides in the mulch and attacks someone as they walk by.)Yet I digress.
So, the little girl I watch gets in the front, and she goes "Mrs. Wilson (that still sounds weird to me, even though it has been 15 years) there is a praying mantis on your truck, how do we get it off??" -just then, conveniently, Petie strolled by. While the other kids were getting in their seats, I pick up the tub-o-lard, I mean cat and show him said bug. Well, the mantis was not diggin Petie touching it, and it flew off the car. Satisfied, that I have gotten rid of the critter, and no one got eaten in the process, I set the fat, I mean cat down. Just then I see him take off and jump and twist in the air. I look to see what it is that got his attention, and it was the MANTIS. Stupid bug flew back toward my truck, and then into my neighbors lawn. (where Petie completed that swell move) and I see it land on her house. her house is BRICK. RED BRICK. I turn, an kinda chuckle that his hunting attempts have been thwarted. NOPE. The bugger climbed UP the side of her house! I mean, like 4 1/2 feet up. he scaled the outside of her house!!! A tree, sure, he has done that LOTS of times, but her HOUSE. And, the bug WAS STILL THERE! Holy crud. Sreiously. Now, I have to watch to see what happens, because in my opinion, there is no way he will be able to hang onto the house and get the bug all at the same time, right? WRONG. In one move, he had the bug in his mouth, and he was scaling down the side of the house. Not jump, like I thought he would but climb back down. (he MUST have been a goat in a former life, among other things). Now, he has the bug on her sidewalk. I feel seriously bad for causing this innocent, eat her mate after having sex with it bug, peril. (a *bit dramatic I know, but the kids were in the car...) so I go to pick up the fat S.O.B., and put him in the house. He is standing guard, because he is going to attack it the MOMENT it moves. Have you ever seen a praying mantis in attack position?? Freaky ass lookin bug. So, I did my good deed, and rescued the 11 lb chicken, I mean cat. Christina informed me that is was bad luck to kill a mantis. Exactly WHO would have had the bad luck? Me? I didn't kill it, I just showed it to my killing machine.... I guess, guilt by association??

OK, ready for story #2??
I was sitting on my deck with Lisa, making a list of all the things I will need to pack in order to take 5 people on vacation. (and damn it all, I don't seem to have the wriggle my nose and it's all done power). Anyhow, I am sitting there, and I hear this noise under me. Crud. petie has something in his clutches under the deck. I walk off the deck and look under it, and sure enough, there he is, standing on some poor critter. I look for something to kikda bang on the lattice with (as if that will really do anything) and I see that my darling husband (gawd bless his pea pickin heart) has left the hose on. (conveniently enough). I pick it up, and I aim it is Petie. (mean I know) he jumped backward, and puffed up. I mean he SERIOUSLY puffed up. I almost fell over I was laughing so hard. He was looking all around, b/c he could not see me, but somehow he just got dosed with water. he shook it off, and started back to the critter that had suddenly became quiet. I see him and again, hit him with another dose of water. he hissed, and looked around, he still could not see me. Now, let me tell you, the hose was not on the "knock you off your feet with force setting, it was more like torrential downpour mode. Not enough to hurt him in anyway, just piss him off pretty good. He goes back for a third attempt, and he was closer than he had been, so I sprayed him again. This time, however, he saw me. When he turned and looked at me, his ears went F.L.A.T. So flat, it didn't look like he has ears. He turned and scurried away from under the deck. (probably to run into the house and put a hot steamy turd on my pillow in vengeance). the critter under the deck, well, since it is dark and covered in spiders under there, I figgered it was OK. I saved it from Petie, while risking his wrath myself. Who know what became of it. Some one once told me "kid, some days it's diamonds, and some days it's rocks." I think I had a diamond day. Petie... not so much.

the first day of school

2009-08-31T22:39:00.006-04:00

This is what the kids looked like... The sun was shining, the birds were chirping... And no, I did not do a jig, as much as I wanted to....(thought it might be a *bit* tacky... lol) I did however, see other parents marching their off spring to the building with a spring in their steps... It was quite a phenomenon
All pressed and dressed, the two older ones wanted to leave for school with the promise of seeing their friends again, and opening their craniums up for learning. (sound like an insanely bad advertisement)

Since Petie was out carousing the night before, this was his take of the first day of school. he had the sofa to himself, and no annoying tiny pair of hands trying to fit between his ears for a pet or two.

This had been a full box of crayons when I left with the kids for school. Freckles' take on the first day of school, more crayons for him! That will be ONE colorful poop out int he yard later on this week I am sure. Good thing crayola is non toxic.

This is what I did while the kids were at school. (aside from cleaning the house, did two loads of laundry and put it away, and ran errands) I thought they would like to have a nice snack to come home to. It was kinda fun to make, and I got to separate two bags of M & M's into colored piles.... What could be better than that?

And lastly, this was Petie when I went to pick the kids up from school. Note how the position changed, ever so slightly. Lazy lout. not even 5 hollering kids storming though the front door disturbed him. I am telling you, if lazing about were an occupation, Petie would be a MILLIONAIRE! Well, technically IIII would be said millionaire, since I am the keeper, I mean, HE is the keeper of me.

some one once said

2009-08-31T21:07:00.003-04:00

the apples don't fall far from the tree....
I must admit,I have prided myself on that theory not being true, UNTIL I had my daughter. (attitude in spades)
So today was the first day of school for everyone. I did not break into song or dance as I walked them to school, although I will admit there were flowers and chirping birds, but it was AWFULLY sunny out this morning. Yet I digress.
After dinner, I am helping the hubs disassemble kimberly's bed (that he has been making) from out of the living room. -THAT is another story.
Two sets of footsteps come THUNDERING up the stairs. (I was starting to question what the ped's said about their weight. there is NO WAY on God's acre that a 43 lb and a 55lb child can make THAT much noise) Anyhow, Alex shouts out "I DIDN'T DO IT!!!!! I TOLD HER TO DO IT, BUT I DIDN'T THINK SHE WOULD DO IT, I WAS JUST JOKING"
"Do what?", I calmly ask, (while inwardly cringing) "This", Kimbelry replies and shows me her hands. In one, is a pair of pink pinking shears, and in the other is a WAD of hair. Pretty golden colored hair, who's tresses had known up to this point, only the beautician's scissors. NOT the sawed off edge of a pair of pinking shears.... Holy hell. My dayghter DID NOT just cut her own hair, did she? "Look Mama", she says. "It didn't hurt at all, and I did it all by my self" SUPER. (note to self, lock up any sharp or blunt instrument RESEMBLING a scissor)
NOW, let's rewind to the whole formentioned apple/falling from tree thought shall we?
when I was five-ish (I will say I am closer to 6, but I cannot be 100 percent sure)any how, I had hair down to my butt. Yup, long wavy dark hair all the way down to my behind. (hey, it was the 70's and I was cool). I hated my long hair. Scratch that, I HATED having my long hair combed and curled by mom. HATED it. To this day I still cringe in the beautician's chair if she brings out a rod curling iron... I always wanted shorter Farrah Faucet-ish hair, but no go. Mom and dad though m,y longhair was pretty. Mom worked nights, so one night, while she was at work, and I knew the other kids were up in their rooms, I took it upon my self, to cut my hair, since I wanted it cut and no one else would do it for me. I placed the scissors next to my temple, and SNIP. Cascading to the ground, came one of my dark tresses. I surveyed what I had done, and realized that I would be in a HEAP of trouble for doing so. So, I did the only logical thing. I picked up said hair, and cut it up into itty bitty pieces, so it would look like the dog's hair, and I placed it in the ash tray.. I figured that I should not give the older kids any trouble going to bed, lest I blow my cover... The damage was discovered the next morning while on the bus...
and the story only gets better, but I wills top there.
I am so cutting down that god forsaken apple tree.....

