Happy Birthday, Kitties!

Annie and Leo

Today our cats, Leo and Annie, turn 18 years old. They are definitely showing their age, but they are still showing their spunk and insistence on being the center of everyone's world, as well.

We already had two cats when we got Annie and Leo and were not planning to get any more. But you know what they say about best laid plans. Miss Landers had gotten us a gift certificate for Petsmart that we went to use one afternoon. As chance would have it, it was cat adoption day. While I enjoyed seeing the cats, I was not tempted to get any more. I thought we were doing our part with the two we already had.  I wasn't tempted, but Ward was. He started campaigning that we needed some kittens. All of my red flags went up--what about the extra litter boxes, torn furniture, vet bills, etc. Those didn't seem to phase him. I agreed to go back and look at two kittens we had seen - a brother and sister that they wanted to adopt together. 

The kittens were shy with one (Annie) cautiously venturing out of their carrier to be petted while the other (Leo) hid inside. We went about our shopping, but went back before we left the store and said that we might be interested in adopting the pair. However, we needed time to think about it. Then we went home to talk to Wally and Leo.

They thought getting two more cats was the greatest idea in the world. I laid forth all of the arguments as to why we should not get the kittens, but they had a counter argument for every one of them. So then I started to think seriously about the idea. I tended to be the one in the family who put a damper on many thing by looking at the practical/negative side of things. I told myself that maybe for once, I could do something without thinking through all of the possibilities. I gave the adoption group a call the next day and said we were interested. 

The group was very happy we called back. They had  others interested in the kittens but liked us because they knew we weren't doing it on impulse. The group's goal was to get a lifelong placement for the cats in a good home. Not one that would have them for a period of time and then get rid of them. We had to have an extensive interview, fill out a lot of paperwork, make promises for their care, and pay for a spay and neuter. All good practices, but there was one question in particular that I thought was very smart. They said that in all likelihood, that our kids would be out of the house long before the cats. Would Ward and I be okay with having four cats with only two of us to care for them? We said we would.

And two days later, we picked up the kittens in the parking lot of Petsmart and took them home to spend the next couple of weeks anchored in a bedroom as we introduced them to are existing cats, Lucky and Lucy. But that's a story for another day.

So was it a good decision to have four cats? Yes. Were there problems with this many? Yes. But the joy, comfort, laughter, and companionship they have provided have far outweighed the difficulties. 

Happy Birthday, Annie and Leo! We're so glad that you are part of our family.

Tuesday 4 - Me

 It's time for Tuesday 4. This week is about describing yourself. Join me if you'd like.

Me at 5 years old.

1. How are you unique or different from your friends or family? How typical are you?

This is a hard question. Maybe I should ask an outside observer to get a better perspective, but I can't find anyone. So I give it a go on my own.

I feel like I am very similar to my sisters - detail oriented, good at thinking through plans, like simple things. I am different than my husband's family where most things are examined from an engineering/physics perspective. I, too, am science oriented, but physics is my least favorite and hardest science discipline for me. 

I am different from some of my friends in that I tend to try to find the positive in most situations. I can be annoying in that way sometimes so I've been told. But that is not to say that I don't enjoy a good complaining session at work as much as the next person.

2.  How do you spend your spare time? books, hobbies, visiting, tv etc. I like being outside and observing nature, so I often work in the yard. Except when it's really hot. Then I melt. :) I also read, watch TV, play computer games, and pet cats to relax. In the past, I did knitting and cross-stitching.

3. What was high school like for you? Overall, high school was pretty good for me. When I was a freshman, I tried out for everything I could--student council, cheerleader, class play, etc. And I lost every single one of them. I was not the prettiest, curviest, or richest which were all things that were of great value to 14 year olds. But I came back the next year and tried again and had a few successes. By the time I was a senior, I was student body president, a varsity cheerleader, and valedictorian. When I look back, I'm not sure where I got the courage to overcome all of the rejections.

