What we've been doing

Things have been busy busy busy around here since my last post. I started working as a public safety dispatcher aka 9-1-1 dispatcher. Nick came home from Iraq on leave, Nick bought a new truck, I bought a new truck. We adopted a new cat. The divorce isn't going so well.

I love my new job. I find that many of the calls are from really stupid people but I keep telling myself it's job security! LOL Kinda like the guy that was calling me on his homeless phone, being chased by his girlfriends baby's daddy. By the way, the girlfriend didn't know the name of her baby's daddy.

Nick was home on leave from Iraq for 2 weeks. He and Melissa had plans to get away for a few days by themselves but Melissa got really sick and was in the hospital for a number of days. She had a terrible kidney infection. Thankfully she got to the hospital when she did, much longer and she would have lost the kidney. She was home for several days before Nick had to return.

It was really good to see Nick, more of a relief I think. Just to see him and know that he's in one piece and in good health was wonderful. Nick called me late last week to give the good news that they are scheduled to be home sometime in June!!! Thank GOD!!!!!


Daniel had his final ROTC awards banquet last week. He opted to attend alone this year. I must admit that I was rather saddened by this. I think that perhaps he didn't want to feel like he had to choose between me and Alan to take or explain why he invited one and not the other. It actually broke my heart as Alan is turning the divorce that he wanted into something really nasty and he's drug Daniel into it by lying to him about me.

Daniel started school year as the Group Commander with the rank of Captain. Later was promoted to Major, then Lt. Colonel. Daniel received the Son's of the American Revolution award. The following is an explaination of the award. " JROTC cadets who are selected for having a high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, military bearing and general excellence. The recipients are selected by the Commanding Officer of the ROTC or JROTC unit." Daniel has also applied to the water park for the summer until he signs with the military.

Meet our newest family member. Her name is Boots. I took her in from a friend. This friend had several major changes in the household and Boots didn't adjust well. She is slowly adjusting to our busy loud animal filled household. She is just a doll, and believe it or not she's 2 years old....just a tiny thing.

I should be posting again, at least semi-regularly. I'm sure I will have stories to tell from some of the stupid calls we take. Though I will of course change the names and addresses to protect the stupid! LOL

Have a wonderful day, remember to thank God for all that you are blessed with. Love those around you and offer forgiveness to those who have wronged you.

Meet Hoss

This is Hoss. I adopted him from Maumelle Friends of the Animals. Petey has been so lonely since we moved. He used to hang out with the neighborhood cats before we moved out of Jacksonville. Where we live now he's not allowed out as we live too close to a major road.

Hoss does not enjoy being held. He's just not real happy in the photo with Daniel. He went to the vet today as Petey had an appointment (he has worms (I told Petey to stop eating those squirrels!!!) and an infected tooth), and he needed to be checked as well. Come Saturday we'll have had Hoss for 3 weeks. When he was weighed today he tipped the scales at 17 lbs, 13 oz!!!! And he's lost some weight!!! Petey was 11 lbs when I took him to the vet about 3 months ago, he's up to 14lbs, 2 oz!

Hoss and Petey have settled into a comfortable routine for them. They don't fight much anymore. They play some, Petey has first dibs on the can of cat food in the morning and Hoss cleans out the bowl when Petey's done! They enjoy sunning themselves on the dining room table in the late afternoon while watching the squirrels & birds eating from the feeders. If we need to find Hoss we can ALWAYS find him in the linen closet in the bathroom piled up on the clean towels! Though I bought a latch today so he will have to find a new place to sleep.

Hoss really seems to love Daniel. He will continually go in Daniel's room if he's in there and want petted. Though if Daniel picks him up, it's all over! Hoss likes pets and loving, but on his terms only! The above picture is the one and only time Hoss has laid on the couch and first time Petey laid near him. I know they are going to be good friends after they settle in together and have more time get used to each other. Petey is alot happier now that he has a buddy & Hoss has a forever home.


*****NOTE*****
A good friend of mine lost her beloved kitty to kidney failure. M-C was there when Radar was born and she still has Radar's momma. I know they will miss him alot. I am so sorry you lost Radar M-C, I know how hard it is to have to take a furbaby in. Be comforted that he's at the Rainbow Bridge waiting for you. He was a sweet boy and will be missed. {{{Big Hugs}}}

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! 2009

Where oh where did 2008 go? I know that we're all asking that question. I know that it was a busy year for all of us. Hopefully 2009 will be a happy and prosperous for all of us!