This is what you look like

2009-08-05T10:49:00.002-04:00

when another critter kicks your tush....
Friday, Petie came in from outside, and his arse and tail were SWOLLEN. I mean, did he just have a butt.tail implant swollen. I ran my hand down his back and over the tail, and he turned and hissed. Poor thing. So, he ate and them hopped on my bed. Well, actually he went on Ethan bottom bunk, but when I put a sleeping Ethan in there, he went to my bed. He was moving a little slow, and on Friday and Saturday, he did not try to get out. Not one Houdini move. NOT ONE. hmmm.... I gave him some antibiotics from the vet, and let him sleep it off. Every time I sat on the couch he glued himself next to me.
Perhaps this is the karma God's way of getting back at him for the killing spree he went on??
think he'll learn?... prolly not.

it has been

2009-07-14T12:42:00.007-04:00

a while since I last blogged.
Sorry about that, life just got in the way. (funny how that happens)
I don't have a ton of things to tell you about, I just want to share some photos.
Some, are just the epitome of summer.
Petie... well my little serial killer is grounded until he is 50.

Enjoy.

I just started

2009-06-29T13:45:00.002-04:00

a new blog. No, not for Petie. At least, Not yet. I have been asked to be a part of a design team for these new great digi stamp images that can be found here Sunshines stamps If you want a super cute image, go on over and check it out!! :)
My new blog is: www.stuffiesstamps.blogspot.com this is where I will show you all what I have been working on...

I know this one

2009-06-25T17:09:00.003-04:00

has been posted before, but today I was moving pictures from my laptop to the server down stairs.- You know the drill, need to free up room. OY.
anyhow, this picture makes me laugh every time I see it. I don't know which was worse, watching this infernal cat sneeze repeatedly, or kitty boogies on my lens. Tough one.

Petie.

2009-06-16T21:39:00.003-04:00

the cat with chutzpa. the cat who thinks he's a dog. The cat who thinks he is a circus freak. (how ELSE would you 'splain the acrobatics??)
anyhoo, wanted to share something, to let you know that no matter what, somethings never change.
This s Petie as a kitten:

this is Petie as an adult:

see my point??

you know how some

2009-06-15T16:53:00.005-04:00

thing never get old?? Well, Petie is one of them. I don't care how many times I see him literally dive into a box, it is STILL funny stuff!! Yet I digress.

The other day, I was in the laundry room, getting a fresh roll of paper towels for the kitchen. I tossed them up the steps and they landed on the floor by the table. (precisely where I wanted them to land). I went to see if Dana needed any help with the kids who were in the tub. My back was turned for literally 2 seconds. 2. (I think you all know where this is going) petie came out of NO WHERE. I mean NO WHERE and started attacking this particular roll. This fresh roll, you know what I mean, the one towel is still glued to the rest of the roll. Yup. No more fresh role of towels, compliments of petie. Bugger. Good thing he's cute.

I mean, seriously, those ears mean BUSINESS. Glad I am not that role. Of course, this will make dusting an interesting feat.

Does he understand, that this role will NOT fight back?? Does he have a clue? Well, let's think about this logically. His brain is the size of a walnut. 'Nuff said.

My Mom made

2009-06-14T21:20:00.009-04:00

these for Kimberly. Kimberly had a hard time dressing her barbies, and then she found a few dresses that mom made for me when I was younger. (Dork that I am, I have all my old barbies and their clothing) Anyhow, when I saw how much she played with those outfits, I asked mom to make some more for her, and she did.I am super excited about them, and Kimberly LOVES them. Now, almost all her barbies are not naked... (Ken is UBER pissed, but hey, whatev.

today is supposed to

2009-06-13T08:04:00.003-04:00

be another sunny day. (let's hope)
The fence has not dried out yet from all the rain, so I think it is going to be another day of no fence painting. At this rate, it will take me all summer to paint the fence. (oh well)
I want to find a place to pick cherries. I would love to make cherry preserves, or something like that. Since I am heading into jelly making season.... The blackberry bush that I cut back, in hopes to kill it, has come back bigger and stronger than I ever imagined. It is seriously holding up the hubs garage, and is now starting to grow INTO the garage. If anyone likes blackberries, please feel free to stop by with a bucket and pick until your heart is content. I will make jelly again this year, but will strain out the seeds. Nothing worse that seed riddled jam. blech.
I weeded out the gardens yesterday, and now today I am hoping to plant some of the seeds I started. The rain is good for something, right? lol Not real conducive to warming up the pool however....

Just got back

2009-06-11T18:14:00.008-04:00

from Cape may... man, we picked the most ROTTEN week to go, but we went anyhow. perhaps we are gluttons for punishment, but hey, it's the beach, how bad can it be, right? I mean, what is the shore with out a sand filled beds, a little sunburn and some taffy??? We went to the zoo, and went to the beach, went to our favorite place to dine, Mugs, and ate waaaaay to much. We went to our favorite bar, Carneys, well, ok not Carney's since they were not open for the season yet (babies), so we went to Cabanas. Drank waaaaaaay to much, but that was the beauty of having a room right on the main drag, you can stumble home. I am glad to be home, however. It was a busy time, and the kids were getting cranky toward the end, they wanted to either be on the beach (who can blame them) ot playing toys in the room (ugh, then WHAT is the point of vacation??)
Any how, we stopped at this pet store we go to each time we go, called the "waggin tail". ALMOST came home with another kitty. It was sooooooo cute, but common sense kicked in, telling me I did not want to listen to this critter howl for the better part of 2 1/2 hours.
going to share a few of my fave photos from the trip.
Ethan was so pleased that he could haul a bucket of water up on the beach...

every now and again, I take a picture I actually like... lol

try as he might, Alex just could not get this one to budge.

and this one... if it does not say "daddy's girl", I don't know what does. Disclaimer to any and all future suitors... her dad carries a big stick, and he is not afraid to use it...lol

and last, the whole fam...

i have one very wet

2009-05-27T08:45:00.002-04:00

and very pissed off kitty.
I pull up to the curb, from taking the kids to school in time to see Petie grab a bird out of the air. The poor thing was stunned to say the least. Petie hunkered down next to it, and waited for us to pass. Kimberly says "what's petie doing to the bird Mama?" I said he was trying to catch it, and I shuffled the two littler ones into the house. I walk across the lawn toward the cat and bird, and the little bugger arches up to greet me. His eyes never moved from the bird who was now wet as well, but none the less, petie was happy to see me...Until I picked him up to give the bird a fighting chance. I already have 4 parakeets, I didnot need a cow bird to nurse back to health. As I stood there holding the cat and contemplated the fate of the bird, he took off. As he did Petie growled in my arms....Lying mext to me is petie, after a quick bath, starting to doze off, dreaming about the one that got away.... (stupid human interference)

I do have a lot to post...

2009-05-13T07:37:00.002-04:00

but my time has been consumed with other junk...

First, let me send a shout out to my girl patti! Hope you have a speedy recovery! will be thinking of you, and you know you can call on the PLP for help with anything, although we might need to be schooled on how to drive your mower.... lol Love ya'hunny!!

today....

2009-04-25T07:59:00.002-04:00

we have an arms length worth or outside things to get done. First on the list, is painting the trellis. Petie's hang out. That should be an interesting feat... then 2 yeards of mulch need to be put in the garden... ugh.
I am debating on wether or not to put the cat in the house when we commense to painting, because I cannot imagine it will be easy to get paint out of his fur....

I have decided,

2009-04-24T12:40:00.004-04:00

that after many comments, that I will indeed wirte a book about Petie. I *might* need some help with the editing, but I have decided.
So to all of you who like to read about him, stay tuned, someday you might be able to read about him in print, not just on my blog. :)

petie...

2009-04-21T14:51:00.002-04:00

with a hang over.
I swear he drools.

OK, LOTS TO SHARE.

