How do you frisk a cat?

Carefully.

My cat Mister is such a treasure.  Right up front I want everyone to know that. He's not the brightest. But he loves me.  And has been finding extra special ways to prove it.

We have rabbits in the hood.  They come from a street over.  They're just sharing their little hairry love.  Mister avoids them.  Can't figure them out. I figured they were safe from them.  I mean - he won't mess with the 2 lb. Chihuahua from next door, so I guess something "mid-size" would more fit his purpose.

At first the neighbors thought they were cute.  But after folks started finding little pot holes in their yard some weren't so sure anymore.  I am not one of them.  I think they're cute.  And I like watching them playing in the front yard while carefully filling in their freshly dug holes.I try to sneak up on them but I'm kind of hard to miss, if you know what I mean.

Last weekend was wonderful & spirit filled.  We went to the funeral of a friend's dear husband (mentioned in an earlier post).  Beautiful music.  Great talks & rememberances.  Lots of laughs.  It was a true celebration of his life.

Then we went to the Temple that evening with kids and a Gdaughter. Afterwards we helped close down a Spring Creek BBQ.  Now - that's a rowdy crowd I am proud to hang with! We had good food, better company and just have the best ol' time!

But then?  A surprise was waiting for us when we pulled into our driveway late Saturday night.

We pulled into the driveway and saw that there were no bunnies visiting our front yard.  Mister was racing across the yard and I asked him where were the bunnies?  Then we got to the porch and discovered that he had killed a baby bunny and brought to us as a tribute.  He was so proud.  Wanted me to see it first thing.  Showing off his hunting skills.  Whatever.  Jim had to take care of it for me.  I talked to Mister and told him no more baby bunnies.

But I guess he thought he had a good thing going.

Wednesday night Jim was picking up a piece of trash, walked to the trash can muttering to himself (which considering our household is not all that unusual), and tossed something in.  But then he covered it up with more trash.  Now I was a little curious. He told me that I had better start frisking Mister whenever he came into the house. Why would I need to do that?  Because he'd brought in a present for us (not the literal us - he meant the "me" us.) and dropped it on the floor in the den.  This baby was black so it would have been hard to see it when Mister had it in his mouth.

Then to add insult to injury - he jumped up on the arm of my recliner, all proud of himself knowing that he had brought the best present EVER to the mom he adored.  But only after he'd rolled all over it to mark his territory and make it his own.

Oh. My. Heck.  You've not lived till you've had a 30 lb. furry paper weight that smells of rancid dead bunny rabbit and he's proudly rubbing all over you and the arm of the chair.

What a monster I've raised.  Tonight - a bit of a bath for the cat.  This should be fun.

I've got bandaids, 1st aid cream and towels close at hand. No, silly, not for Mister, but for me.

Sigh.

The Holidays Just “Flu” Right By Me

Note:  Yes, I know this is not a timely subject.  I'm running on Mormon Standard Time.  I've been trying to play catch-up since the holidays and not doing a very good job of it.  Heck.  I just now took down my Christmas decorations at work!  Better late than never?

I hate to admit it but the holiday season of 2012-2103 was pretty danged dismal.

The week before Christmas – felt a little puny.  But that’s nothing new.  I drive myself (and those around me) crazy with all the holiday traditions.  And end up getting sick.

But this year I did so much better – or so I thought.  Made little stops here and there picking up gift cards and/or goodies.  Didn’t spend too much –at least not as bad as in previous years.  Decided to do my last run to WM & Kohl’s the weekend before Christmas.  Heck! I even made plans to wrap presents vs. my just handing them their stuff in Target sacks (a cherished family tradition).  But it was not to be.

On the Friday before Christmas I went downhill faster than an Olympic skier (or, since this is Texas, faster than a kid on an ice block barreling down a steep hill).  At 8:00 AM I as fine.  9:30 – maybe a little sniffley.  11:20 – I was out the door, on my way home.  I knew I was sick when I passed on by WM and Kohl’s.  I didn’t care how much more shopping I had to do.  I was sick.

We were invited to my department party that evening.  Early in the day I told my manager that yes, indeedy, Jim & I would be there.  So our evening plans changed pretty fast, too.  No party.  No shopping.  No stopping for treats on the way home.  Just a straight shot to my driveway and then to my couch.

My usual holiday time, rundown, tired, not eating right sickness usually lasted only last two days at the longest.  But not this year.  Nope.  This just kept on and on and on.  I didn’t realize that I had the flu, until I heard all the news about the flu on the TV.  Oh - that explained it!

If had known I had the flu, I would have taken some precautions and not have exposed others.  I feel like I was Typhoid Mary.  And if I did infect anybody else?  I'm SO sorry. 

I did get Christmas together for everyone (quick trips to WM where I got to practice speed shopping).  And I did get presents wrapped (staying up to 2:00 AM on Christmas day).  I was existing on not-so-healthy food and ice chips.  Nothing cures the flu faster than a handful of Pepperidge Farms cookies and some ice chips.  I managed to get some warms soups down me – but I was much more satisfied with the ice. 

We did go through the temple when I was much better.  We got to go through with one of our Gdaughters – going on a mission to Rome in the spring.  Their parents were there.  The adopted parents were, too.  And several folks from her ward.  That was truly awesome.

But we didn’t do our usual movie run.  No one was in the mood or most were cash poor.  The Gkids had other things going on, too.  So all-in-all it was a much quieter Christmas than usual.  But Christmas this year will (hopefully) be much livelier.  We’ll all be well.  Won’t overspend (ha!).  Those that can be home will be.  And we will all share some time together in the true Spirit of the Season.  And remember the reason for the Season.

Better start my list! Because I'm going to have to check it more than twice!!!

Our Loss. Heaven's Gain.

A loss today in my extended family.

My BFF from my childbirthing era lost her husband this morning. She's a wonderful, brave woman who will weather this loss with grace, faith and dignity. She & her Beloved got to be married for only a year, but what a year it was. They lived their life together with humor, compassion, tears and love. And they had fun. Even knowing that their time together in this earthly sphere would be short, they enjoyed their marriage with gusto.

Kudos to their kids from both sides of the aisle that have come together to support each other.

This is a time for joy, not sorrow. We will celebrate that they had a great year of love, fun and laughter, jam making, good food, hugs, fishing and football. They were so blessed. They had more in one short year that some people ever have in their lifetime. And soon a much anticipated sealing for time and all eternity.  

Even their time was short, they lived life large.  You can't get much better than that.

I love this woman.  She's been such a good example to me and mine for years - and she continues to do so.  And I'm so grateful that she found someone to love.  And most importantly someone to love her, too.  She deserved and needed it.

Thank you, Mert, for loving and cherishing my friend.

Lynn, keep on dancin'.  He wouldn't want it any other way.