Where Have YOU Been?

So I got a complaint yesterday that I never blog anymore. And I realized that I keep checking my "regular" blogs and a lot of those people aren't blogging anymore either. Does this mean that I need to somehow weedle may way into a new group of bloggers? I'll have to look into this, I think. (also, if you've been lurking and not commenting - please drop me a note so I can come by and visit your blog.)

I wish I had new and EXCITING things to report, but alas, there are none. I'm still taking tennis classes twice a week - and I think I've really improved. I can actually return a serve now, which is pretty exciting. And I'm not bad at serving either (and you don't want to mess with my backhand, I'm just sayin'!)

Bowling isn't going as well. I'm all over the map (as is Mark) so we're slightly frusterated. I am starting to really like a few of the other bowlers though - and somehow have managed to avoid the ones I don't particularly care for (which seem to outnumbered those that I do like! ha!)

Work has been kind of crappy. Lots of unnecessary overtime at the last minute. I do like being busy, but I hate sitting around doing nothing waiting for someone else to make a decision so I can finish an assignment and get home to my family. It is very apparent that there are managers in our office who must hate their families because they never seem to want to go home.

The kitties are doing well. Minnie has adopted a small tent as her "base" and loves to jump into it when you walk into the room or jump out at the feather toy. Jack keeps hiding in shoe boxes so I keep saving them for him and so there are like 4 in our hallway and he jumps from box to box. Salem is still super needy and spends most of his time under the bed or sleeping on our heads. Clyde was a little cranky and distant when we first got Daisy, but he's been getting special attention and seems to be back to normal...he regulated on Daisy yesterday and made her yelp - so I'm sure that brought a little joy to his fussy little heart.

Daisy went to her first dog birthday party at daycare yesterday. Apparently there was a party scheduled so the daycare lady called to ask if Daisy could participate and eat cake. I told her she could (along with OMG that's sooo cute). Later, the update was that they did finally get a party hat on Daisy's head, but she flung it off shortly after...and she didn't want any cake because she was too busy playing. That girl, she loves to play.

Now we're just gearing up for a vacation to the North Coast to enjoy a few days (with Daisy) in a cozy cottage. I'm hoping it rains one day because it was nice and cozy last time we went and it rained. Mark will be abalone diving and I will just be enjoying some time away with my boy.

I Need a Break from the Real World

Not the show on MTV (is that even still on? if it is, it probably shouldn't be...but that's totally not the point). I just need a break. Like a C@lgon take me away break - except for like a month.

Daisy did much better this week in Puppy Kindergarten. The trainer was impressed with her response to "sit" (she's a good dog!) and she did a lot better than we thought she would on the "loose leash walking." She tugged some, but she didn't try to drag Mark down the aisle...and she responded well when he stopped (every time she pulled). She'd look at him like, "Daddy? Can we go? Hello?" and then she'd sit. (see! I'm a good dog!) and then they'd start walking again.

One of our problem areas is working on "no cat!" Daisy wants so badly to play with the cats - and the cats are like, "oh hell no!" So she's always getting swatted at or spat at or hissed at. And she continues to jump at them. So last night, she did pretty good with "no cat!" and I refocused her attention on a toy or her bone. Except, Clyde thought she was still too close to him and he reached out to smack her. And instead, dug his paw into my skull, not to mention freaking me the f*ck out by smacking me a couple times.

And then Daisy came running out of the bedroom from her kennel and knocked into the back of my knees - practically knocking me to the ground.

I swear, when I die and my life flashed before my eyes - it will just be a series of me being knocked down, tripping, or burning myself in the kitchen. That is not exactly how I want to remember my life.

We Need Something Good

Thank you all for your sweet comments. I love you all! You guys are awesome friends.



The last week and a half has been sad and lonely. We miss Chance, and we miss having a dog around. Jack has tried to be a dog stand-in by greeting us at the door, but it's just not the same.


So, we decided to adopt another dog. Mark went to the SPCA two days ago and found a little girl that he loved. I went to visit with her yesterday and then he went back last night and picked her up.





