Memorial Day

We've had a busy few days. They went very fast, partly because weekends just work that way, but partly because we spent so much time outside enjoying the weather/nature that time just flew by.

Saturday Maria and her daughter, Hannah, came over for a while. Luciana and Hannah had fun playing together. They're both bright and creative, so despite the almost four-year age difference. They seem to enjoy each other. It's always nice chatting with Maria, too. Mark had to work the whole day, so it was nice to have someon there to break up the dullness of chores.

After Maria & Hannah left, we picked Allegrea up and went to pick up the rescue kitty. The poor little girl was left with someone who was supposed to cat sit. The owners never returned to get the cat, though, so the guy who had her threw her outside. She was an indoor cat, who had been declawed. She was out on her own for at least three weeks but came back crying at the doors/windows, as she wanted back in the house. He decided he didn't want her around, so a good solution would be to shoot her in the head. His nephew's girlfriend found out and was worried about the cat and mentioned it to Allegrea's sister. So we picked up this poor, confused, frightened kitty. We know nothing at all about her history, age, not even her name. She's as sweet and loving as she could possibly be. She is so precious--We're in love with her. She is staying with us in Luciana's room until I can get her in for a vet check. Once she's got a clean bill of health, we have a forever home lined up for her. She will move in with a lady who I've known most of my life. She's such a sweet person and deeply loves cats. She has one boy cat--her girl cat died--and doesn't work, so she has lots of time to cuddle her babies. This kitty is so wonderful, that if it wasn't Judy that was taking her, I don't think I could give her up. She's a very, very fat tabby, with a very uniquely cute face. She just can't seem to get enough of love and cuddles!

Sat. night was our date night, but Mark was so tired from working so much lately that we started the evening with a nap. We went out for dinner and came home and watched videos. It was pretty uneventful.

Sunday was full of chores, weeding, and plant shopping. Allegrea came over Sunday night to join us outside for the fire. It was a perfect night to sit outside and talk. As always, she is a great story teller and was very entertaining. I hurt my stomach muscles from laughing too much. We also enjoyed lots of cuddle time with our sweetie-cat (I don't want to name her, because Judy should, but I've been calling her sweetie).

This morning we went to Jenka Blossoms (in Lima Center) to get plants with my parents. We brought our plants back to Janesville and then headed in the other direction to Flower Factory and Enchanted Valley. Luciana was a shopping fool! She helped herself to any plants that appealed to her and got many, many more than would fit in her garden. Mark doesn't like to discourage her interest in plants by curtailing her purchases. Today would have been about half the price, had she not shopped with us! We are now set for plants, but I would still like to get a tree this year. We were going to Stone Wall nursery to pick out a tree, but they were closed today. Now I really have to get moving in the garden, as I have to clear out all the weeds and get all this stuff planted, SOON!

Luciana couldn't wait to get her stuff planted and begged to plant when we got back from plant shopping. We told her we didn't have time right now, as we had to get our animal duties done and head over to my parents' for a cookout. By the time we got everyone fed and ready to go, I noticed that Luciana had planted her ageratum (in her garden), a Jungle Gold impatiens (in our garden), and ornamental kale (in our garden, and not AT ALL where we would have put it). I watered them in tonight and shook my head in wonder at the odd places and reasoning she had for where she put the plants. Everyone had fun at the cookout. Dej didn't join us but enjoyed the cookout leftovers when she returned from Brandon's house tonight.

I'll get some pictures posted of sweetie-cat soon. I just want her calm enough that the flash won't frighten her.