Moment of COMPLETE CUTENESS!

HOW CUTE IS HE??!!!

Getting Ready

We have snow and ice in the forecast for tomorrow and every good North Carolinian knows what that means…you have to get ready by rushing en mass to the grocery store and buying up all the milk, bread and batteries. I, however tend to go for things like Mountain Dew, chips and Reese Peanut Butter Cups. I mean when you are stuck inside on a snowy day who wants bread and a glass of milk? But seriously, I find my self sitting here at work thinking of everything that I need to do at the house if we are going to have an ice situation. I have a list made of what I need to do and it looks like this:

Vacuum
Finish doing all the laundry (this is a TALL order. I always have laundry, and lots of it)
Fill all available containers with water including tub while showering.
Make sure kitchen is cleaned up.
Go to Target for a new ceramic heater or electric blanket for outside for Flounder
Get out Flashlights and put one in each room.
Make sure dogs have clean blankets in kennels.
Bird Seed
Extra cat food
Candles?
Find Batteries and radio.
Fill car with gas.
Get some Cash.
Make sure cell phone is charged.

And that is the short list. I have good reasons for this list. No really!

For one, I have been stuck in an ice storm without being prepared and it stunk. We did not have electricity for 2 days. Which was short compared too many others who were without power for a week or more. So, without electricity the pump for the well did not work so there was no water. Luckily, because it was cold the dogs did not drink too much so it wasn’t too bad. But with no extra water we could not do important things like flush the toilet…ewww or brush our teeth! After that I swore I would not be caught unaware again. So while it sounds weird to fill your tub with water while you are showering, it makes sense if you are going to use that water to pour into the toilet to flush it if you have no electricity.

Now the gas, cash and cell phone is something that stemmed from an episode 2 years ago where we had a freak ice storm and traffic crisis and it took me 9 hours to get home. I live 20 miles from work. This is a 30 minute drive. I was stuck in the car for 9 hours, with no food, no water, no cash, no credit card, in a skirt and heels with no way to go to the bathroom. (So the no water thing was probably ok!) I was afraid to get out of traffic for fear I would never be let back in. I also had to drive on the sidewalk because the hill was icy and everyone was spinning out and off the road. It is weird to be dodging road signs and mailboxes while making your way down Durant Road! Plus, I realized that if I did have to get out and walk I was wearing tights and heels. Not good for trekking through snow and ice. If work is not canceled, I will be wearing jeans and boots to work. The bird seed, extra cat food and heater are probably over kill BUT I want to make sure that all the creatures have something to eat, and provided we have electricity, warm.

Just a few days ago, I wished for a snow day. Now it looks like I might get my wish. I just hope I am prepared so I can enjoy it!

Random thoughts and moments from this weekend:

A smack on the head moment: I went to visit my old high school on Friday and I was telling the students that I graduated in 1988 and one boy’s response was “oh my gosh, I wasn’t even born yet!” Great. Thanks for that reminder! Sheesh!

A warm fuzzy: My vet telling me how much it meant to him when he got my thank you card that I sent him on Friday for taking such good care of Otto during his suture emergency on Thursday. Dr. Brian is the BEST VET EVER!!

A really special day: On Sunday I went to see an old friend that I have known for over 12 years but have not seen in about 6 years. We have kept in touch via email but we had not seen one another. It was funny though because I felt like no time had passed since the last time I saw her. We fell into that old easy way of talking about stuff, the way good friends do. I didn’t realize how much I missed her until I saw her yesterday. Thanks for having me over Chelle. I love you! Let’s get together soon, I will bring the dinner!

Great idea: I took some things that I was getting rid of to a place called Retails. It is a thrift store that benefits Animal Kind-a charity that works to offer low cost spay/neuter programs in this area. So not only did I get a tax write off but I got rid of erroneous stuff! Animal Kind you are awesome!

