Fraggle Rockin'

Today I voted. Now I will no longer think about the election. Terry's sermon on Sunday was perfect. It hit all of my biggest fears and worries while reaffirming that God puts up and he takes down. We can vote but ultimately God will decide. It's good to know I don't have to be in charge. Now, if I could only get the post office to quit putting other people's mail in my box....

And my one final political plug: "Obama for change. Because it's all you'll have left in your pockets."

Government Run?...Run from Government

I got a "change of address" notification from the Post Office at work the other day. A man was trying to change his address to our p.o. box. NOT OK. I went to the P.O. The guy running the place said, "Well, let me know if you get any of their mail. It's probably a typo." WHAT? Fix it now before I GET any of their mail! And, of course I got some of their mail the other day. It was a medical bill. I wrote a big note on it describing the situation, put it back in the box and forgot about it. The next day it was back in my box. I marched up to the counter, explained the situation again and the lady said she would give it to the head guy (we'll call him Gary). Good. Thank you. Today not only was the same letter in the box (with a "Give to Gary" note on the letter) but another bill for the people. I'd had it. Back to the counter I went. Then I had to wait for Gary myself. And wait. And wait. Finally he arrived. "I'll call the other post office and see what they can do." He stated. Thank you government. I'm so impressed with how flawlessly the system works. Standing in a long line to get vague service is awesome. I wish you were in charge of our HEALTH CARE!

Quote of the Day: "It was a pretty disappointing day. It was kind of a slap in the face, to realize that I wasn't as important as I thought I was to a certain young executive. Who I had cared about. But you know, I'm not going to cry about it. I did that on the way home." -Michael Scott

Glass Class

My mom signed Martha and I up for a stained glass class. It started last Tuesday night. We learned about the different types of stained glass as well as how to cut it. We had 6 people also in the class and 2 younger girls immediately proceeded to slice into their hands. Blood everywhere. But, we all had a great time. Last night we cut the glass for the butterflies we are making and learned house to "grind" the glass. This week Martha and I both came home with minor lacerations from the glass flying everywhere. The class was cut down to 3, me Martha and another guy. The girls with the near fatal injuries and their dad weren't allowed to participate because they showed up too late. The dad started a fight in the class...it was a mess. So we were sent home with homework of lining our glass pieces with copper foil so we can finish them next week. Martha and I have plans to start a harder piece when we're done. I absolutely love it. Ahhh, the possibilities.

Quote of the Day: "I’m very fast. I’m like Forest Gump except…I am not an idiot."-Michael Scott

At least I'm Honorable

Guess what! John's farm is going to be famous. Not only did Martha win 3rd place with her Noah on the farm picture in the Our State Mag but I got an honorable mention this past weekend with this one at an art show where my aunt lives. I'm pretty sure he has the most photogenic piece of property on the planet. I took this one last minuet after I drove it around the pasture. I named it "Reflections of a Combine." If you look really carefully you can see John's red shirt and arm.

p.s.: Congratulations Leann and Tommy!!!!!

Quote of the Day:
Michael: Look, this is very hard for me but I am going to give you my best man. You may have Toby.

Karen: Toby’s not a salesperson.

Michael: You can train him. He’s very very smart and funny and charming…yawoolch…I can’t do it. Toby is the worst. That was a bluff.

Whew!

When I pulled Cole out of the stall for the vet he barely made it into the hallway. She decided to start by pulling Cole's shoe. It took her FOREVER because it was nailed on so tight. It was obvious he was in a lot of pain. When she finally pulled it off puss spurted out. Completely nasty...but who cares. It was only an abscess. The abscess was in the toe of his hoof. She dug it out really well and bandaged it. I have to soak the foot once a day and keep it wrapped. Not a problem! I'm just glad it wasn't anything devastating.

I think my sea monkey needs a vet. He keeps running himself in to the bottom of the tank really hard.

Emergency Situation

Please pray for Cole. His front leg was badly injured over the weekend. We found him in the pasture hardly able to walk back to the barn. We gave him horsey aspirin and soaked his leg in lineament and cold water. After a night in the barn he seems to have gotten worse. He is unable to carry any weight on the leg. I'm calling the vet first thing in the morning to see if they can send someone out to help. It could be anything from a bad abscess to a torn ligament...even a break. There are no outward signs of injury. It doesn't look good. Hopefully I'll know more by tomorrow evening.

