My friend Jen just posted this on her bulletin.  I hate bulletins, so I'm going to blog it instead.

If I were a doll, the accessories packaged with me would be:
My iPod, my camera, a book, a pad of paper and a pen.

I have an irrational fear of:
crickets

What type of food do you eat at your grandparent's house?
Pot Roast and mashed potatoes

What did you do yesterday?
went to Costco, grocery store, pet store for dog food, another pet store for snake food, and then went to dinner with Tom and Ann, Chip and Jen. 

What would you do if you were stranded on an island with the person you hate?
Try to think of ways to annoy them to amuse myself

Do you stalk anyone on myspace?
no.  sadly there's just not enough time in the day 

I find the thought of childbirth:
very scary

Next door to my house is:
loud, obnoxious neighbors who beat their dog.

Why is your number one myspace friend your number one?
Because I am married to him, he's my best friend and he puts up with me on a daily basis.  See right now I am supposed to be doing laundry while he cooks dinner, but no, I'm up here writing a blog. 

Know how to cook?
No. Do it much? no.

I am annoyed with:
The HR department

What was the last thing to make you cry?
my Grandmother died.

What are the stems on wine glasses?
glass?  huh?

My favorite shoes are?
my leopard print Doc Martens

Can you use chopsticks?
No.

Do you prefer beaches or forests?
Both.  Foresty beaches!

What serial killer do you find most disturbing?
any of them that eat people. 

Who knows a secret or two about you?
Lots of people.

Have you ever burned yourself?
Yep

Who is probably talking a load of crap about you right now?
Not sure.  Probably no one.  I've been flying under the radar lately.

Who is your hero?
anyone who isn't afraid to live their dreams 

Where is your brother right now?
in Utah.

Do you believe in things that last forever?
yes

What are you listening to?
the hum of my computer

What do you smell like right now?
popcorn butter

If i look in your glovebox right now, what will i find?
paperwork for my truck, pens, spare tampons, old caseless cds

What jewelry are you wearing?
wedding ring, promise ring, high school class ring, two other rings, earrings

What is something your friends make fun of you for:
being a nerd?  I don't know.

When was the last time you saw the second person on your top?
Who Kris?  Just saw her in April. 

What is in your pocket right now?
lint

Where was your default picture taken?
In my downstairs bathroom. 

Who do you know that is in jail?
I had a cousin in jail, but he's out now I think.

Something irritating about your living situation:
I don't like this house.  I want a bigger but cheaper one with a better layout.

Where are you right now?
At home in the office.

What was the most interesting thing that happened today?
Ken and I went to Barnes and Noble, then to Poulsbo and saw Prince Caspian and Indiana Jones.  Pretty fun.

When was the last time you got blood taken and why?
Employee Health office, June 10, 2007.  For my job.

What were you doing at midnight last night?
watching a movie with Ken

What were you doing 3 hours ago?
sitting in a movie

What's for dinner tonight?
Ken is making burgers.

What was the highlight of your week?
Passed my MCP test, and Ken got a job offer at the hospital.  Wednesday was a good day.

Taken any medicine lately and for what?
Yes, Ibuprofen.  Sore muscles.

Of your friends, whose car do you want?
I love my truck.

Are you spoiled?
Yes, Ken and his mother both spoil me.  I like to think I spoil them right back though.

Do you fake bake?
no. 

What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?
What time is it?  Why is the cat's butt in my face?  Who farted?

Has anyone ever told you you have pretty eyes?
Yes, I think they are my best feature.

What kind of computer do have?
It’s not a particular brand, but the case and the parts were given to me for my birthday a few years ago by Ken and Russ (2004 maybe?)  It is my most prized possession, other than my laptop, my truck, my camera and my iPod, oh and my husband, but I don’t actually possess him, in as much as I didn’t pay for him.  Not monetarily anyway.  Going to stop now.

What have you learned today?
I am a fairly good computer tech.  Nice to know after 10 years of school and on the job training. 

Do You Like to Smile?
Usually, unless my teeth are hurting.  Then I like to cry.  Or whine, whichever doesn’t hurt worse.

How Tall Are You?
5’ 7"  I think. That’s what my DL says anyway. 

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
A writer.  Or maybe Barbie.  She drives nice cars and she can do anything. 

