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Tuesday, September 2nd, 2003
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11:17 pm
We woke up and started driving around to look for a place to eat breakfast. On our way to the cafe we walked by a subway and it smelled so good we just ended up getting a sandwich from there. We went back to the car and proceeded to get lost looking for a Starbucks with Internet access. While we were driving around, we saw a place to rent mopeds. We decided to come back later and rent two of them to see the town.
After finding a Starbucks on Cannery Row, we went back to the hotel to change clothes and grab the backpack. We found the moped rental shop fairly easily, and rented two modpeds for the full day. The guy at the moped shop, taught us how to start the bikes, and how to ride.
A quick ride around the block and we were off to explore Monterey. We followed the poorly drawn map around the hills for a couple hours, and found a spot to take some pictures.
On our way back down the mountain, we were following the map in a different direction, and ended up high up in the mountain, with the cold fog rolling in. We were both very cold, and decided to head back to the hotel to change again. Finding the hotel was another story, our map did not detail the area very well, but we came out of the mountain in a familiar area, so it didn't take too long.
We changed clothes, and got back on the bikes to head around the downtown/cannery row area. As the afternoon went on, we got cold and hungry, I found a jaket to buy, and we also found some food. We ate Clam Chowder in Sourdough Bowls at a place called Claw Daddys. The restaurant was empty, so we got our choice of tables on the balcony, overlooking Monterey Bay.
We spent the rest of the day, until we returned the bikes at 8:00, zipping around Monterey and Pacific Grove.
Cold, hungry, and sore, we headed back to the hotel, to shower and get some dinner. By the time we got out to the restaurants, it was 10:00, and none of them were seating still. We found a hole in the wall called Bullwackers, and had an expensive, un-impressive meal, with poor service. Oh-well.
( Some pictures from our bike ride )
(2 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Monday, September 1st, 2003
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11:30 pm
We woke up rather early, not for any reason other than our bodies felt like it. We got ready to leave, and then went to pickup the rental car. Ryan had to add me as a ?authorized buyer? on his cards, so we could save over $250 in young person's fees. Everything worked out, and we drove back to the hotel in the Dodge Stratus.
After leaving the hotel, we were really hungry, but we could tell that we should not stop to eat around the airport, so we headed to Ryan's old neighborhood, and found a Cocos to eat at.
On our way up north to Monterey, we stopped by Randy's to pickup maps for our journey. A quick useless stop at a Cyber Cafe, and we were on our way to Monterey.
The drive to Monterey was very nice. We went up Hwy 101, which is by the ocean some of the time, and in the valley other parts. Perfectly enough, right as we were getting hungry for lunch, we saw a familiar sign for Anderson's Pea Soup House. What wonderful luck!
The last half of the drive to Monterey was just like the first half, and before we knew it, we were really close. There was some beautiful fog rolling in over the mountains from the ocean, and it got more dramatic, the closer we got.
We found our way to, and checked into the hotel, the Del Monte Pines, which was much nicer than we had anticipated. We remembered the quality of the hotel we stayed in last time we were here, and were surprised. It is a very nice small motel, very clean and pleasant.
We finally found our way to Cannery Row, and walked around for a bit. Walking down a pier, we were greeted by a gentlemen with samples of clam chowder. It was so good, that is what decided where we would eat.
We sat at this restaurant, which was on a Pier over the bay. I had Crab Crusted Salmon, and Ryan had Lobster Tail and Steak. It was the end of the first day of our honeymoon!
(Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Sunday, August 31st, 2003
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11:54 pm
The Big Day!
Ryan and I woke up early so we could stop and eat on our way to get my hair done. I meet Arwen, Ryan's sister, and Krista and Kerrie my bridesmaids there for us all to get our hair done together. Ryan left to meet all the guys to get ready at his parents house. Arwen took pictures of us getting our hair done and I cant wait to get a set of em! After getting our hair done Arwen drove us all to her camper she had parked by where the boat docked in Excelsior. There we changed into our wedding stuff. I was so excited to put on the dress!!! All of us ready we meet on water street where the boat docked to take pictures.
