I have cats.
In my house.
I rescued the 'old' ladies from outside because one year I was going to be gone for a week, and knew they wouldn't have survived that severe winter for a week. I have since lost three of my babies and I still grieve for them.
I won't tell you the number, as it is manageable, the house large enough and not like the houses you hear about on the news.
So don't even think of it.
I don't want to hear it.
And, if you persist, thinking that you are holier than thou, don't bother talking to me. I have already eliminated an old friendship because she told me that more than one cat was 'so very, very unhealthy'.....of course she has a 'suposed' allergy to cats and wouldn't think of having them in her home, For Heaven's Sake! By the way, she now has an inside house cat. Hmmmmm
They are my children, now that my own three have 'grown and flown'.
In some ways they are nicer to me than my three as they like to cuddle, a lot.
With me, on the bed, sometimes all at once. That makes for an interesting night's sleep. Never realized how stiff one can get when you have kitties fighting for territory with Mom and Mom sleeps in ONE position all night for fear of disrupting the ladies.
Dear Hubby has his own side of the bed, and they DO NOT try to compete with him for any of that bed surface, let me tell you!
I follow a lady in another blog that has her two babies, Chief and Bert, that make for such an interesting read. So I know she would understand. Hello Jill!
Anyway, two of my ladies are now in 'that' condition.
For the most part, I have tuned the yeowling out. But just in the last five minutes or so, have really 'listened' to it. The one making a fuss, and the Mother of the younger, answering. Such intonations! My Goodness! They do indeed have their own language! Highs and lows, sharps and shrills, gutteral and clear. It is like they are telling each other...the younger...'it is so annoying, I don't like it, when will it end, etc..' The older...'it won't take much longer, it is just part of our life, just let it go......' And on and on.
There is a marvelous series written by Shirley Rousseau Murphy that should be on every cat lover's list of reading. It centers around 'a big, powerful, gray feline, Joe Grey'. If you pick up one of the books find book one. Look at the publishing dates to find it. Even those of us with cats will find the way Shirley presents them, an eye-opener. I don't have them all and do need to keep the reading going. They are such fun books. I hope you will all go out to the library and read from book one on.
I am sorry for those of the world with just one cat or none. It is us with 'multiples' sharing our homes, that we can experience a phenomenon that is very, very interesting. And 'they' say cats can't talk.
Hmmmph. Little do they know, LOL.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Erma Bombeck's Words of Wisdom
When I was a young mother in the 60's and 70's, Erma Bombeck was the last word in understanding all of us out there with kids that had terminal snot noses, sludgy septic tanks, issues of body image, in short--really one of 'us'.
When she was on Good Morning America, I didn't miss watching her if I could help it.
Her wit was something I greatly admired, as I knew I had none of that marvelous gift.
I was too sober, too serious, and I still am.
I apologize for not showing the two graphics that was supposed to come to me. All I got is the tri-color symbol and no pic. So I deleted them. It doesn't matter anyway, Erma's wisdom will stand on it's own without the pics.
Enjoy her, and scout out one of her books again for a refreshing look at 'womanhood', and learn to laugh at yourself, 'just a little'.
In Memory Of and To Erma, with all my love, Cait
IN honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.
"IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute. Look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back.
STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
Instead, let's cherish the relationships
we have with those who do love us."
Erma, you may be gone from our earthly plane, but there will always be a part of me that will know that you are giving God some chuckles up there.
God Bless you and most of all 'Thank You' for lightening up our days in suburbia and beyond.
Your Friend,
Cait
When she was on Good Morning America, I didn't miss watching her if I could help it.
Her wit was something I greatly admired, as I knew I had none of that marvelous gift.
I was too sober, too serious, and I still am.
I apologize for not showing the two graphics that was supposed to come to me. All I got is the tri-color symbol and no pic. So I deleted them. It doesn't matter anyway, Erma's wisdom will stand on it's own without the pics.
Enjoy her, and scout out one of her books again for a refreshing look at 'womanhood', and learn to laugh at yourself, 'just a little'.
In Memory Of and To Erma, with all my love, Cait
IN honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.
"IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute. Look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back.
STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
Instead, let's cherish the relationships
we have with those who do love us."
Erma, you may be gone from our earthly plane, but there will always be a part of me that will know that you are giving God some chuckles up there.
God Bless you and most of all 'Thank You' for lightening up our days in suburbia and beyond.
Your Friend,
Cait
Sunday, February 15, 2009
I am so very happy.
