Up in arms

My coworker receives a phone call from her friend wanting to know if she is overreacting to a situation with her son. At work, she receives a message from her son's teacher informing that her son was lying on the sidewalk down the street and refusing to get up, adding a "I hope he makes it in today". Naturally, the friend rushes over to the school where a parent dropping their kids off had picked her son up off the sidewalk and drove him to school. This kid slipped on the ice and broke his leg (all the way to the hip), a spiral fracture that occurs when the body is twisted until it breaks. Most of his leg is in a cast now. The friend is furious not one single person from the school went to check on him. It is not normal for a kid to lay on a sidewalk refusing to get up. My coworker assured she is not overreacting saying she needs to have a meeting with that principal and play that message the teacher left for her. How awful. Post later. Bye!

Fun with Niece

I had a good 2 days with my niece. I went to her house Tuesday, packed the car, and didn't see any pillow so I went into the bedroom and grabbed one from her bed. I discovered later it was in the suitcase. Went over to the babysitter where they were in the middle of a diaper change. Talked to the babysitter of our sleepover (my sister already told her about it). My niece was so excited to see Precious and Frodo. I had to explain those are my cats. The babysitter offered one of her nap cots she keeps folded up, but I declined saying we had a sleeping bag. We went to my place and got the stuff out. Precious and Frodo helped themsleves into the suitcase. We had a snack of animal crackers and cranberry juice. She tried to play with the cats tossing balls and waving the fishing poles. Cats were a little taken back by this eager person following them and telling them to catch the ball. While I cooked supper, she played in the bedroom pulling out anything she could get her hands on. My nightstand, my dresser drawers, and the top of the dresser were all ransacked. She tried to feed the cats by carrying the water bowl and food dish to them. Most of the floor was covered in cat food and water got on the carpet. I told her several times to leave the food alone, if the cats are hungry they will eat.

For supper, niece had ravalotti, applesauce, milk, and animal crackers. Later when she got hungry I gave fruit cocktail and orange juice. My sister packed food for her. I cooked popcorn but she wasn't interested. We tried to watch Dumbo but she wasn't interested in the animals. She loves the Narnia, Witch, Lion, Wardrobe, but she keeps turning away with fear so I question why she loves this movie so much. Throughout the whole night, Niece asked where the cats were and went looking for them. My sister called to see how we were doing. She instructed not to say her name so Niece wouldn't know who I was talking to. From past experience after she talks on the phone with Mommy, she cried hysterically to go home. I told her Niece was walking around with her shirt off. She likes to take off her socks and shirts. Before the Narnia movie ended, Niece wanted to watch Mary Poppins and then said she was tired. My sister forgot the toothbrush so we skipped the brushing routine. After the movie ended and I went to bed, Niece decided she wasn't tired anymore and went into the living room to look for the cats. Cats were in my bed. After a few minutes, I heard nothing so I went to look for her and there she was sleeping on the couch. I picked her and put her to bed again. This is just after midnight. Niece was just too excited to sleep.

We get up after 11. I heard her talking in her sleep earlier and then heard her stirring, but never got up. Precious, upon my stirring, got up from sleeping on my feet and walked over to my head where I petted him. I said Good Morning to Precious and Niece jumps up yelling that she was awake. I cuddle with the cats and then get up to fix her oatmeal. I added a little cinnamon to it. I gave orange juice from last night and milk. She ate while I did the cat chores and got dressed. After she got full, I loaded the dishes my sister sent and turned on the dishwasher. We took the cats outside. Since it is warmer outside, Frodo decided to run across the street and under the parked cars. Niece followed and I demanded she come back. When I got tired of whistling the cat back, we played a trick on Frodo. Cats don't like separation so we went inside the front door and watched from the window. He eventually came back and we went upstairs. We gave them their snack canned cat food with gravy. I rolled up the sleeping bag, packed the suticase, etc. Next, I loaded the car. Naturally, the cats and Niece came with me. When I went back inside, I told Niece to stay Right Here. Guess what she does, she runs out into the street and yell to come back. I imagine the neighbors calling the DHS about a little girl running around the parking lot unsupervised. The cats didn't want to go back in this time and I had to usher Niece back inside the apartment. Precious came too. I tried treats to coax the cats back in, but Niece had to feed them and she put the treats next to them instead inside the apartment where I wanted them. I ordered her to stay in the apartment while I grab Frodo and shut the door to keep Precious from running down the stairs too. That bugger runs down all 3 flights to the front door. I carried him back up and let Niece hand them more treats.

Dishes were done so we went home. Niece thought Precious and Frodo should come too. No, just her. She didn't want to go home. Then she asked if Mommy and Daddy will be there. Just Daddy, Mommy is at work. We arrived and she was more interested in the driveway iccles and puddles. Daddy came outside to hug her. I did my laundry and was off. Mom called saying she called my sister's house to ask her something and said my Niece was hysterical after I left because I didn't kiss her enough. My poor brother-in-law had a tough time calming her down. I kissed her twice and hugged her when I said good-bye. I assured my Mom that my sister gets the same crying when I leave, not just my brother-in-law. She didn't want the good time to end. Post later. Bye!

Snow happens

Winter Snowstorm struck after I came to work. My poor coworker living out of town had a tough going reaching home. Leaving Des Moines meant zero visibility. To make matters worse, the interstates north, west, then east, were closed. Shoppers and sales clerks in a mall on the west side of Des Moines were forced to leave the mall. I called Mommy to check on her. Dad is getting tired of shoveling. They have electricity. Mom was concerned about my brother because towns near him were out of power. In one area 20 miles of utility poles were down, but I forget where. Godforbid Mom call long distance so I called from my cell phone. He has power and safe at home. Sisters are safe at home too. Alas, the airport closes for nobody.

Naturally lots of people call to extend their rentals and people postpone their pick up times. One lady complained we charge extra for not returning on time and we force people to drive in bad weather. Yeah well, it ain't fair I have to work and drive home in this mess either but here we are. It is not my fault Mother Nature copped a attitude. When I came in to work I was told to inform all renters that there was a no towing ban out for the whole state so if they get stuck in the snow, they have to call 911 cause we can't rescue them. That was easy to explain to people from warmer climates. They have to lodge their complaints of road closings and tow ban to the Governor of Iowa. Many took our advice and called for a hotel shuttle and try to leave tomorrow. One guy we had to inform that he was not going to make it to Minnenapolis tonight, flights are cancelled and interstates are closed. It was windy when I left, I heard someone say 40 MPH, but I made it home. Poor Frodo had Precious sit on his head while they were playing. Naughty Precious. Now off to bed and face the snow tomorrow. Post later. Bye!

Stupid people

I had a coworker complain on his sinuses being stuffed up from his allergies and he forgot his medicine at home. I am possessive of my allergy medicine so I offer none. About 8 PM he decides to leave to buy some medicine at the pharmacy down the street cause he can't take it anymore. He comes back saying he just wasted his time. First he got stuck in the snow pulling out of the lot we park our cars in and a car rental person helped push him out. Then the pharmacy was closed. It closes at 6 PM on Sundays. He went to another store and their pharmacy is also closed. I ask if he grabbed something off the shelf. He needs the psuedoephedrine (he called it Sudafed) and thanks to the meth addicts it is behind the counter. Since he was too stupid to figure out to just get another decogestant to tide him over until he goes home, I definately was not going to offer any of my allergy medicine. Post later. Bye!

Slushy

It is slushy tonight. Flights were cancelled and many diverted away from us. And no, we don't close for snow. Snow brings business. Customers want Suv's, one way rentals because their flight is cancelled, and people want insurance in case they wreck the car.

I had one worker at the airport informing me that it is very slippery outside and I should stay at a hotel across the airport instead of going home. Yeah, I live less than a mile from the airport and driven home in blizzards before. I think I can handle driving home on roads that will surely be plowed by the time I leave. I did manage getting the heavy and wet snow off my car and stopped to get gas.

I did take another route home though. My old route is dark and curvy without shoulders in some places. I took a straighter route that is more lit with a shoulder. I much rather slide into a curb than into a ditch. The hard part was the unplowed apartment parking lot. I stomped on the accelerator to make the low traction function kick in. I steered into a spot and walked to the door. The snow reached my ankles. I feel sorry for the people shoveling their sidewalks by hand tomorrow. Post later. Bye!

Happy Birthday Precious

Today is my Precious's 1st Birthday. He is fully grown now. He got new placemats for his and Frodo's water bowls and food dishes. I ate the brownies. Precious and Frodo had fun witht he wrapping paper. Post later.

New coins

The US Mint has announced another attempt to replace paper dollar bills with the dollar coin. Susan B. Anthony and Sacawea didn't work so now they will try 4 presidents, starting with George Washington and changing faces every 3 months for 1 year. This time they think they know what went wrong so they will more widely distribute the coins so everybody gets one this time around.

Note to US Mint: The American public wants coins that they can use, coin collectors want rare coins not everybody has possession of. With that said, when these state quarters and dollar coins are accepted in every vending machine in America we will love them. But how does one change vending machines' coin sorter.

Post later. Bye!

Pursuit of Happiness

I saw The Pursuit of Happiness with Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith. It started with Will Smith with his wife and son trying to make ends meet. There are cute narrations from Will Smith saying like, This part is called me riding the bus. Then while walking down the street he meets a guy with very flashy car and asks what he does and how does he do it. He is a stock broker and his company does internships. Will Smith applies. Wife ain't too happy him giving up his pathetic paying job for a dream that will never come true. Wife leaves. He gets the internship position, but it doesn't pay a salary. But he believes it will take him to better places. While playing basketball with his son he explains that he will never be a NBA player. Son tosses the ball away. He explains to his son not to let anyone, not even his father, tell him he can't do something. He has to see his dreams through. He next is evicted from his apartment, moves to a hotel, kicked out fo the hotel, stands in line to get into a homeless shelter, but they can only take so many people. One night they sleep in a subway restroom and as his son sleeps in his lap, Will cries. I thought that was touching. He tries to be strong for his son throughout the movie, and he cries seeing his son suffer. He continues on his jobs to get money for his bills. Finally at the end, he takes the internship exam and comments to another intern the essay on the back was the hardest part. The intern says, Essay question? And if you saw Oprah interviewing the real guy and his son, who are much older now, he gets the job and messages pop up of his career since then. Will Smith and his son go to the beach and look at the Golden Gate Bridge a little differently. The End. Post later. Bye!

