High School Crush October 11, 1974

I was 16. He was 22. So adult and manly, I thought.

Nice, yet, me just another student to him.

So in love I was.

Ahh. Such a Rated G for General Audiences thing.

I still gotta smile.

He was a student teacher in my Iowa high school. Since he taught sophomores, I thought it OK to have a crush on him cuz, heck--I was a JUNIOR.

Every girl was in love with him. Blond hair. Blue eyes. Cute smile.

This day back in, 1974, marked his final day at our school. Girls came out of the crowded class room in tears. Boys hated to seem go because of he was tall and played basketball with them.

I was sad too, because he had my heart.

He was my first real crush that wasn't one of my classmates.

To look back he was always a gentlemen. Never approached me in a harmful way. I'd sit with him sometimes while he governed study hall or on the bleachers during a football game.

He made me laugh. He was cute. That was the extent of our relationship.

I can only imagine the lack of savvy I had at 16, especially when I wore bibbed overalls!

Nonetheless, that was his last day in our high school.

I went in to say my good byes in the now empty classroom--

He surprised me by his question if he could see me

The next day

For a special good bye.

I nearly fainted.

And I couldn't make the hours

Move faster for Saturday to get here...

Pet Loss

To lose a pet is hard. People that are real animal people know what I mean. I've been one of those folks who say they'll get a 'replacement pet'--every animal is different, just like a human. Replacement pet is wrong verbiage. If that's the case, I've had a lot of 'replacement men."

Perry, who I called My One had his own personality going on. When I took him to the vet for the first time,when he was a kitten, to get him checked out--the vet even smiled and said "You going to love his disposition." By that time, Perry had run all over the office, hid under bags of food, hollered at me and swiped the vet. Ha! When it gets closer to Christmas, I'll repeat the story of how Perry beat up Santa Claus. Santa needed a first aide kit...

Perry let the rest of the cats know I was his. He'd share me some, yet when it came to sleeping arrangements, he was on the pillow next to me. He was the only one who could pet my head and hair--with his claws out. Perry would be right on top of me--it's funny, his heir apparent, Noir would sleep on the other side of me--almost equal to Perry's distance. I think they fought over me--in their mancat way.

I buried Perry under the crepe myrtle tree like I said I would. One of my rose bushes had a single rose, so that and some white flowers pretty up Perry's grave. It was hard to put Perry in there. I had him wrapped in a towel, so he could be close to me and then a bag, for my false sense of keeping the elements out. When I bought this house, in 2008, I thought I have a pretty place to put my pets--I just didn't think it would be so soon.

Perry feels better now. I ask what could I have done differently? He was sick, I know--so the reaction to the antibiotics didn't help. Perry was only nine years old--I just knew we were going to be together for more years.

And in my spirit, he will be.

Loss of a True Friend

That's exactly what this kitty was and always will be.

His name is Perry and is the same kitty in my banner and named after our hometown. When he was kitten, Perry would get in my bed, when I got out of it and then I nearly squashed him. Last night, for the final time, he made it up to my bed and just stayed there. So thin, unlike the kitty in this photo.

Perry died today. Kind of expected, yet not. Perry had a severe infection in his bladder and mouth and every point in between. His heart and lungs were good, yet the infection was better.

He spent a night in the hospital a couple weeks ago. I believe the vet thought something had to be wrong, even tho most of his numbers came back in a normal range. I hoped the antibiotics would work--in fact his temp was normal yesterday. However, I think Perry had a reaction to those antibiotics on top of everything else.

Perry just got worse. He died before I could hold him one last time today. The vet said Perry was a fighter--and thru my tears I said, "That's because he was from Iowa."

I'm sad tonight. Very sad. What else but a pet, would curl close to you when you didn't feel good or pet your head to tell you he's there? Or welcome you to the door with a hearty meow and didn't laugh when he saw you in 10 year old glasses or in the last days of his life, pulled your fingers closer to him when you stopped petting him?

Perry's resting place is under the branches of a crepe myrtle, outside my bedroom window. I have bird feeders in it and Perry liked to perch in the window. He'll like that. All up close and personal to the birds.

Perry showed up just days after I buried my dad as fat, orange butterball of fur. We bonded almost instantly. Of course, food was involved and it was love at 2nd site--his. Outside of the fact, Perry gave me ringworm during our drive back to Dallas, when he was bound and determined to sleep on my shoulder.

