We-love-Hobbes-Thursday, but we love Grace too

I'm thinking Grace is feeling pretty darn good if she can do this. Ugh. She's like SuperCat now--all medicated up with antibiotics and pain meds and doing wacky stuff. It's like she is a kitten again.

I guess she's gonna make it after all. Not that I was panicking or anything.....

I love when the vet asks you whether you want the meds in liquid or pill form. Uh--do I want to find that darn white dot everywhere in the house but in the cat's throat, or do I want to be tasting cat antibiotics all day long because I'm wearing on my skin? It's the Russian Roulette of cat meds, and it's never easy or pretty.

Poor Grace--or poor me. I'm not sure who has it worse--the one who gets this stuff crammed down their throat or the one who gets all scratched up doing the cramming. Neither job is pretty and both of us eye each other warily every 12 hours, wondering when the next adventure begins.

Thank goodness we only have a day or so more of this fun.

Pardon My Wings...

As I pulled the covers up over me the other night, Joe made this scary announcement:

"I'm going commando tonight."

Uh, yeah/no. So I stopped tugging the covers and just looked him with that "What the hell did you just say?" look.

And then explained his weird self. He's had a cold for over a week and has been going to bed under the influence of NyQuil each night to try and get a good night's rest. This was the night he was going cold turkey--cutting himself off the nightly NyQuil addiction. Ohhhhh.

But did he have to use the term "commando"??? Ewwww. I think I whacked him for scaring me like that.

So, while Joe has been sick, I've been extra nice to him. I didn't ask him to wash walls or start the spring cleaning on the weekends. I've been doing the laundry and we've been carrying out dinner a bit more than usual--sparing him kitchen detail. And being the angel I am, I didn't even ask him once to give me a back rub with those germy hands he's got going on there--I'm just caring like that.

I thought it was ironic that while I was in the midst of being so darn thoughtful, Chuck made this photo at Photofunia.com and sent it to me.

Perfect Timing.

One Book/One Blog

Well, not really. It's more like One Book/a Bunch of Blogs--it just sounds better the other way.

I met some new pallies a week or so ago when I joined in on The Bumbles blog chat to discuss things like wacky books we love and bizarre uses for duct tape. I was warmly welcomed by Molly and the rest of the gang and I found out they are as wacky as I am, so that's good. I also really liked their idea of us all reading one book and discussing it in a month or so.

Put on the spot, I offered up a good book suggestion by G'ma Phyl--"Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford. Now, the deal is that we all have to read the book and then come back on April 22, 8:30 p.m. ET at The Bumbles blog for a book chat. You can also write your own review of the book and link it (see Molly's blog) for everyone else to read.

Anybody else in?? I think I wrangled Nancy to join us, but we are looking for more pallies to join in the fun. (wink. wink. Taylor at Wittenburg)

Check out Molly's blog for the dirty details on the book, the chat, and who's in already. It might be fun to meet some new pallies AND have a good excuse to read a good book.

And if you just want to join us to tell us your suggestions for duct tape uses, you can do that too.

It's Grace's Turn

Sunday brought me to recovery from too much wine and laughter from the night before and a little visit from G'ma Phyl. I love Sundays for that whole catch-up-before-the-week-ahead kinda feeling. And most times, I sneak a little nap in the day as well. I like the "quiet before the storm"--IF it is quiet....

About an hour after G'ma Phyl left yesterday, Grace decided that she was gonna get sick. Sick enough that it prompted us to rush her to the Emergency Vet that costs like a cabillion dollars. But I was worried, so we packed her up and rushed her over. Cost wasn't in the forefront of my mind at the moment.

I love Grace for her "no drama" kinda attitude, but she scared the bajeepers outta me yesterday. And that emergency trip to the vet is never an easy one. Grace was peeing blood and just acting very weird--never a good sign. I had every doom and gloom scenario playing in my mind as we sat waiting for the doctor.

She's fine, we hope. The doctor seems to feel it is a urinary tract infection and she should be on the road to recovery as early as today if all goes well. Being that she had absolutely no signs of illness hours before she got sick, I'm thinking we caught it early. I sure hope so. Keep your fingers crossed--that's my girl I'm worried about.

I hate those emergency vet places--everyone is usually freaked out there. I was in tears just listening to one woman losing it over the news that her dear dog friend had to be put down. Gees, I felt for her. I've been there more than I care to remember. I just wanted to hug that poor woman, but I'm sure Joe would have freaked with me doing that to a stranger.

