Ode to Joey

She really is a pretty kitty isn't she? As promised I will tell the story of how my kitty went from sweet, friendly and loving to possibly possessed by the devil. This tale starts 5 years ago on a very hot 4th of July weekend in LaFarge WI...

Josh and I, then engaged (that is important because of my ability to get my way through pouting...doesn't work as good once married), went to LaFarge to visit over the 4th (because the "bad kid" ran to AZ for the summer). One of the many farm cats had had a litter of kittens in May. Typically the farm cats aren't all that friendly, and me, not being a cat person, didn't really care a whole lot about the new litters. Besides that, typically they don't stick around the farm very long (why I am not sure, Josh's mom feeds them...well!). But the neighbor girls had actually been playing with this litter so they were friendly. There where 4 I believe, my little white sweetie (which we thought looked more like one of Josh's lab rats), an orange and white one, a tabby and a black and tabby one (I think). I spent much of the weekend playing with them, and needless to say I talked Josh into getting one during our drive back to Evansville.

At the time we lived in an apartment in Evansville, which happened to say "No Pets" on the lease, but a girl next door had 2, so we thought we were fine. So a week later I went up to LaFarge by myself and picked up my little white rat...when we got her she was ALL white, very little hint of color. Then came the hard part of naming her. Josh and I were laying around playing with her trying to come up with a name (she was named Vanilla on the farm, but I wasn't a fan). I suggested Zoey...and Josh said, "yeah, that's great let's call her JOEY, for Josephine on Dawson's Creek"...and he thinks I am the deaf one???

So Josephine it was! She was so much fun, she only weighed about 3.5 pounds, she couldn't get up to our bed so she clawed her way up. We were getting married that fall, so we took her along to Shawano to meet Muffin (the actual first cat I fell in love with), then to Manitowoc, then to LaFarge on our wedding shower junket. She traveled really well in the truck, we just put her on a pillow between us and she slept the whole way!

Then there was that great time in LaFarge when Josh and I were sitting on the couch watching T.V. and we heard a commotion in the kitchen and Joey came prancing in with a mouse...she was so proud...but she didn't kill it and it got away...lucky me :)

In November we got married and Josh's mom and dad said that they would keep Joey and get her spayed and declawed while we were gone on our honeymoon. She already had vet files up there so it would be fine. Well she got there and she only weighed 4 lbs so they only spayed her, and because we weren't there we couldn't say anything different. She was at a small vet and they vet had closed before Josh's mom could get there so the vet put her in a cage, in the garage, in the end of November. One thing about animals, especially small animals, is that when they are put under they need to be kept warm when they come out because their body temperature drops.

When Josh's mom got there to pick her up she was beside herself and when Josh's mom got her out of the cage she bit her. But it seemed like not much harm was done, she seemed to bounce back to her normal self after a couple of weeks.

In February we bought a new house. Considering that our house was only 3 years old and had new carpeting and hard wood, I was paranoid about her claws, so we had her declawed the week before we moved in. When I opened the door to the vet to get her declawed, she was once again beside herself. She started growling, spitting and hissing. Ever since then, she has hissed at everyone but Josh and I.

I don't know if it was getting her put down twice, the trauma of moving right after she was declawed, or if it was inevitable??? I guess I will never know, but I do know that it will all be done at once if I ever have another cat!!! The funny thing is she is so good with Josh and I, and she is actually really good with Hunter too. She is starting to tolerate Josh's sister, who is living with us.

At night she crawls under the covers with Josh and I, and she purrs like no other kitty...she loves her blankets and she loves being outside. But she gets EXTREMELY uptight if anyone else is around. She has mellowed some since Hunter has come around and she doesn't get all the attention she used to, but she sure isn't friendly.

It has been fun to see Josh become a softy to her...almost immediately. He is very defensive of her. It appears that her eyes are crossed a bit (although she could have some Siamese in her)...but don't mention it to Josh, he gets very offended.

My cousin lived with us for two summers and he and Joey HATED eachother. Joey would go in his room, while he wasn't there, and hiss at his stuff! Then there was the Christmas she broke the angels arm from my nativity scene. It was things like this that she received the nickname Little Lucifer, and Spawn of Satan.