Friday I went to our local hardware store, and, as I paid for my replacement pot knobs, I looked up and there was a 5-6' tall circular display of DMC Floss! I am so happy to have DMC floss back in the environs of Milaca. Princeton's Pamida used to carry floss, but got rid of it years ago.
I will no longer have to drive an hour one way to the Coon Rapids, MN, Jo Ann's or Michael's for floss. That is the closest. Even St. Cloud is an hour away for Michael's or Crafts Direct.
True, each skein is 39 cents as opposed to 27-33 cents per skein, but just think of the gas and time saved! That in itself means more stitching time, WooHoo!
Thank You Koch's Hardware.
Friday I went to our local hardware store, and, as I paid for my replacement pot knobs, I looked up and there was a 5-6' tall circular display of DMC Floss! I am so happy to have DMC floss back in the environs of Milaca. Princeton's Pamida used to carry floss, but got rid of it years ago.
I will no longer have to drive an hour one way to the Coon Rapids, MN, Jo Ann's or Michael's for floss. That is the closest. Even St. Cloud is an hour away for Michael's or Crafts Direct.
True, each skein is 39 cents as opposed to 27-33 cents per skein, but just think of the gas and time saved! That in itself means more stitching time, WooHoo!
Thank You Koch's Hardware.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
OUR ANNIVERSARY
It was 32 years ago today that Bobby asked me to marry him.
On the driveway exiting IHOP restaurant in Crystal, MN.
Totally unexpected, and so totally joyous. It was a good thing he was driving. I think he was so nervous.
It has been a marvelous 32 years since the asking and the 31 years since the wedding.
Thank You Bobby. I feel as treasured today as I did that day 32 years ago.
On the driveway exiting IHOP restaurant in Crystal, MN.
Totally unexpected, and so totally joyous. It was a good thing he was driving. I think he was so nervous.
It has been a marvelous 32 years since the asking and the 31 years since the wedding.
Thank You Bobby. I feel as treasured today as I did that day 32 years ago.
Jeff Gordon on 2.10.9, Rachael Ray's program
O.k. The man is supposed to be a learned man, or so they say.
But on the blurb Rachael Ray's people put out so you will watch the show, with his speech, sure doesn't seem like it.
His words are:
"My Mother, she knows how to drive."
O.K. Jeff, let's break it down.
"My Mother". Got it.....a female member of your family.
"SHE knows....." Why do you have to hit us over the head with a gender designation when you have already established it?
It drives me nutso to hear supposedly intelligent, educated sports people use the same double 'branding' if you will.
"Kent Hrbek, he really knows how to cover his post and he is a good first baseman."
"Tiger Woods, he is recuperating from surgery this golf season."
It goes on and on. It is perpetuated by general usage, especially by sports commentators, and when it comes within my sphere of listening, I generally try to correct it. It is so common, people do not realize what they are doing. Because they have heard it, they think it is acceptable.
It isn't.
Drives me nuts.
Listen to people and then gently correct them.
"Did you hear that Mrs. Preston, she is giving a tea for all the young girls in the church?"
"Excuse me, (chuckle here) you have already identified Mrs. Preston, your Pastor's wife's 'gender', no need to tell me that Mrs. Preston is a 'she'. Now continue, if you will, and Thank You."
Or, do it in your own inimitable way, YOU ARE ALL smart enough to figure out a way to tell people that they do not have to double the gender in the same sentence, especially if they are referring to only one person. They have already established it.
Errrgghh!
But on the blurb Rachael Ray's people put out so you will watch the show, with his speech, sure doesn't seem like it.
His words are:
"My Mother, she knows how to drive."
O.K. Jeff, let's break it down.
"My Mother". Got it.....a female member of your family.
"SHE knows....." Why do you have to hit us over the head with a gender designation when you have already established it?
It drives me nutso to hear supposedly intelligent, educated sports people use the same double 'branding' if you will.
"Kent Hrbek, he really knows how to cover his post and he is a good first baseman."
"Tiger Woods, he is recuperating from surgery this golf season."
It goes on and on. It is perpetuated by general usage, especially by sports commentators, and when it comes within my sphere of listening, I generally try to correct it. It is so common, people do not realize what they are doing. Because they have heard it, they think it is acceptable.
It isn't.
Drives me nuts.
Listen to people and then gently correct them.
"Did you hear that Mrs. Preston, she is giving a tea for all the young girls in the church?"
"Excuse me, (chuckle here) you have already identified Mrs. Preston, your Pastor's wife's 'gender', no need to tell me that Mrs. Preston is a 'she'. Now continue, if you will, and Thank You."