What Time Do You Usually Wake Up On the Weekends?
Depends on if I am working.  If I am working, I get up around 5:15-5:45am.  If I am not working, around 9:30am.  Can’t sleep so late anymore.  Feels guilty.

Do You Like Peanut Butter?
Yes, but only on a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich. Otherwise, nah, not so much.

How much did you weigh when you were born?
7lbs, 8 1/2 ounces  or so the plate said before I broke it several years ago.

What brand of body lotion do you use?
The hospital is fragrance free, so when I am at work I have some lightly scented Jergen’s Extra Healing.  At home and on my days off?  Bath and Bodyworks Gardenia or Cucumber Melon, which is Ken’s favorite.

Should country music die?
No, but some the people making country music should.  Toby Keith, I am looking at you.  Dixie Chicks rule.

If you could live in any other country, which one would you pick?
England, Ireland, Scotland.  All three.

Where were you when you heard about the World Trade Towers?
I went over to a friend’s apartment who was carpooling with me to work at the time and he was very upset and I went inside his apartment and saw the TV. 

Are camera phones worth it?
Yeah, for quick shots.  But I prefer my Canon Digital Rebel EOS for everything else.

Are there too many commercials on tv?
Yes, everyone should have a Tivo.

What color are your bed sheets?
Cream colored top sheet and a sage green bottom sheet. 

What would you look for first in choosing a roommate?
Food compatibiltiy.  Don’t live with people who make food you won’t eat or that makes you sick.  Ugh, it’s the worst.  I cannot eat anything with Soy sauce in it because of this.  Just, yech.

Do you ever keep arguing even when you know you’re wrong?
I have before yes.  But felt bad about it.  Not bad enough to stop, but still bad. 

What are the top physical traits you look for in a male/female?
Eyes, shoulders, and lips. 

Do long distance relationships work?
Hard to say.  Depends on the people involved.

Scuba-diving or Skydiving?
Skydiving.  I have bad dreams about drowning and I am afraid of sharks.  Go figure.

Spell your name without an E,R,S,H,K,I,M,A,:
Ty

What are you listening to?
The Frames (from Ireland) on my iPod. 

Is any part of your body sore?
Jaw is sore.

Are you happy with your life right now?
Very.  No place I would rather be.  Well, maybe sitting in the sun in Hawaii...

Are you missing anyone?
My parents, my siblings, my other family.  I miss my friends in California.  I miss my Stoney.

How do you earn money?
I work in a hospital IT Department.  One day I will write Dark Urban Fantasy and get paid lots of money.  That’s the dream anyway.

Are you outgoing?
Nope.  Pretty introverted.   

Where do you wish you were right now?
At home, with my laptop, my dogs, my husband and a bowl of Cookies and Cream ice cream.  Oh, and a good book.

Are you slowly drifting away from someone close to you?
Not that I know of.  Ken and I are closer than ever. 

When was the last time you felt unbearably guilty?
A few weeks ago when Sharon was sick and Ken and I hadn’t gotten around to getting her any health insurance.  So very damned guilty.  Still feel guilty although we are taking care of that now. 

How is life going for you right now?
It’s very good.  I am happier now than I have been in a very long time.  Things are only going to get better.

When was the last time you held someone’s hand?
Friday night, Ken held my hand before we went to sleep. 

Who can you tell everything to?
Kenneth.  (Seeing a pattern here?)

Who was the last person you talked to on AIM?
Probably someone from work on Friday.  I don’t do much IM at home, but at work we are spread out so IM helps us keep in touch. 

Last words you spoke?
"You may have kicked it out and didn’t know it.  It happens."  Said to a nurse down in the ER after I hooked her mouse cord back up for her. 

What is your natural hair color?
Shit brown.  And also grey, but I’m going to color it again soon.

What is the next concert you’re going to?
I don’t have anything planned, but I would love to see John Mayer or The Frames in concert.

Can you play guitar hero?
Not tried.

Do you like someone?
Ken

Do you prefer warm or cold weather?
I like warm weather, with a nice cool breeze.  But I do enjoy Fall.

Who is your last text from?
Heh, it’s from Kris.  She sent me a pic of Andy driving.  Goof.