Chew on This

So, I've been working on not worrying lately. My Prevacid prescription is helping my ulcer and Martha sent me this fun little exercise to make my days a little more stress free:

HOW TO START EACH DAY WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

1. Open a new file in your computer
2. Name it "Barack Obama"
3. Send it to the Recycle Bin
4. Empty the Recycle Bin
5. Your PC will ask you "Do you really want to get rid of Barack Obama?"
6. Firmly click "Yes"
7. Feel Better?

I thought it was funny. I do believe however that we do need to pray for our leaders. I'm reading the book "The New Eve" with Karen and I am really enjoying it. It makes it clear that God built up nations once again but many times it was after society had self destructed. It's sad but looking back at other nations that collapsed it seems that we are following the same patterns that led to their downfall...the extreme feminism, abortion, the revering of homosexuality. We can do our part. Pray first, vote and live right (and when people try to get you to do wrong...cause a ruckus).

Famous Last Words: "I'm making a citizens arrest!"

Frustration

What does it take for the American people to get happy about McCain. I am so disappointed in people my age. After the debate they asked one 20 something who he thought won. His reply? "I thought Obama was better because McCain kept taking shots at Obama and it wasn't very nice" (not a direct quote but you get the point).
It's a debate you idiot. They are supposed to spar at each other. If guy my age was looking for scattered/vague answers...Obama gave you what you wanted. McCain was direct and very on point. I hope the American people can pull their head out of the sand and vote for the only candidate that knows what he's talking about. At least he nailed him on who is responsible for the housing screw up.

And to answer Obama's question...yes. I remember 911.

Somebody help us.

Friday Night Fun

Well, with John gone to do National Guard stuff, my dad gone to a Civil War reenactment and it just me and my mom at the house...I thought I would take the opportunity to go to the emergency room. The stomach pain started Thursday night and by Friday night I was doubled over. We got right in (the only person there) they took me to a bed and hooked me up to morphine and a pepsid drip. Blood tests...nothin'. EKG...nothin'. Gall bladder...he saw something but it wasn't the cause of the problem. The doctor thinks it's possibly an ulcer. He asked me to follow up with my regular doctor and he put me on a bland diet. RIGHT! We got home about 4:45 and didn't set foot out of bed until 12:00 Saturday. Of all the emergency room visits I've had I can honestly say that was the best. Everyone was nice and they let us just sit and watch movies until we got results, however, I don't ever want to do that again. P.S.- I have the greatest mom ever.

Quote of the Day: "This is a good day. You guys accomplished something big. You lost a ton of weight, literally. A lot of weight. And I don't care what any stupid scale says, you guys are all gigantic losers."- Michael Scott.

Wrong Bed!

Well, we picked up the bed...took it to his house...wrong bed! We called the company. The guy ordered the wrong one. He took the blame. I'm sure he was so glad we called. The bed he sent us cost $1000 (pictured). The one we paid for cost half that. He's sending the right one on Saturday and sending the other away. I knew it was too easy. It always is. We'll take photos when it's all assembled or give tours. Kathy, come right on.

I just watched the debate. It was nerve wracking. Biden did a good job. He lied with enthusiasm. Palin was honest. I'd vote for her for president any day.

Looking Up

We just bought this bed. Ok, I'll be honest. John just bought this bed. We do get to pick it up tonight. I'm so excited. It's beautiful. We are going to get the back room in his house as finished as possible so he can move into it and have 2 extra bedrooms. Maybe he can help house some of his family when they come over for the holidays. I love decorating. I might not be good at it but I love it anyway. I'll have to find pictures of the rest of the rooms in his house we have redone. John was able to move into his grandmothers old house. It reminds me so much of my grandma's house that Matthew lives in now. It's funny because Miranda ended up in a house very much like it also. Martha/Mike/Burke, you're next. !!Go 50's style brick houses!!

Please pray for Ken. He is having a procedure today.

Quote of the Day:
Michael Scott: Tonight we are going to have an inventory luau. I want to bring back a little slice of paradise to the Dunder-Mifflin warehouse inventory, so party-planning committee, get on it.
Angela: By the end of the day? That's impossible.
Michael Scott: The Jamaicans don't have a word for "impossible."
Jim Halpert: Yep, it's English, it's "impossible."

HAUNTED

My flip flops (not the kind Obama has) are being held together by a paper clip and I have a pizza stain on my shirt from breakfast. I can't figure out why my sea monkeys keep dying. What is the deal? There are new baby ones but when they get about a week old they croak. My kittens are growing and playing a lot. They have learned how to climb out of their house. It worries Becky and she gets upset when they cry. I have 1 1/2 of them given away. And, If one more person calls the office and yells at me for ANY reason I'm going to loose it. If the rotten economy is making you mad then don't vote for the democrats making it that way.