Warm fuzzy moment 2: My niece and I snuggled on one of my parent’s couches watching Max and Ruby. That is one of those moments that helps me through the tough times.

Sweet moment: All three dogs curled up in the living room sleeping while I beaded bracelets. Bunnie was dreaming and making these cute little squeaking noises while Otto just kept sighing. Chloe was snoring which was really cute then-but not so much at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday!

Sweet moment 2: Dallas my friend’s dog, remembering me and Jade her new dog liking me!

I hope you all had some sweet moments, warm fuzzy moments, great ideas and yes even a smack on the head moments!

Squeak Goes Home

For those of you who have been following my saga with Squeak (the kitten I found) I thought I would let you know how it all ended last night.

I found Squeak hungry and scared in my car port about 3 weeks ago. I could tell he had lived with someone because he was so loving and friendly. I took him in and let him live in the laundry room that is off of my car port. With three dogs in the house there was no way that Squeak could come in and Flounder my outside cat was not really fond of him so I had to keep him in there. Plus, he did not act extremely street savy so I worried about him getting in to the road. I posted to the Found Board at Animal Control that I had found him and where.

So each morning and night I would go out several times to visit him, clean his litter box, feed him and play with him. I loved this cat and I would have kept him but I thought it was unfair since he loved to be with people so much, he really needed to be inside. So I contacted the rescue that I volunteer with and they said they would take him as soon as there was space. So 2 weeks or more went by with no room for Squeak. Yesterday I contacted another rescue who said they would take him after he was neutered. I had an appointment to have Squeak neutered on January 30th through a lost cost spay/neuter program. So everything was moving along.

Then yesterday I got a call from a lady who said her neighbor had lost a kitten around Christmas. She had decided to go to Wake County Animal Control’s website and check the found ads. She saw mine and thought maybe this was her neighbor’s cat since we lived so close to one another. She told me she had no idea what made her think of going there. She just did it. I described Squeak as best I could and said that she thought it was their cat, could she give them my phone number. OF COURSE!! So to make long story short a very nice man named Roger came over and took Squeak home. He was their cat!

Yesterday was just one of those days where for a split second, everything in the world is aligned just right. Now Squeak is safe at home with his family and I feel so happy. I prayed for a positive outcome to this situation and I certainly got what I prayed for. I think the Lord works on mysterious ways!

I want a Snow Day!

Well now that my “big meeting” at work is over I can concentrate on my blog! :-)

You know what I really want? A good snow day! You know the kind where you wake up and there is 7-12 inches of snow on the ground. There will be no question that work is cancelled and schools are closed. You don’t have to risk life and limb to get to work. Everyone follows the advice of the State Highway Patrol and stays off the roads so there are no accidents. No one gets stuck. You are completely prepared with food, dog treats (very important in my case) and entertainment (DVD’s, books, pictures to scrapbook, cards to stamp etc). Since it is snow, there is very little chance that the power will go out. You can stay in your flannel jammies and stay cozy inside. Take a nap, make a grilled cheese sandwich, sit on the couch and read…do whatever you want! You can stay up late because it is still snowing and you know work has already been closed for the next day. And then it melts and everyone goes on about their business.

I just want one good snow day. That isn’t too much to ask right?

One of THOSE Days

Today was "one of those days" for me.

It started at 4:45 a.m. when I woke up to go pet sit and could not find my flashlight that I needed to walk across the street to the house.

Then when I tried to get dressed everything I put on was wrong; ie, to warm, not warm enough, too casual, no shoes to match the outfit, no tights clean that were the correct color. the I try and do my hair and it just won't cooperate. I just put a headband on and thought to myself, this is as good as it gets for today. I finally get out of the door 10 minutes late and notice that my gas light is on so I have to go to the gas station.

Which, I do and wait and wait for the pump to work and then I notice that you have to pre-pay if you are using cash. THIS REALLY MAKEs ME MAD! I mean I know all about drive offs but I feel like they are punishing the people who use cash. I have never driven off without paying and certainly never plan to. So I have to troop in to the store and do all of that.