2009-04-21T14:13:00.002-04:00

first. There was an ad in the Martha Stewart magazine for May, to send in your best kitty photo. Of course I will submit one pf Petie, but the question now is: which one?? I mean there are so many to choose from.... I will have to think on that and give you a few to choose from.
Second. I sent away for a "can you write children's books" test. Of course once again you know that the topic will be Petie. Wonder if it should be moved to young adult... I mean I could make it "G", but then I would have to eliminate the furry middle finger that he likes to fly at me, and the murdering and the... hmmm. On second thought if I do that, then it just is not Petie, now is it? We'll see if I pass the test first. I will have to have someone do my typing since the brain works faster than the fingers and that tends to cat ch up with me... See Diane, i did find something to occupy "all my free time"
and last but not least, and totally not petie related, I have some pictures of the kids to add... We went to lockridge park on Sunday.
Kimberly got her costume on Saturday for ballet. She is dancing to "Someday my prince will come". The pictured from the studio will cost me a small fortune, so I decided to take my own. I mean, *sometimes* I do know what I am doing... lol
Here are just a few: bare in mind, of all of the 458 pictures I took, I think I like about a dozen or so. Kimberly either would not look at me, or she would not smile. I think I have ONE where she is looking AND smiling. The boys however, were MUCH more willing participants.

this has been Petie's

2009-04-18T22:00:00.003-04:00

favorite past time as of last. I was just explaining to some girls I chat with, that today, I saw people walking down my street, and when they got to the rose arbor at the end of my walk, they would stop, point and laugh. I just shook my head and walked away, because I knew what they were laughing at. Petie likes to get on top of the arbor and poke his little paws through, and attack andything and everything that comes his way.....

Easter 2009

2009-04-17T10:36:00.000-04:00

Petie escapes solitary

2009-04-09T18:29:00.001-04:00

and goes on a murdering spree. so far, one mouse, one snake and one bird..... news at 11.

the VET.....

2009-04-08T19:20:00.005-04:00

ok, so I thought I would give an update on Petie... Here is what his toe looked like:
so it is not aw swollen here as it was, but off to the vet we went. We get there, and the vet takes a look... The chainsaw had been thwarted.

no Kevlar. no blood... Of course, they were ready for him, his chart was open on the exam table, with a bunch of red caution stickers all over it.... Maybe they knew? maybe they read my other vet blog post here...
they decided to give him a shot of penicillin, that would last two weeks, and lets add insult to injury (literally) they gave him a rabies shot... The tech came in to help. (all 98 lbs of her) and she was leaning on a hissing, spitting, growling ready at any moment to morph into a chainsaw kitty...I mean all 98 lbs was leaning on him, and he was still climbing out of the towel they were using (I told them they would need the Kevlar)... shots accomplished, and Petie stowed safely in his box, it was time to go. He growled the whole time I was at the front counter paying for his torture. He growled the whole way home. (man, he can hold a grudge, and I even laced the box with catnip, to help ease his pain) I brought him inside, and cautiously opened the box, lest I loose a finger...
we were told to soak his foot in Epsom salt every night, which means, I will be wearing said salt solution. He is on day 3 of house arrest and in foul humor. The birds were out in full force today at all the feeders, have a grand time.
I have a feeling when he is off of house arrest several things will happen. One, he will go on a killing spree. Two- I doubt we'll see him for a night or two...

petie...

2009-04-07T08:00:00.002-04:00

has to go to the vet today. Yesterday, his hind foot was insanely swollen, and he will put weight on it, but not much. I soaked it is epsom salt last night, as per the vet. Well, let me rephrase. I soaked my self in epsom salt yesterday, while petie snickered. After "soaking" (ie: me wearing more that he did) I did see where his boo-boo is, and it looks like he ripped his one toe nail. Today, the toe is kind of oozey, which is supposed to happen from soaking in the epsom salt. (so the vet said) This morning, he has an appointment at 9:45 for the vet. I warned then to have the kevlar handy. I am not sure they believe me. Am I a bad pet owner, if I bring my camera??

woo-hoo!!!

2009-03-26T21:34:00.004-04:00

I just got a 100 on my final!! I was the first one done and i thought I bombed it!

'nuff said!

the problem with being

2009-03-25T16:13:00.002-04:00

Petie.
I was busy today, typing the paper that is due tomorrow (with PLENTY of time to spare) anyhow, when I was finished, I went to back door to let in the dog. It was a rather nice day out, so he was on the deck. Petie strolls in. He goes immediately to the fridge and when it will not open automatically, he looks at me and yowls. I put my hand down to pet him. You remember, right? The time I posted about his arching up to meet us, when we were petting him... anyhow, he arches up on his tippy toes to meet my hand. Somehow is all the antics, he lost his footing. How I have no idea, he has the largest back feet I have seen. (Bugs Bunny would be envious) Petie falls backward, and as to not fall, he takes a step back, RIGHT into the dog's water bowl. His WHOLE backside. Feet, tail, and tush now dripping with water. Not just any water, but water that has been contaminated by those slobbery mutts that he has to put up with. I am sorry, but I stood there, looking at this pathetic sopping wet cat and laughed. I mean out and out belly laugh. Priceless. His ears went IMMEDIATELY flat. He turned, stuck his tail up in the air, went through the doggie door, and stompped down the satirs. Have you ever heard a cat stomp?? he sounded like a herd of elephants.... Wonder if he will arch up to meet our hands anymore?

want to see what

2009-03-24T08:30:00.002-04:00

melts my heart? Every time?

this post is not for the

2009-03-22T16:29:00.004-04:00

squeamish. So I will refrain from posting a picture at the top, and let you read a bit, before seeing the shots. Yesterday was a lovely day out side. We were out the whole afternoon. I pruned my blackberry jungle, and as I was tossing the dead canes into a pile, Petie came alone, and thought is was his own personal jungle gym. Goofy cat. He has this habit, when he goes up to something to "hug"it (cat people will know exactly what I am taking about) and he arches up waaaaaay high on his tippy toes. He sees the dog, and goes over to hug her. He misnegotiated the space however, and while arching and bumping his head into her, he looses his footing and goes ass over tea kettle, missing the dog completely. He jumps to his feet, smacks at the dog, and marches back to the patio. Poor dolly, she's old. She's deaf. She really doesn't care... anyhow, she hauls her old self (she has a touch of arthritis) up off the patio to come see what I am doing, still wrangling the blackberry bush. While she is hauling herself up, Petie starts to stalk her. he plows into her going 240, and as he is about to make impact, she moves. Petie has been thwarted again. He tumbled to the ground, AGAIN. (I swear he skipped the chapter about cats always landing on their feet.)
Anyhow, I move out front, because the kids want to ride bikes.

This is where you squeamish folks need to look away

Anyhow, thoroughly ticked, Petie takes all his aggression out on a snake that he happened to find. Where exactly he found it I have no idea, but find it he did. He showed us his talent for taking it and tossing it in the air. He showed us he could pick it up one paw'd. He showed us he can sit on it.
(don't ask) but most of all, he showed us he can play with it, and just walk away, being the "bigger cat" and all...

Now, you would think that seeing Petie with a snake would catch me a bit off guard. Nope, not in the slightest. The only time my furry companion has caught me off guard was last summer. I was weeding my one flower bed, which was full of tall, bushy flowers. Here I am, elbows deep in the plants, getting the weeds. petie comes dashing into the plants right next to me. Not really thinking much of it, (let's face it, this IS petie we're talking about) anyhow, out pops Petie, right next to me (about an inch from my nose) with a long, dangly, slithery garter snake in his mouth. That caused me to jump and fall on My keester. Had he not dove into the plants, I most likely would have grabbed a handful of snake (**shudder**) while weeding. How exactly he saw this thing I will never know, but he rescued me... lol

he did not "harm" the snake. He merely "wounded" the snake, and dh had to "harm" said snake....

