Happy Thanksgiving

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A Story

This morning, dear reader(s?), I have a story to share with you.

It was told to me by a co-worker, and its pretty much the best story I have ever heard. I wish i knew the woman it happened to personally, because that would just make the story that much better.

Back in college, this lady had some sort of huge, non-venemous, snake. A Boa, Anaconda, etc. It's not important, whats important is that this lady had this huge, multiple foot long snake, and she slept with it in her bed every night. Yes, let me repeat that, she slept with this giant snake in her BED. They had established quite the routine, the snake would sleep curled up on the other half of her bed and they did this every night.

Suddenly, the snake started acting weird. It stopped eating, and even stranger, was that instead of sleeping all curled up, the snake started sleeping all straight and streched out in her bed.

The lady got concerned, so after a few days of this, she brought her snake into the vet.

And the vet told her, "Oh, its normal, the snake is just getting himself ready for a big meal."

Yep, that's right folks, the SNAKE WAS GOING TO TRY AND EAT HER. hahahahahah. Can you imagine waking up and like, your arm being down a snake?

Best. Story. Ever.

we all scream for ice cream

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Today was a good day

It takes so little to make me happy these days.....but its the little things that count, right?

A girl from work was nice enough to swap shifts with me so G and I could actually spend a day together. I had big plans but ended up taking a nap in the middle of the day which made the day less productive than it should have been. But we still had a good day....quick trip to Target for a sifter (project....details later), and we ate at La Casita and had some sweet half priced margaritas and then went to our fav ice cream shop for pints because they were on sale. Just what my diet needed.

But the best thing about my day was that Adso ate like a champ! I hope I'm not jinxing anything by saying it, but dang it makes me so happy! It is so funny looking back on how he used to be, I never thought I would literally clap when he ate or pooped. It used to be I would feed him twice a day, at the same times and it was gone, literally, within two mins. And he was a super pooper, I could have set a clock by it.

Now, its a cause for national celebration when he even eats half his food in a whole day. And I get relieved when he poops because I figure when half your intestines are in your lung cavity, it probably doesn't help matters if they are um.....full.

So yes, this is how exciting my life is, I call my mom and tell her when he ate well, and text G at work when he poops.

It's all about the little things.

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Overseeing

Adso is helping Papa do his work tonight. Poor guy is putting in 11 to 12 hour days and still has to come home and do paperwork. On the floor, apparently. But luckily he has a furry friend to help.

Even though it was my day off and I didn't have cable all day (grrrrr), today was a good day. Adso had lots of energy, ate some, and didn't have a breathing episode. Knock on wood. He has to be by himself all day tomorrow so let's hope....hope.....

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Rudolph Love

Alright, Alright....I know I'm 27 years old, but if you know me at all, you know about my love for all things Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. You know, the amazing 1964 version we all loved with Burl Ives?! I have to make myself wait until Thanksgiving every year, otherwise I would probably break out the DVD when the first snow flies.

The point is, I'm like an 80 year old woman with her rooster collection when it comes to Rudolph. So you had better believe I kinda freaked out when I saw Build A Bear's 2010 special---RUDOLPH AND CLARICE. Um, yeah. I wish I had a kid to blame the fact that I desperately want to go make one on. But I don't....do I need stuffed animals? probably not. BUT I WANT (are you reading this honey?).

What else? Well, I have to say that some of my favorite Rudolph things (and thankfully adult) are these Jim Shore Rudolph figurines. My mom stumbled across a Rudolph one a few years ago, and knowing my love but also desperate for something that wasn't plastic and for 5 year olds, bought me one and I've loved it ever sense. I have a few now, my mom typically buys me one every Christmas, and I know they'll be something I will have for a long time. I can't wait to have a house and a mantle to put them on some day.

we got hit hard

We got 7" and counting of snow so far. Thanks for easing us into it....holy crap. I couldn't get out of the parking lot this am, it took me 20 minutes to get to work when it normally takes 3. I had to go the log way with no hills.

Hello winter....it would have been nicer to see u if I didn't have to drive anywhere.

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Shutterfly!

I know Shutterfly is one of the go-to places when it comes to photobooks, Holiday Cards, Christmas Cards, and ESPECIALLY their Photo Christmas Cards. Who doesn't love to see what friends' kids look like when you don't see them often? Or the adorable photo of the family pet....that one may be just me.



