No kittens

I wasn't able to get the kittens today because the vet tech is concerned about their eating and wanted to take them home to watch them. I totally understand but was a little sad I didn't get to bring the darlings home. Oh well. I know Simon is not upset about it :).

Just got back from registering for the White Rock 5-Relay Run in Dec. I will be running on a team called "Jo's Team" -- in memory of several people at the church who have been lost to cancer. (South MacArthur Church of Christ -- where I went to church growing up.). I am really looking forward to it! It is 7 weeks away, so I will be starting to hit the training hard. Now, it is only 5 miles, but for a gal who has only run 2 5ks, it will be a challenge to get to 5 miles (with a good time!). I will post training updates as I go along. That will also be helpful in keeping me accountable. (And I HAVE to run it. They are counting on me -- it is a 5 person team, not just my lone self. That will definitely keep me accountable!)

That is about all. I am now watching "A Haunting in Connecticut". To get the full effect, I am guessing I need to log off the computer!

Tuesday!

I only got 5 hours of sleep last night. And the 5 hours was only because I over slept and woke up at 7!. Oops....... I went to visit with friends, then got home and finished watching "Drag Me to Hell". Awful movie. I don't know why I even finished it. Seriously, it was so predictable and badly acted. Not my favorite "scary movie". I put scary in quotes because it was not. Don't waste your time. "A Haunting in Connecticut" is on it's way to me now (it's Halloween time. I love scary movies at Halloween!). "The Unborn" was actually pretty good. It was predictable at times too, however it kept up the creep factor and the ending actually got me. I also got done with "Transformers 2". Not a scary movie but I really wanted to see it! While it was disappointing story and acting wise (really, not a shocker....), I loved the special effects. It was way too long, but for what it was, it was okay.

So, I just got an email from the shelter volunteer lady that Brooke has a URI :(. Not good. Poor baby. They have her on antibiotics and I plan to visit her soon to give some TLC. Actually, I am visiting REALLY soon because they have kittens! 3-6 week old babies that need a place to live for about 2 to 3 weeks. I loved having Jasper and Edward around and I think rotating kittens in will be okay. They already are eating solid food -- they just need a place to live so they can thrive and be less likely to get an illness. And I figured since I wasn't actually involved in their birth, I have less emotional involvement with them. I will play, socialize and then send them to their forever homes. I know that is why I was so attached to Jasper and Edward -- I was there from the very, very beginning!

In other news, I have agreed to do the Dallas White Rock Marathon - 5 person Relay. I have a 5 mile stretch so I will be training for that. It is gorgeous outside today so I am thinking it will be a run outside day. (It was "run inside day" yesterday). Funny how I always said that the only way you'd get me to run was to chase me with a machete...... :).

Okay, time to finish up work! Everyone have a great Tuesday.

Weekend Wrap-up

I guess you can't really wrap-up the weekend when it isn't officially over, but I am going to do so anyway. The Halloween party last night was a blast. I will have to download pictures and post them. The Higginbotham party is always a blast and last night was no exception. I ate way too much and need to go for a long run to make up for it. I will do that in a few hours.

I took Brooke back to the shelter today. It was sad but it was the right thing to do. I needed to get back to a 2 cat household. She has a cold too so they can look after it and take care of it. I will be going back on weekends to visit her - I am sure she will be okay. I did find out that Jasper and Edward got adopted so yay them! I don't have any info on the families that took them but I know that they will be in good hands.

I am going to watch a scary movie and then go for a run before I get ready for bed. My asthma has been acting up this past week so working out has been hard. I went to the doctor on Friday and now have to take prednisone to get my system cleared back up. It's a necessary evil. I am back on the inhalers and I am feeling much better!

Oh and one of the biggest surprises this weekend was A&M beating Tech!!!! And it was a nice little whooping. I wasn't expecting it and I was very happy. Giddy, actually :). I guess the team was mad enough about the butt whiping last weekend.

Happy Sunday!