So, I didn't hug her, instead we played "Veterinary Showcase Showdown". That's where you sit in the waiting room, waiting to see how high your bill is for the visit. You take a guess at the bill and whoever is closest, without going over, is the winner. It's extra tough with those emergency vets because everything is jacked up sky-high because they are, well.......emergency vets.

I guessed $235. Joe low-balled me at $175. The final bill was a lovely $207.

Damn. Joe won because he didn't overbid. I conceded, told him he was the winner and announced that his prize was that he could pay the bill. Lucky him. The lady at the counter just looked at us like we were nuts. And that is saying something because I'm thinking she sees all kinds of weird stuff working at the emergency vet clinic.

Sigh. Yeah, thanks to Grace, we had all kinds of fun yesterday.

.....Dead

Joe takes the train from a neighboring town, so when he's at the train station, he grabs their local newspaper to see what's going on there. It's got your typical local news, ads, obituaries, and such, but this issue was jam-packed with political campaign information and interviews with various candidates.

Two pages of the paper featured columns of candidates--name at the top, photo, then a brief description of what they were running for and their platform. One such candidate stood out to Joe: (click to enlarge)

With all due respect to Joanne, somebody at the editor's desk was a-snoozin' and gave me a giggle.

Frog Count - Spring

It's that time of year when the frogs pop up to see if it is spring yet. They are hard to see amongst the dead leaves and grasses that float in the pond, but they are there, hoping the sun is warm, just like you and I.

It is also the time of year that I dread with the frogs. I do a daily headcount, hoping that everyone made it over the long winter. I open the skimmer, slowly, for fear of what I may find in there. Every so often somebody sneaks in there thinking it is a good place to slumber. Yeah/no. I don't think there were any casualties this year.

When the frogs come up in spring, they are an icky black color. They need the warm sun and water to turn that lovely iridescent green color that I love. They are also pretty skinny. But that said, it is still good to see their faces breaking the surface of the water and hopping out to warm themselves on warm days. They are anxious for sunshine, flowers and butterflies just like we are.

Okay, Vanilla--here's your moment. How many frogs did I have in the fall? See, I can never remember, try as I might. I'm thinking it was 8, but I'm not sure. I'm counting on you, pally.

Shield Your Eyes, Beto

I was standing at the mailboxes at work when Samantha opened the envelope from her sister.

"ZUMBA!" she yells, and I'm thinking it's some ethnic 'hooray' or something. And I had to see what the fuss was all about. I was really hoping it was something good.

Nope. It's exercise DVD's with latin dance music and some killer moves. And she proceeds to rope Irene into making me some copies so I can try it. Try it, I did, and now I want to murder Samantha because my hips are KILLING me.

OMG. Have you ever seen Zumba? It's killer because the music is horribly fast and the moves require a ton of quick foot movements combined with the shaking your hips and waving of your arms. I have to admit to looking like a complete idiot while I do it, but I certainly feel the pain after two short sessions.

"Beto", the Zumba dance host, dances with a gang of gals who all look like Gloria Estefan in street clothes, all the while encouraging me and Em with terms like "Feel the music!" and "Add some flavor!"--whatever the hell that means. Beto sort of creeps me out with his winking eye and his creepy smile, but I dance on.

So, there I stand, in my family room, with my yoga pants on and my tank top rolled up to show my belly like the girls on the video--and it's not looking good. Okay, so I was getting in the spirit of Zumba.....and the music goes on....and on.....and on--horribly long.

And it's not pretty. Em and I try, but we are not Latin. We don't have rhythm or natural hip shakin' like those girls, and we certainly don't have abs like they do--well, at least I don't.

Finally, after 40 minutes of Beto yelling for us to add "flavor", Em turns to me and says "What the hell does that mean anyway?"

I have to admit to her, "Em, we are Lithuanian. We eat potatoes for god sake--we don't have flavor."

And we dance awkwardly on.

I Love Hobbes Thursday

Every so often Hobbes will walk over to where I am sitting and he'll reach up to me with a lone paw. He taps me and mews softly for me to pick him up. It is then that he sits on my lap and purrs while I pet him gently and whisper into the fur on the top of his head how much I love him.

We sit like this for a bit until he decides that he has had enough. Typical of kitties--he turns on and off the love like a light switch. And while I sit there all smug and happy that we are having a nice cuddle, homeboy can turn on a dime--taking a pot-shot at my hand and jumping down with no warning.

