Milo

Well, Milo has been gone now one entire day, and it's a little better for us. At least we can say his name without crying. The other cats are looking for him, Max has even cried out a few times, almost like yelling, "Hey Mi-Mi, where are you?" It's very difficult to not be able to explain to the cats that Milo will never truly come home again. The kids took it ok, about what we expected. They have their moments, as do we, and then we can talk and laugh about all the joy that crazy cat brought to our home for the 15 months he was alive. We have lots of great memories of him, and Zac and Lillie's friends have shared some of theirs with us too, things that we forgot about. The kids are making a scrapbook of him, so we can record everything and look back on it to remember him.

We have been talking with our vet and are going to attempt to keep our cats indoors now as much as possible. We have no idea where Milo got the antifreeze from, but we know that any of our other cats could follow that same path, and with antifreeze poisoning, there's no cure. I don't think we can go through that again. We have decided to cremate Milo, so that he can come home with us and be with his family, even though we know his spirit is in heaven. That being said, today I got all the information from the pet crematory, and in it they sent lots of poems and articles on pet loss. This is one I've seen before, but I felt it worthy of sharing.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

MUST reads....and other things

OK, so as everyone has heard about and most likely already read, the Stephanie Meyer Twilight series is by far the best read E-V-E-R! For real, I finished a 500 page book in a matter of 2 days. It's that good! I'm awaiting #2 from the library....and I'm about seconds away from just buying it my darn self, even though it would sit and rot in a closet when I finished it. I just know that the next 3 books will be as good, if not better.

And then I moved onto "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. This one took only a day....a quick little read that really gets you thinking. I saw Randy's interview with Diane Sawyer, and knew that I would have to read the book. I put my name on the hold list at the library and waited ever so patiently and that day came yesterday. I went at lunch time and by this afternoon, I was finished. What a great life that man had....what a hero he must be to so many people, his family included. I just wish that if I had to know my days were numbered, that I could live as gracious as Randy Pausch did. Incredible. Truly.

And then, you know, I have to whine (even though Randy explained to me earlier that whining doesn't lead me to my dreams!)--Zacary, Zacary, Zacary. If I'd have known that my smart little boy would turn into a lazy 8 year old, I might not have told him over and over again what a graet little guy he was over the last several years. We have gone from an A student, to a boy who DREADS school. Can't stand the thought of Mondays, or Tuesdays, or Wednesdays...you get the point. The boy is leaving homework at school, leaving books at home, and somewhere in between his brain is escaping him. Today he is grounded....the schenanigans have gone on long enough. He has no games, no TV, and then when a friend just came to the door and was told that Zac wasn't allowed to play (gasp!)--his little world came crashing down. Grounded means no friends too? I guess I haven't done a good job in the "punishment" category. Yes, it always means no friends......whether I stated that or not. In "Zac" terms....grounded=no fun. (period) For that, I get a flailing, crying 8 year old....sobbing in his room telling me he has nothing to do. And that my darling, is grounded!

My computer is infected....and other crap

Well, once again, the Casey computer is hit. With what, I don't know, but I am banning "free' movies from Terry's co-workers and any kids site that isn't nick jr or webkinz. I don't think my facebook or blog reading is "infecting" the poor machine, but who really knows, right? What I find humorous is that we have virus attacks after my sister comes over and checks her hotmail account. Next time I'll have to babysit her while she collects her mail...or hide the wine until AFTER she uses my computer! LOL!

On the Casey kid front, we have a second grader who is completely done with education of any kind and a kindergartner who can't wait to leap from bed every morning, get dressed and hop on that school bus! Zac is either bored or dreaming of playing video games for the rest of his life....he just isn't into school this year. He even has missing work and the kid hasn't missed any school yet!! He asked me today if he would have to go to college to work at the movie theater! That's his life long dream.....hand out sodas and candy at the movie theater. WOW! Guess I can cash out that college fund, eh?

Other than that, our life has been uneventful! My jobs keep me on my toes EVERY SINGLE DAY! And I've learned more about drugs and teenage lingo than I ever cared to know. Talk about enlightening! I've also filled out the paperwork to get myself back into school! I can't believe it, but I'm still in the early stages....checking out programs, different colleges, etc. I'm going back for my middle childhood education degree, I think!

As for Terry...nothing new at all. He's still making corny jokes, still making fun of my ability to attract cats from everywhere (no, we haven't "helped" anymore!) and still going strong on the cub scout cubmaster front. BTW, if you want to buy popcorn from Zac, email me! We're trying to earn free summer camp again this year! GO SCOUTS!