IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!

Goodness it's been awhile since I posted. I have now been joined in my posting pursuits by my lovely assistant (and wife). Please see her note below about our recently memorialized pet Emma. I started this blog over a year ago with notes about how I was trying to get my Class B CDL, which I need for work. Well, I tried and failed, twice, last year. A year came and went with still no license. I knew I needed it before February (I have to help drive for a big equipment show). One big change though, it wasn't going to be feasible to try for the "B" license (straight truck / think bus or garbage truck), I had to get my "A" license (tractor trailer combination, think Big Rig) to be any help. This requirement has been causing me stress for over a year straight, sometimes to the point of getting sick. Almost every day I have either reminded myself or been reminded by others that I still do not have a CDL (of any flavor). Well as of today it's all over ! I have passed all three of my written exams and most importantly of all, can you say MIRACLE, I passed my driving test today. Anyone that tells you it's easy is either out of their mind, got their license so long ago the test consisted of simply spelling the word T-R-U-C-K, or may in fact be a certifiable GENIUS. Either way, I'm done, done, done. Now having said that, I make no gaurantee that if you ride with me you won't need severe dental work after our outing ( my shifting sounds like a dull rock crusher hard at work). The shifting will improve, at least I hope so. I think having this off my shoulders will really allow me to be able to both enjoy life more and concentrate better on other things that need to be done.

Emma

In November our kitty Emma died. A few days before it happened I (Natalie) took some time with her to reflect back about our days together . . .

"Emma. The first word that comes to my mind is "sweet". Emma has some sort of large obstruction by her lung and heart that is shortening her breath and causing wheezing attacks. The vet wants to have an ultrasound procedure done tomorrow and I am praying for the best - that it is a large water or puss mass that can be drained.

I have so many memories of this beautiful nine year old feline friend. My very first memories are of her in the shelter. All of her brothers and sisters were taken but she was miraculously left for me. A soft, fuzzy, white button with chocolate brown points . . . a siamese. When I came to adopt her she was so afraid she crawled out of my hands and into a paper file on the lady's desk. She curled up and tried to hide. Several days later at our apartment she was making messes on the nice carpet and we got after her. We felt guilty as we learned she had worms and it wasn't her fault.

She's as smart as they come. Once in awhile we locked her into the bathroom of the one bedroom apartment to contain her at night. She figured out how to jimmy the knob with her paws and open the door. We didn't want to leave our "baby" alone on the weekend so we would drive from Seattle to the Valley with her and a very stinky litter box in the car. We were crazy. I can remember embroidering and how she loved to play with each string.

One Labor Day we took her all the way to Plymouth, WA camping with the extended family. Needless to say our little pink leash and harness didn't keep her completely contained. We wanted to do a short outing and left her tied to the tent. I have no idea what we were thinking; but, God watched over this little kitty as there were dogs all around, water, & unknown territory. Still, even though she was off the tent, she was safe at the campsite.

Emma has lived in all but our first home - adjusting to each new one and settling into her routine. She rolled with the punches as we got Oreo to be her "sister" - then Adia was born. All of a sudden the kitties were no longer "babies." Oreo basically flipped out and was unfortunately relegated to the outdoors. Emma hung in there and began to get to know this new person in our family. She was always gentle with Adia as a baby and has never once hurt her. Emma has lived through other additions to our family including: Misty, Jake the dog, Pickles, and most recently Emily. She's taken each in stride.

Emma always waits until the right moment to sit on a lap. She always judges how long you've been sitting and how long it looks like you intend to continue sitting. She is a superb lap warmer, snuggler, and purr-er. If invited, she loves to crawl down under the covers of the bed. Every night Emma sleeps at the foot of our bed waiting for us to settle down so she can sleep and courteously puts up with being kicked off. She waits, bides her time, and comes back up when we're asleep.

Emma has darkened over the years and is now quite dark all over. I was once told siamese are like "hypercolor" wherever it is most warm they remain light colored. The dark color is where they are colder. As they age they gain more darkness.

Emma has a good mind on her shoulders which hasn't been able to be said of all of her "siblings." She's the smartest cat I've ever known and the most affectionate too. She's a mature old lady now and I hope to spend more years with her. My Dad reminded me of the verse about God watching the sparrows and I'm positive it applies to kitties too..."

Not long after I wrote this journal entry God took Emma. She is now buried outside our kitchen window so I can look out and remember what a great friend she was.