Who did you last share a bed with?
Kenneth, Chunk, Ra and Sera.  Just like everynight.  Sometimes it is just the pets and I.  Ken snores and he goes and sleeps on the couch. 

Coach Purse or NFL game tickets?
NFL only if I am going to see the Cowboys, otherwise, give me the damn purse.

Do fish have feelings?
I’ll ask one next time I am at the Pikes Place Market. 

What do you currently smell like?
My lunch probably.  Hospital spaghetti and meatballs.  It was actually pretty tasty.  And I spilled some on my pants.  Dammit.

How old do you think you will be when you finally have kids?
Older than I am today.  One day, maybe.

Would you rather watch football or baseball?
Hockey.  Oh, uh, I guess Football.  Baseball is dead boring to watch unless you are actually at the game, and then it’s a crapshoot.

What’s a strange fact about you?
I do things in an even number.  Call it obsessive compulsive disorder, I don’t care.  If I eat candy, especially anything small and colorful, I try to eat them in pairs so both sides of my mouth have something to chew.  I know, give me the white coat now.  I surrender.

Where is your number one person on your friends list?
He’s at home, probably watching a movie while playing WOW or doing his homework.

Do you feel like dancing?
Only if no one is around.  But no, not right now. 

How much money do you have on you?
Some change in my purse.  I don’t carry it at work because if I need anything to eat or drink, they just charge my badge.  It comes in pretty handy.

Do you sleep naked?
No.  There’s this dog that likes to sleep under the blankets and ewww...

Is there someone on your mind that shouldn’t be?
No.

Do you burn easily in the sun?
I didn’t used to, but yes, my face and shoulders will burn if I am out for too long without sunscreen.

Do you speak another language other than English?
Techese.  Very rare dialect, although it changes from state to state

What made you happy today?
I helped someone find where they were going.  This hospital can get confusing so we are encouraged to stop what we are doing when we see someone lost or struggling to find their way.  It has a bigger effect on you than you would think.  And it helps me be a little more outgoing.   

Whats your ringtone?
Brass Monkey by The Beastie Boys.  It reminds me of 8th grade.

Who were the last people you ate lunch with?
Whoever is in the TV Waiting room at the front of the hospital.  I like to hang out there and read during my lunch.  Sounds kind of sad, but I crave solitude during the day since it can get very busy in this office. 

Where did your last hug take place?
Home, yesterday.  I hugged Ken, or he hugged me.  It was a mutual hugging that occurred.

Did you cry today?
No, not today. 

Do people tell you that your pretty a lot?
My husband does, but that’s his job, and he’s really good at it.  When I make a real effort to look nice, I do get compliments, but I don’t always make an effort.

Where were you raised?
Fort Worth, Arlington, South Arlington, Longview, Dallas, TX.  And a few years in Citrus Heights, CA. 

Could you date someone taller than you?
Yes, if I was not already married of course.

When was the last time something bothered you?
Really bothered me, probably Friday afternoon.  I am still bothered by it, but it’s not up to me, so I should just drop it.  But I can’t and I won’t and that’s all there is to say about it.  For now anyway.

What would you do if your ex showed up at your door?
Invite him in for a beer.  Ken wanted to meet him, but not in a bad way, in a nice way.  We talked about that.

Will you be having sex in the next two months?
Yes. 

What do you think of this person you took this from?
My mom.  She’s a very kind and generous lady.  She gave up a lot for her kids and would again if we needed her.  Wish others could know her like I do.  Oh, and she’s also crazy, but that’s okay, we all are at some point.  :)

Where was your default picture taken?
It’s a self portrait I took of myself last May (2007)  The others are not for anyone else to see.  Ever.  Except Ken.  And my hair is different now, longer with some layers. 

What’s the most interesting thing that happened to you today?
I figured out an issue with a Citrix client and a fellow co-worker.  Interesting to me I guess. 

What’s your favorite number?
4.  It goes back to that even number thing.

Are you single?
Nope.  Married for 6 1/2 years, and have been with Ken for 10 years now.  (I know, how did that happen?)

What is your current mood?
Bored kind of.  I have an ulcer on my tongue and I am trying to decide if I want to eat a Kit Kat bar, or wait for ice cream when I get home. 

Last people you hung out with?
Other than Ken and Sharon, probably Tom and Ann.  They are good company. 

