Kitty Klinic

I just read, my friend, Jake's blog about how he took his kitty to the vet yesterday and it made me feel guilty. Cause I never take my kitty to the vet.

I did take her before she flew from L.A. to Chicago, three years ago. I needed a vet's permission to board her on to a plane and before the vet would grant permission she wanted to actually meet Pua and examine her. I still don't think Pua has forgiven me for that.

See, Pua hates change (like mother like daughter!) She doesn't like leaving the apartment and usually freaks out! whenever I even mention 'outside'. I swear I lost about 5lbs of flesh last time I took her to the vet, thanks to my unwillingness to declaw her. God forbid Pua feels a bit of pain from surgery but I, on the other hand, will withstand having my skin shredded by the knives she grows out of her fingers.

Every time I move apartments, it's the same thing. She freaks out!, my arms get shredded and then she hides for a week under the bed, trembling and refusing food.

So... can you blame me for not taking her on a car ride to the vet's office?! Besides, she's an indoor cat. She doesn't really get exposed to other animals and such. But now I feel bad...maybe I should take her to the vet, fork over a few hundred dollars, sacrafice the flesh on my body all so the vet can either tell me "She's fine" or "She's not fine". Neither of which I could do much about anyway.

2 years

It's been two years since I started this blog. I figure a change is due. I hope you like the new background!

Ragbrai

This week, Angie and my dad are riding RAGBRAI (which stands for: the Register's Great Annual Bike Ride Across Iowa). Last night they stopped in Humboldt Iowa. Today they have their thrid 70+ mile bike ride as they make their way to Hampton, Iowa.

I spoke on the phone with her last night and she said that they've been starting the ride at about 6:30am. The weather has been fairly agreeable, albeit windy. She's been showering in cattle barns and sleeping in parks and fairgrounds. Her spirits are up and she's having a lot of fun, even though she is super tired.

Yesterday she saw a pretty bad bike accident. A man slipped on some loose gravel and then was run over by a bunch of bikes that were drafting him. The skin on his arm was burned off buy the tread of another bike. I guess the whole wreck was pretty bad.

Lance Armstrong is riding the entire race this year, so that is pretty exciting. Usually there are about 10,000 people who go on the ride. Lance actually met someone in Orlando, last week, who was shipping his bike to Iowa so he could go on the ride. I love that this bike ride, which has been a part of my evey summer since as far back as I can remember, is now such a huge, event!

So, keep up the good work Ang and Dad! We're all cheering you on!

Secret Garden

I snapped some more photos of Richie's and my garden. Everything is growing so quickly! It can be a little difficult to decipher, but we have lots of green tomatoes just ready to ripen at any moment! Our bell pepper (which is now green but will be turning yellow in a few weeks) plant is also blossoming. We even have little jabenero peppers starting to peek out of their flowers. The basil is out of control but the oregano is finally growing.

I've been picking the basil and oregano and throwing it on pizzas I get at the store. Just a little fresh herb can make such a big difference!

Now I need to research how to preserve those tomatoes. Cause I can just see all 75 tomatoes becoming ripe at the same time. Yay for the garden!!

Harry Potter

Today is the only day that I'm really adamant about avoiding the internet. And the newspaper. And the television.
The book has officially leaked, and the NY Times has written/published a book review the day before the book is released! Why would they do that?

I won't be picking up my pre-ordered copy until lunch on Monday so I have to go all weekend long without having the story spoiled. This, I fear, will be a very difficult task.

Is Dumbledore dead? Is Snape evil or really a good guy? Will Harry die? And what is going to happen to He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named?

So many questions....I am so excited for this book!!

Decemberists

Last night, The Decemberists played a free concert with the Grant Park Symphony. The show was help at Millenium Park and it was incredible! The weather was a bit drizzly but the thunderstorms didn't hit until right after the concert was over.
And it was really amazing to hear them play with the orchestra.
Thanks Rick and Megan for holding spots for us!!

SimpsonizeMe!

I had my photo Simpsonized! This is what I would look like if I were on the show.
Check out this website to have your photo Simpsonized:
http://www.simpsonizeme.com/

Rock Around the Block

After the Cubs game, Bob, Kelley and I met up at Rock Around the Block. The U2 cover band, named Elevation, was headlining. So we jammed out, had some more drinks and enjoyed the lovely Chicago nightlife.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Bob had an extra ticket to Saturday's Cubs game! yay for me! and it was such a gorgeous day for a baseball game. What a great surprise when Bob told me that the tickets were box seats which means comfy chairs, free food and (the best part!) free beer!!

And to top off an already wonderful saturday afternoon....the cubbies won!!

Thanks Neighbor!

South Haven, Michigan

Some pics from our weekend in Michigan. It was beautiful!

The Color Purple

This is a few weeks late but here are some photos from The Color Purple. What a fun Girl's Weekend! I am looking forward to next summer's event!