tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34584746403105661972024-02-20T00:25:41.693-05:00Where the Blackbirds SingCatty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-41680045850324129212011-05-04T21:18:00.000-04:002011-05-04T21:18:03.638-04:00<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is where I come for my therapy. I read your blogs and they build hope in me. They give me strength and ideas. They give me joy and happiness, sometimes they make me sad. But I feel a closeness with you all. All it costs me is time and that is what I have right now.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is where I come when I need to talk. I can tell you all that which I can't say in my "real" life. This is coming up on a sad period for me. June is the cruelest month in my world. Loss beyond loss occurred for me in June of 2001 when my son died from an asthma attack. I never got to say goodbye; I wasn't even here in the U.S. when it happened. Lots of guilt still over that. Forever this is linked <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">with 9/11/2001; so much in a short period of time. Even from afar, the nation's grief sort of swept mine to the side. Maybe a good thing, I don't know. So we carry on in silence. Time moves on, the memories don't fade, hurt doesn't fade, it just becomes part of your soul. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">People say to me that they don't know how I cope with that; they couldn't do it they say. <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, the universe doesn't exactly ask you. There is so much that we humans do not have control over. If we think about it, it would probably make us all crazy. I have lived by trying to focus on right now; get through this moment and the next and the next when it comes. That's it. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No magical superpowers for me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If I had them...well</span></span>. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fast forward to 2009; my sweet boy Niles left me too. That was equally debilitating to me. Many of you here in my secret world know of this event. And that which followed. Which brings me to today.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am a person who keeps fighting, one who always arises from the ashes. I have a positive outlook that all will be well eventually. But I am growing weary. Let me tell you all why.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After the idiot ran off (again) to play with his little friends; he left me jobless and with a lot of debt that I couldn't pay. Yes he gave me money each month. But never enough to take care of the essential bills completely.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> In December of this year, after much fighting to delay it, I was evicted from my home due to foreclosure. I moved in with a neighbor. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My job that I loved ended. They closed the sewing machine department in March. The </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">unemployment in Michigan says I don't have enough money in the system to receive benefits so I have no income at all. And over the last few months my husband has decreased the amount of money he sends me; the last few months it has been $100; this month $66.00</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I have three dogs to care for and feed, and continue to pay their vet bills, all of which he is aware of. He has not made any payments on my truck, now will be the third month. So I guess he cannot take anything else from me, but when this is taken I feel like I will lose my mind! I have sold everything I could to keep my home, so now I have nothing left to sell.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">this is where I sit today; right on the verge of just having a fit. Oh wait, that's right; I just got diagnosed with fibromyalgia too. I realized I had been in pain for so long the other day, that I can't recall a time without something hurting. This lead me to go to a new doctor.Now here I am. Trying to keep it together. My daughter tries to help me, but she can't afford to do much. I appreciate what she does though. It means a lot to me. I feel like screaming some days. I really do.</span></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</span> never thought my husband would put me and the dogs in such a tenuous circumstance. I really didn't. But he sure did. And he gets away with it as there is nothing I can do. The law never works for me; I can't get anything according to a lawyer. I will just have to accept that he gets to do whatever he likes and there are no consequences for him. This is just what sucks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I will keep my head up; I know there are folks with worse circumstances. I will get by. I have a good bunch of people in my life; but I am hoping that the sun will come out again soon. Thanks for listening to my breakdown; I sure appreciate it. Without you all, I don't know how I could keep going. </span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-68047523174648032102011-01-29T19:59:00.002-05:002011-01-29T20:08:29.813-05:00New Year's Eve<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBgF6UJMsJ_B-Hq-aNeKh1Qgx0jFp7A2lQpZgyyvJDQ5kopWa6luGP0hGxI2ZL005LGOaNirRkg_hBleb2Cax3tyyacYwQDGDEQLc1p6C0iVXHJ5AlhrO7fjZMd8OW7x2zEKNxfZU3hE/s1600/mom+068.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBgF6UJMsJ_B-Hq-aNeKh1Qgx0jFp7A2lQpZgyyvJDQ5kopWa6luGP0hGxI2ZL005LGOaNirRkg_hBleb2Cax3tyyacYwQDGDEQLc1p6C0iVXHJ5AlhrO7fjZMd8OW7x2zEKNxfZU3hE/s320/mom+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567779448894844466" border="0" /></a>this is our New Year's Eve photo!Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-18655130537280276912011-01-03T16:07:00.002-05:002011-01-03T16:21:29.752-05:00Happy New Year<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It has been awhile!!!!!!!! I have been working and moving on in life; but I think of you all daily. I read you when I can and I love to see what you are all up to. Life here is not perfect, but I am feeling loved and have found a nice place in time to be. I will be by more often you can bet! I am still crafting and sewing; I work in the sewing machine dept. at JoAnn's and love that; though I wish the money were more:) But who knows what time will bring. I hope to be able to share photos soon with you of some projects and some decor! The bullies three are happy and being themselves; they have a new love too! My new Mister loves them and spoils them worse that I do; well we are real country and don't have tons of money, but we sure have lots of love.<br /><br />I got a nice family with my new guy; a sweet mom and his son, son's girlfriend ( who likes to sew and got a new machine from us) his Dad left this world at the beginning of December; but the family was ready; he had suffered for so long. I went to church for the first time on Christmas Eve with him, his son and my daughter; so pretty :) a candlelight service. We made a wonderful Christmas at his home and my friend Sue and her daughter (who are really my family!) shared the day with us. What a difference from the other Christmases.<br /><br />New Year's Eve we went with our neighbors to a country club nearby for dinner and a night of dancing. We danced until 2 a.m. and I was so happy; I love to dance. We had mainly Diet Coke; I had 2 beers over the course of the evening and they gave us all a glass of Asti Spumanti with dinner. So the year started good.<br /><br />I expect good things this year. I believe that things will get better for us all; we just have to believe!!! Talk to you all later!!!<br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-33043499511712562582010-10-20T18:52:00.002-04:002010-10-20T19:01:13.576-04:00what's new?Sorry that I have been AWOL for a while! My computer has died and I can't afford to replace it yet; so I am using friend's computers. Things are good here; I am happy and laughing a lot. Things are not perfect; the economics of my life aren't that good, but that will come. I have found the true love I wished and prayed for. He is good for me and my dogs! They love him so much! I never knew that I could have such a life; I have a real country life now. And I am happy with that.<br /><br />This is the first Sweetest Day I have ever had that was filled with love. He cooks for me when I work late and he takes care of my bulies like they were his own. We both laugh so much when we are together that we get headaches! LOL! Thanks God for this gift. I pray it always will be this way. He makes me better than I was. And there is no misery left here. This guy makes me sparkle more than ever. I pray that I am worthy of him. I will always do my best to keep him as happy as he makes me. What a change! Life is good. We work through the imperfections of life together.<br /><br />I'll write when I can; I miss you all and I try to read up when I can> Love to you allCatty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-18855194759138117802010-09-09T22:12:00.002-04:002010-09-09T22:38:46.748-04:00New Beginnings<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been wanting to get back to my blog for a while now, but life keeps interfering! Many changes have happened this summer; I am almost afraid to share them for fear they will disappear. I have met someone kind and honest. He has been here all along, I guess just kind of waiting for me to stop chasing my tail. He has been hurt deeply in the past as I have so he gets my fears. We are just friends for now, but we get closer each day. He rides and he has made me into a better and stronger rider. He is encouraging to me; I told him one day recently that he gave me back my wings. He took the broken bits and made them whole. He makes me laugh and creates joy in my heart and soul. He is also a man that loves God. He never misses church and is not afraid to share his faith with others.<br /><br />I asked God for someone like this and He answered me. I am amazed! I am enjoying the relationship we are building. I don't have any plans, but I am letting God lead me on. We have challenges in our lives, I am still married in name only, because of the insurance and financial issues; and he has been unemployed for a while, but he finds things to do to keep everything running well. Even with these issues, I feel better than ever and very optimistic for the future.<br /><br />We rode in ( my first) a charity bike ride for kids; a teddy bear run to a local hospital. I tell you, in all my life, I have never felt so happy and good, riding next to my new best friend; in the warm sun. The night ended at the Pig Gig ; a local event with barbecue and music! We wound up with free VIP seats in the front row for 5 concerts that night. We rode home in the dark; a first for me really. But I felt safe; and happy!<br /><br />Then last week, we went to a music event at a local biker bar; for the first time in 20 something years; I danced a slow dance with a man! We danced all night:) We also drank Diet Coke all night:) And I was flying high on my wings that night. The difference is that this is a solid feeling; a feeling of stability. The last relationship was all wild and intense and short. And left me with holes in my heart and soul.<br /><br />I also got my dream job this summer; I work every Sunday at the Viking Dealer inside JoAnn's in Saginaw ,MI. I love it; its only minimum wage plus commission, and generally 8 hours per week, but it is the best!! My boss is like my twin; she is the coolest gal; I am so glad I met her!! I get to be creative and use all the machines and help others find their dream machine. I hope that as time goes on, I will get more hours, but for now this is good. Hey who else gets paid to sew? LOL!