Happy Birthday Dear Joooohn...

Happy 26th Birthday!!

Colin and Will Go To Town

Colin and Will Farel had their appointment with the mobile neuter clinic this morning. They were not excited to go. My poor babies weren't the only ones to go. Martha took General (otherwise known as Weoweoweo and I took Iggy for Katie and Justin). We looked cool dragging 15 cat carriers that smell like farm to the clinic. Colin and Will are now upstairs in my room, groggy and confused and being visited by Ruby. They will be staying in the house for a few days to recover. I might kick them out tomorrow if they tear up my room. But, I heart them and want them to be ok. I am not able to show my horse at the state fair this year because of scheduling conflicts so I'm entering the photo contest with Martha instead. Everybody needs to go check out the photography contest and cheer us on. It won't do any good because they'll already be judged but go cheer anyway. I won't think you're crazy.

Quote of the Day: "Did I do this for me? No. I did this, for the little guy. For Joe six pack. The guy who wakes up every morning in his four hundred dollar a month apartment, wonders how he's gonna pay his mortgage that month. Wonders how he's gonna fill his car up, with oil. Wonders how am I gonna pay my kids' orphanage bills. That guy, shouldn't have to wonder where he's gonna park." -Andy Bernard (The Office)

Awwwww Baby!!!!

"This restaurant is crowded!"

Becky is officially a mom. She went into labor on Tuesday night and by 11:00 she had had her first child...kitten. Two hours later she had given birth to 2 more. I had forgotten how unhappy cats get when they are in labor. She took it like a champ. I would feel her belly every day prior hoping I could tell if she was getting close. She hated it and would run off when I checked her. During her labor she wanted me to keep my hand on her belly. I knew then that she was in pain. She is such a good mother. She shows off her kittens to anyone who comes on the porch. Tuesday night Will Feral broke onto the porch. He obviously thought the labor and delivery required him. He was wrong. Becky would have killed him.

Well, take your pick. Right now their official names are gray tabby, regular tabby, and dark tabby. Yeah, I need better names.

Quote of the Day: "There are people who reshape the world by force or argument but the cat just lies there, dozing, and the world quietly reshapes itself to suit his comfort and convenience." --Alan and Ivy Dodd

Speaking of Cats

Baby Ruby is a terrorist. She has grown so very big. I'll have to get a real life picture of her up. I let her sleep with me the other night thinking it would be great to have a warm fuzzy kitten as a roommate. She slept on the back of my pillow. Everything went great until I tried to roll over. SMACK! She hit me in the face. This went on all night. She now sleeps by herself. She has become the boss of Colin and Will Feral (rescue kittens from the office). I do love all three of them very much. Just in case you don't remember where baby Rubs came from, Terry and Ruby M. brought her to me after she was dumped at the house of a lady Terry knew. Thank goodness the lady decided to find a home for her (mainly at my house. I heart this kitty). She came to our house while I was in a cat lull. Wow, I never thought I would have a cat lull. It's good to have another girl around. Tully is anti-social and Buzz is just crazy.

Becky (the black momma kitty) is living comfortably on the porch. Well, she's comfortable when Ruby doesn't run onto the porch and attack her. No kittens just yet. I am taking pre-orders so if you have any good families in mind...indoor/outdoor...I don't care just let me know and I'll tag the kitten as taken. I'm not expecting a run on unborn baby kittens so take your time.

Quote of the Day: "I love inside jokes. I'd love to be a part of one someday." -Michael Scott

Improving the Truth

Improvement

Free cat to loving home. Good personality. Friendly. Loves to eat and be petted. Recently vetted. Has rabies shot and is FeLuk Neg. Will one day make a wonderful mother. Lived on farm with large house. Up to date on flea/tick treatment. Gets along well with other cats.


Truth

Free cat to loving home: To any home besides mine would be just great.
Good personality: If you put food in front of her you can scruff her and hold her.
Friendly: See "Good Personality."
Loves to eat and be petted: Starving to death when she was found. Will eat anything including small children and puppies.
Recently vetted: Rushed to the vet to check for all sorts of diseases that a human could catch from a cat. Massive worm infestation.
Has rabies shot and is FeLuk Neg.: Whew! That was a close one.
Will one day make a wonderful mother: Is about 1 week away from having between 3 to 600 kittens.
Lived on farm with large house: Abandoned by her former family to fend for herself in the nastiest old house on the planet while "mom and dad" moved into a gorgeous huge house down the road.
Up to date on flea/tick treatment: Seed ticks were falling like snow...but not anymore.
Gets along well with other cats: Can't tear the heads off of other cats while locked securely in a pet carrier.

