Almost the end of February.....

Isn't winter over yet???? About one more month to go! I can't wait for Spring!

This has been an interesting past few weeks.
-We've taken George's car in for repairs 7 times in 4 weeks (it runs great now!).

- finished staining and varnishing a new door for our bedroom (which we bought unfinished a year ago).

- nursed a cat back to health - although he still needs probably another week of confinement and his "e-collar". At least he doesn't resemble a vulture anymore. He just looks like Yoda now.

- we're in the middle of converting from an oil furnace that is dying to a new 95% efficient gas furnace/air conditioner/humidifier/air filter combo $$$ (the front yard looks like a giant mole went through it - that is when you can see the ground under the 7 inches of snow we currently have).

-George has a new job beginning the week after next that sounds like it will be an interesting one with a growing company (with a 9.8 mile commute- half the distance he currently drives!). He is taking next week off before he starts the new job and is happily planning all kinds of projects to do around the house - including cutting holes in the ceiling to install insulation in the upper part of the house and rewiring and installing receptacles and overhead lights in 2 of the upstairs rooms. He also said something about sanding and varnishing stairs. (I may be glad I've got to work all of next week!).

-George's daughter Jill is currently in New Zealand for 4 months doing a research job after getting her Master's degree in December, and announced that she and Jullian are getting a divorce. We feel badly for both of them. Jullian called Sunday when he got back in the States and we were all in tears.

-I have been grading papers nonstop for the last 4 weeks with just 2 days off during that whole time! One more week to go until Hiram's Spring Break!

That's it for now. Make it a good day!

Hey I'm Still Here And So Is The Cat!

I was almost creamed by a lady who ran a red light yesterday. I was stopped at a traffic light and started to enter the intersection when my light turned green. I heard a screech of brakes and looked to my left to see a car barreling down on me! It all happened in slow and fast motion at the same time. Somehow we managed to miss each other and I made it home safely. The adrenaline started pumping right afterwards, that's for sure! My guardian angel must have been on duty!

Meanwhile, cat washing and medicating continues. However, what looked pretty hopeless a few days ago is improving, finally. He may live yet! I managed to devise a way to keep the darn creature from inflicting wounds to himself. I tried wrapping his hind feet, but he managed to get them off eventually and was scratching himself all bloody and spreading bits of fur and flesh everywhere. Delightful! I was about ready to throw in the towel and have him put to sleep. However, I got an e-collar that fit him finally and he usually manages to keep it on. He's not very happy, but at least he doesn't look quite like a horror film candidate anymore. I also found a lotion from my stock pile of vet medications from some previous pet which seems to soothe him a bit. He is certainly getting very resistant to the baths. I had quite a time getting all those feet pointed down into the laundry tub tonight. Its amazing how far they can spread themselves out! We are all getting better at getting the liquid medicine down him also. I'll be glad when I'm down to just one of the medications. The saga continues.....

We chose a furnace and the furnace guys are supposedly coming sometime in the next 2 days to make a mess of our yard before it snows again. We have to put in a gas line from the road.

Got the new door all stained and varnished and installed. We have 4 more at least to replace. The sink drain George worked on last weekend decided to be completely water permeable - but not down the drain - all around the drain and into the cabinet below, so its back to the drawing board on that project! George's car is all fixed (knock on wood!) after 3 visits to various repair shops.

I'm drowning in a sea of student papers, but I am beginning to get to the end of this rather irritating batch, 98 down, and 4 more to go! My husband is in Florida enjoying the beautiful weather- he even got to go golfing - while he is on a business trip. But he deserves it since he has been working hard on interviewing for possible new jobs, teaching, house projects and doing his current job! We have had thunder storms and cold rain for the past 2 days. Muddy dog prints everywhere!

Well, better get to bed! Two labs to teach tomorrow (and more papers, groan!) and a department meeting (oh joy!).

Make it good day!