The Black Cat!

The dreaded black cat!

Do you see what's hiding behind my waterglobe?

When I did my cleaning look what I found? A black cat lurking behind my Christmas waterglobes! Imagine that!

I had Christmas for my family on January 16th. I thought it was funny when we opened our gifts that there wasn't more 'gag' gifts, but thought since we got together so late maybe they were just put away for another year. I did get a chicken chucker from my sister. It's one of my favorite gifts -- NOT!!

To my surprise the black cat was there! My sister kinda left it there when we were opening gifts and it took me a while to find it. I was sitting in my chair watching TV and reading (my usual occupation lately) when looking at the shelf it looked funny. The arrangement was off just a bit. I obviously didn't think too much of it the first I noticed it as I didn't do anything about it! When I dusted I found the cat hiding!! Now who do you think will find that at their house next? Family beware!! That was a good one Glee!

It certainly feels like spring is here or at least coming! It's been so beautiful out in the afternoons lately. I'm ready for it! Now if I could just get someone to wash my windows!

Easter celebration at my house this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing my family again. My newest great-nephew will be here. I haven't seen him yet so I'm anxious to get a look at the little guy. Since Tristan's been born I've too sick to go much of any place. I'm finally back to work. Trying to make it through full days. Had blood work done today. Results on Friday. Hopefully that will all be okay. Next step is to figure out why my legs hurt so much. Old age?

Remember the black cat!!

My Granddaughter!

This is my movie star granddaughter!

Breakfast with her Grandma Joy.

The glasses didn't stay very long!

Charlotte with her Mom & Dad.

Having a great time with Daddy.

Isn't she the cutest little girl you've ever seen?

Just movin' and groovin'!!

Duplicate, sorry, but she's so cute.

Charlotte telling a story to Grandma & Barbie.

One of Charlotte's many new faces!

Time out for a bottle.

Playing with Mom & Dad. Waiting for the ball.

Carefully putting her toys on the window ledge.

Checking with Mom if it's okay to do that.

Showing Grandma Jackie how to put the pieces together.

Playing ball with Mom & Dad. What a hoot!

Attacking her father.

Leaving Barb's and heading home for the night.

Charlotte loves the new sounds she's learning!

That new puzzle Barb brought back from San Diego sure tastes good!

She's got her Daddy right where she wants him!! (Under her thumb!!)

Just checking things out.

Barbie, Charlotte & Jim working on the new puzzle.

She wasn't sure if she should move or not. She did eventually!

I spent last weekend with my children. All my children! I had a planners meeting in Des Moines on Thursday and spent the rest of the weekend in Ankeny and Urbandale. Took lots of pictures of the little one. She's such a cutie. On Thursday evening Jim & Charlotte came over to Barb's for a visit and supper. Mandy stayed home and cleaned house! We couldn't talk her into coming along. Jim put Charlotte down on the floor and she just sat there for a bit. She wasn't real sure where she was and who the strange people around her were.

Barb had just recently came back from San Diego and brought Charlotte a puzzle of zoo animals. Eventually between the blocks and the puzzle she got going on moving around. She sure can scoot when she wants to. She stands real well too. We ordered pizza and chicken for supper. It took forever for it to get there. Barb finally called and they told her the delivery guy had left on time. Finally the deliver guy called. Said he was new and hadn't ever been out in that area before. Obviously!! He was lost. Barb stood outside on her driveway for a while trying to talk him to her place. He finally gave up and asked a Domino pizza delivery guy how to find her place. Thank goodness the pizza and chicken was still hot!! Needless to say, he didn't get a tip!! Duh!! It was a nice evening and I got acquainted with my granddaughter again.

Friday everyone had to work but me! I had a nice quiet day at Barb's. Jim came for lunch so had company. I was going to go shopping but decided to just be lazy and hang out. Friday evening Barb went to a gymnastics meet at ISU and I went over to Jim's for supper. Jackie was also coming for the weekend. I spent some time playing with Charlotte. She says hi to everyone and everything. It's so cute. It's this soft little girl voice. She looks at you, waves he little fingers and hand and says Hi! Love it. Mandy made chicken chili for supper with garlic bread. It was terrific! Have to get that recipe from her. Basically we spent the evening playing the girl and visiting. I enjoyed it very much.