I finally get on the road and realize that I forgot my lunch on the counter. I doubt it will still be there when I get home because I am sure one the dogs will eat it. Whatever.

Then I get to work and well let us just say that lots of annoying things went on there. TRUST ME! And as I sit here typing I notice that my headbband feels weird so I pull it out of my hair and notice that it has snapped in half. Thank goodness for the hair elastic that I wear around my wrist like a bracelet when it is not in my hair. It is hot in here, my skin is dry and itchy from the heat in this building and I want to go home. So there you have it. One of THOSE days! I hope yours is going better! :-)

Tunes

So, my best friend Jennifer bought me an MP3 player for Christmas. I am proud to say that I have downloaded about 35 songs on there and I am addicted to listening to what I have just put on it!

My MP3 player reminds me of the days of the mixed tape. I used to make mixed tapes all the time for all occasions and I gave them really snappy names like Amy and Holly's Big Adventure (Holly was a friend of mine when I worked at the pool in the summer and trust me, we had some pretty BIG adventures...hahaha). I would even go so far as to decorate the inside cover of the tape case with pictures I had cut out or designs I had drawn on there. Why study when you can make a mixed tape! Well the beauty of the MP3 player as everyone knows is that you can get songs form all different sources and the songs can be as different as you want. You can put whole albums or just individual songs. For example here is a small overview of what is on there so far:

No More Kings, form School House Rock

Saturday Night, the Bay City Rollers

Time after Time, Cyndi Lauper

Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Madonna

Catch My Fall, Billy Idol

You're So Vain, Carly Simon

Circle of Life, Lion King

Save the Last Dance for Me, Michael Buble'

Tonight, I face the Dixie Chicks. That is going to be one long downloading session! what is on your iPod or MP3 player?

Happy New Year

Well, it is the New Year and time for those resolutions. I always make resolutions and sometimes I stick to some of them. But this year I am going to try to stick to all of them. I think the secret is not to go over board. Don’t say you are going to lose 100 pounds if your heart is not in it or that you are going to save a million dollars if you don’t have the means.

So here are my resolutions for 2007:

1. I am going to treat my house with more respect. What does that mean? Well, I am going to work really hard at keeping things cleaner and more organized. I know it won’t be perfect but I am going to make the effort. I will try and keep the yard up and looking nice and the car port cleaned up.

2. I am going to be better with my finances. This is a tall order. I know that I won’t be perfect but I will definitely try harder to keep my finances in order. I have had this same resolution since my ex moved out and I have made huge strides! But I can’t be lax so I added it this year as well.

3. I will make more time to volunteer. I have not been volunteering at the pet adoption events like I used to so I am going to try and start doing more of that. Also, I think I might look for some new ways to volunteer.

4. I will be more mindful of my actions and their impact on the environment. I have really become serious about recycling (thanks for taking all my stuff dad!) and trying to make my house more energy efficient and use less electricity. I will try to make my yard more wildlife friendly (outside the fence of course) and welcoming to all critters!

5. I will be a better person. I will try and be more patient, more kind, more loyal, more helpful and more loving to my friends and family.

6. I will try and be happy. I will try and not let the little things get me down and make me unhappy.

7. I will try and do more fun things/training with the dogs. They are such good fuzzies and I need to more fun stuff with them. Trust me, they get enough attention but I am going to try and take them on more walks, more little car rides (not just to the vet) just fun stuff.

8. I will try and be healthier. This includes things like drinking more water, making better food choices etc. I know that I will still eat French fries and pizza but maybe I will throw some salad and fruits in there!

9. I will eat at home more. I rely way too much on take out!

10. In the effort to organize, I will get rid of all the things that I don’t need or that don’t make me happy.

Well that is a short list. I hope that I can accomplish all of these things and maybe more! Good luck on your resolutions!