Fickle, he is.

March has sort of been like Hobbes lately. It came to us mid-march and tapped us on the shoulder. The warm sunshine felt good on our faces as we sat in its beams and wallowed in it's warmth.

But March is fickle too, as this week brings us back to biting winds, rain and snow. Okay, so if it accumulates, it won't stay for too long, but it still hurts to have it turn like that so quickly. And I thought we were having a nice time, me and March. Sigh.

Oh, March, why have you betrayed us? I like the nice March--the warm and sunny, spring-is-coming March. I do not like the cold and snowy March that jumps off my lap and leaves me with no warning.

Fickle, it is.

Snowdrops and Other Random Stuff

The snowdrops have bloomed! Hooray!! It takes so very little to make me happy, doesn't it? But look how pretty they are. Sigh.

Uh, how come only Casey noticed my wacky beaver face on Monday's post?? Okay, so you had to enlarge it a bit to really appreciate my portrayal of a beaver, but it is there--right next to Baby Emma as "The Goose" and Colin as "The Tiger". We are one talented family.

Maybe you saw it and thought I really looked like that. Maybe you just didn't think it was funny. Or perhaps you were just wondering how long my kids are gonna be in therapy after having me as a mom.

Be sure to stop by Pricilla's blog today. Grace (my cat) has a guest post. Seems the goats of Happy Goats Farm needed a break and the cats took over. There have been special posts by all sorts of famous blogging kitties over there--Sparkle and Daisy are a few. Grace is in good company, eh? And for a change, it isn't Hobbes getting all the attention. Go, Grace!

Today's chuckle:

The Theme Song Gets Worse--if that's possible

There are many blogs out there that have far better graphics, layouts, fancy tabs, and content, but I think the Duck and Wheel With String beats them all when it comes to theme songs. I think you will agree. I mean, who's got talent like this?



And while we've got fancy schmancy tunes here, we've got even better pallies. I mean, who else, at 1:00 a.m., when the world is gettin' you down and you can't sleep, is thinking of the Duck and Wheel?? The pallies, of course.

And if you think the first theme song was bad, please know that it gets worse. This time it includes a horrible pit band, some crappy kid singers, some VERY scary clown masks, and a pathetic audience who actually chimes in with the madness.



You all can thank Merry for that beauty. Don't be blaming me for that tune going through your head all day.

We're Having Fun, Damn It!

It sure was nice having Colin home for the week. Although we didn't have major plans, it was nice to just hang out with the kids and feel like a family again. It's tough having one of them gone--you just miss them.

The week flew by and we decided that we had better plan something to do or it was going to disappear, washed out by Wii battles and eating out. Amazing how time flies when you are doing either....or both.

Saturday gave us the opportunity to plan a family outing--something we all like to do. Of course, with family, somebody has usually got some issue and there are a few rough patches involved. Heck, as I stood battling Em in the middle of the museum, I actually reminisced about the "good old days" when my major gripe was diapers, temper tantrums, and strollers. Sigh. Nothing like family time.

I wonder if we are all the same--if we all head out with great intention of good times and everyone getting along. Then somebody gets their undies in a bunch and it all goes south--even if it is just for a short time. Call us normal, but if we don't have a battle somewhere in the day, we aren't us. Oh, they aren't always a major battle, but damn if creamy vs. crunchy peanut butter doesn't just set someone off to Buzzkill Land.

Kids. Gotta love 'em. And I do--but can we please have just one day where somebody isn't griping? Sheesh.

So, Col went home and I miss him already. And I'm keeping that day at the museum in my heart as a reminder of how nice it is to be the four of us again.

I just block out the miserable parts.

Hope blossoms

My yard is chock full of gardens and I tend to lean towards perennials with a few annuals stuck in there for color. The $4 perennial section at the local garden store is my weakness, and I can't step in there without dropping some major cash. It's like alcohol or cigarettes for some. Me, I am addicted to plants.

Hello. My name is Lin. I am addicted to perennials.

This past fall, I tempted the fates by actually purchasing a couple of bags of bulbs to stick in the ground. Never one to wait, I have never succumbed to the bags of crocus, tulips or daffodils that beckon so many gardeners. Nope. I want action from my plantings and I want them NOW. But last fall, I decided to change course a bit and headed for the bulb digger.

