How could I forget??

WE GOT A KITTEN! And yes, yes I know I sound like a 6 year old child, but its the first pet I've gotten to raise from a baby. My step-father's dog, Kiwi, was already old when we moved in with him; my parents' most recent dog, Gina, was also fully grown when we adopted her; and Kitty Cat is going on 21 years at Nana and Pop's house. But now, I finally have a little animal to truly call my own. Her name is Moots (pictured on the left) and we got her last Saturday. She looks remarkably like Kitty Cat, except her face is black. She is ten months and is probably about 4lbs.

She's as cute as a button and Kitty Cat (on the right) HATES her. The first day he saw her he hissed and spat and took a lunge at her. For now I keep her in my room until we can trust Kitty Cat not to attack her when we're not looking - they'll work it out eventually. I never realized how much spunk the old boy had in him. He ran after her faster than I've seen him move in years - mind you this is the cat that more or less heaves himself on the couch rather than jump. However, boys will be boys, I guess.

Speaking of boys... I don't think Pop has yet realized we have another cat. We've told him and I'm sure if anyone asks him he'll agree with them, but I'm not quite sure its really sunk in yet. Good ole Pop even went so far as to yank Nana's chain tonight by saying, "Cat what cat?!? We don't have any cats!!" He claimed afterward he didn't count Kitty Cat because he was more like a piece of furniture (that's how slow and sedentary this cat is!!). Haha, oh Pop. Well that's enough about cats for now. Until next time...

Love this time of year

Everything's getting brighter, the days are warmer, and things are a bit more cheerful around here most days. Pop had a doctor's appointment last Monday or Tuesday, and he got really good news. That pesky dry skin rash seems to have disappeared and the doctor said he could stop taking the Benadryl, which was causing most of his drowsiness. Pop was feeling so good, he went for a walk - get ready for this - down the street! That's right, he walked down to the corner of S. Pine Creek and back, which is probably the furthest distance he's walked since he started feeling sick over a year ago.

In addition to removing the Benadryl from Pop's medications, the doctor also said Pop's blood work was perfect and he gained 11lbs. Pop is going back to the office in a few days to get yet another scan to see any concrete conclusion can be reached about the state of his cancer (all other tests thus far have come back inconclusive). All in all, its been pretty good news. It doesn't change anything around here - Pop still carts that damn walker around and still doesn't want to take up radioing again - but a little good news now and then is always nice to hear. Good news, good weather, really, who could ask for anything more.

Ever watch an old man battle a cat?

It's like an old cartoon that has somehow been transferred into real life and slowed down. For instance, Pop just spent several minutes holding the door open in the kitchen and yelling at the cat to "get the hell in!" or "just get out already!". Meanwhile, the cat sat in the middle of the kitchen floor and stared at the door.

Just about every night before dinner the cat lays in the middle of the kitchen floor right in front of the table. Just about every night Pop will come rolling in with his walker yelling at the cat to get out of the way. Aaaaand just about every night the cat refuses to move and Pop is forced to roll the walker over/around him to get to his chair. One of these days I WILL catch this on film and broadcast it for everyone to see. I is quite possibly one of the most hilarious things I have ever seen.

It is the frequency and regularity of this dinner time ritual that tickles me pink; however, one of the greatest battles between Pop and Kitty Cat is even better. One day, the cat decided he needed to have a little nap in the living room, in front of the heating register - in front of Pop's chair. Pop rolled on into the living room and started to yell at the cat. The cat didn't even look up. Pop proceeded to poke the cat with his cane. The cat merely looked up to see what was jabbing his enormous belly. This went on for several more minutes until Pop finally gave up managed to step around the cat and get into his chair.
I never thought I would see the day Victor Debbs Politi got out-stubborned... and by a cat no less.

What to do, what to do...

Without the Olympics to distract her all hours of the day, Nana found herself missing the consistent and constant stream of engaging television. Now she has to go back to watching the Biggest Loser. Poor Nan. And poor Pop, at least when the Olympics were on he was mildly interested in what was going on. Now he's back to just sitting with his head bent down over the daily crossword.

Needless to say its been a slow day here on Flax Rd. Nothing really to write about except a few disjointed thoughts and ramblings. Let's hope tomorrow brings something good.

Today is my birthday

Yes, today, at 6:30 a.m. I turned 23. Here's the great thing about living with my grandparents: as old as I felt compared to my sister and the high school kids at work, I can still come home and feel young compared to my roommates. Even the cat, who celebrated his 21st birthday this year, makes me feel young and spry.

Another good thing about living with my grandparents: when customers at work asked what my plans were for my birthday I told them I was going over my parents' house to have a nice dinner. This made me appear like a independent young person living on my own - not like a moocher who's "landlord" doesn't really ever keep track of rent.

All in all, it was a good day. Pop was crabby but fine all day. Nana had to go to the dentist and will soon be getting a titanium "fence" to secure her three front teeth. Between the titanium fence and her metal knees, she will be the scourge of all airport security.