Time flies....

It's been a little while since I've written. I have been busy for sure. The job hunt continues and has taken me to Seattle, NYC, Orlando, Miami and points in between, but has not netted the perfect job just yet. I'm very blessed that I have the time and resources to take my time to find the job that I want and not have to jump at just any job that strolls by. So the search continues. We'll see where it leads this week.....

I've spent lots of time in my yard landscaping and getting my backyard to the lush oasis that I want it to be.....even if it might end up being for the next homeowner if a move is in our future. Our home builder did a good job of foundation planting, but I need plants--I mean rainforest thick monster plants! I've planted five Leyland Cypress to help hide the neighbor behind us. Lots of large shrubbery, flowering and not, to help fill in some of the open areas in our 'natural area'. Some Calla Lilies, Jasmine and a bunch of other flowering bushes and plants to bring those little pops of color here and there. And, of course, a massive amount of day-lilies. They are my favorite back and front yard plants. Taking a walk around the yard this morning--my favorite time to inspect the 'estate' (lol)--everything has taken root perfectly and is growing. In about 3-5 years, it'll look amazing!

As a hockey fan, I'm enjoying some great playoff games that are being played out. My team is not in it so I'm not really pulling for any team, but I love a good, hard fought game and there have been several so far! Hubby and I finally got around to catching up on some tv we missed while he was workin' hard during tax season. We caught up on all 8 episodes of "Parenthood" over the weekend. Oh my, I love that show. Why was I not shocked that uber-producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer were part of it. I'm so wary to get hooked on a new show because they get cancelled so fast these days. I hope this one survives. What a great cast. I especially like Peter Krause, whose acting I fell in love with during Six Feet Under.

I had to say goodbye to my dear Leo last week. He would've turned 19 next month and my 'grandpa' kitty just wore out. His pace had slowed quite considerably, he had to stop every 10 feet or so to rest and was getting lower and lower in his back legs. Then when the vet said his kidney numbers has jumped into the danger zone, we knew the time had come. This was the first time I had been present during one of our pets' euthanizations and I was surprised at how peaceful the whole process was. I blubbered my way through saying goodbye to him after the vet gave him a sedative and then she gave him the final shot. Just as he did during life, he passed while laying on my lap. I would have had it no other way. He didn't suffer, he died with dignity and on his favorite lap. Leo was a great kitty and he and I shared many adventures together. I couldn't have asked for a better boy......

Casper, our last kitty left out of four, has adjusted easily to his playmate being gone. The vet said dogs have a harder time adjusting to a member of their pack being gone than cats. I wonder how long Casper grieved? The first day I fed him as a solo kitty, he stood at the side of the food dish, like always, as Leo was the alpha-cat and always ate first. That was a sad sight, as Casper sat there and waited for Leo to round the corner and eat the lions share first......but he never came. Here we are six days later and Casper no longer waits. It is weird only having one cat in the house though.

Casper and Leo