Saturday Barb wanted to get the oil changed in her car and we wanted to do a little shopping. We stopped at the place she purchased her car to find out it would be at least a 2 1/2 hour wait. Decided the oil would wait and we left. We had picked up breakfast and everything. Barb had some great pictures of the San Diego Zoo that I enjoyed looking at. From the dealership we went to Famous Footwear and I got a pair of shoes I wanted. Also made a stop at Dress Barn and got another pair of jeans! I've finally found some that fit that don't need to be shortened. I'm also able to get into a couple sizes smaller. Starving to death must work!!! Barb bought me a pair of black ones (they look great, by the way) and I also found a pair of brown dress slacks for work. That about did it for my shopping. We talked to Jim a couple times that morning and decided to stop on the way home to see everyone. No one was home so left a voice message and took off for Ankeny. Jim called and said they had decided to go to the Mall and we made plans for breakfast on Sunday.

Everyone complained a little about sore throats and congestion on Friday night but didn't feel sick enough to stay home. Maybe I should have. It hasn't been that long ago that Charlotte had the RSV virus and am happy to say she's a healthy little gal today. Wished I could say the same for myself. I've been home this last week being miserable. I have an upper respiratory infection. I have meds (have to pick up another yet today) and still don't feel as well as I think I should. My doctor told me I'd feel worse before I feel better. That was reassuring! I've felt pretty crappy all week. I have a work release for Monday and hope that I can use it. If not, he'll give me one for Tuesday or whenever I feel better. But it also means another trip to the doctor's office. Yuk!!

I wasn't sick enough to stay home Saturday night. I went to the ISU/Kansas State women's basketball game in Ames. Barb has cool tickets and I enjoyed the game very much. We headed up there early and went to Hickory Park for supper. That was good too!! Came home, called the children, watched a little Olympics and headed for bed.

Sunday we had plans for breakfast with Jim, Mandy, Charlotte & Jackie. Jim called around 8:00 and asked if plans could change a bit. Charlotte slept in and so did everyone else. We all met at 9:30 instead of 9:00. Had a great breakfast and nice visit with all. Charlotte was so cute. Mandy put her hair up in pigtails. At the present time Charlotte's hair is longer than mine. I keep telling everyone I have a Charlotte cut!! Perm coming up for me as soon as I feel better. We head to WalMart (I think it was a WalMart) after breakfast and did a little shopping. Said our goodbyes and went back to Barb's. Both of us were really tired so we took a nap. Barb finally woke me at 3:30 and told me I better go home!! She helped me pack and away I went.

I got home around 7:00 p.m. to have my son call. That was kinda nice. He was on his way to work and just wanted someone to talk to. We can no longer do that in Dubuque. The City passed an ordinance banning talking on cell phones while driving. That should be interesting!!

I drug as much stuff as I could upstairs and colapsed! I really didn't feel well. Put my jamies on, got something munch on and drink, covered up and watched some Olympics. I called into work the next morning hardly able to talk. My voice has since gotten much better but I still don't feel real well. I'm sure the meds will help. They better! I'm so tired on being sick, of my living room, my chair, my bed, my whole apartment. I haven't done a darn thing since I've come back from Des Moines. Yesterday I talked some of the other gals at work through putting a board packet together. I feel guilty about it, but there was no way I was going in the way I feel. And, I'm happy to say, the packet went out without me! Thanks to everyone who helped on that project.

I've been trying to get started on a scrapbook of Jim & Mandy's wedding but with not feeling well nothing has been done. I still have Christmas boxes in my spare bedroom and some of my shelves still need to be filled with their regular junk. Maybe this afternoon. Right now I think I best take some more meds, take a shower, eat a bit and then go on from there. Plus, I've probably bored everyone to death.

Jackie took some wonderful pictures of Charlotte on Sunday. Jackie if you're out there, I hope you'll share then with me. She really got some good ones!!

Enough. Stay healthy all. Take care and God Bless.