Silverton Trip

 

I am just going to post several pictures of the trip to Silverton Oct. 9th with Catherine.  I love the fall colors and then the snow up in the mountains at 10,000 feet and above. 

The last picture is the town of Silverton.  It is sitting in a valley with spectacular mountains and a river. 

I finished up my Christmas and birthday shopping and got myself a nice jacket and a couple of tshirts.  We had lunch at the Handlebars restaurant where I met a young gentleman and his girlfriend who were from LaCrosse, Wi!!   and drooled over the peach cobbler for dessert.  The weather was perfect.  Sunny and cool.  We had fun!!! 

Monday Manley had surgery.  He had a hematoma on his left ear that needed to be lanced and drained.  He is fine now and wearing his pink vet wrap (supporting breast cancer month) proudly. He is on antibiotics and pain pills.  I can handle his ear now without him flinching or feeling any pain. His new vet, Dr. Randy Hays, is very nice and I was complimented on how right-on Manley’s weight is.   We have a check up this coming Monday morning.

This is my 3-day weekend, and tomorrow we are going for a hike.  Then football, watch a movie and read the new book ‘In Harms’ Way’ by Ridley Pearson. 

Today we just basically hung out after I went to the Farmer’s Market, library, and grocery store.  I met a very nice couple in City Market.  She is a Christian young people’s author.  I have to find out what the titles of her books were.  They are from Austin, TX and now live between Durango and Bayfield.  We were talking about making soups this weekend and she offered to send me some recipes.  So, of course I accepted!! 

I made green chile pork soup and a new one—squash apple soup.  Will be making a beef based soup tomorrow.  Now that I have a regular freezer I can make things ahead. 

Here’s the fall colors outside my door along the river.  I actually saw some boxelder bugs on the side of the building today in the sun!  I will have to look for the trees, as I did not know we had any in the neighborhood, let alone the state!  :)  The weather has been in the 60’s and 70’s and then 40’s at night.  Lots of sunshine, but with rain in the 7 day forecast. 

And, I am now the proud owner of a smartphone.  I upgraded my phone and got the new Blackberry Curve 9630.  I have unlimited texting, access to my email and hundreds of other applications and many things I have not even found yet.  I am now in the year 2010!! 

Kisa is doing fine.  I think she likes being the only cat.  She is too funny when it is feeding time.  Wherever Manley goes, Kisa is right alongside of him.   She’s been doing this since she was a baby and it is funny to watch!  Especially when Manley runs back and forth from the food to the chair I am in. 

Well, off to finish watching the Nascar race.  

My Gift

 

This is a picture that hung on Pat and Kevin’s living room wall that I always admired.  It’s an oil painting on canvas.  Jim and Joann gave it to me a couple of weeks ago.  They knew I liked it and it meant a lot that they gave it to me.  I am still very excited to have this and I must have thanked Jim and Joann a dozen time. I do not know the origin, but it is signed by ‘cooper’ and the framer’s name is on the back.  Will have to do some research! 

I did give Manley a bath and grooming last Saturday.  Doesn’t he just look handsome?  He hated every minute until the treats.  Figures!!

Catherine and I went to Jean-Pierre restaurant today.  This was our chocolate eclair that we split for dessert.  We had salads for our main entree! 

The owner put the leftovers in a bag and then made this swan for me.  I have never had a swan before!  Then Catherine and I went walking downtown for a bit.  I even bought my sisters a Christmas/Birthday present!!  and talked to Jacque for a minute—it was a horse question!! Catherine and I had a great day and are going up to Silverton in a couple of weeks. 

Then I came home, watched some football and then found this lazy thing:

He never woke up until after the camera made noise.  His head is on Kisa’s quilt.  Usually MY naps are taken in my recliner!!!!  Glad he is so comfy. 

All of the cats left this week for Iowa or California.  Now it is just the 3 of us.  Kisa is happy and talking again. 

Last night Manley and I went out to the cattery (that is no more) to check on Sully and Molly.   Well, they have an auto-feeder so I just have to fill that up once a week. And they have 2 ponds to drink out of. So, Molly was right there by the house, but no Sully.  So, I was calling out his name, waited, called out his name again…. and then about 3 minutes later---- here he comes RACING from around the back of the barn!!   He had quite a lot to tell me and it took a good 30 minutes.  He is quite the cat.  You pet him, sit in the swing, and talk to him, and he talks back!  He had to tell me all about this last week and how lonely it is without all of the other cats, any one working or staying out there and how he likes company. 

I also have tomorrow off and will be boxing up summer clothes and putting out winter clothes, even though we are suppose to have temps in the 80’s this next week.  And, straighten up the storage area and see when the landlord can close it in with heavy duty plastic so I don’t get any snow in there.  Plus cleaning, laundry……..

Thrilled that the Packers are on Monday Night Football so I get to watch them!!  Go Pack!