I mumbled and grumbled the entire time I was sinking those bad boys the required 6 inches under the earth. What a pain it was to be kneeling and dropping those wee bulbs in for their winter's nap. "Why am I doing this?" I kept asking myself.

Spring. I did it for spring.

How I longed for snowdrops and crocus to pop up when I was most discouraged and wanting for some sign of life to appear. I was tired of looking for the wee signs of life under all that brown mulch and dead leaves--I wanted color, damn it. And I wanted snowdrops--those glorious little white flowers that wave at you behind mounds of left-over snow.

So, I waited and waited.

Chuck posted lovely crocus and I got jealous. My snowdrops and crocus were nowhere to be seen. How come he has crocus? He's got the same weather we do. Sigh.

Then I got down on my knees to take some photos of Hobbes out in the mulch....and then I saw it--my crocus were coming up!!! Finally.

And I finally understood why everyone loves those damn bulbs so much. It's the fruition that matters. It's the reward that you have waited so long for. It's flowers in the spring after a long winter and all that kneeing around the yard until it hurt in the fall. It's the promise of life to come and the joy of spring.

Okay, I get it. And the crocus haven't begun to bloom yet. I'm just this excited over the darn leaves popping up.

Woodpecker!

We have a small yard in the 'burbs, so there is a utility pole at either end of our property. Most days we don't even notice the conglomeration of wires that encompass our yard, even though they are perching roosts for all types of feathered friends. Yes, they are eyesores, but that is Weirdville--lots of city-living eyesores. It's the price you pay for living in the midst of suburbia.

Grace noticed the utility pole yesterday when a local woodpecker decided that he was gonna make a home out of that beast. Homeboy was drilling for the better part of the afternoon, taking breaks only to visit our suet feeder to fill his fuel tank for more tippy-tapping. It drove the cats NUTS.

And poor Grace spent some time looking like this--looking up like she was gonna scale that pole and make dinner out of that goofy bird.

The woodpecker didn't even notice her down there on the ground--he kept drilling away. Nor did he notice Hobbes who was licking his chops as he swooped down to the suet that was directly above above our Orange Stripey's head. Homeboy was workin' that pole--no time for silly cats.

Sigh.

This is major entertainment at our house--sad, isn't it? Two kitties drooling over some wacky bird pecking away at the utility pole and me, sitting there laughing at them. I'm thinking most other folks wouldn't even notice all of this fun going on.

I Love Hobbes Thursday - Spring!

It's official, spring has arrived--well, according to Hobbes anyway.

The temperatures have reached far beyond freezing and the sun grows warmer by the day, which means Hobbes is out in the yard as much as possible. He rushes outside to greet the singing birds each morning and stumbles in after bidding adieu to the sun each night. That kitty door is getting tons of action these past few days--and so has Hobbes.

I don't know many cats who trust the world around them like Hobbes does, but he can be seen laying belly up out in the mulch, oblivious to the birds and squirrels that chatter warnings and curse his kitty self. Somehow he just knows that they aren't gonna get him and he closes his eyes in quiet confidence.

While I am happy to see the sun and feel it's warmth, Hobbes just wallows in it. If I'm home, he's not--"OUTSIDE!" he demands at every turn. And so he goes just to hang out in the fresh breeze and freedom of the yard.

I hope spring found you this week....or I hope it gets to you soon. According to Hobbes, there is nothing better after a long winter of being indoors.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Guess who's back from a stay at Happy Raccoon Village? If you answered "opossum" you answered incorrectly.

Sigh.

There's only one.....for now.

Miss Lin, Co-ed on Campus

Why do the simplest things in my life turn into major adventures? Can nothing be easy?

Case in point....

I decided to sign up for a Photoshop Elements class at a local community college. I debated the $250 fee, but figured it was money well spent if I actually learned the program instead of wasting the $100 I spent on it initially if I can't use it properly. I'm an idiot and the 2 inch thick book I bought to help me is not working--I need to be shown like a monkey how to work this damn thing.

I tried to enroll on Saturday, but the site wouldn't accept my information saying "We cannot verify this information" and not letting me proceed to the final step to registration. Joe and I went over and over my information, trying to figure out why it would not allow me to register. Sigh. Okay, I'll call on Monday.

Monday comes and I call to register over the phone.

As I give the lady my name and social security number, I'm met with an "Ohhhhhh" on the other end of the line.

"Do you have another name?" she asks.

"Well, I had a maiden name like a hundred years ago, " I say, "but I've taken classes since those days."