Halloween party tonight

I am so excited. Seriously, I love Halloween. This is the annual Higginbotham Halloween party -- which used to be at Taylor's brother's house. Since the brother and family moved to Southlake, the party is now at Taylor's house. I finally found the costume and it is super cute! I love it - I am going as Mother Nature. I wasn't inspired for anything until Wednesday. Last night, a group went to Taylor's house to carve pumpkins. I haven't carved pumpkins in forever! It was a lot of fun. I need to find a picture of it and post it. It was a messy, messy time, but I had a blast. :). It was totally a trace job but I think it turned out well. And no, I didn't cut any limbs off....... And next week, I will have to find someplace to go so I can wear the costume again!

Okay, time to run. Simon's turn for the vet. It is just for shots -- he is perfectly fine. Actually, he is back to running around the house like he is on the nip. Opening cabinets and screaming like a banchee......(yes, he opens my kitchen cabinets)

Happy Saturday!!!

HI!

Poking head in, waves!!!

This weekend was awesome. I ran the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure Saturday morning. Mom, Jen and her hubby Dave were there too. It was fantastic and I loved it -- it was crazy though. Thousands of people. The energy was great and I did better than my first 5K -- official time was 41:31. That is the goal though -- to do better than the race before. I am trying to find my next race. I think the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. I am not sure yet. That will be another crazy, crazy time. I am thinking a smaller race would do me some good too!

Saturday night I had dinner at Stephen Pyles in Downtown Dallas with some friends of mine. That place was very nice and dinner was great (okay, wasn't too keen on the clams, but everything else rocked my world.) It was a nice evening out and something I don't do too often. :)

Okay, I guess it's time to get back to work. Brooke was spayed last week, still kind of a brat but she just spends time on her own in my room or her room. There isn't as much chasing the other two around the house. I guess I need to give her back to the shelter soon so she can be put up for adoption. I need to check on Jasper and Edward and see if anybody has inquired about adopting them. I didn't have a chance to run to the PetsMart to see them this past weekend. :(. Sierra has a cold (or allergies. Apparently they are bad for animals these days too). Poor thing is sneezing. But she is eating normally and all together okay, so I really don't want to take her back to the vet.

Later all!

Monday... bleh

Yep, I like the word "bleh". Deal :).

The babies are now at PetsMart. Yes I did cry when I left them. But, I know they will have great new homes soon AND that the people I left them with love cats as much as I do. Volunteers go in and make sure they are fed and played with and truthfully, it might be good for Edward and Jasper to have exposure to more humans than they'd have at my place. When I left, two teen boys were taking care of them and fawning over them. They just were so scared when I left. I will stop by this week to say hi and make sure they are okay.

Brooke seems to be doing okay. She is still a brat around Simon and Sierra. If she keeps hissing and chasing them, then I will have to recommend she only goes to a house without other pets. She is super sweet with me -- very cuddly. I will get her spaying done soon and hopefully that will chill her out more. I keep telling her she is a guest in the house but she really doesn't listen. Sigh...

Other than that, I am doing well. I have the Aids life walk coming up on the 11th. I am not sure I am ready for that one just yet. The Race for the Cure is coming up after that on Oct. 17th. This will be the week of running and getting my body back into the groove. With the dreary weather, I truthfully just want to veg and not workout. I need to quickly get over that!

Okay, time to find something for lunch. I am thinking a quick trip to Urban Market for the salad bar. For a dreary day, it has gone by rather quickly. Usually these days drag. But a good walk in the cool air will wake me up! Later!

So little time....

I went to take Edward and Jasper for their shots on Sunday and was informed they looked great (of course!) and were ready for adoption. Wow! I knew at 8 weeks they'd be ready, but I wasn't ready for the speed at which it got here! They have grown so much and it has been a joy to see their antics. They are funny little guys. And Brooke is such a good mommy. So, I have to take them on Saturday to the PetsMart at Inwood and Forest. They will have a little cage set up (the cage part makes me sad. They are used to their own room now!). I know it will be temporary. Some wonderful person/family will come and adopt them and give them their forever home. I am just enjoying the time I have left with them! Despite all the tears (RIP Bella) and frustration, I would do it again. It was a great experience :). Now what I am going to do with Brooke is up in the air. I will keep her until at least after her spaying. After that, I have no idea. There is no love lost between her and the permanent 2, however I really hate to drop her back to the shelter. We will see. Hey, she might even have a better chance of being seen and getting adopted at the shelter. I will talk to the lady on Saturday when I drop off the babies. At the very least, I make a weekly trip to the shelter to visit her.

