Putting off this post :(

I've put off this post for over a month now hoping if I didn't talk about it, he would return. Writing this makes it too real, sad and final. Lightning, one of my twin boy kitties, has disappeared and I'm heart broken. He and his brother Thunder occasionally would go out for an all-nighter but they always returned until recently. All too much like losing my beloved Banshee a little over a year ago.

The strange thing is that Thunder was usually my wanderer, not Lightning. Lightning was my lover cat. He loved to be held and petted. Asher could pick him up and drag him around and Lightning loved it. He would jump up in my lap if ever I gave him the chance. Lightning would always run in the house when I opened the door. I feel horribly guilty now that he is gone and most likely is not coming back that I moved them outside. I miss him terribly. They started out as inside cats but Thunder started to attack my 19 year old Queen of the house cat, Glove, so I moved them out this summer together because they were inseparable.

I still scour the sides of the roads, fields and porches for him everyday I take Asher to school. I can't imagine where he could have gone and hate to think of what my gut tells me happened. We live in the country and there are dogs and coyotes. My husband won't answer me truthfully when I ask him (about 6 million times) what he thought happened to Lightning. He tries to make me feel better and tells me maybe he got too far away from home and he's lost. Not likely.

I've called the animal control, they apparently don't pick up cats. Who knew? I've searched the animal shelter websites with no luck. Not likely again since we're 15 miles from the nearest town with a shelter. I even ask Thunder and Zoey all the time "Where is your brother?" they both look at me with their sweet innocent eyes, not a care in the world. Odd though... no grieving for them. At least not that I've noticed. How does a grieving animal act? How can they not miss him? Maybe they know something I don't. Maybe they're glad the brown-noser is gone. I'm kidding. Either way, everyone please say a little prayer that Lightning returns to me.

Koi Pond - small update adding plants

Not much has progressed with our koi pond since we first started. Life gets in the way. But I did manage to pot up some plants for the pond today. Also, I noticed we have baby fish!! I'm so excited! I can't believe they've made it with no where for them to hide, so that kinda spurred me on to do the pots. I had the plants there and waiting on me, just hadn't done it. Now I'm so glad I did. I am quite pleased with the way they look and maybe it will push my hubby back into "pond mode"... haha

Anyway, enjoy the pics :)

This waterfall spills into the lake

Main waterfall getting some character with the algae

Pot is on concrete block in middle of pond

another view of plants in middle of pond

Plants in a pot on a pond shelf we made, almost not big enough!

another view of shelf plant

Here's a picture I took today of the twins Thunder and Lightning. Can you believe how much they've grown? They are 10 months old now and look like regular cats, not the cute cuddly little fur balls they were. But I still love 'em. They've been booted outside, so I don't get many pics of them anymore.

Thunder (l) and Lightning (r) now 10 months old

And look at Zoey posing just as pretty as a picture.

Zoey in the summer grass

Happy Friday and Happy Independence Day Weekend everyone!

Is there a Blog-oholic Anonymous?

So you all know I'm a night owl. But that doesn't mean I get to sleep in until noon (I wish!). So... while I should be sleeping like baby kitties...

shhh...

I look more like poor Zoey, who has to share her bed with the bed hogs... and who doesn't get as much sleep as she should. Notice her blood shot eyes.. poor thing, here baby, I've got some Visine I'll share.

I'm up reading blogs! I can't help myself... I just can't stop. I've got a neck and back ache out of this world and my derrière is throbbing from sitting in my broken chair. Yes, I said broken. Probably from all the crap I eat and plop on this cheap chair. It also gets my sciatic nerve going and I still wont' stop. I put my son to bed and tell myself... ok tonight I'm really tired, I'll just spend 30 minutes online puttering around and go to bed or maybe catch up on Medium. But no... 3 hours later and here I am. Literally, 3 hours later. I think I might have a problem. "hi, I'm Jaime and I'm a blog-oholic." Say it now... *Hi Jaime*

I may be getting a little slap happy. I'm running on low sleep. I'm probably backlogged by 8 hours or so this week alone. I know I'm not alone out here! Gimmee a shout out!