The things we do in the name of Petie...

thought I would

2009-03-18T07:57:00.002-04:00

share... I got my mid term back last night, and I got an A- on it!! woo-hoo. I was kinda nervous about it, it was 5 questions and each answer had to be two pages.... well, I dont think I hit 2 pages on all the questions, but she said if we could answer it coherently in less, that was fine! PHEW! She also gave us an extension from next Tues, to next Sunday for our papers... Hmmmm... Don't worry, I am still planning on getting my paper done for next Tues, I want it out of my hair! I have a final tomorrow night. Not to worries, it is open book, open note...
ok, off to do some research!

have you ever

2009-03-17T16:44:00.003-04:00

had a hangover?? There has been a time or two, that I *might* have had a wee bit to much to drink. When I (or dh) have partook in too may libations, what tastes very good the next day, is a McDonald's coke. not Diet coke. Not iced tea, coke. Plain old fashioned coke. Perhaps it is the syrup to bicarbonate ratio. I am not really sure what it is. It just tastes soooooo good.
Anyhow, Petie did not come in the other night. Little lout. I worried my head off. he strolls in at 8:15 a.m....
I take the kids to school, and come back in, and This was the sight I saw...Petie. Hung over. From staying out to late. Hung over from to much carousing with the boys.
guess this is his McDonald's coke??

remember back in

2009-03-14T20:27:00.003-04:00

November, where I shared the experience with you, of Petie's first vet visit?? Ok, so picture it. Kids are out side riding bikes on the sidewalk, freck is chasing the Frisbee, and Petie is up his favorite tree. Dh gets the idea, that we should take the kids to the school playground, which is literally right around the corner from the house.we start out, and Petie follows us, all stalkingly like. I ignore him, thinking he will turn around once he gets two housed down, and we don't pay aby attention to him.
we get to the stop sign, and turn to go over the bridge. Petie comes flying out of no where, and comes to a skidding halt, right on the bank of the creek- which by the way of full of water. We cross the bridge, and we think that he will now have to turn around, because he is not going to cross the creek, right? Wrong.
He came around the corner and when we looked, he was over the bridge. Still ignoring him, we cross the street, the kids, the dog, dh and I. Surely he will give up and go home. no such luck.
So, as I watch Petie cross the street, dh says Call him, pick him up, put him in the house and come back and play. Ok, so the little twerp comes over to me, after a bit of coaxing. I stroke his back,and pick him up. I start to walk for home and I feel Petie tense up in my arms. I mean, it felt like rigamortice set in. Rut-roh. I should have known better. Petie went into all out chainsaw mode. He was NOT happy, that I had foiled his plan to go on a walk with the fam. He scratched, he hissed, he spit.... I hung on for dear life, at least until I crossed the street and crossed the bridge, so he would not be in harms way. not before he managed to sink his fangs into my knuckles several times... We came back home shortly there after, and after we got every one inside, I called for Petie, who was by the fence in the front yard. I swear I got the furry middle finger in several different languages.

it has been a while

2009-03-13T11:28:00.010-04:00

since I updated my blog. Sorry about that. Everyone has been asking what has petie been up to. No Good. lazy good for nothing, (except maybe a few laughs)He is a brat. Capital B, little rat. When I go to class on Tuesday and Thursdays, Dana does things with the kids. And, of course, Petie. This one day, maybe a few weeks ago, he lets Petie in, and then, coaxes him up on the shelf. Yes, the shelf. This is the shelf by my front door. Doesn't he look just absolutely board out of his ever lovin' pea pickin' little mind??

here, he is, contemplating jumping up on my curtain rod... He'd better not.
After being sufficiently board with this antic, he went to the other side of the room, to that shelf...

perhaps his whiskers got to close to the light bulb. Perhaps there was a stink bug buzzing around in there... what ever the case, he hopped off, and wen to the basement, and his crack den.
Enough about that little rascal. Remember me telling you a few months ago, that Petie was trying to chase a Bird from inside the house, and ran into the window? I thought I would show you a picture of the source of Petie's angst.
Notice how he looks like he is taunting the cat. At the time the photo was taken, Petie was lying in my bay window, tail twitching back and forth rather quickly.
OK, moving on. This blog was originally started, to share things about the kids, with all my relatives and friends. Somehow, it has been monopolized by one silly cat, and some other various pets. I swear, the kids are fine....
to prove that fact, below is a picture of them, with half of their matchbox collection, spread out on the living room floor. HALF. Sigh. and last, but really not least is Freckles. I usually do not post about the dog. I am not normally a dog person. But Freck... He will play Frisbee all day. I took him out yesterday and played Frisbee with him. This was him afterward, cooling off... First, let me just say, that he is a honest to goodness Border Collie. He is red, and his ears don't flop like most normal collies. He fits in perfectly with this, because I am not sure anyone in my family is normal. Have you MET my sister?? yet I digress... Anyhow, Freck... You could radio Moscow with those ears. For real. And the tongue... the tongue is to long for his beak. Yes, I said beak. Look at it... long and kinda pointy... looks like a beak to me.

Notice how it is lobbing out of the side of his mouth. He could care less. Big dope. He is great with the kids, so I cannot complain. And, he can catch a Frisbee like no body's business!
I have some other pics I want to post, but they are lost in the abyss which is my laptop. I will need to weed through and then post.
So there you have it. An updated post with all the news that's fit to print. Not really a witty story, or bits of kitty wisdom, just plain mundaneness.

I am finished

2009-02-24T14:27:00.002-05:00

with my midterm, and I have 2 1/2 hours to spare. I even managed to get some laundry done in there. (anything to put off the inevitable) Phew! I have 2 10 page papers that are due on the 24 and 26 of march. I am actually going to start looking into that this weekend. Sheeish, are we facing an Armageddon that no one is aware of???

in her Easter dress...

2009-02-23T12:30:00.001-05:00

Kimberly got a package from her grandma today, her Easter dress. She was thrilled to get it!! She tried it on, and started to get all vogue.... wonder where she gets it from?

repeat after me:

2009-02-22T18:57:00.001-05:00

WE DO NOT EAT FAMILY MEMBERS...

Guess who came

2009-02-22T09:06:00.002-05:00

strolling in at 3:30?? Yup. Petie. Little bugger. When I went to bed at 11, I called, and called. Nothing. I started to worry, because he was out all day. When we were out, he was not around, which is odd for him. Usually he will see us out, and then he will come over and "hang out" with us. Nothing. Dana was even fixing his 4-wheeler in the garage, and nothing. UGH! Dh was out last night, doing "band things" (check out their website here) anyhow, when he came home, I asked if he had seen Petie. Nope. he was ready for bed, and asked if I was worried. When I told his I was, he pulled on his jeans, and offered to go look for him. (gotta love a man who will go look for a missing kitty) He gets his coat and keys, and opens the front door, and guess who comes in? meowing the whole while. Not sure where he goes or what he does, but it must be fun for him.
Kimberly started dance class again yesterday. She was so excited. SHe will be dancing to "someday my prince will come" in June when the recital is. I will post a picture of her costume, when we get them. I was told should be soon, since the studio does pictures in April.
Alex and Ethan are doing well. Alex is joining cub-scouts. He is excited to do so. They are checking out another troop this thursday, and then they will decide if which one to join.
I am doing something today, that I have never in the hisotry of steph done. I am working on my mid-term. WHat's the signifigance you ask? Well, for those that know me, kow I am the world's WORST procrastinator. The WORST. My mid term is not due until Tuesday at 5:30. This leaves me PLENTY of time. I mean, I have DAYS until it is due. Not sure why I have the urge to do it now, but I am going to go with it. Next thing you know, I will be eating chocolate...(NOT!!) However, it is hard to get started, while I have a very cozy looking kitty snoozing next to me.....

new coif....

2009-02-17T21:45:00.003-05:00

so when the conversation

2009-02-14T20:12:00.002-05:00

with your husband starts out as "do you know what your cat did?", you know what is to follow cannot in any way POSSIBLY be good. Innocently, I say, "why no, I have no idea what he has done." (let's face it, with Petie anything is possible). "Come with me" is the next thing that the hubs says. Rut-roh.... We walk into the garage, where he keeps his baby. His 1991 Pontiac Fire bird Formula. He babies this car, and it has residence in the garage now, because of the ice and the snow. I look inside the garage with DH, and what do I see? Petie prints all up and down the hood, windshield and roof. Little muddy paws had a field day. Looks like he had a little kitty party. Hell, it looks like a mosh pit took place. How many times, can one cockamamie cat possibly walk up and down one vehicle?(and there were no slider marks either- you know, when they slide down the windshield because there is no traction...) Oh, and just to let you know, the garage was closed up. I have no idea how that little weasel got in there, get get in he did. I had to supress a giggle, becasue dh was so not thrilled with the cat for doing this. I reminded him that we do have two other (albeit OLD) cats. Nope. he's not buyin' it. It has to be Petie....