<br /><br />I still have such great friends that keep my head up; and for all these blessings I am grateful. My heart is healing well and I am looking forward to where the journey takes me next. It doesn't matter where you go, it's who's beside you that counts; Life is not a destination but a journey. ( stitchery I saw today!)<br /><br />So I am here; I am finding my joy and hoping that all who hurt find theirs as well. Love you all my friends!<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-90774014201091552332010-07-21T21:30:00.002-04:002010-07-21T21:58:47.305-04:00One year later<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One year ago today my old world ended. No warning just BAM! My husband decided without any discussion to leave our home; no reason given, but later the reason was discovered by myself.<br /><br />Fast forward to today; I have learned a lot in the past year. One, I learned that I am pretty resilient. Knock me down and I get right back up again as the song says. Two, I found that I have REALLY great friends in real life as well as the blog world. Three, I learned that I can ride the lawn mower, self taught with the owner's guide tucked in my bra! LOL I also can pick up icky dead mice; as long as I have my gloves on. I learned that I like to work with wood as well as fabric. I learned some gardening; learned that I love to get my toes dirty, and I LOVE to dig, what a great therapy! I enjoy the results of my work. I have had many great comments from neighbors on the work I have done.<br /><br />I found I like living alone with my bullies. I have friends who come to stay with me and I love that too. I'm okay with being here by myself. There is a peace here. I call it my sanctuary now. I also rediscovered who I am. I am the girl who loves being dirty, whose family is from the South ( no more being ashamed of that!) I love listening to all music especially country and bluegrass. I don't much care what job I get; working in a factory would be just as good as working in a fancy office. I'm not that fancy anymore.<br /><br />I also lost weight ; about sixty pounds; but still have a ways to go ; like 100 lbs. But that is okay! I'm happy with what I look like right now! It's amazing the change in me; outside and inside. I'm more creative now. It is as if all the creative spirit was jammed up because of all the fear and sadness I lived in.<br /><br />I have met a nice friend who is a neighbor. He rides a Harley and he is such a nice man. He has stopped by to talk a few times and has invited me to ride with him. Don't know where that will go, but that is okay. I'm not planning anything, I'm just happy to have a new friend who rides. And the cool thing is, he has seen me at my worst every time, dirty from digging, cleaning, sweaty! And this last time wearing my "did you eat an extra bowl of stupid this morning?" t-shirt. No makeup and my hair all catty wampus. He acts like I am just perfect as I am. That is so nice!<br /><br />We are still married, due to the economy and my need for insurance. He takes care of many of the financial issues, but not timely and not always without a discussion. We are on the verge of losing my home which would be a really bad thing, as I have finally fallen in love with my home; I always loved the land, but not the house so much! He has now lost his job as well, but he will get unemployment as well as his pension. I am hoping for the best. I am applying everywhere for everything. I am not too proud to do any job. I have cleaned a friend's home for money. And I do not feel bad about it at all. I feel lucky to have a friend that would try to help me in such a way! I know there is a plan, but I sure wish God would kind of give me a nudge in the right direction!<br /><br />So, one year later; here I am ; still learning about myself; doing a lot of physical labor, which has given me a little muscle. Finding my way one day at a time. Learning to live more simply and on way ,way less money. But I am okay and hopeful. I have that now; hope. Thanks for all your support; I am hoping this next year is the best ever; every day now is the best ever.<br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-40949907184244846692010-06-10T20:43:00.004-04:002010-06-10T21:39:46.131-04:00Who???<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Well; I bet that is what you all are saying,right?? I know it has been a while, but I am back at it!!! I have a lot to share with you all. This past weekend was the one year anniversary of losing Niles. It was sad and I still miss him, but my two friends really came through for me as they have done many times in the past year.<br />Sonny and Karen came over on Friday and brought their two mugs; a mini pin and a "chi-weenie" hee-hee' love that name! They also brought a ton of food, flowers to plant and assorted goodies! And most important, they came to be with me so I wouldn't be alone. They are truly the best! I love them so much:)<br /><br />Due to the economy and my current state of finances ( umm... none!LOL) I am working hard on prim/country crafts to sell here and in our Country Sampler store where we will be renting a booth so if you "need" something send me an email and I will get it right to you. Sonny is my partner; he is a master at woodcraft! He actually worked in a factory in Northern Michigan that made these huge butcher block islands like I have in my kitchen!!! I have designed some things and he is great at designing in his head and popping out something great!!!<br /><br />I am hoping that this is successful for us and will lead to not having to work for others ever again!!! My dream has always been to own a country store! So here are some goodies to start with: and we will ship to other countries as well, but of course you will need to pay the traveling costs; we can check it and give you a quote on that.<br /><br />These are the sock stretchers made from an antique one we saw while out and about one day; they are available in any color and are antiqued and sealed with a matte finish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXn30WV07JrAZ5ptd4f1XFOrva38mGaMrwtXd3dGrD70JJhSInZbePWw-2UZd1g_JTYyqLYK5pRl3mxbp3isi4YDbm0bW72ehRxoXiNhKB4IEH8rNTnDeMADcyWyXMkzH6B0e4tAKa3c/s1600/HPIM2432.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXn30WV07JrAZ5ptd4f1XFOrva38mGaMrwtXd3dGrD70JJhSInZbePWw-2UZd1g_JTYyqLYK5pRl3mxbp3isi4YDbm0bW72ehRxoXiNhKB4IEH8rNTnDeMADcyWyXMkzH6B0e4tAKa3c/s320/HPIM2432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481319555357877922" border="0" /></a>Thay are a nice size and are 17.00 plus traveling fee; email me for an estimate.<br /><br />This is the piggie that is also a blackboard; available in black as well; comes with chalk and a hanger/tail of homespun; he is 25.00 plus traveling fee;<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaocsr1vDQloEVBwXKI6bZzAMd7CT9TYfgCElKAiZdesU6iCaQBugMxfNBilKfgg592iqU8djK86fAWqmldzenQEu9T6UAnzT-NcTLg52x-VTKLiLTswLSGJKvzwGi6Mdi5uN2UknLlM/s1600/HPIM2434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaocsr1vDQloEVBwXKI6bZzAMd7CT9TYfgCElKAiZdesU6iCaQBugMxfNBilKfgg592iqU8djK86fAWqmldzenQEu9T6UAnzT-NcTLg52x-VTKLiLTswLSGJKvzwGi6Mdi5uN2UknLlM/s320/HPIM2434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481317553677165506" border="0" /></a>These are my favorites right now; I have them done up right now in every country color you can imagine! This was a special one for Americana folks. He is from an antique pig cutting board that I own. They are so cute! And we are making larger ones to go outside in your yard as well. These will be 12.00 plus traveling fee.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYAOg9geMbEw9IOBsVU7aPq8yo_iEFaYAjFm9wAdQeN47cF8NXXRw04i_gCbK5qAVNwbVn0ck8OUPEpmnUc7SA_wjoyAITTP-j9OxLotZZWboS-kYNET_adECpYOozDiy3PzDcDUNtvo/s1600/HPIM2428.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYAOg9geMbEw9IOBsVU7aPq8yo_iEFaYAjFm9wAdQeN47cF8NXXRw04i_gCbK5qAVNwbVn0ck8OUPEpmnUc7SA_wjoyAITTP-j9OxLotZZWboS-kYNET_adECpYOozDiy3PzDcDUNtvo/s320/HPIM2428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481317548379604530" border="0" /></a><br />We will of course try to find you the cheapest rates for mailing and we will combine all your orders in one shipment if possible. Email me for details and to order; no extra charge for different colors. I hope you all like these things as much as we do. I will also be offering re-dos and other prim/country items as I find them. We are trying to really stimulate the economy here in Michigan by buying from local sources for supplies as well as other goodies. So you will be helping out by buying yourself a few goodies! LOL!!! See you soon with more! My email is wheretheblackbirdssing at gmail.com. <br /><br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-90573327043847885932010-03-26T17:47:00.003-04:002010-03-26T18:12:00.519-04:00Make your car a no phone zone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3VmI-UOe7PHxwh2Q3ldc5RJMpq66OJD1NimXCSS_qn7lv2OV0zagLjMR7cQLmqPzFuf1WC-cgMtf8tB_Azx7O5xRyPnG6JTx7qHiDr8noY8LVkOTpSR69ekFmDflvym1MtakmrrA2qA/s1600/nophone-header-631x86.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 44px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3VmI-UOe7PHxwh2Q3ldc5RJMpq66OJD1NimXCSS_qn7lv2OV0zagLjMR7cQLmqPzFuf1WC-cgMtf8tB_Azx7O5xRyPnG6JTx7qHiDr8noY8LVkOTpSR69ekFmDflvym1MtakmrrA2qA/s320/nophone-header-631x86.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453066895888090514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I was watching Oprah the other day with my daughter. The topic was distracted driving. I have been guilty of this in the past myself. No I do NOT text and drive, but I have spoken on the phone, and even have eaten while I drove on occasion. This episode brought home the dangers of ANY distraction. So I won't be doing that anymore! They say when you know better, you do better and I am doing better.<br /><br />I thought of my daughter driving on the roads with people who do this and I was struck by how quickly it can happen! I have threatened her life (LOL) if she EVER texts while driving and we agreed that she will pull over if she needs to make a call and will not answer the phone until her car is stopped. I can't protect her from everyone out there that does stupid things, but I can try to make my voice heard to try and keep her, and all of us safer on the roads. I am a big proponent of stopping drunk driving and so this just fits right in. I am not against drinking or texting; just do it at home, not in the car!<br /><br />One story on Oprah really got me, as the young man was killed when he dropped his phone and tried to retrieve it from the floor and crashed headfirst into a tree; he was killed instantly. Such a innocent thing resulted in his loss of his life. All the stories were heartbreaking; families devastated by something so stupid and preventable. And it is not just kids doing this! There were adults doing it as well!!<br /><br />We really don't need to be THAT connected and that self centered that our desires should end someone's life or our own. That phone call can wait! And tell everyone to stop that stupid texting crap! Personally. I just don't get it. I can call you and say what I need to say in a couple of minutes; it takes me forever to text and it is so impersonal. But I get that people just love it, and like anything else, it needs to be done appropriately! Not while you are driving a vehicle or any other activity that requires attention.