Grace In Small Things: 25/2010

What am I grateful for this week?

• A 2-1/2 day weekend
• Getting Squeak and Lil Dude's nails clipped - - no more "velcro kitties"!
• Fresh spinach and zucchini's from the Outdoor Produce Market
• A day all to myself with just the kitty-kids (just what the doctor ordered)
• Dinner with my Dad on Father's Day - - my treat, of course! Happy Father's Day, Daddio! Love you!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

The Story of Lil Dude: Part Six (the following week)

The next week I decided that even though Dude was going to another home, hopefully soon, it was still my responsibility to look after his health and welfare (and the welfare of my home as well). So I decided to cal the Vet and set up a time to get Dude neutered and all his shots. Not only would this help out A with the expense of a new pet, which would be difficult for her on top of all the moving/house expenses, but it would keep my two furbabes safe and also my furniture - - once he was neutered, he would not be spraying the place!

Friday came, and it was time to go to the Vet. I loaded up Dude in the carrier and took him in. This visit would consist of an overnight stay so that he could be monitored after the surgery to make sure there were no complications.

The hardest thing for me was walking out of there and leaving that little guy behind....he was mewing pitifully, and looking out the carrier door at me so sadly....I had to get a grip on myself. There would be NO getting attached to this adorable little guy!

As I drove off, I felt so guilty! It was just a couple of weeks earlier that someone had put him in a car, dumped him out and deserted him; left him for dead. I felt like I had betrayed the little guy - - deserted him. Even though I knew better, I was really worried about how he was feeling, how scared he must be.

I'm just too damn soft-hearted where cats are concerned. *sigh*

The following day I went back to the Vet to pick him up. As they brought the carrier out, Dude didn't see me at first - - but when I walked up to the counter and peered inside and said, "Hey, little guy" - - his eyes opened up wide, and he got so excited his whole body just started quivering! He started meowing and rubbing my hand against the carrier door. He was just so happy!

Dude laid in the carrier and just watched me the whole trip back home. He just laid there, purring and looking very content. When we got back home, we let him out and he just started running through the place as if he couldn't contain himself!

Uh-ohhhh - - he's feeling at home, and I'm getting totally attached.....

A had better find a home for herself and Lil Dude, and it better be quick.....

To be continued.......

Grace In Small Things: 24/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Surviving first week of Summer classes, relatively unscathed.....
• Fresh cherries off my cherry tree - - almost 60 quarts this year!
• Golden Yellow Cherry Cake with Butter Cream Frosting.....
• My Dad's 6-month check-up went extremely well - - he passed with flying colors!
• Survived a vicious thunderstorm yesterday, with the only casualty being our phone line - - lightning apparently hit it, and we are waiting on repairs.

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

The Story of Lil Dude: Part Five (Friday-Sunday)

One of my co-workers, A, who works in the office next door to mine, has always wanted a black kitten, ever since she had read a book as a child about a little black kitten named Gink. So, I decided she was one person to start with in our efforts to find Lil Dude a new home. She agreed to come out over the weekend and meet the little guy and see what she (and him) thought of each other.

Over the next couple of days we noticed that Dude's balance problems had cleared up, validating our feelings that the ear mites problem was to blame. Also, he was really starting to come into his own special little personality - - play, play, play, as hard as he could, but the minute one of us would walk up to him, he would stop, roll over onto his back, and meow for his "belly rub". He also seemed to love it when I would sing "Belly Rub, Belly Rub" to him very off-key....it would just make him purr even harder! Weird cat.....

He also decided at night that he would sleep with Mom (which he had decided was ME). He would walk between us on the bed, and curl up next to me, with my arm around him, and purr himself (and me) to sleep.

This little guy was pulling out all the stops to try to win us over to keep him. But that was NOT going to happen. Absolutely NOT. For sure. Definitely. NOT.

Really. Seriously.

Sunday came and A came by to meet The Dude (aka Gink) and see what they thought of each other. Dude was a bit hesitant at first, but soom started in playing and being his usual adorable self. A fell totally in love (how could she help herself?) and said yes, she did want him. However, there was a catch - - but isn't there always? *sigh* She still lived with her parents since she had moved back to town and was in the process of looking for a place of her own. Until she found one, she couldn't take Dude to her parent's house. I told her he was fine right where he was at, and when she found a place, he was hers.

And we left it at that.

Now all A needed to do was find a place to call home for herself and Lil Dude/Gink. How hard could that be?

To be continued.....

Grace In Small Things: 23/2010

What am I grateful for this week?

