Have You Ever?

Nope . . . I didn't think so.

My namez Steve.  Iz got it ruff.  I haz more than one earz too.

All Mine

I have been getting my fingernails done for YEARS.  Even when I was young and poor, I was getting my nails done on a regular basis.  My fingernails have only been naturally long once because they always break.  In the past, I had a terrible nervous habit of scratching at the insides of my thumbs to death, so having acrylic nails always prevented that.  My nails have grown enough that I no longer need tips glued on, but I still keep on the acrylic overlays.

Well, this Saturday I made a change.  I am now sporting my OWN fingernails!  They have some gel "baked on" to keep them strong.  They are lovely and long enough to still use as the tools I require.  :)  And now, the obligatory (crappy) cell phone pic:

Steve's butt makes a great backdrop!

It's taking some getting used to because I've been used to my nails being much thicker.  Let's just hope I can keep them going!

In the Midst of It All

About an hour after I left the vet's office without Mindy this past Tuesday, my awesome husband came home during a break he had at work.  I cried in his arms & told him about my time with Mindy and experience in her passing.  I cried some more and Todd joined me in shedding a few tears as well.

Todd and Mindy had a funny relationship.  You see, Mindy only liked ME.  She didn't really care too much for other people.  However, she finally began to trust Todd enough for him to pet her and she even laid in bed with him recently.  If you know anything about cats, you know how it is: They do whatever they want.  :)

Well, after crying my eyes almost swollen shut, I ventured out into the world with my loving husband to get some food.  (To those of you who know me: I went to the vet & lunch without ANY makeup.  That's devastation, folks.)  Todd and I had a good lunch and upon leaving I said, "She's only been gone two hours and it already seems like a lifetime."  Ugh.  More tears.

Todd dropped me off at home, and I ran in the house to get something for him (okay - it was cookies) so he could get back to work.  As always, I was greeted at the door.  It was only Pippin, though.

I called for Steve, thinking he might be asleep in the back of the house or outside.  No Steve. 

I got Todd's cookies & looked for Steve again.  No Steve.

I run out to the car, crying yet again, yelling, "Steve!  He's gone!  I can't find him!"  I hurry my bawling self back into the house while Todd follows.  No Steve.

Racing around, I run into our bedroom to see if he's under the bed sleeping (which he only does at night).  No Steve.

That's when I hear it.  A little scratching sound comes from the door to our bathroom.  Steve had gone in there to rustle through the trash & got himself locked in.  Idiot!

In the depths of my sadness after losing Mindy on Tuesday, I still have . . . Steve.  Crazy dog always makes me smile!

They didn't get too close without Mindy batting Steve in the face.  :)

Goodbye

After a long and excruciating internal battle, I made the decision last night to put my cat, Mindy, to sleep today.  She was getting weaker by the minute, and I did not want her to suffer needlessly.  I first adopted Mindy as a tiny six-week old little girl over eighteen years ago.

I held her and was with her until after she was gone.  We spent some alone time this morning - just Mindy and her Mama - with me holding her, loving her, talking to her, stroking her fur, and crying over her.  I gave her a couple of teaspoons of ice cream, which she delightfully ate.  Then, I held her as I blanketed her in a comfy towel and drove to the vet's office.  For the first time EVER, she did not move, cry, or make a sound while in the car.  The doctor took Mindy back and put a little catheter in her leg.  When the doctor brought her back to me, I cradled my blanketed little baby and spoke sweetly to her while the doctor injected the meds that let her sleep peacefully for good.

I am now devastated by her absence and can't believe she is gone.


My awesome friend, Joyce, sent me this poem which gives me some peace as I grieve.  Thanks again, Joyce.

When The Time Comes

If I should be that I grow frail and weak And pain should keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done, For this--the last battle--can't be won. You will be sad I understand But don't let grief then stay your hand, For on this day, more than the rest, Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years, You wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, Please, let me go. Take me to where my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved Don't grieve that it must be you Who has to decide this thing to do; We've been so close--we two-- these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears. Author Unknown

Spring is Springing

It is getting warm in Texas, and my daffodils and tulips are emerging.

Todd's New Ride

I can't believe that I forgot to blog about this!  It's much more exciting to me than it is to Todd, but he got a new car!  

Many would think, "Oh.  A new car." but in this case, it's "OH!  A new car!!!!"  However, after 100,000+ miles, Todd traded in his old, green 1996 Toyota Camry for a new, charcoal 2010 Toyota Camry.  It's so nice!  What is the neatest thing to me is that it's Todd's first brand new car ever!  He's always bought used, so this was a new experience for him.

It made for a nice way to end 2010!

Todd pulls up in his new car! (Note - ugly house in pic is not ours!)

Todd thinks I'm a kook for wanting to take so many pics.

March Happiness

Whitney's Month

February 2, 2011:

Whitney officially becomes a Longhorn!

 It was quite a wild ride for her since the metroplex was iced in and there was no power in their neighborhood on National Signing Day.  After several HOURS power was restored, Whitney received her letter of intent by fax, and was finally able to sign & return it.

February 16, 2011:Whitney turns 18!

And gets a scary-ass homemade cake from Aunt Kristin!

Surprise!  Told you it was ugly!

Whitney loved the cake & said it was "the best cake of all!"  

Uncle Todd soon after burst her bubble saying this was the LAST cake she'd get.  Whitney's reply was, "I thought this was a lifetime thing!"  Yeah, I can see my 80 year old ass baking & decorating ugly cakes for her when she turns 55.

The Birthday Girl and her tired, cake-making aunt.  God, I love that girl!

Four Years Ago Today

We said, "I do."  

What a ride it has been!  Todd and I have been through more in our four years than most married couples experience in decades or a lifetime.  However, I can't imagine going through any of it without my husband.

Happy Anniversary, Todd.  I love you!

TIREd

My birthday weekend started off with me tutoring my little lovelies until 6:00 on Friday evening.  I was looking forward to heading home for some R&R after a week full of more misbehaving children than not.  Even the good kids were getting in trouble, so you know I was spent.

As I got in my car, I looked up to the reminder that I had a tire in need of some air.  I headed to the nearest gas station to buy some air.  (I won't get started on that!)  It was after paying $0.75 for some secretly-special tire air that I noticed my tire was LOW.  Dang.  Being my own (s)hero, I used my tire gauge and filled the tire for what seemed like forever.  I studied the tire and soon noticed not one, but TWO nails in my tire.  Since it was after 6:00, I knew that Discount Tire would be closed.  My plan was to carefully head home and go to Discount in the morning to get the tire repaired.  That's when I felt the wind blow . . . from my tire.  There was a puncture wound in the sidewall of my tire that was quickly spewing forth my special seventy-five cent air!  Crap.

RIP - Stupid Tire

So . . . here I was, fifteen miles from home and still WAY too close to school for my own comfort . . . and in need of a new tire.  Rather than simply change the tire and spare it home, I made the decision to be proactive and head to buy a new tire at the local Sam's Club.  It took over ten minutes to be acknowledged in the store.  After a quote of $180 for ONE tire and (instead) a commitment to put on my spare in 45 minutes, I left pissed.  I'll never contemplate buying tires from them again.  I then drove to another suck of the Sam Walton empire - WalMart.  With $140 for a tire with a 30-45 minute wait, I told the dude that I'd pay him to put on the spare so I could get home.  After about an hour, I finally left with a pissed-off attitude and my spare in place.

Thankfully, my awesome team bought pizza and salad for lunch and made brownies for dessert.  There was enough left for dinner, so I didn't even starve to death.  :)