everything is making me cry today
gonna unplug
^ from the woman who totally sucks at it
solitude and quiet would be lovely
but they aren’t layered into the schedule
things to do
places to go
people to see, love, hug and care for
one big ole dog and striped cat too
so I will go and do
but I can’t read words today
not on Facebook
not on Caring Bridge
not on Twitter or Tumblr either
everything is making me cry today
December 6, 2012
I began writing this post on our last day of vacation in Orlando, Florida. The day we headed home. In the midst of packing suitcases, carry ons and getting everyone and everything ready to GO, I tried to post this photo and story about my youngest son, but of course when you’re time crunched is when you’re most likely to have technical difficulties. So, I quickly saved as “draft” and decided to wait and post when I could finish a thought again. It’s now Monday morning. My husband is working, my children are at school, the happy-to-be-home-again-dog is sound asleep at my feet and the glad-we’re-home-but-mad-the-dog-is-back-too-cat is plotting from the floor above. Ah, q-u-i-e-t. Just what I needed most.
On October 26, 2012, my youngest son (age 9) woke up happy and said, “Yeah! It’s Friday! We’re not going to the parks today!” Sweet boy who is happy to be going HOME. It’s his safe spot. I packed a patterned blanket, in shades of golden brown, on his request. It’s a comfort to him. He likes the cozy, softness it offers at night – it feels like something in between fleece and velour. It was worth the luggage space I gave up to bring it along for him. He needed that extra bit of home with him this wonderful week away. A week spent under palm fronds blowing in gentle breezes and a clear blue sky above. The gray clouds and rainy moments never lasted long or dampened the fun of the trip.
We made our own fun, he and I. He was my apple this week. The crowds were a bit too much. Rides not really his thing. Especially fast, dark and loud ones. Up and at ‘em rushing to eat breakfast and catch buses didn’t feel like vacation to him. Extra desserts agreed with him just fine though! So we swam in the hotel pool nearly every day, played video games at the hotel arcade, split brownie desserts down the middle, tucked in early and watched TV or read books in the quiet of the room while his big brother and dad rode the wild rides and stayed up late, adding to the crowds. Most of my vacation pictures are of him (palm trees come in second), caught my oldest son, husband and in laws a few times too. The memories will last. The smiles too. It was a lovely vacation. ~ Janean
October 29, 2012
Stupid leaf blower poolside is ruining my serenity. Grrrrr
Time for more coffee and oatmeal anyway – food service started at 7:00. Saturday morning I’ll be food service again. Laundress and dog walker and cat care lady too. The break’s been nice though. Palm trees and sunshine worked their magic. Nice to have a week without too many tears. ~ Janean
October 25, 2012
I’m enjoying the warmth of sunshine on my back.
I must be channeling my inner kitty cat. =^.^=
Shhh, don’t tell my dog, Blue.
October 12, 2012
I just cleaned dried cat yak off the railroad tracks.
Dr. Seuss didn’t write that one.
Sometimes grossness is meant to be shared…
especially when you have a picture to prove it.
Ewwww
(No one tell my father though – it’s his track, and his cats, they are just temporarily in my care.)
meet Misty =^.^=
and Katodamoda =^.^=,
we call her “Toda”, for short
~ Janean
September 28, 2012
That cat is at it again
I swear she is the one that’s going to push me right over the edge
You know
The edge between sorta sane and completely off your rocker
I’ve been balance beaming along it for months now
She’s still mad about the dog
That sweet pup we brought home eight months ago
My goodness can she hold a grudge
She’s tried everything she can think of to express her displeasure
She’s growled, hissed, and scratched his cold, black, puppy nose with her menacing front claws
She tried a starvation diet too
I thwarted that one by opening a can of soft food that was too tantalizing for her to resist
She’s “gone” on the dirty laundry
…and more recently the bedroom floor
I don’t have time to deal with her antics and clean up her messes
But clean I do
Washing machine set on “sanitize” to neutralize that awful smell
Today I tried a new one
‘Cause I’m barely holding on
I mixed a potion of pleasing scent to spray upon the clean again bedroom carpet
The side of the box said 4 oz. water and 18 drops of lavender oil
I think I counted 21
Hope it deters her
Hope it gets her back in her box for “business”
After the potion mixing was done
I squeezed one more drop onto my index finger
And dabbed a drop of lavender oil behind my ears
It was chemo unhook day
That one’s tougher than tough
When the completed infusion hits hardest
I hugged my husband goodbye
Before carline at school
He said, “Mmmmmm, you smell nice.”
I smiled and replied, “It’s lavender.”
Drat that cat
Do I have to give her the credit?!
~ Janean
August 30, 2012
Last night the littlest boy fell asleep in the biggest bed. The one worthy of a king. His parents let him sleep. They’d had enough of elbows in the nose at night from that (not so) little monkey in the middle. In a new move they tiptoed down the hall to his room and tucked into their old bed. The one sized for a queen. The two of them slept soundly there beneath a camouflage comforter, well guarded by a tank stuck upon the wall. That cat curled up down by their feet and settled in for the night. She didn’t ask any questions, quite used to the musical beds game and nighttime wanderings at her house. Everyone slept soundly without bad dreams or waking up too early. The littlest boy is still sleeping. His parents have already been up for hours, thankful for a good night’s sleep all around.
August 26, 2012
I kissed my husband, as I headed out the door with the barking to go out dog…again.
And said, “Have a good day” and added, “I promise not to be a b*tch.”
As if it being 4-H crunch time weren’t enough of a reason for that promise, there are more…
The Cat, needs to see the vet unexpectedly for an open wound we saw for the first time at bedtime last night. Poor Miss Snuggles. Hoping it’s not too serious (or expensive).
That Dog, is into EVERYTHING this morning:
First, Blue ate most of a toy air rocket made of nerf-like material.
Then he smashed my daylilies to smithereens because he thinks they feel good to lie on while rocket chewing.
Next thing I knew, Blue pulled the downspout extender out from under the deck stairs and drug it into the yard in order to recover one of his tennis balls that have been missing for awhile.
Topped off by Blue ducking underneath the grill cover, that is drying out across the top of two patio chairs, because he thinks it makes a cool Dog Fort. I only wish he was grinning with his tongue lolling out in the photo I managed to snap before shooing him out from under there.
Somewhere in the midst of all that, which took place over two hours time, I made coffee, ate breakfast, sent a few emails and unloaded the dishwasher.
Oh, and did I mention the family gathering at our house this evening at 6:30?!
It’ll be a nice time.
I’m sure of it.
Thanks for listening.
Sometimes just being able to vent a bit, can take the edge off my surly self.
Hugs help too.
Always.
So do hot showers and naps.
Blue is napping now.
Can I join him?
Not yet.
Grrrrrrrrr
July 16, 2012
Turquoise Tangles 