Also, if you commented on my blog from the OWOH post and I still haven't gotten back to you yet please hang on. I'm still going and you know I practically leave a book on everyone's blog. oyi. If you are a new follower, I promise I'll be by to your blog soon and reciprocate! Not just to do that, but because if you care enough to see what's going on in my life, I want to know what's going on in yours! Cause that's how I roll... haha (I don't know where that came from) I think I need some chocolate.

Monsters are back and/or the Bullet Train

Let us out!!

I said NOW!

I don't think I mentioned it, but I got the boys sniped and nipped this week. That is, they were neutered and declawed. I was going to say castrated, but isn't that such a hurtful word? I really am not entirely sure if they were indeed castrated because all their "junk" is still there. In fact, since they were shaved "back there" for the procedure all their junk now protrudes out for all to see. Ick. I would post a pic, but it's practically pornographic. Asher is like what's that?? He also asked me this week why I pee outta my butt. Hmmm... now how would YOU answer that one. Remember he is 4. He will be 5 in March.

Now wait a minute before some of you animal people out there get all over me for declawing the boys, just take this in a moment. Imagine a world (my house) that is covered in wall to wall, floor to ceiling carpet and the monsters, I mean kittens have velcro on their feet. Now imagine them running at the speed of light round and round in circles on all four walls, knocking down everything in their path. Pictures, curtains, plants, etc. That was them. I have puncture wounds still in my legs and waist from them deciding that they needed to be on my back... while I was standing there as an innocent bystander. Or the umpteen times they pulled the curtains down, rod and all with their evil plans to wait for you like a sniper and jump on your head as you again innocently walk by. Monsters I tell you. I don't really have wall to wall carpet, I actually have wood flooring for the most part but I needed to tell you this for the effect. ;^)

So, I giggle when I see them jump up on the couch or trying for those curtains now... muh hhahahahahahhahaha. What a confused look on their little monster faces! Don't get me wrong, they are still the cutest little things, but so are raccoons until you get one cornered and then they're rabid vicious little things! If it makes you feel better I put up the extra money to have them taken out by laser and they are doing great. I still love the little guys, you just won't hear me screaming at them as much now.

It's been a long time since I've had to deal with a cat that's just been declawed because I had forgotten that you have to give them shredded newspaper to do their business in. What a pain in the ass that is (forgive me). I've been shredding it in vain I think because today I went to change the papers and discovered they had all 3 been peeing outside of the shredded part and on the paper laid out on the floor to catch the accidents and spills. I also discovered they have been pooping under the stairs as did Zoey as I rounded the corner just in time to see her chowing down on a turd... ZOEY!!!!!  Argh... So now I'm yelling up the stairs to Asher "Don't let Zoey lick you! She just ate cat poop!" Of course he comes running down the stairs to see and right into Zoey, his face right at her licking height and of course she licks him. Ugh. Nasty.

gingerly opening the door and Lightning tip toeing out, then...

Look out for the Bullet Train!

Lightning was so fast, he shot out of that cage like a rocket. Notice I barely caught the end of his tail in this shot. Even Thunder was thinking "I'm outta here!"

I got you Babe.

Thunder and Lightning are extremely loveable with us and each other. Look how sweet Thunder is hugging his brother. They even lick each others butts, now that is brotherly love... haha sorry, I had to add that because they do. They all really are disgusting little creatures, all the animals. I try not to think of that too much though because I do treasure all of their little hearts. What would life be without animals (besides less aggravation, haha)? Not as happy, I think.

Oh, and thanks for all the well wishes on the annual boob smushing. All went well, as well as peeling your boob off plastic after she tells you to switch can go. She finished me up and then rolled my boobs up off the floor for me. I then just threw them over my shoulder, grabbed a mint and got outta there as fast as I could. Good Riddance! Today I got the All Clear letter, so I'm good for another year! Yay!