She's just darling. She's a 6 month old boxer mix. She's energetic, but also likes to sleep alot...and doesn't bug the cats (they have been showing her who's boss though!) Her appearance on the scene has created a bonding opportunity for the cats and they seemed to be closer last night than they ever have (Salem and Minnie were even both laying on my bed within a foot of each other!) And Jack and Salem ate at the same dish at the same time. AND Clyde has been more social too. (wow!)



I think Daisy is a fabulous addition to our family.

Things I Could Blog About That Would Be Much More Interesting If I Could Find My Camera Charger

Things have been pretty busy here. But like I said, this would all be much more interesting if I could find that elusive camera charger. grrr. Instead of going to Blogher, I painted my living room. And it looks fabulous. It went from being 4 walls of off white to being 2 off white walls and 2 taupe walls. It really warmed up the room and separated it more from the kitchen area.


I've also been teaching myself to can/preserve. Mark and Kait helped me peel a frillion peaches....which netted us 7 quarts of peaches! Definitely not as much as I thought we'd get. And if I never see another peach - it will be too soon. So, I switched to strawberries. I made 4 jars of strawberry jam (and it's delicious).


I peeled and sliced the rest of the peaches and froze them - they will be good for smoothies and baked goods that way. I cannot wait to make pickles and can pears! mmmmm!

Mark's good. We're good. He's been cooking really good food for me lately, which is always much appreciated. We haven't really done much outside of the house. We went to a baptism last weekend. And his Thursday night softball team played really well last week. All of us in the bleachers were yelling and jumping around. It was super fun.

The animals are all doing well too. Minnie is starting to integrate into the household. She hisses when she thinks anyone is getting too close (but she's stopped hissing when Chance is just in her line of vision - so that's good). Jack got to her a couple times and there was some fur flying (she hasn't tried to bite anyone though...and she's hardly ever the aggressor.) The one time she was the aggressor, she was putting Jack in his place. After he beat her up twice....she waited until things were calm and when he walked past her, she reached out and smacked him twice on the rear end. She was too cute.

Chance is doing well. He's drinking a lot of water (apparently a side effect of having the liver problem). And the water drinking is causing him to wake me up three times during the night to go potty. :( But his attitude is good and he's been playful. So for now, I'd say he's doing well.

I think that's all for me. I've got a ton of stuff to do this week. Book club on Monday (you should read our recent book - Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella - it's really good). On Tuesday we have the award reception for the Y-Me walk we did on Mother's Day (our team raised over $1,500), and Wednesday a bunch of us are going to see the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II. It's gonna be a fun week.

What are you guys up to this week?

More Good Thoughts?

Do you know how much I appreciate you guys (girls!)?! I know I've called in more than my fair share of happy thoughts - but I have to ask one more time.

Channy isn't feeling well.
He was sick most of the weekend and now he's spending the night at the vet so he can get some fluids and antibiotics. They are doing x-rays and running tests to find out what's wrong with him (he has a fever and has been lethargic and not interested in eating - which, as we all know is very unlike Chance. He's a big fan of the "c-o-o-k-i-e".)

Please send your prayers and well wishes to Channy for a speedy (and not horrible expensive!) recovery.

Thanks, gang. You rock!

Sad News

Our (Mark's) savannah monitor lizard, Golem, passed away today. :(

She died peacefully in her sleep, and is resting under a pretty rose bush in the backyard.
As most of you know, I was a little nervous about living with Golem. I wasn't used to reptiles as pets, and I wasn't looking forward to it. Yet, she flicked her tongue and warmed my heart. She became a member of our family, and we'll miss her.

Miss Minnie Mack Mack Mack....