When people come to the house she doesn't leave the room, she will rub up against your legs...Luring you in to pet her...but then when you reach down she will bat at your hand and hiss at you. I like to think she is just picky (or bipolar). I have always called her 'episodes' her Napolean Complex. She only weighs about 6 lbs and I am sure she thinks she needs make up for her size in some way...being mean is her outlet. But when people see her with Josh and I they are amazed...she is like a lap kitty.

She may be strange, bipolar, possessed or just female, but I still love her. But I have to say I have learned in a hurry that cats have WAY more of an attitude then dogs!

Thankful for my Husband

I went to another bachelorette party this weekend for my cousin's fiance'. Eventhough a good time was had by all...I am VERY greatful that I am no longer in that scene and I have a loving husband to go home to. As the night progressed and I have to say that all of us "old, married, moms" kept up well with the young, singles, I began pondering what did I really like about the bar scene. Granted it was a bachelorette party so the pe*is straws and toys were out in force...but what about a straw gives men the invitation to offer very inappropriate actions? And why does it make the nicest guy look as sleazy as the old guy that tells you the same thing? Could drunk guys be a little more degrading to women?

I don't intend to dwell on the sleaze balls, just comment on them. We did actually meet some nice guys during the night who were just out for a good time and not looking to scam on women. (obviously the kind of guys we would prefer to talk with). Although I did have one guy tell me that I didn't look older the 24, which I initially took as a compliment. But now hind sight, yes, it is a compliment, but would I want to be 24 again? When I was 24 I was just graduating from College, trying to find a job, car and a place to live. I wasn't engaged, obviously didn't have my son, was fairly uncertain of my future, how I would make my student loan payments, insurance, rent and a carpament. I was fairly bored because I didn't have homework to do. I guess in the grand scheme of things, no, I don't want to be 24 again. I like being responsible, a wife, a mom, settled down and stable.

I realize there are a lot of people who don't start thinking about stability until they are close to 40, but that isn't me. I am thankful for the things I have, for the things have done in my past, and that I lived through that portion of my life. I think the independent, carefree portion of my life in college and right after has helped me to appreciate the things I have now. I wouldn't change those years, but I will leave them in my past.

It is kind of weird for me to think that is probably my last bachelorette party (except when Mandy gets married), and I went out in style :) But I guess that it just shows that every stage in our life provides a new level of enjoyment.

Wisconsinites

I have received this email many times in many forms. And it brightens my day every time I see it, so I thought I would post it and add a little commentary.

YOU GREW UP IN WISCONSIN IF:

