WHATS NEW PUSSYCAT?

LYNX

Yes, it is always about the cats. Lynx had not been herself for several weeks and was getting rapidly worse, we really thought we were going to loose her. I took her to the vet. He did some blood tests and we found out she has diabetes.

We have started her on a diabetic diet and she is already a lot better. She has gained a little weight and looks happy again. She has the strength to jump up on the coffee table again. We are thrilled. We really thought she was a gonner. I'm sure she would have been if we hadn't found out what was wrong with her.

Lynx has a special place in this house full of cats. We argued many years over who's cat she was but she settled that by claiming Gregg. She has definitly had the largest vet bill of any cat I've ever had with a post delivery infection, a broken leg and now this illness. She also has the highest property damage costs too. Makes you wonder why we love her so much.

She has this way about her that is supremely intelligent. There is never any question as to what she wants-even though she has no voice. She looks at you until you follow her and stares at you and transmits her thoughts or something. Sometimes she takes the more direct approach as when Carrie plays her flute, she'll bite her fingers. Or when the dogs howl she will hurl herself at them and bite the closest noisy mutt.

I think by now she must be on life #7 or 8. We are just glad her life is still with us.

THERE'S A NEW KID IN TOWN

Introducing! Sir Cap'n Jack Weezer!See a "Meezer" is a Siamese.
And a "Geezer" is an elderly Siamese.
So that makes a wee Siamese a Weezer.

Here is the little Weezer digging for treasure hence the "Cap'n Jack" (Sparrow) part of his name.

Myrrh is trying to get Weezer to shake paws.

Sheba and Myrrh at the Weezer exhibit.

We thought about naming him Henry VIII since he is cat #8. But that is liable to change.

Weezer is a really sweet little guy. Quiet and a real lap cat. He is a blue point so will bring some different colors into our little group. He hasn't quite figured out why Sheba keeps bopping him on the head or why the dogs are allowed in the house. He just came home last night so he still has a lot of settling in to do. He really likes his playpen (cage). He climbs in there and goes to sleep when he gets tuckered out. He didn't cry at all last night and was really good.

Yeah! We got a boy!

Mom vs Carrie

When you're home alone, do you still close the door when you use the restroom?
no

If you have to go grocery shopping, would you rather go alone or with someone?
alone

It's your best friend's birthday, do you buy them a gift even though they didn't buy you one for yours? yes

Do you like your music loud or at a reasonable level?
reasonable, unless I'm home alone cleaning then I crank it up.

Are you a beach person or a snowy mountain person?
snowy mountain, hands down

When do you brush your teeth?
when I wake up, before I go to bed

Can you watch scary movies alone?
no problem , that way I can fast/forward through the bad parts if needed.

Soft bed or firm?
firm

Would you rather stay home all day or be out and about with some friends?
I'd rather stay home by myself with the remote.

Do you like to keep the peace or be confrontational?
It depends, most times I'll keep the peace, but I'm not afraid to be confrontational if needed, especially over the remote.

Are you more likely to be with a large group of people or a few close friends?
FEW close friends

What are your plans for October?
I would like to be alive, and planning for kittens and the holidays.

If money were not a problem, where would you like to live?
Here, but I would like my family closer and have a bigger house.

What is your ideal profession?
A mom.

What is one fear that you can't seem to overcome?
claustrophobia

Are you a good math person?
this question doesn't even compute.

Is there anyone that you regret ever meeting?
yes, did you want to see a list?

Rate your life on a scale from 1 - 10.
I'll let you know when I'm done.

Would you rather have roommates or live alone?

Alone with the remote.

Do you like to drive?
yes

Do you give money to homeless people when they ask?
Not directly, usually, but I will get help, in the forms of food, lodging and transportation, for those who need it.

A weekend in Las Vegas or Miami?
neither

When you go to the store, do you have a list or just buy random things?

Yes.

What do you wear to sleep in?

PJ's/nightgown

You have 3 months left to live, what do you do?
quit work ; )

You're having a bad day, what's one thing can make your day better?
Shopping/watching TV/reading.