<br /><br />I think technology is great, but we are becoming more and more disconnected from each other. I see and hear people EVERYWHERE yakking away like they are totally alone. Some of these conversations are really inappropriate and bizarre. I see people at dinner in restaurants blabbing away on the phone while their dinner companion basically eats alone,and the rest of us have to listen to a totally invasive conversation; usually carried on quite loudly!<br /><br />No one needs to lose their life over this. I signed Oprah's no phone zone promise; you can too by going here; <a href="http://http://www.oprah.com/packages/no-phone-zone.html">http://www.oprah.com/packages/no-phone-zone.html</a><br /><br />Remember the life you save may be your own.<br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-22345644215166541382010-03-15T23:41:00.003-04:002010-03-16T00:38:09.136-04:00Where have I been?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QhqLRYTJDf2thmDOFlrQ8AOxWwwdvIIv40uFGGoVymRxxEo8RnRU55JtvEJg_XI8bRIDzjelag-sPYoYhnNUsOBq4rZOOEuWlWTikSKx5fZy6jabiVbSgqLinPPF6cNmfMAKW063akk/s1600-h/HPIM2233.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QhqLRYTJDf2thmDOFlrQ8AOxWwwdvIIv40uFGGoVymRxxEo8RnRU55JtvEJg_XI8bRIDzjelag-sPYoYhnNUsOBq4rZOOEuWlWTikSKx5fZy6jabiVbSgqLinPPF6cNmfMAKW063akk/s320/HPIM2233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085335354697394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Piz</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioV0HJj_hA1dVj4bF0NZBoLIR-tXZxbcJb7sqzKQwtpJ_nFupGSzoJPWHNLiVjbUGRUHCArkhrSpoqx9Ha47tAdpNZMFkGjhtmuVowatYVrwWUawi0_HPuiFXFWFA3POqAMUYilEo0gXM/s1600-h/HPIM1773.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioV0HJj_hA1dVj4bF0NZBoLIR-tXZxbcJb7sqzKQwtpJ_nFupGSzoJPWHNLiVjbUGRUHCArkhrSpoqx9Ha47tAdpNZMFkGjhtmuVowatYVrwWUawi0_HPuiFXFWFA3POqAMUYilEo0gXM/s320/HPIM1773.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449085325066565426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">the Murphy!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have been gone a while. I have been under a whole lot of stress lately. Many of you know I love my bulldogs. Two of them Murphy and Sydney ( aka the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Piz</span>) have been in the vets office a good bit all through this month. Murphy needed a second surgery ( in addition to the one on his palate as a pup) to remove more of his palate and also to remove laryngeal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">saccules</span> which were keeping him from breathing well. That was in the beginning of March. That was something that I knew had to be done. But to get him there I had to get up at 3:30 am and drive him a hour and a half to the best bulldog vet in the state. That wasn't as hard as letting the tech take his leash from me and watching him look back at me; me with the tears right in my eyes as I tried to pretend it was not a big deal for his sake. I watched him until they disappeared behind that door, wondering would I see him again alive, would this be the last kiss I ever gave him? He came through it like a puppy. His brother Niles was in Heaven I know watching and guiding the surgeon, this I know right along with God. For Niles is our angel in Heaven and I know he knows how much I miss him even today as I write this, tears are flowing.<br /><br />Last weekend, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Piz</span> and Murphy began <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">havin</span>g a lot of congestion; breathing was difficult for them both. I drove down there to the vet's office terrified. Murphy was deemed okay; but then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Piz</span> was critically ill. It went from maybe its a viral thing between to finding out she had lungs filled with liquid; but she also had a congenital defect called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">megaesophagus</span>.( It is a large esophagus that has problems with moving the food and drink into the stomach, so it is often regurgitated and many times aspirated into the lungs) They believe that due to this condition she aspirated either food or water into her lungs and developed a pneumonia.<br />So I am faced with the possibility that she might die. She spent the night and as I was going to get her, they called and said she needed to stay as she had gotten worse and had blood in mucus from her nose. Well I just had a meltdown. My daughter has been with me all through this and I think she was surprised when I just lost it completely and began to cry and hyperventilate. I generally do NOT cry in front of others ( there is only one person in the world that I have shared my tears with and he knows who he is ) It stems from something that happened to me a long time ago. I feel so ashamed and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">embarrassed</span> to cry in public. But this day after all the fear and worry over the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Murph</span>, I just could not hold it in any longer. Finally we picked her up on Wednesday; I felt lost without her. She is Niles' twin! Without her the house became even more sad and deathly quiet. She was down the first day, but she has begun to be her old loud,bossy self. Such joy in that little package.<br /><br />The really neat thing was that when we (my husband went with me to get her) got to the vets office, we got to meet another bulldog who just had three babies; and we were allowed to see the little ones. That was such a highlight after so much sadness, To see that was for me, to step back in time; to when we went to see our sweet boy Niles; our very first bulldog. I could still feel the love we had for each other and for our new baby. It was like bringing a newborn baby home from the hospital when we brought him home. I will never forget that feeling of hope, joy and love that was shared on that day in February of 2000. Seeing those puppies brought that all back to me.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Piz</span> slept all the way back to my husband's truck. When we dropped him off, as I was driving away I noticed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Piz</span> had rose up and was looking out the back window, with her little paw on it like she was so sad to say goodbye to her dad. It made my heart sad to see that despite all the sadness and stress of this past year.<br /><br />The truth be told, I still harbor love in my heart for her dad because I remember who he really is; not what he has become now. We are still a family; we are just not together in the same house right now. I have forgiven him because unless I do that I am not worthy of forgiveness myself from God who sees it all and knows my heart. What the future holds I do not know; but I am doing the very best I can with what I am. I miss having those conversations and discoveries with him. I am still not sure of I can do it with someone else in the future if it comes to that.<br />Its hard when so much has been lost; that is why this month only 15 days in, has been so darn difficult for me. So much fear and sadness.<br /><br />But in contrast, I have found that there is a spirit in my friends that burns bright. My friends Sonny and Karen came <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">over</span> to spend the weekend prior to Murphy's surgery with me. Somehow they knew that I needed to have company to keep my mind from wandering. They made food; Sonny made me LOTS of cheesecakes; chocolate and my new favorite; coconut cheesecake. My friend Sue and her daughter Rikki came over the weekend before last and we had a great brunch of biscuits and gravy and bacon. After that we sewed all day and crafted with Rikki. Then my daughter went into town and brought back sandwiches for dinner. We were quite productive! I finished the curtains for my friend Karen, made a pillow for Rikki, Sue pinned everything; it was like an assembly line! They brought my other fur kid Bailey; I trained him for Sue and raised him as an honorary bulldog with my boys. They all played and had fun too!<br /><br />Just a few days ago, I heard the red winged blackbirds singing outside. To me that is one of the two indicators of Spring ( that is also where my blog name came from) The other one occurred also; my biker friend and neighbor got his bike out and was up and down the road more than once. Now I ride too, but I am so not that dedicated! When you get going it can be quite cold!!! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">LOL</span>! So the world goes on here in my little bulldog farm where the blackbirds sing ( and the bikers ride by calling my name)<br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-80077551015213771352010-02-26T12:25:00.002-05:002010-02-26T12:31:47.086-05:00GIVEAWAY!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOLIy1OQoEdEZWjLPlH-lPMrhtoF5jMGD3rrCOU2Twpbjg8rCH1ayXSeimbBTX3f1sj9Qp1X-WW5P-Tj17-u67pl1vsBRtf-1m9eWdMUC94nu5wG8ZK9rr2KA_lZdJwKPNSux5dOLyIk/s1600-h/st+Pattys+giveaway.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOLIy1OQoEdEZWjLPlH-lPMrhtoF5jMGD3rrCOU2Twpbjg8rCH1ayXSeimbBTX3f1sj9Qp1X-WW5P-Tj17-u67pl1vsBRtf-1m9eWdMUC94nu5wG8ZK9rr2KA_lZdJwKPNSux5dOLyIk/s320/st+Pattys+giveaway.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442604891786352658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">WOOO! Check out this giveaway from Firecracker Kid!!!! I sooooo want this, but I am sharing it with my friends!!! Go <a href="http://firecrackerkid.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-st-patricks-day-first-date-giveaway.html">here</a></span></span> <span style="font-size:130%;">to enter</span>. <span style="font-size:130%;">Good Luck!</span> ( <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I don't win this, guess I am gonna have to save up ALLLL my pennies to buy one from her!!!)</span> The winner will be announced on St. Patty's Day on her blog. So git on over there y'all!</span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-31290010893376310232010-02-19T13:09:00.000-05:002010-02-19T13:12:45.132-05:00A Friday Laugh!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hey y'all; here he is MY DREAM MAN!!! LOL!!! I got his in an email and just thought it was a hoot!!! Hell, if a guy is this creative with duct tape; who knows what else he is capable of!!!! This just cracks me up!!!!! The hat and shoes match OMW!!!</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7B3fz5xmIuvS3luT1HvvJRJybnL5y5A893xcLioYh6a8OHww6ClRYQVUt4dWxGe95dgBfJAe4g3CG3Ehke2vutlqJ-dLWjjtC5x5s-DGPmSa992paGz9geWNcUrCo3KcF-MjSXQWdIos/s1600-h/mydreamman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7B3fz5xmIuvS3luT1HvvJRJybnL5y5A893xcLioYh6a8OHww6ClRYQVUt4dWxGe95dgBfJAe4g3CG3Ehke2vutlqJ-dLWjjtC5x5s-DGPmSa992paGz9geWNcUrCo3KcF-MjSXQWdIos/s320/mydreamman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440018427503716018" border="0" /></a>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-28806262167033113402010-02-16T14:41:00.001-05:002010-02-16T14:44:44.571-05:00this weeks happee iz on backorder :)the picture would not let me resize it; so the title of this post reflects the words used! I love this guy:)<br /><br /><a href="http://ihasahotdog.com/2010/02/15/funny-dog-pictures-happee-backorder/"><img src="http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/funny-dog-pictures-happee-backorder.jpg" alt="funny pictures of dogs with captions" title="funny-dog-pictures-happee-backorder" class="mine_3069451008" /></a><br />see more <a href="http://ihasahotdog.com/">dog and puppy pictures</a>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-29433020557150550702010-02-12T17:03:00.007-05:002010-02-12T17:26:00.401-05:00Have a bully-ful Valentines Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALmkwJLj4AZqRv2wjeOJ7CYuigDN2Fq72vRsx89V7QQM7WYtpva2EePCV3Az498L7Gkl1zLCHVOz97GOaWdy9PT_U8fLo0yJgPcCTieHpi9oEWhO5GN9ve3bOT4KDmlUfmIPtDg4mrhk/s1600-h/bully+valentine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALmkwJLj4AZqRv2wjeOJ7CYuigDN2Fq72vRsx89V7QQM7WYtpva2EePCV3Az498L7Gkl1zLCHVOz97GOaWdy9PT_U8fLo0yJgPcCTieHpi9oEWhO5GN9ve3bOT4KDmlUfmIPtDg4mrhk/s320/bully+valentine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437482617424947490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />The bullies and I want to send our love and best wishes to all our friends! The bullies love every holiday and I try to find them things to celebrate with. I bought them 3 cookies and this is what they looked like before:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rVtxa1c_X4v5KwzctekuAaApAhV9XXqDm_qiNfxrp3cDUAVHNz8wB4s95aFJoVdZDgroeiha-OkR9PS-YSrMJQbVzIcZS-p8w3kIJ1vZCJpCzKFmNbih3nHpVHAedyY1OxWEpOFsfd0/s1600-h/HPIM2284.