I can't think of a better time to start "blogging" than today.

January 26, 2011 

This is the first time I have ever "blogged". I've thought about it before. But never took the plunge. But, today is a tough day. A day full of changes. A day that I will never be able to forget. A day that is going to change me & my life forever. So, before it happens I thought I would put my words & my thoughts down here..so they will also be forever. 

Let me start by introducing myself & giving you a little information about me...Who knows, you may read about me & decide this isn't the blog for you. Because I'm going to tell you right now, I'm not famous, I have never done anything that cured a life threatening disease, I've never done anything that made the news...not that I'm aware of anyway. But, I do have dreams, I haven't always loved my life-matter of fact, I've tried "quitting" my life a time or two in the past. I have learned to like who I am & I am growing into a person that I do respect & I think I could learn to love. And if you choose to, you can be a part of that journey.

~About Me & My Family~

My name is Lori. I turned 45 this past December 2010. I'm happily married to Mark. I have 2 grown kids...Sarah & Danny. Sarah has given me 2 grandchildren-Riley & Bret. Danny has given me an awesome grandson Kevin.

I am very lucky to have both of my parents still living..I don't know what I would do without my Mom, she is always there for me when I need her & when I think I don't. Probably there more than she should be, because I have grown so dependent on her, I don't know what I would do without her & I have thought about this a lot...more on that some other time though. 

~About the Furry part of my life~

We have a home full of 4 legged furry babies. Which in a round about way are the reason for me starting this blog today. 

~Angel~

1st there is Angel. Angel is my guardian angel, a huge part of my life. She is a bichon/poodle mix. She showed up on our doorstep about 12 yrs ago. We're not sure of her age, but she's old. More on her later. A lot more. 

~Sadie~

Next came Sadie..Sadie is approximately 3 yrs old. A gray/silver tabby cat. She's pretty demanding & usually gets whatever she wants..Its just easier that way..on everybody. 

~Felix~

Then along Felix. Felix is actually my granddaughter, Riley's cat, but they had some things going on, Felix came to stay with us until they got things straightened out. By that time, Felix & Sadie bonded & I just couldn't stand the thought of them being separated. So, I made a deal with Riley..She loved the little 2 gallon fish tank I had set up that had a Beta & a little frog in it..So, I let her have that if she let Felix continue to live with Sadie. So, that's how he became a part of our ever growing family.

~Crystal~

Crystal was the next one to move in. Danny found her outside in the freezing cold one night while he was outside smoking a cigarette. He brought her in for the night, let her sleep in his room. I saw her in the morning & thought she was the most beautiful cat I had ever seen. Mark said "No way..No more cats..get her out right now"!. So, to save my marriage, we put her back outside. But she had other plans, she hung around & played the guilty card every chance she got. So, I talked Mark into letting her so I could look for a home for her, get her spayed would make this easier..Well, its been close to 4-5 yrs now..Still can't find this cat a home. Not sure what the problem is? What? Your supposed to put ads up? Your supposed to tell people your trying to find the cat a home? Oh..this information would have been helpful sooner. :o)

~Sophie & Tee~

 Sophie & Tee..They came to live with us at the same time after we moved to Cuba, Mo. They were a team. Total opposites. Tee is lean & mean..Sophie is, well..the complete opposite..She's more round & so sweet. Sophie has an older ladies personality..Tee was just a tiny kitten when we found her..she wasn't even a pound yet..Now, full grown she's still tiny..all of 6 lbs. But it takes 3 to give her her injections at the vet & we all walked out with blood coming from us. Don't let the size fool you!

~Tobi & Cami~

Tobi & Cami were next...And the result of a Freecycle ad I placed for a bag of clothing I was offering. Someone came to get the clothes & in exchange left me 2 very tiny kittens. Tobi could barely keep his head up he was so thin & sick..Cami was scared to death of people. I couldn't touch her. They lived on my porch for a few months. Nursing Tobi back to health & trying every day to get Cami to realize not all people are bad..she could trust at least me. There was no hope of getting either of them a home if I couldn't get her to let me handle her. One night, she decided she wanted to know what was going on on the other side of my front door. I had the screen door open, she came in..the door closed behind her & they've been here ever since. She's had the chance to leave, but has chosen she likes this side much better. 

Tobi has since grown into a round young man. Very healthy, strong & such a lover. And Cami....Wow..what a turn around. She is the most loving cat. She demands to be held, she demands attention. She gives real hugs. These two are also here because I am supposed to be looking for permanent homes for them..oops. I guess I should just admit it..Crystal, Tobi & Cami..well their homes are here..I could never send them anywhere. I know Mark knew that deep down too. Matter of fact, he's told me that Tobi & Cami are his favorites.  

~Oreo~

Oreo is also Riley's cat. We moved next door to Sarah, Riley & Bret. They found this cat walking around. Named him..He would follow them when they would come over here..Sometimes he would leave..sometimes he'd make himself at home & take a nap..stay for dinner..Then it turned into an overnight thing..then a day or two thing..then it turned into a weekly thing..Now, this is home..he doesn't even go over there anymore. He adopted us. No matter how many times they would take him home, he always ended up coming back over here. We were adopted by Oreo

~Charlie~

Charlie came to us because I wanted Corona..Sarah's pit bull. But Corona wanted to eat my cats. I tried to stop her from it, but her desire to eat the cats is just to strong. So, I posted an ad on Freecycle & was contacted by this couple in Bourbon who had rescued this dog from a mentally handicapped man that had abused the dog for a long time, until they took the dog from him. He used to dump water over Charlie's head..even if the water was frozen from sitting outside in the cold..he would then get a block of ice over his head. No reason for doing it..he just did it. 

Charlie is a 4 yr old pitbull/beagle mix. Adorable, sweetest nature. But he hates going outside in the rain or after the rain. Can't say I blame him, especially after what he went through. He's a chronic licker..he licks his feet until they bleed. When they had him neutered..he licked & well I guess chewed his danglies off...he no longer has his 'balls'. But, he's still all man to us. 

The point of getting Charlie was...he was supposed to be a trucking buddy..he was going to ride in the truck with Mark. Well, after we got home, I told Mark lets wait, give Charlie some time to get used to us..Maybe in a couple weeks you can take him. 2 weeks later I mentioned him taking Charlie..."No, I don't think so, he's to big, I don't have room in my truck". So, now Charlie is hanging out here with the rest of us.  

~Little~ 

That leaves Little. The last thing we needed was another animal of any kind. But, when I saw this little bit of nothing, I had to have her. She fit in the palm of my hand, when I picked her up, she snuggled in my arm & fell asleep...she slept all the way home. Riley got one of her litter mates...Bebe..she's living next door & does come over sometimes. They just turned 1 this past November (2010). She's been such a fun addition to our home. I can't remember life before Little. 

Ok...So there's the basic information about me & my family (the 2 legged ones & the 4 legged furry ones). 

The reason I started this blog next.