For Obvious Reasons

Cats are quirky.

I get that.

Being a feline aficionado for pretty much, well, forever - I totally know that cats are very unpredictable, quirky and even a bit wild...especially when still in their "kitten" stage.

But...THIS cat...ACK. He's driving us totally crazy.

If you remember back, from this blog entry, we somewhat became the proud (???) parents of this cat when he decided that he belonged to us and no one else and followed us home from a walk in the woods by our house. Sometimes that happens...when the animal decides who his "people" will be, and that's that.

And it's funny...because when it's the ANIMAL who decides...then the people aren't changing it...no matter how hard they may try, as we've found out.

We initially named him "Shadow" - as he constantly shadows us as we meander through the house...but thinking that we couldn't keep him, due to three other pets in the house, we looked into getting Shadow a new home.

We first gave him to my sister and her family, who promptly renamed him "Truman" (after the University of Missouri's mascot) - and then promptly returned him. It appears sister's Hubby is deathly allergic to cats...huh. Who knew? Apparently not them.

So Shadow/Truman came back to our house, where he stayed until September...at which time, my son decided that Shadow/Truman would make a good pet in his apartment at college. So Shadow/Truman went off to college, where he was renamed "Velcro" (for obvious reasons) by my son and his roommates.

Unfortunately, it appears that one of the roommates is deathly allergic to cats, so Shadow/Truman/Velcro was back home - with us - by Thanksgiving.

At this point, I renamed him "Boomerang" - due to obvious reasons...as we can't seem to get rid of this darned cat. He keeps coming back.

He really is a sweetheart...but he's extremely ornery - to the point where it drives us CRAZY. He's extremely curious, and intelligent, and energetic, and sociable...and when you put that all together, combined with his young age, it just leads to disasters. So much so, that Hubby recently renamed him "Mayhem" - for obvious reasons, of course.

Yesterday was a particularly wild day for Shadow/Truman/Velcro/Boomerang/Mayhem...last night, Hubby decided that perhaps he should be renamed "F5" - as in an F-5 tornado... but at this point, I don't think the cat particularly cares what he's called - and really, what cat does? This poor cat probably thinks his name is "NO!!!" because that's pretty much all he hears...for obvious reasons.

So...anyway...it looks like when this cat chose us as his people...it was a lifetime commitment...and he's here to stay.

The other day, I gave him a stern look and said, "We'll eventually settle on a permanent name for you, once YOU decide to eventually settle down and start behaving."

He yawned...and then went off to look for more trouble. I'm not sure if he gives a darn...for obvious reasons....

Peace.

What A Teacher Wants

When I was a little girl...I didn't play with dolls...nor did I play "house" or "doctor" or "dress-up."

I played "teacher."

As far back as I can remember, I was pretending to be the "teacher" ...and I would set up elaborate pretend classrooms, with pretend students, in my bedroom...where I would instruct and mold and educate for hours on end. I even went so far as to have pretend grade cards... and pretend parent/teacher conferences...and pretend lesson plans.

It was awesome.

When I went to college, it was a no-brainer that I would pursue my love of teaching, and I graduated with a degree in secondary education, preferring to work with the older students, rather than the elementary kids - but I really loved them all. However - a funny thing happened after graduation...I was engaged to be married, money was tight - and I took a job at a local hospital to make some quick bucks, rather than pursue a job teaching. The hospital paid extremely well, the benefits were outstanding...and before I knew it, I was trapped in the "Golden Handcuffs" - locked into a job that I didn't really enjoy, but paid so well I would be a fool to leave.

Years went by...and soon, the hospital job morphed into one where I was intermittently teaching...teaching hospital employees the computer software that we were using at the time. Being in a classroom...with real students...was second-nature to me, and invariably, after a computer class, a student would walk up and say, "That was great. You should have been a teacher."

And I would laugh and say, "You know...it's funny you would say that...."

