January 2010 – Page 3

1/6/10 – Wednesday (kittehs!)

Those of you who thought Nance was adopting Gus and Mike? Wroooooooong. Are you crazy? You think she needs TWO more cats? Felina would NOT put up with two new cats, I’ll tell you that. Here’s the story: A few months ago, a woman who lives in St. Louis emailed and asked if it was … Continue reading “1/6/10 – Wednesday (kittehs!)”

Those of you who thought Nance was adopting Gus and Mike? Wroooooooong. Are you crazy? You think she needs TWO more cats? Felina would NOT put up with two new cats, I’ll tell you that.

Here’s the story:

A few months ago, a woman who lives in St. Louis emailed and asked if it was possible she could adopt Gus. She had fallen in love with him from my site (I mean, really, how could you NOT?), and so I passed her the information to contact the shelter manager. At that point, the Wonkas hadn’t been retested, so it was still a possibility that Gus could be FIV positive. She said that she was still wanted him whether he was positive or negative.

Time went by, then the Wonkas were retested and came up negative, but unfortunately it turned out that the lady in St. Louis wasn’t going to be able to adopt Gus, so I was disappointed, but not worried. Because seriously – you’ve SEEN Gus, I half expected there’d be fistfights in the parking lot once his floofiness was released to the public.

And THEN, I got an email from a woman in Portland, Oregon, who had fallen in love with Gus from my site and wondered if it would be possible that she and her husband could adopt him. I told her that I was pretty sure Challenger’s House wouldn’t ship kittens, but I’d pass her email along to the shelter manager anyway.

As it turned out, the shelter manager had a friend whose daughter LIVES in Portland, Oregon. AND she was going to be here visiting for the holidays. AND she was not only willing to take Gus home with her, she was excited at the idea!

The paperwork was filled out, the shelter manager made calls, and voila! They were deemed suitable adopters! I was thrilled not only that Gus had a home, but that I knew his new mommy’s email address and could ask for the occasional update. I was a little worried about him being alone, but Gus is really a people lover, so I figured if any of the Wonkas would be okay as an only cat, it would be Gus.

AND! THEN! The shelter manager told me that they wanted to adopt Mike, too! I just about hyperventilated when I heard that, I was so excited, believe me.

And really, that’s the story. Mike and Gus are now in Portland, Oregon, no doubt being spoiled rotten, and happy as can be. Yesterday, I spent most of the morning snuggling with them and loving on them. About an hour before we needed to leave the house, I put harnesses on them.

(We’d been putting the harnesses on them for a few hours every night so they’d get used to having them on. Every time we put them on, their reaction was exactly the same – first, they’d roll around on their backs. Then they’d slink around, low to the ground. Then, after about ten minutes, they’d completely forget they were wearing them. The harnesses were necessary so that they could wear their ID chip tags and rabies tags, and so that if they needed to be removed from their carrier, they could each have a leash attached to them so they wouldn’t go rogue and hop on a random plane and end up in India or Australia.)

When it was time to leave, I picked each of them up, told them it had been a pleasure knowing them for the past three months and some days, told them I loved them, kissed them a million times, and put them into the carrier.

They were pretty calm on the drive to the airport, although Mike would occasionally say “HI EXCUSE ME THERE SEEMS TO BE A MISTAKE I AM IN A CARRIER, OUT NOW PLEASE.” We parked and went inside to wait for the kind woman who was taking them to Oregon with her, and after a few minutes, Gus and Mike settled down and just sat there and watched the people go by.

She showed up, and we moved Gus and Mike from my carrier into hers (she’s used to traveling with animals, so already had a carrier that would fit under the seat, travel dishes, a small box to use as a litter box during (I assume) their layover – she had everything she needed!), I waited while she checked in, and then I said goodbye (to her, and the boys), made sure she had my cell phone number, and left the airport.

I’ll admit, I got a little teary-eyed when we were putting Gus and Mike into her carrier, and then when I left the airport, I was a great big bawling baby. I would say I got a TEENY bit attached to those guys. I know you’re shocked!

And here’s a confession that will probably surprise NONE of you – if they hadn’t told decided to adopt Mike along with Gus, Mike would have become our next cat. THANK GOD they decided they wanted Mike, because (1) Gus and Mike, brothers, togther forevah!, and (2) We DO NOT need any more cats! (Now that I’ve said that, we’ll probably have, like, six more before the end of the year!)

Of course I took more pictures of them yesterday, but let’s take a quick peek at what they looked like back toward the end of September when we first met them, shall we?

I had an email from their new mom this morning – they made it just fine, and were busy exploring their new home!

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And guess what? GUESS WHAT? Veruca got adopted last night! All my sweet Wonkas have homes!

