I'm Back...I Hope

OK, after a long absence, I am returning to the world of blogging...hopefully on a regular basis.



Updates: (1) The hubs is still home, but getting better. He's had his gallbladder removed and they are now working on getting the correct combination of medications to take care of his other issues, as well as the usual ones brought on when you have the gallbladder removed in the first place.















(2) I am giving up on vegetable gardening. What a time I had with it this year. I did manage to get a few tomatoes, but had a better crop last year when I planted them in buckets. When I dug up my potatoes, every single one had teeth marks in them; moles or voles I assume. Two cabbages managed to grow a bit, but one was run over by a lawn mower when a friend came and mowed the lawn for us. (I'm not complaining. I was happy for the help.) The other cabbage was covered in slugs the last time I looked, and it was pretty well devoured. The green peppers never grew, I got 3 radishes, the beans didn't grow and I did manage a very few small green onions. The soil here is more clay than anything, so I think I'm going to hit local farmer's markets next year and just plant some wild flowers to attract the humming birds and butterflies.

(3) I am again earning my title as the Crazy Cat Lady. Four tiny kittens showed up at my neighbor's house about a month ago. We figure they were about 2 months old. Don't know where they came from, but of course I couldn't just let them alone. I have been feeding them and doing my best to socialize them. Our local shelter doesn't work with ferals (don't really have the room or the funds) and would put them down if I had taken them in. They don't think they can be socialized, but I know better. So, for the past several weeks, I've talked to and tried to pet each little guy. So far one will let me hold him, two will let me pet them some and the one really shy one has finally gotten to where he doesn't run away like he used to. I have emailed a cat rescue organization in Morganton to see if they can help me find homes for them. I wouldn't even mind if someone wanted them as barn cats. At least they'd have a chance at a life. (Anyone want a kitten?)

There are other things going on here and there, including a deer who visited us last month, but I will write more about that later on. I think I've written enough for now. I'm beginning to think I should open a wild life park here. :-)

We Will Never Forget

On September 11, 2001, our world was changed forever. Time passes, but we still remember where we were that day, what we were doing when we heard. We will always remember.

Please, Sir. I Want S'mores

OK, I am not a camper. The closest I've ever come is one of those campgrounds that have the shower/bathroom building in the center of the area, and the campsites have a water faucet and usually a grill. I remember having fires...usually in the back yard and often in a barrel of some sort. What I've never had is honest to goodness, sitting around the campfire type s'mores.

That's not to say I haven't had s'mores at all over the years. I've just had to go about getting them in nontraditional ways. This usually involved either a gas stove or a microwave. (Yep, I have more than once roasted marshmallows using the flame from a gas stove burner.)

For some reason, I have been craving these gooey treats like crazy this week. And I mean craving them like I'm addicted or something. I just cannot get them out of my mind. (And no, I am not pregnant. Although if I was, I would definitely be rich as I know a certain doctor who would owe me LOTS of money. But I digress.)

So, I decided to not only give in to my craving, but to find different ways to satisfy it. I thought about the marshmallow in the microwave thing, but that would be too easy.

My first foray into the world of chocolate/marshmallow goodness involved the usual graham crackers and Hershey bar. To that I added mini-marshmallow (the only kind I have on hand), a wooden skewer and a cigarette lighter. I like my marshmallows pretty crispy, so I just put a bunch on a skewer and light 'em up. Burning marshmallows make such a pretty light. And the results were pretty tasty as well. But of course, it didn't end there...

Next, I decided what the world really needs is INSTANT S'MORES. I took one graham cracker and spread it with milk chocolate frosting. Then, I took another and spread it with marshmallow fluff. Put them together and VIOLA! Instant s'mores. Not warm and gooey, but not too bad when you're in a hurry.

Then, tonight I tried what I think is the best s'more inspired concoction of all. Graham crackers, chocolate ice cream and Smuckers Marshmallow Ice Cream Topping.

I did not even know this stuff existed until a couple days ago. What genius came up with this, I don't know, but I hope the powers-that-be at Smuckers gave them a nice big bonus. How wonderful to be able to get that s'mores taste in a cool, creamy treat. Pure bliss.