I always thought Perry was the last gift from my dad. And a forever gift Perry will always be. He is My One.

I am blessed.

Wired Wednesday

Haven't been here in a few days. For one, I had a paper due on Monday which I completed on time. Until I receive a grade, I have 96% in the class, and this is its final week. GLAD! Kinda tedious, yet just a jolt of fresh air after the last class. UGH.

On this day, I ponder the new paper I must write by this coming Monday, and my portion of a paper for the team project--which we have not even discussed, except it's over General Motors. There's a final exam I gotta take which has a time limit of 3 hours. I've read some of the text--not ALL, and I will before the exam. That's gotta be done by Monday too.

Hmm. Then my writers' group meets Saturday and must have critique done and the exercise of 200 or so words for it. I also wanted to have a draft of one of my stories for my novella to share--yet I don't know when I can get that done. And the play, I think I mentioned that's due Sept. 1.

On top of all that, I realized how tired I am being broke. God does provide my needs, so I make it. I get fed--which my hips brag about. So do the cats. Yet, I want to go to New York for the weekend. Why NOT? Takes money. This house has drained me. Wait, that's not really true. The mortgage payment itself is great--the taxes and that yahoo stuff dampens the sidewalk. I'd like to get rid of the car's payment--Something has really got to give. I'm considering giving up the cable, heck I've lived on less....

I think of the business ideas. Small in stature, yet could be big in returns and would fun to do.

Peach pie anyone? Cute cat calendar? Cute cat night shirt? Pot holder...?

Outside of that, I am going to play I mentioned a couple weeks back on Friday night--looking forward! In fact, someone else offered to drive me there and back, since it's a good 20-25 miles and I'm good at getting lost--I hopped on that. The someone who the ride is actually the male lead in the play-so I KNOW he knows where he's going! :)

Well, kinda wired on a Wednesday....

And nothing that a little Sonic Strawberry Limeade Chiller can't cure...all's good!

Woo Hoo!

NO school work to do tonight! Got it ALL done at work today--!

Even some of my job too :)

Did I tell you I eyed a treadmill at Wal-mart the other day? GREAT price. Was in a box tho. So WHO puts it together? Until that mystery is solved, the treadmill stays in the box, in the store.

Hot again. 103 degrees F, with a heat index of 107--or was that 109--or really who cares? I put a pie pan of water for the birds in the back yard. It's cute to see them just stand in it. My backyard animals eat so much better than me--they need to get a job.

Last few days, as I've talked to folks, I've noticed they take quick look at my chest. I'm thinking, gee, are the bon-bons that over flowing? Then I remember, I've worn a shirt where some of my scar shows. Ya know, from that little open heart surgery adventure had back in '06. My scar got all thick and I've learned to deal with it. I know my scar makes some uneasy, yet I'm glad I've finally got to the point to let it hang all out. It does clash with stuff I wear sometimes, which is what ticks me--so I dust my scar with a little powder and off I go.

I recall a conversation about scars, with a non-physically scar'd chum. She made mention how some might wear their scar as a medal of honor instead of covering it. She had a vote for the covering it up. I responded how it IS my medal of honor, cuz if I didn't have it, I'd be dead about now.

And I ain't feelin' that.

So that note, I'm gonna end it for the day. Got me some FUN FICTION writing to do and Blue Bell Cookies n Cream Ice Cream to help shield from the heat!

It's ALL good--WOO HOO!

Want List

I want a bunch of peaches so I can make a bunch of pies and sell em.

Then I want my own treadmill so I can walk off all the peach pie I'd have to sample. I do like going to the Golden Oldie Rec Center--yet the TV is forever on Fox News.

Yes, everyone has a right to their opinions and I respect that. Although, Fox News... I've tried to change the station--especially when I'm alone. When someone comes in to the work out room, it's "Can I change this?" What is my usual choice of TV fare? Either HGTV or "Wheel of Fortune"--who doesn't like "Wheel of Fortune"? And it's too hot outside for me to walk--and I need more exercise. In two weeks, I'm going to try a Zumba class--stay tuned for THAT.