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rVtxa1c_X4v5KwzctekuAaApAhV9XXqDm_qiNfxrp3cDUAVHNz8wB4s95aFJoVdZDgroeiha-OkR9PS-YSrMJQbVzIcZS-p8w3kIJ1vZCJpCzKFmNbih3nHpVHAedyY1OxWEpOFsfd0/s320/HPIM2284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437483055144669058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAE_C4fChG3rZlyEXjx2Ry5QDNWt5Vbi_QBIM58_e1qAw3wlHUA8YARxzsGG_S6BPR74Kd6iPsBjI8ZOr7de-eZaHn2W_HX0C9_9Nxli2c7GLNO7-WZPMyQLJ1oSoppNU1Vd8CAW4xXK4/s1600-h/HPIM2287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAE_C4fChG3rZlyEXjx2Ry5QDNWt5Vbi_QBIM58_e1qAw3wlHUA8YARxzsGG_S6BPR74Kd6iPsBjI8ZOr7de-eZaHn2W_HX0C9_9Nxli2c7GLNO7-WZPMyQLJ1oSoppNU1Vd8CAW4xXK4/s320/HPIM2287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437483323477620530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And after: Watch the video to see the Valentine's Day Cookie Massacre! Lead by the mug named Zoey! ( Usually I break the cookies into smaller pieces and so then no one gets a tummy ache! LOL)<br /><br /><br /></span></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCtnqSZp7JovjaPDg4cLR7xaC0RFctNfQNFS6e2pt8vPFs3SPd-lRC5Tm4PyAaxB2Dp4RvKExQc8MmLZODpg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br />We are sending a special bully Valentine to our very special friend Dexter; our prayers that he will be healed and quickly get back to being himself. We love you Dexter!Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-24433284407371883202009-12-31T16:40:00.003-05:002009-12-31T16:57:23.731-05:00Goodbye to the first decade of the millenium!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">The news shows all say "its the end of the first decade of the millenium" It has been a hard ten years, and yet there were many bright moments as well.We moved to Canada in January of 2000. We brought Niles home in February of 2000. My sweet man! In June 2001, I lost my son to an asthma attack, the US was attacked in September.Then we brought the Murphy home in October 2001. This year saw the loss of Niles in June and my husband left to find his way in July. See the contrast? Good, and horrible juxtaposed against one another.<br /><br />That's what life is. This past year has put many of us here in blogland to the test. I read somewhere that we experience these trying times as God is trying to strengthen us. That may be true, but golly, I am about strong enough now to pick up Sparkle and carry him around my yard! LOL!<br /><br />What do I plan for the next year? I plan to follow where I am taken, to accept what I have, live without what I don't and just be happy in the moment. I plan to make the decision each day to be happy in the face of whatever comes my way. I plan to continue to love my friends, make some new ones and find my place. I am going to make a new career for myself and move on into a new decade with hope and optimism that better things await me in the new decade to come. I will always love my bullies and try each day to make their life the best ever; and be the kind of person they think I am. I am no longer looking back. I am moving forward quickly and letting the past hurts and sadness go. I will love again and trust again.That is a work in progress. But I am okay.<br /><br />I still mourn for my baby Niles and my son Joseph. These are the things that happen to us in life and we have to honor them by living a good life, continuing to love and opening our hearts to possibilities. I will never forget these hurts, but will let them strengthen me and my resolve to find a better way.<br /><br />The bullies and I say "BULLY NEW YEAR" to all of you!!!!!<br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-26120360233419774312009-12-21T16:22:00.004-05:002009-12-21T17:59:24.923-05:00The Meaning of Christmas<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yesterday I spoke on the phone with someone close to me about the subject of Christmas. After hanging up, I came to a realization that this person didn't really know me anymore. And truthfully I guess I'm not "me" anymore, at least the old "me" of just last year.<br /><br />For my entire life as an adult, Christmas has been a stressful time of unrealized expectations. I think many people can identify with this. The advertising onslaught from even before Thanksgiving on tends to urge us all toward excess. The children are encouraged by the ads to want more and more. And parents try to give it to them in order to make their Christmas " the best ever". We get caught up in the fever.<br /><br />Each year, after I had kids, I would run all over the place trying to get the "best" of everything; get all the items on their "lists". Because you "have to" fulfill the list to make it the "best Christmas ever". And every year, there would be so much unhappiness; even when I could get every last item on the list. So much frustration and sadness every year. I never received a gift from any of my spouses that was heartfelt or demonstrated any knowledge of me as a person, or fulfilled the promises made on the television by all the romantic Christmas jewelry ads! So I am guilty of falling into the trap as well. I will own that. I hated the holidays every year; the past few I have been so depressed that I just barely got through.<br /><br />I have, outside of my daughter ( and formerly, my husband), absolutely no family. My parents divorced when I was nine as my mother wanted a different life than the one that she had. And she got it, for us kids as well; pretty much both sides of our family abandoned us. No Rockwell family Christmases for us!My mother died from alcoholism when I was 18; she was in her early forties, in the early part of December, 1980.My father, who was much older, passed away a few years later. My son, who passed away in 2001, was born just a couple of weeks later; December 28. My daughter was born, as many of you know, December 24th,1978. So there is much sadness at this time. Also some joy. Even though my daughter hates her birthday, I still think it is perfect.<br />So there is a basis for my issues I guess. After the events of this summer, I was not holding out much hope for anything different, actually I figured it would be much worse. I live alone with my dogs. So why bother with it?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BECAUSE I CAN!!! </span><br /><br />This year I am finally coming into my own being. I have had much time to think about who I am and what <span style="font-weight: bold;">I think and feel</span>. So here it is. I learned that I can and have CHOSEN my own family in addition to my daughter and my fur kids; Rikki and Sue, Sonny, Karen,Adam and Sam and all their fur kids, Rebecca and her fur kids,Jennifer and Jerry and their daughters and fur kids, Karen C ,the "puppy lady"and her fur kids. Renee and her fur kid,AND, all my bloggy friends and their fur kids that have sent me love and kindnesses all through this year. I even found old school friends on Facebook that have really made my life better!<br /><br />I have learned that I am happy with my little house and my doggies. I miss Niles so very much, but I will try to honor him by the way I live the rest of my life. He will always be my canine soul mate. I decorated this year the way I could and didn't stress out over being unable to go out and buy more. I have been far more aware of my own gratitude in the silences of my home. I have had to learn how to do more with a whole lot less, and no predictability of what will come. I could not go out and buy anything really, for anyone, other than the few items I have picked over time for the fur kids. But in my heart, I feel at peace.<br /><br />I know now that I cannot buy happiness. Don't get me wrong, I love to decorate and love to find goodies for my home. But I also know that things will never give me love or happiness. I have found that within my heart. Even though things are bad right now, I am calm, and I am happy. I am strong. I am living more simply,<br /><br />Christmas has lost its meaning here in this country. I will tell you what Christmas is to me now. It is having a home ( no matter how small,large, fancy or plain) to share with friends and family, food to feed the hunger, joy in the little things; like someone making you a gift from their heart (Sonny!) and the knowledge that there are people in the world that really love you and care for you that would never hurt you, no matter what. But this is not just for one month of the year; this is my whole year. I have so much; I have Christmas in my heart all year.<br /><br />Last night I stopped at our local McDonald's. The drive thru girl saw Sparkle all done up and said to me " You are really all about Christmas aren't you?" And I answered "yes, I am" without even thinking about my answer. And then it dawned on me, I AM REALLY ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS! All year long!!!! It isn't what we buy, it is what we give. Our hearts and our real love. That is it. Love. And I give it to those I love freely; even when they are not perfect, I still love them.<br /><br />All my love to all of you who have made me the person I am today. Thanks to you every one.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-50846760608695364612009-12-12T17:03:00.004-05:002009-12-12T17:29:02.800-05:00The Christmas Cruiser and assorted other fun things!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_0RVG3k0o8cqedWhrOaWsxf8BJtO9M969yWpTcWuw8b6rHRRGmhPI5kNyMrAXFxUKC6akdU16VavaQ8tShpJ0nvdhR8gbaDVk66uEdz2BrpDXIcZZOmiw9oSLUY-U7QLH0IQbpCBhXg/s1600-h/HPIM2229.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_0RVG3k0o8cqedWhrOaWsxf8BJtO9M969yWpTcWuw8b6rHRRGmhPI5kNyMrAXFxUKC6akdU16VavaQ8tShpJ0nvdhR8gbaDVk66uEdz2BrpDXIcZZOmiw9oSLUY-U7QLH0IQbpCBhXg/s320/HPIM2229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414476844186706786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sparkle, the Christmas Cruiser, is ready to jump in if Rudolph can't perform his sleigh pulling duties; the extra lights will sure be useful if the weather turns bad for Santa and four wheel drive never hurts for those unpredictable landings In addition that big ole trailer hitch in the rear will be able to tow along lots of goodies for everyone! Doesn't Sparkle look happy?</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHBnUS8PPNq8TMSDtDAy1Ek4OFcNYfTgkCY-BLCP9lY3P7A_40ppb4OwpwHvpJ95tHH4AAwNfgsWU5CcmGFRdTivAzy5zbKk4JWkGwJ4yt08Wm52cFqJXGwUgw84NfugRrtf_ELInoTU/s1600-h/HPIM2216.