We used Shutterfly last year for our photo card, and absolutely loved them. They came so quickly, and it was so easy to upload our pictures. We recieved lots of compliments last year, due to the amazing design of the card and how they aren't just like everyone elses (don't you hate that!?). Last year Adso graced our card, and now with his health, we are hoping to do it again this year. Don't you think his little furry face would look great on this card? I love how bold their designs are, they really stand out, like in this card.



I don't know how I'm going to decide which design to use this year...there are so many options and so many choices, and they are all SO COOL. Take a peruse though them, and help me decide....because I'm going to need the help!







Are you a blogger? Bloggers Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… learn more: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Dum Spiro Spero

but some days I don't know how much longer either of us can do this. I love you Adso. All my love. All my life.

What Not to Do at the Zoo

I have many pet peeves in life. However, my time working at the zoo has exacerbated this problem. A lot. And I have been mentally compiling a list of these things, and here I am to share them with you.

1) When I hold the door for you? Yeah, its not actually my job. I'm just being nice. While I don't expect a big giant THANK YOU, eye contact and a smile is greatly appreciated. Please aknowledge that I didn't let the door hit you, or your screaming child, in the face, even though I wanted to let it.

2) Snapping your fingers and/or whistling at me IS NOT OKAY. I swear to God the next person who does this will be risking their life. In what planet is this ok? Getting my attention a different way is HIGHLY recommended.

3) PARK YOUR STROLLERS SOMEWHERE ELSE. Or, better yet make your chubby 5 yeard old WALK and leave the damned thing at home. Strollers are the bane of my existence. I do not understand how parents seem to think they are the only people who utilize a door/room/walkway. Sure, park your double-wide 50 foot long stroller right in front of the handicap elevator...its not a problem. I'm sure the handicapped guy who wants to see the Polar Bears won't mind waiting because you were too lazy and/or inconsiderate to park your damned stroller elsewhere.

I won't even get into the time the lady turned in front of me and hit me with her stroller and goes "its ok, it probably happens all the time" to her husband and didn't apologize.

4) Teenagers. Enough said. Almost. Today, 4 of them jumped the fence by the polar bears and had their face plastered against the fence and I cannot tell you how badly I wanted the bear to come over and try and eat them. Just sayin'

5) People who don't know how to get home and come at close to ask for directions. HOW DID YOU GET HERE THEN? you just magically found your way?!?!? Holy crap. Same with those who leave the house, get halfway here and then call and ask how to get to the zoo. Are you serious? I mean, you looked up the phone number somehow. Maybe you should have used those skills to be an adult and find your own damned directions.

Ok...I feel better. Until tomorrow.

Book Review

Remember when I posted about raiding my Dad's bookstore and hoping for some gems? Well I just finished my first one (at 1 am this morning). The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy was everything a book based on the Holocaust should be....stirring, moving, sad, but gives hope at the same time. It demonstrated the power of the Human Spirit perfectly.

As you can tell from the title, it is loosely based on the fairy tale about Hansel and Gretel and the witch in the woods, but it breaks stereo types of witches and step mothers, all while set in Poland against the backdrop of the Holocaust. Two Jewish children, a girl of 11 and her seven-year-old brother, are left to wander the woods after their father and stepmother are forced to abandon them, frantically begging them never to say their Jewish names, but to identify themselves as Hansel and Gretel.

Its definately a reccomended reading, but don't expect anything easy to read. Its amazingly well-written, I couldn't put it down.

Birthday Partayyy

My birthday was last Friday, I turned the big 2-7. I seriously cannot believe that's like....late 20's. Rounding the corner to 30 quicker than I ever thought. Remember how when you're 16 you think 21 is so grown up, then you hit 21 and realize that it's not really....but you kind of expect yourself to have all your shit together by the time you finish college? And then you finish college, decide to go to law school and put your life on hold for another 3 years? Well, that part is maybe just me. But you realize that 27 doesn't feel that grown up either.

But I'm SO READY. To have a house, a dog, a baby, a real job (soon?). But damn, if I'm not unmotivated...it was a hell of a summer and fall, what with the first half spent studying and the second half spent dealing with my cat trying to die every month (literally). I'm just..burned out.