Hurricane Katrina, in 2005, was an eye-opener for me, in that it caused me to do some soul-searching...I not only signed up as a volunteer with the American Red Cross, but I told the hospital I was going to quit, so that I could pursue my love of teaching...only THIS time, I would work as a substitute teacher in our local school district. I remember the first day I reported to the classroom to sub...I was a nervous wreck, and wondered if I'd made a huge mistake...but the minute the bell rang, and I was up front - instructing and molding and educating - I was in my element, and I was happy. I loved it.

My role at the American Red Cross soon expanded, as well...when I began teaching some of the training classes to new volunteers...I also began going out into the community, where I would teach Disaster education...to school groups, businesses, organizations, and colleges.

I loved it.

Last night, I had a class of nine brand-new volunteers with the ARC that I was teaching...and it was one of those moments when you feel like a Rock Star. Everything clicked - everything worked - and it was awesome. And after class, a gentleman came up and said that my passion had shone through as I taught, and it was clear to see that I love what I do.

And I do. I love what I do.

It always comes back to teaching...taking words (and I love words, actually - whether in the written form, with writing - or in the verbal form, with storytelling) and making those words come alive for my students...painting pictures with those words so that what I'm trying to convey shines through...

I always know I'm successful when I see the "I GET it!" look on the students' faces...I love that look. That's what teachers strive for. That look...of when a student comprehends and understands and learns. It's a look of mastery...of confidence...of wonder.

That's when I know I've made a difference...and it's a good thing.

Last night, nine new volunteers all had that "I GET it! It makes SENSE!" look...and it was awesome. By helping them master the subject material...by helping them succeed...by helping them walk out of that classroom with confidence...I was blessed.

Peace.

Heaven's Newest Resident

“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.”- Maya Angelou



On Monday, the world lost a great person...Joyce...my mother-in-law.

It was expected.

Joyce had been fading away for the last several years - or, officially, "failing to thrive." Hospice had come in a few months ago, doing their best to make sure Joyce was comfortable. And she was.

I was in Florida when Hubby called with the sad news - and I hopped on a plane Wednesday to come home, so I could be here for the services. (Yeah, Wednesday - the day the severe weather struck across the country, which made for an extremely interesting flight - which is another story for another day).

Today, the services were held...a bit cold, for sure, but nonetheless, with the sun shining, a fitting tribute to the woman who was a mother to three and a stepmother to five. She will be missed...her directness when talking with you...her intelligence...her love of reading and current events...and her thank you notes. Joyce was absolutely, unequivocally faithful in sending a thank-you note for every occasion...and Hubby and I were talking in the car today, on the way to the gravesite, how we will both miss Joyce's always handwritten, and always poignant, thank-you notes. In fact - it wouldn't surprise me to receive a thank-you note from Joyce with a postmark of "Heaven", thanking us for attending the services today....

Funerals bring families together, and today was no exception. After the services, a luncheon was held, where we shared our memories and stories of Joyce and how she had touched our lives.

Funerals also cause reflection sometimes...and I reflected today that I hope my family gathers when I die, to laugh and share stories...and I also hope that I die in August.

Flip-flops and shorts will be the outfits of the day, and as the casket closes on me, please throw in some of that warm sunshine so I can take some with me.

RIP, Joyce...you'll be missed.

Last Minute Adventure - Bring It On!!!

Random circumstances...such as a chance meeting, or perhaps a shared interest...will sometimes bring life-changing consequences...

...or in my case, a cruise taken last summer brought about a friendship that has led to the most craziest of circumstances for myself.

Why am I mentioning this, you may ask?

Because, dear readers, this explains why I find myself in a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale tonight, awaiting to embark on a week-long Caribbean cruise in the morning on the largest cruise ship in the world - the ALLURE of the Seas. (Not the Oasis of the Seas - I keep getting them mixed up!)

A cruise that wasn't even a twinkle in my eye a mere five days ago...a cruise that I haven't planned on, haven't dreamed of, or had time to really soak in yet.

And yet...here I am. Yowza.

It began with a friendship from last summer - Steve and Amy - a couple from Pittsburg, that we were fortunate to meet on our European cruise, and decided that either they could adopt us - or we'd adopt them - as our compatibility was pretty awesome.

