Eclipse...the cat not the Movie

"Ahh, the common bond for man and cat!"

She's actually SLEEPING like this!

"Night-Night for all!"

"No more photos please!"

That's my girl, doing what she does best! I seriously can't remember sometimes what like was like before I got my baby girl!

Isis even lets me photograph her sometimes too!

The Prodigal SoloMommy Is Back!!

Will the wonders never cease? That was some dramatic note to leave you on, huh?

Again I will say, I will not do this again. This time, I actually mean it. Blogging was such a great release for me, I have truly missed it. But, I am surely getting back on track now. Don't worry, no major catastrophes happened, I just got busy and out of sync.

I finished my first training for a client with Arise! It took three weeks, and it was VERY hectic but I made it by the grace of God and God alone. The enemy was very busy at the last minute, when it came down to proving my skills and knowledge to be certified for this client, but God prevailed on my behalf! Then my internet service was down for a few days after I got certified, so I couldn't work. I had to take off half day at work just to get the repair tech out here...and you know how tricky that is at my job!

I feel accomplished at this stage in time. I am ready two very good books right now. Silence the Naysayers by Kirby Jones is an excellent read. The Power of Fcous for Women by Fran Hewitt (wife of Power of Focus co-author Lew Hewitt) is phenomenal as well. They are both literally complementing each other in drilling into my head a new - and better - way of thinking!

Dante has been his usual self. Always knows how to make me laugh. I have seen him once in the last few weeks, it was a surprise thief-in-the-night visit. He was in Sikeston at a softball tourney, and I was just leaving the drive-in at about 1a with the kids.

I know what you're thinking. Yes, that is all he came in for! Thank Goodness, cause we both were struggling at the time!

Hey, we can talk on the telephone! :-)

As far as out relationship goes, it still is what it is. I had begun to put a lot of pressure on it in my head, because I am growing restless in this single state. But, honestly, now is not the time for either of us. And, I have come to the realization that we may just be all we are ever going to be right now. I absolutely adore him, am very glad I met him, and would like to always have him on my team - even if it's only as a friend. Putting that thought in my head - while not dooming a relationship before it could happen - has definitely made things easier. I feel like we can be comfortable to just enjoy each other again.

Can't Get Right called himself yet again making a play for me. What's funny is that he talked a big talk and almost had me confused for a minute there, thinking this could be "it" this time. Whateva!! I did make it clear to him that no matter what kind of "history" we have, I would not leave my Dante for him. I'm just not that girl, you know? But, no worries, because as usual he lost steam!

Kids are doing great. We are keeping count with Bruzer and the whole not-peeing-the-bed-when-you-sleep deal. Kind of out of necessity because I didn't have the money for pullups at first, but now it's just a matter of priority. I think he could definitely do it if he knew a) he didn't have that crutch pullup to fall back on or b) he had the fear of getting his hide tanned by me for constantly NOT doing what I know he's capable of doing. So far, so good! I am proud of him, and he definitely gets rewarded. Up on the block for the weekend are a pair of croc-type shoes that light up. He goes swimming once a week at the Y with the preschool, so I thought that would be cool for him!

Champagne is doing swimming lessons this summer too. Next year, when Bruzer graduates from preschool, I will have all four kids going to the Y summer camp, since the WonderTwins will surely be old enough. She is so excited about going to kindergarten with the "big kids". I am too. My child care costs will change drastically!!

Getting ready to go over the whole "your changing body" thing with Starr. I bought books because I know she is like me. The one book I gave her today and she finihed it today. The other book has very graphic...um...male parts (drawings) in it too, and I don't know if I'm ready for that or not. I worked off and on today so we didn't get a chance to talk about it, but we will hopefully tomorrow.

DJ is DJ, growing everyday. Sometimes I have to remind him of what his place is. I don't play that "you're the man of the house" crap. If you don't have a job contributing a vast amount to the bills, you ARE NOT the man of my house! That's still me too!

The girlz are doing well. Isis actually likes me a bit more now, especially since I treat them with canned food! They really need to be trimmed up, poor things are just hot with all that hair. Oh, and mama is too frugal to turn on the air conditioning yet! Sor-ry! I like the way the power bill looks right now, trying to keep it that way for as long as possible!

So, never fear, solomommy is back in full force! Wipe away your tears...all is well with the world again!

The Girls are Here!

They arrived safe and sound here at their new home. But of course we made a few stops first. They had to meet the family! We first stopped at Grandmother's, which they really need that break because they were meowing the entire ride from St. Charles. I left them in their carrier and tried to offer water, but they both turned it down. We stayed there a little while with Grandmother, then headed to the Officer's house. That's where Mom was.

My niece ran out so that she could see them. She knows her mother is nothing of a pet person beyond fish, so she definitely needs to live through other people! It had been a while since they had eaten, so I didn't want to take them in house and stay too long. Mom came outside and welcomed her new "granddaughters" to the family. They just stared, which beat the incessant meowing they were doing before.

We got them home and put food and bottled water in their bowls. Yes, bottled....I hear it's so much better for them sincec they are prone to such urinary tract issues. I opened the door to the pet carrier and after about a minute Isis came out and started sniffing around the kitchen and hallway. After about 15-20minutes I had to drag Eclipse out, just so she could eat something. After a little sniffing around the kitchen and hallway some more, they settled on the oddest place to huddle: the bathroom behind the toilet!