Oh, but this post was about my birthday, right? it wasn't too exciting, but did have a couple highlights.

Thursday morning I met one of my best friends and her adorable little boys for breakfast/brunch. I am so blessed to have her in my life, I never would have thought 10 years ago that we would be such good friends, but I'm so thankful. She even surpised me (i mean REALLY suprised me) with the 2011 Kurt Halsey calendar. Amazing much?

That night, my mom made the meal I picked out (roast beef, my favorite potatoes, cheesy olive bread and apple crisp) and my grandparents came over for dinner. Its a blessing to have them come, my grandma just had a (mild) stroke a couple weeks ago and I'm so thankful she's such a fighter and has kept her spirits up. I wasn't expecting anything besides dinner, because my cat being alive (thanks, Mom) was my birthday and Christmas presents....but my parents did suprise me with a Kurt Halsey print, The Ocean is a Forest (do you sense a theme here?) which I cant wait to have a home-office to put it in someday.

Came back Friday night to celebrate with G, and we just went to The Olive Garden and opened a couple things, I did get the new Ken Follet book which I can't wait to start!

So thanks to everyone who helped make my birthday so special :)

There is nothing on earth that looks this content

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my heart

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Here comes Peter Cotton.....kitty?

I brought Adso back to my parents with me when I went home for my birthday for two reasons: 1) so I could bring him in to the vet for xrays and 2) because his breathing was getting worse I didn't like the thought of him being here for 10+ hours by himself when someone could be watching him. So back we went in the car (which he doesn't mind--more on that later), but his vet appointment was at 3 Wednesday.

I didn't want to be late, so we left plenty early and of course got to town plenty early because there is never bad traffic when you give yourself plenty of time (can I use plenty one more time in a sentence?). So I stopped at my Dad's bookstore to kill a few minutes and because main street is so loud I brought Adso in with me, in his crate.

Some young-ish guy, around 30 probably, asked me what was in there. I told him and said he was going to the vet. He goes, "I have a ginger cat too....he's been to the vet a lot."

THEN the whole story starts coming out. His cat got hit by a car a while ago, and had pins put in its hip and some joint thing (I'm not a vet, whatever). Then, after this poor cat goes through all this, the guy still keeps it outside, where it gets into a big fight with another cat, screws up its newly-fixed leg, and then HAS TO HAVE THE LEG AMPUTATED.

I couldn't help myself at this point, I just had to say, "Maybe you should keep your cat inside." He responds, "No, that's cruel."

It took every. single. fiber. of. my. being. to not respond "Cruel? CRUEL?! Pretty sure between being inside and HAVING ITS LEG AMPUTATED your cat would pick being inside."

Just sayin'.

But it gets better. Then, as he's walking out the door he says that he's.....wait for it....on the way to the TAXIDERMIST because he had his cat's leg made into a key chain, "you know, like a lucky rabbits foot."

You can't make this shit up. SERIOUSLY. I almost asked him to give that poor cat to me. 4 days later I'm still shocked and horrified.

It's what he does best

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books, books, books

Found a jackpot in my dad's store today. I am hoping at least one book in the pile I found is one of those 'can't-put-it-down-stay-up-until-2am-reading' kinds of books, because I haven't read anything in months that I have absolutely loved. Which is really disappointing considering I have guilt-free time to read for the first time in 3 years.

My dad doesn't understand how in a store with 30,000 books I can find nothing sometimes....but its true. I can.

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the challenge

That's what's up.

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hello, handsome

Trip to the vet went about how I expected it...not good news, but not terrible (read: could be worse). Moral of the story is that we need to enjoy and appreciate every day with him because he isn't going to be a cat that lives to 18.

I promised him if he was good he could go outside.....he was, so we did.

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To Grandmother's House we go...

Adso and I are heading back to my parents today for a couple days for my birthday....and to do the mountain of laundry, get an oil change, and take Ads for xrays because his breathing is getting wonkier.....I am hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

The grandparents are coming for dinner tomorrow, I requested roast beef, my favorite potatoes and my favorite olive cheese bread. Can't wait!

I am also hoping its not tooooooo cold out, so Adso can go out....assuming he gets the ok from the vet. He loves being out at my parents because he can be off the harness. We will see but the days before snow are ticking down, we all know it.