What sports do you enjoy playing?
I like to run, or at least I used to.  I just recently found that I am a pretty good bowler. 

Do you have a crazy side?
Yes, but only when someone pisses me off in traffic or on the road.  I can get quite "mouthy" when drunk.  Thanks Russ for coining that phrase about my inebriation level. 

Have you ever had a near death experience?
Yes.  I was almost in a pretty bad car accident.  JT?  Remember that day that lady was stopped in the middle of the road and I actually hit the gas first before slamming on the brakes and spinning us around a few times on the road?  So scary. 

What was the highlight of your week?
Talking to my brother on the phone, hearing his girls in the background.  It snowed yesterday but didn’t stick.  Making some big, life altering decisions.  I bowled a 193 on Monday night. 

Could you date someone who was a bad kisser?
Maybe, if his breath was good.  They can be taught how to kiss.  Oh, and that pesky married thing keeps coming up.  Guess I am glad Ken can kiss well.   

Who would be the first to know if you got someone pregnant/got pregnant?
Ken and Sharon because I live with them.  Then Kris and Mom, Chad and my Dad.  The news can spread from there.  Oh, maybe my boss and friend Chip.  He should probably know too. 

What’s the last thing someone said to you?
"Can you fix this for me?"

Where is your phone?
In my purse, side zipper pocket.

Do you like cuddling?
Yes

Who/what do you hate/dislike currently?
Currently I am not happy with dishonesty.  Really obvious dishonesty with oneself or with the world at large.  It irritates me to read dishonesty when I know the truth.  I really do not like to read things misspelled or really obvious word errors.  I think they make the writer seem naive and uneducated.  Break and Brake, not the same thing.  And I cannot stand abbreviations other than LOL.  I hate the phrase "know what I’m sayin?"  No ass, I don’t know what you are saying, speak English.  Apparently today was not the day to ask me this question.

Have you ever been given an engagement ring?
Yes, two actually.  Same guy.  I am wearnig them both.

Would you ever date a friends ex?
If I wasn’t married, and the friend was okay with it, maybe. 

What is the last thing you thought about?
What Frames album I want for my birthday.

When is your birthday?
April 2   Wednesday. I will be 35.  How is that possible?  I feel 25. 

How do you feel about your hair right now?
Today it looks like crap, pulled back in a ponytail.  No one is here on the weekends so I don’t try too hard to make it look nice.  But I did get a great haircut a few weeks ago and I like the length. 

What do you miss most about the past?
Sometimes I miss that new relationship feeling.  The feeling you get when the relationship is new and the other person likes you and you like them and it’s new and exciting.  I miss it sometimes.  But I love my relationship with Ken right now.  It feels like that again right now.  Amazing after 10 years that you can have a relationship rebirth, but you can and it’s pretty cool.  We are closer than ever right now. 

Do you think you can last in a relationship for 6 months without cheating?
It’s not hard people. 

What was your new years resolution?
To try and drink less Coca Cola.  It’s like trying to stop smoking or something.  Hard.

Do you think you lead people on?
Not now.  I may have been that way when I was younger.  But you know, everyone does stupid crap when they are just starting out in life and they become an adult legally.  Just because you can do something, or you can say something doesn’t mean that you should.  That one is hard to learn.  That’s what your 20’s are for.  Figuring out who you are and how you want to live your life. 

Are you afraid of falling in love?
No.  I am afraid of falling out of love.

Do you have anyone who you consider a brother/sister but they really arent?
Tom and Ann, Russ, Alace

Did any of your friends go out with any of your ex’s?
Not that I know of.  Well, maybe. 

Are looks important?
I know that it’s polite to say no here, but yeah, they kind of are.  But they don’t mean much when you love someone and you realize that what you thought was important really isn’t, and that person is handsome to you.  They become handsome when you accept them as they are. 

Have you ever had someone sing to you?
Not a boyfriend, but I like the idea of it.  If I ever have kids, I will sing them Beatles songs. 

Are you mad at someone right now?
I wouldn’t say mad, but I am pretty upset at someone right now.  They should be glad they don’t live in the same state that I do.

Had sex in your parent’s bed?
No, but I’ve had it in lots of other strange places.  Hmmm...let’s not go there.