So I told you

2009-02-13T12:42:00.006-05:00

that Keith and Jen got married. They asked me to take their pictures and I was honored to do so. I will post a few, of the 955 I took...
Also, I want to let you all know, that My niece is getting married tomorrow. It breaks my heart that I am not there with them, to help celebrate, and hold that adorable baby of hers. I want to tell you, that I am so proud of this girl, and I love her very much, but I think she already knows that. And to Eric, I will say you are getting a gem, and best to treasure her always. (or else... ha ha)I do not have any pics of her recently, but I am sure she will be stunning and is a girl after my own heart, she wants to wear flip-flops under her gown.- Rock on girlfriend!!
here are the boys being silly:

they are just so damn cute I can't stand it.

I hope my niece and her new hubs will be as happy as Keith and Jen are. Love you guys. mean it!

ok, so it has been

2009-02-13T11:10:00.003-05:00

almost a month since I had anything to post about. Well, scratch that. I always have something to post about. I hvae Petie, afterall. And three kids. Things happen ALL the time. Things have been seriously busy.
Keith and Jen got married the end of Jan. I went away with a group of my best girlfriends the weekend after. man, that was a blast. Lots of laughing. Lots.
the front 6 of Alex's teeth, are loose. All 6. THAT should be interesting when they all come out at once. Poor kid. Kimberly is registered for Kindergarten. Where does the time go? She is so excited to be going to kindergarted, she asks everyday, if she is going. Oy. It is going to be a looooooong summer. lol I am gettign her hair cut a bit shorter next week, I will post a pick then. It is so hard to brush now, I am hoping that when it is a shorter, it will be a bit easier. Not to mention, she will get her springs back! The length has pulled a lot of the curl out. :(
Ok, so the other day I was headed into the kitchen to make dinner. I will tell you now, I cannot walk into the kitchen without two things on my heels. Kimberly, because she wants to hinder my, I mean, help cook, and Petie, because he is one. big. fat. mooch. 'nuff said.
So, I open the fridge, to get out the eggs I need. I turn around and almost drop the eggs because Kimberly is underfoot. Not bothering to turn around, I close the door of the fridge with my foot. (that is something I am adept at...) anyhow, what I missed, was Petie was investigating the contents of the fridge, and climbed in. So, when I closed the door with my foot, while not setpping on my daughter, OR dropping the carton of eggs, I closed the cat in the fridge. (silly cat, should not have been there in the first place.) Anyhow, while going over to the stove to start to cook, I hear a VERY strange and VERY muffed noise. I turn to see if I had accidentally stepped on some fuzzy toes. Nope. None that I can see. I turn back, and I hear the noise again. So I ask Kimberly if she heard it. "yes Mama, petie is in here" Where? I ask. she goes over to the fridge, and opens the door. I am about to tell her to shut the door, when out popps Petie. You can imagine my suprise, when I see a very annoyed, slightly chilled cat coming out of my fridge. WTF? Cats don't belong in the fridge? Shaking my head, I turn back to dinner. I not have one child "helping" to cook, and one very annoyed cat swatting at my leg, yowling. `sigh. it is a wonder I got anything at all done.
the very next day, when I went into the kitchen, guess who was on my heels? Yup, Kimberly AND Petie. Open the fridge, and this time, I watched. petie again climbed in the fridge. Did he learn NOTHING from the prior day? Guess not.
ok. Tuesday of this past week, I was at class. Dana took the kids out, and came home. He left the dome light on because one of the kids did not shut the door right. The neighbor was kind enough to come over to let him know. He walks out with her, to take care of the door, and as she passes under my rose arbor two hairy paws poke through the slats in an attempt to get her. Thankfull she is short, and did not see anything. Imagine the fright that would have been since it was dark out and all. UGH.
Then on Wednsday, I was taking the kids to school. We walk past the tree that has my bird feeder on it. Down jumps a squirrel, and then Petie hot on his tail. The squirrel ran across the street and up the phone pole. Guess who ran across the street and up the phone pole? You guessed it, Petie. Bid dope. he got about 8 ft up, then shimmied down, and climbed up the neighboors tree to try and out smart the squirrel. I swear in a former life, he worked for the KGB or somehting!

update on Spot...

2009-01-27T09:12:00.002-05:00

Thanks to everyone, for your get well wishes and condern for Kimberly. She is just fine now. Her spots are almost gone. Just a few linger. This weekend, they got pretty bad, but by Monday morning they were all but gone, and with it, then itching went as well. So now we know, what she has a reaction to. Thank goodness she does not get sick that often!! :)

erythema multiformation

2009-01-23T08:34:00.001-05:00

a fancy schmancy term for an allergic reaction to pennecyllin. UGH.

blog candy...

2009-01-15T09:18:00.001-05:00

just saw this, and thought I would send it out to all of you to enter and win some good stuff!

you've seen

2009-01-15T09:12:00.002-05:00

those witchs in people's front lawns, the one's who have hit a tree?
Petie. Thump. window. chasing birds again. flattened by window. need I say more?

speaking of embarrasing

2009-01-14T09:53:00.002-05:00

moments...
Saturday, we were going somewhere. I don't remember where, but we were leaving. Petie was outside harassing the birds as per the norm. When he sees us outside, he comes over to us, and is a part of the family. He started rolling around on the sidewalk- you know what I mean, like if you had a cooked spaghetti noodle on the counter in a puddle of water- how they move around. That was him, on the part of the side walk he loves, rolling around looking all cute. Anyhow, is was kind of cold outside, and I did not want Petie to get to cold while we were going to be out, so I called him and I started to walk toward the door, keys in hand. Peite, is quiet often like a dog. He comes when he is called, and meows until he gets to you. I guess he figured he would be smart, and he ran ahead of me. Well, since we were going to leave, we had locked the door. Petie (running and meowing 240) ran right into the closed door. Thump. he took a step back, and sat down. (actually, I think he hit so hard he FELL down, but I won't tell him that) The nosie was so loud, Dana stopped buckling in the kids, poked his head around the door of the truck, and asked what happened, and was I ok.... all I could do was laugh. Poor Petie. - I never said he read the smart book....

what

2009-01-12T10:30:00.002-05:00

is more embarrassing when you're a cat? Picture this. You see your arch rival. He is looking at you, all puffed up. So, you puff up back, and take it one step further, you flatten your ears. That's what i did. I crouched down, I puffed up, I flattened my ears, hell, I looked HUGE. I was going to take down that good for nothing next door neighbor cat once and for all. I see my human come out to start the truck so she can take the shorter humans off somewhere is that big noisy thing. She notices the peach cat so she stoops down to scratch HIS ears. I let out a nice guttural growl, just for good measure, to let that so and so know that, that human belongs to ME. I am the one who tells that human when I want food, and to go fix it. I let that human pet me on occasion. I hunker down just a bit further and I also wiggle my butt so they both know I mean business. She stands up, and that peach pansy runs across the street. She comes my way and picks me up. WTF? I mean, can't she see I am in battle mode and about to kick some furry ass? come on, she's making me look bad. I don't care the she is scratching my ears, she has just pet HIM. I see him look over his shoulder at me, and I swear he snickered. I hissed to let him know this was not over, not by a long shot. I push against my human, to get down, I even wriggle. She just tells me to knock it off, and tightens her grip. Crap, now even the birds in the tree are laughing at me, being carried into the house like a wimp. I am sooooo going to poop on her pillow!

signed, a very pissed off Petie.

P.s.,
in case you're wondering, I have tied my human up in the basement, and will let her out when I see fit.

try this out

2008-12-23T12:20:00.001-05:00

THE LITTLE BUGGER IS HARD TO BEAT! Santa Checkers

JUST FOR SOME FUN...

2008-12-23T12:13:00.002-05:00

Mom sent me this in an email. I figured I could adapt it to my blog. Type your sentance in the comments, it's pretty fun!

