Pet Pandemonium

They say when it rains it pours. Well, it's been raining cats and dogs (badoom ching!) in Clara, TX where the rents reside.

It all started a couple of weeks ago when Mr. Kitty took a turn for the worst. Mom called to let me know that he wasn't doing well, and they were taking him to the vet. When they took him in, it was determined that Mr. Kitty's time on earth was drawing nigh. His liver was failing and he wouldn't last much longer. So my parents made the decision to go ahead to put him to sleep. He had a good 17 1/2 years. I can't believe he lived so long. So now Mr. Kitty is keeping my brother company. ***Question of the day - Do you think pets go to heaven? Some say yes, others say no."*** So, once the pain had ended, the vet boxed him up and they went home and buried him under a tree in the back yard. It was my dad's first pet funeral. They said a prayer of thanksgiving for his companionship and the joy he had brought them over the years.

I thought my mom would have a really hard time with it, but she has done pretty well. God works in mysterious ways. So, just days before Mr. Kitty departed from us, mom and dad were out walking the dogs (they live out in the country in the middle of nowhere) and were about a mile from their house. Dad said he thought he heard meowing, and then a little 3mo. old kitten popped out of the bushes. What are the odds? I can't believe that thing was alive considering all of the wild beasts that roam that area - bob cats, mountain lions, wild boars, snakes, you name it. Anyway, that thing must be awfully smart - it followed them home -- all the way home and let them pet him and even pick him up. Which makes them think that someone just dropped him off out there - to me unfathomable. Well, mom couldn't be cold hearted, and set out some food for him. They named it Vernon (after the town my mother teaches in). He has been trying to prove himself worthy ever since that day. He used the litter box immediately after mom showed it to him, so as to show her he knew exactly how to do is duty. He caught this massive field rat about half the size he was and brought it to the porch as a token of his appreciation. And, finally, he somehow made it into church on Sunday!
So now Vernon fills that empty spot on the bed where Mr. Kitty used to lay.
In other breaking news from little house on the prairie, mom and dad were out walking again - that same week- when they noticed one of the dogs wince and a little brown snake slither away. They couldn't tell if it was poisonous or not, but by the time they got home, Becky (the dog) was drooling uncontrollably, and her face was swelling up like a balloon. So, they rushed her into the Vet. Turns out, it was a prairie rattle snake, but after the doc administered steroids, antibiotics, and fluids through an IV, she was doing much better. They sent her home with more meds and some pain killers. Later that night dad went over to the other dog - Freckles- and noticed that his ear was about 3 times its normal size! So they gave him some meds and pain killers they had brought home.
That, I say, is plenty excitement for one week, wouldn't you think? My goodness. Pets, they bring joy, they bring excitement.

The past few days...Ups and Downs

Yes, it too has hit me. I have had this nasty cold for the past 3 days. But, alas, it will not prevail! I get sick once in a millennium, thankfully, and I think I am on the downhill slope of it. I haven't gone to the doctor yet, because the marvels of DayQuill and Tylenol Cold and Flu Nighttime seem to be doing great work. Fight the good fight glorious over-the-counter meds!
In other breaking news, Nick and I have new neighbors. I met the wife Tuesday, and Nick and I introduced ourselves to the husband last night (they were both mowing the lawn). They are young - late twenties - moved from Miami last year and this is their first house. I am excited. They seem very nice and quite. AND they have a nine month old Basset Hound!! As you know this is my favorite dog - the same dog that Nick has shunned and refuses to have as a pet. So maybe every once in a while I can get my basset fix. :)
Tomorrow is the High School Beach trip. We are going to Ft. Desoto for some fun in the sun. It will probably be the last time this year. School is starting back up for me next week, and the dreaded red tide is creeping up the coast as we speak. We have a few additions to our HS youth group from last year's 8th grade class. It's a good core group of 4 girls. I am thankful for that. We lost two seniors, but have gained 4 freshmen. I hope that they continue to come and be filled with God's love. The older kids are really good with accepting and including others, so the transition has been nice. Pray that we have a great event!
Well, I guess that's about it for now. I'll post again later~ Have a great weekend!

Yoda and Fozzie kin?

So I was driving to work a couple of days ago listening to the radio. Somehow the DJ and the traffic report girl got on the topic of Yoda. Then, of course, the DJ did his best Yoda impression (not bad either). As the conversation progressed, she said that he was starting to sound more like Fozzie than Yoda. (You know, Fozzie from the Muppets.)Then the traffic report girl pondered aloud, "I wonder if they're related." Immediately, I thought of the perfect person to ask - Julianna. Not only is half of her nickname Yoda, but she is the queen of pop culture as well. On top of that, she faithfully watches A Muppet's Christmas Carol every December. So, Julianna, are Fozzie and Yoda mysteriously related? Is there a bizarre pop culture path that joins the two? I must know!!! (Anyone else who thinks they know are welcome to comment as well; even if you don't have all the credentials as the infamous Spoda.) :)

Boring

I've recently come to the realization that I am very boring. That's why I don't have many posts on my blog. Nothing exciting really happens to me. It's not like I have people coming up to me telling me that I resemble a famous star of the 80's/early 90's, or have an odd happening at the grocery store, or other amusing instances. It doesn't make matters any better when I don't have anything to do at work. I'm ready for a project.

We did get new neighbors to our left recently. We haven't met them yet, but I heard a dog barking when I was in the back yard this week, and, like any good neighbor would do, I peeked my head over the fence. As fate would have it, they have a basset hound. If you aren't familiar with my love for basset hounds, let me tell you. I really really want to get a basset when we decide to get a dog, but Nick thinks they are ugly. Can I get some backup that these lovable canines are just about the sweetest and cutest things ever? Yeah, I know. Nick has his heart set on a lab. Yes a 90lb dog....super. Don't get me wrong, I think they are beautiful dogs, but they are just so darn huge! Ah, the battle/saga continues along with the naming of our not yet conceived unborn son.

In other breaking news, we are kid/house sitting for a church family starting tomorrow night for a week. Hello to a gourmet kitchen with t.v. so that I may watch Emeril while I make dinner. Hello to a memory foam mattress that is like sleeping on a little slice of heaven. Hello to a big swimming pool. Hello to surround sound and cable t.v. Yes, it will be rough. Especially if you add on the fact that all 3 kids are extremely well behaved and well mannered. However, it should be interesting. It is the first week of school, and two of the three are starting a new school.

I'm sure I will have lots of updates throughout the week. The little one is down right hilarious! He keeps me laughing.

For Julianna: I have begun an afghan pattern out of the Disney Pattern book and it's looking pretty fabulous. I'll keep you updated and let you see the finished product.

So, that's all for now. More to come next week.....