You know how to polka , but never tried it sober. In the words of my brother Derek at my cousin Tracy's wedding during the Beer Barrel Polka "I don't know how to do this so let's just jump around and kick our legs."
You know what knee-high by the Fourth of July means. This was a really big deal in 'Towoc...there were years the corn was first planted right before the 4th of July...my husband thinks it should be 'thigh-high by the 4th of July'.
You know it is traditional for the bride and groom to go bar hopping between the reception and wedding dance. Yeah Chewy's!!!!
You know the difference between "Green" and "Red" farm machinery, and would fight with your friends on the playground over which was better! I have married into a 'green family'
You buy Christmas presents at Fleet Farm. Toyland is great!!! Can't wait until it opens this year!!
You spent more on beer & liquor than you did on food at your wedding. 5 Barrels isn't that much is it??
You hear someone use the word "oof-dah" and you don't break into uncontrollable laughter. ach vat!
You or someone you know was a "Dairy Princess" at the county fair. How about the Queen of the Race track for a cousin?? Can you beat that??
You know that "combine" is a noun. Once again...green family!
You let your older siblings talk you into putting your tongue on a steel post in the middle of winter. Can't say I have done this...but had some kids in Gradeschool do it.
You think Lutheran and Catholic are THE major religions. What parish do you belong to?
You know that "creek" rhymes with "pick". Aren't we going to Silver 'Crick' park for sledding and grad pictures??
Football schedules, hunting season and harvest are all taken into consideration before wedding dates are set. The many common responses to our wedding date..."you are getting married November 16? Isn't that the opening of hunting??"
A Friday night date is getting a six-pack and taking your girlfriend shining for deer.
Saturday you go to your local bowling alley. Or hanging out at the fire.
There was at least one kid in your class who had to help milk cows in the morning... phew! I thought they were sooo cool! But hopefully their mom didn't hang their laundry out on the line :)
You have driven your car on the lake. Not really possible on Lake Michigan....still hasn't frozen over!
You can make sense of "upnort" and "batree". Why don't you comeere once? Why don't you come by here? We'll have a hot tamale and a couple two tree beers. Then we can get a drink in the bubbler, but don't you budge in line!
Every wedding dance you have ever been to has the hokey pokey and the chicken dance. Sorry, couldn't do that one at my wedding!
Your definition of a small town is one that only has one bar. Is there such a thing? You must have missed the one in the church (catholic) basement!
The local gas station sells live bait. Where else would you get it when the grocery store is closed!
At least twice a year some part of your home doubles as a meat processing plant. Once again...can't really relate...they shoot deer when they go hunting??
You think that the start of deer season is a national holiday. Please see Wedding comment....
Pop is the only name for soda. Much debated in our house...Hunter will be the winning vote...the first one he says wins!!!

A day to remember? Or not Forget?

Obviously, weighing on all of our minds today, is where were you 5 years ago...mine too! Which then reminds me of the saying that came out of that terrible day...Never forget. I like that those words were chosen and not a day to remember. To me a day to remember means memories. And to me memories have a positive connotation. To never forget means that something substantial has happened that shouldn't be forgotten. Notice how "A day that will live in infamy" is remembered for Pearl Harbor...another terrible day in US history? It is obvious that we all have memories of those terrible days if we have lived through them, but it is more then memories that are important. It is important to remember how we felt when those things were happening to us; how those events changed the direction of our lives or how they effected our actions and reactions and also to remember those people who died that day and those who are serving in the various services to protect us right now.

It is like therapy to hear where people were that day, what they were doing when they heard the news and their initial reaction. It is amazing how many people didn't think much of it when the first tower was hit, but I bet that would not be the reaction if that was to happen tomorrow. My personal experience was one of disbelief and ignorance.

I happened to be in Carlisle PA that week for work. I flew out of Madison on Monday, September 10th and picked up my rental car from Hertz. Our conference had just started Tuesday morning, and we were at the "Welcome" presentation by the president of the company when his secretary interrupted and said that one of the World Trade Center towers was struck by a commercial jet. Being that I was at a conference with utility people, on the east coast, some people excused themselves from the conference to check in with employers and responders. The "Welcome" then concluded and they had set up some TVs for us outside to see what was happening. At this time the second tower was hit, and shortly after the Pentagon, and the plane in PA. At this time MANY people excused themselves to not only call employers but family members and friends that may have been in the area. Many people not only had to call but many needed to leave either to report to work on the cleanup or as first responders.

My thoughts at the time; well I didn't know much about New York and if you asked me September 10, 2001 what the World Trade Center was, I don't know if I could have given you an intelligent answer. I am not very geographically or historically savvy, so I had no idea the magnitude of what was happening...until I saw people jumping from the buildings, and the plane went down in PA. Then it began to hit home, hard. Now I was a little freaked out, not only did a plane go down in the same STATE as me, which wasn't real far away, but I was also located about 30 miles from Three Mile Island, the largest nuclear facility in the US. That was PLENTY close for me. And I had to get back to WI SOMEHOW!!!

At home, Josh knew I was in PA, but not exactly sure where. My mom and dad thought I was going to PA the NEXT week, so they didn't think anything of it until Diana and my cousin Tracy called my dad to find out where in PA I was. My dad then in turn called my mom, who called my office, knowing that I keep message up to date (and it said that I left on the 10th). So she breathed a sigh of relief. I talked to Josh and my dad later that afternoon. Josh was noticeably shook which I think helped me, for what reason I am not sure. Of course when I heard my dad's voice, I had instant tears...Dad's do that!