4. This question has multiple parts:

a. Handbag: designer style or any will do?  My bag has to be not too big and have a good carrying strap. Designer or not, I like to get a well made one and carry it for years until I get embarrassed about how worn it looks.

b. Pajamas or night gown? Pajamas. I've never understood nightgowns in that they always seem to end up in an uncomfortable ball around my waist when I have worn them.

c. Shoes: sturdy or pretty ? Definitely sturdy. I have various issues with my feet, so when I find a pair of shoes that are comfortable for me, I tend to wear them all the time. Until, much like the purse, I get embarrassed about how worn they look.

d.home decor: classic, modern, farm house style, traditional? I don't know what our style is. I'm not sure we have one. But in general, we lean more to the traditional and less to the modern. And uncluttered. That's not to say that we always achieve that, but I generally don't like a cluttered space. Which is one reason my desk is bothering me right now. But not enough to do anything about it. Same goes for my nightstand. :)

e. Movies: feel good, drama, romance, action? We watch very few movies, but I enjoy a feel good comedy more than an intense action movie.

To There and Back Again

 Ward and I just spent a long weekend in West Virginia for a family reunion with my family. 

Let's get the COVID concerns out of the way that you all are wondering about. It was a small vaccinated crowd, outdoors with plenty of room to socially distance. And even though we were all glad to see each other, there was little to no hugging. I felt as safe there as I do anywhere else. Now onto the trip.

On the way there, we left the beaten path to visit this Amish planing mill. Ward enjoyed seeing their processes and talking with the workers. I did not enjoy how hot it was.

The next day we were up early to set up at the Ft. Boreman Historical Park where the event was held. 

The park overlooks the confluence of the Little Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. Originally the site was a Civil War fort to protect railroad facilities.

The following day, we visited the WV Botanical Gardens before heading home. The gardens were at the site of an old reservoir and had different garden rooms carved out of the forest. 

One of the many gardens was a fairy garden. You can see some of the fairy houses that have been built in the background.

There was a butterfly garden.

Close to the butterfly garden was a gazebo
where Ward was doing his thing of seeing how it was constructed.

There was a pond with marshy ground around it.

And a boardwalk through a swamp.

To summarize our trip:

It was HOT! Thank goodness for fans.

We saw lots of beautiful scenery both in the mountains and along the river.

I am very lucky to have the family I do both immediate and extended.

Until next time...

And We're Off!

The group that started it all.
My father is the tallest one in the group.

 

This morning we begin another trip across the mountains to my family reunion in West Virginia. I'm up early waiting for Ward to join me so we can begin the loading the car. 

Besides visiting with family, we have two new-to-us parks we plan to visit. I'll share some of the details with you next week.

Until next time...

Tuesday 4, Let's Cook!

 This week's Tuesday 4 is about cooking. Play along if you like. 

If you've read here for very long, you know that cooking is not my thing. I know how to cook, but it's just like the laundry. It's a necessary thing that I don't mind doing, but so many other things are more interesting. Also, I'm not really into the big eating experience. All my life, I have eaten small amounts frequently. My mother said I was born that way and I never really grew out of it. What that means, is that I'm full before the appetizer is done. This causes problems sometimes because people/restaurants think I don't like their food because I'm not eating much of it.

So the questions this week are harder for me to answer than some other prompts have been. But read along, anyway, if you're interested.

1.What is/are your favorite meal(meals) to eat and to cook?

I'd say that my favorite meals are heavy on fresh vegetables. I like them prepared many ways, but the carnivores in the house like them best roasted, so we do that a lot. I like them that way, too, especially because they are easy to prepare. When I was growing up, we got to pick the supper menu on our birthday. I usually chose creamed chicken and biscuits. And when I got a little older, that was my favorite meal to make. 

2.How often do you cook at home and what kind of  meals do you make? 

We get take out once or twice a week, and eat in a restaurant once a month or so. The rest of the time we tend to make easy meals in large quantities so we can eat the leftovers for a couple of days. Big pots of stew and casseroles lend themselves to this. My husband is a fan of Costco chicken (big rotisserie chicken for $4.99), so he tends to buy those a lot.

3. When you go out to eat what foods do you find yourself ordering most?  

When we are in an actual restaurant, I tend to order salads or vegetarian entrees. The carnivores can get their big piece of meat and everyone is happy. And I have been known to be one of those people who eat the fries off of other's plates.

4. Can you recommend a restaurant in your area?  Why do you like it?

I'm not a foodie, so I'm just as happy with a Subway sandwich or a Domino's pizza (tomatoes and feta cheese) as anything else.