Happy Valentine's Day

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I hate this holiday
How bout you?
Happy Valentine's Day to all my readers.

Precious and Frodo say meow to you too.
Post later. Bye!

Happy Cocoa

Snow is in the forecast today. Then tomorrow we get a winter storm. I don't have to work for a few days so I will be putting my feet up and drinking cocoa curled up in a fleece blanket. Happy Cocoa Day. Post later. Bye!

Am I a magician?

Guy calls to say his car had broken down and he needed another one. Just my luck the computers are down so I get as much info from the guy since I can't look anything up. Plus the police are there ordering him to move his car over because it is blocking traffic. He is most dissatisfied at the length of time for him to get his new car, 2 hours. Does this joker exspect me to come flying on a broomstick with a van tied to the back? I am sure the police would escort his family to a warmer place to wait. By now the computers came back. Just his luck the tow truck arrives sooner than planned. I call to assure him the guy just left with his new car and he will call the customer when he gets closer to find him so he can give him the keys. All is well. Post later. Bye!

Glad you don't have my job

We get a guy calling when we are busy servicing customers saying he drove into a snow bank. He has to wait or call roadside assistance 800 # for faster service. He calls back stating the # on the folder is no good, the area code is 515 right? Sir, my coworker explains, it is a 800 #.

Roadside Assistance calls once customers are serviced. The customer made a U-turn and drove into a snow bank and can't get out. Local towing company won't take American Express. He needs a tow truck from us, but he doesn't know what city he is in. My coworker runs through his route, left City A on highway whatever going east, got off exit whatever, but doesn't remember if he went north or south off the exit. Coworker asks where he was heading to. He doesn't know. Well, if we send a tow truck it will take a minimum of 2 hours, likely 3 or 4 in this weather, to get to him. He cusses up a storm saying he has a plane to catch and finally agrees to keep trying City A area for a tow truck company. He just returned his car so it looks like he found one.

The roadside person was even laughing at him. Must have drank a little too much before driving not to know what city you are sitting in. Post later. Bye!

What a bitch

I wake up today to someone pounding on my door. I am not expecting any packages or people so I assume it is for the neighbor. No, pounding continues. I answer door in my jammies and bed hair. Lady from an apartment wants me to move my car over a space because her mother's car died and they need to get their car next to it. I dress, go downstairs, pull out my keys, and Oh they don't need me anymore cause they got it in a different space. What a bitch.

Kitties sniff the boxes while lady comes in form the cold at the front door. They're moving and she is sorry she bothered me. No problem, I had to get up anyway. Well no more cute neighbor to look at coming home from his job. Do you know what it is like to have a crush on a guy and his girfriend (no visible ring) keeps talking to you like a friendly neighbor? At least I finally got his name when she was talking to her mother. Better go. Post later. Bye!

Good call

My sister has complained about my awful presents to the point of asking me to stop buying her gifts, so it has been a few years since I bought her one. After a conversation about Dad being possessive over his movies, I think it's because he can never find anything he looks for cause he doesn't label his boxes, I decided to get her James Bond on DVD for her birthday this month. There is actually 3 volumes of James Bond box sets to choose from. I picked a set with the most Sean Connery movies. She absolutely loves Sean Connery as James Bond than any other actor.

My sister was so happy that it put her husband in competition for a better gift. He probably have to buy her a car to top that one. Post later. Bye!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

It is so cold this week you need a sweater over your sweater. I met a guy that a friend set me up with today as planned. We have emailed each other for a week now. He is okay. Not Brad Pitt, closer to Leonardo Dicaprio with shorter hair, but good enough. For having a social phobia he talked a lot. I brought photo books of my cats to break the ice. We talked about cats, parents, grandparents, siblings, jobs, colleges, and hometowns. We ordered pepperoni. I had $3 in my wallet so he paid for the pizza and I left a $3 tip. We both had Mountain Dew. The pizza was more cheese than pepperoni, but still good. I grabbed the pop tray, the straws, napkins, fork, and plates. Can you tell I go out with nieces a lot? I commented how if I act funny it's because I just painted my nails. I had 2 pieces of pizza. He had 3. I didn't take any home cause it takes me forever to eat leftovers (ok, it wasn't that great). Towards the end I was getting cold from the door, guess I should have picked a booth further in. Then he started repeating himself so I think he was getting nervous. He asked to meet again Valentine's week. I said I have to see what's playing. Lastly, he had to get going back home and walked me to my car. He has a silver Taurus that looks more tan that is 2 years old. I need some cocoa. I'm cold in my apartment. Mostly because it goes down to 65 degrees before the furnace kicks in even though it is set at 70. Post later. Bye!

Weird people

Why do people keep coming to my car rental counter complaining about their luggage problems and get mad at me when I point out the luggage counter to them, cause nobody is standing at the luggage counter as if that is my fault?

And I'm not permitted to reply with "Do I have an airlines sign behind me?", cause that would be rude.

If you wish to know where the luggage counter is or how to call for assistance, just ask. I can do nothing about your lost luggage so please cry a river someplace else.
Post later. Bye!

Ode to Diana, Princess of Wales

My latest piece of poetry is a poem in honor of Princess Diana. Her sons are honoring her with a concert this summer, I might as well too. It is about the line between private person and public figure getting blurry. So this is my tribute to her.

"Why do you cry?"

Why do you cry, little girl?
You live in a museum
servants do your bidding
your closet, a shopping mall
your kitchen, a battleship galley
You shake hands with stars, presidents, and kings
dressed as a goddess gliding across a mortal palace
You married Prince Chraming
charging on a white horse
to rescue you from obscurity
Your kids smile when you appear
Your pets swoon in your grasp
Everybody wants to be your friend
Every country greets you with rivers of flowers
Why are you sad, little girl?
Your life is every girls dream
You got the fairytale wedding
complete with a gown fit for a queen
What more do you want?
Why are you crying, little girl?
I must know

And she answered:
Because I'm a little girl

New dress code

We have a new dress code at work and I find out when my coworker shows up w/out his uniform on. Naturally I leave a note with the manager asking, "What is this?" and asked for guidelines. She left a message on my answering machine with the guidelines. Button shirt or sweater with certain colors of pants. Guess I will be wearing my uniform polo shirt, I don't have any button shirts cause I hate them. And I promised myself no new clothes or shoes until I bounce back from xmas shopping. Oh well, it was a nice gesture.

I emailed my email pals stating that if they desire to make a donation to my closet, they are welcome to. I think only my sister will, she gives me her hand-me-down clothes. I do like her hand-me-downs cause she has good taste and we wear the same size. Post later. Bye!

Interesting day

The car rental lady next door had 10 people standing in line in front of her counter. A man and 2 ladies come up, bypass the line, and call her a bitch. Then they demand a manager. Manager ain't there. Now they want the manager's name and customer service number to call. She refuses their demand cause she is helping someone else, they will have to wait their turn. Now she is a racist and the shouting begins of them demanding a customer service number and manager's name right now. She shouts back they don't understand the manager will be coming over in a minute.

My coworker gets tired of the yelling and calls security. The ruckus people calm right down when the cop shows up. The 2 ladies leave talking how we are a racist city and the car rental serves white people before black people and they are a bunch of n-word. Guy soon leaves after talking to the cop. After a couple minutes, the manager appears and helps lady with her line of customers. I get the details when they are less busy and tell her what I heard the ladies say when they left. The poor gal had a long incident report to write out. I don't blame her for not helping the ruckus people, I sure wouldn't help someone coming to the counter with that language. Post later. Bye!

What a day

I get up today to let the cats out. We don't get past the first flight of steps and they want back in.
I pack my laundry and off to babysit after cat treat.

I arrived and almost immediately my niece says she smells poo. You smell poo, I ask. Here, she says and points to her diaper. My brother-in-law reminds her she is suppose to go poo in the potty. Change diapers and brother-in-law takes a nap. Niece needs to go bathroom again, but nothing comes out. We play with our toys and read books, watch a little Dora and Little Mermaid. Eat a snack of peanut butter and jelly. Brother-in-law wakes up and she is poopy again. This time seeped out of the diaper and change of clothes was in order. As my brother-in-law applies diaper cream and niece screams bloody murder of Get it off, It hurts, and I want Mommy please. I walk in wondering what the fuss about and see the very nasty diaper rash. She has diaherria and doesn't like her diaper changed.

Nap time and baby is sleepy, but wants to play and read stories. Brother-in-law leaves and I say the M-word so she cries for Mommy for the next hour. I try my best to get her to lie down and nap. No luck. I try to pretend to sleep and she walks around the house. I hear her ask to the cats if they want to go outside. I thought she was playing with her doll where she puts the doll's coat on, walk around the house pretending to be outside, and comes back saying they are back inside. No, she opened the back and went outside in bare feet and no coat. Cats touched the snow and ran in. She screams, Help me, because she has ice on her bare feet. And my Dad calls to announce what room my Mom who had knee surgery is in. I can't hear him well from niece screaming. I brush off the ice and ask her if she really went outside and shut the back door, and locked it. My sister is in the driveway.

I tell my sister niece was naughty going outside by herself and put my niece's slippers on to warm her ice cold feet. She needs another diaper change. More diaper cream to screaming protests. Apparently they have 3 kinds of diaper cream and vasoline. Sister rocks her and decides to bathe the baby to smell fresh for our visit to the hospital. Her doll takes a bath with her and gets lotion rubbed on her head by my niece like a good mommy. She gets fresh clothes and rocks a bit with Mommy. Time to visit Grandma. I drive because sister can't drive at night, and I drive her car to the hospital (car seat is in her car).

