Sad week...and a lesson being learned.

  Its 4:19 pm

     Greetings! Wow.....great responses to the Carl Henry interview! But I forgot the weakness that is Blogspot in regards to posting comments. We still have 2 signed CDs to giveaway....so how are we to give them away?
Thats easy......the first two people who read this and send a email to strikeninja1700@hotmail.com with "Carl Henry" in the subject  line will win.....the next contest will be better thought out as far as determining how a winner will get picked.
 Sad news to report.....the kitty I blogged about,Harlow,who shared a life with actress Monique Parent,passed away. Seems like the tumor had invaded her brain and just would have made poor Harlow's life a living hell. So being the awesome cat lover that she is,Monique made the call to help ease Harlow's pain and allow her to cross the Rainbow Bridge. I love that so many of you sent prayers and warm thoughts to Monique after this happened. Losing a pet is just as bad as losing a person in some families. I know one day my own cat will leave  this world for the next and I will be very frank,I am so scared of that day. Because I love my cat,he is more then a four legged animal,he is my friend. He has provided me with comfort,laughs and joy during his time with us. (and has cost us 3 chairs but that is a different story). I have lost pets before but I have never had such a bond as I do with Derek Jeter. Monique had the same bond with her Harlow so I can't imagine how much she must be hurting.



Saturday 4:39 pm

    I know...I still haven't posted this. I'll see if I can't change that.

Last night,Lori and I went to run a few errands,we got our bathroom window screen replaced at ACO Hardware,Lori got a curling iron,picked up some wood stain as we are redoing our deck this summer. Stopped by the Dollar Tree and I picked up a DVD set of this cool little series called "Daybreak" which Taye Diggs and Victoria Pratt of Mutant X fame. I remembered when it came out on ABC but it only ran for 5 episodes before getting the hook. I never got the chance to check it out until yesterday when a copy of the entire 13 episode series was in the DVD section.
  But coming home,it was getting dark. As we pulled into the driveway I noticed our neighbor's kids had left their bikes out in the open,carelessly. I told Lori that I wanted to speak to the boys about being more careful because someone could walk by and steal them.
  I knocked on the door and instead of the kids,the mother,Cindy answered. I changed tactics on the fly and asked her if we could teach her kids a lesson about leaving stuff unattended. She quickly said "yes". I told her I would put the bikes in our garage and see how they reacted. The plan was originally to be played up when the boys came over and knocked on our door.
  About 30 minutes later,the boys got home with their dad,Simon. It took 25 minutes before they noticed the bikes were "missing". Lori and I watched from the window as they started looking around the house. Cindy told them the bikes were gone...and when the boys thought she was playing around,she opened up the garage and then the boys knew something was very wrong.
   Pretty soon the three of them came to the door,we were prepared to give back the bikes...until the older boy,Alan,asked if we had seen their bikes!! We instantly knew what the mom wanted and so we went with it. We said "no,we haven't seen your bikes. What happened to them,didn't you put them away like you should have?" We played along with Cindy as I asked why hadn't they taken better care of their stuff. Cindy let it known to use that we should hold the bikes! I told her I won't be home til 3:30 but Lori would be home til 2 pm in case the boys wanted the bikes.
  So you can imagine my surprise when I got home and the bikes are still there! My little neighborly "advice"idea has taken a life of its own and we are waiting on Cindy to let us know when to return the bikes. Its 5:05 pm and the bikes are still locked up.
   Work is good.....getting used to the pace again....and the best news is I have lost eight pounds this past month. Still can't see my feet but its a start,right?

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....  For Harlow......(and we'll keep a eye out for your mama).

Prayers for Harlow

Its 4:34 pm

    I was going to post my Carl Henry interview today but am pushing it back til tomorrow....I hope that Carl and the rest of my readers will bear with me.
 Just feel like I need to just freestyle today...have a few things to post about....





This is Harlow....Harlow,named after the famous Jean Harlow,shares a life with actress Monique Parent. It was because of our mutual love of cats that Monique and I have become friends. We have swapped mail about our crazy cats and how much they mean to us. For Monique,this is especially true as between movie shoots and traveling up and down the state of California for her other job,she is often away from her Harlow. Many times she has posted how much she is looking forward to heading home because she knows a certain kitty is waiting by the door just as eager for her friend to come home safely.
  I know this emotion as well as does every person who shares a life with a dog,cat,pigeon,iguana (hi Zorro!!!). I see this every day when I'm home and the garage door opener starts to open. Derek and Ginger will start walking to the door to greet Lori. Or if its me,Derek will meow a greeting. Its such a comfort knowing you are missed and are welcomed home every day. Of course when we go up north or on vacation,the cats are a lot aloof because they don't like that they are left behind.
But I have never heard Monique mention that Harlow does this. I know she loves to curl up on or by Monique or Chris (Monique's boyfriend).
   But now Harlow is very ill with a tumor in her head that needs to be operated on in a hurry. And so next week,Harlow is being operated on and in the process,will lose a eye. While this is a major ordeal,dogs and cats seem to adjust to such major trauma so much better then humans. Harlow will recover but going through this must be pure hell for Monique and Chris. I know I would be a basket case if this was Derek. I am aware that DJ is now 12 and will be 13 in October. I try not to think about this but its in your head,though who have elder pets know what I speak of.
  I am asking that you please keep Harlow in your prayers and thoughts on Tuesday and that she comes through her operation in good shape and recovers quickly.

We love you Harlow!