Ask anyone who really knows me and they’ll tell you I absolutely love pets, cats in particular. I have a cat named Love bug who I adore. There is something very relaxing about cats and it is so comforting to sit and pet my cat while watching tv or reading or whatever.

But while I love cats, I am not so sure about spending $22,000 on one. Especially one that is a mixture of the African Serval and Asian Leopard cat with a domestic cat. This breed is called the Ashera and it also comes in hypoallergenic form as well for just a few more thousands of dollars.

The cat looks like a wild animal that could easily eat any small pets you may have in the home. While they appear very magestic and almost regal, I don’t think paying that kind of money for an animal is really that justified. It actually seems kind of wrong.

Thanks to Dooce, I had a chance to read this letter to Mother Nature. No truer words were ever spoken. I may not live in a cold weather state anymore, but I remember what it’s like as I lived most of my first 18 tears of life in Massachusetts. Living in Arizona for the past 13 years, I can just change some words here and there and the sentiment fits us in the hot desert as well.

Scott was not ashamed to show off his Irish pride today! This Irish rugby shirt is a gift from Scott’s dad from his recent trip to Ireland. Scott looks rather handsome in this particular shade of green.

I also supported my Irish heritage by wearing 3 shamrock earrings in each ear, a green shirt and my awesome shamrock covered socks.

Hope St Patrick’s Day brought all of you lots of luck, and great food!

Ok, so this is a pretty corny statement but it is true. I am extremely wealthy i my life- not monetarily but through the love Scott and I share. I am blessed to have him in my life!

Yes, you are reading this correctly. It does really say 75000 miles. And yes, our Forester is only 2 years old. We are averaging 37500 miles a year. No wonder it doesn’t have that new car smell anymore!

We went 18-1! That is only been done I think 2 other times, so it is something to be very proud of. Would I have loved 19-0? Of course. But things happen and life has to go on. I still cant watch any commercials or shows that discuss who won the Super Bowl, as I know who should have won. And I am still recovering from my hyperventilating and sobbing that occurred in the last quarter. It is still unimaginable to me that we didn’t finish unbeaten. But it is reality and it doesn’t mean the Giants are better!

I’d like to think that these are all true and that people I meet really can see all these wonderful qualities in me. I do believe that I am kind-hearted and sweet and sensitive. And believe it or not I am modest too!!!

On Saturday, we attended a birthday dinner party for our friend Scott. The dinner was at Tottie’s Asian Fusion, which is a quaint restaurant that has dishes from several Asian cultures. The food, for the most part, was good. After dinner, we were given the customary fortune cookie and this is what mine said. I am not sure what kind of fortune this is. The consensus was I deserved another shot and so I got a second cookie That fortune was slightly better but I’m still stuck on what this one is supposed to be saying.

Well, just as Scott and I had gotten into bed for much needed sleep at 1:45am, we were alerted by the tell-tale flashing lights and rumble of a fire engine. We got up to find 4 Phoenix fire engines and an ambulance on our street. They look to be focused on a house three doors down that appears to have smoke coming from the roof. We stood outside watching the events unfold.

Scott walked further down the street to try to get a better idea of what was happening. He came back to report that the fire fighters don’t appear to be in a huge hurry and a walking in and out of the house. We watched them examine the roof for a few minutes then decided to try to go to bed again.

As we made a second attempt to sleep, more sirens and lights arrived, bringing with them two Phoenix PD, a Glendale fire engine and the Battalion chief. So we decided to stay up. We watched the fire fighters for several more minutes but had difficulty understanding what was the issue. It looks like there may be something in the attic that was causing the smoke. There were several fire fighters in full uniform with oxygen masks that had been in the house.

Scott thinks they sent in a woman equipped with special detection gear, maybe for smoke, to determine what the issue is. There were no flames that we ever saw. So now it is 2:45am, and there are still several fire trucks outside. We’ll see what happens.

This picture was taken September 2007. I had a chance to visit with my friend Jen and her family while in Washington DC. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would see Jen’s mom, Jeanette. While I knew she was battling cancer, the chemo seemed to be working.

This past Monday, Jen called me to let me know that her mom had been given days to weeks to live. I was in shock. I knew that they had to try a different type of chemo as the first had stopped working but I didn’t realize how bad it had become.

I wanted to talk to Jeanette this week but didn’t know if that would be helpful ir make things worse. So I didn’t call. Today I found out Jen’s mom passed away this morning, peacefully with her family with her.

I am so thankful to have the pictures and memories of the visit I had with her in September. This means the world tome to have been able to talk with her and enjoy a celebratory birthday cupcake with her.

I will miss you so much Jeanette, my second “mom.” Your spirit lives on in all of us who knew you and loved you!