Or, do it in your own inimitable way, YOU ARE ALL smart enough to figure out a way to tell people that they do not have to double the gender in the same sentence, especially if they are referring to only one person. They have already established it.
Errrgghh!
Friday, February 6, 2009
I have a new obsession
I have a new obsession.
Cinnamon graham crackers with 'Nutella'! (pronounced "new-tell-uh"),
If you haven't had Nutella, boy, are you ever missing a joy in this world.
It is when you really need chocolate and don't have any chocolate bars in those favourite hiding spots in the house, and do not want to open that bag of 'designated cookie' chocolate chips.
Plus it is spreadable! How great is that!?
I have known about Nutella for years, but was introduced to it by a young East Indian couple at the Maple Grove WalMart last year. I saw that they had it in their cart and stopped to ask about it. She told me about it and said that there was a stand in the front of the store with a dollar off coupon. She told me where it was in the store, and I went and got a jar. She met up with me a few aisles away and asked if I had gotten a coupon, and I said that I hadn't (I'm not really a coupon shopper, but will change now after getting some very good advice on how to really save money). She graciously gave me two of her coupons to use.
For those not in the know, Nutella is a hazelnut spread with skim milk and cocoa. A 13 ounce jar is made with over 50 hazelnuts per jar. You do not have to refrigerate it or microwave it to get it soft. It already is. For a 2 tbsp serving the total fat is 11g, 0 cholesterol, 15 mg sodium, 22g total carb (mind you, it is for TWO tablespoons, that's a humongous amount!), 1 gr fiber and 3 gr protein. No vitamin A, no vitamin C, but calcium is 4% and iron is 4%.
The jar said it is delicious on whole wheat, multigrain and bakery breads, bagels, English muffins, waffles, toast, croissants........add cinnamon grahams!
I am going to go to http://www.nutellausa.com/ to see what else is in there.
Got the cinnamon grahams earlier this week at Aldi's grocery (first time in there, ever, was pleased with my $10.00 shopping spree), and mentioned to Margaret that I hadn't had graham crackers in the house forever because dear hubby would sniff and snuff them out. Am re-looking at the foods I need to eat to stay healthy. Graham is back on the horizon, even though the fiber is listed as less than 1 gram, but protein is 2 gr. The numbers are interesting.
calories 130 calories from fat 25
total fat 3 gr
cholesterol 0mg
sodium 105 mg
total carbohydrates 25 gr
sugars 10g
Iron 6%
So in the general scheme of things, it isn't raw veggies, BUT, when that chocolate craving rears its ugly head, grahams and Nutella.
Thank you, Lord, for a small blessing.
Cinnamon graham crackers with 'Nutella'! (pronounced "new-tell-uh"),
If you haven't had Nutella, boy, are you ever missing a joy in this world.
It is when you really need chocolate and don't have any chocolate bars in those favourite hiding spots in the house, and do not want to open that bag of 'designated cookie' chocolate chips.
Plus it is spreadable! How great is that!?
I have known about Nutella for years, but was introduced to it by a young East Indian couple at the Maple Grove WalMart last year. I saw that they had it in their cart and stopped to ask about it. She told me about it and said that there was a stand in the front of the store with a dollar off coupon. She told me where it was in the store, and I went and got a jar. She met up with me a few aisles away and asked if I had gotten a coupon, and I said that I hadn't (I'm not really a coupon shopper, but will change now after getting some very good advice on how to really save money). She graciously gave me two of her coupons to use.
For those not in the know, Nutella is a hazelnut spread with skim milk and cocoa. A 13 ounce jar is made with over 50 hazelnuts per jar. You do not have to refrigerate it or microwave it to get it soft. It already is. For a 2 tbsp serving the total fat is 11g, 0 cholesterol, 15 mg sodium, 22g total carb (mind you, it is for TWO tablespoons, that's a humongous amount!), 1 gr fiber and 3 gr protein. No vitamin A, no vitamin C, but calcium is 4% and iron is 4%.
The jar said it is delicious on whole wheat, multigrain and bakery breads, bagels, English muffins, waffles, toast, croissants........add cinnamon grahams!
I am going to go to http://www.nutellausa.com/ to see what else is in there.