Tanning bed?
never been

Is there anything that you should be doing right now?
nope.

If there was a way to know when and how you're going to die, would you want that information?
nope

What is your favorite breakfast food?
Hashbrowns, eggs & coffee

Your phone rings at 4 a.m, who do you expect it to be?
Grant

What is the weirdest thing you've ever said to a telephone?
Hang on!

STATISTICS

Physicians: 1. The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
2. Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.
3. Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171.

(Statistics courtesy of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services)

Guns: 1. The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000. (Yes that's 80 million!)
2. The number of accidental gun deaths per gun owner is 1500.
3. The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .000188.
(Statistics courtesy of the FBI)

So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9000 times more dangerous than gun owners. Remember: "Guns don't kill people, doctors do."

Fact: Not everyone has a gun, but almost everyone has at least one doctor.

Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!

Out of concern for the public at large, we have withheld the statistics on lawyers for fear that the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention!

Cheri's Yearly Mission Trip

AKA THE RILEA FAMILY REUNION

This is Karen's youngest (of 4 boys), Caleb. He was the cutest one there.

Here is my cousin Bruce Ringer doing a Sudoku puzzle with his son Brandon.

Mike (my brother Lester's son) and Grant enjoying the hot tub.

Every year we like to humiliate a few people. This year they were given bright furry hats. From left to right are Lois Rilea, Rick Couch (Karen's husband) he's holding his adorable son, Caleb, (notice Caleb is trying to escape being photographed with these people), my cousin Brian Ringer, my dad's cousin Rose Ellen Rilea, dad's cousin Kathy Turner and I don't know the guy on the end...........oh wait, thats my dad.

Here is a group of people who were at the hotel too.

Happy Birthday to Solomon

Solomon was 2 years old on 2-2-2007
He did not like his party.
Or maybe it was just the Scooby Doo hats.

DOGS VS CATS

"Excerpts from a Dog's Diary"
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

"Excerpts from a Cat's Diary"

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

__________________

My cats are not children, at least that's what their piano teacher says.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ860P4iTaM

Valentines!

Solomon in the rocker.

Myrrh & Lily in their new bed.

Sheba in the tunnel.

Myrrh, Lily and Sheba are currently hunting Valentines!
They prefer some one as handsome as young Solomon.
Sadly Solomon's lover boy days are over.

Grant's home

Well Grant came home for the weekend. Its nice to have him here.

We had snow Thursday so I didn't have to work. I have Friday's off so its been a long weekend. Its nice to have some time to putter around.

I got my reservations for the family reunion turned in so now I'm getting excited about that. We are warming up the Dutch Blitz and Uno cards. Even the cats are in the act.


In the interest of truth in blogging this is not my cat but one I downloaded off the internet. Looks like one of the family tho don't you think?

Here is another trying to help Grant with his computer problems-must be one he found hanging around campus.
Maybe we could send him over to help Jason with his hardware problems. I wonder how much it costs to ship a cat to Prague?

Camp AuSable Memories

Being at Camp AuSable brought back a lot of memories.

Playing games in front of the old fireplace.
The Lake Shellenbarger shoreline.
The old Camp Sign.
Canoing down the AuSable River.
The dining hall.
I spy something white-trees! And snow.
The sign from the "original" Fort Shellenbarger.
The chapel in the woods where we were married.

Puerto Rico Part II

Grant and Zuri had a great time exploring the countryside.

Grant had a really nice time with Zuri and her mom and step-dad.
I'm not sure he was quite ready to come home.

Grant's Trip to Puerto Rico

Grant went to Puerto Rico for 2 weeks over Christmas break to see his friend Zuri. He opted for the tropical beaches instead of trekking through the cold snowy north with the rest of us.

Grant in a turret.

These 1st two pics are at a fort in Old San Juan.

I'm not sure where these places are but they looked cool. I think it is the Govenor's mansion.

On a Bumper Sticker seen in Grand Haven, MI

"Somebody else for President"