Snowmen Gourds!

White Snowgourd

Here are the cute little snowmen I told you about Sunday. Aren't they the cutest little guys?! Oh I wish I could take the credit for these. They are made from gourds! I bought these from a super nice gal, Lori Allen, of Carmi Illinois. She was at Christmas in New Harmony and I hope she did well. Her pieces were all so nice. These snowmen accommodate a battery powered tea light to light them from within and they are level on the bottom to stand up perfectly. She carves out designs on them and also has some that she wood burns on. See her website www.gourdsbylori.com for more of her designs. She also makes bowls, baskets, vases, birdhouses and more!

Snowgourd buddies

Adorable!

I originally bought one for me and one for a "dirty Santa" gift, but they look so cute together that I think I'm keeping them both for myself! I know, I'm a grinch for keeping all the presents. I'll find something else, this time maybe I ought to buy something I don't like... haha yeah right.

Oh, if you don't know the "Dirty Santa" gift exchange, here's how we do it: Each person buys a gift appropriate to their gender and wraps it up pretty and it goes under the tree without a tag other than it's for a male or female. We take turns opening up the gift, boy girl, boy girl style. When the first girl opens a gift she keeps it by her until the next girl's turn. When it's the next girls turn, she can open up a gift, or she can go "steal" the already open gift from the other girl, then that girl gets to pick another unopened gift. It's a lotta laughs. Last year we had a downright feud going for a red leather purse!

Kitty Update! The little beasts are still inside... I've had to bite my lip a few times. I'm still having some poop issues here and there and I found my mop bucket full of pee the other day. I'm still giving them a chance, who wouldn't? Look how cute they are. And it's sooooooo cold outside. I'm such a sucker.

Asher and Thunder, both happy

Ready to roll

Silent Sunday- No room for me anyway!

Am I a glutton for punishment?

What have I got myself into with these new furry babies!? I now have 3 times more animals, including Zoey our dog and about one hundred times more the work. Before July, I was down to just my one princess cat, Glove who really has been the easiest fur baby to have besides a few fur balls here and there. Now between Asher, my Tasmanian mess making 4 year old and Zoey the ever shedding inside dog that loves mud and dirt and the twin kittens who have discovered my plants and love to hurl the kitty liter a good 3 feet all the while totally missing the stinky pile they just left... whew... It never stops.

Come on, how cute is this?

If it weren't for their sweet loving faces and purring little selves I would be a basket case. Just yesterday about 5 minutes before I had to leave the house (in a dead run) one of the kittens decides to pee in my book bag. Ick. You wouldn't believe how hungry these little kittens are either and boy they make a huge mess when they eat. Little pieces of Kitten Chow everywhere, que the living Hoover... Zoey. I have given Zoey about four different toys now and she methodically shreds them to pieces to retrieve the little squeaky thing in the middle while leaving stuffing all over the house. Last week, I stepped away from my dinner table with pizza on my plate, to come back with an empty plate and a sheepish looking dog. I've had an outside dog for the last 12 and a half years so when I got Zoey, I wanted her in with me not thinking about all the extra work that's involved. It's like having another kid. We just had some much needed rain the other day. Did I mention she loves dirt and mud? Well in she came with brown muddy paws. Her feet are white. I had to take a bucket and stick each one of her feet in the water and wash them off before I let her totally in. She didn't understand what all the fuss was about and looked at me as if I needed professional help.

Blink, blink... sleepy babies

I won't even mention all the toys that are strewn from one end of the house to the other. I've lost the use of my couch because it's where Asher runs his cars and he freaks out if you mess up the track. Ugh... Calgon take me away. And all 4 of them are jealous of each other. It's just crazy.

What? This isn't mine?