( lots of wedding pictures )
(14 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Thursday, March 20th, 2003
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2:19 pm
On march 7th I had my 28th birthday! My mom, Ryan, Jeremiah, Ryan's family and I all got together at Old Chicago and had dinner. It was so much fun. We talked allot about the wedding. I could not believe all the gifts I got! Ann (Ryan's mom) had said she had an old sewing machine I could have and brought it with. So everyone knew I wanted to start sewing, and they all gave me sewing stuff!! Ryan's grandma, we call her ma-ma, gave me her old sewing stuff and that was really neat.
(12 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Monday, March 3rd, 2003
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5:07 am
It all started when my mom and I were looking at the bridal headpieces. Do you have any idea how much they are?! Just guess. No wait, let me tell you what they're made of first. The white net fabric could not cost more then $15. The ribbon lining not more then $3. and the comb part it's on between 5. and 20. depending on how nice it is. But the comb you don't even see because it's in your hair. And I've seen headpieces with cheap plastic combs. Ok so thats no more then $35. it costs to make this. How much have I been seeing them in for in all the bridal shops I've been in? No less then $110.00 and up to $135.00!! I just cannot believe it! Because of course when your getting married your not going to want to leave something like that out, they totally rip you off. The very next thing I think is, I have got to learn how to make these things. How hard could it be?
So my mom and I start talking about sewing. It turns out she used to sew all the time and used to be really good at it. On Friday night after the bridal shops closed we went to a fabric outlet store. I've drove by this place allot and thats how I knew it was there but this was the first time I've been in it. This place is amazing! I had my camera on me and cant believe I didn't think to snap a few while I was in there. It's a warehouse with rows and rows of shelves with stacks of rolls of fabric. It was like a maze. We found a roll of the white net fabric the headpieces are made of and it didn't have a price on it. So we went to go look around. While looking at all the amazing fabric they had we were talking about sewing and making cloths. My god! I've never thought of making my own cloths before! What a great idea. I just cannot find cloths that I like in sizes that fit me. I think I've found a new thing to do here.
So mom starts telling me about patterns and what you need to do to make cloths. We find in the store a cabinet full of patterns with catalogs on top to search though. I found 2 sets of patterns there I liked. Shirts, slacks and a long jacket type shirt. There patterns there seemed a little outdated so they were only $3. I'm going to go looking around in other stores for more up to date patterns. So after picking out 3 fabrics for the patterns I found and cutting 3 yards of each of them I never did get back and get the white net fabric. But I will. I am going to someday make a dress like that last wedding dress.
On Saturday I went over to moms and we got to sewing. We didn't finish but we did get allot done. I took a few pictures..
( pictures of my mom and I sewing )
current mood: (10 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Sunday, March 2nd, 2003
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6:25 pm
Oooo! Oooo! Oooo! I have more pictures of me trying on wedding dresses. And I like these so much better then the other dresses!
( More Wedding Dresses! )
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Monday, February 24th, 2003
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9:51 pm
I didn't get up early enough to go look at more dresses on sunday. I'll go looking more this weekend. Instead I just cleaned all day. I took all the dishes out of the cabinets and wiped off the shelves and reorganized everything. Now I can find everything so much more easier. Here's a picture of what my kitchen looked like while I was cleaning.
Friday was a cool day. I got up early, well stayed up all night is more like it. I was going to pick up bagels and have brunch with Ryan but he had to leave before I got there. But guess who was there that I got to meet! magicwoman! She's very nice. We talked for a little while. She told everyone in her journal to check her out on the Loading Zone's webcam! Have I ever told you guys that Ryan put up a webcam there? When she had to go I stayed and talked to Diane for a while. She works at the loading zone. And guess what? She told me she has a live journal also! Amazing!
When I left there I stopped at home depot and got some plants and some pots to put them in. My mom ended up coming over and we potted them together. I have them in my office.
On the 18th it was Jeremiah's 10th Birthday! I made a cake the night before and had it all ready when he got home from school.
( Jeremiah's Birthday Pictures )
(2 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Sunday, February 23rd, 2003
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1:25 am
Guess what I did today?! I tried on wedding dresses! Oh yha, I am so excited now! And I brought the camera!!