Got the cinnamon grahams earlier this week at Aldi's grocery (first time in there, ever, was pleased with my $10.00 shopping spree), and mentioned to Margaret that I hadn't had graham crackers in the house forever because dear hubby would sniff and snuff them out. Am re-looking at the foods I need to eat to stay healthy. Graham is back on the horizon, even though the fiber is listed as less than 1 gram, but protein is 2 gr. The numbers are interesting.
calories 130 calories from fat 25
total fat 3 gr
cholesterol 0mg
sodium 105 mg
total carbohydrates 25 gr
sugars 10g
Iron 6%
So in the general scheme of things, it isn't raw veggies, BUT, when that chocolate craving rears its ugly head, grahams and Nutella.
Thank you, Lord, for a small blessing.
SOUNDS
Has it ever occurred to anyone how hearing is 'different' between men and women?
The classic in my life was when a former relative was told of an 'non-before' noise in a car, and his response was "Turn Up The Radio!"
I don't know what it is between men and women on hearing noises that weren't there before.
Perhaps it is because we, as women and mothers, have to listen for the smallest, tiniest sound emanating from the smaller members of the human race in our domiciles in order to keep them safe.
Our children.
While men blithely drive or sleep on and on and on.
We can hear the slightest change in pitch of the furnace, car engine, refrigerator, ANY mechanical device.
Ask the man in your immediate relationship to identify the problem and you get the 'You have got to be kidding' look.
Or, as in the former relative, "TURN THE RADIO UP!"
But...........get them out hunting, and they can hear mouse footfalls in the woods 30 feet away.
Get them out in a male dominated area such as the Indy 500 and they can tell if an engine is the smallest micro-meter off.
I find that so funny.
Yet, they constantly put us down for that ability to say "the furnace isn't running right, would you check on it for me, please?"
Maybe we should retaliate and get that same, mirroring look on our faces when they ask us what is wrong.......Ooooh, wouldn't that be the best 'backatcha' ever?
Don't get me wrong, MOST men are deserving of our praise and trust. However, there are those few that are spoiling it for the 'gems' we have found to live with daily. Is it in how we raise our male offspring?
I tried to raise my male offspring to respect the female in his life. I don't really know if I succeeded, I hope so, his spouse is just the cutest little bug. She is so smart and loves to teach those small kids in her charge.
But.......
There are women out there that raise their male offspring to believe differently, and that any woman in his life is secondary to him.
We all have different ways to raise our children.
As to which is best, I don't know.
I do know that my Mother-in-law raised my husband beautifully. I am truly blessed to have him in my life.
My father-in-law is the most gentle man and had a lot to contribute in the raising of this man and a lot for Bobby to emulate. He does so continually.
There are a lot of things in life I don't know.
But, I am willing to learn.....and listen.
The classic in my life was when a former relative was told of an 'non-before' noise in a car, and his response was "Turn Up The Radio!"
I don't know what it is between men and women on hearing noises that weren't there before.
Perhaps it is because we, as women and mothers, have to listen for the smallest, tiniest sound emanating from the smaller members of the human race in our domiciles in order to keep them safe.
Our children.
While men blithely drive or sleep on and on and on.
We can hear the slightest change in pitch of the furnace, car engine, refrigerator, ANY mechanical device.
Ask the man in your immediate relationship to identify the problem and you get the 'You have got to be kidding' look.
Or, as in the former relative, "TURN THE RADIO UP!"
But...........get them out hunting, and they can hear mouse footfalls in the woods 30 feet away.
Get them out in a male dominated area such as the Indy 500 and they can tell if an engine is the smallest micro-meter off.
I find that so funny.
Yet, they constantly put us down for that ability to say "the furnace isn't running right, would you check on it for me, please?"
Maybe we should retaliate and get that same, mirroring look on our faces when they ask us what is wrong.......Ooooh, wouldn't that be the best 'backatcha' ever?
Don't get me wrong, MOST men are deserving of our praise and trust. However, there are those few that are spoiling it for the 'gems' we have found to live with daily. Is it in how we raise our male offspring?
I tried to raise my male offspring to respect the female in his life. I don't really know if I succeeded, I hope so, his spouse is just the cutest little bug. She is so smart and loves to teach those small kids in her charge.
But.......
There are women out there that raise their male offspring to believe differently, and that any woman in his life is secondary to him.
We all have different ways to raise our children.
As to which is best, I don't know.
I do know that my Mother-in-law raised my husband beautifully. I am truly blessed to have him in my life.
My father-in-law is the most gentle man and had a lot to contribute in the raising of this man and a lot for Bobby to emulate. He does so continually.
There are a lot of things in life I don't know.
But, I am willing to learn.....and listen.
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