Now, I wonder what kind of s'mores delicacy I can find next.

Anniversary

Me and the Hubs - 1995

Chris and I went out on our first date on July 8th, 1991. We were married on July 8th, 1992. It's been 17/18 years, and I'm looking forward to many, many more. We are lucky in that we are not only husband and wife, but best friends as well.

For our first date, we went to see the movie Terminator 2. You hear a lot of couples who say their song is from the first movie they saw together or some such. Well, there really weren't any romantic songs in this one, so that was kind of out. And I couldn't tell you anything that played on the radio that day. Wasn't paying much attention I guess.

After seeing Prince of Thieves, the song Everything I Do (I Do It For You) by Bryan Adams became our song. There are others of course, many songs that remind us of each other, but we always come back to this one. Yes, it's sappy and sentimental as heck, but we like it. And the words describe perfectly how we feel about each other. (And I get all gushy every time I hear it. It's amazing knowing someone actually feels that way about you.)

(Everything I Do) I Do It For You
Written by Bryan Adams, Robert John 'Mutt' Lange and Michael Kamen 1991

Look into my eyes - you will see

What you mean to me

Search your heart - search your soul

And when you find me there you'll search no more

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for

You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for

You know it's true

Everything I do - I do it for you

Look into my heart - you will find

There's nothin' there to hide

Take me as I am - take my life

I would give it All - I would sacrifice

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for

I can't help it there's nothin' I want more

Ya know it's true

Everything I do - I do it for you

There's no love - like your love

And no other - could give more love

There's nowhere - unless you're there

All the time - all the way

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for

I can't help it there's nothin' I want more

I would fight for you - I'd lie for you

Walk the wire for you - Ya I'd die for you

Ya know it's true

Everything I do - I do it for you

Chris, to steal a phrase from another great song, I love you more today than yesterday, and half as much as tomorrow. Happy Anniversary.

(The sappiness is over now folks.) ;-)

Let Me Talk...

Hi everybody. This is Blondie. No, I'm not one of the sisters. (Trust me, I did not pick out this name for myself.) I am Major's big brother. Well, not BIG brother really. He does weigh quite a bit more than I do. But, that's an issue for another day.

Anyway, I read what Major wrote the other day, and I thought he was nuts. Why would any self-respecting cat want to sit down at some monkey's computer, no offense MommyLady, and blog? Who came up with this blogging thing anyway? It's just nuts. I mean....wait, I'm off topic again.

So, I sat back and proceeded to make fun of my brother every chance I could. Until today. I heard the MommyLady and DaddyMan discussing something rather disturbing and decided I just have to put in my two-cents worth.

It seems they saw a news report this morning about this President Obama fella killing a fly during an interview. After this happened, some group called PETA sent up a bit of a fuss. Over a fly. A FLY!!!

OK, first off, get over it. Have you ever had one of those things buzz around you nonstop for hours at a time? It's annoying. It's beyond annoying. It really sucks.

Second, what are flies good for? Buzzing around and annoying you for hours at a time. Period.

Third, I can think of only one thing wrong with the president's actions. It was a waste of a good snack. I love flies. If you pick one up in your mouth and let it buzz for a few seconds before you swallow it, not only does it kind of tickle, but it really impresses your siblings. Major and my sisters Face and Eddie thought it was a really neat trick when I did it. Not to mention the reaction I got from the MommyLady and DaddyMan when I finally swallowed the annoying creature. I did not know it was possible for someone to gag like that without coughing up a hairball. That is so cool.

Well, that's my opinion, and you're very welcome to it. You may go back to what you were doing now. I think I hear something buzzing in the next room. I'm going hunting.

It's My Turn

Finally, I get my turn at this computer thing. This is Major...the handsome one among all these cats around here. I swear, if any more cats show up, I'm leaving. Well, maybe not leaving. But, I sure will be miffed. May even stop letting the MommyLady hold me on her lap so much.