Where do you keep your money?
Purse, pockets, wallet, any flat surface, change jar...not very consistent.  It’s mostly kept in the bank though under Ken’s watchful eye.  If it was left to me we’d be very poor indeed.  But I would have lots of cool stuff.  :)

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
Ears are pierced.  No tattoos, yet.  I have one in the planning stages.

Do you believe in love?
Yes

How old do you want to be when you have kids?
Older than I am now

What would you do if someone smacked your butt?
Smack theirs back...I’m lookin’ at you darlin’!

I have hit a bit of writer's block.  I've sat here for the last 15 minutes and nothing interesting comes to mind to add. 

Life lately is a lot of the same.  Ken is back in school and I am studying for my MCDST certifications.  We are a pretty boring couple. 

I'm in a bowling league at work.  Every Monday night, you can find me at All Star Lanes in Silverdale, WA, hauling a 10lb ball at 10 waiting pins.  I'm not a great bowler, but I don't suck either.  My team seems to be fairly satisfied, for now. 

We just submitted our taxes.  Whoo!  Exciting!

This week I worked over at our Silverdale Branch of the hospital.  This is the branch where the babies are born.  Those of you who know me well may be thinking, Wow, how did she survive that?  Heh, I spent most of my time in the locked office area where the Help Desk cubicle sits.  I did get up when I needed to go and perform some kind of task.  I could hear them outside the door and if I need to leave, I waited around till I didn't hear kids and then left for lunch or a break of whatever. 

I did have an encounter in the bathroom today.  I knew I was in for some kind of encounter because there was a little boy outside the door of the bathrooms. He was about 4 or 5 and he was sitting in an infant carrier.  (I can't make this shit up)  Now, I know his mom didn't bring him in that carrier, so that meant the mother was nearby.  I walked into the bathroom and there she was.  She was changing the infant's diaper.  But another child was wandering the bathroom area. 

I took the first stall and began my process of elimination, if you will.  It wasn't long before I realized that I had an audience.  Sure enough, the little girl was looking at me through the crack in the door.  My first reaction was to kick the door.  Now, before anyone starts writing me hate mail, I didn't actually do that, but I did think long and hard (ok, a few seconds) before I just gave her a not very nice look.  I'm sure sure there were better ways of handling that, and personally I like my first reaction for that.  But I work at the hospital, I wear a badge and I would get into lots of trouble for endangering a child.  Still, I can daydream about it.  I waited in the stall till the mother was finished changing the infant, and ushered her Peeping Jane out of the ladies room.  They were no where to be found when I emerged a few minutes later. 

I just want to pee in peace.  I get enough of an audience at home.  Chunk is ever watchful of my bathroom habits.  The dogs too, but they just want attention. Chunk wants you to open the shower door so he can play in the shower water left over from morning showers. 

I think I will go finish eating my white cake I bought at the store the other night, pop open a bottle of IBC Root Beer, my new addiction, and grab my book. 

G'night!

I still have not taken down my Christmas tree.  Everytime I think I will do it, I find something else to do.  I really should take it down.  It's sad that it's still up. 

Hello.

I know I haven't written in awhile.  Did you miss me? 

I wasn't sure how I was supposed to follow up a blog about a dead cat.  I really wasn't sure if I should put something here about how okay I am now (which I'm not really, but I'm hiding it well) or about what I got for Christmas (DVDs!) or how things are going at work. 

The truth is, I loved my cat very much.  He was my constant companion for 14 years.  He made me smile, even if I was about to scream because he just peed on the floor.  Again.

The truth is,  he's downstairs in a white box that I have as of yet, not been able to open.  My fear is that his ashes are in a clear plastic bag.  I'm not sure I am ready to see his ashes.  So, the seal is still unbroken.

Chunk has become quite spoiled since the day we got home from the vet's office.  He is now free to run the house as he likes, but he still hangs out in the bedroom, even when the door is open.  He does venture out, mostly in search of new sources for water.  I keep meaning to change his food from the stuff Stoney had to eat because it is high in sodium and they both needed lots of water all the time.  But with Stoney gone, there is no reason for Chunk to have to eat the stuff, and since I had just bought a brand new bag before Stoney's death (how's that for irony) I wanted to let him finish it out.  We bought a new bag of food for him and we plan on mixing it with the old stuff, but so far, I've been too lazy to take it upstairs to the food area. 