In the meantime, I'm back to my want of a bunch of peaches to make a bunch of pies. One of my classmates said if I'd SOLD some pies prior to Iowa trip--the trip woulda been PAID for. Hmm. Well, I do have PayPal.

Want a Good man in my life. One I won't scare off and is OK cleaning the cats' poo potty box?

Want less hips. I like my hips. Just want a little less of em.

Lastly, I want cats to have a desire to get a job....

Yea, like that's really gonna happen...

A little...

Tuesday for ya. Hot here in Dallas. Around 98 or so with heat index of 104.

However all is well. A/C cranks out the cool air. Taking a break from school. Well, for a night anyway.

A new class, started today--and I don't have to do anything in it, until tomorrow. So a break is needed. Oh the last class, which ended yesterday, couldn't end soon enough. I will get my lowest grade in that class. With no PC, no camaraderie within our Team projects, my not turning in some projects--even tho I enjoyed the subject matter, the situation stunk. I counted down seconds to the five weeks' end. So a new class. A new vigor. I want my "A" back. Stay tuned.

Seems like alot has happened. I am so glad I headed to Iowa. Granted, when I was about 10 miles away from my hometown, my chum Deb was on the phone telling me the turn out wasn't like they thought--GREAT. All in all it didn't matter--I had a BLAST. I think I told you, I had lunch with a classmate, here in Dallas, last week, didn't I?

We knew each other in high school, yet not close buds or anything. We had a nice chat at the Reunion. And he lives about 20 minutes from me. What was neat for me, and maybe him too, was being able to chat with somebody who knew you 'before'--From high school, anyway and able to talk about today and tomorrow. I love the chums I've made in Dallas, although there's something to be said to chat with someone who recalls a little past moment in time--just like you do--just "before."

Food was good too.

Wrap Frap

The furry, yet orangy kitty posted here in my Perry. He's also the kitty in this blog's banner. Together we've been almost 9 years and he'll turn 9 years old on the 4th of July. Firecracker, Perry is, who so loves the remants of my Starbucks Cafe Vanilla Frappucino--just a teeny taste of whipped cream I let him have. At times, I see age creep in him, (just like me) yet Perry purrs, demands my attention and plays with a cat nip laced toy like he's about a 9 month old kitten. Yep, he's my Perry One.

Ya know, I was actually gonna write about the day and thoughts of stuff, like I'd love to have the BP Oil people take a dive in their own oil.

Alas, I digress.

I'll cut it here instead. Perry remains on this desk. Purrs. We've been thru a lot. Perry gave me ringworm when we first met. Ran to me, meows all the way, the first time he saw me after my 3 week hospital stay in 2006, and now. I rub his chin and he nips my hand.

Yep. It's a wrap for today. Gotta go cat cuddle.

I am blessed.

Tweet

Do you Twitter? I tried. I don't care for it much. Granted, by the time I signed for the first time, I had two blogs and realized I had a strong pulse on Facebook. A chum of mine is addicted to Twitter, as I am to Facebook and my blogs. If you're familiar with Twitter, folks follow you and you follows folks. My chum has over 800 worldwide folks following her.

Me? 38.

My chum loves to read Tweets and respond in kind. Me? I got bored. I didn't want to read everybody's Tweets in 140 characters or less, when meant I maybe read lots to get the point. Yea, it's fun to try to edit t0 140 characters, yet I grew weary. Then I started school--something had to give.

So Twitter Twunked out. I go there ever know and then-like every couple weeks or so. I follow William Shatner, Donny Osmond, Aaron McCargo and even Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Terrell Owens. I rarly read past the first page of Tweets. My chums knows all bout Twitter, I don't.

And I'm OK with that. She suggests I follow the Tweets of authors I like, well I do that on Facebook--even intermingle with some. I could read tweets about writing hints---well, why would I do that if I just read stuff about writing and NOT write?

Oh well. Maybe one moment I'll get on the Twitter Twagon.

This isn't that moment. Right now, I'm twired and this cat awaits.

Stay tuned.

Friday

Not been here in a few days. This new class--the first few days overwhelm me. It started on Tuesday, and I've already completed 4 assignments. I'm getting use to it, but still...! Have realized I hate being bottled up in this room. It's spare room where I have the desktop PC. I do believe either I'll roll the my little desk with PC on top probably to the living room--just so I won't feel so confined! The cats get bored and some nights just ignore me.