I'm going to be blunt. I'm tired of this. People, when you take on a pet it's your responsibility. If you are planning to move in few years to an area that doesn't allow pets then reconsider adopting one. Cats can live up to 18 years or more. Dogs can live just as long. It is traumatic to a pet to relocate. It isn't always able to be helped but in most cases it is. If you do have to re home your pet, do it responsibly and for crying out loud don't just leave it. As much as we all would like to think that the cat or dog will go into the wild and live a carefree existence, it's just not the case. If your pet is really old, re homing it may not be an option at all. Your old pet wants to be with you. You may need to consider putting the pet to sleep while you are there with it. It isn't an easy decision to make but taking an old pet to a shelter is usually the last home the pet will have. The cat mentioned above, who is named Becky, was close to death and delivering kittens that she had no way to feed. She was eating grass and seeds to say alive. She will recover but it's going to take her awhile and my parents money to do it. Spay and neuter your pet. Make the appointment today before you forget. I have 3 to take. It's not cheap but it will save you a fortune down the road. If you have no pets but happen to find a stray, don't call the person with 8 million rescue animals to try to take it. Keep it yourself if you are financially able to house a pet. Ye ole "I just don't like cats" bit doesn't work on me anymore. LEARN to like cats. If my dad could to it, anyone can. He's the one who found this cat in the first place.

Today you have witnessed a Rachael rant. It was intended for no one specific. Everyone I know who reads this blog is a responsible pet owner. I'm hoping someone out there who stinks at pet ownership will come across this blog and be able to reap information that will prevent me from having to clean up their messes. And no, I'm not going to just look the other way while a pet starves. God didn't make me that way.

END RANT.

Quote of the Day:

SO, WHAT HAPPENED WAS....

John's truck was pulling his trailer with Scout and Aari on it. Martha and Mike drove my truck with Cole and Lilly. The truck decided that it wanted to "jump" when John hit the gas. We made it about 25 min from his farm in Va. and it died....on the highway...WITH FAST TRUCKS FLYING BY. We made the truck go just a little bit more to a large grassy area where we could safely unload Scout and Aari and put them on the trailer with Lilly and Cole. Thank goodness Cole decided to not follow through on his threat to murder Scout and we all made it to the farm. The place was gorgeous! We decided that it was very much like Africa (non of us have actually been there). It was hot but we had a great ride. We then crammed all the horses back on my trailer and made our way back to where John's abandoned truck was. It CRANKED, then...IT DROVE. All we had to do was make it to a hill and let gravity take over. We did have to stop a few times to let it cool off but we finally made it home. John's truck is now at the doctor's office.

Side note: Our state inspector came to do his yearly inspection at the office today. Sheesh! He got on us for doing something that last year he told us to do! We aren't in violation or anything but he likes to have opinions on everything. At least he was nice today.

Quote of the Day:
Dwight Schrute: ["steering" the ship] Don't worry Michael, I'm taking us to shore!
Michael Scott: It's a fake wheel, dummy!

THE SHRIEKING EEL

We went to the beach several weeks ago with the college/career group and I'm just now getting pictures up. John and I went with Martha, Mike and No-nee to the NC aquarium. My favorite part was the eel in the humongous fish tank. I'm so scared of him, I couldn't stop taking pictures. We had a really nice time, ate big-mac's, rode the ferry, and bought a vintage wooden sheep from a creepy store.

Tonight we just got back from Fiesta where we got to spend time with a good friend (edited)who is about to pop with child...even though you can't tell from looking at her. Trevor, this quote is for you:

Quote Of The Day:
Jan: "Well Michael, I...underestimated you."
Michael: "Well maybe next time you'll estimate me."

P.S.: I broke my hand.

Citizen Soldier

So, I went to family day with John to learn why he's an army of one. I was able to play in the simulator while humming the National Guard theme song. I learned his job isn't as hard as he thinks it is. I blew up 1 BMP-2 (whatever that is) and killed numerous terrorists (civilians...the computer made it very unclear)and had a great time. Then we ate barbecue. It was a good time. I still don't want him going to Iraq but at least he's confined to a huge canister of metal with guns. That will probably be the only family day I go to since he's leaving. I want a simulator for my birthday.

Quote of the Day: "Yeah, I went hunting once. Shot a deer in the leg. Had to kill it with a shovel. Took about an hour. Why do you ask?" -Michael Scott