Home

We're home safe and sound.  Had an amazing week with some really fast swimming and lots of fun.  I haven't even uploaded all the photos, but I'll be sure to share my favorites here.  I am so very proud of Chris and all he accomplished with his swimmers.  They were the highest scoring team from the state of Illinois!  All with only four swimmers!

It was hard to come home without Simba being here.  I had a little meltdown when I walked into the guest room and realized that is where he had his final days.  Our friends cleaned everything up for us and it was just surreal to see all of his "supplies" stacked up in a pile.  I don't think it has really sunk it that he is really gone.  Words can't express how grateful we are for our friends who cared for him and Romeo while we were gone.

Romeo is beyond excited to have us home.  He apparently took up residence on our bed while we were gone so those sheets are in the washing machine as I write.  Hoping they'll be done in time for me to get to bed at a decent hour.

It's back to work for me tomorrow.  I have so many mixed thoughts and emotions about that.  Sadly, I don't have the excitement that I usually feel for the start of a new school year.  Hoping that once I get there tomorrow and see all my colleagues that I will feel that.  I am so thankful that I took the trip with Chris.  It was great to clear my head and really go into the school year with a sense of peace and calm rather than being here and brooding for the past week. 

And let's face it- this has been a pretty crappy summer for me.  Here's to new beginnings and moving forward.  Fall is a wonderful time of year full of change and promise, right?

It's going to be rough in the morning.  My body will think it's 3 am when the alarm goes off...  I've already decided it will be a VENTI kind of morning!  :)

Kitty Heaven

My Simba Kitty went to kitty heaven last night.  I am on the other side of the country and wasn't able to say goodbye.  I am so thankful that we have such amazing friends who not only took care of our animals for us, but took care of him in his last days and took him to the vet after he was gone.  It's a true friend that will do all of that for you while you are far from home.

I was heartbroken last night when they called to tell me he wasn't doing well.  He was fine over the weekend, but took a turn for the worse suddenly Sunday night.  He shut himself into the closet in our guest room and wanted to be alone.  I am sad he was alone when he left this world, but it seems that is just what my sweet kitty wanted.  He was very loving before we left, and I feel that he wanted us to be away when he left this world.  I know it will be very hard to go home and know that he is gone.  But he didn't suffer long, and that he was well cared for in his last days.

He was a great kitty and was so very attached to my sweet Patches.  I know that they are together again playing and cuddling like they did when they were babies.  He thought he was a dog, and came for treats whenever the dogs would get one.  He was a talker and a cuddler.  He will be missed.  But I know his health was failing in the last year and I am so thankful he didn't suffer long.

The swim meet is going VERY well.  Both swimmers moved up in their events and scored points for Chris' swim team.  First time in the history of the team!  Another swimmer in finals tonight.  It's been very exciting!

I've also enjoyed the sunshine and haven't thought much about school at all.  :)  Hoping the rest of the week continues just as well and that I can go back home feeling refreshed and ready to face the world. 

Progress on the House...

After my angry post yesterday, I thought I would follow up with a more positive one.

They finished two sides of the house with the new yellow siding. It sure makes me happy!

Here is the front as it was tonight.... (there is still more to do, like the light and the gutters... and the siding on the second story)

You can see the corner of the GIANT dumpster at the right edge of the photo. Boy, will I be glad when it is GONE! The front door is new as well, and I love the scrolled doorknob we installed.

Here is one of the side of the house. This is the side that took most of the damage from the storm when a chimney that used to live between the two smaller windows came crashing down. It was a non-functional chimney that was probably used to heat the home in years past.


And just to add more things that make me happy...

Here are my two geriatric pets snuggling together. Both of them are not in great health, and I know that we are going to have to make some tough decisions. For now, I am just going to enjoy moments like this one.
And then there is Romeo. I was trying to carry in groceries and he really wanted to play. He pulled this "stick" out of the bushes next to our house. He really thought I was going to play fetch with it. (Please ignore the state of my yard. Construction + Dogs = muddy mess of a yard!)



Chris did talk to the adoption agency today and they are sending out the information packet. It's a small step.

Hope you are all having a good night.