Today marks one week of Minnie's captivity. The way it worked with Minnie is I took her to the vet and got her tested. She came back FIV+, which, from what I've learned isn't a death sentence, but it does make things trickier. I have been reluctant to bring her in and especially to introduce her to the other cats. (who are not FIV+)

However, she had fleas and looked scrungy. So I brought her in and gave her a bath. She wasn't thrilled, but was really easy going and pretty much just let me give her the bath with little struggle. (and only one tiny scratch where she was trying to get around me at one point - it was an accident).
She looked very pretty afterward though (and comfy)





We were worried that she might be preggers or that she might get preggers, so I scheduled her for a spay at the SPCA. I picked her up that evening and she was still pretty much out. She got groggy and wanted to walk around all wobbly. (which scared me, but I let her do it and just helped her not fall over. She kept jumping onto Mark's desk so I borrowed a big dog crate from my friend Sheila. It fits her water, food, bed, and a small litterbox. She stayed in it when we weren't home during the day (for maybe a day or two) Now she's been hanging out in Mark's computer room lounging on his keyboard. (when she's trying to get comfy she stretches and kicks the keyboard off the desk too, which I think is funny. it's like we're in cahoots)


For now, I'd love to keep her - she's just the sweetest thing imaginable...she's so mellow and go with the flow and she just loves to snuggle. But I'm going to try to find her a home where she can be an only child or with other FIV+ kitties in the home. If you know of anyone in California (or Norhtern Nevad) who is looking to adopt a sweet tortie girl, please let me know. I'd be willing to drive just about anywhere to make sure this baby gets the best home.

The Minnie Chronicles

The Chronic - What?!

les of Minnie.

Meet Minnie.

Minnie showed up on our porch (this is how it always starts, right?) a week ago. I started feeding her (of course) and she kept hanging out. She's the sweetest girl EVER. She loves to snuggle and she follows us around.

Stay tuned for pictures and video from Minnie's first bath.

Happy Thoughts

Clyde was pretty cute today. He decided that he likes Chance's bed. First he kneaded the bed. and then he took some time to get pretty. and finally, he snuggled in to stay. Chance was not thrilled. He's afraid of Clyde though, so he let the squatter stay.


Later, Clyde stole a hotdog from Mark.



I did take most of the hot dog away. But he found it in the sink and I ended up giving it back to him. He's way out of control. Right now he's flinging toys around the living room. I think the hotdog gave him energy. And I also bet he's gonna look really round tomorrow from all that salt and water retention. hehe.

***************
Please send happy thoughts to my mama tomorrow. She's having surgery in the morning. (goodbye you pesky gallbladder!)

A World Record

Today, we set a world record for the shortest amount of time spent at a family Christmas party. An hour and a half. It took me as long just to do my hair. I'm just sayin'.

First - the hair. Emily scrunched it for me. It turned out kind of cute.And also - Mark sat on the couch and needed to be lint rollered. shhh don't tell.

Here are some other random pictures, including an outtake from our photo shoot the other night (ha!)

Jack and his mama

Clyde

Salem

We call this Mark's "Fuck Grandma!" face - you know, from The Sweetest Thing?

Kitty Update

Things are no longer in an uproar at our house. It's more of a dull roar now. Clyde is still working the intimidation and Salem is being very cautious. Jack is being low-key. And Chance is just being Chance.

Last night, I was laying in bed watching "To Catch a Predator" on MSNBC. And Salem was laying with me. And then he retreated to the end of the bed and Jack jumped up and laid on the other side of me. Salem kept craning his neck to get a glimpse of Jack. hehe. and then Clyde was surveying the scene (with displeasure) from the doorway. Luckily, Chance was there to run interference.

And that's really all the excitement. Though, this morning was awesome because I wasn't woken up by any cat noises. Although, Jack was doing his "gotta dig a GIANT HOLE in the litter" dance this morning. It was actually kind of funny because he's such a digger. And while he was there, he noticed that someone (i think it was him from earlier) had pooped on the cardboard scratcher that is next to the litter box. (I believe someone(hehe) dug a hole and then hung his little tush too close to the edge). My plan of attack was to wait until he was done and then use toilet paper to flush it. However, he had other ideas. He starts FLINGING litter out of the box onto the cardboard thing. You know, to cover the poo. Silly kitty. (so that made an even bigger mess to clean up this morning. It's a good thing we got that extra hour on Sunday!! I still feel like I'm getting up late.)

So, there ya have it. A blog post about poop. And I'm not even a mommy blogger! hehe.