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHBnUS8PPNq8TMSDtDAy1Ek4OFcNYfTgkCY-BLCP9lY3P7A_40ppb4OwpwHvpJ95tHH4AAwNfgsWU5CcmGFRdTivAzy5zbKk4JWkGwJ4yt08Wm52cFqJXGwUgw84NfugRrtf_ELInoTU/s320/HPIM2216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414475730772989554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Murphy says "So whaddaya got to do to get some turkey 'round here?" </span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7WdTKWdnEzVUh3Ianq87j_iElkSU5gNT0FZfCOze2s24J3Ciwf_ly9Mqhgcz1PmNiAqIieiMR2BIGdKkJO9rZuNI64LyeqftkOcd4L1uIUv5oH0-D6hhg9Sl4YheDpAMHcJ2H02S7sY/s1600-h/HPIM2226.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7WdTKWdnEzVUh3Ianq87j_iElkSU5gNT0FZfCOze2s24J3Ciwf_ly9Mqhgcz1PmNiAqIieiMR2BIGdKkJO9rZuNI64LyeqftkOcd4L1uIUv5oH0-D6hhg9Sl4YheDpAMHcJ2H02S7sY/s320/HPIM2226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414475724470830498" border="0" /></a>This is Murphy's PINK Christmas tree! He really loves it!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb9HIMdBFOHZgGaKMxvF16g51W6lYaKvQXeMLxKN8leraZsl4lMmsqwtBGefWJSh-hpNUyGQh2M0NWi25CT1VmA5jiw-kqbsFnke5CezCqE2KB_AEVKCPdZXfnn0WHXCMAhjShjvM7VU/s1600-h/HPIM2230.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb9HIMdBFOHZgGaKMxvF16g51W6lYaKvQXeMLxKN8leraZsl4lMmsqwtBGefWJSh-hpNUyGQh2M0NWi25CT1VmA5jiw-kqbsFnke5CezCqE2KB_AEVKCPdZXfnn0WHXCMAhjShjvM7VU/s320/HPIM2230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414475727688056562" border="0" /></a>I just made these from things I had around the house; both inside and out! The pine branches are from my trees in my yard, and I always have Mason jars. They really smell great and cost nothing. I tied on a homespun bow and added two rusty jingle bells to the ends.<br /><br />I also cut some additional branches and wired them together complete with a Canadian flag bow that I had purchased years ago for Canada Day. I tied it to a pole that is right behind Mr. Niles' grave so that he would have something special. (He was Canadian born, I am in my heart:) I found out that tears will freeze on your face indeed. Hope you are all staying safe and warm!!Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-86389889821741677972009-12-01T14:47:00.003-05:002009-12-01T15:20:06.719-05:00Happy December !<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">It has been a good long time since I have felt like posting anything. I do read all your blogs though and keep up with some of you through Facebook as well. But I still felt guilty about leaving my blog hanging. And it sure has been hard to keep my mouth shut so long; those who know me will be laughing in agreement.<br /><br />This month is my little Sydney's birthday; she will be two. She is still a puppy:) My human ( or hooman in LOLspeak) child was born on Christmas Eve in 1978. My son, who lives in Heaven now, was born two years and four days later on the 28th. Both were preemies. My daughter was 4 lbs. and 8 ozs, my son was 5lbs,10ozs; they had told me while in labor with her that she would most likely only weigh a pound or two and would not likely survive. She surprised them though.<br /><br />I had to fight for her to be born; she was not wanted by my then husband or even his family; who are all allegedly Catholics! They are quite demented. But I refused to have an abortion; even though I was very young (16) when I married her father and only 17 when I had her, I knew there was something there for me to love and care for, someone who would not reject me as my own mother and sisters had done. ( At least until she was a teenager!LOL) I felt her spirit inside. I was afraid she would leave me soon after birth. I went into labor on the 23rd of December; she was born early on the 24th. She was my Christmas miracle. I named her Christmas Eve as there was no other name that could be as special and miraculous as she is. People give her a lot of grief about her name, but I think she knows why I chose that name for her. She was the Christmas gift that I so wanted and received. My miracle. And she still is.<br /><br />She was a fighter from the beginning as was my son. She had to tolerate taking a back seat to her brother who was ill with asthma most of the time as well as being developmentally delayed. He required a lot, but she tried to help as best as she could. She was a little mama to him and a big sister who was fierce in her devotion to her brother. Anyone who tried to say anything cruel about her brother, or to take advantage of him was quickly taken to task by my baby girl. If anything I feel so guilty now, as when I was in the situation, I did not see that she was left behind in many ways. I loved her then as I do now; she was and still is my baby girl; my first little girl.<br /><br />My anniversary is the 27th of December. It is still a busy December no matter how you look at it. My husband and I are talking to each other and have formed some type of new relationship. I do not know where that will end up. I am letting God figure that out, I can't control everything no matter how much I would like to!<br /><br />This will also be the first Christmas without my beloved Niles as well as my husband. I know already it will be hard. His birthday ( and his Dad's) was last month, I found it so hard to keep going forward in November. I think I will be okay now. I don't know why; maybe its all the help I have received from ALL my friends, or the prayers you all have sent, but when I woke up Saturday morning, I had a sense of well-being that I have never had before. I knew when I got up that things were different. I no longer had any anger in my heart and I felt renewed. At peace with what is right now.<br /><br />Murphy has been ill all weekend with some kind of canine cold. He saw the wonderful Dr. Rita yesterday and is now on his way back to health; Thank Goodness!!! I am hoping this continues. Thank you all for the love you send our way; it is a healing force in our lives. I'm back to stay!!<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-19621068388306240462009-09-30T13:26:00.004-04:002009-09-30T13:39:01.288-04:00A Wonderful Dog Party!We entered the <a href="http://www.katillacshack.com">Katillac Shack's</a> Design Gives Back Dog Scarf Decorating drive this summer in honor of Niles. We made three scarves and submitted them to Kelee at the Katillac Shack. Today you can see the video and Murphy, Zoey and the Piz are in the video. The Katillac Shack raised $2000.00 to help feed the animals at the shelter who have been given up because of the horrible economy. All of us here have been honored to be a small part of this endeavor, we are blessed to be able to continue to love, feed and house these sweet doggies. I don't know what we would do without the love of the sweet bullies here. And I know that Niles is giving us a big root-roo for helping dogs in need in his name. So watch the video and have fun loving your babies! ( you can pause the blog music at the bottom on the player to hear the video)<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0N8ptwfUxrU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0N8ptwfUxrU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-43754216081194481402009-09-11T13:24:00.005-04:002010-02-12T17:56:42.684-05:009/11/2001 -9/11/2009<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span><span id="role_document" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: text; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252689662_49">I found this today in my inbox and thought it perfect to share today of all days.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: text; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252689662_49">I lost a lot in 2001 myself but also gained the sweetest love; my Murphy. He came home in October of 2001 and has given me so much love and joy. As did his brother Niles whom I will never forget.</span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: text; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252689662_49"></span><br /></div><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: text; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1252689662_49"><br />Today is a sad day for this country, for many families and for all of us who had their illusion of safety and invincibility destroyed on that horrible day. But arising from the ashes came, much like myself,, a phoenix. This country's citizens and many in other countries as well, came together to extract from the rubble of the Twin Towers, that field in Pennsylvania and the Pentagon, a new strength, a new heart and a resolve to build our lives again. And so we have been, one day at a time. We have made it to year eight.<br /><br />I lived in Ontario, Canada at the time of the attacks and I saw first hand the love of the Canadian people.They took in the planes that day and made the passengers feel at home; some took passengers home with them! I wrote an opinion for the Hamilton Spectator that was published letting the people know of my thanks and the gratitude that I as an American in Canada felt in seeing how our neighbours to the North truly felt about us. I saw them send equipment, dogs , staff and money to aid our country. When people found that I was an American, they offered me their condolences and love. When I made American flag bows and placed them on my van, many Canadians stopped me to say thank you. For the first time that I was aware of, the American flag was flown everywhere I went in Ontario! I was awestruck at the demonstration of support and love, the prayers offered, the ordinary citizens who volunteered to help. That was a dark time for me and for our country, but the light kept shining through the darkness in the form of so many hearts coming together as one. If we band together in love, no one can take the light away from us. Keep the light in your heart for all that were affected that terrible day and for those whose suffering continues.<br /><br />TWO FRIENDS</span> WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT. DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE.<br /><br />THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND, TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE ..<br /><br />THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH.<br /><br />THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.<br /><br />AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE: 'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE'.<br /><br />THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'<br /><br />THE FRIEND REPLIED 'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.<br /><br />BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT'.</div> <div> </div> <div>LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.<br /><br />THEY SAY IT TAKES A MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL PERSON, AN HOUR TO APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN, AN ENTIRE LIFE TO FORGET THEM.<br /><br />TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE!<br /><br />DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Be kind to everyone; we are all fighting some kind of battle.</span><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-42628364588738979262009-08-13T13:38:00.002-04:002009-08-13T14:39:38.727-04:00A Lesson in JoyLast week I discovered something I did not know before. I discovered a very pure form of joy and living life to the fullest extent. And my teacher was someone that many in the world have discounted and labeled. But I know now the secret that she holds and the lessons that you can learn when your heart is open and you see the human spirit and not the package it comes in.<br /><br />I will tell you the whole story , It began when I met this young woman at the mental health office I worked in. She cleaned my office each evening as part of a cleaning crew. I loved running into her as she always had such a sweet spirit and her outlook on life was always upbeat. After a day of dealing with a lot of doom and gloom, this gal was the sunshine in my day. She cleaned better than anybody I have ever seen. She has an eye for detail that I envy! She often talked about her mother, and later I learned that her mother was one of my favorite co-workers. What a neat surprise!