This and That

It feels like Friday. I'm grateful that Alan decided to close the office tomorrow. Now it is Friday. A long Memorial Day weekend is on the horizon. So is summer, but it feels more like winter today. I went to Lil's soft ball game last night in capris, a linen shirt and flip flops. The temperature dropped from near 80 to just above 50 degrees in the 2 1/2 hours I sat in the bleachers. It was a good game despite the loss of feeling in my limbs and my chattering teeth.

When I got home, Ted and Stef were watching basketball and playing with cats. Ted inquired what was for dinner. It was 9 o'clock btw, but feeding hungry boys is such a joy that I made a pan of chicken parm and a pot of pasta. They were happy, grateful, satisfied. 

The guys left for a poker match. Lils turned in for the night and I retreated to the family room with the kit kats. It was snuggle time - a favorite for all. Room on my lap is running out, but the three still fit. Ted came home to relieve me and I went to bed to read. I'm well into Jaouad's Between Two Kingdoms and I'm beyond happy to be reading again.

Mike is up at the cabin for a few days of Northwood's respite. It will be life as usual at Casa Wags the next stretch of days, but I'm looking forward to an extra long weekend kicking off tonight with wine with Sue.

Weekending

Casa Wags has resumed some normalcy after two weeks with three new kitties. Things like exercise and cleaning are being added back into my routine, and it's time. I had a list of to dos this weekend that I mostly accomplished and boy did that feel like success.

I kicked off the weekend with a long workout and it was just what I needed. Usually, Friday night is pizza night, but we made a nice dinner instead because all the rules are in limbo right now and some beautiful pork chops were calling. Mike grilled them to perfection. We decompressed while watching a forgettable movie. It was delightful.

I was up early Saturday for kitty duty. While I waited for my grocery shopping partner Lily to arise, I cleaned out the refrig. I have such a love hate regard for this chore. I despise doing it, but it feels so good once it's done. Then I got to planning the night's menu. Uncle Mark and Cousin Tim were coming to dinner. The menu: Mike's ribs, Lily's chicken thighs, Magnolia Table Mac & Cheese, roasted carrots with lemon thyme from my aunt's garden and watermelon. Oh, and Smores bars that I saw Valerie Bertinelli make the week before. It makes me happy to throw a Saturday night dinner party. Dinner party sounds formal, but it doesn't have to be and this one wasn't. Sure I set the table, used cloth napkins and lit some candles, but the mood was relaxed...chill. It feeds my soul to cook for loved ones and connect around the table. The kitties visited the dining room for the first time that night and only tried to climb the curtains a couple times. Before the end of the night, all three were found atop the table. We retired to the family room to watch SNL. The last episode of the season was a good one. It was a good night.

Mike went on an early Sunday morning bagel run, and I made a big pan of scrambled eggs. Mark was gone before the kids got up. I got to work on my list. My biggest accomplishment was the kid's bathroom. It took me two hours, a bottle of Tilex, three Magic Erasers and a toothbrush to make it presentable shine. It is their responsibility, but every once in awhile it needs mom's attention. I also put our new sheets and duvet cover on the bed, did about 7 loads of laundry and washed the kitchen floor. Gus thought that was fun too. he rode the mop. Hazel did not. She hissed at it. I used Aveda's Shampure essential oil in my water/vinegar wash and the house smelled like a spa. Then I lit the lavender/white sage candle Cousin Gigi sent me and I wanted a nap. Instead, I cleaned all the window sills in the house and then went around closing them when the pneumonia front blew in taking temps from the 80s to the 50s. I'm not going to lie...the 50s felt good. So did a long, hot shower.

Mike made dough and I put together another Margherita pizza for dinner. This one extra cheesy and served with hot Italian sausages and peppers on the side. Ted went out, Lils went back to the dining room table and Mike and I retired to watch Mare, our new show. After all the streaming and binge watching during the pandemic, we both like knowing that we get this one episode Sunday nights at 9 o' clock. The kitties liked the playground I set up for them so they could get tired out for the night. They were all three toast before we went to bed.

I woke up feeling refreshed for a Monday morning. The energetic, positive energy lasted through the day. It was nothing special, but it was good. Mike and I enjoyed a walk after work, easy tacos were for dinner and I started a new book before bed. I stayed up too late reading so I'm not as spunky this morning, and yet, I know it's going to be another good day.

 

Three Times The Love

I was the last one up this morning. I like being the first not the last. The kids were already gone. Lils to school and Ted to workout. Mike was in a meeting in the spare bedroom. I surprised the kit kats when I came into the kitchen. Finn was on the counter in search of more breakfast. Hazel and Gus were encouraging his foraging from the floor. They were just as guilty as their big brother. Of course, I gave them each another teaspoon. Operation Fatten Up Gus is going well. He now resembles a little Brillo pad and should be able to have his surgery soon. I think he's almost 2 pounds of absolute sweetness.

The kitties all have their own personalities that have increased the happiness of the house more than threefold. Never mind that it takes three times as long to get anything done with them underfoot. Especially Gus. He loves to help unload the dishwasher, sit right at your feet when you are cooking, and wage attacks on the broom. It's futile to sweep when he's around because he makes even more of a mess. He's a little whirling dervish. He swoops in for a little rough housing with his brother and sister and then he quickly makes his escape. Being small and fast are his strengths. He can turn on a dime and tuck himself away into tight spaces. He's usually the last to call it quits too. The other two will be passed out somewhere and he'll still be playing. The house is full of toys, but he'll have a blast with a piece of fuzz, his own shadow, or your toes. He loves to snuggle with us or them and he's been known to suck on their feet or their tails. Gus is our special guy.

 

 

Hazel is a honey and a mama's girl. She will come find me and meow until I pick her up. Then she purrs. She always responds when spoken to. She thinks she wants to go explore the rest of the house, but then when she gets out, she cries to be let back in with the family. She loves to run around with toy mice in her mouth and she thinks that the spirals are great fun. Because of our girl, we cannot open the patio doors right now. She loves to climb the screens and then isn't sure how to get down. She has stolen all of our hearts.

 

Finn is such a character. He's bit of a brute with his siblings, but he is a big lover with his people. If he sees someone getting snuggles, he runs over to get in on the love. If you feel someone rubbing against your legs, it's Finn. If you feel someone climbing your legs, it's Gus. Open up the pantry and Finn is in. It is great fun to explore new spaces. I came home with the groceries this weekend, and he was in and out of all the bags. When he found the chicken, he thought he hit the jackpot. Because of this guy, I have relocated all my plants. Finn keeps us on our toes and smiling.

 

 When I am asked who my favorite is, the answer is...Hazel, Finn and Gus.

 

 

Teddy and Lily too.