June 2010 2

Click here to view this photo book larger

New Family Member!!!! (with fur...)

We have adopted a kitten!! He is a male tuxedo (just like our Hershey), just 3 months old, fully clawed, not yet fixed, freshly bathed...and such a good kitty so far. He knows all about the litter box (actually went in it 3 times in the first 15 minutes being home - seemed to be really having fun!), he does the full-body purr like our Hersh, and is so sweet.

If you can't tell, we haven't named him yet...we are going to give it a few days to get to know him and then decide what he should be called. As Hershey couldn't stop giving us sweet kisses when he was a kitten (and continues to do so on a daily basis to Jackie), we named him Hershey Kisses. Similarly, we are sure this new little guy will let us know what he's about, and we can then give him a proper name (Sergeant Pepper is still my vote though I think! For absolutely no reason whatsoever!) Of course, having asked Gracie what his name should be, her vote was for "Baby Hershey"!

This is my 2 little guys in the bathroom this morning, just playing while Mommy got ready for work. You can see that the kitten is still pretty sleepy, but he didn't want to miss the all the fun going on! Hershey, who is my companion every morning, did not initially take too well to the newcomers, and hissed a bit at the baby cat. I explained that this was HIS baby, and to be nice. :)

Checking out the view from his food and water bowls....he is so small!!!!

Baby cat got himself acquainted with the house pretty quickly, and is extremely comfortable around both kids. He was running circles around Gracie on the couch - she was thrilled!!!

And, last but not least, here is Ty and baby cat this morning again. I just thought I could get a better picture of his face if I held him up. He looks mad in the pic, but he was purring and having a great time with Tyler. Welcome new kitty!!!!!!!!!!



Okay, I decided to bring over the pictures that were sent to me from the girl I got the kitten from - here you can see his face and tuxedo markings much better. What a sweet boy!! :)

Danielle - Update 12/7/09

As I'm sure most of my readers know, Danielle was in a car accident on Sunday, December 6th in Missouri. Although she didn't hit anything, she did slide into a ditch and cause a (as far as we know right now) fracture to her L1 vertebrae. No paralysis, but she will have to do some physical therapy.

If anyone has more info, or would like to get a hold of Danielle, please let me know!!!

I do know that she is at St. Luke's in Kansas City, MO.

4401 Wornall RdKansas City, MO 64111(816) 932-2000 **Room 1432???

Hope you get better soon, little sister!!!!!!!!!!! We love you.

Well, maybe the flatter belly part......

THIS MAKES GOOD SENSE

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.


I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.


I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.I've even earned the right to be wrong.So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever,but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

Interview with a Gracie

Video #3

Walking even better now!!! dont worry - the video looks like it is sideways, but it plays the right way :)

Video #2

Tyler Walking #2 - later that evening!!