The MommyLady and DaddyMan went out the door a few minutes ago, and I've decided to take this opportunity to set the record straight about a few things. I can't imagine why they go out that door so much. Every time I've gone out that door, after being shoved into a box mind you, I end up in a real horrible place where they set me up on this cold metal table and a mean lady in a white coat not only sticks me with needles, but worse...she puts some sort of stick up my butt. What kind of perverted thing is that to do to a cat? I give MommyLady the cold shoulder for at least an hour afterwards, but she still insists on taking me there. She just doesn't understand.

Anyway, what I want to set straight is all this talk I hear about these cats she has outside. I see them in the window once in a while. They just sit there and stare in. The girls, Eddie and Face, don't like that at all. They jump and hiss at the window, then at each other, which is all just a waste of time and energy. The problem is, MommyLady just keeps on feeding them. I don't understand that. If she would stop feeding them, they'd stop coming...and there would be more food for me.

Which brings me to another point; there can never be enough food. MommyLady has put us on this thing she calls a "diet." What confused human came up with this concept? Probably the same one that came up with the stick up the butt thing. I mean, who in the world thought it would be a good idea to limit the amount of food that is given to a cat? What bunk!!!!

Look, I'm working on getting the MommyLady to go back to the way it used to be, when our bowls were kept very full all day and night, but until then, let me tell y'all how it should be. Cats do not need diets. Cats need food. The bigger we are, the happier we are. Skinny cats? Miserable. They hate the way they look. Fat cats are much happier. Why we.....

...Oops, gotta go. I hear them at the door. Just remember: lots of food - GOOD! Sticks up the butt - VERY BAD!!!

Books, Books and More Books

I've been reading a lot lately, and I've noticed more than ever how my tastes run pretty much all over the place. I tend to read at least two books at a time, sometimes up to four, and they are rarely all the same type of book. I read biographies, mysteries, paranormal novels, science fiction....you name it, I've probably at least tried to read it.



One of my recent reads was William Shatner's autobiography Up Until Now. When I was a kid, I loved to watch Star Trek reruns. We moved a lot, and it seemed like everywhere we lived, one of the local channels played Star Trek. And then along came T.J. Hooker. Remember that one? I adored that show. Even wrote lyrics for the theme music. (No, I won't sing it for you.)


Now, Shatner has become a bit of a joke over the years. His biggest redeeming quality came along when he finally decided to jump on the bandwagon and start making fun of himself. Then came Boston Legal. He was pretty good in that. In this book...? Well,


This book is very disjointed and hard to trudge through. He bounces around, interrupts himself, and even gets some of his facts wrong (Dale Earhardt, Sr. is the one who died in a crash, not Dale Junior). A good bit of the time, I found my self asking "where the heck was the editor?"



I discovered this book about a month ago. It's the first in a series about a cat who suddenly finds he can not only read and understand English, but he can talk as well. Throw in a murder and you have the makings of an interesting story. It's not the most complicated plot, but it held my attention all the way through, and that's saying something.



I love Denis Leary's comedy. When he gets going, you just sit back and enjoy the ride. This book is just like that. As you ready, you can just about hear him. It's great. It's funny. It's thought-provoking. What more can you ask for?


And the thing about Denis Leary, who has an honorary Doctorate and can use that title now, is no matter who you are, you will find yourself agreeing with at least some of what he says. He makes sense, even when he's saying something that is actually aimed at people like you. I mean, no one is safe, not even himself. One thing I did notice though; he points out more than once how wonderful his wife is and how lucky he is to have her. She sure has him trained right. ;-)


Well, that's the latest ones I've read. Right now I'm reading Serena by Ron Rash...which if you like regional novels should be on your must-read list. It's the first book of his I've read and his main character gives me the heebie jeebies. **shudder**


I'm also reading Deadly Harvest by Heather Graham. It's the second book in one of her series, but one thing I like about her books is the fact that if you pick up the middle book like this, it stands alone enough that you'll be fine reading it. (Kay Hooper's are much the same.) I've just started this one, so I don't know for sure how good it's going to be. I'll just say "so far, so good."


I guess that's it. I'm always on the lookout for something interesting to read. If you have any ideas, pass them along.

Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month

June is National Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, and you all know how I feel about cats. They are wonderful animals full of love and mischief. They make great companions, friends, bed-warmers. They are nothing if not honest and will let you know exactly how they feel about you, your friends and your family. They are full of personality.