Other than that, things are pretty status quo. Work is busy, which is good. It makes the week go quicker. I haven't really gone out much but that is okay. I am catching up on all my DVR stuff :). I have added a new show to my must see list -- "Flash Forward". I saw the premiere and was impressed. The premise is very interesting and I have high hopes. It is in the sci fi genre, which I usually don't get into, but I really do like it. I hope it lasts!

Update

Okay, I thought it had been longer since I posted last, but it was only Thursday! Here is what is going on now:

1) Britney rocked it Friday night! She looked great and it was a wonderful show. The person Dawn bought the tickets from won them from a local radio station. We initially thought we were on the 3rd floor, but we were promptly relocated to the 1st floor! We had great seats.

2) I have officially signed up for the "Race for the Cure". I am making a team with Jen and whoever else wants to join. That run is Oct 17.

3) I am also registered for the "Life Walk" on Oct 11. That benefits AIDS charities across the Dallas area.

4) The kittens are 7 weeks old yesterday! It is hard to believe how big they have gotten. They are also showing more personality. Very cute babies :).

5) Work is going okay. I have re-focused myself and am working on my re-cert credits for my PHR. That test was hard -- it would be stupid to let it lapse. My OSH 511 course last month actually counts some hours, which is great. That is 28 hours taken care of for now -- all under "Safety and Health".

6) I am tired. The weather is making me sleepy girl. I'd much rather go home and get in bed. However, I need to work out and then I will head to my bed. I've been slacking in the weight loss contest and I need to step it up.

Okay that is most everything in a nut shell. Everyone have a great Tuesday afternoon :).

Sun???

I am tired and have lost all track of what day it is -- seriously. I was out Tuesday for a seminar and Wednesday I was just off work. I really don't know what day it is supposed to feel like!! I want Friday to get here quickly so I can reset my body clock and get back on track.

My Aunt Gail and Cousin Ryn drove thru Dallas on a mass journey from Boston -- where Ryn was living -- back to Cali. She is making the move home. It was a lot of fun having her here. Yesterday was spent celebrating Mom's birthday (Happy Belated blog birthday wish :)). Has anyone ever been to the Twisted Root?? It is in Deep Ellum and very good! They have yummy hamburgers, great fried pickles and homemade root beer. Gail got some pics so once she posts them for all to see, I will take some and put them here. Yes, I had fried pickles. My food choices yesterday were awful and I am feeling it today! But I've been pretty good today and sucking down the water too. I'll fix the damage. But, Twisted Root was worth it. Dad took us on a tour of the DFW area and last night Ryn and I just chilled with her friend Steve. He just moved to Dallas and is a great guy. We have the same love of pop culture and like the same shows. We made Ryn watch "America's Top Model" last night. Well, actually he did since I was off getting our Thai food. I'll let him take the blame for that one :).

So the big news of the weeks is that I am seeing Britney Spears tomorrow night!!! I wanted to see her but didn't get tickets when they first came out. The way it came about was kind of funny. We drove past AA Center, I said "man, I wish I was going to the concert Friday night", we talked about Ms. Spears and then my friend Dawn texted me saying she had a chance to get Britney tickets..... Um, okay that was funny timing! So, yes, I jumped on the chance and plan to have a WONDERFUL time tomorrow night. So, I have to think of the next thing I want the universe to give me :).

Okay, I am going to wrap up here at work, get going home and get some rest. At least before I head out to have dinner with another friend. It is either feast or famine with the after work activities. I am not complaining though. I am having a great week and am very happy with the way today has turned out!

Success!

I ran my first 5K on Saturday and I did better than I thought I would do. Seriously, I was expecting 46-48 minutes...... my official time was 43:15! I was amazed. I think the energy of any group event propels me, so that may have had something to do with it. And the weather -- yes, even the rain - made it successful for me. It was cool and my body was very happy with that.

I ran with Jen and her hubby David (thanks to Jen for posting pics so I could pilfer them :)). They both did awesome! Jen beat her time from her previous 5K and David, well, he beat me :). Next time....... hehe. The next one we are planning is the Susan G. Koman in Oct, however I think I want to fit one more in before that time. I kind of have the bug.... Run On has so many posted that I am sure I can find something! Once we have established our team, I will let everyone know! It was yoga today though. My muscles were still aching this morning! I am not as sore as I thought I'd be, but yes, I do still feel it. (Sierra is now asleep on my yoga mat. That will teach me not to put it up quick enough...)