She’s going to a home with a cat-friendly dog, and I’ve gotta say, I wish I could be a fly on the wall when Veruca gets a look at that dog (actually, now that I think about it, when I took them for their 2nd vaccinations, a great big cat-loving dog came over to investigate, and none of the Wonkas were in the slightest bit fazed). She is going to rule that roost!

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“You sure are purty, Mister.” (When Spanky woke up and realized what was going on, there was some HISSING on his part. )

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Previously
2009: Squirrels in the side yard drive Suggie CRAYZEE!
2008: Cumin smells exactly like stinky armpit to me.
2007: No entry.
2006: “Oh. Were you gone?”
2005: No entry.
2004: No entry.
2003: “Ohhhhh,” I finally said, the light dawning. “It’s a comedy.”
2002: No entry.
2001: No entry.
2000: No entry.

1/5/10 – Tuesday

Dear Uterus: Sincerely, Your Employer. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * EVICTION NOTICE. To: Uterus of Mine We are terminating your tenancy and want to evict you … Continue reading “1/5/10 – Tuesday”

Dear Uterus:

Sincerely,

Your Employer.

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EVICTION NOTICE.

To: Uterus of Mine

We are terminating your tenancy and want to evict you from the following property: 101 South Abdominal Way, Apt #2.

Our reason for evicting you is because: You suck, you leave detritus all over the damn place with no warning, and you cause your landlady emotional and physical pain.

You must move from the property or remedy our reason for evicting you by the following date: Oh, honey doll, there is NO REMEDYING THE REASON. You are OUT OF HERE as of mid-January!*

If you do not agree with this eviction notice you have the right to legal advice and may contact a lawyer. NO YOU DON’T. YOU ARE THE FUCK OUTTA HERE! HA! NO RIGHTS! YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS! NONE NONE NONE!

Name of Owner or Agent: Me.

DO NOT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE LINING ON YOUR WAY OUT!

*Fred won’t let me tell you the exact date because he’s afraid you’ll come stalk me or steal my uterus. He doesn’t know I’ll be Twittering all over the place before and after, mwahahaHA.

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So, yes. Last week I had an appointment with my gynecologist to follow up and see where we were to go from here, with the labs and the ultra-sound not showing anything amiss, and the three different birth control pills not helping at all.

(My period came two weeks early. I think you can imagine how thrilled I was.)

She came into the room, and she looked through my tests and we discussed how the labs and ultrasound showed nothing amiss, and it seemed pretty clear to me that she was going to pussyfoot around some more, and I finally asked if, at this point, a hysterectomy was a possibility, and she jumped on that with both feet.

A hysterectomy is, indeed, a possibility. And it’s gonna happen. AND I COULD NOT BE MORE PLEASED. My ovaries and cervix will be staying, thank you very much, unless she gets in there and sees something weird going on with an ovary, in which case she’ll remove it. (Given that she did an ultrasound a couple of weeks ago and all looked fine at that point, she doesn’t expect that to happen.)

So, in a few more weeks (see the note at the end of the last section about how Fred won’t let me tell you exactly when I’m having it done) that hysterectomy will be PERFORMED and the constant goddamn bleeding will be done and over with.

CAN I GET A HALLELUJAH?!

(I can feel my stupid uterus getting ready for one last period, though. STUPID UTERUS.)

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Thanks, y’all, for your book suggestions! I spent a lot of time last night looking through them at Amazon, getting sample chapters (sample chapters on the Kindle: BEST THING EVER!) and making notes of books I want to try in the future.

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In a few hours, I will leave to take Gus and Mike…. somewhere. Where they will ultimately end up in their new home. NO DETAILS.

Details tomorrow, I promise. 🙂

I am going to miss these guys SO much, I’m telling you.

Mike and Crazy Jake check out the feather teaser.

Cats on a tree!

Gus is skeptical.

Hello, have I perhaps mentioned ten million times that I LOVE THIS KITTEN? Make it ten million and one!

Mike and Gus sharing a snooze with Hydrox.

“Don’t hate me because I’m beyoootiful.”

“Okay, right. Funny. HILARIOUS. Now PUT ME DOWN.”

A bit dusty, and a piece of some sort of string on his head. My guess: he’s been rolling around under the bed.

Two Wonkas + two Cookies, mix together, shake lightly = a recipe for CUTE.

It hurts me to look at him, he’s so gorgeous.

Keebler and Mike were hanging out in the cat bed, and Keebler got a little too vigorous with the kneading and slurping. See Mike’s claw? He was like “Okay, kid. Calm it down, now. Tryin’ to snooze, here.”

I think the Cookies are going to miss Mike and Gus, too!