I jumped on a phone, becasue I'm NOT crazy.....

Pick the month you were born:

January-------I kicked

February------I loved

March--------I karate chopped

April----------I licked

May----------I jumped on

June----------I smelled

July-----------I did the Macarena With

August--------I had lunch with

September----I danced with

October-------I sang to

November-----I yelled at

December-----I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:

1-------a birdbath

2-------a monster

3-------a phone

4-------a fork

5-------a snowman

6-------a gangster

7---- ---my mobile phone

8-------my dog

9-------my best friends' boyfriend

10-------my neighbor

11-------my science teacher

12-------a banana

13-------a fireman

14-------a stuffed animal

15-------a goat

16-------a pickle

17-------your mom

18-------a spoon

19------ - a smurf

20-------a baseball bat

21-------a ninja

22-------Chuck Norris

23-------a noodle

24-------a squirrel

25-------a football player

26-------my sister

27-------my brother

28-------an iPod

29-------a surfer

30-------a homeless guy

31-------a llama

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:

White---------because I'm cool like that

Black---------because that's how I roll.

Pink-----------because I'm NOT crazy.

Red-----------because the voices told me to.

Blue-----------because I'm sexy and I do what I want

Green---------because I think I need some serious help.

Purple---------because I'm AWESOME!

Gray----------because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.

Yellow--------because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars

Orange --------because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.

Brown---------because I can.

Other----------because I'm a Ninja!
None----------because I can't control myself!

Now type out the sentence you made

It's Dec 21, How excited are

2008-12-21T16:56:00.005-05:00

your kids?? Alex is so excited, he can't stand himself! He has been counting down, and getting into the "shopping season" himself. Myself, it has been a busy few weeks.
We got the tree and got it up and decorated. Hassle free this year. Not sure what we did right, but it was an enjoyable tree experience.

we took the kids to see Santa. Man, talk about anticipation!! When he asked the kids what they wanted, Alex rattled off a list a mile long. Kimberly told him one thing, and Ethan looked at the man in red like he had three heads. I am not sure I could be a mall Santa...(Even if I were the right gender) If I think about it long enough, I will go into convulsions, so I will let someone else do that job, I'll just take the pics.

not to mention, they cost an arm and a leg to purchase. OY! 21.95 for 2 5 x 7's. Sheeish. I remember when Alex was little, you could just "visit" santa, and mom could take all the pics she wanted.....egads.
ok, next on my busy, busy schedule... torment PEtie. I know I post a lot about the cat. And, I can't just post about the kids, so this is whet I did, I boutght him an elf costume. He was not HALF as amused as I was.lol He had the hat and collar on for about 2.5 seconds. look closely at his paw, you'll see him giving me a furrry middle finger!
and lastly, I took the kids to get their pictures taken for christmas. I will say thing, they looked great! The boys wore their suits, and Kimberly wore the dress she wore in the wedding. (her wedding dress) I have no photo to show you, since they would not let me take pics in there.....
so for now, I have 4 days to finish baking, finish christmas presents, and wrap the ones for the kids. Anyone want to help with the wrapping??

it's the season

2008-12-19T08:19:00.005-05:00

for miracles, and a little bit of humility and compassion. I read this post, for a gent, who is sick and needs some good wishes. I got it from Jada (thanks jada!) from SCS. Here's the deal-io. It was the goal on scs to send Nick at least 100 cards of get well wishes, and give him the courage to get through these next few weeks. His story is truly amazing, and he is an awe inspiring individual. I am posting a link to his caring page, so you can see for yourself. So, if you can take a moment, and send soemone a holiday wish, who could REALLY use it. Him and his wife and their two little children. SHould you choose to visit his page, keep a box of kleenex handy, the strength he has exibited, will move you!
check out NICK

eta: Nicks info.
Nick Graham (Family: Katie, Evan and Nate)
960 Westwell Run
Alpharetta GA 30022

so, what do you get, when

2008-12-07T22:46:00.004-05:00

you take a fat,lazy,freshly woken up from an afternoon slumber kitty, and a bunch of birdies out for an afternoon lunch? Stuck... LOL. Yup. Petie woke up from his snooze and ypwled at the door. We let him out, since it was afterall, the afternoon. He spied the birds in the tree, on the feeder. He did the whole hiney wiggle, get ready to attack stance (but his bloomers kept wiggling, long after the hiney stopped. Obviously, he hasn't called Jenny yet). With skill and grace, to charged at and scaled the tree. Rather well, I might add. He was after those twittering little birds. I think he thought he was going to get a snack. What did he get? Bark up in his manicure. lol He kept climbing. and climbing. We stood at the front door, and watched. Then he stopped. There was a chickadee flying around him, giving him what for, for disturbing her lunch.( apparently she has not met petie-turned-chain-saw ) or those of you who have not been to my house, know that the arbor you see in the photo is about 7 feet below the tree branch where Petie is perched. (I never claimed my cat was smart. Funny, outrageous, and a *bit* tempermental, but never smart) This is where the hubs and I shook our heads, and called him a dumb ass and waited for him to try and come down, with out breaking his little petie neck. I am suprised that the branch held all 11 lbs of him, and did not strain under the weight.

the Ick had landed...

2008-12-05T09:01:00.002-05:00

yup. Alex came home from school two days in a row and told us that kids had vomited in the lunchroom, class room, etc.
last night, he came home from school and sat on the couch. (OY) for those of you who know Alex, know he is not one to sit still.... He asked to lay on my bed..... (again, he only lays down under protest...)
it started around 4 30, until around 12 30. I am hoping he is ok today, he doesnt want to eat or drink anything. I did buy icepops and jello for later, when he feels better....~sigh.one down, two to go.....

If Petie were a bum...

2008-12-02T11:07:00.004-05:00

this is what he would look like, sleeping at night. minus the comfy couch of coarse....

and, he would have to use a different paper, I dont think the hubs would be willing to give up his favorite tool paper....

"Nut-trackah's"

2008-12-01T20:25:00.004-05:00

as Ethan fondly refers to them.

thought you might like to see what all the fuss was about. This is one collection, that does not include the 2 other shelves.....

Let the Frenzy begin...

2008-12-01T08:56:00.002-05:00

so Thanks giving is over. One large 23 pound bird and a house full of comapny later, I am ready for the Christmas season. This was kicked off for me, by shopping on Black friday. I love watching all the insane people out there on that one day. I got up at 4:15 a.m. (yes, that time DOES exist, and I saw it) and I was very amused to get my sister and my nephew up at that hour. (they are NOT morning people). I kept referring to it as "fun friday", since black friday seemed a bit harsh. lol
Dana played at a bar called "Big Heads" on Saturday, and on SUnday, we put up some decorations. The trains are up and running in full force. They look cool, and the kids are thrilled for them to be up and running. I put up all 80 gagillion nutcrackers I have. As much as I joke about having so many (thanks Mom) I actually like them. They do look kind of cool. I for get the exact number, I lost count after 90. They have become a tradition in our home, and the kids get excited seeing them come out every year. what are your traditions?

The story of Petie

2008-11-18T07:50:00.003-05:00

Many of you know how Petie came into our lives, but some of you don't. I thought perhaps I should share our story, as I think it is sort of special, not the typical "i got this kitty at a breeder, or a petshop, or some kid at kmart was giving them away" kind of story.
in October of 2006, my FIL suddenly passed away. October 3. :( It was unseasonably cold up in the poconos then, probably in the 40's. Not the norm, even for the artic tundra up there. When we buried my FIL, it way a cold, blustry day. As we were standing graveside, infront of the casket, this beat up Monarch butterfly flew (rather warbly like) to the flowers and he stayed there. It did not leave, until we all did. Odd, but it was colder than blazes, maybe it was seeking shelter from the wind?
fast foreward a year, to 2007, october 3.
I find Petie, under Dh's firebird. I pick him up (ok, there was a long process, to extraxt said kitty from the back axle, and a 6 ft woman shimming UNDER said firebird to rescue said kitty but that is a story in of its self) ANYHOW, I gave him some milk, and fed him, and I sat on the deck cuddling with him, the whole time trying not to get attached, because I was not so sure that dh would be very receptive to add another kitty to the three we had. Ok, so as I said, I was sitting there petting him, and inbetween he and I a beat up, Monarch butterfly flew, rather warbly like. I looked up at the sky and I said "all right dad, I get it, we're keeping the cat." So, there it is, the story of how Petie barged into our lives. (He's been barging ever since) lol.
he is dozing next to me, rather happy, since I just gave him some cat food (from the can) which he never gets, but needs for his medicine.
I have enough stoires of Petie to write a book. lol- anyone ho owns at cat- scratch that, any cat that ons a human has enough stories to fill a book.....
p.s.- when he was little, you could radio Moscow with those ears!