Work is going great and hope my bonus is enough to finish Christmas/Birthday shopping!  If y’all have any ideas of what to get you, please let me know.  (Jacque, all done with yours!!) 

Manley says hi and bye to y’all and he hopes he gets a walk tomorrow along the river. 

Fall, Cats, Football….

 

So, long time since I blogged.  A lot going on, a lot ending and seasons changing!  The leaves are turning and fall weather is here. 

My job is going great. Made a nice bonus this last month since I started making some collection calls.  Never a dull minute!!

Found homes for all of the cats.  What a relief!! Some are in California, some are in Iowa, and some are in Texas.  I have 5 extra cats (all in crates) here at the apartment waiting for the transport guy to get here and take them to their new homes.  Only a couple more days and then it will be just Kisa, Manley and me.  What to do??

I will still go out to the house and make sure Sully and Molly have enough food, water and are okay at least once a week. 

It sure will be different not going out to the cattery/house daily as I have been doing that for over 6 months.  There were a lot of good memories made out there. And the house looks totally different.  There were so many changes made inside and outside.  Sanded floors, new fixtures, new furniture, no more cat enclosures, trees planted, lawn nice and green, driveway repaved, ……………..

Jim and Joann have returned to Las Vegas after getting the house ready to sell.  It didn’t go up for auction after all, so they will put it up for sale when spring rolls around. They will be visiting every so often.  We have all become fairly good friends and have fun together.  

Football season started.  And I got to see the Packers win yesterday!!  It is not often that they televise the Packers in this area so it was a treat!

Manley is in desperate need of a grooming and bath.  Saturday and Sunday might look like good days!!  But, what Sat and Sun!!! 

Still sort of doing my diet.  Lost 11 pounds and gained 1 back.  Have to start walking my dog along the river and enjoy the scenery, the sound of rushing water, leaves turning colors, while my favorite season is here. 

Farmers Market only lasts another 3 Saturdays.  Then no more lemon cucumbers, pattypan squash or roasted green chiles. 

A funny cat story:  I had put Deuce in a small travel crate and set that in the back of my car.  Well, as I am rounding a curve, I see the crate moving slowly from one side to the other.  OOPPS!  Forgot there were wheels on it!!  So, I’m sure Deuce was glad to get out of that one!!  I could just hear him thinking/saying  whhhhheeeeeee as he was traveling from one side of the car to the other! 

Ok, til next time!! 

I Promise to Update Soon!!!

More to come---pictures, cats, jobs, weather.....................

Thunderstorms and Cats

 

We have had some extraordinary  cloud formations with the monsoon season here.  It has been sunny in the morning and raining late afternoon.  The river is back up to normal and the rafters are happy.

Cat happenings: 3 cats are going to San Antonio, TX in a couple of days, 2 cats are being picked up next weekend to go live in Castle Rock, CO, one cat is traveling to Iowa to join the other 3 already there, one cat is being picked up Monday, and another 1 or 2 cats are being picked out tomorrow and new their home will be just down the road from the cattery.  I’ll have 4 cats left. One intact male and 3 intact females.  But, there is some interest in those 4 being spayed and neutered and living the good life in Missouri.  Or maybe 1 or 2 going to the place in Iowa.  I’m hoping they will all have good homes within 2 weeks. 

The auction went well today.  It was the machinery and trailers and such.  I directed traffic for a while until I knew I had had too much sun (and yes, I did have spf 30 on and had even reapplied).

September 9th is the estate sale out at the cattery.  Course, now there are no more enclosures in the garages and it looks very different from when I moved in there over 3 years ago.  Trees, flowers, more grass, fresh paint, new gates and everything neat and clean.  A lot more pleasing to the eye.  Joann and Jim have done wonders with the house these last 6 months. 

Tomorrow is another day.  Clean, laundry, grocery shop, feed cats, make pico de gallo for people at work (Manley’s  9th birthday  is on Monday) and maybe watch some football, if there’s any on. 

Hope all of y’all have a great weekend. 

Good Day Wednesday

 

Timing is everything!!

Had a good day today.  Had my 90 day review with Nickie and Tom.  We discussed many things: where I wanted to be in a year, how we can improve customer relations,  what I like most about my job…………….   Well, needless to say, they want me to stick around and be part of the New Country family.  Nickie has gotten a lot of positive feedback from the customers and fellow employees.  I have settled in nicely and am part of the team.  I am thrilled, to say the least!! 

Plus, I got an email today from a lady who is interested in buying some breeders!   So, if every one buys/takes who they say, we will be down to just a couple of cats.  Then, I’ll be out of a job, but will have more time to do things with my own pets. 

I get to see my niece again this Sunday, plus her daughter and Reuben.  We will meet for lunch and then she has to come and inspect my apartment.  Guess that means I have to clean.  And comb my dog. 

Okay, time to watch a little tv and go to bed. 

I finished reading Jeffery Deaver’s ‘The Burning Wire’.  LOVED IT!!!!