This is the first place that I've been to and I've narrowed it down to five dresses in this store. Of course I'm ganna go look at some other stores also. Look at these pictures and tell me what one you think looks good. Um, just keep in mind that most of them are not in my size at all. They have to be ordered in your size and then altered. And my mom was hurried when she took these pictures. I think I'm going to go back to this store and try these on again and get better pictures to see what they look like. It's interesting to see what they look like in a picture instead of a mirror.
( wedding dresses )
(21 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Thursday, February 20th, 2003
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4:37 am
I am so happy, I finally got my ring back! It took 6 weeks for it to be resized. Is that crazy or what? I've been trying to take a picture but I cant get it to be in focus. Any tips on how to take a picture of it? I'd love to show you. It's white gold, has a diamond in the middle and five smaller diamonds on each side. I love it! And no, we haven't set a date yet. I'm ganna start looking at dresses and seeing how much everything will be and then I'll figure it out.
The day after valentines day was very exciting for Ryan and I. This story was on the front page of the Star Tribune! Right under "Showdown at the UN" and right beside a story about Sara Jane Olsen is Computer Game Parlors- trend or passing fad? And the picture next to the story is in the loading zone! On the front page! Ryan was so excited. The story is mostly about P.C. Palace, but they do mention The Loading Zone and they give the phone number and the website address! Unbelievable! And then, the next day channel 4 news calls up and asks if they can come down and do a story on the store. This was going to happen yesterday. We had a few people show up, thinking they were going come down and they didn't. I think a fire happened or something. I don't know because I was there waiting for them. But that must be why they didn't show up. I wonder if they're going to call again. I'll let ya know!
(1 Cat Treats | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2003
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5:30 am
Oh geez, I missed another live journal meet up at my own coffee shop! I didn’t feel very well yesterday evening and that’s why I didn’t show. My stomach hurt and I just sat around until I had to go to work. From what I’m reading it sounds like allot of people showed up for it though. That’s so cool. I hope they all had a great time and vote to have it at The Loading Zone again. Why are the meet ups always on a weekday?
What else has been going on around here. Jeff, Jeremiah’s dad is still staying with us. Jeremiah loves it. They are together all the time. Ryan doesn’t seem to mind at all. I don’t really care too much. Although I am starting to wonder when and how he’s going to get his own place. He’s staying downstairs right now and is doing a really good job of staying out of my way though. Oh well.
My mom lost her job a few weeks ago. She was working at a company with one other guy, her boss Rob. She’s been working for him for about 5 years. Everyone thought they were running a ma and pa shop. Then his boyfriend came to work with them last summer. My mom and him got along just fine. But he started slowly taking over everything that my mom was doing. She said it seemed like they didn’t want her there anymore so she left. They work with mail, mostly junk mail. I told my mom that he just wanted an all male mail company. The suck part is he’s trying to not pay my mom her vacation pay. She’s going to take him to court for it if she has to. She called the state and it is defiantly due to her. You’d think that after working for someone for that long you wouldn’t want to fuck them over like that. It did work out better for my mom though. Because of her experience running a whole shop like she was doing every mail place she applied at wanted to hire her. She took a night shift, four 10-hour nights a week.
My dad is still annoying has ever. At least he is now getting some veterans benefits so I don’t have to pay all his bills. I just have to manage his money and make sure his bills get paid. That and do all his shopping. Extra grocery shopping, how fuun.
Last Saturday Alecia asked me if I wanted to go to Bally’s swim and fitness with her because I could get in on her guest pass. OMFG. I loved it there. I wanna be a member! I cannot afford it though. And ya know what. I am so hating her because I know she cant really afford it either. No, she’d rather not pay her rent and not care what happens. Found that out while I was there. Ugh. I wish I wouldn’t have even answered the phone when she called.
Kerrie came over Saturday night. Ryan was gone all night cause there was a tournament going on. She stayed till about 2am. We talked all night long. Mostly about how much we love being moms. LOL.