• Had a wonderful three-day weekend; 2 days all to myself, Memorial Day with Dear Mr. Dizzy.
• A wonderful Anniversary dinner - - yes, it was a week late, but that's fine. It was still fun!
• Sixteen quarts of tart pie cherries off my little cherry tree, and many more to be picked.
• Strawberries starting to bear in my new raised bed.
• Getting the grill all cleaned and ready for grilling season. Steaks, chops, burgers...can't wait!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

The Story of Lil Dude - Part Four (Tuesday-Thursday)

Tuesday morning I called the vet and made an appointment to bring in the kitten to get checked over, and they told me to bring it in Thursday morning. That gave us a couple more days to get it used to us and a little calmer.

Every day it seemed the little thing picked up more and more habits from our other two cats, with some comical results! For one thing, this little kitty's legs were so short, he had to take 2 or 3 steps for one of theirs, and it was laughable seeing it try to keep up with them! Also, every toy that we had was dragged out and played with, and with a very fierce intensity. It provided us with quite a few chuckles.

We did notice that it walked a little funny sometimes, like it had a bit of trouble keeping its balance, but didn't know if that was from it being so young and still growing into its legs, or something else. I added that to my list of things to ask the Vet.

Thursday morning, it was NOT easy getting the little thing into the carrier. It totally panicked on me! But I finally succeeded and we headed to the Vet's office. All the way there, the kitten was traumatized, and not reacting well. Mr. Dizzy and I both feel it was bringing back bad memories for it; probably the last time it had been in a carrier, it was dumped and left for dead! That was NOT a fun drive to the Vet, but we finally got there and I hauled the carrier inside, hoping being out of the car would calm the kitten down.

It didn't.

The whole time we were sitting in the waiting room, it was frantic. I was honestly afraid it was going to hurt itself trying to get out of the carrier. They finally got me into a room, and the first thing we did was open the carrier and let it out. I immediately picked the kitten up and cradled him up next to my chest, with his head right under my chin. It was shaking with fright, but I kept talking softly and petting it, and eventually the kitten calmed down.

By the time the Vet came in the room, things were going much better. But, when I tried to pry the kitten loose so the Vet could check it over, kitty decided to hang on for dear life, and it took both of us to pry him off me! But, we finally succeeded, and the Vet started his checkup.

First thing I found out is that the kitten was a Dude, not a Dudette. So, finally we knew for sure! The Vet took the kitten into another room to check him completely over - - ear mites, fleas, ringworm, worms, everything. I waited in the examining room while they did their work. Periodically the Vet or one of his assistants would come in and give me a report - - yes, he had fleas and worms, but no ringworm, and the balance problem was probably caused by the fact that both of his ears were totally filled with ear mites! They gave him a worm treatment, and treated him for fleas and the ear mites, and decided to leave it at that for that day.

At least I knew he was a "He", and was healthy, and we would see if the ear mites were the cause of his balance issues. Anything else would have to wait for another day; I was not going to traumatize him any further for the moment.

He didn't fight the carrier as much when we were ready to leave, and was a bit calmer on the way home. When we got back to the house, I let him out, and he seemed so happy to be back, his whole body started quivering! I petted him a bit longer and talked with him, and then he started playing with the toys. When I left to go to work, he was back to being his happy little self.

Now that we knew he was healthy, it was time to find the Lil Dude a home.....Heaven knows we don't need a third cat!

To be continued.....

The Story of Lil Dude - Part Three (Sunday/Monday)

The next morning, it was back to business as usual - - the kitten would come out long enough to eat, follow our two cats around, and play with toys when we were not in the same room, but if it caught sight of either of us, it was time to hide under something safe. I was just dying to get my hands on the little furball, just to let it know it was safe and we meant no harm, but it was not to be. Both Mr. Dizzy and I were avoided like we carried the plague.

Mr. Dizzy took the pet gate back to Menard's and got his money back, since it obviously was not doing the situation any good. We figured the more the little baby wandered around and got comfortable in our house, the sooner we could get close to it (hopefully). But the whole day Sunday and the whole evening was exactly the same, and we finally gave up and called it a day.

Monday I was sick. Sinuses, headache, feeling lousy. So, I stayed home. The kitten came closer to me as I was laying on the couch, almost within arm's reach, but the minute I would try, it would scamper off. I was dozing a lot and each time I would wake up, it would be close to me, but again, each time I reached out my hand, it would back off.

