Family News (5)

We understand from our cousin Eloise in Mobile that her daughter Linda and her Navy husband Clay will be moving to Pensacola. This makes Eloise and Charlie happy because Pensacola is a whole lot closer to Mobile than Maine, where they've been for many years. As a matter of fact, Eloise says they are soon closing on a house, and cousin Faye may be moving in with them. Faye had to have one of her legs amputated and she's certainly had a time of it. We are thinking of the Alexanders and hope all is going well down there.

Webster

We’d been fighting it for years and years, and we finally gave in. Our cat Webster is seeing a psychiatrist.

It was his idea, not ours. He kept saying this house he lives in was driving him crazy, and I have to admit the symptoms are there for all to see. Web sits for hours at a time staring out the window, sighing, shaking his head. He won’t say what’s the matter. Just that he could’ve had a better life than the one he ended up with. He has to watch TV all by himself because no one likes the programs he watches. He’s on MySpace but no one responds to his postings. His reaction to almost everything is HAH!

The truth is that Web thinks he’s better than his surroundings. He thinks he’s better than us. He should have been a high-priced show cat. He should have been in “show business.” That’s what he thinks.

After his first session with the shrink, Webster comes home sullen.

How would YOU like it if you had no idea who your biological parents were and you had adoptive parents like YOU TWO, he says to us. YOU TWO drive me crazy.

What do you mean YOU TWO, I ask him.

Well, you gotta admit YOU TWO aren’t normal. One of you is from California (that’s abnormal enough) and YOU, sir, are from Alabama, Mr. Southern Man exemplar you think of yourself. All YOU do is your job, read books, and pick the wax out of your ears. MOYNA is always in the kitchen or else is watching “Big Brother.” How DID you two ever get together?

I know it’s hard to understand, Web, but it just happened. A mystery of God. Or serendipity.

Hah, mystery of mysteries, and I got stuck here. At least Doo-Rail leaves me alone. He’s in his own world. No matter what you say or do to that cat, he just smiles and goes right on. Actually, that in itself drives me crazy. ALL of you here drive me nuts.

What did the doctor tell you today, I ask Web.

He said something really profound: I need to get in touch with my inner kitten. Isn’t that profound! I’m paying $200 an hour to hear nonsense like that? I don’t need any of that David Copperfield stuff.

Maybe you should.

Get in touch with my inner kitten? Hah!

Maybe you need a vacation, Web.

Where are you going to send me?

How about the Humane Society, buddy; then maybe you’ll appreciate what a good life you have here at this house.

Web glares at me and stalks off. The cat is disturbed, no doubt about it.

MOYNA'S SOAPBOX (1)

I thought I would do a post since I haven't been heard from since June!
Yesterday was my 56th birthday...and it was actually one of the nicer ones I've had in a few years. I didn't do anything - except straighten up the kitchen. I had done some catering for Fred on Tuesday & Thursday, so the kitchen needed to have things put away. It's been way too hot here, so I just relaxed for my birthday - trying to stay cool. The weatherman said it would be cooler - only around 100 or 101 - what difference does it make when it's that HOT?!!

As one of my gifts, Fred gave me a diamond heart necklace. It was a really touching, great surprise!! I love my jewelry, and am quite picky about what I like - especially when it comes to heart items, so Fred is always nervous when he buys me something, but he did good (really good)!! I have wanted a heart necklace for years, but have never seen anything I like - but I really like this!! What is touching, is that Fred bought me diamonds; this is the first time in the almost 27 years that we have been married that he has bought me diamonds - that he has picked out himself and surprised me with. He has bought me pieces that I've picked out and said I wanted, but he did this ALL ON HIS OWN - and it only took almost 27 years!!!

Freddy gave me an AUBURN windspinner. I was so excited when I saw it...I love windspinners and loved seeing an AU one!! It is really cute with cut-outs of tiger paws. He hung it on the tree right outside the kitchen window with my new hummingbird windspinner. Now I can enjoy both of them everytime I wash the dishes.

I missed not having my chocolate birthday cake (it's really the icing I missed not having), but had told Fred NO cake or candy - I don't need it. BUT..., of all things, my mother sent me 2 lbs. of See's candy - my favorite. Could not believe it!! She is always telling me to lose weight, and then she turns around and buys me candy!! So much for the diet the next two weeks...but we will all enjoy it!!

The cats even gave me a birthday present - they let me sleep for about an hour and a half longer than usual!! The 'dark one' (Webster) always starts in between 5 & 6 am to get us up by 6 at the latest. Yesterday, I got to sleep until 7:30!!! It's AMAZING what an extra hour & one-half can do for your mood when you get up & the energy you have during the day!! Today was business as usual...

Fred just said that's enough for this blog...

'Til later,
The birthday girl!!!

Late Summer

We come to late summer and what have been the hottest days of the year in Alabama. The temperature has constantly gone over 100 in recent days.

Hurricane Dean is racing across the Caribbean. We hope and pray it doesn't affect us.

The Hudsons have breakfast from iHOP this morning. The cashier is a young man named Sean whom I've been talking to for several years. He is in his second yr. at UAB in computer science, and then he is going into the military because he comes from a military family. Good for him.

Even though it's hot, I say let's enjoy these days, for too soon it will be the Christmas season again, and it certainly comes way too soon.

Yesterday I actually sang "Happy Birthday" to Moyna. I think it's the first time I've ever done that. She wasn't impressed with my singing, but it's the thought that counts, isn't it?

This August

We made it through the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis without undue emotion. The King is gone; long live the King.

Renee Hay's birthday is the 16th.

Scott Herring's birthday is the 22nd.

Moyna's birthday is the 18th.

Lots of days to take not of in August.

August

We've had record-breaking heat in Alabama. The temperature has been going over 100 every day. Is there no end in sight?

Last week I was at my company's sales meeting. Since 1977 this was my 61st national sales meeting. We were in Boca Raton, Florida, a nice place to visit in January, but certainly not in August.

The world in Alabama rolls on.

Trip to Tennessee

Better watch it or you'll become a Big Orange fan!