"Oh. I'll have to transfer you to Human Resources. Apparently you were an employee here and you have to update your old information with them before I can register you." She tells me in a very serious voice.

What?????! (I think I said that too.)

So, now I'm on the phone with Human Resources--to register for a $250 non-credit just-for-fun class. Really?

And I give the HR dame the story now. And I'm not very happy. And I think that transferred over the phone lines.

"Ohhhhhh. Apparently you worked here..."

"YEAH. WHEN I WAS 18! AND I'M 48 NOW!" I was shouting. "What does this have to do with this silly class that I want to take for fun?"

"Well, since you worked here, you have to update your information with the school....in writing. Do you have email?......" she says seriously.

OMG. I worked as a part-time student aide for 2 semesters over 30 years ago at this school. Why do I have to put in writing that I have gotten married since that time and I now have a married name? This isn't a class for credit or a degree or anything. The hell??! And what does this have to do with HR? And why didn't the Alumni Association make all these changes in my file when they called me last summer? Arrrrggghh.

So I tell the dame "Forget it. I don't want to take the class anymore." and I hang up. I'm infuriated. I think about ditching the whole damn plan, but I don't give up that easily.

And I go back online.

This time, I register in my maiden name and it accepts me. Done. Problem solved. It's just so silly. Why on earth would HR care if I worked there 30 years ago and what my name is now? Can't they just register me with my current information? Have they ever run into a woman who has a married name and a maiden name? Is that really so difficult to handle--for a COLLEGE? Sheesh.

Does everything have to be so difficult or is it just me?


I'm just hoping when they call my name for attendance I know who the hell I am and what name to answer to.

Monday Madness

Maybe it's the time change, but I slept awfully good last night--too good. I didn't want to get up in the morning. But I think it has more to do with the fact that Col is home and I can sleep easier knowing that he is in his own bed and safe. It's a strange thing being a mom.

What is the deal with this time change anyway? Do you really think this is necessary? I don't. I mean, there are parts of the country/world that don't do this and they are just fine. My body is old and I can't be adjusting my sleep like this. Criminy--losing an hour is messin' with me big time. I think I'm gonna wear jammies to work today and bring my pillow for a mid-afternoon nap.

Poor Em was the victim of the boys messing with the laptop this weekend. Oh sure, they were "updating" Windows, but they forgot to save all of her files and photos. She was MIFFED to no end in finding the destruction and I can't say I blame her. But to help keep it in perspective, I did show her the devastation in Japan. I can't imagine what those people have faced and what lies ahead. It did not help Em--she is still miffed. And I'm putting it lightly.

Uh, I don't mean to offend, but I do not get this whole "everyone is Irish on St. Paddy's day". I'm not and I don't want to be. I really didn't want to be yesterday as Joe and I got stuck in the midst of a very long St. Patrick's Day parade while trying to drop off my car at the mechanic's for repairs. Ugh. I was giving every green-painted faced fool the evil eye as I sat on a side street waiting for clearance to drive on the street the dealer is on. The 45 minute errand turned into a two-hour affair--and I was not amused.

Col has spring break this week and Em has it next week. Jodi has spring break and she is a grown-up and works at a school. I do not have a spring break. Something is wrong here. Very wrong.

So, while the time changed (not in my favor), Em lost her computer history, I was molested by a St. Paddy's day parade, and the whole world is off for spring break and I am not--I can only blame it on one thing.....

Monday.

Ugh.

Online Afterlife

There is some page on Facebook where all of your "friends" faces are to one side and smiling back at you. It's the one place where everyone is happy and smiling in my life. It's sorta creepy though too.

One particular face stood out to me--it was the face of an acquaintance who passed away at Thanksgiving. I guess in all of the madness of her death and struggle to continue on without their wife and mother, the family didn't shut down her Facebook account. Or maybe they leave it there to visit her. Sort of a memorial of sorts. Same thing with her blog--it's still there.

I like the idea of eternal life online--although I would like someone to turn off the comments so that I don't have pallies leaving comments that I can't answer. That would make me crazy in the afterlife. Or with my luck, my dusty old blog would become bogged down with spam. Ugh.

But isn't it nice that we can go back and read their words, hear their voices in our heads, and see their smiling faces again? I like that. I find comfort in her thoughts and words and it is nice to be able to "visit" with her again.

Jodi still has Margie's photo up in her Follower list--and I like that. I think it is a fine memorial to a fellow blogger and I actually go back through her old posts every now and then to smile and remember her. I like that her smiley face reminds me to think of her and to reflect on her passing and how life is so darn short.