<br /><br />Time passed on and the unit closed its doors; my friend was relocated to another position and I took employment elsewhere. But we always stayed in touch, having dinner together and shopping together on occasion. I always asked after her daughter who was always working hard and loving it. She had her own home in the same town as her mother and had a roommate to share the load of taking care of the house. None of this sounds even remotely remarkable does it? Well, read on.<br /><br />As the economy has tanked, my friend's daughter had to move back home with her; the house payment and bills were just too much as her roommate had left; so they rented the house to a family and began living together again, as many families have had to do in this awful economy. But think about it, that is the way it used to be; families living all together and supporting each other in many ways. Children often had their parents and grandparents readily at hand, and things weren't so crazy then.<br /><br />Anyway back to my story; my friend is in a wheelchair and gets around and does more than I do!!! And her daughter is working at two jobs; because she LOVES to work! Can you imagine that? And she would do more if she could get more to do. And she is always cheerful and happy about life; she spreads that joy around to everyone she meets. And that is how she, Rikki became my teacher.<br /><br />Last week, my friend and I went out for a ride with Miss Rikki. I drove her car as it makes loading the chair easy; it has a lift on it which is the greatest thing ever! It wasn't so much what we did, it was doing it with Rikki. Everywhere we went, we talked and laughed and actually had fun doing much of nothing. We went on a hunt for a fruit smoothy with no dairy as Rikki really wanted one of these fruity drinks. We eventually found it at Sonic. But it was the atmosphere I found myself in that really brought out the joy in my heart. Rikki gave it to me, much like a gift. And it is the gift that I treasure as it opened my heart and mind in a new way.<br /><br />As we shopped, I watched her interactions with strangers and saw something remarkable. When she spoke to people, they immediately had a smile cross their faces. I could see their body language open up and they became different for that brief interaction; there was a light that entered these people as they talked with her. No matter their mood, when she talked to them, they became happy and filled with a joy. It was amazing to watch. As we walked through the store together I also could feel myself getting lighter and happier.<br /><br />Rikki loves Motown music and she found a CD while we were out and she bought it. On the way home, she sang every song and danced in the car without a care as to who might see her, or if she sang off key; she sang from her heart and it was beautiful. As she sang I could feel this sensation all through my body; a warmth and feeling of happiness that I haven't really felt before. It was as if a new spirit had entered me. I laughed and sang with her. I was driving or I would have danced in the car. Her mom sang and danced in the seat and for the ride home, we were just three girls having a whole lot of fun, a whole lot of joy.<br /><br />Rikki is 42; she would want me to tell you that. She tells everybody, including me how proud she is to be 42! And that set me to thinking; age is just a stupid number that we use to quantify things. It really has no meaning other than to label people and give a reference point that maybe we really don't need. When I look at Rikki, it is hard to believe that she is 42; my daughter is 30 and that is equally hard to believe because both of these girls look so young. I am 48. That is my number. Nothing more. I feel like I am still a teenager. And I really don't care anymore who knows my age or my weight (282 lbs) my real hair color is pretty much grey, but me and the salon do a good job of keeping it blonde; which was never my "real " color either!<br /><br />Letting go of that nonsense with the numbers was a Rikki lesson too. She would tell me in proud tones "I am as old as you are" I would laugh so hard ( Our birthdays are in the same month, July). And she just does not care about that number or her weight,hair color etc. She is just a genuine human being who lives life as it comes. She doesn't sit around worrying if people like her or if she is as good as others. She just loves and lives and gives to all. I am awestruck by the lessons I have learned from her. She does her work happily and cheerfully and at the end of the day she returns home to watch her favorite tv shows; Cosby and Golden Girls. She has a mad list of friends that she goes to dances and picnics with, and she loves their sweet Bailey doggie. He loves her too!<br /><br />Why is this remarkable? Well to the outside world Rikki is "handicapped" I hate that word. I think she is differently abled; she sure has talents I don't possess and no one calls me "handicapped". Rikki has Downs Syndrome. Her mother was given all kinds of doom and gloom when she was born 42 years ago; but as usual the angels had something else in mind! Rikki is an angel disguised as a girl. I know this because I spend time with her and I see it. I know her mom would say she isn't perfect and has her days; but all in all she is what we all could be. I often think to myself, perhaps it is we, the so-called "normal"( hate that word too; it is a setting on the washer not a label for people!)ones that are "handicapped" and these individuals with Downs Syndrome and Mental Retardation and other developmental disabilities are the true human beings here. They put up with a whole lot of abuse and yet, if you look past the package, the outer shell, you will see the angels inside. I think God sent them here to encourage us to stop being so judgemental and uppity, to learn to really love without restriction and to value what we have, not what we don't. That is what Rikki taught me this past week. I just wanted to share my angel with all of you. Hope you find your angel!Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-30226371594063150272009-08-08T16:39:00.004-04:002009-08-08T17:05:27.541-04:00The One Eyed Guyz!!!<span style="font-size:130%;">Here is something fun!! I was at WalMart recently picking up food and found these guys; they are called one eyed guys; I don't know why, but that is what they call them. They were ONLY 97 cents!!!! So, here they are!<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyRTYKK-fNUSM2-rsI2_ijRfkYjV9mhZ4L3j9qIuM3IIzR3lFcNK1mL5vuiqbsNv_b1eVAIXLNs0JbUdBYmNDT7wK9m_vqldkhsZp6SxJ2HGH6I5RrAZ4bMOrI8ireIS4eO-nf52pUyQ/s1600-h/HPIM2150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyRTYKK-fNUSM2-rsI2_ijRfkYjV9mhZ4L3j9qIuM3IIzR3lFcNK1mL5vuiqbsNv_b1eVAIXLNs0JbUdBYmNDT7wK9m_vqldkhsZp6SxJ2HGH6I5RrAZ4bMOrI8ireIS4eO-nf52pUyQ/s320/HPIM2150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367695926032939234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP35Jkt9rmpgHN_92c_7mPSdjOAoCRnOI_wvQF3X1p2qVFiU5tsvMyGJRaLzLzIZde-88q7IWpDY1J2US6MPJSCFqxpPCCSOkSZMPxO7REeJmql-8gnn-wVasvG5AjRrEG34fk8jTCPo/s1600-h/HPIM2151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP35Jkt9rmpgHN_92c_7mPSdjOAoCRnOI_wvQF3X1p2qVFiU5tsvMyGJRaLzLzIZde-88q7IWpDY1J2US6MPJSCFqxpPCCSOkSZMPxO7REeJmql-8gnn-wVasvG5AjRrEG34fk8jTCPo/s320/HPIM2151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367697373112713730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopF54MYy34RAZ4B7Huvc6LUKsJR5vbZ6CrXzJTFI9iXNld4-EFPUBoAwuDSzoY1ZAWxlwBQBQoGXTVln7KTbkJz0Rmong8Kl4x_P91sqi0tDXqxgOtumFyziTypc9MQrJyUHJuIHowRk/s1600-h/HPIM2158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopF54MYy34RAZ4B7Huvc6LUKsJR5vbZ6CrXzJTFI9iXNld4-EFPUBoAwuDSzoY1ZAWxlwBQBQoGXTVln7KTbkJz0Rmong8Kl4x_P91sqi0tDXqxgOtumFyziTypc9MQrJyUHJuIHowRk/s320/HPIM2158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367697397184782674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTvJF894O7zeHsCcpL5hMajH1LyZTz5XvSHSAsfQkUOsSe-OCvYm-ru9s1qHiuz1V5y0hQByFcqOoF43YNByDPHgJ87DzsLAJZek9pLuBb2V61wjgNy53iAZSaCD0U5QP_IM8N_tJChU/s1600-h/HPIM2153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTvJF894O7zeHsCcpL5hMajH1LyZTz5XvSHSAsfQkUOsSe-OCvYm-ru9s1qHiuz1V5y0hQByFcqOoF43YNByDPHgJ87DzsLAJZek9pLuBb2V61wjgNy53iAZSaCD0U5QP_IM8N_tJChU/s320/HPIM2153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367697380474064034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZPZwyYWHggMb2r8XorYMIPTIKiYX7OJJwf8zA3jOFSUG15A6PpOoWm8epCES4i3pvCryY0IhtQxf7JMoNroW1tgkHogsGJ_Editp7cP6JQv0YcOZgWb0OPsKsd-fgvbb6JSDCczmTzk/s1600-h/HPIM2152.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZPZwyYWHggMb2r8XorYMIPTIKiYX7OJJwf8zA3jOFSUG15A6PpOoWm8epCES4i3pvCryY0IhtQxf7JMoNroW1tgkHogsGJ_Editp7cP6JQv0YcOZgWb0OPsKsd-fgvbb6JSDCczmTzk/s320/HPIM2152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367697378759510210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">So I brought them home because I figured we all needed some fun and even if they only lasted a few minutes, hey, it would be a few minutes of real fun for all of us. Murphy chose green man, Zoey chose the orange man and the Piz chose the yellow ( of course five minutes later, she "collected" ALL the little men and laid on top of them!LOL)<br />The truth is, they loved them and except for two mishaps; Zoey pulled a hole in the orange man's ear and Piz tried to "remove" the green man from the Murph's mouth ( never a good idea) which "removed" the green man's ear, they all are pretty much intact. They all have squeakers, which is a beloved sound to these mugz.<br />Later on,Murph ran to his "safehouse" AKA the chair in my bedroom; he played with green man for a long time. Then he came in to eat, and I tried to find green man, to no avail! i still have not found him! Piz is great at hiding things, but I do not think she even was near it at that point as she was busy throwing her baby off the back of the couch and then running around to get him back and starting the whole process again! She is active for sure; she loves to throw things!<br /><br />Zoey loves her baby as well; she was so excited she just wiggled and wiggled! She loves babies:) Murphy likes to carry his around with him; I had to chase him down when he went out to potty as he took green man with him!! usually the one who does this type of thing is Zoey; not the Murph! Since green man was lost I went back to secure three more; and we now have a supply of the one eyes! LOL. These guys just love them and they are pretty good at not instantly destroying them. Now, if I could only find the hiding place of the original green man!! He is really in the one eyed witness protection program! I hope you enjoyed a look at the furkids and their babies. They are such good babies, they really are! I just love them!</span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-39945072688859496882009-07-29T12:59:00.003-04:002009-07-29T14:00:15.506-04:00Wonderful Friends: Old and New<span style="font-size:130%;">I am tryi</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ng to post on a regular basis now, that is my goal anyway! Last night my wonderful friend Rebecca took me out to dinner, she even filled up the gas in my truck so I could get to dinner and home again. I had forgotten how much fun she is and how much she brings out the "happy" in me when I am around her.