Hello Kitty

It has been a little over a month since we lost sweet Tyler. The house has been so empty and quiet without our furry friend to greet us at the door or to follow us around the house like a faithful shadow. There is something comforting about having a pet around to lay by your feet and to love on. We had considered getting another Golden Retriever puppy before Tyler died, but it just never happened. But in his absence, we have really been motivated to get another dog. So we have searched for local breeders and come across a couple of them who are expecting litters in April and May. So by the time the pup would be weaned, it will most likely be mid-summer before we bring a new little bundle of fur home.

In the meantime, I got to thinking…why not get a cat? Haha. Yes this is the same person who, after a string of unsuccessful "cat relationships" about 10 years ago, adamantly stated, "I will never own another cat." Well. If there is one thing I have learned about life--especially in the last year--it is NEVER SAY NEVER. Because karma has a way of biting you in the butt and what you say you will NEVER do is EXACTLY what happens!

So off we go to the local animal shelter to browse for the perfect feline friend. Only, not so much. Let's just say their cat selection left a lot to be desired.

Next, the boys and I hit Petco. We saw a pretty calico named Priscilla that we liked. An then there was a cute orange tabby named Roscoe. We took them out go their cages and tried to play with them but nothing really "clicked" between us and them. Neither were quite the right fit.

Then we met a sweet little 6 month old tabby named Lola.

She immediately came up to us and crawled into Mason's lap and started purring, much to his delight. Yep-that's the cat for us! Felines are known to be independent and sometimes finicky by nature, so when you come across a friendly kitty with great lap-cat potential, you gotta go with it ;-)

She had no problem settling right in and making herself at home.

Mason has wanted a kitty for some time now so it didn't take long for him to bond with Lola!

Lola…the purr-fect cat!

Sayonara, Winter

Dear Winter,

This is a hard letter to write…(ok, not really)

You came into my life right on the heels of a beautiful fall, ushering it out in good time. I can still remember the thrill I felt when I woke up that first November morning to a world blanketed in a beautiful white wonderland of snow. I excitedly dressed in all my winter gear and then ventured outside to bask in the wonder of the quiet, icy beauty. After all, we don't get to experience winter of this magnitude back in Texas! Yes, I was as giddy as a child to go out and play in the fluffy white snow. Did I mention that that first snowy day that I so fondly recall was a brisk day back in NOVEMBER? Yes indeed, we had a beautiful white Thanksgiving, followed by a few snowy days in December.

And then came January and February. Wow. All I can say is that it is a darn good thing that I have always welcomed the cold with open arms because otherwise, this Texan would be running from the WV hills at full speed. I mean, I do love the cold and all, but temperatures in the teens and single digits? That's just downright brutal!

So here we are - MARCH 1st.  I don't think Mother Nature got the memo about March being the month that ushers in spring! And they are forecasting that this region of the country is expecting a "winter ice storm" on Monday. Joy. Now we did have a few beautiful sunny days last week when it got up into the 50's and 60's-oh, happiness! I'm taking that as a sign from mother nature, saying, "Hang in there--spring is right around the corner." From what I have heard from the locals, that is typical for this time of year--a tease of spring and then BAM-more snow!

Winter, I just gotta tell it like it is: I want to break up with you.

Yes I admit it was all giddy and new and romantic and cold and white and snowy in the beginning. But that was then. This is now.

If you have sensed a certain "chilliness" between us, you are right. Somehow I can't help but give you the "cold shoulder" when I have to endure day after day of this cold stuff!

Enough is enough.  I need a certain someone with more of a "spring" in their step. Someone with a "warmer" personality.

No offense Winter--I'm sure I will be glad to see you in the full evolution of the seasons this time next year, but for now, it's time to hit the road, Jack Frost!