Mom/Grandma is in absolute misery and terrible pain, expected after knee surgery today. Her leg was wrapped in bandages so we didn't get the horror show of staples and screws. Niece was a little nervous with Mom/Grandma looking a little scary with tubes and oxygen nose thing. I guess they have her leg iced to keep down swelling. I tried to make Mom feel better by saying someday all this will be a distant memory. Mom agreed as did sister. I hugged and kissed Mom good-bye. Niece held Grnadma's finger good-bye. Grandma leaned over and kissed niece's head. Nurses came to run an excerise machine for her other leg. Mom sensed doom. She says it kills her. I assumed they were going to exercise her other leg not having surgery, but not moving either. Came back home to a snack and I left before it was ready for bed. I kiss niece good-bye. My niece said, Merry Christmas.

Now it is my bedtime. Post later. Bye!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

We finally have winter here. Mother Nature dropped 8 inches on my balcony railing yesterday. I heard some places got ice storms. Going home I spent 15 minutes brushing snow off my car. Today I got a call from my Mom who calls every time there is a snow storm. I assured her that I had to go out for cat food and the roads were cleared. Besides, the apartment people like it when tenants move their cars so they can plow the parking spaces.

I have another 2 days off so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I'm wrapped in a blanket, cuddling with my cats, and drinking cocoa. I'm good. Post later.

Did I miss?

Did I miss a news report about yet another plot to destroy America uncovered and now we get to refill our security badge applications so we can have a security threat assessment done. When the London liquid bomb plot was uncovered they made everybody at the airport get new badges and the cafeteria demanded we wear them to get the airport discount. But that was months ago. Did I miss a news report for this? I bet my security threat assessment score will be in the negatives.

I was tempted to write down my passport number, but it is at home and not required if born here. I'm surprised they didn't ask for email addresses and web journal sites to investigate us thoroughly. Or religion. Or where our parents and grandparents were born. They did ask for our race. I put down white because I couldn't spell Caucasion.

It is amazing how we airport employees get punished every time some yo-yos want to bomb something. Are they trying us to tell us that they don't do background checks on new airport employees like they are suppose to? Post later. Bye!

Beauty and the Geek

I commented while watching Beauty and the Geek at my sister's house that they need a reversial show with female geeks and male hotties, but then I would not classify as a geek. I took a IQ test on tickle.com that came out 126 scoring, whatever that means, but those logical questions were incredibly hard. My brother would be more fit as a geek on that show. He figures out those logical questions easily. Know what I mean, like showing a dice spread out and you have to select which picture of the dice fit together looks like. I can't do that.

My sister replied that I would qualify as a geek on the show. There are different types of intelligence, but the geek factor is being socially handicapped. No, I said, the geeks they pick are scientists and engineers who are severely socially handicapped. I DON'T QUALIFY! We argued back and forth til the show came back. I can't believe she said that.

Post later. Bye!

All is well

Mom called today to inform me that Dad made it through his tests on his colon. Last week they decided the swollen gland that is/was cancerous did not shrink enough to remove it, so they replaced the stiint connecting his kidney and bladder. And he had hernia surgery too this month.

OK Rewind, last fall Dad's kidney was not working because of the swollen gland that blocked the urethra tube connecting the kidney and bladder, thus had surgery to get the kidney working again with a bypass thing called a stint that has to be replaced every so often. After the cancer diagnose, he went through radiation again. Mom said radiation was over with the week after Thanksgiving.

So Dad had tests on his colon today that came out ok. He had to drink a gallon of awful tasting medicine to do the test. Mom said Dad's doctor trips are over for the moment. I told her she may have to get an apartment up here so they didn't have to drive so far. My hoemtown is an hour away. Now Mom's surgery is on the horizon. I think next week or so.

Mom is having her knee replacements replaced, her first new knees were done when I was a kid. This time might be worse and I asked that she not show her surgery scars this time. Last time she had staples across her leg, this time she gets screws and staples sticking out of her leg. Then the doctor detected a heart murmur today and put her on more medicine to strengthen her heart before the knee surgery. She described it as a door (or heart valve) not shutting on the way before being reopened and causing a swish sound in her heart. Apparently surgery puts a heavy strain on the heart and a heart murmur can be fatal. She said after the first pill for her heart she suddenly stopped feeling so tired. Next she said she might, depending on how she feels, go to a nursing home to recover and get phsical therapy there instead of staying at the hospital. I told her she is too young to be in nursing home. She laughed and said it was for physical therapy not caring for her. The question that remains is how wll Dad survive many days without Mom.

Keep you posted. Bye!

Today's Events

Today I learned a coworker has moved into his friend's house. Their cats are not getting along as hoped. One cat peed on the floor when my coworker kicked his friend's cat out of bed.

Next another coworker got a new car because it would be cheaper than repairing his old car that was involved in an accident. The old car was rear ended, spun around and hit on the side, and smashed into a street light. The drunk driver also hit a Mercedes before taking off. My coworker tried to chase him down, but the car wouldn't move. The police did catch the guy and he has no insurance, big surprise.

Another retired coworker that came by to chat bought a copy of my book for her grandson. That makes 8 sold now.

I think I covered everything. Post later. Bye!

Murder in the Heartland

I was watching Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil for the 10th time and wondered in anyone has approached my friend whose father was murdered about writing a book about it. The murderer's re-trial is coming soon to a courtroom near us, if he shows up after being released on bail without any restrictions. I wonder if she would mind me writing a book. I would not want to be thought of as betraying her so I emailed her asking what she thought. I have much to think about, like an ending to the story, before diving into this project. I did think of a title: Murder in the Heartland. Besides, I don't know her reaction yet to the idea. I would never risk losing her friendship over a book idea. Now, off to bed. Post later. Bye!

Bad, bad kitty

I get to discover how well my carpet stain remover works on cranberry juice. My Frodo was just being a cat sniffing my drink when it tipped over and splashed the wall, carpet, couch, phone books, stationary, and Oprah Magazines sitting by or under the coffee table next to my computer desk. It was so much fun moving the coffee with a lamp, phone, and tissue box on top to get the juice underneath. The juice spared nothing. I think there is still some pink but I'm hopeful when I move out of the apartment it will go unnoticed. Of course after the spraying and rubbing paper towels on everything, I forgave Frodo and petted him. Post later. Bye!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my readers. Today I took the cats out for their first snow. They slipped around the ice on the sidewalk and sunk in the snow, then wanted back inside. After that I laid around the apartment watching movies and walked to the closed office to pay the rent.

This year's New Year Resolution will be to simply cuddle with my kitties and be happy. Post later. Bye!

Eragon

I am almost done reading Eragon. I liked the movie so much I bought the book, with original picture instead of the movie cast on it. So far the book is equal to the movie, which is rare. Usually I like the books better than the movies because they leave much unexplained if you have not read the book yet.

I know it is normal to read books before watching the movie, but I get lost if I know the story. Movies take book scenes out and place new things in so it is hard for me to follow along. When I watch the movie and then read the book, I follow the book very easily and get more background information of characters and places to understand what and why everything is happening. Does that make sense? Post later. Bye!

Lost and Found

Yesterday I lost the ruby off my ring in 1 of 5 stores I visited that day after Christmas shopping. I tossed the ring with the big hole in the center away. Tonight while leaving my sister's house, I find my ruby in the driver's seat of the car. Now which waste basket did I throw the ring into? Empty the kitchen garbage can (Yuck!) and proceeded to the bedroom can (Bingo!). I try to slip it back in the prongs when I notice one prong is broken. Guess I will be buying a new setting for it at the jewelry store next week. Post later. Bye!

Weird kitty

This morning Precious starts in with the meow chorus scratching at the window and door ready to get out for our daily hour outside (weather permitting). We get outside, I toss the garbage in the dumpster. Precious is running around all over the place. Then I head for the back door because Frodo takes his time creeping down the stairs. Precious jumps inside to encourage Frodo outside. But no, Precious runs all the way upstairs, all 3 floors, with Frodo tailing behind him. They wait for me to open the fire door and the apartment door. Huh??? We only spent 2 minutes outside and they want back in. Naturally hours later the meow chorus of Precious going bonkers wanting outside starts again. We don't go outside at night. Post later. Bye!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my readers. Today I woke up early, open our gifts from Santa, tried to sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas to the cats, took the cats outisde, and went to work. I never wanted a husband and kids more than when I was singing that I couldn't finish the song. I watched Christmas movies all day at work. Back home I am passing time playing with the cats before I see the movie Eragon with someone at work. I haven't read the book so I all I know is that it is about a dragon. Good night. Post later. Bye!

Xmas loot

This year's Christmas presents include a Sugared Pear and Vanilla scented candles, Target gift card, money, bookends, cd shelf, level for the cd shelf, desk organizer, and back up computer discs.

Yesterday the essay I snet to a local newspaper was published. I grabbed a hand full of papers at the grocery store to mail to far away relatives.

I got myself a sweatshirt and Christmas cd so I have something to upwarp on Christmas Day. I got presents for the cats too, mice and fuzzy balls.

Post later. Merry Christmas.

Hanging cat

Since it was raining today, I let my cats play on the steps of the apartment building. They have such a thrill running up and down the steps and pouncing each other. One stair flight has no back to it so the cats can squeeze through the steps and jump down the other side.

Precious was scratching at the carpet on the steps (the carpet is wrapped around each step and stapled underneath) and slipped through the top step space to be clinging the carpet underneath. He was almost cute hanging there staring at me and Frodo. I didn't think I could grab his paws and pull him back up without resistance, so I let him drop, which he did, 1 story. Don't worry, cats are built to fall from trees. I've seen Precious jump down from high levels from trees and hit the ground running. Post later. Bye!

uh-oh

I found out coming to work today that one of my coworkers who has been on vacation all month (she takes her 4 weeks vacation all at once) and celebrated 25 years with the company last September retired yesterday. Too bad I didn't know about it so I had time to get her a retirement card and present, like a snowglobe.

Then later when another coworker came to work, said she didn't retire, she told the boss off and quit. During her vacation while she was inch away from retiring and getting a retirement party? This makes no sense to me, or anyone else. Something must have miffed her pretty good to quit like that.

Next I hear is the bossman is not hiring any new people to replace the outdoor guy and indoor counter person who have quit the past month. He is making cutbacks. Uh-oh. If we are shorthanded and he not replacing people is not a good thing. I wonder if we get raises in January if business is that bad. Post later. Bye!