My First Trip to the Vet

My First Trip to the Vet
by Jack-o-Lantern

On Saturday, the nice lady that feeds me decided to try something different. First, she warned me. As she left in the morning she said, "I'll be back at 11 - please be here" I obliged. When she got back she was in a hurry so I went from glorious freedom to being put in a tiny jail. The only good part was that there was a towel in my cell and I was able to burrow into it and hide my face. I decided I'd rather do that and then look up and give her a pitiful look every once in awhile. I did save her sanity by not meowing all the way there - it's the least I can do considering she's been feeding me.

We had to wait FOREVER in a small room that everyone kept calling "the vet." I got a little antsy, and the lady had to chase me all over the room. I especially liked knocking the books down on the windowsill so I could look out the window. Scaling the side of the computer was also a plus.

After about forty five minutes the vet came in and she started poking at me. She rubbed my tummy and my ears and said "oh he's soooooo pretty!" over and over again. And then she looked in my ears. They were icky, but she said she didn't see any mites. But since I had flea dirt (ew!) they were going to give me Revolution anyway - which would get rid of mites if I did have them. Either way, if it got her to stop sticking that thing in my ears, then I'm all for it.

Then two mean people came in to do a test. They held me down and took my blood! and I FREAKED the hell out! That was NOT FUN. (what was the lady thinking?!) After that they said I was Leukemia and FIV negative and then they gave me two shots. With needles! and poke some pills in my beak.

I think they might have been sleeping pills because I fell asleep after that. I even slept through a trip to Petco! I woke up feeling a little dizzy because I was sleeping on my face the whole time. The lady said I looked awfully cute though.

All in all, I don't think I want to do this "vet" thing EVER EVER again.

The End!

*****

Because Jack was given a clean bill of health (and revolution and dewormer) he was able to come in the house. There has been minimal incident ...but there has been some general crankiness.

(Clyde hissed at Jack and Jack fell over - I have the feeling that's a very good thing and Clyde can't feel threatened by him for too long if he continues to cooperate. ha!)

Look how fun snack time is when you're all together! And look how suspicious everyone looks!
I think Clyde will get along with Jack seeing as they are both neat freaks.

It's Ladies Night - Minus John Lovitz

I know. I've got two Wedding Singer references in the last two days. woot!

I'm going to have a girl's weekend this weekend. Mark is going to be at a bachelor party, so I figure it's a good time to catch up with some of my girlfriends. (besides, we've been trying to plan something for ages but we're all so busy).

Friday night is bunco, and afterward we've decided we're going to go out dancing. This just means that there will be a seedy bar. (My favorite seedy bar actually). And perhaps some other random bar hopping depending on how long it takes us to get from "bunco" to "pretty enough to be seen in public" This may involve removing pizza stains from our clothing. But let's not think about that, okay?

On Saturday, I've made plans with J to have lunch and do a little shopping. (I'm on the lookout for Coach sunglass and/or a watch). Also, anything cute and on sale.

I also plan to get some much needed sleep and to get some cleaning done. (I may even take some of the donation stuff to the SPCA thrift shop...which will really make Mark happy to have it out of the garage. but don't hold me to that, I may not get around to it.)

I'm looking forward to some girl time, but I'm going to miss my boy. :(

Speaking of my boy...I have another Mark story. I swear you guys, I'm soooo boring. You're lucky I have Mark (I'm lucky too, but duh, we already knew that!) ...but really, if I didn't have Mark this blog would be really boring. (this is also a good reason for him to not have his own blog!)

The other night, I let Chance out of the house and into the front yard to go potty...the neighbors dog was out (ack!) and he had a friend with him (apparently someone else moved in with my neighbors and he also has a dog) So I'm freaking out because 1) I couldn't see who the dogs were and 2) I thought for sure there would be fighting and it wasn't going to be pretty. I screamed and yelled for Mark and then ran outside to grab Chance...only I'm a big chicken so I didn't do much. Poor Mark, he just knew something was wrong - so he came running out....he had been laying in bed ready to go to sleep. So, he ended up running out the front door in his skivvies to get the dog. Luckily, Chance didn't get hurt (neither did the other dogs - but the neighbors weren't thrilled that I was ringing their doorbell at 11 p.m. either)...that made it a funny Mark in his undies story. (I hope I'm supposed to share this one. lol)