Ya know, if you live in a multiple cat house hold and ALL of the multi cats ignore you--too much time is being spent elsewhere.

OK--it''s 10:25pm as I write this. I'm exhausted. I still have to write some paper due tomorrow about something and the effects it has on the swamp planet, Dagobah where Master Yoda lives--OK--not really, but....Hence, the paper's a tomorrow thing--I got until 1am Sunday morning to get it in...

In the meantime, a couple spoonfuls of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla will ease me into sleep.

Stay tuned.

What's New?

Well, it's Friday--and I like that--but that's NOT so new to know.

What is new is, a local author, who is also a NY Best Selling author, who I asked to be part of a writers' conference cannot attend. Bummed, I am. Somehow, after she told me couldn't be a speaker, I wound up telling her about my middle age love story. A story I've wanted to write since I was in my 20's --when I didn't know about middle age anything--the NY Best Selling Author said my story "has great frame"-and asked if I'd considered turning the story into a screenplay instead of a novel? See, I told her I've always pictured Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover with a happy together ending, ever since "The Color Purple."

Never having written a screenplay, even tho, I once scripted a one act play, I certainly no problem getting "Screenwriting for Dummies". Nice encouragement, especially from someone I truly admire.

So stay tuned.

Now back to Friday. The kitties posted here await a chin rub and Friskies Party Mix treats. Alas, I'll leave you with classic Tom Jone asking a pussy cat, What's New?

March 24, 2006 was Friday

On this day, in 2006, after 25 days I was finally released from the Hospital.

My souvenir of the said adventure was the scar on my chest. This was due to my little open heart surgery to replace my mitral valve with a mechanical one. And at the time there was a golf ball size bump at the top of my incisions, which eventually went down. I hadn't washed my hair in 3 weeks.

Before Movie Man came to get me, my Infectious Disease stopped in and said, "So this is what you look like in real clothes!" We both chuckled. Then when Movie Man came in, he was surprised how much thinner I was. Me too really. We were both glad I was out of the faded hospital gown. With Movie Man's carrying my stuff, a nurse wheel chaired me out of the walls I'd known for 25 days to Movie Man's truck.

That Friday was dreary and chilly. Yet, in my mind the sun's shine was everywhere! In Movie Man's truck, I sat in mostly silence. Just stared out the window. I realized I could have died 25 days ago.

Yes, the sun''s shine was there. .

Fast forward to this day in 2010. The kitty posted here who snoozes right by the monitor as I type this?

He ran so fast down the steps and meowed so loud, this day in 2006, when I called his name as I stepped inside my cluttered apartment. He jumped on the arm of the couch and head bonked me with meows so loud they rivaled the size of my tears.

I could have died.

I didn't.

Yes, the sun does indeed shine.

I am blessed.

February 27, 2006 was Monday

On this day in 2006, I was wheeled into the ER at approximately 11am. I didn't leave until 7:30 the next morning when I was taken, cot and all to have a CT Scan. Got paranoid as I had to lie still. After about a half hour or so there, I was wheelchaired to the elevator, which stopped on the 9th floor of the hospital. As the elevator opened, I bout bust an artery when I saw "Neurology" on the 9th Floor. And nobody--friends or family knew where I was.

Little did I know I wouldn't leave until March 24, 2006.

Fast forward to this day in 2010. Sun shines. Cat is in the open window. I'm headed to a chum's Bridal Shower. The same chum who sat with me, for hours on end, in the hospital. This chum admitted she feared I wouldn't make it.

Well, I'm still here.

I'm not the most traditional person when it comes to showers, so since my chum asked for a peach pie--I baked one. It's cooling now.

So if you excuse me, I gotta go get ready.

More life left to be lived.

I am blessed.

Couple Things...

Got through the day. Oh, and I feel some old age creep up on me. Seems when I rise in the morns, , body is STIFF. As I warm up, just like a '58 Chevy, I'm roarin' down the road. However--being more consistent on exercise may help. I'm stuck on the Lose Weight Train. Found out, a man once close to me, has shed about 60lbs. See, guys can lose weight by missing out on a hamburger, while we girl look at a hamburger and gain five pounds. Anyway, I don't even want to discuss it, except I did drink the 74 ounces of water. The trek to the bathroom proved that!