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leopard lovin'

Ghengis and Kumari (btw my phone's auto correct suggests 'lunatic' for that one) were loving each other this am at the zoo. It was totes adorbs.

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It's voting day!

And I skipped biking this am and went and voted, so I could proudly wear my sticker to work today.

Akward moment of the day goes to a coworker who walked up to me and just asked me who I voted for. Wtf is that?!

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This is how we do it....

Around here, Mondays consist of Real Housewives of Atlanta, and sharing the couch with a little guy who takes up a whole lotta room. Poor Greg can't even catch game 5 of the world series. Sorry dear, Adso needs his Nene fix.

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What's an "Adso"?!?

So, way back many years ago before I went to law school and actually had time to read, my favorite books were (and still are) the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. In her fifth book, The Fiery Cross the main characters, Jamie and Claire, adopt a kitten, who Jamie names Adso. And for almost 10 years I knew that would be the name of my first cat.

Excerpt from TFC:
“What do you think I should call him?” I mused aloud, touching the tip of the soft, wispy tail. “Spot? Puff? Cloudy?”

“Foolish names,” Jamie said, with a lazy tolerance. “Is that what ye were wont to call your pussie-baudrons in Boston, then? Or England?”

“No, I’ve never had a cat before,” I admitted. “Frank was allergic to them – they made him sneeze. And what’s a good Scottish cat name, then – Diarmuid? MacGillivray?”He snorted, then laughed.

“Adso,” He said positively. “Call him Adso.”

“What sort of name is that?” I demanded, twisting to look back at him in amazement “I’ve heard a good many peculiar Scottish names, but that’s a new one.”
He rested his chin comfortably on my shoulder, watching the kitten sleep.
“My mother had a wee cat named Adso,” he said, surprisingly. “A gray cheetie, verra much like this one.”

“Did she?” I laid a hand on his leg. He rarely spoke of his mother, who died when he was eight.

“Aye, she did. A rare mouser, and that fond of my mother, he didna have much use for us bairns.” He smiled in memory. “Possibly because Jenny dressed him in baby gowns and fed him rusks, and I dropped him into the millpond, to see could he swim. He could, by the way,” he informed me, “but he didna like to.”

“I can’t say I blame him,” I said, amused. “Why was he called Adso, though? Is it a saint’s name?” I was used to the peculiar names of Celtic saints, from Aodh – pronounced OOH – to Dervorgilla, but hadn’t heard of Saint Adso before. Probably the patron saint of mice.

“Not a saint,” he corrected. “A monk. My mother was verra learned – she was educated at Leoch, ye ken, along with Colum and Dougal, and could read Greek and Latin, and a bit of Hebrew as well as French and German. She didna have so much opportunity for reading at Lallybroch, of course, but my father would take pains to have books fetched for her, from Edinburgh and Paris.”

He reached across my body to touch a silky, translucent ear, and the kitten twitched its whiskers, screwing up its face as though about to sneeze, but didn’t open its eyes. The purr continued unabated.

“One of the books she liked was written by an Austrian, from the city of Melk, so she thought it a verra suitable name for the kit.”

“Suitable . . . ?”

“Aye,” he said, nodding toward the empty dish, without the slightest twitch of lip or eyelid. “Adso of Milk.”

A slit of green showed as one eye opened, as though in response to the name. Then it closed again, and the purring resumed.

“Well, if he doesn’t mind, I suppose I don’t,” I said, resigned. “Adso it is.”

Diana came to Roseville when her new book came out, and aside from the 2 books I got signed, I also had her sign a copy of a picture.....she wrote in the gaelic on it, and signed it, and it sits prominently on my end table, one of my most favorite possessions.

Now, if someone had just warned me that little kids attempting to pronounce it sounds like something else entirely......"Assho?!?"

I have decided to just go with it...

So, this is blogging attempt round....4,383....approximately. I have been toying with the idea of trying again, but then I would think about how I never have anything to post about. Then, I realized that since everyone thinks I'm the crazy cat lady anyways, I should embrace it and start a blog around my favorite topic...my orange tabby, Adso. Ultimately this blog isn't solely about him, but I figure this way there won't be any suprises for anyone when Adso's antics pop up time and time again.