Petie + Vet =

2008-11-17T10:20:00.003-05:00

DISASTER! On Friday, Petie needed to go to the vet. His eyes were weepy, and the third eyelid was visible. I thought it was just a kitty cold, but.... i wanted to make sure.
I do not have a kitty carrier. (DUH!), so I put a dog leash on Petie, and a death grip hold and mom and I ventured to the vet's. Not so bad, Petie was actually good in the car, he just stood on my lap. (good kitty).
Enter the vet....
since I did not have a carrier, one of the techs put him in a room, so I could fill out the paper work. Mom offered to wait in the room with him. I bring him in, unhook the leash, and walk out. A few moments later I am ready to go sit with him. I look through the little glass piece in the door, and mom just pointed up. Huh? So I look up, and sure enough, there is Petie, perched on the top of the cabinets.-looking all kinds of pissed off, let me add.
I open the door, and went to the counter. I called him and patted the counter, and he came down from his perch. (Good kitty.)
as soon as my back was turned, He hopped right back up to where he was. (bad kitty)
The tech comes in with a step stool to reach him. (apparently not everyone is 9 feet tall like me) so I sit and watch. As she climbs up, petie's ears flatten. I mean, I did not know ears could get that flat. As she reaches for him, he rolls backward, into the corner of the wall, so he is hard to get. (bad kitty) she gets the scruff of his neck, and is sliding him foreword so she can get a better grip on him, bring him down to the counter and take some vitals. I hear this noise, this low guttural growl. Yup, it came from Petie.(bad kitty) MY PETIE. My sweet, bird catching, mouse hunting Petie. Now only did he growl at the tech, but he hissed and spit and I think he would have tried to smack her, but since she had his scruff, he was not able to move the arms real well.she plops his chubby butt on the scale. He weighed in at 10.14. Yowza. Fat thing. all the while, he is growling at her. She decides she has all the information she needs, and she leaves. I think that I can bring some type of comfort to my recently violated kitty, I pick him up and move to the chair I was sitting at. He hissed. He spit. He dug the ever lovin snot out of my hand. I released him off my lap and he jumped up on the counter, just as the vet came in.
If petie thought he was violated before, he was in for a HUGE surprise as far as what would happen next. The tech (a less timid one) came in with the vet. She was trying to hold him still so the vet could look in his mouth. (mistake, big mistake) Petie turned in to a fuzzy chain saw. All the while growling, hissing, spitting, and smacking at anything he can reach.(bad, bad kitty) The tech releases him, and the vet is trying to soothingly talk to him (he was giving her a furry middle finger...)
the tech comes back in, this time, armed with Kevlar gloves. You know, the kind that they use when going after wild dogs? Police training? yup. those. She puts them on, and tries to hold Petie. (activate chainsaw mode again) she leaves the room, and comes back with a towel. They throw that over Petie so he can "hide", all that did was provide him some further ambush.... he is holding him, and out come two buzz saws. scratching and growling... (bad, bad kitty). The tech made a move, and he got her again. this time he snagged her shirt. Now, Petie is on the counter, under the towel, one arm hooked into her shirt, the other one looking for something else to snag. Now, at this point I feel like I should do something to help the already bleeding tech. (he got her arm)I stand up, and walk to where said chainsaws were poking out. now, I know he is thoroughly pissed, and will strike me as, well, so I stretch my arm out, and push her shirt down away from the claw and run for cover. They finish with him, then tech leaves and the vet tries to talk to me over a VERY angry, growly Petie. I asked her if I could have a cardboard box carrier that they had, since there was NO WAY I was going with in a foot of him. The Kevlar clad tech brought in the box, set one very pissed off kitty inside and closed the lid. (phew).
it all boils down to... Petie has a kitty cold. And we found out he has a split personality!

Ethan and Pig

2008-11-10T13:42:00.003-05:00

are three today. Three. Wow. three. We made a cake earlier today. I borrowed a cake pan from my friend Megan, and tried my hand. Tried and failed. Two things were awry. 1. I over filled watch of the little cup cake pieces, and they all kinds of cooked together. No big deal right? I could cut them down. OK, #2 is where the REAL trouble started. Let me preface this by saying it is a silicone pan. I turn it upside down on the bakers rack and was going to pop out the pieces. seems simple and easy enough, right? WRONG. I forgot to spray the pan with Pam. My friend Christina was HIGHLY amused by this fact....she informed me, that was a part of baking 101.... back to the drawing board. (OY)
Try #2, I got this:

this is what Ethan did tonight.

2008-11-09T19:55:00.002-05:00

nice, huh?

ETA: Beth and Jay stopped by, and jay applied Derma bond!!! Jay and Beth are both EMT's. Phew. Thanks Guys!!!

there are not

2008-11-07T18:47:00.004-05:00

many days left, that the leaves will ACTUALLY be on the trees. For the time being, I will enjoy it. We walk home from school almost every day, and today, there was a spot I saw that I just had to stop and take pics of the kids. It was this really pretty maple tree, which was a great shade of gold. If my children were darker, it would have been stunning. by darker, I mean hair color. The little n=boy I watch had dark hair, and his pics came out great.
Yet I digress.
In other mundane-ness, this would mark the first day, that Kimberly has left her socks on ALL day. Shaking my head, b/c she is usually barefoot the minute she gets in the door. goofy kid. Tonight, I made brownies, nestlie toll house pie and dinner. Well, ok, I make dinner EVERY nite, so tonight was no different. Dana is going to pick up ice cream on his way home. YUM.
Tomorrow, we are having dinner with Keith, Jen and Phil. I made my sauce the other day, so we are having "Italian night"- I will make chicken parm, we will have meat balls, sausage, short ribs and eggs in the sauce. Gluttony all around. Maybe I'll save some pie for then.... NAAAAAAHHHHHHH.
Hope your weekend is filled with yummy goodness! :)
And, what post would be complete with out at least a pic of Petie??

I went

2008-11-07T12:22:00.002-05:00

to the grocery store, for the fourth time this week... I needed milk and such. Anyhow I have the two little ones with me, and we went home. I get them in the house and I had a few bags in my hand. I go outside to finish taking it the est of the bags. Kimberly came to the door and called my name, so I reached into the back of the truck with out looking. All that was in ther ewas groceries, right? WRONG! It kind of startled me when i put my hand into something fuzzy. Crap, now what? I jumped and yanked my hand out, just too see Petie sitting on his hind feet, with his paws on the back of the hatch. He jumped into the truck when we went inside. (I forgot he was out there)<>
This was almost as funny to see, as him jumping in the pile of leaves I raked up. I swear he is NOT a cat. he is alien... or somethin'....

so, I was

2008-11-05T21:14:00.003-05:00

making my homemade pasta sauce tonight. I make it from scratch. Well, ok not like Patti does with the smushing and cooking of tomatoes, and all. I buy the ingredients and then go from there. Yet I digress. I had spaghetti for dinner with the newly made sauce, and while cleaning off the dining room table, I came across Kimberly's new barbie. It didn't belong on the table, so I tossed it on the couch. Fast foreword to dinner clean up and now time to process the jars of sauce, I walk into the living room, on my way to get a dish towel, and this was the site I see:
Lover boy and his new dream girl~! Looks like he has her right where he wants her!