I received kind words from a woman I've never met, except for exchanging a few words on a Social Network, about my one and only self published book. The book itself is 11 years old. I'm amazed it still touches folks--well, really, that anybody is touched at all. Just nice. Humbling.

Good thing is, I'm off tomorrow. Boss wanted us to start using up our vacation. So for my 15 minute POKE test--which is what I call my Coumadin Check- I took off the WHOLE day. I do have to get get a tire, continue hunt for cheaper house/car insurance, plus other stuff before I head to get POKED. I just know I need a day off, while other people work. The sleepin' in, with a herd of cats, as a blanket will be nice.

The next man I date oughta be a vet. .

So tonight, on Dancing With the Stars, Michael did a very good job, Donny brought the house down and poor Mark--he had multi-partners due to Lacey's health. And on the girls' side: Mya I have yet to warm up to and Kelli whined just too many times for me, and maybe America. So if Michael isn't one of two booted off: it will be Mark and Kelli.

Stay tuned!

So Part II

Had a great day today. Some things are still tough, yet I know where to put my trust. My head has cleared in some areas. Maybe the treadmill and bike have helped there! :)

Also been pensive about this blog. As much as I love to put my words out there about every day, I think of pulling back. Maybe not so many days a week or just when ever...

I don't know.

Blue Bell Cookies n Cream ice cream will help the decision.

Stay tuned.

Monday Night and I Ain't Got Nobody...

No "Dancing With the Stars."

Will have withdrawl symptoms for a bit.

I can hear Movie Man say, "Well, with more time on your hands you can finally finish Harry Potter 6 before the movie next Summer. Unlike what you did for Harry Potter 5. Or you do have all those dozens of books you buy when Half Price has its 20% off sale off its all ready half price! Ya know, the ones in the basket- I carry for you and bust my arm?"

Then my writers' group members would say "Gee, as a writer you know you must make time to write. Its not going to come to you. So with that extra hour and half or so, you could tweak that story you promised us a couple meetings ago. And plus, submit more so others can read your words. Make the time, Writer. Honor your own words, that's what you tell us."

Why yes, I could do all of that. Just not tonight.

I've put the trash out (one of those I wish I had a man things). Cleaned litter boxes, looked at the sinkful of dishes. Fed the birds and squirrels. Let Perry roll around on the patio, then caught him before he ran around the house. Went to the store to get a 9 inch paint roller thingy. Looked at my mop and wondered if I still knew how it worked. Jimmied with the chimney floo thingy to see if I felt confident tonight to build another fire and not burn the house down. I don't.

Plus there's still one last piece of pun'kin pie that needs to be savored as I rewind the first announcement of "American Idol" to start back up in January.

Yep--got that extra hour and half or so will come in handy.

It's FRIDAY....no, wait---it's really THURSDAY....

....Yet it might as well be Friday....tomorrow is the 4th of July...a holiday....a day off...my kitty's seventh birthday (the orange tabby who graces my blog)....so today IS Friday!

Got plans?

In the days gone by, aunts, uncle, cousins, me and my parents would head to a family picnic. There would be a little fishin thrown in. Fishin' was my dad's way of escape from the crackle of the women. Also it was a time my dad and I would just bond.

I miss those days. He'll be gone seven years October 18. In fact, the orange tabby who celebrates his birthday tomorrow was my last 'gift' from my dad. Yep. A couple days after my dad's funeral, I stood at the back door of our house. Threw some corn to the squirrels, and saw this orange fluff run to it. A kitten.

It took the week before I had to leave my hometown, basically a game of cat and mouse before he wound up in my arms for good. We would sit, each morning on the patio. I fed him food--from the two cats that made the trip from Dallas with me, and talked to him. I told him he reminded me of a kitten I had when I was about 1o. That was Tiger Paw, an outdoor kitty--and one night I saw him, then the next day I didn't. I promised this kitty he wouldn't ever live in the wilds again. I believed my dad sent me the kitten to help me through the sorrow of missing him.

It worked.

Now, my kitten is seven years old. I still miss my dad, yet life is so good. I can't wait for the fireworks tomorrow...after all it will be a holiday, plus FRIDAY!