Thanks for letting me vent ;)  I love my readers! MWAHH! There's a big smooch

Til later! Have a wonderful Sunday and don't forget to turn your clock back.

We've Been Adopted!

The boys - Thunder (r) and Lightning (l)

We've been adopted by two gray and white kittens. These two are not from the liter I talked about earlier in the summer, those little guys got moved by their momma and I never saw them again. These kittens came out from their hiding place and came up to our front door last week. We took them back, since we knew where the hiding place was (I still have poison ivy from finding it... haha) and they came back later that evening and came running when they heard our voices. They are adorable of course, and Asher is thrilled. I thought well, I could use some mousers outside so why not? So here I am wanting to bring them in now and thinking about how am I going to bring this up with A. the husband and B. the 18 year old princess cat, Glove. I've already named them, Thunder and Lightning. I'd say they are between 4-6 weeks old, or about there. 

stealing hearts

awwwwww

It's love.

I was worried that Zoey, our dog, would hurt them so I've had them in a kennel outside while we were away this past weekend to the Smoky Mountains and discovered that they had escaped and apparently Zoey is not going to kill them... thankfully. She was scaring me before because she would pick them up with her mouth and carry them around kinda rough and also nudge them pretty hard knocking them down. She seems to want them on their back and them proceeds to nibble on them. Maybe she thinks they are her puppies? I've never had a mama dog, so I don't know how they act. I was told when we got her that she had had a litter of pups.

Zoey keeping a watchful eye on the kittens (and wondering if she's in trouble for being in chair!)

When I put them in the big dog size kennel, I had a cute little fuzzy bed and blanket for them and their own litter box with food and water all neat and tidy and they had it dirty, food everywhere walking in the liter box and then the food within 60 seconds flat. I've forgotten what it was like to have kittens. I've never had two at one time and man can they be little terrors... haha but they are so incredibly cute they are forgiven immediately. They are hungry all the time and very vocal about it. I can't get over how loud they are!

Being loud, but still cute

Well, so welcome our newest family members... Thunder and Lightning.

Time flies

Wow, I can't believe it's been a week since I've posted last. Time sure flies as the saying goes and it does. I made it through Mother's Day with a few tears. This was my first Mother's Day without my mom and I sure miss her.

The new kittens are still here but now they are showing signs of extreme unfriendliess. I'm not happy about that at all. Today, Banshee found them and as I scolded her and made noise for her to get away from them I went to check on them to make sure nobody got stepped on or worse. As I picked them up to check them they were growling and spitting and carrying on like I was the enemy! I was insulted. If they only knew what an animal person I am. I am afraid they are gonna be wild and may not be tamed. They have spit at me before the other day, but I didn't exactly know that's what they were doing until it was more pronounced today. I can't have a bunch of wild cats around the house that I have to feed while they breed as their heart desires. What to do... I've been feeding Mama Cat but she still runs from me.

Tomorrow I have another art show at Audubon State Park in Henderson, KY. I hope the rain stays away, it's an outside show. There is Bluegrass for the entertainment. I hope we do well. I need to pack the truck now, so I'm off and I'll post about how it was asap.

Have a great weekend!

Sweet little babies

I had to share this today, I just found them. I knew the stray cat that won't let me get within 20 feet of her was pregnant and I knew it was getting close. If I could get ahold of her, she'd be fixed... but she is ferocious! She was stuck in Daryl's wood shop one day and we tried to carry her out... big mistake. She tore both of us up.

Looks unsuspecting doesn't it?

Look a little closer...

How about now?

How sweet is this? Their eyes are still closed. They are only a day or two old, maybe three but I doubt it.

D found them, and we're keeping them from Asher so they'll have a chance! haha He would want to hold them and play with them. Considering what he does to frogs (he tries to help them swim and takes them down the slide with him), they better stay out of his sight for a while. I am such a sucker for baby animals, I don't know what we are going to do. Hopefully they won't be wild, like Mamma.

Hope you enjoyed this little sweet miracle of life.