About mid-afternoon I headed back to the bedroom to take a nap in a more comfy spot, and saw the little baby on my bed. Before it could run out of the room, I shut the door so we were both in there. It took off and hid under the clothes hamper. I laid on the floor and just talked softly to it, and eventually was able to reach my hand under the hamper and stroke its head. It stiffened up for a moment, but then started relaxing, and the next thing I knew the little baby was purring. Loudly! I kept laying there stroking its head and back, and talking softly, and finally it started pushing into my hand. I took that as a good sign, and was finally able to get a good hold and get it out from under the hamper. I held the kitten in my arms, talking softly, and it kept purring. I put the kitten on the bed and laid down next to it, and we both fell asleep!

That was the definite turning point. From then on, it stopped being so scared of us, although still a bit skittish.

When Mr. Dizzy got home from work I told him about what happened, and he headed into the bedroom to see the little thing. Next thing I knew, they were on the bed together, Mr. Dizzy petting him, the little kitten purring loudly. We FINALLY won it over!

Now to get the little darling to the vet to get checked and find out if it was a Lil Dude or Dudette.....

To be continued.....

Grace In Small Things: 22/2010

With this being Memorial Day, I am grateful for:
All of our troops overseas, who are sacrificing to keep us free.

• The families of all the troops, for the sacrifices they are making, allowing their family members to be over there assuring our freedom.
• Veterans of all wars, for their honor and dedication to our country.
• My Dad, a WWII Veteran, who earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in rescuing a downed plane during his Air Force service.
• Living in America; in spite of all our problems, I still believe this is the best place to be. Ever.

Please keep our military personnel in your thoughts and prayers today, as well as the families they have left behind.

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

The Story of Lil Dude - Part Two (Saturday)

Saturday morning, Mr. Dizzy was scheduled to work overtime. When he left, he didn't see the kitten in the garage but figured it was hiding behind something.

Later that morning, I left to go grocery shopping; I also didn't see the kitten. When I got back from shopping, still no kitten...what the...? Did it slip out somehow? I was pretty concerned. So, when Mr. Dizzy came home from work, we started searching through the garage. No kitten. We started tearing everything away from the walls; still no luck. We spent almost 2 hours tearing things apart, with no kitten in sight. We were pretty dejected, thinking it had slipped out and we would never find it.

Mr. Dizzy was on his hands and knees, pushing something back beside our big upright freezer, when suddenly he noticed something.....under the freezer, behind the grate, was a pair of green eyes. That's all he could see, just green eyes. (Well, it WAS dark under there, and the kitten was black.) He tried knocking on the grate to scare it out from under there, with no luck. Finally, he got something narrow that would fit between the grate and started carefully poking around in there, so as not to hurt it. The kitten finally crawled out the back of the freezer, into my waiting hands. And it's a good thing I had heavy leather gloves on! It was scared to death, biting the glove, clawing, but as I held it, it stopped and just laid there in my hands, its little heart just pounding.

We got the kitten inside the house and put it in the back bathroom, where it would be safe from the other cats, and shut it inside. Next, we moved the litter box, rugs, blanket, and food/water into the bathroom so it would have all the necessities. Mr. Dizzy went off to Menard's to get a pet gate for the doorway so we wouldn't have to keep the door shut and have the poor thing totally isolated; it had gone through enough trauma in its short life already. While he was gone, I shut myself in there with the kitten and sat there on the floor, talking softly to it. I could not get him to come near me, but it did sit there and listen to my voice, and seemed to calm down a bit.

Mr. Dizzy got home with the pet gate, and we put it in the doorway. It was a very high gate; the size for large dogs, so we figured that would keep it in the room and our two furbabies out. We kept going back checking on the kitten periodically, just to make sure it was okay, and just talking to it to try to get it used to us.

Finally, we headed off to bed, hoping that the little thing would be okay during the night, but knowing that with that big pet gate, it would be safe and secure.

Or so we thought! (Silly us!)

Around 2:00 AM, Mr. Dizzy woke up feeling something on his feet. He raised up his head and looked around the bed; our two cats were both asleep on my side of the bed . . . and the little kitten was on the bed, sitting on Mr. Dizzy's feet! He started sitting up, and the kitten got scared and jumped off the bed and ran out of the room. We got up and looked around, but we could not find it. So, we took down the pet gate (since it obviously didn't keep him in!) so that it could reach the food/water and litter box, and went back to bed.

We could tell this was going to be quite a ride.....

To be continued.....