He spends more time howling than anything else.  Before you think it's out of grief, don't worry, it's not.  He's always howled when he wants something.  He wants you to fill the dogs water bowl so he can drink out of it.  He howls when he wants someone to come and pet him, or let him outside (which we never do since he is an inside cat), or when he has decided that he wants someone to fill the bathtub with water so he can play in it.  He just howls and it can be annoying. 

He has also started waking up at 2-3am, and deciding that someone must get up right now and let him out of the bedroom.  Now, here is the kicker.  If you get up and do it, it makes him think you will do it everynight.  I don't want to set that standard.  So when he wakes up and starts his incessant yowling, I have to lay in bed and not move or get up or make any indication that I am hearing him.  This is very hard to do.  I have thrown my pillow at him, which stops the behaviour sometimes, but mostly it scares him into the bathroom where he then gathers his courage and starts the yowling at the bedroom door again.  He has done this before as well.  When we lived in California and we first closed the cats in the bedroom, he did it all the time.  He wanted out and he didn't understand why he couldn't just go when he felt like it.  I used to keep a collection of rolled up socks beside the bed and would throw them at his general direction when he started up his yowling.  This worked for awhile. 

I love this cat.  I have spoiled him rotten since Stoney died.  But I might just have to kill him soon so I can sleep. 

I did get a nice piece of software for Christmas.  Photoshop Elements 6.  I have posted some pictures that I have been playing with in PSE6 and I plan to post some more. I like playing with them.  I also found some shots of Stoney too that are cute and they help me see that he was happy here and not always in so much pain. 

Going to stop talking about my cat now. 

Life is good right now.  I'm working a lot, getting my characters revamped (heh, vamped) and making some progress on plotting and story building.  I am going to start playing my guitar again soon and I am studying for my MCDST certification.  For those that are not up to date on Microsoft Lingo 5.0, that means Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician.  I have to get that for work, or at least the first test to become an MCP but I am going to take the second test and be a full on MCDST.  Then I might start studying up for an MCSE. Not sure yet.  I might go the other route and get Cisco certified.  I already know a lot about VOIP phones ( I know, more acronyms) and one day the hospital will need my knowledge for that.  We'll see.

I also got a gift card for a local spa/salon from Ken, and I have been trying to narrow down what kinds of serivces they offer that I can afford.  I want to do something new with my hair and hey maybe get some kind of peppermint wrap or something.  That sounds fun and very...tingly.

Oh, and at some point this weekend, I will try to take down my Christmas tree.  I suck. 

"Hey Little Man!"

That's what I used to say everyday when I got home from work to my Little Man, my Stoney kitty.   14 years of companionship.

He was a tiny kitten.  He and his brother used to fight over my mom's stereo speakers, leaving ratty ones in return.  They learned that fire from a candle could singe their whiskers and the hair on their paws. 

When I first saw Stoney, he was a tiny kitten sitting in a cage with his mother and several other kittens, one being his brother Chunk.  He looked up at me as I came around corner of the petstore he was in.  He looked at me and I looked at him.  I couldn't take my eyes off him or his scared little face.  It was then I nicknamed him Little Man. 

I took him (and his brother) home and we've been together ever since.  For a free kitten, he's cost me thousands of dollars.  Special food, trips to the vet, major surgery, carpet cleaner and lost money in apartment deposits.  But I loved him anyway. 

I had to put Stoney to sleep on Saturday night.  It was a decision that I didn't come to easily.  My own stubborness kept me from making the decision long ago.  He's been trying to tell me for awhile now that he was not well and that he was ready to go.  He and Chunk were all cuddly a few weeks ago, maybe it was their own special goodbye.  I thought it was odd then.  They hadn't been close in awhile, Chunk spending most of his time on the other side of the room from Stoney. 

Last Sunday, Stoney made his way under the bed.  He would hide there when he didn't feel good.  He'd had arthritis for quite some time, and under the bed was where no one bothered him.  He didn't come out though.  On Wednesday, I got concerned and prodded him out with a broom.  He went downhill from there. 