So, if you are looking for a great companion, someone who will accept you as you are, then make you into just what they want you to be (just kidding - sort of), then head down to your local shelter and adopt a cat. (For those in my area, I am offering pet sitting discounts if you adopt.)

Now, that's not to say shelter dogs don't still need good homes, and please go to the local shelters if you are looking for a dog as well. (And remember, October is National-Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month.)

Adventures In Pet Sitting

Remember Emma and Gracie, my first official pet sitting clients?

They are just the cutest things, aren't they?

I got the chance to pet sit for these two again over Memorial Day weekend, making me one of the happiest people in NC that weekend. I love these girls. They are adorable, lovable...frustrating. :)

OK, the frustrating part: Emma gave me my first job-related injury on Sunday morning. It was a great morning really. Emma ran around outside more than anything, while Gracie sat with me in the living room. We rough-housed a bit (she loves to growl back and forth with you). The weather wasn't too bad, so I left the back door open so Emma could come and go as she liked. She mostly stayed out.

Time to leave and I got Gracie in her crate with no problem. No sign of Emma. I walked around the house to find her in the yard "playing" with a chipmunk. (Little critter was beyond playing by that time.) I tried to get it away from her, and she was having none of it. She managed to drop it, and I got my hand under her collar to pull her away. She was barking and yelping, I was fussing...I'm sure the neighbors thought I was killing the poor girl. She wanted that chipmunk bad.

At one point during all this, she twisted and went under my arm trying to make her way to where the chipmunk lay in the grass. When she twisted around, my fingers got caught up in her collar and got yanked good and hard. I managed to keep myself from saying the words that came immediately to mind as I extracted my finger from the collar. Wow...that hurt like heck.

My mind finally kicked in and I went back into the house and got Emma's leash. She saw that in my hand and came running, chipmunk firmly in mouth. I hooked her up, managed to get her to drop the chipmunk and led her to her crate. All this time, my finger was throbbing like crazy.

I guess the finger was just bruised pretty good. Got one of those little finger braces and have been wearing it. I could barely bend the finger for a bit, but now I can make a fist without much pain in that finger. I still wear the brace at night since it seems I manage to bang it around in my sleep.

Funny thing is, it was my middle finger. Perfect.

I still love these dogs.

What's Going On

I have been so buy lately with the garden, yard work, getting the business going and doctor appointments for the hubby, I just have not been able to find the time to sit and write or work on my blogs.

First off, Chris (the hubs) has been sick off and on for several months now, and he finally decided to start really "bugging" the doctor about it. (You know how men are when it comes to going to the doctor.) After a small abnormality in an EKG, he was sent for more tests on his heart which thankfully came out negative. He was also sent for an ultrasound of the gall bladder as well as a HIDA scan, another gall bladder test. We were actually kind of hoping something would show up there as it would explain a lot and would probably be pretty easy to take care of. But, those tests also came out negative. So, it's back to the doctor tomorrow to see what's next. (Keep good thoughts for us.)

Second, the garden.....OH MY GOODNESS!! This gardening thing is driving me nuts this year. I finally got it all in, but it's not looking too good. Now, I haven't had to go out and water it but once since it's rained a bit every day around here, so I guess that's pretty good. But, the tomatoes and peppers aren't looking too good. I'm hoping it's just taking them a bit of time to really take hold. The baby limas haven't come up yet and neither have the carrots. The icicle radishes are holding on, so maybe I'll at least have some of those. The potatoes and onions aren't poking through, but they haven't been in long enough really. The cabbages? Well, I think I will be holding their funeral pretty soon. **sign**

Every thing else is the usual. The yard has grown up a lot, but I'm slowing getting it tamed. The pet sitting is slow moving, but I am still hopeful. I've had a few initial consultations, which are free, and have clients who are going to be taking vacations during the summer and will need me then. (If you surf over to my pet sitting blog at www.tccrittersitters.com, you can see a pet adoption success story I'm pretty happy about.)

Well, I remember hearing about an old Chinese curse that says "may you live in interesting times." Interesting? I think that may be an understatement.