<br /><br />I met Rebecca when I first came to Michigan. She was hired directly behind me at the mental health center we worked for. She came in the first day all happy and bouncy and blonde. Now I have blonde hair too, but she had the blonde attitude. You know what I mean, so sweet and innocent and all. At first, I was like oh good grief! And she did not know the ins and outs of substance abuse. I could just see the clients using her up really quickly. Because we were hired at a VERY strange time at that place, we were both shunned by most of the employees in the unit including our supervisor who exemplified Eeyore.<br /><br />We bonded together first from desperation, then a really great strong friendship came about. I was suffering from deep despair at the time as this was the first time my husband left me. I was so down, I put on a great mask of being funny and all, but she could see through that. She often brought me funny presents and encouraged me to be all I could be. She bolstered up my self esteem which was at its lowest. Every day was easier because she was there, it was like sunshine. We were so funny together. She would say things like " Oh we are so NOT gonna do that" in response to some idiotic request that the agency had ( usually something that was compromising the care of the clients) and I would just say "yeah, what she said!" It was so wonderful that she brought me back to myself.<br /><br />We planned the Christmas party with the team there; they were calling us goofy names like Barbie, glamour girls, uppity girls. Now I have never been considered either of those. So on the night of the party we were going to wear tiaras, well our supervisor actually threatened us if we wore the tiaras she was going to get us! I wore mine, Rebecca left hers back in her car. EVERYBODY had that tiara on before the end of the night. We had cultivated friendships all through the center in the different buildings and if our own building did not like us, well, it was their loss. One of my favorite memories of that night,besides the tiara, was when we walked in, our building had sat at a table where we were not welcomed (and they had taken up all the seats!) BUT ALL the other folks clamored to have us sit with them.<br />Then, when they played "OUR SONG" LOL!!! (Baby Got Back by Sir Mix a Lot) We jumped up and had our whole table, including our dear friend Sue (who is wheelchair bound) dancing to that song!!! We got the dirtiest looks, but we had FUN!!!<br /><br />When she got bigger and better jobs, believe me she moved up and out so quickly,she left and it was harder to get together, although we still did. She would stay in touch with email and calls. I always knew where she was. She got remarried to a wealthy man and I thought she outgrew us. But she didn't. When I was really scared about having surgery, I emailed her; she made it sound like a day at the spa! I was a lot less scared after that. I always think well if Rebecca says I can do it, then I can, and she always told me that.<br /><br />Last night, sitting at Harvey's restaurant, watching her drive up chewing gum; she loves gum, Orbit especially! I felt my heart feel better. Then she gets out all cute and hunting through her truck; I am like what are you doing; she is all I lost my diamond earring somewhere. Yikes!!! She was at a training a good ways away and of course she had to stop and shop on the way out; " I bought these shoes today at DSW" and she brought gifts for me; wonderful bubble bath bombs and CHOCOLATE bubble bath and mango body creme. And that is how she is. She once , when we were still working together, bought me a pair of bulldog slippers; I wore them all up and down the hall that day!! I still have them and think of her each time I see/wear them. They look just like my Murphy!<br /><br />She loves me just as I am; she is the one person I have told my weight to; she said, yoiu DO NOT look like you weigh that much and anyway, you look good! Who doesn't need a friend like that? She is a riot and is so positive and caring. I had forgotten so much, life just sweeps us along at times and we lose touch, but she and I may not have SEEN each other, but we were still connected. When I was afraid with the surgery I had asked her to look after my daughter if something ever happened to me and she said she would. I knew she meant it. She has been my living guardian angel, I told her that once and she said "of course I am, I just love you and will always be there for you" All I had to do was call her and she is right on top of it.<br /><br /><br />My other friend Sue is another wonderful friend as well; we met at the same place. She recently retired from that nut house ( the employees are nuts not the clients!) Sue has had a difficult life to say the least. She is in a wheelchair; but she gets around more and often better than I do! She is a sweetie pie! Her daughter Rikki is a doll; Rikki has downs syndrome, but her energy and drive put us all to shame. Rikki just had her 42nd birthday; which as she told me made her " as old as you are Merrie!" LOL; Rikki is the only gal I know that is PROUD of her age! Sue raised Rikki to be as self sufficient as possible. And she is. I love being around them both. Sue has such a great spirit. And she is funny as hell. She has made a beautiful home for herself and Rikki ( who actually has her own home, but the economy forced her to rent it out and move back in with Sue)<br /><br />She is always in my corner and we go a lot of places together. That was us at Holly Hills Primitives together if you follow Dawn's blog ( who is also a great new friend) We were having fun this summer just getting out together and looking at things, making plans to sew together.<br /><br />Last week, I went over to her house and took my doggies for a visit with their "brother" Bailey. Bailey is Sue's dog that I trained up for her; he was a lil white fur ball; he is kinda Shih Tzu looking, but big. And sweet. Murphy immediately remembered him. Zoey and he played a bit and Piz was very interested in him. The funny moment came when the dogs went in the house and SAW all the TOYS Bailey has; oh no he is NOT spoiled!!! They did not try to take them, they just looked at the toys; I mean it is a huge pile stacked up in a corner, and THEN they looked at ME!!!! OOPS! I am always in the doghouse! Phooey! I had gotten them all a hamburger darn it!<br /><br />Today I had the babies out in the front yard with me as I was getting the mail, which darn it I never got! Well the neighbor guy has this German Shepard and he lets this dog go back and forth with him in his truck ( in the bed which gets me dirty looks from my babies cuz I would NEVER let them do this!)or running behind it the two farms are right next to each other directly across from me; well today ole Roscoe ( I now know his name!) decided to visit us. I did not see him initially, but Zoey did. She kinda went wooo; real low, not a growl, just a question. I turned and saw this dog.<br />Now he is large, but did not seem threatening, he was pretty bouncy and happy and wanted to play with my babies. But he kept running into the street; I ran after him and got him and mine out of the street, but he kept leading them back into the street.<br /><br />So here I am all alone trying to herd three plus one into the yard. Well they would play and chase each other ; they were all having fun! I was too; the dog was so sweet and he just wanted some new friends, and these guys all loved him. No barking, no growling. He was more afraid of them than they were of him! What a riot! One of the older ladies from the families came over and after I got mine in, no small feat; "mom, why can't we play more!!!" then getting him back to their house; so I ran down the middle of the street with ole Roscoe following me! Oh yeah; I don't run often, umm ever, but I so wanted him safe. He is now. And all had a good time! Even mommy!! LOL ! <br /><br /></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-72433558653548262552009-07-23T15:48:00.002-04:002009-07-23T16:12:36.456-04:00Just so you know<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I have been so overwhelmed by the love and prayers you all have sent this week and in the past month. Yes times are hard right now. But as I have thought upon it, I wanted you all to know that my husband is not a monster nor is he hateful. He, like I, has made some mistakes. We all have. For those I forgive him, much as I am sure he would/has forgiven me. I have a whole lot of things to work on in my behavior and that is what I am doing now because I am sure not perfect and have made a lot of mistakes that I wish I could change. So I can't be too hard on anyone else.<br /><br />My husband is a good person, one that tries to help others. He has always been someone who is very intelligent and insightful. He is one of the best management leaders around. He can motivate others like no one else. He has a good heart, he really does. He does tend to keep things to himself, which is not good for anyone.<br /><br />He has experienced a lot of grief in his life as well although he never speaks about it.<br />He has long been my best friend and confidant. He was and still is the light and love of my life. He has always tried hard to take good care of us.He is really great with the fur kids. They love him so; they keep looking for him. I don't want people to think he is bad because of what has happened. He is not. I think he just got overwhelmed and didn't know what to do.<br />As many of you know, he had some serious health issues this past year and I think that was a really big part of the stress that lead up to this.<br />I am trying to find and develop a spiritual life to help us deal with life. I think God would forgive him as I hope God will forgive me for my part in this whole mess. I am praying that God will find us and help us heal. I really am. I do love him. He may be a little bugger, but he is my little bugger.<br /><br />I am thankful to all my blog friends that support me here; and could you please say a prayer for my husband that he finds his heart and his way back home again? Thanks and my love to you all.<br /></span></span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-1302458131704932312009-07-21T10:55:00.002-04:002009-07-21T11:48:35.869-04:00I am sorry to say, another sad postI am sorry to have to post another sad story here. It seems like that is all I do these days; talk about sadness. I wanted to be in the blogger community to learn new things, and make new friends; I have done both. I wanted to have a fun and upbeat creative blog, but one that really reflects my life. Sadness is a part of all our lives and I feel I need today to share this burden.<br /><br />I am at a loss to explain this; my husband came home last evening and he brought a state trooper with him. I was so scared when I saw the policeman as I though he was hurt or injured in some way. Never in my life did I think he brought that policeman there to protect him from me; so that he could leave me without any explanation or reason. I am not an idiot, I am NEVER going to commit a violent act no matter how mad I might get because truthfully I cannot do prison and no one is worth going to prison no matter how mad you may be at the time, or how justified you might feel!<br /><br />I am not angry; I have not cried at all( I do cry about the prospect of losing my home and babies as well as my husband though). I am just numb and lost if you want to know the truth. I shared so much with this man, and love him with all my heart and soul. Did we have problems? Yes we do; like anyone else. Money and communication seem to be the biggest issues. Those can be fixed if both parties are willing to work on them. I have always been open to working on issues. For whatever reason he was not able to.