How I Became a Cat Person

I never thought it would happen to me...

Despite an allergy to felines, I have become a cat person to some degree. Don't get me wrong - I am still very fond of dogs, love puppies, and of course, want a slew of guinea pigs some day. But over the course of a few years, I've really come to appreciate cats, too.

I think it started in earnest when I moved in to Charlie's, up in Forest Lake. In residence was Pokey, the enormous, testy tabby. Pokey and I were very slow to warm up to one another, but after Charlie went to New Zealand for two months and left Pokey's care to me, Pokey & I were best buds. He still remembers me when I visit Charlie's house - how cute is that!?

In the course of falling in love with Pokey, and seeing how much he meant to Charlie, I encouraged Charlie to get another cat. Enter Pudder. She came from a foster home, where she had been for awhile after being in the shelter. But it wasn't meant to be - Pudder did not want anything to do with Pokey, and spent the whole first month of her residence with us in hiding -- in my room.

So, when it came time for me to move to my condo in St. Louis Park, Charlie decided to give me a housewarming present -- Pudder. She's been my little baby ever since then. She has made coming home a delight, and I look forward to her snuggling and purring and various cat antics. She makes me laugh, drives me nuts, and just generally rounds out my life.

So I get it. I get what Natalie and others have long tried to explain or express to me about cats. I'm one of "those people" now, and darn proud of it. So is Pudder...

Such A Big Girl

My adorable little niece, Livia, turned 4 this weekend - sooooooo big!!! She is beautiful, articulate, and just plain amazing (not that I'm biased or anything). We had a great time together over the weekend!

And boy, can she work the camera...check out the modeling action here!

We had a lot of fun celebrating; she got a BumbleBee Transformer of her very own from her Daddy. Here she is playing with BumbleBee and StarShooter - chip off the ol' block, I'd say!

Her birthday also fell on Father's Day this year, so she spent some time with Daddy and all her Grandpa's. Good times, playing on the jungle gym and fishing, both with Daddy:

Can it get any more frickin' cute? I think not.

So Proud of My Sis!

Amy graduated from Two Harbors High School on May 30, 2009. She looked great up there getting her "diploma" (it's just an empty case - they mail the real thing later) and turning her tassel - I was extremely proud.

Let it be said, for the record, that I managed not to:
a) cry like a baby
b) shout like a banshee
c) reminisce like an old lady

I did, of course, insist on many, many pictures, some of which I will subject you to here:

Amy, peeking over her shoulder while the processional wraps up.

George, the proud papa (he totally cried, by the way...but not me!).

Amy & Katie, after the ceremony concluded. No family resemblance there. Nope.

The siblings - Diane, Nathan, & Brian (back row); Amy, Katie & Leah (front row).

And our niece, Livia, who is (obviously) too cool for school.