Curiosity Killed the Cat

I know that is how the saying goes. I only wish it were true in my case. That sounds awful. Let me explain.

I have a friend (Hey Nancy) who loves animals. She even majored in Zoology. She had a post recently about her chicken that lives in her window well. It made me laugh. She is just so witty and clever. Who could make writing about a chicken in a window well funny, well, she can. So, when I write this post, I realize it isn't going to be witty or clever. I am going to come across as anything but charming....because I, unlike Nancy, do not love animals, nor do I even remotely like them; in fact, I shun away from them. My biggest fear in this story was actually finding the animal and having to touch it. I definitely would have had to enlist the help of some of the neighbors.

I have always disliked animals. Even as a child. I used to have a cat that liked to sleep on my bed and I would take my covers and like the big parachute game we all played in P.E. I would send that cat flying like the ball in the middle. When we went on our cruise to the Caribbean, we were told swimming with the stingrays was a must. So my husband and I decided to give it a try. I got in the water and very careful get my extremities close to me and as a stingray got closer, I inched a way. I finally got back in the boat and watched from above. I got some great pictures of Brett though. The thought of something touching me in the water gives me the heebie jeebies. I used to hate waterskiing for that very reason.

I have had a stray cat who comes and goes living in my backyard. I don't really care all that much other than the number of droppings it has left behind to let me know it is there. Drives me crazy that I can't even walk in my backyard without watching where I step. Good thing the snow has melted so I can go clean it up.

A few weeks ago I sent the kids out back to play. Kk came bolting in screaming and crying with Princess hot on her tails. I thought for sure someone had died. The verdict: the "titty tat". It had gone bolting out of the playhouse sandbox when it realized its shelter was being invaded by a bunch of loud children. I had to laugh. My kids are all extremely afraid of animals.

Friday as I went out to get in my car I found some of those droppings I was talking about, in my garage. The kids had left the garage opened for a little bit the day before. I guess curiosity got the better of the cat and it invited itself into my garage. I was watching tv that night when I heard a clang coming from the garage. I quickly went to investigate and when I opened the garage door I saw the cat run into the ultimate chaos of our garage. There would be no way of finding that night. I finally decided if I wanted to salvage anything from my garage I should try and get it out before it did its bodily functions all over the place. Eleven o'clock at night and I am out there in pj's, both garage doors open, beating my stuff with a broom. It must have been a sight to behold.

No luck. I thought it was out. I had checked its usual hiding place in the back yard a couple of times but never found it. Two nights later I heard yowling and moaning that I have never heard before. I googled what happens when a cat is in labor, and I was convinced that the cat was going to have kittens in my garage. And there was nothing I could do about it because there was no way I could find it.

The next morning I decided I had to tackle this problem. And so I looked. And looked. And looked. No cat. I was convinced I was going to find the dead body of the cat because it had starved to death, but didn't even find that.

And then. I went to the backyard and peeked into the sandbox. And up came those glowing green eyes oh so gently and a little purr.

When I had asked Kk if she wanted to help me find the cat she told me no because it is scary. After I told her I had found it she kept telling me the titty tat was hungry and that I needed to feed it. Ha ha, fat chance. I don't want a cat, but the question is....do you?

Broken

Yesterday was not my favorite day. I had an array of emotions running, and unfortunately, none of them created a rainbow. I felt violated, angry, frustrated and mad...just to name a few. My car was broken into while I was at church. I was sitting in class when someone came and got me and asked if I had a certain sticker in my window in which I told them yes. They then proceeded to tell me my car had a broken window.

I quickly went out to the car to see what had happened. After surveying the damage, I couldn't figure out what was taken. I had the girls coats sitting on the front seat of the car with a few other random items, all of which seemed to be there. It didn't make sense. I had made sure that morning to clear my car out of anything that would be worthy to steal. It doesn't surprise me that church parking lots are a target for car thieves. I decided I better run home to make sure my purse wasn't by chance in the car.

After a rather wild chase in my house for my purse, a few kicks of some pillows when I realized it wasn't there, and a hasty phone call to my husband, I concluded my purse had been in the car. I can't believe I didn't see it that morning under the coats. I know not to leave valuables in the car, especially at church since things like this happen all the time. I was mad at myself, and mad at the person who felt obliged to my purse.

I already had a sinus headache which was now compounded by the rest of the afternoon being spent on the phone trying to cancel everything in my purse. It wasn't much. Couple dollars of cash, a few gift cards, a credit card, checkbook. Nothing that someone could do much with. But the damage to me, my family and my car leaves us all feeling a little broken.

