Cat Nap

I've been bad about getting Holiday decorations out the last few years. Partly because the kids are old enough to not care and partly because at times I don't seem to care, either. There is also the added factor the last three years of the two youngest cats. Lucky and Fat Cat, the two older ones, never seemed to mess with them much. But Roscoe and Jinx, the younger two, find them fascinating. While I was in my manic mood two weekends ago, I got the Halloween decorations out. So far I'm not finding them strung around, but Roscoe did decide the piano was a good place to nap. I tried a squirt bottle--he just seemed to think the stream of water was a game. When he was a kitten and wouldn't stay off the fireplace mantle I bought one of those Glade fragrancers that is motion sensored. It worked well and he stayed off, but I can't find refills for it now. I know they do that on purpose! I guess I'll buy another one before I put the Christmas decorations out! (I can't believe Christmas is only 3 months away. I'm so not ready for Winter!)

Hot Commodities

We received these cute little guys last week. They've been a big hit with the kids--and the adults. We've heard over and over again "tell Jerry when he doesn't want these any more, I'll take one". Sorry folks, ain't happening! Turns out these display units aren't something the company sent us for free--the stores had to order and pay for them. Our Mars/M&M rep. was in the store the other day and she said some of the stores never received theirs. I guess there is a limited supply. In fact, it took awhile before we received ours. She then said some have been stolen right out of the stores! (We're talking small stores here where the cashier sometimes has to move away from the door to help customers.) What do they do with them? Check out Ebay--they're going for a couple hundred bucks!

'Bout Time!

Some people still just don't get it.

Bird Sitter

Because the weather was so hot this Summer, we hadn't gone to the Zoo since April. That's unusual for us. Normally, we go 3 or 4 times a year. We're behind schedule this year! So we headed to St. Louis on Labor Day. It was the first fairly cool day. Normally, we wouldn't go on a holiday just because of the crowds, but we all had the day off and we decided to chance it. We left early and got there a few minutes before the doors opened. It was nice because the crowds didn't hit until later. This Peacock family reminded me of a time when I was a kid and we did some peacock "sitting". Friends of ours lived in the country and raised the birds. Some eggs had just hatched and there was one born with a twisted leg. They asked us to "babysit" the young bird while they were out of town for a few days. We did, and the poor thing died after a hand full of days. I know, not a happy ending. My brother and I were naturally upset, but Mom told us that it wasn't our fault that the bird died, sometimes these things just happen. I guess the point of the story isn't that the bird died, but it's more the fact that we got to babysit a Peacock once!

Taking a Breather

Hormones make me crazy--literally! Even though I'm no longer on Strike, I don't do as much housework as I used to do. Mainly because I work full time now and weekends seem totally booked. Housework time is limited. But, as I said, hormones make me crazy and sometimes I get a bit manic. It's happening this morning. I'm running in circles because there is so much that needs done--that never gets done. I start one thing and then see something else that needs done, so I start on that. And repeat. Until a little is done but nothing is finished. Circle. Circle. Circle. Even my thoughts. So I'm taking a moment here to hopefully settle down enough to go start again. I would love to take a week off just to clean. Of course, the problem with that is, I'm never alone and I can't seem to accomplish much with other people in the house. I'm sure the fact that I've got some where to be at noon isn't helping. If it wasn't a family thing, I think I would skip it. But that's not really an option.

Popcorn, Part 3

It popped! It's not alot, but considering how small the ear was, I wasn't expecting alot. It was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. I would venture to say it was some of the best popcorn I've ever had. Successful experiment!