I just saw Jeff in the kitchen and he’s up. I asked him if he was going to catch a ride with Ryan in the morning and he said no. So I asked if he could get up with Jer in the morning. I always get tired and go to sleep by about, ohh now. He said he would. I reminded him to make him a lunch and make sure he dressed warm. He says he makes Jeremiah make his own sandwiches in the morning. “Oh Jeff! I always make it for him! He’s just a little boy ya know!” “When I was his age I was almost raising myself.” “Well LOOK how you turned out!!” We both laughed about this.
(5 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Saturday, January 18th, 2003
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11:54 pm
Jeremiah, Ryan and I just got back from the monster truck show at the metrodome. Jeremiah loved it. The insanely cool part about going was that we got to sit in one of the private rooms! I could not believe how neat it was. Ryan’s friend invited us to go and his dad is the one who had the room. The show itself was ok. There were very long intermissions and it got real boring. I was glad when it was over. The best part for me was getting to see the inside of one of those little rooms. The one we were in must cost a fortune for football games, it was right in the middle of the field. Not that I care at all for sports. It would be neat to see something cool in the metrodome from there though. Wait, is there ever anything cool going on in the dome? They do have concerts there sometimes, but they don’t sound that good. It was cold walking to the car.
(1 Cat Treats | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Friday, January 17th, 2003
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10:38 pm
This past week was just suck ass. Monday night at work I felt sick and ended up going home. I was up all night and all day Tuesday so I missed another night. My check is going to be so small. I had super bad PMS and made Ryans life hell for 2 days. And then has soon as I started feeling well I got my period and it hurt.
AND THEN I find out that I can’t get my ring back until the end of the month! Turns out that the place where they make the ring was closed for the first two weeks of the year. Nice of them to tell me, can you imagine how much I want it back!?
(Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Sunday, January 12th, 2003
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8:29 pm
My Friday night was great, except that I drank to much wine and ended up getting sick. I have got to remember that I can only drink two glasses. Kerrie and her daughter Kelsey came over. Jeremiah rented a movie so they watched it in the living room while Kerrie and I talked in my office. When the movie was over they came and hung out with us. I started showing Kelsey my rubberstamps and pretty soon we were stamping away. Ryan came home late at around that time and wanted to have chicken for dinner so he started making a stir-fry. That’s around the time I started drinking.
Saturday night Ryan and I went to the quest to check out some DJ’s that were spinning and it ended up being very cool. Well, the first guy was great, he called himself easyrider and he was on for a long while. A bunch of guys started breakdancing and it was really neat to watch. We got a table upstairs looking down on them and we had the perfect view. It was great. Then the next guy came on and we didn’t like him so that’s when we left.
(Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2003
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5:04 am
Happy New Year! I had a great Christmas. And I have real exciting news. On Christmas Eve night Ryan woke me up from a nap after Jeremiah was asleep and we were all alone. Christmas music was on and it was dark except for the tree lights and we were sitting on the couch. He said some things to me, and then pulls out this little white box and opens it! A beautiful diamond ring! And he says, “Will you marry me?” I am so happy!
I don’t have a picture of the ring because I brought it right away to get resized and had no clue how long that would take. Ooo I want it back! I love Ryan, I’m so excited, Ooo Ooo Ooo! I have a crazy small ring size, size 5!
I have a lot of other pictures from Christmas though!
( Christmas pictures )
(16 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Monday, December 23rd, 2002
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7:40 am
I’ve been super busy doing Christmas stuff. Mostly making cards. I was hoping to make enough to send to some of my live journal friends but I didn’t get that far. I really only made enough for Ryan’s family. I spent way too much time making these cards. I stamped a huge rubberstamp on the front and colored it in and another inside. But next year I’ll know better, I’m going to start making them allot sooner. I also made some ornaments by hand with wire and beads and they look really nice. For a while I kept telling myself “I will NOT do anything else until I have these done!” So that kept me occupied for a while.