<br /><br />Am I a bad person? Yes sometimes I am. I get upset and frustrated when people lie to me and he always knew this was a big deal to me. Yet he would do it over and over. I have yelled about it and been very angry. I have cried buckets of tears over this man. He has done this to me before and I should not have been so gullible this time I guess. But even having said that, I still believe that people can change and become whatever they wish to be. Love is hard at times, not always the easy road. I was not allowed to have any answers which makes it even harder to process. He says there is no one else, but I am not so sure about that.<br /><br />Today I am very sick at heart. I was ill all night with chest pains and nausea. I will be seeing the doctor soon because it did not go away like I assumed it would this morning. I did not sleep much at all; I kept waking up, hoping this was a bad dream. I have never slept well by myself anyway. I am having flashbacks and stress from the last time this happened still and they are really bad this time.<br /> I feel like a lost girl. The person I shared my life with threw me away like I am nothing. I have a big hole in my heart.I have to contemplate losing my dogs, my home, our life together.<br /><br />The dogs are upset as well, last night they peed all over the house when the policeman came in the house as they were frightened. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bitsy</span> has looked all over the house for him, she was in the laundry basket this morning smelling his clothes. I thought of doing that myself. Murphy had an episode yesterday morning that I never got to share with his dad; he woke up screaming from his airway being clogged with phlegm and then he had a really long extended head nodding episode; this morning he is just moping around. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zoey</span> looks sad and has not really moved much. None of them will eat a thing. These animals are all I have in the world. Contemplating not being able to keep them or having to lock them up all day in the house alone is scary and depressing.<br /><br />I know one thing; I am a survivor. Even walking through pain, I am willing myself to go on. No easy way out for me. I have asked God why am I suffering so much? I know I have done many bad things in my life that I wish I could change. I am remorseful for those I have harmed with my behavior. I am sorry that I made choices that were ill-advised. There is nothing more I can do to change the past. All I can do is learn for my past mistakes and try to be a better person in the future. That is what I have been doing now for the past ten years; trying to make amends to any I have harmed. Trying to do what is right in any situation, trying to be a honorable person. I am trying my best each day to do the right thing.<br /><br />I was trying to make this relationship work; I was trying to create a home for us, a sanctuary from the world. I never,ever thought once about having an affair on my husband. I could not bear to hurt him like that; to see pain on his face that I caused is an abhorrent thought. I am guilty of saying thoughtless things in anger, I have been awful when I have been wounded. I know it wasn't right to say those things to the one I love and I regretted them as soon as I said them.<br />My life has always been an open book to him. If he could only do the same for me, our life would be great I believe.<br /><br />Well I do not know what will happen to us now. The stress is waiting to see what he will do next; I have been living with this fear since he came back in 2004. Always living in fear of what might happen next. Even though he told me nothing bad would ever happen to us again. I know that many think I am stupid for believing him, but I did. Because I was/am in love. I don't know what else to say, other than these past two months have been the absolute worst for me. I have lost my true loves, both of them. I hurt all over. I am so very,very heartsick over it all.<br /><br />Butch, if you read this, know this; I am sorry that you felt this was the only recourse available to you. You have caused me a great deal of hurt in the past years and I have always forgiven you. You know that this is true. I have tried to encourage your pursuits as long as they were not damaging to our relationship (other women) I don't understand, I just don't; you certainly would never explain it to me. Maybe you think I don't care, nothing could be farther <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">from</span> the truth.<br /><br />Than you to my friends who have been writing to help me through the loss of my sweet Niles. I have no family other than my daughter, and she is not really close. So I am pretty much all alone except for the doggies. I appreciate you all hanging in there with me during all these days of sadness. I am expecting brighter days to come. I really am. I am just doing the best that I can today, I will handle tomorrow when it gets here.Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458474640310566197.post-47404373847927304692009-06-11T23:39:00.002-04:002009-06-12T00:30:48.059-04:00My Love to You All<span style="font-size:130%;">I came to say I have made it to Thursday. I wanted to come and say to you all; thank you for all your prayers and sweet thoughts. I have found it hard to read them without crying for it is a wonderful thing when strangers will stop to take time to say a kind word to someone they have never met. Yet here I guess we are not really strangers are we? </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Here we share our happiness and our sorrow knowing others will help us along. Kindnesses extended to a fellow blogger or non-blogger; things that we may not be safe to do in our daily lives because of the way the world is today. I am alone at home, yet when I turn on this magic box I can instantly be transported to any place in the world I choose. I have friends I have never met, yet they give me something I have not ever had; support and belonging. I try to return that kindness.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In our little blogging world live people with such big hearts. They are always willing to extend a hand without even thinking of any reward. They are selfless and have a spirit that I wish to cultivate. Women of strength and valor,honor. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">You all have left me in tears reading your comments; tears of joy that for the first time I belong to a community of support. I have gone through much sadness in my life alone. My husband is a man and men grieve on the run I think; they are often taught that grief is not a manly thing and so many are not brought up to know how to handle emotions, especially grief. He does the best he can, but he goes off to work and I am left here to walk through a loud silence. I didn't know how much Niles contributed to my life and the laughter here, and the love. The house is so quiet now and sad.I am mostly alone during the day until I come here. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I came here in pain on Saturday. I don't know why, but I needed something outside my home. I have come here in happy times; to share our life with you. Our love for these furkids and my quest to be the Queen of Country Sampler. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> I have come here to learn from you; to see your life and its rewards as well as your struggles. There is no judgement here; there is only unending support. You laugh and cry with me; you offer encouragement and prayers. You bring me laughter and hope. You lift me up when I cannot walk. You give me courage and drive with the words you leave on your blogs. You have made me want to live a better life; to be a better wife; a better mom. I wish I had you all years ago when I struggled with life. I have had pain in my past that I can't seem to put to rest; if I had a place such as this then, maybe things would be different. But I am glad I have you now. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When we make these blogs, they are for us initially. But they have become so much more than just a frivolous waste of time; they have become a support system, an educational endeavor; who hasn't learned something here? I learned about making hummingbird cakes ( to eat) from Susan; pantry cakes from Jenn( to show in a bowl); I learned about ole Mr Snakie from Shanda (among other things); from so many I learned hope; my first swap PIF from my bully buddy Jane; she has also taught me a lot more! Cynthia Lee taught me about graciousness I will never forget the PIF gifts she sent me. Shari taught me some business; Char taught me all kinds of good things from Mason jar goodies to woodworking. Jill taught me about Kentucky and her wonderful life; Leslie reminded me about being a young mother; and I wish I were as good at it when I was her age; I wasn't! She has a wonderful life. And talent. So many young moms who are rich in the right way; they may not have money but they are building our future and we all will be the richer for it; moms like RuthAnn of WarmPie,HappyHome; wow I wish I could be as good as her at everything. Tammy my lil country girl; who has a sweet girl of her own whose very name, Joy, gives me a thought of just that:Joy. Michele another country gal who has it all together and keeps us on our toes:) This is just a small bit; there are those I have met in lands faraway; Australia;England,Scotland(hello Diane; still love that lil dress!) and closer; Canada; Sandy who sent me peppermints( and other goodies!) from Canada! </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Another great friend; closer to home; Dawn at Holly Hills who is more than a shopkeeper! She is a great friend and a talent. Kim my bully buddy here in MI; who is funny and a great mom to her kids! Lori at PrimitiveHouse who is a gem;I know I am forgetting some folks; oops ;Meg my margarita bud and TrainWreck who made me a beautiful necklace and who has a hot cowboy for a DH! CindyDianne; I am so coming to Texas one day I swear! Her husband's blog cracks me up as well! Lisa has shown me courage in taking control of our bodies, there are so many of you all. I have learned and have been touched by every one of you all. These blogs may not look like much to the general public, but they are important. You never know who is reading them. You can be that inspiration to someone looking for guidance. Sometimes we just need to know someone is listening. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Thank you for sharing your world with me. Also, to PrimAngel; thank you for your comment; it was so heartfelt; I wish to convey my thanks to you, but was unable to do so on your blog; if you email me at <a href="mailto:wheretheblackbirdssing@gmail.com">wheretheblackbirdssing@gmail.com</a> I would love to say thank you again. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I am so amazed at all of you; you offer love and care to everyone; I am so wishing to send some your way; from all of us here; we send bully love and kisses to you all; our blessings from our hearts to you. Thank you my friends. and to the new friends and the ones I have yet to meet; bully love and kisses to you as well. If I did not mention you it is probably because I am having stupid mad cow memory issues AKA probable menopause! I still prefer mad cow thank you very much. (If you are on my blog list you know you are loved; I am too lazy to type that much without some kind of attachment!LOL) </span>Catty Wampushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01005625999070775127noreply@blogger.com23