I was cooking dinner and watching the movie 'No Reservations' (very cute by the way). So after we ate and that went off, I couldn't take it anymore and took them out of the bathroom and closed the door! I hadn't even cleaned behind the toilet yet and I do have a 3 year old whose aim is still a little off sometimes! They found spots in the hallway to perch/hide. I told them goodnight later, then headed to bed.

I am still sick with coughing phlegm and runny/stopped up nose, so I was up and down all night. I usually sleep with my door closed, but I left it crack because I knew they'd be roaming eventually. I felt someone walk across the bed once of twice. I even looked at the door and saw Isis once, but as soon as I spoke to her she left. So, when I got up this morning I was determined to find them, because I wasn't able to do so last night. I know they didn't go upstairs because I looked last night. I knew they could only be somewhere in my room, since the door to the living room was closed and I had looked everywhere else downstairs. I got the flashlight and looked under my bed. Lo and behold! There they were at the very end!

It's an adjustment period for them, so it will take a while for them to get used to us and the house. But I think they will be happy here as well, knowing they don't always have to watch out for Merlin (the dog). Merlin wasn't mean to them or anything, they just didn't like him! I am glad this happened for them and for us.

Soon-to-be Pet Owner

I am very excited about this new title! From someone who always had pets around growing up, and who truly LOVEs animals to this day...this is big news! This is a big commitment, but I am so up for it!

I drove out to St. Charles/St. Peters tonight to see "the girls". You know, the 2 cats I told you about the other day? Well, I was totally awed by them when I got there! There are so beautiful and they truly are sweet. The family was very nice and helpful in giving glimpses into their personalities, which are distinctly different from each other. The kids were definitely taken to them as well. Bruzer was really stalking Eclipse, she was the darker and smaller of the two. She was the runt of the litter, which we are partial to in my family! Isis was a bit more aloof (like Cheyenne) so it took her awhile to warm up. She also has another quality that helped her earn her name, her very royal air about her! By the end of the visit, she and Champagne had paired up quite nicely. Kindred spirits and all that.

I told them I would pick them up on Saturday morning. I didn't want to pick them up this evening, knowing we would get home in enough time to head to bed, then up and leave them home alone all the next day. Plus, I wanted the family to be able to say goodbye. After all, they have had them since they were kittens, 7 years ago. So that's only right.

Now, the neighborhood and the house they live in? Wow! That's what I am talking about! Theirs wasn't the most spacious on the block, but it was nice, and you could tell it had a lot of yard too! Gives me something to aspire to, that's for sure!

I am headed to bed early tonight. I am in the living room and the noise from this Smithsonian Rock Tumbler that DJ wanted (and got) for Christmas is driving me batty! This is the 2nd cycle. The first cycle was 2 days...and I didn't think I would survive. Imagine my shock and horror when I was told (and subsuquently verified myself) that the 2nd cycle would take 10-14 days!!!!! If there's anyone who thinks I am a little too self-centered to be a mom....here's your proof that it's really all about them! I don't know many who would let this go in their house for too long! But I know he is excited about it, and he is surely keeping up with it and cleaning up after himself too! That's enough to make me help when needed, and not fuss when the noise is making my ears bleed! It's not a real bad noise, just loud enough to be annoying!

I can't wait to get the girls here and settled! I will probably be a Petco a lot the rest of this week getting ready for their arrival! Gotta get kitty litter, their food, and kitty pan liners. Plus I need a really good brush for them to get that fur under control. I will most definitely post pictures once we're settled! That's right, I do have a digital camera again!

And Then It Snowed!

Did I not just say yesterday that I was done with winter? So why oh why did I wake up to snow this morning??!! Yes! Snow! Maybe 2 inches fell overnight! By midday though, the temperature had risen enough that most of it melted. Thank goodness! Unfortunately, the devil's plan worked and I didn't go to church as I had planned yesterday. BUT, I watched both Joyce Meyer and Pastor David Crank this morning....and those messages were definitely two I needed to hear!

Joyce spoke about the power of words. It's like step two of what I have been getting accomplished this year. Step one was controlling and changing my thoughts. I must say, I have been doing very good at that one. I am not as negative or depressed, and I make a very conscious effort to be that way. I feel better for it too. So step two is the words I speak. That's what I learned today from Joyce. Pastor Crank was talking about actively seeking God. I don't do enough of that, and haven't for a while. I don't talk to God like I should, cause prayer just intimidates me completely. I am a work in progress however, and I have the desire to be better. That desire will make it happen.

I talked to the guy today that currently owns the 2 kitties I want. I also double-checked with my landlord and he said cats were fine. The kids and I are going Tuesday to go look at them. I can't imagine being more smitten with them in person than I was the first time I saw their picture. I am very excited. I will probably tell the kids tomorrow evening what's happening on Tuesday. I have really been thinking about this, it's not something I take lightly. This is literally a 'til death do us part' kind of thing for me. It's weird to think that I am 34, and these will be my first pets as an adult. Someone as much of an animal lover as I am! But, perhaps this is part of my newfound mindset too. I wasn't really mentally at a place to commit to anything else before.

Changing my thought patterns has been one of the smartest things I have done lately!! I sincerely believe this will truly help me get my skyscraper built!