Ryan and I also have a houseguest. Your never going to guess who it is. (Well, unless you know us) Jeremiah’s dad! I get the biggest kick out of telling people Jer’s dad is staying with us. It’s not strange to us at all; he’s just a friend and more like family. But boy do people I don’t know very well think it’s strange. Ryan was the one who actually invited him to stay and I don’t care. Jeremiah loves having him here all the time. And it’s kind of like having a sitter around all the time if I need to go somewhere. I guess he’s going to stay here until he finds another place. I’m glad Ryan and Jeff are friends.
Well it’s looking like this is my schedule for Christmas this year. Christmas Eve day I’ll be at my dad’s. Latter in the evening we’ll go to my mom’s. Christmas morning will be at home of course and latter that day we go to Ryan’s parents.
(3 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Sunday, December 8th, 2002
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1:52 pm
I just love life right now. Ryan, Jeremiah my mom and I went to Ryan’s parents house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was yummy has always. When dinner was over Ryan and I brought some food over my dad. He’s doing great. He’s very happy in his trailer.
The day after Thanksgiving Ryan had to work. But I didn’t! So I wanted to do some running around, maybe shop a little. I didn’t seem to run into allot of crowds though. Probably because I didn’t wake up very early and of where I went. The first thing I wanted to do was pick my dad up a Christmas tree and some decorations. I wanted to do that right away so he didn’t get all bummed out thinking he wasn’t going to have a Christmas. I went to K-Mart because I love their Martha Stewart Christmas decorations. Laugh if you want, but I think her stuff is damn cute. I got him a nice fake tree and some stuff to put on it. We left there and went to my dads to bring him the tree. Jeremiah stayed there and they put up the tree together while I left and did some more shopping. I got Jeremiah the men in black 2 dvd, I wanted to get him the lord of the rings dvd but they were out of em when I got there so I’m ganna go look today and see if I can find it. I also got him a music cd he wanted. I stopped at Shinders bookstore because Jeremiah loves comic books and these X-men comics were only 45cents apiece. So I got him a big stack of them, he’s going to love that.
On Saturday I brought Jeremiah to see his dad, he was at aunt Deedee’s. He was so happy to go, he loves going over to Deedee’s house. Latter that night Ryan and I had Hanukah dinner at Ryan’s sister house. I love going over there! We don’t get over there enough. Then on Sunday I picked up Jeremiah and his dad and meet Ryan at my moms house and we all had dinner together. That was fun, my mom was excited about it because her apartment is still new to her and it was the first holiday dinner over there. She loves showing off her place and decorating it.
(6 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Saturday, November 16th, 2002
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4:53 pm
Whoo I woke up early today, 8 am! I went to bed early though. This afternoon Ryan’s mom came over with 2 teenage boys to help and we all did the lawn. It went super fast with all of us doing it. About two and a half hours I’d say. 40 lawn bags! I am so glad she brought some help with her.
Looks great! Ryan also cleaned out the shed. The pile of leaves out there with the bags on top is where my roses are. Ann said that’s how she keeps hers during the winter. I hope mine make it.
(4 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Friday, November 8th, 2002
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4:45 am
Hello, here I am. My surgery went well. I was soo scared! And boy did I have reason to be because it was so painful. I ended up having to have my right ovary removed. When I came home it was so painful I couldn’t even roll over without help. I had to take the whole week off of work also. Last night was the first night I was really able to move around. It still hurts though. I really really hope I don’t have to do anything like that again for a very long time. I would have to say that it was more painful then having Jeremiah! Way more painful then when I had my tubs tied. I am so happy it’s over.
(13 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Friday, November 1st, 2002
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1:54 am
I am so sorry I’ve been gone for so long.
Lets start with a story about my cats! Remember Samba? Ooo I’m ganna cry just thinking about him!! He’s such a beautiful cat. When I brought him home I gave him a ton of love and affection, the finest of cat toys and feline cuisine. But none of it would bring Samba around. He was just one mean kitty. My poor cat Faka tried to make friends with Samba but all he wanted to do was fight mean. I felt so bad for her; she was very scared of Samba. After about two weeks of seeing Faka so scared of him all the time I just didn’t know what to do.
Kerrie still had all the kitties that are Samba’s brothers and sisters at that time. I thought that maybe if I brought home one of his brothers and he had another kitty to play with he’d be a much better friend to my other cat. So I went over to Kerrie’s house and picked out one of the boy kitties.
