Bad cat

This is wicked Pilly.

She used to be our cat, and then she became Grandpa Tom's cat some time after Hurricane Katrina. Tom needed a cat, Pilly needed an owner tolerant of miscreant pets – it was a match made in heaven.

That's Nathan's arm she's biting.  No idea what the offense was.  Knowing Pilly, perhaps none.

. . .

Sparkly!

"Mommy," Berry asks, "Who is that lady on our fridge? The one with the red dress?"


. . .

Absence

Six weeks down. We won't talk about how long there is to go...


. . .

Inconsiderate

"Mommy," Berry says, "you know what I really don't like about birds? Is when they DIE, and lie down on the road."

Dead birds have such a nerve.


. . .

Mmmmmojitos

I made these mojitos from scratch – simmered the simple syrup, squeezed the limes, even picked the mint from our garden – and they were fabulous.

I didn't drink all four of them myself, but if I hadn't had guests I might've been tempted. Nathan is usually chief mojito maker, but it looks like this is one of the valuable skills I'm gaining in his absence.

Cheers!

. . .

Not the Chosen One

Berry: Mummy, what if you were a doctor! That would be GREAT if you were a doctor.

Me: Oh! Why?

Berry: If you were a doctor, you would need to go Afghanistan and Daddy could stay home! And I love Daddy."


. . .

Ten years ago

It's ten years to the day since I met Nathan on the way to Italy. I've written about it here...


. . .

Two!

Man-show turned two on Saturday. Two!!

Berry very seriously helped me organise a little Thomas The Train-themed party for him. In the process, I forced myself to start saying Thomas the Train instead of Thomas The Tank Engine, which is what I grew up with.

Our out-of-town guests were Grandpa, Tine, cousin Parker and Woof-Woof (the dog; not his real name) and Man-show was beside himself with excitement despite being woefully sick with a ferocious cold.

"Oh my DOSH!" he shouted when he opened his Handy Manny laptop. "OH MY DOSH!"

It was all pretty marvellous, really.

. . .

That was close

Turns out dragging your feet on your U.S. citizenship application has its advantages. Exhibit A: see above.

Clicked the little box that said "Not a United States citizen" and all the hassle went away. Ahhh.

Brush with the Texas legal system, anyone?

. . .

Well, THAT was unpleasant...

Can I just mention: this is what I looked like exactly two years ago.

It's not right, is it. It's just not right.

. . .