The Story of Lil Dude - Part One (Thursday/Friday)

It was a very cold Thursday night last February. Mr. Dizzy and I were in the living room watching TV, when he thought he heard something outside. He went to the window and looked out - - there was a tiny little black kitten. We live in a rural setting, with no neighbors, so we knew he had to have been dumped out. He was worried about it, with it being so cold outside, so he headed out to look for it. He tried coaxing it to him with food, but no luck. He tried to get ahold of it to put it inside somewhere warmer, but it was scared and got away. Finally, Mr. Dizzy couldn't take the cold any more, so he came in, got some food, and put the food outside for the poor little thing.

Next morning, the food was gone. At least we knew it got something to eat. We put out more food, and got ready to go to work. When I came home from work, the food was gone, but no sign of the poor little thing. Well, at least we knew it wasn't starving.

That evening it got very cold; in fact, the wind chill was 11 degrees. We noticed that our two cats, Carmichael and Squeak, were sitting right at the window that runs alongside the front door; they were glued to that window, and no amount of coaxing could get them away. We turned on the porch light - - and there was the tiny little black kitten, standing at the window looking in at my two cats, meowing for all it was worth. Even from the front bay windows, we could tell it was shivering and miserable. My heart just broke.

Mr. Dizzy bundled up and went outside to try to coax it again, but the minute he stepped around the corner of the house, the poor frightened little creature took off to hide. Mr. Dizzy came back inside - - and the little thing came right back to the porch.

I couldn't take much more of this - - something had to be done. So I opened up the front door, got down on my knees, and held open the storm door just a bit (well, it was COLD!)(and WINDY!). I started talking to the little kitty and trying to coax it in. It kept stepping back and forth, scared to come in, but cold and miserable. Finally, its curiosity and desire to come in and see my two cats brought it inside, and I was able to get the door shut.

Now the fun began - - it was scared to death of us, but wanted to be around my two cats, who in turn wanted NOTHING to do with the little intruder! What fun.....it would follow them around, they would hiss and run away, and it would keep on following. At one point, when it was stalking Carmichael, it sat on my foot; I took the opportunity to reach down and give it a head scritch, and it started purring - - until it realized it was a BIG OL' HUMAN doing that, and ran off.

There was no way of getting close enough to see if it was male or female.....but we could definitely see its ribs, and little spine, and that there was some definite feeding that needed to be done. Lots of it. And soon.

Finally, we were able to herd the little thing out to the garage, which is heated; we put out a litter box, some food and water, and a couple of soft old rugs. We figured it would be safe out there, and warm, and fed. It was late, and Mr. Dizzy had to go into work the following Saturday morning pretty early; we decided we would figure out what was going on once he got back home.

To be continued.....

Grace In Small Things: 21/2010

This week's 5 things are very special, very near and dear to my heart - - Today is my Wedding Anniversary!

That being said, here are 5 things (out of too many to count!) that I am grateful for being married to the very special, totally amazing Mr. Dizzy:

• He loves me, and is not afraid to say it or show it, in many, many little ways.
• Even though he had never been married before or ever had any kids of his own - - when we married, he took in my 12-year-old son as his own, and did the best he could helping me raise that young man.
• He lets me take care of him when he's sick, and is actually a pretty good patient!
• Even though he's mildly allergic, he lets me have cats in the house, because he knows how much I love them; says his allergy shots will take care of it.
• He trusts me, 100%, and appreciates that I trust him as well; we have vowed we will never, ever do anything to betray that trust.

Happy 24 years, my Dear Mr. Dizzy! You are the love of my life, my soulmate, my life partner - - I am looking forward to the next 24 years with you, and more!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 20/2010

What a week this one has been as well! *whew*

Here is what I am grateful for this week:

• This week marked the END of Spring semester!
• This Friday was payday (finally!)
• Lunch with my best friend from Jr. High/High School who is back visiting our little home town from San Diego - - great being able to catch up with her!
• Had a GREAT month at the antique booth last month - - received a very nice check today.
• My favorite recipe (Crazy Aunt Purl's Pot Roast and Roasted Veggies) for Sunday dinner. So yum.

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 19/2010

It's been a terribly rough week. It has made it extremely difficult to find 5 things to be grateful for, but here goes:

• Spending time with my grandsons, being able to help them with their homework.
• Smiling while watching the grandsons outside "helping" Grandpa with yard work - - more of a hindrance than a help, but they sure do try hard!
• Connie's World Famous Chocolate Brownies - - both iced and uniced - - yum!
• A daughter-in-law who has turned out to be the daughter I never had. Love you, Dawn.
• With one week of my online class left, I am carrying a 100% average for all the Modules so far.