Meet Tiger Lilly!!
He’s such a friendly baby! I love him.
When I brought Tiger Lilly home it was unbelievable. Samba was just sooo mean!! Not only did he have Faka just totally terrified of him but then Tiger Lilly was also! He was so scared he ran to hide inside the couch. Samba was a brat. I was scared to even leave em all alone together for the night. So I called up Kerrie. Instead of going to sleep that night I went over to Kerrie’s. And yes, I brought Samba back. I was so sad about it. I loved Samba!
One of the girl kitties in the litter back at Kerrie’s looked just like Samba. So I just took her back home with me. And I think it was just meant to be because Kerrie said she already had a name, Dandy Lion!
Dandy Lion and Tiger Lilly
When I got home with Dandy Lion her and Tiger Lilly started playing together right away. And not only that, but they were and are still very nice to my other cat Faka.
Here's me trying to hold onto them both
Here's Jeremiah with both the kitties, I can’t believe I caught him smiling
Let me say again that I am really sorry I’ve been gone for so long. I’m ganna start writing in here again starting right now! Promise.
Lets see, what else is going on lately… hmmm. Oh yhaa. I’m having surgery Saturday morning. YUCK! I’m having a large ovarian cysts removed, possible my whole right ovary. I’m not too happy about it. In fact I’m pretty terrified. A women at work said her daughter had this done and said it was very painful for her. Hmmm, I don’t know how long I’m going to be home from work. My doctor said it was going to be allot like when I got my tubes tied, and that wasn’t that bad. Well not after a few days. I dunno.
I didn’t end up doing much for Halloween, even though I asked for the night off of work. I asked for the night off before I knew I was having surgery on Saturday. I made Halloween cupcakes. Then I took Jeremiah to my moms place to trick or treat. We were so disappointed! She lives in a huge apartment complex and with all those apartments he only got a small handful of candy. Hardly anyone was passing out candy. Then we went to visit my dad. I couldn’t believe there were no kids out trick or treating in the trailer court! It was dead! Luckily I found a good street with a few houses all decorated and had him make the rounds there. After Jeremiah went to bed, Ryan was looking through his candy and he was like “ohhhh man there is like NO candy here!” I say well what dose he need all that candy for anyways. Of course he says Noooo for ME! Hehehe! I really though he would get more from my moms place.
Remember when I used to talk about my dad? I was so pissed for a while. I read a little of how mad I was and I almost had to laugh. I just didn’t think that I’d be able to do enough. But now it’s been awhile and it’s going ok. I knew he wasn’t going to get a job. And I really didn’t want him to lose his trailer. So this is how I dealt with it. I started taking him to the V.A. hospital and it didn’t take them long to diagnose him with mental illness. Then I took him to get on general assistance so he could get some cash and food credit every month, because I really couldn’t afford to pay for everything for him. After that I brought him to the social security place to apply for ssi for disable people. He’s still waiting to see if he’s getting that. I give him rides to the store and his appointments. I do allot, but it’s not like I’m doing so much that I’m getting pissed about it. I’m over that, now it’s just like I do what I do.
I do promise to start writing in here more. I’ll tell of how my surgery went right away also.
(13 Cat Treatss | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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Friday, September 13th, 2002
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3:25 pm
Well lets see, what did I do with my week. I don’t even remember what I did Monday so it must have been nothing. On Tuesday I picked up Jeremiah from school and we went to Como Park and had a picnic. My mom works right by there so she meet up with us when she got off of work. Jeremiah went with her to the post office while I stopped by my dads to bring him to the grocery store. Then went to my moms to get Jeremiah and went swimming. Wednesday. 9/11. What a day, huh? My dad had a doctor apt at the V.A. so that’s where I was. Thursday I just cleaned up a little then when Jeremiah got home we went to my moms and went swimming. And now today is Friday! I wanted to go to the Mall of America today but I forgot that I took a day off last week and so my check is short. I was going to get some shoes but I’ll wait till next week.
(1 Cat Treats | Beggin 4 Cat Treat)
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