Take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning

Oh if it were only that simple when it comes to computers! Somehow we became infected with some spyware!! So, Alan has spent the last week or so quarantining files and updating our virus protection. I am sure I am secretly getting blamed for the virus but all I really do is read the blogs and shop every now and again. Anyway, finally, I have been granted permission to venture out once again to the world wide web. No one is probably reading blogs this month anyway with kids getting ready to head back to school. And then there is the Olympics... is blogging an Olympic sport yet? Everything else is.

I feel like there is so much to report that I don't even know where to begin, but here is a little sampling:

Opal came to visit.
Heather and I went to the spa to cash in our Mother's Day gift certificates. We had a great time and were very pampered and thus relaxed. That is, until the bill came. As Heather says, "this is not a secure line" therefore I cannot elaborate.

Dayce marched in her first High School band parade. She did GREAT! And, yes, I got a little misty eyed in spite of the 90 percent humidity and 150 degree South Texas heat. (Blonde girl on the trombone)


As for the Princess of Cedar Park, she is turning into quite the little girl. She has just about mastered walking. I still refer to it as the Monster Mash, because it is still a little Frankenstein-ish. That is: Precious Frankenstein with pigtails!

And she has started chattering. At this point we still don't understand much more than the basics: No, Mommy, Daddy, No, Music, Elvis, No, Help, Up, No, Side (outside), No, etc.
Oh, and she learned to say, "No." However, she has also learned to nod her head "Yes." Very over exaggerated and pretty stinking cute!

Peace Out from Cedar Park!
- Campbell's Mom

Strike one!

It was bound to happen.

Miko, is the longest member of our family unit (Alan, notwithstanding...)

Miko is a large, black, fat cat that came to live with Heather and me about 10 years ago. He immediately took over our small apartment. He would sit perched on the back of the sofa waiting for his next victim. One time you could walk past him and scratch him on the head. The next time, if the mood struck him, he might swipe you with one of his bear claws. Kind of funny the first, second, even third time... especially if it wasn't you that he got.

Over time, he has mellowed. OK, I may have spanked that little trick out of him. As he has gotten older, he has gotten grouchier. Meows constantly. Is VERY picky about food. Can't be bothered to drink out of a standing bowl of water!!! Oh, no! We had to purchase the $50 fountain style bowl for this cat. (Everyone at Campbell's house is a tiny bit spoiled.)

So, before Campbell arrived last year, I had a lengthy family meeting with all the pets. I laid down the law: There are three of you (Miko, Lucy (cat), and Elvis (Basset). That means you get 3 chances- total. Not three a piece. You need to work together! Any of you screw up and it counts against you all. Could be peeing on the floor, could be sleeping in Campbell's bed, could be waking her up- you get the idea. 3 strikes and you are all moving OUTSIDE. Permanently.
Lucy, quickly decided the pressure was too much to take and ran away from home. Very sad. He was a cool cat! The other two decided to give it a go.

Fast forward 16 months...
Dum dum dum dum....

Campbell is sitting on the floor playing by herself with her xylophone. Miko saunters over and lays down at her feet. She starts to pet him gently. And then out of the blue, he took a swipe at her! Campbell must have cat-like reflexes because he only got her on the hand.

I chased his fat, yet surprisingly fast, ass around the house for about 90 seconds. Snatched him from under my bed. Spanked him, scolded him and then through him out. Could be for good.
Even poor Elvis was only invited in for long enough to eat.

My house would be so much cleaner without all the shedding. Maybe I meant to say One Strike and you're out.