Isn't it odd this media-loaded world we live in? I mean, now when the family is planting daisies on my grave, they'll have to decide what to do with all of my social networks. Isn't that weird? And does anyone else think of stuff like this or is it just me?

I guess part of our wills and last wishes will have to include all of our passwords and log-on names. And what we want with our blog that remains.

Spring Break

Can there be a universal spring break? I mean, can both of my kids ever have the same week off for spring break so that we can actually do something and enjoy the time they have off? And wouldn't it be nice to have a week off of work? Sigh. I can't wait until I'm Queen because these two mandates are goin' into effect on Day 2 of the reign.

I was thinking about spring break this morning--from the luxury of my bed, thank you very much. I took today off so that I could clean house and get things ready for Col to come home. I want to just chill with that boy when he comes home, so I do things like cleaning and ironing before he gets in. I hope he appreciates that someday.

While I laid there with my cat on my chest, it got me to thinking about what I call The Phases of Spring Break:

• When you are young, spring break is getting to stay at home for a week.
• When you are a teen, spring break is getting out of school for the week, and getting out of the house with your friends.
• College means getting out of dodge and going someplace warm for a week. And it is usually very far from home.
• When you are married and have small children, spring break is sort of gone--who the hell gets spring break as an adult?
• The kids get into school and you are like "Oh, criminy, the kids are gonna be home for a week!" (Although, I was one of those moms who liked the kids being home. Sick, I know.)
• Then you are glad when they are teens and they are getting out with their friends and you don't have to deal with eye rolls and teeth sucking for a week.
• When the kids are in college, you die a thousand deaths and worry about them if they go away for spring break....or.....
• You can't wait for them to come home to lay around, relax, and eat up all your food for that week.

I'm in the last phase. I can't wait for Col to come home, lay around my house, stay up until all hours, double the amount of laundry I do, and eat up all our food. It's my last chance to mother that boy until he stops coming home for good.

Happy Weekend, pallies! May you take the time to enjoy the sun (if you can find it), trash-talk the time change, and breathe a bit.

I Love Hobbes Thursday - Retro Hobbes

Something happened to the basket....

it used to fit.

But now.....

not so much.

Wow.

W is for Wednesday and Winning

You know what is scary? That I actually know the words to this song:



Don't ask me why I'm on a "W" kick here today, I just am.

But I am also a Winning roll too! Look at the spiffy stuff I won on some pally's blogs lately. What else could a gal love more than make-up and chocolate???!

Here's the major award from Lola's (Lola's Diner)--Green & Black's Organic chocolate.. YUM!

OMG. This is the BEST chocolate I have ever eaten. NOT kidding. Click on Lola's link to read more about it, but this stuff is to die for. I'm telling you--it went FAST at our house. In fact, a couple of these wrappers are empty, but I saved them for the photo.

I'd buy this stuff over any other chocolate. Really--and I'm not getting paid or anything for saying that. I just ate the stuff.

Thank you, Lola!! Sorry I'm so freaking late in posting how much I loved that win.

And the excitement continues with a win of make-up over at Tracy's (The Crazy Suburban Mom):

Wow. I'm soooo digging these color palettes. The mailman no sooner delivered these bad boys (in one piece, I might add) and Em and I were cracking them open and doing our eyes. Okay, so we looked a little ridiculous with one eye each of the colors, but we couldn't wait to try them!

I love how it is a no-brainer to figure out what colors to use together. And while the yellow is a bit bright, I love how it is toned down by the blues. I was already at Walgreen's checking out additional palettes because I love the color combinations of the Wet N Wilds.

So, now Em and I are fighting (a lot)--over make-up. She's lucky I share like a big girl.

My favorite part of the Big Win is that it came from Tracy and GINGER! I love Ginger. Well, and Tracy too. Thank you, Tracy and Ginger!!!

Ginger

National Holiday Today---Irene's Birthday

Awwww, it seems like yesterday that Irene was just a baby:

Yeah/no.

Irene is freaking nuts about her birthday. She runs around telling everyone her birthday is coming, marks up the calendar on your desk, and changes the birthday announcement to highlight just her name, and walks around like a princess on March 8. Criminy.

In contrast, one year they held my birthday celebration on a day when I wasn't even in the office. But it's not like I'm jealous or anything. I just think that being overly excited about your birthday when you are older than 8 is ridiculous.

