Kitty Litter ~ An Update

Looks like I will have to put up with the worn path to the toilet, and kitty litter stuck between my toes....

.... the Snaps... is fine!

Babes In Diaper Land

Oops, Lane thinks the water's too cold!

Evan wants to play some ball!

Lane

Ezra, always happy!

Keelyn, Hunter, Lane, Evan & Ezra

Just look at these beautiful babes in diaperland...

My nephew, great-nephews and niece.. all in diapers.. or nothing at all! Aren't they cute?!

Mister Snapper The Cat

mister snapper the cat is in the hospital
has a blockage in his man-cat parts
i thought briefly about just waiting it out
laid in bed thinking about what to do
then realized I really had to pee
then thought how mister snapper must feel the same way
only much, much worse
I got out of bed, looked online about cats and UTI's
cats with blockages can die within 24-48 hours
so then I grabbed the phone book and called his vet
they said bring him in RIGHT NOW, and by the way that will be an extra 60 bucks because its an emergency
sure enough, mister snapper had blockage and they needed to operate right away

so we are waiting to hear now how he did in surgery

I feel bad for waiting and deliberating on what to do
my pets are all getting old and starting to have problems
but I do love them

On the paperwork I had to check which box applies:
is your animal ______family_______companion_______pet
I didn't hesitate to mark the "family" box

mister snapper is a manly cat
he likes his toilet water
and he likes to sit in the window
and sometimes sneaks out side to eat grass and lay in the sun
or perch near the birdbath
he's become much more cuddly in his older years

I nursed his broken hip when he fell off the roof (or its possible the ex accidentally backed over him)
he liked to bring me presents of freshly chewed shrews
he proudly held them in his mouth and then flung them in the air
poor things
and at night he would climb the roof and sit by the boys bedroom window upstairs

he's a great cat
you think about all this stuff when your "pet" gets sick

I suppose had they told me it would cost a gazillion bucks to fix him, I'd have tried to come up with the money to make him better
but luckily they charged a fair rate, less than I expected actually

mister snapper's supposed to come home monday
let's hope the news is good!

Beloved Zinnias!

I was going to write about the ants invading my kitchen like wildfire on dry trees. I was going to write about this blasted heat wave... I no longer do well in summer. I was going to write about how I found out someone has invaded my privacy and has gotten into my email account. I was going to blast about tolerating ants and heat, but not hackers. Or more like stalkers.

But since there's nothing else I can do but be mindful, watchful and... change my password.... I'm going to treat myself to something more soothing and which I dearly love: ZINNIA'S.

Zinnia's are my favorite flower. They are easy to grow, easy to keep. They bloom for as long as you let them. If you cut them, they bloom even more. They don't ask for much, just some water. They come in all shapes and sizes and colors of the rainbow. They are blissful! I love to watch how some will turn their head to follow the sun. But mostly I love how they change as they open. They start out as a big, round bulbish bud. Then they start to open and look like FIREWORKS as the leaves pop out. Then the leaves unfold and they are GLORIOUS! And then the middle pops up like a dome and then these sweet little flowers circle around the dome like a garland. SPLENDID!

Aren't they wonderful? Inspiring?

Smacking an ant off my shoulder, while fanning myself as I sit here. I feel better already.

Sign of the Times ~ How Time Flies

This lovely tranquil spot happens to be where I take my night class. We have a break and I come out here and enjoy the serenity.

RELAY FOR LIFE, my sister is a survivor!

This is my sister Kitty's luminary at the Relay For Life. (more on that soon!)

Sign of the Times

A sure sign of the times... we are all so busy we don't even have time for each other. But, do make time for what is important to you for TIME IS SHORT! I always joke that "Life is like a roll of toilet paper ~ the closer you get to the end, the faster it seems to go." Isn't that so true?

So I've decided to go back to school, because I STILL don't really know what I want to be when I grow up... but at least I am heading in a positive direction and I'm really proud that I ACTUALLY am doing it. I tried to talk myself out of it. I said outloud that I didn't know if I could do it. My sister and my niece said "YES YOU CAN!!!" And then when the financial aid seemed like it wasn't going to go through in time, I almost was glad... (it did come through in time) but then I realized that I NEEDED to go out of my comfort zone and do this. Part of it was my mindset that I might not be smart enough. But most of it was that I was just AFRAID to try it, to jump forward, to leap into the unknown. And of course now I am glad that I am doing it. IT'S HARD! It requires a lot of organization, planning, concentration. Not to mention juggling... juggling family time, cleaning the house, sleeping, homework, class time (on Thursdays I am in class for 6 hours) and the absolute knowledge that it is CERTAINLY TRUE what they tell you, that for every hour of class you should expect 2 hours of homework.

So, I am making the time, (and the leap!) into college. For me, for my family, for my future! Step outside of your comfort zone ~ there's a lot of life there waiting for you!

WOO HOO

Graduations, Promotions, and squirrels!

Camping spot at Sunnyside. Oregon is SO pretty!

5th grade promotion

This charming fellow is my great nephew. Drinking SODA??!!!

Easily amused!

This guy wants to join in the fun!

AFTER he ate the Pringles....

and, BEFORE he ate the Pringles....

It's been a busy month!

My oldest graduated from high school in early June, top of his class. Received the Presidential Award! My youngest has been promoted on to middle school. I'm officially on vacation from my school job, so now I will go back to college, summer term! My middle son wants to get his drivers permit! Oh Lordy I'm busy! But happy!

This last weekend I went camping with my sister, daughter and great-niece. Just us girls! All went well until I woke up in the middle of the night to ABSOLUTE SILENCE! Mind you, my house is right by the freeway so I've gotten used to the (loud!) traffic 24/7, but never thought I'd have trouble sleeping with no noise. Then there was the sound of crunching leaves/twigs right outside our tent. Have I ever told you I am a big CHICKEN? Afraid of the dark, I am!

I was never so happy to see the sun rise as that morning. Now I feel silly....

My sister and I entertained ourselves by tempting a squirrel (or is this a chipmunk?) into a PRINGLES can and watching it stuff 6 or 7 or 8 red grapes into its cheeks. That was our fun.

Then there's this sweet old dog I currently have listed for sale on Ebay (thanknukindly) that would just LOVE to chase after one of those squirrely squirrels.

Summer's going to be great! School, fun, relaxing, spending time with family. Wonderful!

Finally, the end to a great day: FOOD!

These are the backs of the antique stores we were in.

A view going out of town. Yes, OREGON!

My favorite house in Silverton. What's it's story? Can I come live there?

My dinner: teriyaki chicken breast with pineapple salsa, fresh squash veggies and baked red potatoes and a tall glass of iced tea. Looked good enough to eat! So I did! Oh MAN, was it GOOOOOOOOOOOD! (5 stars!)

And, 80 degrees at sunset OVER the river is where we sat to eat this delicious meal! Can life get much better than that?

Silver Grill in Silverton, Oregon

A wonderful, high class restaurant, yet casual enough you can walk in comfortably in jeans.

A surprisingly affordable menu.

And... absolutely delicious food to boot!

Great staff! Great view overlooking the Silver River.

Another must stop!