Other than the 5K, it's been a low key weekend. Friday night I went to visit my friend Natalie and see her new baby. Ally is 7 weeks old now and so adorable. I really didn't want to leave but I had to get up early Saturday morning. Although I got home at 10 and didn't fall asleep until 12:30ish. I made the mistake of turning on the tv and hit the History Channel. They had some very good documentaries about 9/11 and it was very hard to turn it off and relax.

Everyone have a great Sunday!

Kitten pics

I am trying not to go overboard, however seriously, the last batch of pics were just tooooooo cute......

Hiya..... :)

Trying to look innocent.

a couple of pictures

Proof Brooke will let me pet her without killing me..... :). She is starting to get more and more into playing with toys. She is a fun cat -- let me know if you know someone who wants to adopt an adult cat (in about 3 weeks or so)! And I am sure once she is finally spade, she will be even happier.

Okay, I am not sure how clear this will come out. I couldn't get the flash to work correctly. The boys are still on medicine to make sure any infection that Bella might have had is fought in them. It is sticky and messy and I think they are finally over it all. I still have some more to give them and so I am currently employing the "kitty burrito" method to make sure they don't wiggle too much.

I apparently watch too much "Hoarders" on A&E. I have spent the morning cleaning and purging stuff. I found out I hoard tank tops :). I have way too many. Simon tried to help clean the sock drawer and as you can possibly imagine, that didn't go well. He doesn't like organization. :) So the closet is clean, bedroom done and the kitten room is clean (that will always be a work in progress when it comes to purging and organizing.) It is time to go through the magazines, pull what I want to keep and get those puppies to the recycling bin! I am pretty sure this will take all weekend (the cleaning, not the purging of magazines!).

This weekend is just made for chilling, cleaning and possibly hanging out by the pool. I really wouldn't care if it rained all weekend though. Everyone have a great Saturday!

One Month Olds

Edward and Jasper are a month old today! Really hard to believe they came into the world 4 weeks ago. I took them to the shelter on Saturday to make sure they were healthy. Their temperature was low (a normal cat's temp is 101, they were around 97/98). Since they are still active and eating, I had medicine to take home to ward off any infection. Okay, I thought giving Sierra medicine was hard. These two will not open their mouth for anything and once they do, the liquid is soooo messy. I think i will try to get a picture of the aftermath tonight. I swear, they really are little kids. Messy eaters, all over the place, they don't listen to their mother. Edward is all about climbing -- climbing me that is! It is nice though -- he is not scared of humans (okay, well I probably don't count since I am the human who takes care of him and he is used to me) and he just loves me. I let him and Jasper climb as much as they want. Don't worry, I will be able to give them up when the time comes! I am starting them on the litter pan (a shoe box lid so they can get into it). It is all going well. I do miss Bella but I have my pictures to remember her by. By the way, if you know of someone looking to adopt a kitten (or cat -- Brooke is super sweet!), let me know. I can't just give the babies away since the shelter has adoption procedures, but I am sure they would love to have a family all lined up for these adorable little ones.

The weekend was pretty good. Very low key -- it seemed like I ate a lot but I also worked out so it didn't matter! I need to up my mileage for my competition -- I didn't do very well this week. I plan to get in some miles tonight. It is nice outside and I can jog without feeling completely overwhelmed with humidity.

Okay, Monday is almost over! Time to pack up and get ready to head home. Later!

Bye Bye Bella

I came home today and my baby Bella was not doing well. Now little Bella is walking on the Rainbow Bridge with Jen's Cleo. Rest in peace my sweet pea. She was still hanging on as I was driving to meet the shelter lady but passed on before I got there. I was with her when she took her last breath. I guess I can take comfort in that -- she didn't pass while I was at work. I can't really write much more but I came home from meeting the shelter lady and started to spoil the other two a little more. I think their future forever home will have a lot to live up to in their eyes. And I will spoil them more and more while I have them. Brooke seemed a little disconcerted but she seems fine now. I guess having two active 3 week old kittens who are now completely roaming the room keeps her occupied. I have started feeding them soft kitten food so that made me laugh when I really needed it.