The conference went on as planned. Realizing that I had to drive back, and luckily I had a Hertz car and I could drive it to wherever I needed, I wouldn't let myself watch much coverage of the rescue/recovery coverage. Advantica did a wonderful job keeping us occupied. We went to Hersey on Wednesday and it was so surreal, everyone we saw it was like we were best friends not strangers. Everyone sharing stories of why they were there and what they had done the day before. I drove back to WI with a guy, Brian Hayse, I met at the conference from Holland Michigan. I then drove the remainder by myself. I think that was the fastest 18 hour drive I ever had!!!

I got home and Josh wasn't home from school yet, I walked into the apartment and bawled. I was so happy to be home and I couldn't contain myself anymore. Josh came home from work and we were very happy to see eachother. We went out for dinner and took the rental car back on Saturday morning. It really was a week I won't forget.

Good out of bad??? The famous saying that good comes out of every bad event came true for Josh and I. I think the separation during a time like this really helped both of us realize how important the other was to us. The much debated conversation of marriage was settled when 11 days later Josh proposed.

9/11 will never be forgotten in my mind.

Football in the Air

nu=3235>446>836>WSNRCG=3232596596356nu0mrj.0.jpg">
nu=3235>446>836>WSNRCG=3232596596849nu0mrj.0.jpg">

Well it is here. Football starts tonight...which means Josh has the 3rd annual Chicken Fun Night to kick off the season right with some friends. I just love this time of the year and I think football starting just solidifies the start of fall! I have been fighting the urge to run home and dig out all of my Halloween/fall decorations. Yet it is hard to do because it is still 80 degrees during the day.

Fall also brings indoor volleyball. I had my first women's league match Tuesday night and we won all three! Fairly unheard of for our team...but we are in a different league this year. Which makes me ponder...is it better to win three in a little lesser league or lose three...Possibly win one in a harder league? I vote for the winning...but I think if all the games are easy I will be swinging the other way. But for right now it is nice, we have a lot of new people on our team and it is nice to be eased into it!

Finally I thought I would put some pictures up...something I want to do more of (after I just filled 2 albums last weekend). The first two are of Hunter and the kitties at nana and papa's house and another is of all of us at Josh's cousin's wedding (great picture if Hunter was looking).

Enjoy!

Happy Labor Day!!

Can you believe the summer is coming to a close?? I can not! Granted now that I am no longer in school and I do not have school age children, the "going back to school" hype is somewhat lost on me...I still have to go to work on Tuesday...just as I have all summer long. Not that I am bitter, and frankly I am glad I don't have to do that change of gears anymore. But one thing this weekend does do is remind me of all the great memories I have of school...grade school, junior high, high school and college. It reminds me off all the great friends I have, the ones I had and the ones I have lost contact with. It reminds me of the apprehension of a new school, the reality that I have many years left, or that this is the last year; all the school functions, sports activities and championships, parties, homework and projects...but mostly it reminds me that I am glad I stuck it out and got my engineering degree and that I chose to go to Platteville and meet my wonderful husband.

It is weird to think at 17 I was making a decision, not only on a school, but a career and a location where I will meet some of the most important people in my life. Was I lucky or smart...I like to think smart...but I am pretty sure that luck had a big role in that!

This morning as I was driving in to work on the beltline, I noticed a car with a mom, dad and a girl. In the back seat the girl had half the seat covered with blankets, pillows and luggage...then I noticed her grab a Kleenex from behind her and wipe her eyes...it made me wonder...was she off to school? Did she have to say good bye to a first love? Maybe some close friends? We have all been there and I just wanted to tell her that it would all work out and she was embarking on the best time of her life...if she lets it be. She will meet new friends, have new experiences and hopefully end up with an education which will help her to a productive future! Who knows maybe she will even meet the love of her life, like I did.

So in closing, I guess I just wanted to remind you to think of all those great Labor Days that you had...even if you didn't like to go back to school!

Have a good one!