Mooch

I sent out an email to the family for my sister sick as a dog asking what everyone wanted to bring for the family Christmas. My sister and I thought my brother could bring rolls so he didn't have to cook. My brother answered he didn't know was suppose to bring anything, but could bring rolls if necessary. My reply: Mooch.

He eats like a piggy and thinks he shouldn't contribute to the meal. We women are breaking our backs cleaning, baking, setting the table, lighting candles by the centerpieces, and washing the dishes: and he didn't know he is suppose to contribute. Just eat and watch TV is his job. I'm almost insulted here.

He doesn't have a wife to do the contributing to the meal, so it is him who needs to do it. I'm done ranting. Merry Christmas. Post later.

PS. I am bringing gingersnaps, sugar cookies, macaroni and cheese, French Silk Pie, folding chairs, movies and books for the kiddies. Yes tonight I baked my sugar cookies and bought a pie at the grocery store freezer section. Bye!

Cookies

C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.

Today I baked gingersnaps while my kitties jumped on the counter to investigate. I am almost ready for my family Christmas at my sister's house Saturday. She called today to ask if I would email everybody who wants to bring what so we don't duplicate dishes. She is sick with the flu bug my niece had last week. Yesterday she asked me to pick her up at a Target store because she couldn't drive all the way home from work. Then I drove my brother-in-law to her car and then drove home. At the party, I plan to bring my gingersnaps, a French Silk Pie from the freezer section of the grocery store, and macaroni and cheese. At least the presents are wrapped up and under the tree. Post later. Bye!

Proud mama

Today after our walk we start heading back towards the door. Right in our way, ten feet from the door stands a terrier without a leash barking at Frodo and me. Precious was still sniffing the bushes cause he hates coming inside. Dog master comes out and aplogizes, terrier is all bark no bite. I explain we just need to get through the door cause our walk is done. He holds dog back from Frodo and I open the door for Frodo to escape into. Problem, the dog runs in and stops at the 2nd floor fire door. I don't think he wants to play outside, I joke to the owner. Well before I could stop him, Frodo sprints into the door and runs smack into the dog. My back was my turned so I didn't see the initial confrontation but I heard Frodo hissing so I looked to see him slashing at the dog and the dog backed away. The owner pushes the dog through the fire door and Precious comes missing the excitement to sniff the rocks by the outside door. I was so proud Frodo, he is terrified of dogs and always hides from them. I get Precious inside and we come upstairs. Frodo keeps checking downstairs with his hair raised up, he has nice winter fur now. I pet him and he calms down. Post later. Bye!

Joy to the World!

Hey there. My darling sister said tonight after my niece tossed her cookies on me, my niece, the couch, the floor, and my sister that she would write a check for the amazon.com listing. Joy to the World, I got it listed on amazon.com. I did it tonight and found a special deal, Regular price is $39.99 and newcomers can get a special deal of $19.99 for 2 months. So it will be available online tomorrow. Now if my stupid printer would scan the book cover for the website. Godforbid electronics work past midnight when I want to go to bed. And I had all the books wrapped up too for my nieces' Christmas gifts, right before going to babysit tonight. Oh well, they can be unwrapped as necessary.

Oh yeah, I forgot to look for Mom's Xmas card she left behind with my travel toothbrush and toothpaste, and dental floss I left at Mom's house. Maybe I'll remember next week to get them. I found the pictures Mom asked me to copy in the scanner. Oops.

Done at last

I finally finished my Xmas shopping and wrapped up all the gifts. Now all is left is baking of cookies, which might get skipped this year if I don't find any time to do them. Oh well, other retired people in my family can do the baking for the family Christmas. I emailed my siblings what I got everyone so we don't get identical gifts. We never tell the receiver what they are getting, unless they are so picky we have to obtain their approval to avoid conflict later. But never tell what someone else is getting them.

And my sister gave up on trying to halt the gift exchange because she never gets what she wants (things out of our price range). Now she is poor enough to need things and eagerly informs us her wish list. Plus from my work email I threatened my siblings to buy them either a food basket with jellies and cocoa or a bath basket if they didn't tell me what they wanted. It worked. I guess nobody wanted open cocoa or soap on Christmas. Post later. Bye!

The Nutcracker

I went to see my niece perform in The Nutcracker put on by her teacher. Trying to find this place was the adventure along with costly since the city has a toll bridge I had to cross. I followed the mapquest directions, but they did not mention or show on the map that I could tell, the road splits without any signs directing which street is what. So thinking the right split was a side road, I followed to the left looking for the street the high school is listed on. I ended up in a suburb next door. I figured I went too far when I saw signs for the airport and interstate I got off of a hour ago. So stopped at a gas station. Since I was in another city thatn my mapquest directions the guy didn't know where the place was located. Turn around and stop at a bakery next to a gas station that had no place to park. The lady there said she lives someplace else and had no clue. The customer she just helped in front of me guided the way in a long about way. I got there to discover the street I was looking for doesn't exist. It is the entrance to the high school. Much like Cowles Dr is the entrance to the Des Moines Airport that you will not find on any streetmap, but find on mapquest.

I was 35 minutes late, but no one was present to take my money so I didn't have to pay. I grabbed a program off a box of them sitting on a chair. I saw people sneak in while the performance was going on. I thought one was suppose to wait for intermission before entering a perfomance, but I guess not at a high school audiotorium. I snuck in during the snowflake dance right before intermission. I found my brother-in-law standing up and went over to talk to my aunt during intermission. A niece returned and talked to her. Then the performance began again. I missed my niece in the Christmas party at the beginning. I did see her preform the cook dance where they give treats to Clara and a tiered cake about to fall over. The Nutcracker prince does his storytelling of the battling the mouse king to the cooks. If you are familiar with the story. At the end, my niece needed time to change so we didn't see her. I went straight home and realized I should have turned right at the split in the road. Oh well, pay the toll bridge again and went home. Post later. Bye!

Visit to Mom's

I went to my parents' house for a couple days to have maintence done on my car from a free inspection coupon I received in the mail. Dad thought best if someone else cheaper did the actual repiairs suggested. I brought the cats with me. All the things that needed fixing were done, but the inspection people missed the worn brake pads and worn belt the mechanic said need replaced while he was working on it. Good thing it has yet to break down. Dad even got a new battery in because it tested low. He intended to buy a battery at Walmart and install it himslef, but after testing it the mechanic replaced it so Dad gets to take back the battery to Walmart. That's ok because we were pressed on time. My sister called down to say I was needed for babysitting early than planned.

Nothing exciting happened at Milo except cats being cats and knocking things over to Mom's dismay. She said she would fix her tipped over Christmas deocrations once certain people are not here. I replied, "My cats are people?" She even called Precious a little girl and I corrected her. Then when the cats sensed impending doom when Mom opened the cat carriers, they rushed out the door into the garage when I came back in from packing my car. we had to chase them down. Mom pulled on Precious's tail to keep it from getting away and she was lucky Precious didn't bite her hand off, he just meowed. I informed her not to do that again. Then he came to me when I knelt down and I comforted him. I said, Ah did Grandma pull your tail, and carried him to the carrier. Theses cats are really getting heavy now and stronger when I push down on their shoulders to close the top. It is a little humorous seeing them spreading their paws out to stop me from squishing them into the carrier. They are fine once they are trapped, not too much meowing on the way home. I did get the meow chorus going to Mom's.

Once I got home and put stuff away, I realized I left the water running. It was low so it did not overflow and probably the reason I didn't hear it running when I left. Precious likes to drink from the faucet so I often leave the water running when I am finished. Well better go to work now. Post later.

Funny

Funny I keep getting Christmas cards from charities begging for money. I don't donate to these charities in the first place so it seems unreasonable to send a Christmas card saying thanks for supporting our cause when I have not. The charity Christmas cards went in the garbage with the rest of the junk mail I receive. Post later. Bye!

Masterpiece Theater for Cats

Today it was so cold outside that Frodo elected to stay in the apartment so only Precious came out for his daily walk. Precious scampered over to the edge of the fence where a neighbor has bird houses and bird feeders. It is Masterpiece Theater for Cats.

We begin with birds feasting on the ground by the feeders. All together they fly up to the brush and after a minute come back to the feast one by one. Repeat a few times. They never know Precious in the bushes on the other side of the fence watching them. Enter stage left, a squirrel climbing down from a tree chases off the birds perching on the brush. Squirrel eyes Precious hidden in the bushes before hopping onto the brush. Birds fly to nearby bushes. Squirrel now has the feast to itself while watching Precious. Birds watch helplessly as squirrel enjoys the feast.

Squirrel straightens self on its hind legs with its arms to its chest watching Precious investigate the bushes. Squirrel jumps up on brush and returns to the feast. Birds exit stage right hopping branch to branch of the bushes. What will happen next?

Precious steps on some leaves and meows. Squirrel climbs small tree by the brush and returns to the feast. Preicous climbs tree. Squirrel climbs larger tree and barks at Precious. Squirrel climbs taller tree until out of sight. Birds are gone so their is nobody left to enjoy the feast. The End.

Masterpiece Theater for Cats

Today it was so cold outside that Frodo elected to stay in the apartment so only Precious came out for his daily walk. Precious scampered over to the edge of the fence where a neighbor has bird houses and bird feeders. It is Masterpiece Theater for Cats.

We begin with birds feasting on the ground by the feeders. All together they fly up to the brush and after a minute come back to the feast one by one. Repeat a few times. They never know Precious in the bushes on the other side of the fence watching them. Enter stage left, a squirrel climbing down from a tree chases off the birds perching on the brush. Squirrel eyes Precious hidden in the bushes before hopping onto the brush. Birds fly to nearby bushes. Squirrel now has the feast to itself while watching Precious. Birds watch helplessly as squirrel enjoys the feast.

Squirrel straightens self on its hind legs with its arms to its chest watching Precious investigate the bushes. Squirrel jumps up on brush and returns to the feast. Birds exit stage right hopping branch to branch of the bushes. What will happen next?

Precious steps on some leaves and meows. Squirrel climbs small tree by the brush and returns to the feast. Preicous climbs tree. Squirrel climbs larger tree and barks at Precious. Squirrel climbs taller tree until out of sight. Birds are gone so their is nobody left to enjoy the feast. The End.