Steve and Amy decided months ago to go cruising next week in the Caribbean, and I do vaguely remember Amy trying to convince me, via email, to cruise with them. And I laughed.

"Amy, I won't even be in Florida in January. Surely you jest. Besides - I would NEVER cruise on the Allure - it's too darn big!!!"

Because it really IS big. The largest ship in the world. I'd get lost...or exhausted...or both...trying to navigate the darn thing.

I promptly forgot all about their upcoming cruise....

...and then a funny thing happened Wednesday morning.

While on Facebook, I saw that Amy & Steve were planning on having a pre-cruise dinner in Ft. Lauderdale with ANOTHER couple from our European cruise - Carol & Jeff. Not being one to be shy - or to be left out of anything - I promptly butted into their conversation.

"Wait - what??! What are you guys doing this weekend??" I asked.

"We're meeting for dinner Saturday night in Ft. Lauderdale, before the cruise on Sunday. Want to join us for dinner?"

Well, sure. Why not? However - this necessitated a two-hour drive for me, and not wanting to do the two-hour drive back - late, in the dark, by myself - I promptly reserved a motel room in Ft. Lauderdale for the night.

And then...my mother said, "Why don't you go on the cruise with them? I mean...you might as well. You'll be over there, right by the ship. Just go."

"What??!!" I asked...and then remembered that Amy, herself, had suggested it months ago, and I had quickly shot down the idea.

"I couldn't do that," I said..."Hubby would NEVER let me just up and go on a cruise - at the last minute."

Well - I was wrong. When I broached the idea to Hubby, his exact words were, "Go for it. Have fun. You deserve it."

So...I called Royal Caribbean on Wednesday morning, and managed to snag one of the last available cabins on the ship...an interior cabin at the extreme front, which should be interesting...a completely enclosed dark crypt that will bounce all over the waves. Woo hoo!

I am now part of Amy & Steve's adventure, and what an adventure it should be....

Unbelievable. This - from someone who meticulously plans out vacations months - if not YEARS - in advance...a spontaneous cruise with less than five days to get ready.

So...here I sit...we had a lovely dinner tonight at the Southport Raw Bar, and I'm now getting ready for embarkation tomorrow on the beautiful - but HUGE - ALLURE of the Seas (NOT the Oasis of the Seas).


A dark picture of our dinner group tonight...but the conversation was lively!


Don't ever say never...and don't ever turn down a good adventure when it lands in your lap. And always be grateful for generous and understanding husbands who let you be spontaneous every now and then.

Let the adventure begin!

Peace.

Rhythm of Life

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The rhythm of life...

We all have one. A rhythm of life. Whether it's rise, shine, work, eat, sleep - or, if you're a dog - eat, poop, sleep - we have a natural rhythm to our days that is unique to each of us.

My rhythm of life the last two weeks is this:

Cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze, sniffle, sniffle - thump.

Lather...rinse...repeat.

Cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze, sniffle, sniffle, thump.

It's a very unique rhythm, as you can see - basically, this is the rhythm one has when you combine the respiratory flu with a broken foot.

Fun times.

The flu hit a few days after Christmas - and it's been dragging on for what seems like forever...however, I've flown south for the winter, and recuperating in the sunshine and warmth of Florida is really the best medicine, I think.

The good news, I think, is that my symptoms are somewhat abating, and I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Same with my foot - my limp (or "thump") is noticeably less, and although I'm not ready to run a 5k - or even 500 feet - I'm doing MUCH better than I was four weeks ago, when the accident happened.

My blog was neglected during this time, as I would be hesitant to put any words into posterity when my brain is addled with flu and flu drugs...those pharmaceutical companies make some really hippy-dippy-trippy stuff, for sure. Although - upon reflection - it would have been funny to see what would have been put to paper while floating higher than a kite on cold meds....hmmmm.....

Anyway...my rhythm of life is slowly returning to it's norm, which is a good thing, as I don't think I want to be known as the sniffle - cough - sneeze - thump girl.

Eat, sleep, play, perhaps?

Peace.

*Image from HERE