Happy 10th Birthday, Athena!

This cat is truly my soulmate: no other living creature understands my moods and knows exactly what I need. I brought her home directly after burying my mother - a tiny, confused, 7 week old kitten with a huge set of lungs and a knack for getting into all the right sort of trouble. My companion on that long drive home, I should mention, was technically allergic to cats, but never complained and was extremely forgiving (shameless plug: need an IRS EA? He's your guy). 

I'd never raised a kitten before, and Chad (then my boyfriend) had never had a cat at all. He neglected to tell his parents (where we'd be living) about her existence until about 15 minutes prior to our arrival - they, too, were tolerant (thanks!). I took her everywhere with me until she grew large enough that people complained. Even now, she travels well with us and always wants to be nearby. She sleeps under the covers at night, and is our constant shadow during the day. When we leave, she is sad and doesn't eat much :(. I dread the day her time comes, because I simply cannot imagine my life without her. So, happy 10th birthday, Athena-teena-beena. As Chad says, "You are the bestest kitty ever!"

 7 weeks old when I brought you home. 

 The epitome of cuteness. 

 You are elegant, and a wonderful example of your breed. 

 You have strange eating habits. 

 And, occasionally, an identity crisis.

 But you are oh, so snuggly. 

 And tolerant. 

 Or, maybe just lazy?

 You are an excellent coworker. 

 And you love to snuggle under the covers. 

 No water cup is safe. 

 We love you!

Very much. 

Winter Silliness

This is how we roll over at our house when the mercury drops. Apparently, Aidan has inherited my love of playing with water. I remember, quite vividly, being chastised as a young girl for playing in the sink and making a mess with the water. Of course, by my recollection, I never actually made a mess. Funny how selective memories can be ;-).

The kitties also make an appearance in this video. Can you tell it's just about dinner time?

The Embodiment of Dug

Every time I see this scene, I think of my son.



He's still so innocent in many ways, so trusting and honest, so full of energy and life. I hope he never looses that spirit, that love for people. Though, he could stand to work on the attention span a little bit :-).

I want to remember him this way, as the pure soul who came and knocked on doors with me in St. Paul with MN United for All Families for 4 hours in the cold. Aidan didn't understand what we were doing, and I don't know that he'll remember it. But one day, perhaps not so very long from now, I'm going to be able to tell him what we did and why it was so important. Best of all, MN citizens succeeded in defeating that hurtful amendment. 

Politics are exhausting, but worth it for the greater good. 

Stuff On My (Bengal) Cat

Tolerant? Saintly? Or just plane lazy?

You decide. 

Happy Labor Day

Happy 9th Birthday, Athena Dorothy!

You keep me warm as I work, cuddle with me under the covers, gaze deeply into my eyes, and always know just what to do to cheer me up or calm me down. Thank you, thank you, for being the best companion we could ever ask for. You are truly one of a kind, and we love you very, very much.

Happy 8th Birthday, Athena!

I love you, Beena!

Wordless Wednesdays

Happy Christmas!

from Aidan & Athena

Wordless Wednesdays

Up North Photo Journal

Once upon a time (two-ish weeks ago), we decided to take Aidan up north. Going "Up North" in Wisconsin is kind of like going "Down the Shore" in NJ: you stay out way too late, party, eat crappy food, mock the locals, and when the trip's all done, you need a vacation to recover from your vacation. The last time we were up north was back in September of 2008; Aidan was an infant, and the weather was warm and sunny. This time, Aidan is a toddler, and the weather was cold and rainy. Oh, and I forgot my camera so all we have are crappy phone photos. I love my Droid X, but I don't believe for a second that those 8MP are doing me any good.

Friday

Before we left, I made sure to take pictures of the kitties so Aidan could say night-night to them before bed.

Here's Aurora pretending to be indifferent about our impending absence.


Here's Gaia begging us to stay.


Here's Jazzy purring because she's getting some attention.


And here's Athena already simmering a grudge because she doesn't get to come with us like she used to when she was a kitten and we were childless. Next time sweetheart, I promise.


So off we go passed the famed Hwy 8 towards Minong. We arrive without mishap, and Aidan is excited for our adventure. The first thing he says as he exits the car? "Mama, ride 4-wheeler, please?" How the kid knew there were 4-wheelers up there (when none were in sight) is beyond me. I swear the kid can sense them. Cabin? Check! Woods? Check! Ohh, must be a 4-wheeler around. Score!

Here's what we find in the cupboards.


And here's what greets us on the opposite wall. "I'm sorry, Aidan, but you cannot ride the deer."


So instead, Aidan makes himself a slide out of the cooler.


Saturday

Amazingly, Aidan slept well in the bunk room. He also had enough sense to be quiet when he woke up. So quiet, in fact, that it took us a while to realize he was awake and helping himself to his version of breakfast. whatever, we're on vacation. Fraggle Rock on the tele and Mama gets to sleep in. Oh, and Chad made pancakes. Bliss.

AND then it started to rain. AND then we decided to go 4-wheeling anyway. No pictures, of course, since it was raining, but I did take some when we got back.

Here's Aidan gazing so lovingly in the distance at Daddy putting away the 4-wheeler. "4-wheeler go night night?" Yes, dear.


Here's Aidan trying to catch rain on his tongue.


And here's me looking like a drowned rat. I can't believe I'm even posting this.


Here's Chad, also soaking wet.


AND here Aidan, still standing in the rain long after Chad and I had gone inside to dry out. "Ride 4-wheeler again, please?"


Dinner time was exciting. Chad and I had a hankering for cheeseburgers, but we didn't have any buns. Chad's solution? The MEGA BURGER.


He used the foil to flip the burger. We also toasted the bread.


Chad was very proud of his creation, and honestly it was the best "burger" either of us had ever had. Mmmmm.


After dinner Aidan and I played our favorite game of chase me...until I chased him into the back of the lazyboy and he gave himself a black eye. Woops.


So we decided to play cards, since that was a safer game.


But he soon grew board, and went back to jumping off the cooler again.


Sunday

As promised, we took Aidan 4-wheeling one more time before leaving. It rained on and off, but I did get two pretty pictures to finish off the weekend.


This picture would have been even better had I remembered my real camera, but you get the idea. Black eye aside, it was an awesome weekend and I definitely want to do it again sometime.

Ideally with Athena and without the black-eye part.