Impending catfight

We have drama at work and something to gossip about.

OK, Worker A has a blog. Worker B posted a, well, not so nice comment about Worker C on Worker A's blog. Worker C views Worker A's blog for some newly posted pics and reads the comment Worker B posted. Now Worker C is hopping mad and ready to complain to the manager about it. But really, what can the manager do about it when it is not a company website or comapany email? All the manager can actually do is tell his employees to be careful what you post online. We predict a catfight will erupt when Worker B and Worker C work together next.

Gotta be careful what you post. You never know who might be reading it. I try to. Post later. Bye!

Xmas letter

Here is the Xmas letter I sent out to my friends and family with a photo of my cats snuggled in a chair.

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends. This year was high adventure in Jordan’s place. At the start of the new year, I was enrolled in a few online dating services trying to find love. Disappointed, I cancelled my subscriptions by mid-January. Even more aggravating was waiting for my friend Julie’s cat to give birth. I was promised my kitten would be born around Christmastime. After Valentine’s Day, on Feb. 22, my Precious was born ( a name from Lord of the Rings) with 6 brothers and sisters. He joined a pit bill named Chopper who thinks he is a cat and 2 kittens from a prior litter, Guts and Tosey, in addition to a family of 4 humans. It was much relief after hearing about how tired Dad was after his radiation treatments. Mom continues to wait for her kitchen addition to be finished.
Spring came with a human addition to our family. Joelle Claire blessed my cousin Tammy’s and newlywed husband Samer’s family of dogs. My baby kitten came home as a trembling tiny shrimp at 2.2 lbs. at our first vet visit. My friend Julie was positive my Precious was a girl, but when I took Precious to be spayed it was discovered she is a him and was neutered instead. Tiny shrimp no more, he is over 10 lbs and still growing. About this time, my second cat Frodo (also a name from Lord of the Rings) was born Apr. 29 with his 4 sisters at an animal shelter. In the meantime, I took Precious over to my sister’s house to play with her cats. One cat hid while the other cat bopped Precious on the head to play as cats do. Alas, when my sister got a new leather chair and Precious’s claw poked a hole in it, he was banished from my sister’s house. I went on the prowl for a playmate for my baby. I volunteered briefly at the Animal Rescue League and joked how tempting it is to stuff a kitten in one’s pocket and run out the door. I wanted to take home every kitten I saw and from this indecision selected another shelter to choose a playmate with a clearer head.

May came to see my niece Abby graduate from high school as salutatorian and receiving many scholarships and awards to study to be an English teacher. Mom reported Dad was cancer free and attending his 50th high school reunion. Is he that old? I announced another season at Living History Farms, this time in the Indian Farm section. Summer brought my nieces Abby’s and Alex’s dance recital. Abby did her senior solo to an Irish jig she created herself. The next day was niece Tory’s softball tournament where she pitched and switched hit. At this time, uncle Marvin came over to attend his 50th high school reunion and brought a picture show of his new house and gardens in Spokane, WA. He visited everyone he could during his stay and I had the privilege of escorting him to the Brooks Family Reunion (Mom’s side).
With Precious banished, I searched online for local animal shelters for new kittens who would be eager to play with another kitten. I found a no-kill shelter and visited 2 hours playing with the baby kittens. There was the litter where Frodo came from and 2 kittens who were found at a construction site. I chose Frodo because he was the biggest and would be available first. In Iowa, an animal shelter can not release any animal until it is spayed or neutered, which occurs when a kitten is 12 weeks old and weighing 3 lbs. I reserved Frodo and waited until I could take him home in August. I went to Milo on the 4th of July to see the parade and later came back to Des Moines to visit my friend Teresa’s barbeque. We walked around a park in Windsor Heights and saw fireworks exploding over Sec Taylor Stadium (sorry…over Principal Park). At the end of July, my sister took her family to Colorado. I came over to feed the cats and water her tomatoes. On the last day the tomatoes were watered twice when a neighbor feared they were being neglected. I collected Frodo right after she left and felt nervous leaving him alone with a pouncing Precious. At the shelter, Frodo shook when I picked him up in my arms, but clung to me when he met Precious. Eventually, Frodo settled into his new home and waved his paw to entice Precious to play. Now, they love to cuddle for naps and groom each other. In the Christmas picture, Frodo is on the left and Precious is on the right. Right before Sylvia’s family came back, my sister Diane and her girls spent the night in her house on the way to pick up Alex visiting my parents’ house in Milo. After church services with my parents, they all came back to Des Moines and we had dinner at a restaurant before meeting my cats.

Fall came too quick and I briefly volunteered at the Governor’s Mansion learning to give tours. My birthday was celebrated at a pizza place with my parents and my sister Sylvia’s family. The same month saw my cousin Brian get married and his bride Kathryn’s bridal shower at my aunt Virginia’s house. The wedding ceremony was sweet and simple inside a little country church on the Waukee side of West Des Moines. I hosted my first and last Tupperware party attended by one friend and the neighbor girls who came to play with my cats. At least my friend and I got all the prizes without playing the games. Hospital visits were in order when my Dad’s cancer returned in another place and Mom’s stomach test went wrong cutting 3 holes in her throat, which got infected. October brought my niece Tory’s confirmation and hearing all about niece Abby’s adventures at college. We discussed potential holiday plans. Sylvia will do the family Christmas this year. I thought of getting a third cat at the shelter where I got Frodo, but my apartment manager only allows 2 cats. I would have a zoo in my home if I had the money and space. No, I do not need Animal Lover’s Anonymous. My kitties experienced their first snow and detest wet paws. I worked Thanksgiving with so much business that the computers went down the next day. At least I had an excuse for not getting my work done. I received copies of my book that I wrote for niece Abby and paid a publisher a small fortune to print for me. Give me $12 and I will send you a copy complete with autograph.
I sent in an article for the opinion page of the Des Moines Register about my volunteer experiences and the editor wished to use it during the holiday season. I will be on the lookout for that this December. My niece Alex will be in The Nutcracker without sister Abby this year. I started my Christmas shopping at the Dollar Store and hope to get my book listed on the popular website amazon.com when my finances recover. Just when I’m broke and have no money from getting my book published, my car needs replacement parts. The kitties love playing with my Christmas village pieces, napping on the fuzzy tree skirt, and pawing at the hanging ornaments on the tree. So far, the tree has crashed once courtesy of Frodo. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Love Always,
Jordan

Nasty

I just read a book called Nasty by Simon Doonan about his long search to befriend the Beautiful People he saw in magazines and realized the real Beautiful People aren't the rich and famous who lack a sense of humor, but his wacky family and friends. How very Wizard of Oz, as he puts. It is a good book. I was under the impression more rich and famous people would be mentioned, but no, only a vague description of celebrities he met at parties. Though he did say he lived next to Nicholas Cage before he was a star, but that is all he says about him. Oh well, it is fun to read about wacky people.

I had brushes with celebrity when a pyschopath who thought we should be a couple and I disagreed ran a kid over with a pick up truck and the trial of the century began, thus I was catapulted into the media spotlight from being his bullied victim. Every talk show host was calling my house promising everything under the sun and any favorite celebrity I liked to meet, if I would just do an interview. I could not handle repeating the trauma the psychopath inflicted with a camera in my face without having a breakdown. How the celebrities and I became friends I am unsure of, they just kept calling me to see how I was doing after the limelight disappeared and everything went back to normal. All I can say with these brushes of celebrity is that they are guarded like Ft Knox, meaning emotional walls to keep gold diggers at a distance. I asked one friend if she ever stops being the public figure with perfect manners, perfect smile, perfect wardrobe, perfect witty remarks to intrusive questions, and just be herself. That broke down a layer off her emotional wall.

Then I had to deal with their "people" who don't like noncelebrities sending non-name brand Christmas presents or calling with the exspectation of directly speaking to said celebrity. I got hit with "She does not wear Target, she wears Gucci" note with my scarf sent back to me via her manager. After a talk on why I didn't send the promised Christmas gift, I sent her the scarf again and saw it around her coat in a magazine picture. I was touched. As for the phone calls. After talking to one secretary for 20 minutes, I heard a friend yell, "Why didn't tell me she was on the phone!" and my phone calls were put through and messages delivered. Next my phone number got blocked when the celebrities nervously gave me their home phone numbers and college roommates repeatedly called the discovered numbers they found while snooping through my things. I learned to give nicknames when I conversed about them to other people so eavesdroppers wouldn't know whom I was talking about.

When first we meet, there was tons of glitter and fascination on how difficult their lives are from mine. Then the glitter faded and I began to see them as real people like me, except few people around them had the courage to tell them the truth. I had a challenge of teaching them to trust and forgive, things they learned not to do to protect themselves from getting betrayed by gold diggers. I no longer hear from those celebrities. Too much stress waiting for their phone calls and dealing with their people. I let them go. I wonder if they ever think of me. I think of them all the time and hope they are happy. Post later. Bye!

Donation

I have officially donated my tight ponytail holders to the cat toy box cause. My cat Frodo keeps dropping them off my bathroom sink and chases them as they slide on the floor. They are covered in dirt and no longer desire to have them touch my hair. Tonight I found one next to the litterbox half covered in litter. I flug it across the room like a rubberband and excited the cats into play mode. Post later. Bye!

Fun day

I had an interesting day at work. The computers went down long before I got there. And they stayed down until 45 minutes before I was suppose to leave. Which means we have to hand write all the contracts to type in the computer later and then announce to all returning that we have to mail their receipts.

Even more fun was the frequent renter from India who lives here badly wanted a receipt for his expense report. Sorry, the computers are down and he can use his total on his contract as his total charges for his expense report. I know I should not think badly about frequent renters or people from other countries, but I hate dealing with the people from India. It is so hard to explain anything to them. I don't know if it is my accent or they don't speak American English well, but I hate explaining things 5 times and they still don't get what I'm saying. Know what I mean?

At least I was allowed to go home as scheduled instead of typing all the contracts and returns and addressing the envelopes to mail out. The manager gets to take care of that tomorrow. Post later. Bye!