I figure the cost of me having all that taken from me is probably over $300 worth. For them, they probably walked away with $50. Is it worth it? Seriously. Find a new hobby. Save me the time.

My cute kids were quite upset by the whole thing. They couldn't understand why someone would do something like that. I tried to explain to them that all people aren't honest. Brett asked them who they thought did it and one of them replied:

"It had to be a girl because boys don't go shopping". She also declared that people shouldn't "Do that on Sunday". The other little girl just kept saying, That's not verrwy nice, over. and over.

Which, I have to agree, it wasn't.

Candy Trains

My sister-in-law taught me how to make these fun candy trains a few years ago. I have never attempted to have my kids make them but felt inclined to do something with them this year. I enjoy candy trains a little more than gingerbread houses because they are easier to do and each person can make one without a lot of help. We had the Davenport's over for their first attempt at trains and I must admit they did awesome. I wasn't the greatest teacher, but we managed. I think we will try to make this a tradition. It sure makes for a lot of candy in the house.

Black Eyed

The little one took a plunge at the doctor's office a while back. I didn't see the fall but the only thing I can think happened was that she fell from an upper level play area to a lower and whacked her cheek on a table. It immediately swelled up and after a short nap on the way home she had quite the shiner. I felt so bad for her because she cried and cried. It couldn't have felt good. After a couple of days, and talking to many people, I was convinced and not convinced that she broke it. I wasn't sure what to do. It became red and warm and her snot had turned green so I was worried she had busted up the buccal cavity in there. I took her over to a local insta-care and he didn't think it was broken but was worried it might be infected. We started her on some medication. I can't believe how many times I had to explain what had happened (maybe I should have blogged about it then so I didn't have to tell so many people! ha ha). Anyway, it has taken months for the thing to look better. Once the swelling went away, she had this huge dimple line right where I would have guessed she hit the table. It has improved but you can still feel the scar tissue in there and she continues to have dimple in her cheek. So, here are a few pictures of close to the event and know. You can see the dimple in the bottom one if you look at her right cheek. I didn't get any pictures when it was really bad! I don't know what I was thinking. I am sure the middle picture is a self portrait but I think it shows how swollen her cheek really was.

"Say Hey"

It has occurred to me that I don't have the proper documentation of this great event. My battery on my camera died after these two pictures. Good thing I had my father-in-law there for back-up. Now I need to get those pictures from him. It is something I look forward to twice a year. This girl loves to perform and loves to be the center of attention. Her dance this year was to "Say Hey" (I Love You) by Michael Franti and Spearhead. Such a fun and up beat song. Great for these little girls. I will try to get a copy uploaded for your viewing pleasure. I am trying to get caught up, little bits and pieces here and there will do.

Swim Away

I have been promising my mother an update for weeks, probably even months now. This one won't be much, but it is a start and I really do have the intention of getting caught up. After soccer was over for the fall for T-man I decided I needed to find another outlet for him to get his energy out. There were a few in the neighborhood who were on a pre-comp swim team. I was hesitant to do it because it is THREE days a week. The kid is only 7 and I didn't want to burn him out, but he wanted to try it so we gave it a shot. He loves it. The team has meets about once a month. His first meet was only a couple of weeks after we got started. I must say, he did pretty good. His strokes are improving and he loves to go with the boys from the neighborhood. It has been a good change for all of us. His first meet happened to be on his birthday so he got some new swim gear as well. The girls can't wait until they get there turn on the team. I have a feeling I have many more meets in the future!

The Magic Of Christmas

It is amazing how just hearing that simple phrase brings a smile to many faces. I really can't believe Christmas is in just 3 days. I think I better start shopping. Brett made it home safely and the kids haven't let him leave their sight since. Time goes by much faster with him here and I just can't manage to get as much done. My cute friends got me "Elf on the Shelf" for my birthday this year. It is such a fun new family tradition. The kids named the Elf, Shaggy. It is fun to see where Shaggy decides to perch himself each morning to start a new day in watching the kids. I hope after all his reporting back to Santa in the North Pole at night will still leave the kids with more than a lump of coal in their stocking. Guess only time will tell. Hopefully I can get on the computer soon again and get caught up on things. A few birthdays, dance recitals, swim meets. You get the idea. I am behind. And, if I miss the chance....Merry Christmas to all!