But it is Irene and we all love her dearly, so I cheer her on and retreat to my cubicle to roll my eyes and suck my teeth in silence.

Happy Birthday, Irene!

My Mother the Monkey

If you ever wonder where I get it, you don't have to look too far. Not typically wacky, G'ma Phyl was on a roll Friday night at the party store:

Nice, eh?

It was absolutely pouring outside, so we dragged our feet getting what we needed. We perused the aisles for anything hilarious to make each other laugh. And laugh we did.

We went for cellophane bags and ended up with candy bracelets, a pink party hat, a retirement piggy bank that grows in water, and alien pop-up toys. We cracked up in every aisle, to where the employees were laughing along with us.

Although I think they were secretly relieved when we left.

Again, G'ma Phyl started it--Em and I just joined in. Three generations of wackiness.

Grace, underrated

You gotta love Grace.

She had her visit to the new vet the other day and handled it like a pro--unlike the other drama queen. There were no fevers or limping or acting like we were dying the next day. Nope. She went. She got her shots. And came home.

No drama.

Love that cat.

Grace is getting older now (13), so we decided to run some bloodwork just to see if her kidneys were good and everything else checked out. And while the doctor carried her off to draw some blood and squeeze her wee bladder a bit, Grace handled it with ease. Okay, so she was a bit miffed for a bit when we got home, but otherwise, Girlfriend deals.

I love that cat.

Pooped!

Whew! What a week! Lots and lots of things (all good) were happening this week, but that left me with absolutely no blogging time--which makes me sad. :(

I hope all of you did nothing exciting or had major news without me, because then I would feel really left out and jerky that I wasn't there to keep up with your happenings. I feel like a really bad friend at this point--like you called and left messages for me like 3 times this week and I didn't call you back.

Oh, wait, I really did that to a couple of friends. Ugh.

Okay, so I'm aiming to come visit you all and try to be a good blogging friend this weekend. I'm gonna call all the friends who called me, and I'm going to actually try to hang with the kitties a bit on that new bed of mine.

When did life get so darn crazy for all of us?

Helene's Favorite Photo

I love Hobbes' ability to find joy in the simplest things--an empty box, warm sunshine, or a bug with a cabillion legs. Every day he awakes with adventure on his mind--even on the dreariest of days. And when the weather doesn't cooperate in providing entertainment, the toilet paper roll does--that's what it means to be a kitty.

Has anyone else noticed besides me that the days are getting longer? And the sun a little warmer? It's coming, pallies. Spring is sneaking in.....

And Hobbes is ready.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday - Gaga!

Get out your pink wigs and caution tape--Lady Gaga is in town!!

And because I miss making Halloween costumes for my babies, I quickly volunteered to do hair, make-up, and costumes for the two concert-goers, Em and her pally, Linnea.

Aren't they cute?!

Em said they were stopped every 2 seconds to have their photos taken with other fans. Em is sorta freaked out that she and Linnea are probably in a cabillion Facebook posts today, but that is the price you pay for being cute.

And for your "I'm coolin' ya'll up moment", you will need to know that it is pretty much required to dress up all wacky-like for Lady Gaga concerts. Fishnet hose, bikini bottoms and sequined bras are popular, as are big giant wigs of various colors. Super high heels and mega cleavage is optional--and not allowed at my house.

Oh, and the price tag for the ticket to this adventure? Don't even ask.

Creature Comforts

At what point in your life do things like new appliances and tools get you excited? I mean, when do we get so darn pathetic that the mere mention of a new washing machine gets your heart racing? Or you have full-blown conversations with friends over the merits of dishwashers or refrigerators? It's crazy.

Joe and I have been counting the days in anticipation for..........

(are you ready?)

A NEW MATTRESS!

Yes, it is official--we are losers. But we will be losers with backs that do not KILL us anymore.

We were like two giddy schoolgirls at the mattress store--hopping on this one and that, pretending to be sleeping while the eye-rolling salesman just sort of chuckled. He went on and on about springs and foam and warranties and such, but all we wanted was to hear when delivery was. It can't get here soon enough.

We settled on one with "Black" in its name and for the life of me, I can't remember what brand it is because Joe keeps referring it as "Black Beauty" and I insist on calling it "Black Betty". At one point, I even had the salesman calling it that. I think we scarred him for life.

So, yes, today is the day, my friends. Black Betty is coming home. And we are officially excited.