Happy Thanksgiving

I have much to be thankful for this year's Thanksgiving holiday season. I am thankful for my cats Precious and Frodo to wake up to. I am thankful for holdiay pay I so badly need right now. I am thankful I'm not with my family during Thanksgiving (ok, just the family members who think I'm wasting my time volunteering and publishing my book: nieces, one sister in Nebraska, brother, and father not included in my resentment). I am thankful my books arrived today. I have 4 friends buying copies. And finally, I am thankful for a long list of email pals to send messages and pics to. I think I counted all my blessings.

Oh, yeah, I am thankful I have my health, my sanity, a warm bed to sleep in, a fridge full of food, stretch gloves to fit my tiny hands, and Sudoku to occupy the slow hours at work. Ok now, I counted all my blessings. Happy Thanksgiving. Post later. Bye!

The burr is out

After 3 days of crawling on my hands and knees to comb out my Precious's burr (he is amazing patient for a cat), I broke down and took him to the vet. After the 3rd day, he got reluctant about me touching his burr spot. The exam rooms were full so they took him to the surgery prep room. I waited in the waiting room and chatted with the receptionist. I tried so hard with a comb, baby oil and toothpaste, and scissors to get this thing out. After I touched a nerve with the scissors, he dodged them. I managed to get slivers and a few seeds popped out, but couldn't get the rest out. A minute and 2 meows later, the vet lady came out with a wad of fur in her hand and asked, "Is this it?" It looked like, it was 3 inches long. They didn't even charge me for it. I take Precious home and later noticed when scratching his belly that there is a hole in the fur. That's ok, I'm sure he feels better. No more burrs since.

Besides Frodo's harness is getting too tight (the poor kitty), nothing else happened this week of importance. Post later. Bye!

Today's adventure

Took my cats outside as usual and now I get to try and try and try to removed burrs out of my Precious's long haired cat fur. He does not like laying on his back being very still, but lets me pick at his matted fur a few minutes. He hates being combed so it must be uncomfortable. Post later. Bye!

Aarghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today it is announced that the owner's brother got engaged last Wednesday, their one year anniversary of their first date. She got 1 carat round diamond on a white gold band. Her name is Amanda and she is very pretty. I can't recall if I said congratulations to him. I did beg for details since I have no life or man, just cats. I can be a mature adult and pretend to be happy for someone else's excitement, even when I'm really frustrated at my nonexistant lovelife. I announced I'm getting another cat. OK, I'm done feeling sorry for myself. Post later. Bye!

Election Day

Ah, Election Day is finally here. I won't be voting because I already sent in my absentee ballot weeks ago. Hopefully my vote is counted. I can't believe how some politicians want to safeguard the vote for only people who can prove their citizenship and current address when they go to the polls. Isn't that what a voter's registration card proves? Do they really think illegal immigrants are going to commit voter fraud in order to vote for people who want to deport them back home? That makes no sense to me other than create xenophobia.

A gal at work said she won't be voting because she is not registered here, she just moved here from Florida a while ago. She fails to see the point of voting anyway, nothing is going to change. I can see her point of view. Policitians never change. They raise our taxes because they are incapable of balancing a budget. They sell off public land for businesses to increase property tax revenue. They brag about million dollar raises for teachers, but when one divides that million by the 99 Iowa counties and divide that into all the school districts and count all the teachers in those districts one can call it a pathetic raise. Everyone knows lobbyists control the country with their campaign donations along with the NRA and Christian Coalition who actually care to vote. Businesses will continue to outsource jobs into 3rd world countries to save moeny and so they can pay future immigrants to America next to nothing in both countries. Then on top of all that is the intimidating electronic voting devices that any idiot can figure out how to use. For The Record, my Mom couldn't figure out how to change pads on the Swiffer mop I bought for her. They need to rephrase, "Any idiot can use". At least with electronic voting, we are more widely stepping into the 21st Century, reluctantly, slowly, but surely. My hometown had electronic voting when I placed my first vote in 1994. Post later. Bye!

There's a cat in my pants

I sit in my walk in closet getting ready for bed. I squeeze into my pajama bottoms because the cats have to pounce my feet sliding through the material. So my have my bottoms up to my knees when Precious decides to jump into my pajamas. He sits on my crotch pawing at Frodo playing on the outside. Very awkward situation and I starting laughing thinking that I can't go to bed because I have a cat in my pants. Frodo next starts to bite my feet and I reach over I put my slippers on. Precious is still in my pants. Time to get out. He is scratching my legs while pawing at Frodo attacking my slippers. I get a shoe string to coax him out. He bites the shoe string because doesn't jump out. I poke at him, which leaves me with more scratches on my legs. So I try to pick him up, which is very difficult with the elastic ban around my knees. He meows at my efforts and jumps out. Finally I can put my pants on. Nighty night.

My poor coworker

The other day a coworker called in sick. When he was a kid, he had brain and lung tumors removed and the left side of his face had been paralyzed ever since. I noticed he smile oddly but thought nothing of it. After 20 years, his paralyzed side began to tingle last week. He ignored it so the other day the right side of his face suddenly was paralyzed. Yesterday he had an MRI done and got the results today. Nothing found in the brain. He also has a lump on the back of his neck and an infected jaw. So they did a cat scan today and will find out tomorrow the results. Poor guy. He was even nervous about informing the boss of his problem. Don't worry someone at work told him so he knows this coworker will not be coming in for a while. Post later. Bye!

Guess what

I keep getting messages about my computer cleaning out unused folders. Too bad they don't clean out preprogramed stuff I never use. Guess what, all my documents are now erased, meaning all my stories I have been working on. I didn't realize they were classified as unused folders. I suppose I've been too focused getting my book published that I neglected to write. Have to get out the back up disk to see how much is saved. Post later. Bye!

Proof book

I received my proof book and was disappointed. It looks just like the pages I typed up on my computer only smaller. I mailed it to a old English teacher who thought I was a great writer. Next, I get my requested copies. I asked the company which websites it will be listed on in case my friends and relatives wish to brag about knowing an author. Post later. Bye!

Niece's confirmation

I attended my niece's confirmation today. I left for my sister's house yesterday after our walk outside. Precious took his first ride down a slide. He didn't like it. We met the neighbor girls playing on the playground with their father. Precious loved the attention and went under a tunnel with the girls on both sides watching him. I rushed out the door when I laid out extra litter, water, and food. I needn't bother. It looked like one cat peed once in one box and the food and water appeared barely touched. They must have been too stressed. When I came back, the kitties were shut up in the bathroom. I smelled poop and found it in the shower. It was still moist so they must not have been there very long.

At my sister's house we had chicken noodle soup for supper and I slept in a spare bed. There were 2 spare beds and I picked the one with a pillow and blanket on it. Breakfast was huge cinnamo rolls 3 inches tall and 5 inches wide. We got ready for church and were off. There was a big crowd at the church. We took all the necessary pictures to document the event. Then my baby niece wanted her picture taken so I snapped a couple of her with my sister.

My niece's bible verse said a small light is never overcome by great darkness, or something like that. After the service, my mother had difficulty waking up my father. I thought he just fell alseep during the service, but no, he was all pale and had trouble stirring. He finally got up and went to the bathroom. We sent my brother to check on him. He said he light headed for some reason. We offered juice but he turned it down.

We ate dinner of snadwiches and chips at my sister's house, and cake. Before we left my niece open her presents. She got crosses for walls and necklaces, a Precious Moments figurine, lotions, a quilt, money, and my gift certificate to amazon.com. My college niece talked about her experiences of college; a smoking roommate who ate her food (the swiped Snickers was the last straw), people who smell like onions and spraying the room after they left, foreign exchange students, and a guy from California who called her up terrifed that there is white stuff falling from the sky (we call them flurries), and the friend who introduced her to a new pastry (I forget the name). I told stories about wacky coworkers and cats.

After I got home and let the cats out of the bathroom did thye start to eat like crazy and went in the litterbox a few times. Now they sleep on the sofa cuddled against my leg. Post later. Bye!

Wrestling in town

I can tell wrestling is in town again. Not by the super tall and heavily buff men renting cars to Moline today, but by my wrestling fan coworker stalking the passengers getting their luggage. He even asked 2 other people to get autographs for him when he had to get back to work. He brings a wrestling magazine with Sharpie for them to sign and shows it off to everyone. One wrestler refused to sign his magazine, but would sign a blank piece of paper for him. He probably thought he was one of those autograph sellers, but I didn't tell my coworker that because he was very upset with disappointment. My coworker waited throughout his shift for "The Wrestler" who made a movie called Marine, or something like. He had the usual reports of who shook his hand along with the autograph and who was distracted, thus reluctantly signed yet another autograph. I observed how when wrestlers rent cars, sometimes they seem disappointed we non-wrestling fans fail to recognize them. But that could be just my imagination. So you're Mr. Studmuffin in the ring, huh? That's nice. Sign here please. Have a good day.

Guess what, he never got sight of "The Wrestler". But another coworker who recognized his picture pawed around for scratch paper to get his autograph and then suddenly got too nervous to ask him. He was renting a car next door. He made my female coworker who could not care less about wrestling to ask for the autograph. She didn't want to so they asked me. NO, I said. I probably be too nervous and start shaking. I admit it freely, I'm a wimp. So the other girl got the autograph and my coworker was bouncing with excitement laughing how this other coworker is going to be so mad he missed him. Better go. Post later. Bye!

Lost kitty

Naturally I lose Precious again. He ran across the street with the wooded area and Frodo played in the tree by the front door, then moving to the pool area. Near the front door, Precious comes back twice and runs off again. On our way back towards the back door (pool area), I cry for Preicous. I hear a distant meow. He is within yelling distance. I know he is in the cat's paradise. I cry and cry thinking he will run back. Then he stops meowing. Uh-oh. I go across the street towards his last meow and call him some more. More meowing. Guess what, I find him behind a fence (I told ya there were holes in these fences) and he walks around trying to find a way out. The fence seem to make an enclosure with the barbs on top along with bush branches. My poor baby is trapped. Luckily, I know I'm a drama queen in my emails, the fence just reached below my waist and I bent over the fence. Precious ran to me and picked him up. Frodo was happy to see him. The time for our microchipping was soon approaching and I had to carry Frodo in this time with Precious following. Frodo hides when I grab Precious first so I carry Frodo in.

