The Orkin Wildlife Division

It has been awhile since I have blogged. Got back from the short trip and work just got busy, busy. I was out from work for one week due to illness, so I am just now getting back in the swing of things. Fall is trying to make an appearance and it is a welcome one. At least I know the 100+ degree temps are over with for now. I will miss the local tomatoes as they are no longer available at the Farmer's Markets around town. My cats continue to be the height of entertainment. I have noticed that whenever they get startled, if they are at different parts of the house, they will run to each other, huddle together and look around with huge eyes, then take off together. Guess they think there is safety in numbers. They have learned how to open the door to the large bathroom and my bedroom, so I never know what I will encounter when I get home. Yesterday they had quite the fun with the toliet paper and towels as well as knocking everything around the sink into the sink. My brother says I have about 2 more years of them knocking stuff over before they settle down. This morning Thomas let me pick him up, hold him and pet him for 30 minutes. Now that is a record. He usually is okay with about 10 minutes then he wants down. But this morning he was perfectly content to just lay against me. Nothing quite like a contented purring cat in your arms. I did have a visit from the Orkin man last week. I discovered that birds were living my attic so had to contact an exterminator who handled birds. When I called Orkin they told me they would have to refer me to their 'wildlife division'. Who knew. When I was telling the Orkin man this he laughed and said 'I am the wildlife division for Oklahoma and Western Arkansas'. He said it was sort of a promotion for him except every now and then he is not quite so sure about that when he is laying in a cramped attic trying to catch squirrels. But my attic is now bird free will all the entrances secure. My brother, ever the helpful guy, told me I should just let my cats run around the attic for a few days. Yeah, right, like I am going to subject my babies to whatever lurks in the attic.

Outlet Mall Vacation

It has been a while since I have blogged ; work became very busy with school starting, took a short vacay with my sister-in-law and her daughters, my birthday was Saturday August 28, so lots going on. My sister-in-law came up with an idea for the girls to journey down to the outlet malls in Allen, Texas, which is just north of Dallas. The hotel we stayed at was right next door to the mall and we could literally walk out the front door and walk into the Coach and Ann Taylor stores. There were 200 stores so we were up to the challenge to shop them all. Ate at a great Thai restaurant and Mexican restaurant. Was able to shop at a yarn store (my passion for yarn goes everywhere I go) as well as the Container Store (my second passion). Plus getting the chance to bond with my sister-in-law and nieces. I also did not realize how much I had shopped until we returned home and unpacked the trunk. My packages lined up an entire wall of my hallway ; guess I did my job to boost the economy. I had a friend of mine house sit with the cats rather then kennel them again. They did not do well when they stayed at the vet's the last time I went out of town, so needed for Kathy to come house sit. I think they enjoyed having Kathy there and I also noticed Thomas had put on about a pound, which on him looks good. Apparently he bonded with Kathy, would let her pick him up, pet him, play with him ; wonder if it was because she fed him and here apparently I have been starving him. (smile) The cats had a great time watching me unpack and playing with all the bags, wrapping, etc. It was good to get away and looking forward to my next trip.