By Saturday, he was so weak he could barely hold up his head.  We took him to the vet and found that he had pain from his arthritis, he had an enlarged kidney and some kind of abdominal mass.  He was severely dehydrated as well.  I had made a decision on the way to the vets.  I knew what I had to do.  It didn't make it any easier though when the time came. 

I held him, wrapped in a towel from home, and waited for them to administer the drugs.  He slowly laid his head on his front paws and went to sleep, painless for the first time in probably his whole life.  I cried for him.  I cried for me.  I wished and pleaded inside my head for a miracle. 

He was a good Little Man.  Always happy to see me.  He had a sweet face and a cute little "mrat" sounding meow.  He had a special "licky trick".  When you scratched him at the base of his tail (he was a Manx so what was there for his tail) he licked anything in front of him.  He loved to be brushed and he loved to be scratched under his chin.  He was my little man and he always will be. 

I miss him terribly. 

I fixed my wireless keyboard and mouse today.  All by myself.  For some of you I know what you are thinking.  "Kathy, you are a computer tech, and that should be easy for you to fix."  And you would all be right.  Except I have some kind of mental disconnect when it comes to fixing my own equipment.  I can't seem to find the knowledge, or more importantly, the patience to fix my own computer issues.  In fact, at some point this afternoon, my wireless keyboard came very close to becoming many millions of parts on my desk and office area floor.  And it's not even PMS time.  

And the issue was?  Fucking batteries. 

That is always the first thing you check with wireless keyboards and mouses (no, not mice, mouses) except for that pesky reset/connect button.  I tried all the tech tricks I knew and it just didn't work.  This was a few months ago.  After removing the offending hardware, I swiped (read=borrowed) a keyboard from the MIL and grabbed an extra corded (oh the agony) mouse from our supply of never ending computer extras and went to town.  But I've been using my laptop for about a month and a half now, almost exclusively, so I didn't really think about it.  Until today. 

Earlier this week, I got a bug up my ass about getting our bedroom cleaned.  This kind of stuff always makes Ken anxious.  See, I get the ideas, and he ends up carrying them out.  Like when it's time to bathe our pets.  He's the one getting scratched and doing the actual bathing while I stand there with towels ready for wet, shaking pets to dry.  So when I mentioned getting our bedroom in some sort of order, he looked at me with a look that can only be described as disdainful.  I smiled back at him with cheer I did not feel on the inside. 

So Monday night, we cleaned, vacuumed, and put away clothes.  We also shampooed the carpet and even managed to get under the bed.  We had to remove the mattress and box springs but we did it.  This also led to a funny moment later when we were moving the box springs back to the bedroom and our mattress kind of toppled over on top of me.  It's my own fault though.  Being sandwiched between the wall and a large king size mattress is no fun, let me tell you. 

I came home today and saw my non-working keyboard and mouse and thought guiltily how much that set cost and felt a new sense of purpose.  I was going to fix them. 

An hour later I was still struggling, but getting closer.  I realized that even though I checked the batteries a couple months ago, and they were good then and have been sitting dormant for a while that maybe I should check them.  And Eureka.  The keyboard worked and the mouse was working and I was feeling good that I finally fixed something of my own without whining to Ken.  SUCCESS!

And now I am sitting here, hoping  he has forgotten that we were going to bathe all 4 pets tonight and maybe he just wants to go downstairs and watch the Hockey game and not think about trimming dog and cat nails or bathing cats.  I am sure he will not mind putting it off again for another day.  Maybe this weekend. 

My Top 8

1. Ken
2. Kris
3. Chad
4. Mom
5. Alace
6. Ann
7. Tom
8. Russ

1. Have you ever danced with number 3?
Yes, at my wedding.

2. Where did you meet number 6?
At her sister's-in'law wedding.  She was the Matron of Honor I think.

3. Have you ever gotten drunk with number 4?
Yes.  The last time was many many years ago when I was 21 and she made me ride home in the bed of my own pickup because I puked so much before we left the bar.  Ah...memories...

4. Has ..2 ever been to your house?
Yes, she was just here at the end of August.  And she better come visit me again soon.