Microchipping. Precious was so petrified that he wouldn't come out of his carrier. I petted him, snuzzled his forehead, and filled out paperwork for the microchip. Vet nurse came in when he finally decided to come out and I was petting him. I explained he was scared. He stepped on the scale. Last time I weighed him at 10 pound. He is 10.25 pounds. My scale is not broken. I read a book that said tomcats (unfixed) are usually 8 to 15 pounds where females are 5.5 to 10 pounds. 15 pounds!!!! That is a big cat. Anyway, they came to fetch my paperwork and soon the vet came to shake my hand. Precious snuzzled their nearby hands. He loves attention. The vet people fussed over his soft coat. Yes, he is combed regularly to stay that way. I was warned he may be sore for a few days in between the shoulder blades where they place it. And it is a long needle. I warned them of Precious sharp claws, they need trimming. I didn't want anyone to get hurt. They took him into another room and I waited. They brought him back in a towel and said he was a very good kitty. He loved being in a towel. Therefore, trimming nails was unnecessary.

On the back, I decided I didn't feel like cooking so I stopped at Wendy's and got a hamburger for me and some chicken for the kitties. Guess what. I got the medium drink that didn't fit the cupholder, so it fell out during a quick turn and thank God I placed this cup on the right cupholder (easier to grab than the left one). After I eat my hamburger and kitties gnaw on the chicken nuggets, I go out with carpet stain remover. Still needs sopping up. I use tissue to sop up what's left and spray all over. I drove on a hilly street so it swished around. The floor mat dripped of pop so I held it over the pavement until it stopped. I get the paper towels and use the half roll left absorbing the carpet stain remover. Perhaps I sprayed too much. At least it looks okay. Post later. Bye!

Care package

Good thing I got that box from Tupperware, I had a box the right size to send to my niece in college. I sent her a Halloween themed care package

Contents: Allure magazine, Blair Witch Project on DVD, Stationary pack, Swiss Miss cocoa, Quaker Oats cereal bars of Peanut butter and Chocolate chip, Pop Secret microwave popcorn, Cystal Light to go in Peach Tea and Iced Tea, Macaroni and Cheese for 1, Chicken noodle soup for 1, Halloween socks, and Beanie Baby black cat with witch hat and candy corn in its paws. I hope she likes it. What can I say, I love my niece. Post later. Bye!

Kitties

My friend Teresa is in such a bind. She has been feeding a stray cat that had 5 kittens that made her porch with a space heater their new home. She can not keep these cats because she has 2 dogs and a ferret, but she feels guilty abandoning them to an animal shelter where they can be killed if not adopted. Then she said she took a cat to a shelter because it got jealous of her son and the shelter charged her $20 to take it in. I try to persuade her that they will be taken care of better at a shelter than sleeping on a cold porch on a pile of blankets and wandering the streets by themselves searching for food. She feeds the mother table scraps and some kitty chow.

I told her that I will take them to the no-kill shelter I got Frodo from. I sent them an email to ask if that would ok and when a good time was. These cats will freeze when winter comes, they need a better place to stay. Post later. Bye!

Today's events

We had excitement at work today.

A couple had to argue with my coworker over their guarenteed pricing that was not what she was quoted when he gave the total charges. My coworker thought maybe it was the price before taxes that was quoted. She insists on giving her reservation # that we already have in the system, but my coworker offers to look it up anyway to make her happy. Then she realizes her guarenteed pricing was for the hotel. Their prices were written down, not on a printout like most people.

Next we got a front seat to a dog show. Some cops hid some plastic bags and came back later with the dog. They left a guard behind to make sure we didn't steal the hidden packages. It was a cute yellow lab. It was fun to watch the dog sniff everything. He eventually found both baggies. Since the dog handler was also instructing the officers, I assumed the training exercise was not just for the dog.

Yes our lives are so boring that we find arguments with customers and a bomb/drug sniffing dog exciting. Post later. Bye!

Newsflash

Newsflash: Sugar free foods are not always carb free.

I was planning to send my diabetic niece a care package with treats that are
sugar free. I asked my sister what she likes. She said sugar free stuff
often has a sweetener that is higher in carbs than things made with sugar.
She said to look at the grams of carbs in the treats, 5g or less per serving
is ok. Now I really have to be careful I grab off the store shelf. Post
later. Bye!

I hate computers

I try to inform my internet provider (telephone company) that I have problems logging off and on my computer. My computer no longer recalls I have internet access to log on and off properly. The telephone person has no idea what I am talking about because logging of and on a computer is not connected to my internet access. She recomends I take it to a electronics person or contact my internet provider (I am).

I take it to Best Buy where I bought this years ago. They play with it a while and can't figure it out either. They could send my computer in for a diagnostics test, which would erase everything I have saved plus cost $200. Another option would be to use the computer brand recovery disk that came with the computer, thus erasing everything I have saved in the hope it works. Now if I can find the thing.

So I guess I will just have to put in my email address, password, install the internet access, sign the agreement, and receive a Welcom to our Network email, every single time I want to check my email. I hate computers. I wish I could toss this out the window, but I have no money to replace it with. I would like to know who placed a curse on my computer. Post later. Bye!

Weird day

Is there a full moon out? It's not Friday the 13th yet.
I think we can save the earth by using less electricity if only it did not take 13 hours to shut down a computer, another 10 minutes to log back on, and more minutes of electricity wasted connecting to the internet.

For a strange reason, my computer froze logging off. I took my cats outside for an hour and 15 minutes. Still frozen. Had to go to work. 10 hours later, it is still frozen and refuses to go into dormancy. After another hour of pushing buttons to wake up my computer, I finally held the off/on button down long enough to shut off. It comes back on after I hit the on/off button. A message pops up stating my computer can not log off because I don't have an internet connection to log off properly. What does an internet connection have to do with shutting off a computer? Well, the start menu pops off and I log off again. Then log back on and try to get my email. I have to install my internet service again and now have to type in all passwords that my computer has saved. Funny, my modem says I have connection and I pay my phone bill for this internet service every month.

At least all my settings are still here. And saved email is here too. I hope tomorrow is better. Post later. Bye!

I'm crushed

I come home after a long day at work and read my email. I get a message from the historic house telling me not to come anymore. It said I don't make eye contact or project my voice so I'm difficult to understand. I don't understand this, they just made me a new name tag last Tuesday. Last Tuesday, I helped fill goody bags for school tours and felt I was starting to get to know people. I was studying all the rooms so hard. I'm so crushed. Well, I better go to bed now. Tough day ahead of me. Post later. Bye!

New Sign

I noticed a new sign taped to one of the car rental counters today. It said:
No Cell Phones at Counter. A customer must have really made the manager mad
talking on their cell phone for her to put that up. Post later. Bye!

Hanging kitty

We just got back from our walk to hear on the news they are searching everywhere in West Des Moines for an armed and dangerous suspect wanted for a parole violation. Schools are in lock down so no one can come in or go out. Kindergarten classes for the afternoon have been cancelled because of this.

On our walk, the kitties investigated the neighbors' grills. Poor Frodo was caught by his harness on the edge hook of one grill squealing like a mouse. I grabbed him up and unhooked him. The cats got braver about crossing the street to explore the playground. One gal left the building to get into her car and Precious followed her. She thought he was very friendly. I informed her that he wants to get under her car. When she turned on the ignition, he was spooked off into the bushes where Frodo was hiding. Now we are back inside. Post later. Bye!

Amazing

Last week, my coworker's daughter was sent home from school with a sore throat. They took her to the doctor who said it was nothing more than strep throat and prescribed antibiotics. A few days later, she is worse crying how bad her throat hurts. Take her to the doctor again. Since it is her boyfriend taking her, my coworker calls up the hospital to give permssion for them to treat her and faxes the insurance information. They call it is a very bad case of strep throat and prescribe medicine. After a couple days, her daughter is screaming in pain and her jaw is swollen. Take her to the emergency room and they are convinced it is more than a strep throat. The do blood tests and an MRI to see what is goign on with her.

It is a staph infection combined with strep. She got the staph infection from losing a tooth and it worked its way down the adult tooth pushing up. They had to take her to a dentist to deal with the tooth infection. Poor girl. Post later. Bye!

Singing cats

I saw singing cats Christmas cards at Petco today after I walked away from the check out counter. I wish they were in with the other Christmas stuff, I would have grabbed them. Instead I put them back as I walked out the door with my bags. They have the cutest Christmas packages and stockings. I know, Christmas can wait. Think of Halloween first. I got a pumpkin on the balcony. Carving will come later since they gross out so fast. I wonder how the cats will react to all the goo when I carve it. Probably just sniff it. Post later. Bye!

Borrowed pencil

I foolishly let a lady at the airport borrow my pencil so her daughter can do her homework. She never came back to return it. The bitch probably thought it was a company pencil so the company can afford to buy new ones that are never returned by customers and noncustomers. Actually it was my souvinir pencil from England, Hampton Court Palace to be precise, rainbow metallic paper and a worn down black eraser. Enjoy my pencil little girl.

The company only buys ink pens, the pencils at the counter are all employee's personal ones to do crossword puzzles with. Post later. Bye!

Voter's bain

Some say the reason people often do not vote is because they do not care or feel their one vote doesn't really count. Actually, I think people do not vote is because they don't know the people they are voting for or against. Big name politians like Senators in Washington DC, the Governor of Iowa, or the Mayor of their city are people we know and recognize on TV. But County Hospital Trustees, District Associate Judges, or Soil and Conservation District Commissioner are people I have no clue who is the best one for the job.

Though I must confess that if I see a woman's name on the ballot I tend to favor her simply because we need more women in government offices, even if they are a bitch. Bitches often get things done. I know, I work with some. Post later. Bye!

Down will come kitty

Rock a bye Frodo, on the tree top.
Climbing to crab apples, the leaves taste so good.
When Frodo will reach the end of the branch,
down will come kitty, crab apples and all.

Post later. Bye!

