Grace In Small Things: 29/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Some much needed rain; my new grass was doing poorly, now it's really sprouting up.
• Cooler temps and lower humidity!
• A fun day in our nearby Amish community.
• Supper with Dear Mr. Dizzy and my Dad Friday evening.
• This article: http://herald-review.com/news/local/article_c41ab863-ae0f-598c-8da5-d13fd380f6ee.html. Dear Mr. Dizzy and I are very happy with it!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Decatur Celebration Memories....

Check this out....Tim Cain wrote a GREAT article about Decatur Celebration, and about yours truly and Mr. Dizzy....



http://herald-review.com/news/local/article_c41ab863-ae0f-598c-8da5-d13fd380f6ee.html

Grace In Small Things: 28/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Short work week for me, just four days.
• Spending time with friends in St. Louis....even though we went down for a visitation/funeral, it was still good to be able to see everyone and be with them.
• Presentation at BlackboardWorld in Orlando went well for my Director. Way to go, Kona! :-)
• Lunch with a good friend yesterday - - Cheddar's!
• Lil Dude sleeping on my computer desk as I write this....his favorite place to be when I'm typing (he likes to "help").

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

I Swear, He Thinks He's A Dog....

That new Lil Dude of ours. I swear, he thinks he's a dog.

I'll be sitting up in bed, reading or watching TV at night, and he will bring up one of his cat toys, drop it on the bed in front of me, and then stand there, staring at me and meowing insistently. I will play with him with the toy for a bit, then throw it off the bed. He used to just jump off the bed and chase it, and then play with it on the floor.

Not anymore....he "fetches" it back to me.

Yes, he chases it down, brings it back on the bed, drops it in front of me, and starts the whole staring/meowing routine all over again. Just like a dog would do....well, without the "meowing" part. :)

*sigh* What a character. What a swee, adorable, funny little character!

Road Trip

I have been hoping, for a LONG, LONG time, that Mr. Dizzy and I would have a chance to make a weekend road trip to St. Louis. We have good friends down there, and there are so many things we like to go and see, such as University City, The Hill, Ted Drewe's, and much, much more.

Sunday we made a road trip to St. Louis. But, not for the reasons I had hoped . . . we attended the funeral of one of those very dear, close family friends. Mr. Dizzy's Dad and John (the family friend) served in the Navy together, have always been as close as brothers, and their kids grew up together; they are more like brothers and sisters than friends.

Dear Mr. Dizzy, his brother, father, and another Navy mate were asked to be pallbearers. I know John would have loved that.

I was doing pretty good holding it all together until we got to the cemetery, where they buried him with full military honors - - the 21 gun salute, "Taps" played in the distance, and the folding and presenting of the flag to the family. THAT is when I just totally lost it.

The past two days have been an emotional rollercoaster for us, and we both feel completely drained. It's difficult to lose someone so dear to you.

Rest in Peace, John. And God Bless.

Grace In Small Things: 27/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A short (4-day) work week.
• Fresh sweet corn on the cob.
• Landscaping outside around our house is finished, and beautiful!
• Fresh peaches for cobbler. Or maybe a pie. Or both.
• National Chocolate Day last Tuesday....just because.... :)

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Uh-Ohhhhhh......

We have one BAD LITTLE BOY on our hands.....



Look at how GUILTY he looks.....

But I still love the Lil Dude! :-)

Grace In Small Things: 27/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A FIVE DAY WEEKEND - - took off Thursday and Friday, and along with the three day Holiday weekend, it's like a mini-vacation!
• Dinner at Olive Garden with my Dad - - always good spending time with him!
• A trip to Arthur, Illinois - - our nearby Amish community - - for a day of fun with my friend Connie. Visited a lot of Amish businesses and found lots of fresh baked goods and fresh produce galore.
• Steaks out on the grill to celebrate the Holiday weekend.
• Living in America - - would not want to live anywhere else!

Happy Fourth of July....and Happy Birthday, America!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

I'm PROUD to be an American!

The Story of Lil Dude - Part Eight (In Pictures!)

He was so small, and scared, and starving that cold Winter night we found him on our doorstep, and this is the closest we could get to him without him bolting in fear....

But once we finally got our hands on him, got him cleaned up and he started feeling safe, he started getting a little friendlier.... and look at those beautiful big green eyes.....

And just like big brother Carmichael, we discovered Lil Dude's love of "belly rubs".....

When he is not eating or playing with big brother Carmichael or big sister Squeak, he loves to spend time "helping" Mom (me) on the computer....

He also learned the fine art of "napping"....

Anywhere....

Any time....

He is now 6 months old, and growing BIG! Look how long his tail has gotten....

Mr. Dizzy and I never wanted more than two cats in our home. NEVER. But now that Lil Dude is here, it's hard to imagine life without him! He has brought the playfulness out in both Carmichael and Squeak, and won over my heart, and Mr. Dizzy's as well.

So, to end this story, I would like to say something to the people who dumped him out on that cold, freezing Winter night and left him for dead....

Dear cruel, heartless bastards - - this is a big THANK YOU for being such idiots, and dumping Lil Dude out at our home. He is a beautiful, adorable kitty, and a wonderful addition to our family! You have no idea what you are missing out on - - the playfulness, the comedy, but most of all - - the love. Lil Dude has more affection than his (not so) little body can hold, and gives it to all of us freely and constantly. And you never will, because he is OURS. We are the winners in this situation . You stupid jerks are the losers here!

"That's telling them, Mom!"