5. Has number 1 ever seen you naked?
Yes.  I would hope so since I married him.

6. Have you ever gone shopping with number 7?
Yep, we all went Christmas shopping last December.

7. Have you ever seen 5 in a bra? 
Probably when we were teenagers.  

8. Have you ever met 1's family?
Yes, one of them actually lives in our house.

9. Do you know 8's middle name?
Yes, but I will respect his privacy and not reveal it.

10. Have you ever eaten anything in front of 6?
Yes, we just had dessert on Sunday at Dairy Queen.  Yummy Blizzards!

11. Do you trust number 2?
Yes.  I trust my sister.  Should I be worried?

13. Have you ever fought with number 1?
We don't often fight, but it has happened. 

14. When was the last time you talked to 5 in person?
The summer and school year after high school, we hung out a lot, but then she moved away to Kilgore and I moved back to California. 

15. Are any of your top 8 family?
I am married to 1, blood related to 2, 3 and 4, and I consider the rest family.

16. Who makes you laugh the most?
1, 2 and 8.  8 has heard me say things drunk that should never be repeated in polite society.

17. Have you ever done something dangerous with number 6?
Not that I can think of.  We're both fairly impatient drivers.

18. Have you ever slept in the same room with any of them?
1, 2, 4, and 5. 

20. Would 3 do anything for you?
Yeah, my baby bro loves me.  I take that fact very seriously. 

21. Has 7 ever helped you out?
Yes, he became an ordained minister and married my husband and I.  He (and his lovely wife 6 and their darling children) watched our dogs (and cats)  for us in January.

22. Have you ever slept in the same bed with your number 1?
Yes.  He doesn't snore as much as he used to.

23. Which have you known the longest?
4, my mom, followed by 2, 3, 5 and then 1.

24. Who have you known the shortest?
Tom and Ann

25. Has anyone in your top 8 seen you cry?
All of them have at some time or another. 

27. Have you done anything illegal with number 1?
Yes, that act is illegal in some states.

28. Will 1-8 repost this?
Probably not in bulletin form.

Ken and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary this past weekend.  We drove up to Anacortes and then ferried over to Friday Harbor on San Juan island.  I got some good shots of orcas swimming in their natural habitat, and a couple good shots of Ken as well.  You can see them at my Flickr site.  The first day's shots are the best.  I have never felt such joy as watching and photographing the orcas.  I almost killed us because I was driving and saw them and almost ran us off the road. 

My story is coming along nicely.  I have ideas now.  I have some inspiration, and my idea for my female character is pretty original.  Not a lot of my version of my character are being written about.  I have some more research to do regarding my character but I have some direction now, and it feels good to be writing her out and getting to hear her voice.  It sounds kind of silly to hear a character's voice, a written character, but I can hear it.  She has lots of conversations that seem to keep me up at night, and I have to write them down or I can't hear myself think.  That sounds very insane, but for some reason it makes sense to me.  I wonder if other writers go through this same thing. 

I am freezing today.  My hands are cold, my feet are cold, even my butt is cold. 

The house is it's normal temperature, which is normally too cold for me, but just right for everyone else.  I just don't feel it like I do today. 

Today is my day off.  I slept late and plan to go downstairs to catch up on my Tivoed Dawson's Creek (I know, I can't stop watching it!) eat some left over pizza from last night, and veg out.  I had planned to start a new book since I finished the two I was reading last week, but I haven't decided which ones they will be yet.  I like to read at work, so some of them with less than desirable titles (but no less brilliant I might add) may have to stay at home. 

My writing has slowed almost to a complete stop.  With an MSDST test to study for, and a new project trying to fix the search feature on our Sharepoint site, I am a little busy to be thinking of my vamp/werewolf and human characters.  As I read more Urban Fantasy, I notice that many of the main characters are women.  Not a bad thing, but I don't seem to be able to write one the way I want to.  I don't want her to be ditzy or obsessed with shopping (although, throwing in those traits might be fun) but it's hard to have a bad assed female lead who is also a ditz.  How can she be a ditzy assasin?  Not the book I was planning to write.  I wanted dark, suspense, sexy, but not ditzy shopping girl gets a gun.  I might have just stumbled on a whole new genre.  Dark chick lit.  Hmm....   There are some chick lit type books out there with vampire characters, but they are all mostly romance based.  Looking for the perfect guy to spend eternity (literally) with.  I would have to figure out what her angle would be.  Ditzy assasin meets man of her dreams, her next mark.  Ohhh....I'm going to write some of this down...