2008 was filled with a lot of bitter sweetness for me. Lots of different milestones happened in our home. A recap: Nicholas and Melissa went to his duty station in N.C. Mom, Dad & I went to N.C. to see Nick off to Iraq (due to schedule changes they were unable to stay until he left). Melissa came back to AR. I went as far as I can with my knee as far as treatment goes, at least for now. Alan asked for a divorce (I later found out he's been subscribing to on-line personal websites). I bought a house & Daniel and I moved out of our home of 8 years. I applied for a job as a public safety dispatcher. Daniel turned 18 years old. We celebrated Christmas without Nick for the first time. And without Melissa as spent it with her family.

In 2009 we'll all be another year older, we'll sort out things that need sorted. I'll hopefully find a job with health benefits (that I'll be losing with Alan divorcing me). Daniel will be graduating from high school and going off to the Navy (if his plans work out) and Nick will come home safe and sound from Iraq.

I'm looking forward to the year with trepidation and hope. I know that sounds weird. I know Alan and I will be divorced, though perhaps not completely un-entangled as we have 2 houses to sell. I'm looking forward to starting over and starting again.

Happy New Year and may you be blessed this year!

You Can't See Me

Christmas morning while I was trying to get pies cooked Petey and Joy were playing. Petey generally acts like he doesn't like to play with Joy. He hisses and meows really loud, however when he hits Joy's muzzle with his paws I've noticed he's not using his claws. Well, I heard them playing and lots of claws on the tile floor trying to get traction; when I turned around this is what I saw! Petey "hiding" from Joy! LOL The sad thing is, Joy couldn't find him! It's a good thing she's pretty 'cause she's not so smart! LOL

Nick

Yesterday was Nick's 20th birthday. This was the first year I was unable to see him or be able to give him a hug and say face to face, " happy birthday". I'm sure many are saying, "and it won't be the last". I miss Nick, but it's nice to hear from him when he calls.

He called on Monday so I could "wish him a happy early birthday"! LOL He called again today tell me how he'd spent his birthday. Apparently it was an interesting day for him. He did tell me that they guys said to tell me that his birthday cake was good. He stressed the guys as he only got a small piece of cake. I'd made him a cake, put it in the freezer then vacuum sealed it and sent it out immediately. I'd also put in a container of frosting so he could frost it. The only thing missing were candles, and I'd forgotten to pack those!

I'd also sent him a little 2 foot tall Christmas tree, along with lights and decorations and a Santa hat. I wanted Nick to have a Christmas tree by his bunk so he had a visual reminder that his family loves him.

Keep Nick in your thoughts and prayers, he's 6 months into his deployment and has another 9 to go.

Nick

Bowling the Modern Way

Last month Mom and Dad came over for dinner and games. I bought Daniel and myself a wii gaming system when we moved in. (I did this knowing that our money would be tight after the first of the year and we wouldn't have much money for entertainment.) So we played Mario Cart, and bowling. This is a look at modern bowling, you don't even have to leave your house!!!








We had a really good time. Daniel kept getting gutter balls! Just like at a brick and mortar bowling alley!



Daniel couldn't stay out of the gutters and thus came in 4th.... : ( Better luck next time Dan.....he wants a rematch! Daniel spent alot of time trying to learn how to spin the ball like Mom; and he did, he just spun them into the gutter.











Dad is a good bowler. We really cracked up when he dropped the ball behind him and all the little wii people jumped getting out of the way.


Dad came in 3rd!













Turns out Mom is an excellent bowler!! She can put a mean spin on the ball. I'll bet she could kick our butts at a brick and mortar bowling alley! Mom says that when she was in school (you know back when the dinosours roamed the earth!) for gym class they bowled. How fun would that be?!?!

Mom came in second !
















Daniel and I had played a few games several days before Mom and Dad came over. I really enjoyed it. I like the games we have as they are easier for me to play than the first person shooter games we have for the X-box and the x-box 360.

I came in 1st place! Yeah me!






I also have the wii fitness board. I love it. I've been using it 3-4 times a week and I've noticed more flexibility, though I have to keep the flexibility up to keep my knee moving. So essentially I'm using it as physical therapy.

If you don't have one of these, a wii, you should get it. It's lots of fun and the games that come with it are suitable for small kids. I was very pleased to see that my friends could let their kids play it....I couldn't let them play the xbox as we don't have any games that are suitable for them.

All in all it was a fun night with Mom and Dad, we had a lot of laughs. Thanks Mom and Dad for being there for me durig this hard time in my life!