A Little Pink, A Little Green, and a Lot of Orange

"I may not have IBD, but I am orange [one of the GYGIG colors], and it's my turn to announce an update! $1813! Thank you!! We are almost at our goal! Can I have a treat now?"

Today's post was supposed to be titled Go Orange! for ASPCA day, and it was supposed to be posted in the morning, but it has been a rough couple of days. If you live in one of the larger U.S. cities, and peek out your window tonight, you might still be able to glimpse large buildings like the Empire State Building lit up in orange in honor of our furry friends.

Taking a page out of Sheepish Annie's blog, here is a bulleted list of the goings on at the Seashore:

• On Saturday morning, Chris was doing really well in his race, until a bully cyclist wove back and forth across the road (a no-no), and into him. Thankfully, other than some serious road rash (OK, a lot of pink) and a few minor repairs needed, Chris and his bike are OK. Rumor has it that Mr. Bully Cyclist has been a problem for a while, and will now be banned from the last two training races.

• We had some friends over to watch the U.S. Open Cycling Championships race last Saturday night. I was disappointed that a number of friends we expected did not show up. Thankfully, we had a terrific time with the friends who did come to watch the race with us, and I think it was the perfect way to recover from the morning's crash.

• On Easter morning, it actually snowed. Thankfully, it did not stick, nor harm the pansies, the little green I had planted the day before in my windowboxes.

• My workplace installed a new security upgrade/improvement, which resulted in my computer crashing and burning for two days. Thankfully, after I about had a private nervous breakdown, they were able to get it connected to the office server late this afternoon, and the email wasn't toooo bad.

• Our real estate agents came over last night, to go over some ideas for improving and staging the house for sale. We need to do this in the next few weeks so as not to miss the spring buyers. Thankfully, their suggestions were reasonable, and they have even offered to come over and help us.

• I discovered an oddity in the Mystery Gift pattern that I don't like. I'm sorry I can't say more for now, but, thankfully, I think I've discovered a modification that will work.

• From the Maine seashore: Noolie's friend Betty is back in the hospital for cancer treatment and pain management. Thankfully, she is stable, and Noolie is collecting knitted squares to make Betty a blanket. If you can knit one 8" square and send it to her by the end of April, I know she'll appreciate it. I have a little pink square I'll be sending off to her shortly.

Two of the things I am most thankful for during stressful days are my cats. They are blessed with the ability, by just being themselves, to comfort us, distract us, and make us laugh. As I was trying to make dinner, I tried to get a photo of Timmy. He doesn't understand posing for a photo like his big brother, and when I first tried to snap the pose at the top, I got this. I hope it makes you laugh as much as it did me.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

Comments

[stephanie]

What a precious face! Your pets are so expressive.

[Sarah]

Haha, I have a picture of my own orange kitty in a pose just like Timmy's.

I'm sorry you've been through the wringer lately - and poor Chris! I'm glad it's just a flesh wound! Bike crashes scare me (all that velocity and all that pavement - ouch) and I'm really happy he wasn't more seriously injured. I'm crossing my fingers for you that the house sale goes smoothly.

[2paw]

What a boogelly few days. Animal companions are wonderful cheerer upper-ers!!!

[Erika]

Run, Catzilla has returned! (just kidding, he's adorable)

Cats really do cheer us up, don't they? Of course, they're also frightfully good at getting into places they shouldn't be... :)

[Lori]

What an adorable picture of Timmy standing up! Glad he's able to cheer you up during those stressful weeks:)

[wendy g]

Hopefully this we will be better. The kitties are so cute and they do make you feel better.

[Greeley]

Timmy is a riot. I always wanted an orange cat. Sorry to hear Chris took Mr. Weaver's bad behavior to the pavement. Betadine! (I've been harassing Andy to go get a mtn. biking wound looked at--6 weeks and still not healed)and I can definitely understand the disappointment of friends not keeping plans.

[amanda]

that last picture is hilarious! we've just been adopted by a cat. the kids are sad she must stay outside but i'm allergic :o( i wonder if they could teach her to do that hind legs thing...

[Sarah]

Love the pics of Timmy! He's such a great kitty and Jeff and I were happy to meet him on Saturday at the party. You put on a really fun party with yummy treats, so people who didn't show really missed out! I hope everything goes well with the house listing, etc.

[Felicia]

Your cats are very cute! Four legged creatures are sometimes the best company.

[Nancy]

Bully Cycle-Jerk? Ya wanna give me his name - I'll take care of him for ya. Are you sure Timmy is saying "raahhh" and not "Mommy hug!"?

[Beth]

I'm sorry that Chris wiped out and that you've had some tough days. People like Mr. Bully Cyclist ruin the fun for everyone.

[debsnm]

I'm so sorry you've had a rough few days! Our pets are almost always our comfort - 3 cats and 3 dogs make my life hectic at times, but they always seem to know just when to cuddle!

[Chris]

I'm glad Chris is ok - road rash sucks, but much better than broken bones. I'm glad they're punishing that bully!

Aw, Timmy, I love that last picture.

[Jane]

I'm glad Chris wasn't hurt, and that the bully was not allowed to participate any more. And are you sure Timmy isn't playing an invisible accordian there??

[hege]

Your kitties are so hilarious. It's great to have somebody who makes you laugh so much. :)

[Sheepish Annie]

That picture made me laaaaaaugh!!! It's awesome! Such an intimidating beast (that I want to hug)

Aren't bullet points great? I'm thinking of sticking to the short burst posting even after my Wednesday class is over. You can get so much into such a little space...

[Robin]

LOVE the crazy cat pics!! The first pic looks like the look my cats give me when they're about to jump up on something they're not supposed to!

[tiennie]

Glad that Chris is OK and that you're almost to your goal!

[Holly of HollYarns]

That pose of Timmy's is one of my favorites to catch cats in--they actually sort of look like mice!

Thanks for the heads-up on the squares for Noolie. I will definitely be making one.

Oh! And, of course, a gazillion-million-quadrupled more thanks for the prize gift certificate. Yippee!

[Julie]

Oh Timmy, you silly little guy! Thanks for the laugh :)

Hopefully, Mr. Bully will have either learned his lesson or will be banned from all future races! I can't believe anyone can be that competitive. I'm glad Chris wasn't hurt too badly.

Thanks for mentioning Betty's blanket!!!!

Oh yeah - way to go on the fundraising!

[Martha]

I hope Chris is feeling better and I hope you have lots of Second Skin on hand. My BIL, a triathelete, had a similar situation with another bad cyclist in San Diego last week. Ouch!

[Kendra]

The last picture of your cat is hilarious! I'm glad the cyclist got banned and that Chris wasn't badly injured.

[Rachel]

Sounds like all kinds of ups and downs (some of them literal!) at the Seashore...I hope on balance everything comes out okay. Congrats on almost making it to your goal!

[Kristen]

That is awful about the Chris's experience in the race and I'm glad he and the bike are OK and that the bully is facing consequences. Timmy is too funny - it looks like he is dancing!

[Katrina]

Lovely kitty photos but I'm sorry to hear of your husband's accident.