P.S. Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful, beautiful mothers out there. Give your Mom a BIG hug and tell her how much you love her while you can; I wish mine were still here so I could. Love you, Mom, and miss you.



Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 18/2010

Things I am grateful for this week:

• My Dad's continued good health! I have had 2 close friends lose their fathers in the past week, and attended visitations for both. Makes me appreciate my Dad even more!
• My grandson's knee NOT having a hairline fracture, and he is finally off his crutches! YAY!
• Adam, my former student worker and now Computer Tech Extraordinaire! He was able to fix my daughter-in-law's computer in less than an hour, for a very small amount of money - - Adam, you are the BEST!
• Kicking butt in Body Sculpt Class this week - - every week I can feel my muscles getting stronger and stronger; and, my clothes are fitting better also.
• Since rejoining the Gym, I'm am now down 10 pounds! YAY!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 17/2010

This week, my post is going to take a slight turn - - let me explain:

This past week, I have helped out, and participated in, the "Kris Rocks" Benefit for a very dear friend and coworker of mine. Kris has been battling Breast Cancer for the past 14 years. She is Stage IV, and it has spread to her bones and liver. BUT - - you will NEVER, EVER find a more positive, upbeat person than Kris. She is a fighter; she is determined to beat this nasty, vicious disease. And if anyone can do it, Kris is the one!

That all being said, here are the 5 things I am grateful for this week:

• Donating 10 batches of my "world-famous" brownies to the Benefit - - 8 for the Bake Sale, and 2 of my Chocolate Mint Brownies to the Silent Auction . . . and watching a "bidding war" going on over them!
• Mr. Dizzy and I spending an entire Saturday afternoon with the most amazing group of people. The entire hall was packed!
• Meeting Kris' Dad, and sharing a few tears with him while telling him what an amazing, strong person my friend, his daughter, is, and how she has inspired me over the years.
• Finally getting to hear the band "Mister Sister" play, and they are awesome! Kris' husband, David, is the keyboardist for the group. He is amazing. Actually, they all are!
• Getting to spend time with my nephew Travis, who adores Kris; she was one of his instructors in College, and they have kept in touch over the years. He made a special trip to Decatur just to be at the Benefit and spend time with her (and us, of course!)

This past Saturday afternoon made me realize once again how generous and giving people are, and willing to rally around a friend/coworker/family member in need. Yes, there is a lot of bad in the world - - A LOT - - but yesterday showed me that the good greatly outweighs the bad!

I'm glad you had such a good day, yesterday, Kris. And don't forget - - KRIS ROCKS!!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 16/2010

Things I am grateful for this week:

• The positive feedback we have received, via e-mail and phone calls, from people all over the country (!!) who attended our Conference Presentation in Chicago last weekend. Quite a (much needed) ego boost!
• Carmichael-kitty curled up in my lap, head-bumping my hand as I try to type this post. What a lovable little beast . . .
• Sunshine and warm temps outside, making my apple and cherry trees bloom, and my strawberry bed grow!
• Spending all day yesterday with my grandsons (SO worn out today!)
• Andes Chocolate Mint Brownies baking in the oven. The whole house smells so good!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 15/2010

Sorry this is so late - It was a very hectic weekend, and I'm still exhausted!

Things I am grateful for this week:

• The presentation my supervisor and I gave at the big Educational Conference in Chicago was a hit!
• The view from my room at the Hyatt Regency - - 30th floor, corner room, overlooking the lake with Navy Pier in the background . . . so beautiful!
• Walking Chicago's Navy Pier Saturday afternoon, with the sun shining and a beautiful breeze blowing off the water.
• A pretty smooth train trip to Chicago and back.
• Being back home, sleeping in my own bed, with my Dear Mr. Dizzy and my three warm-n-fuzzy fur-kids. There really IS no place like home!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 14/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A much-needed three-weekend!
  My new Strawberry Garden is all set up (now to get the plants in)
• Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting hot from the oven for breakfast
• Warmer weather and sunshine
• Getting my Spring/Summer wardrobe out of storage - - finally!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Happy Easter!

May you and yours be blessed on this day!

Grace In Small Things: 13/2010

Things I am grateful for this week:

• Making it through an extremely difficult week at work - - especially Friday
• Installing a Webcam for my grandsons, so they can talk to us AND see us, even if we can't get together
• Warm purring kittycats snuggled up on me
• A fun afternoon spent card-making with my sister-in-law
• The sun, finally coming out, after a rainy, windy, chilly, totally nasty day

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.