Good deed for today

I did a good deed today when outside with the cats. Precious pawed at a monarch butterfly and it clung to the edge of the stoop playing possum. Well that made Precious bat it some more to play with it, and made the wings move when he hit it. It had a hole in one wing and another was crooked. I scooped up the butterfly and it clung to my finger, and placed it on top of a bush. It batted its wings a few times recovering from the assault, then flew away.

Post later.

Today's fun

Today I climb out of bed to barely make it to the historic house. Then I use the last of my treats to get out the door, so I have to go shopping at the end of my shift. Next I almost get a shower at the front door. Yes a sprinkler is spraying the front door and sidewalk going to my car. I wait patiently for the rotation to move away and make a break dashing to my car in high heels before the sprinkler comes back. At least I didn't trip. They have new sod out front where they tore the old grass up. My cats don't like the front part anymore because the new bushes are so tiny, but they do like the brick edge.

I get to my volunteer position. Nobody wants my cupcakes, but they will gorge themselves on corn dip made of cheese, corn, and peppers. One lady did take one home for her husband. She only eats organic foods. I noticed the ladies over lunch talk about food I never heard of. I realize upon hearing the Sabbath starting in the evening that they are Jewish. They talked about family gatherings and how new converts (somebody's wife) try so hard to fix food the kosher way, but never do it right. One lady had many vegetarian friends so she had to really watch what she served to them. Plus she is lactose intolerant so she has pills to take if she is eating dairy products.

I did get to hear one tour with a family from Waterloo with a relative from Washington state. The grandma kept asking questions nonstop about anything and everything, but we have to move to the next room. I saw a guy planting more flowers by the balcony, in a perfect rectangle.


Anyway, I made it and forgot to go shopping. So after our outdoor time, I give my last can of chicken in gravy and run out the door. Post later. Bye!

Valuable lesson

I learned a valuable lesson today: Never have a party again, even if my sister begs on her knees for me to have one so she can get free Tupperware.

Let's see where I went wrong. I invited all I know. Showed everyone the catalogs. I had 4 say I'm coming, one was bringing a friend to make 5 total. Got orders from those who could not attend. Spent 4 hours cleaning my apartment completely to impress my guests. Made cupcakes, got punch ready to mix. My sister is bringing the punch bowl and pin wheels to eat. Took out the garbage and cats escape. Tupperware lady finds me chasing my cats in the parking lot. My friend Teresa helped carry a cat in. Mixed the punch while Tupperware lady and Teresa talk. Offer punch, move the dining room table so the lady can do her presentation. Lady says we do food at the end and moves it off the table to the kitchen.

While we wait for the others to come, we talk and Teresa looks at the catalog. Nobody else comes. My sister calls saying Mom is in terrible pain and has to go to the doctor. She is very sorry about not coming, she had had all her stuff ready by the door. Tupperware lady does her presentation and since we don't have enough people to do the purse scavenger hunt we get all the prizes. There are no words to express how much these prizes mean to me. I tell the lady that my coworker wanted her own catalog and didn’t figure in the shipping and handling part when she wrote her check so her total is off, then she goes to Minnesota so I can't tell her that. I did leave a note for her at work. Then my sister will give me the list of what she wants, but she wanted to see the samples first. Lady said she can drop by her house and show the samples. Tupperware lady asks if I want to get orders from those didn't come. I say fuck them for not coming. Besides who knows when I will see them again, they work for different companies so I can't call them at home. I ain't going to bring a catalog to work tomorrow to get more orders.

Then the neighbor girls knock on the door to play with my cats. Lady gives the girls a catalog to give their mother. Girl leaves with the book to return saying her mother is coming over. The bitch never shows up. That is a big surprise. The girls play with cats while we ladies talk.

Well the party was suppose to last until 8:30. At 7:00 my friend has to leave. I beg her to take a cupcake with her. I offer cupcakes to the girls and the lady. Lady says she had a big dinner before she came. She has vowed to never eat at the parties she attends. How nice. I get a cup of punch for a girl. Of course, the Lady packs up and leaves. I move my furniture back where it was. Teresa liked the way I rearranged for the party.

The girls left a little while ago when it got really dark. Well better go dump the punch down the sink. Old punch always tastes bad when the pop fizz dies.

An hour later, my aunt calls saying she will not be coming. Yeah, I figured that out. But she does want the can opener. Ok, that is ordered. I wrote a check for my aunt and the gal at work. I give the lady my email so she can list what everyone ordered so I get the right stuff to the right people. Huh? Post later.

Family day

I went to my cousin's wedding today. 2nd marriage for both. It was sweet and simple, and short, in a rustic tiny country church on the Waukee side of West Des Moines. It was so small all the guests barely squeezed in. The bride wore a tank top dress, floor length but no train, with a second layer of white lace over the white satin. I'm unsure of the flower bouquet varities, but they were large and colorful, and mostly purple. Matron of honor wore a strapless lavender gown. The junior bridesmaids, my cousin's girls, wore a blue floral dress and yellow floral dress. The groom, my cousin, wore a black suit and orange carnation. No tuxedo this time. The best man also wore a black suit.

No ushers so after the wedding party left all the guests stared at each other wondering what the do. The 1st row got up and the rows after walked themselves out. No receiving line so followed the leader down to the basement where a 3-tiered cake awaited us with fresh fruits, mints, and cherry kool-aid in a punch bowl. The topper had a groom carrying his bride in his arms. The cake was marbled on the bottom layer and second layer was white (the top layer is saved in a freezer to be eaten on the 1st anniversary). The spare cake was chocolate and lemon. The napkins were ivory. The mints were blue with green leaf mints. They had dinner mints wrapped in packages saying Thank you for sharing our special day. The photographer took pictures of the couple with the cake, set the bouquet down and photographed the rings. I don't know if they fed each other cake because the matron of honor and best man stood in front of the table and blocked the view. At the end of the dinner, the best man gave a speech and toast. My glass had melted ice in it, but I raised it and sipped. Soon it was time to leave. Hugs and kisses, and grab the presents. No rice, flower petals, bells, or bubbles to sent off the couple. And no decorated car that I could tell. I don't think they are having a honeymoon, they just bought a house. Good thing too because my uncle's mother decided she can't upkeep her house anymore and will move in with them after it sells.

Then my Mom, brother, aunt, uncle, sister, and her family went to visit my Dad in the hospital. They know what is wrong. A swollen gland pushed up against his uretha tube connecting his kidney to his bladder, causing the blockage and a lot of pain. So a kidney is not working until they operate to undo the blockage, whatever that means. They will do a biopsy to see of the gland is cancerous. And he just got rid of his prostate cancer in May. Daddy is on a liquid diet because they don’t want food in his intestines when they operate. I brought Daddy some red roses and balloon. I think I left the card in my purse, I have to check. I'm the only one who brought flowers. We talked, Dad had his supper, and we had to leave. He says in the hospital he gets to sleep in the daytime. He might have to break down next summer and hire someone to help him finish the kitchen addition. He is a prideful man.

When I got home, I found another cat treats container open and contents spilled over the floor. Later the 3rd one was opened. The lids glide across the carpet like a hockey puck. That's ok, I have to clean the floors for my Tupperware party Monday. My aunt said she might come if she is not working. Off to work tomorrow. Post later. Bye!

Kissing can be hazardous

Kissing your pet with your lips may be hazardous to your health, a news report said just before the commercial break. Apparently, I missed the story when it came on.

Sure kissing a pet (or a sick human) can spread germs and make you sick. But let get real here, there are germs everywhere. The very air you breathe every day has germs.

Granted some experts say to wash our hands after touching your pet. But when I pet my cats every 15 minutes, that will not be happening. Besides, my cats sleep in my bed, purr in my ear, sneeze in my face, take naps on my lap, lick my nose when I wake up, and chew on my shoestrings so we are already sharing germs without me kissing their soft, furry foreheads. Though I do wash my hands with anti-bacterial soap after cleaning the litterbox, mostly so my hands won't smell like litter all day and prevent catching fecal germs.

Post later. Bye!

Basil jelly

I got the opportunity to talk about my first day at the historic house to my coworkers today. They were interested in the basil jelly I tasted. A lady knew someone who grew purple basil and used it to make a jelly using lemon juice, sugar, water, and boil it to make a reddish jelly. It had a very strong flavor of basil, a bit too strong to my liking. I never tasted basil before. It was an experience.

Then we had a rare day when nobody shows up to take a tour, until we were about to leave. I got to listen to the ladies talk about food, waitresses, history of the family who built the house, and past tour experiences. One lady had been a volunteer there for 15 years, she was full of stories. Then thinking we could go home and put on our coats, a couple comes to take a tour. They are from California. I finally listened in to a tour being given. The guide was full of information. I am officially in training, so I just listen and look at what the guide points at. I was disappointed in their garden since I've seen much bigger. None of the plants were labeled so when asked what a certain plant was called, we had no idea.

After we got back, we left for home. It was a good day. Post later. Bye!

Mad rush

We had a mad rush to the litterbox today. Frodo was scratching at some dirt and sitting down. I knew he was preparing to pee. I grabbed him, rushed back to the apartment, and he runs out the door. I grab him again and drop him near the litterobx. he heads for the door with a meow. I pick up the litterbox scoop and start scratching a hole in the litterbox. Frodo comes up, scratches at the litter, and runs for the door. Trying to entice further his need to pee, I kept scratching at the litterbox. Frodo finally came around, jumped in the litterbox, scratched his own hole, and went. he covered his mess and off we went back outside. I let the kitties have extra time outside today. The neighbor girls came over to play with the kitties after we returned. Precious meowed like crazy wanting to go outside again. I worked on my Halloween cards for my coworkers. After the girls left, I found a little girl's shirt in my bed. I tossed it by the door to remember to give it to them when they come back. They were real happy I had kids movies in my collection. I don;t mean to be a bitch here, but I am getting tired of their visits. I have things to do besides entertain neighbor kids. But the kitties enjoy the attention. Post later. Bye!

That darn cat

I got some new cat treats from a coupon I found. The cats like them alright, I them all over the floor when I woke up. Apparently the containers are not cat proof. Though I wish I could find the lid to it. Post later. Bye!