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We call this Maxi‘s “Tony Soprano look”, because she’s got those flat, dead eyes going on. You SO don’t wanna mess with her, Chris-tuh-FUH will come mess you UP on her behalf.

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Previously
2009: Meet George and Gracie.
2008: No entry.
2007: Oh look! It’s been two years since the last time we adopted a dog.
2006: Home again, home again.
2005: No entry.
2004: No entry.
2003: No entry.
2002: No entry.
2001: How we met.
2000: And that’s all I have to say ’bout that.

1/4/10 – Monday

(In case you missed it on Saturday) New month (new year!), new banner! This one was created by Christine, who’s done a bunch of them for me lately. Thanks, Christine – it’s time Miz Poo had her very own banner that she doesn’t have to share with anyone else! * * * * * … Continue reading “1/4/10 – Monday”

(In case you missed it on Saturday)

New month (new year!), new banner!

This one was created by Christine, who’s done a bunch of them for me lately. Thanks, Christine – it’s time Miz Poo had her very own banner that she doesn’t have to share with anyone else!

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Happy New Year!!!

(Thanks, Robin, for the photoshopping!!!)

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I Twittered about my black-eyed peas (which we didn’t have for dinner on New Year’s Day like you’re supposed to, because we ended up at the mall earlier in the day, and bought some mall pizza which was REALLY freakin’ good) on Saturday, and got a couple of requests for the recipe. So here ’tis:

Robyn’s Super-Tasty Black-Eyed Peas

1 lb (or thereabouts) of dried black-eyed peas
1 Ham hock
1 onion, chopped
garlic (unless you’re anti-garlic)

Soak the black-eyed peas in a pot of water overnight. Some people rinse the peas the next day and put them in a fresh pot of water before cooking because it makes them less gas-inducing (or so I’ve heard). I don’t do that, because I don’t think they taste as good when you do.

Making sure the peas are well covered with water, bring to a boil, toss in a chopped onion, as much garlic as you’d like (or leave it out), and your ham hock. I like to add a jar of our own chicken stock to the pot, though in the past I’ve added a bouillon (is that spelled right?) cube or two.

Now, obviously I had my own ham hock from one of our own pigs, and it wasn’t smoked. I’m not super crazy about that smoked meat taste, but I’m not so sure if you can buy an unsmoked ham hock at the grocery store. If you can, I recommend it. If not, I’m sure the smoked ham hock will be just fine.

Once the water’s at a boil, turn it down to a simmer, and simmer it for at least two hours. Check periodically to make sure there’s enough water in the pot that the beans don’t burn.

After a couple of hours, take the ham hock out of the pot, scrape the fat off and toss it, then pull the meat off the hock, shred it, and put it back in the pot. Simmer for another half hour or so.

Eat. We like to add a little BBQ sauce to ours. It’s especially tasty when served with corn bread, too.

We got about six servings, with some left over for the chickens.

(This recipe is also posted over at the recipe site, if you’re ever looking for it in the future.)

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I finally finally FINALLY finished Under the Dome, and I’ve gotta say, I liked it quite a bit. My intention was to next start a printed book so Fred could read Under the Dome on the Kindle, but he’s reading Duma Key right now, so it’ll be a while before he’s ready to move on to another Stephen King novel.

During one of my daily Kindle store stalkings, I downloaded what I thought was an Amy Bloom novel, Between Here and Here, for 99 cents. I read it Saturday night, and was dismayed to find that it was actually just once piece from the book, Where the God of Love Hangs Out. Which doesn’t come out ’til the 12th. I really enjoyed what I read, and I’m not thrilled about having to wait. I want it NOW, damnit!

But I have to wait, so I’ve started What the Dog Saw. I’ve never read anything by Malcolm Gladwell before (though Blink and The Tipping Point are on my wish list), and I’m enjoying it.

So, tell me – what have you read recently that you highly recommend?

(And for god’s sake – I only read 109 books in 2009! Remember the year when I read 195? Maybe it should be my new year’s resolution to read more in 2010!)

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Our New Year’s Eve was very exciting – Fred watched Firestarter, and I snuggled up in bed with many kittens and read. We were sound asleep by 9:30.

We know how to live it up, yo.

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It is FUCKING COLD ’round these here parts lately, and it’s not supposed to get any warmer any damn time soon. I keep telling myself that if I can make it through January, Spring will practically be within reach.

Fred complained yesterday because we’ve had several days below freezing, and I haven’t made a fire. Like I’ve said before, I would happily make a fire if I were certain that one of the fluff-brained Cookies wouldn’t throw themselves into it!

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Okay, guys – just to prepare you, Gus and Mike are going to their new home tomorrow. I’m still not going to talk about it yet because I don’t want to jinx it into not happening, but I wanted to make sure y’all know about it in advance so you’re not caught by surprise!