14 Quarts and 3 pints of sauce later, I am sitting with my feet up. petie and his new girl are in his crack den down in the basement, currently toes up form the cat nip high. it's good to be the king, no?

ever have one

2008-11-05T14:15:00.002-05:00

of those days, when things are just crazy, and you feel like you are at the end of your rope? That was me on Sunday. It was a day of craziness, and then dh had band practice. Super. I love that Dh plays in a band, and he is VERY good at what he does, but Sunday an extra set of hands would have been fabulous. I made dinner and while cleaning up, I hear a commotion in the living room, and a bunch of giggling. Usually, when all three are giggling, they are up to something.-and it usually isn't a good thing. I was getting ready to yell "hey, what's going on in there" but I decided, save the vocal chords and like a sane person, walk in and see what is going on to cause fits of laughter. Alex greets in at the edge of the living room, laughing and saying "mom, we're the three witches!" "get it three WHHHHITCHES??" (no, I didn't get it) but could not help but smile to see all three of them, with hats on their heads, and pretending to fly around the room. No matter what, they were the cutest little witches!!

Happy Birthday, Baby.

2008-11-04T20:51:00.005-05:00

Five years ago today, I was in the hospital, recovering from a c section, and holding a beautiful little girl. Well,ok, not holding, since I had anestesia, I was not aloud to have her by my self for 24 hours, incase something happened. BUT, she was in her isolet, next to my bed, until the nurses wheeled her away. I remember feeling blessed and overwelmed over having a girl. Would I ever live up to being a good mom? Would she like the same things as me? would we get along? Would I botch things up beyond repair? I was good with having a boy, they are a easier breed when they are little. I thanksed my lucky stars after a difficult pregnancy that she arrived, all 7lb 5oz of her, perfect, formed and healthy. We fell into a routine rather quickly, although I thought she would never sleep through the night, it took her until 4 1/2 months to hit 12 lbs. It all worked out just fine. :)
Five years later. man, they went by in a blink. Today I have a little girl with attitude in spades and independance enough for a small country. There is something that melts my heart, everytime I hear it. It's when she calls me Mama. I don't know where she picked that up from, Alex and Etahn do not call me Mama. Dana doesn't call me Mama (excpet if it is hot mama, and that is NEVER in front of the kids lol, I know, I know TMI.) Mama, I scrap wit jew? mama, I love you. Mama, I need hep. Mama, I stamp wit jew? Mama, I can do-it-my-slef! (there is the independent streak) Mama, am I a princen? (princess) Mama, I'm a badadina. (ballerina)~sigh.
mama, you're the BEST cooker, EVER! (only when I cook plain pasta noodles for her, no sauce no meatballs- in that order)
Don't get me wrong, there are day when I would like to pull out every strand of my hair, one by one, but not always. I think that comes with being a mom.
Today, I made her a cake-pink. her favorite color. Then I frosted it purple.(her other favorite color) thought you might like to see her cake- it was Dana's idea to put on 36 candles. And just for the record, I forgot the ice cream for this too!!!

B.R.A.T.

2008-11-04T07:40:00.003-05:00

That's right, I said it. BRAT. Petie is a big, fat BRAT. (OK, maybe not so fat)
Yesterday, I made myself a nice ham and cheese sandwich for lunch. My neighbor came over to give Kimberly a card for her birthday, and when I answered the door, Petie scooted in the house. It wasn't long after that, my neighbor left, and there was a "crisis" with Kimberly and a dolly she has. (The dress would not go on) so, I went to her aide, and when I came out of her room I saw this:
the little bugger was eating MY lunch! do I ever eat his lunch? NO!!! Good thing he"s cute.

so, every time

2008-11-03T10:24:00.007-05:00

we go some where and Petie sees us outside, he decides he is going to show off. This past Saturday was no different. I put the kids in the truck, and turned around to go back on the sidewalk. When I did, I saw Petie race up the willow tree in the front yard. He scaled the trunk with ease, and then he started to climb out the one branch. It was not a super huge branch, but a small one. The whole time I was watching him, I saw him teeter back and forth the whole time I was thinking I would see him fall and test the whole "cat's land on their feet theory" but that was not the case. He got the the very end, and started back down. I ran into get my camera, so you could see how insane he was, but by the time I got back out, he was almost down.
notice the concentration on his little face...

Once at the bottom of the tree, he gave off this aloof indifference attitude.

that is, until Dana opened up the front door and shook the kitty treat bag... I guess every man has his price, no?

Happy halloween...

2008-10-31T19:11:00.003-04:00

it is 7:11. We have been out, tricked and treated and now we are home. We are now enjoying seeing all the dressed up kids. Kimberly was a witch, and a very cute one at that, and, highlight of her night, she got to wear REAL "lipsticks"... Alex, was Beetle juice, and Ethan instead of being a "pooky pider" decided he was going to be a kid. lol. It worked. There's always next year. Of coarse, what would Halloween on Elm street be, with out trick or treating for the adults?? How about a shot of wild turkey and a beer chaser?? (how bad can it be, really?) That's my neighbor Phil. Gotta Love Elm street. Any occasion is an excuse for a few shots and a few beers. Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Mother's day....you know, the non traditional holidays. Oh, let's not forget President's day. And, I must say, arbor day is way under celebrated.....- just sayin'. Petie is ticked off, because he is now held against his better judgement in our bedroom. He is being held captive, not because I am afraid someone is going to harm him in any way, but last year, he would hide behind the willow tree, and attack the halloweener's. I swear he is manic. I mean seriously. How many cats attack little harmless kids in costumes?? Petie. All I can do is just shake my head.

this is a bit late, but...

2008-10-31T16:15:00.004-04:00

better late than never...

When Ethan was sick, he was sent flowers by his grandma. He LOVEd the planter. It is a car, that actually works. The plant is on my kitchen counter, since that did not hold as much appeal (sorry mom). It also had an alligator on it as well. The alliator is on his shelf. the car is played with every day. :)

so....what

2008-10-30T09:25:00.001-04:00

type are you???

You Are Candy Corn

Your Halloween personality is whimsical, colorful, and creative.

You see Halloween as a time to get your creative juices flowing.

Each year, Halloween can't start soon enough for you.

You tend to go all out for Halloween. You decorate like crazy and always dress up.

What Halloween Treat Are You?

blog candy

2008-10-29T12:19:00.003-04:00

overload! I saw this one, and it is super ca-ute. Oh my cup-caked goodness!!!
check out these eyeclopse night vision giveaway... kinda cool!check out bitten by books herecheck them out...and thanks Pam, for the links!

Ethan's harum

2008-10-29T11:17:00.002-04:00

of pigs... He got a collection, and they are well loved.... Hope shnnon is enjoying her mixer as much!

aren't

2008-10-29T11:09:00.002-04:00

cats supposed to AVOID water?? Silly cat, there was a water bowl filled with fresh water in the kitchen. Was that good enough for Petie?? Noooooooo. He yowled at the back door to go out. I opened it, and he hopped up on the table outside. You can see by the container, it is rather full. it was that was yesterday. The goofy thing paws the water- I mean submerges the paw int he water, then puts his nose in (usually to far, and gets a nose full of water) then he drinks. Part of me would love to be invisible, and just set him off balance to he ends up in the water....
yesterday, he did this with the container of water, then jumped and tried to attack the umbrella. That backfired on him, since that was very wet as well, and he got doused with water! serves him right, for attacking things he ought not to be attacking!

hey- check this out...

2008-10-29T08:59:00.002-04:00

it is the cutest little necklace, and if you go here you can see it. you need to see the other beads, they are adorable!!

On other news, Ethan seems to have come out of this just fine. Breathing treatments are finished, and he is bouncing around like normal. I can't believe he and Kimberly have birthdays coming up int he next few weeks... amazing how time flies, no??

I need to upload some pics, my friend marlene gave Ethan some of her daughter's pig collection, and his crib is filled, and he needs them all to go to bed at night. Tell Shannon, they are well loved. ALL of them.lol
I am going to go searching for soem blog candy, so you should be seeing some links soon!1