Allergies are killing me!!!

I can't breath and it's annoying. I am back to Zyrtec D and it seems to be doing the trick. Before you go blaming my allergies on the fact that I have 6 cats, please keep in mind that I am allergic to EVERYTHING. Grass, dust, trees, mold...... doesn't matter. The cats make me happy so they are staying (well, you know what I mean. Brooke and the babies are on a temporary stop in the grand journey of their life). Edward is seriously a talker. I think he might talk more than Simon, if you can believe it! And he loves to run. He has the biggest paws and along with his 6 toes, he is just too cute trying to get around. He also loves to climb up my leg so I need to remember to keep it protected from the tiny claws. Now we have to get Bella some weight and Sierra a diet (poor girl, she has kind of gained some. Yep, I am researching cat diets.)

Today hasn't been that bad. I had a report that seriously made no sense. When I added the data, the formula amount just didn't add up to me. I called the lady who made the spreadsheet and it turns out she just needed 2 numbers and not the spreadsheet filled in. Good for me! Apparently the spreadsheet confused the other regions too.......... Glad I wasn't the only one. I've been productive all day -- now I need to regroup and figure out what needs to be done!

Later!

Monday

Okay, so it hasn't been that bad of a Monday. I have been productive and it is zooming by quickly. It has been busy and I still have two more reports to work on. One requires the managers to pay attention so I might be beating a few up soon.

Today, the kittens are 3 weeks old! Very hard to believe. I have some pictures that I will post either tonight or tomorrow. They are all very active and now starting to explore the world (well, the second bedroom). We had several visitors this week to see the kittens and Brooke did very well. No aggression, no hissing. I think she is to the point where she is relieved someone else is entertaining the little ones, not just her. Bella is still too tiny but apparently I am the only one concerned so I will just let it go. :). Edward and Jasper certainly don't care as they tackle her and sit on her head.

Now, so that everyone will not think that I have turned into the crazy cat lady, I will share other events in my world. As most of you know, I am in the a weight loss contest with my two aunts, uncle and two cousins (Katie and Kelsey) from CA. Every pound lost is 1 point and for every 10 miles you walk/bike/run/move forward, you get .5 point. I truthfully have no idea where I am on the point scale at this time. I probably should have been tabulating my own results. Oh well. This week was one lb lost and 10 miles. I have decided on the weekends, I am going to get up and run/walk at White Rock lake. By the time it cools off at night for me to workout outside, it is too late to safely workout at that lake. It is something different and a work out goes much quicker around a lake than on a treadmill (or elliptical or stationary bike). I still will go around the Village "lake" in the evenings, but that route gets very boring. Plus its only 2 miles. Mentally, it just works for me to hit up White Rock lake.

So, back to the grind. Everyone have a great Monday!

Even more pictures

I have been in a class and will be until Thursday afternoon. It is an OSHA Standards for General Industries. So far it has been interesting, and I really should have taken this class 3 years ago when I started :).
And now the fun part. The babies are now 2 weeks old and are pretty mobile. They are still walking like little drunks, but getting much better. :)




Edward. Poor thing still looks like an alien. He is very sweet and lovable :).















Jasper. Look at that sweet little face!









Bella -- just way too tiny for my comfort however she is active, trying to walk like the other two and does eat. I am going to see about taking her to the vet this weekend just to check her out. It would just make me feel better!

Update and Pics

The kittens are doing well. Bella is still very tiny so I am going to hit up Petsmart later today for some formula to supplement her feedings. I have seen her eat so I know it is happening. I would just feel better if she had a little more meat on her bones!

The weekend has been good so far. The plans tonight are to go dancing and that will be a lot of fun. Two weekends in a row! Yay! I am working through my NCIS DVR recordings this morning (after my workout, of course) although I really do need to get some cleaning done.

Now, onto the pictures......

Kitten Pile!

Proof that Brooke will try to get into any picture I try to get of the kittens.....

Jasper!!!!

Baby Pictures

Edward and Bella (Edward is on top). His eyes are opening and it is so adorable. They do a lot of this -- crawling all over each other!

I do apologize that this pic isn't too clear. Wiggly kitties make for less than perfect pictures :). Below is Edward and his opening eyes. Jasper is opening his as well. I am guessing Bella's will be wide open soon too.