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Spanky does not approve of kittens.

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Previously
2009: No entry.
2008: I really haven’t had any desire to eat squirrel (yes, I’ve eaten it, but it’s been many years. Tastes like chicken, right?).
2007: Awww, it’s been three years since we first met Joe Bob! (He was Moon Man back then, though.)
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.
2004: No entry.
2003: No entry.
2002: Links.
2001: What sad, sad lives y’all must have led, to never experience the delight of whoopie pies.
2000: I’m feeling like total crap.

1/3/09 – Sunday (kittehs!)

Good news and sad news: Violet was adopted yesterday! But Veruca wasn’t. I was so hoping that they’d go to the same home, but I’m not too worried about Veruca – she has got the sweetest little face, I know she’s going to charm the socks off someone who wanders by, and she’ll end up … Continue reading “1/3/09 – Sunday (kittehs!)”

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Awwww, look at little Orange, all curled up and sound aslee- Wait. How come she has two tails?

Uh oh. This could get nasty.

“What am I supposed to do? I was sound asleep and she curls up with my tail like it’s a body pillow or something! And you KNOW how cranky she gets when you wake her up!” I guess there’s only one thing you can do…

“If you call her my ‘little girlfriend’ one more time, I’m going to cut you.”

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Another movie! Keebler and Hydrox, doing their thing. There’s a very short bit at the end where Orange is kind of caught in the middle, but my batteries ran out and by the time I got fresh batteries, Orange had moved on.

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Previously
2009: JESUS CHRIST that GPS lady is one pushy bitch.
2007: Good ol’ Jerry Ford. Remember when he… pardoned Nixon? Yep, them were the days.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.
2004: No entry.
2003: My God, I love Sam’s, have I mentioned?
2002: Why, that’s almost as exciting as the fact that my birthday’s in less than a week!
2001: Fred, being the man, is legally required to deal with all car-related crap and I, being the woman, am legally required to bitch at him until he does so.
2000: So we apparently had a 2.8 earthquake today about which I knew nothing.

01/02/2010 – Saturday (kittehs!)

New month (new year!), new banner! This one was created by Christine, who’s done a bunch of them for me lately. Thanks, Christine – it’s time Miz Poo had her very own banner that she doesn’t have to share with anyone else! * * * * * * * * * * * * … Continue reading “01/02/2010 – Saturday (kittehs!)”

New month (new year!), new banner!

This one was created by Christine, who’s done a bunch of them for me lately. Thanks, Christine – it’s time Miz Poo had her very own banner that she doesn’t have to share with anyone else!

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Happy New Year! (I looked for New Year’s Eve hats for the cats, but waited too long, apparently. Probably for the best, as I’m sure I never would have convinced them to wear them. And we were all in bed sound asleep far far before midnight (9:30, which is late for us), so there wasn’t much ringing in of the new year done around here!)

“LET US START OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH I HAZ A COMPLAINT!”

I love seeing sleeping kittens all over the place. (And then I have give them kisses, and they wake up and glare at me, and then they purr. LOVE it.)

Keebler is just SUCH a gorgeous boy, isn’t he?

Pink is a big believer in staying clean.

Jake and Elwood are so patient with the Cookies, who never hesitate to climb right on top of them for a snuggle.

::THLURRRRP::

If you think I did not immediately put down the camera and squeeze the Gus, you know nothing.

I had these beds (which wonderful reader Katie sent me recently) piled on the couch because I was vacuuming (one of the beds stays on the couch, the other stays on the floor in front of the couch. The floor in front of the couch seems to be an exceptionally popular place for the cats to sleep, for some reason.) and when I came back by to straighten out the living room, Mike was sprawled out on the beds, sound asleep. I went to get the camera, and by the time I got back, Mike was out of the bed giving me the eyes of “I don’t think so.”

ACK. SO SO SO pretty, this boy!

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Also, a movie! I need to clear off my Flip Video more often, obviously, because I found one from a couple of weeks ago. It’s Elwood, pinning down and vigorously licking a Cookie (I can’t even tell which one it is), and then Veruca wanders into the picture and growls her disapproval.

Veruca never did approve of those Cookies.

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Previously
2009: It was a pretty pointless trip, but it was a lovely day and we got out of the house for a few hours, so I’m calling it good enough!
2007: I LURVE THE LOBSTER.
2007: I’m surprised the damn government didn’t declare a “National Day of Celebration” for Wednesday to commemorate Saddam Hussein’s death, just so they could stop the mail delivery for a third day in a row.
2006: No entry.
2004: No entry.
2003: Note to self
2002: (“Damn, Robyn sure is impressed with herself, isn’t she?”)
2001: Robyn’s Resolutions for 2001.
2000: Exciting, no?