Greetings from the Pound

A message to you from the Eaton Rapids Dog Pound:

I woke this morning to a little puppy tongue washing my face. I felt the patter of 4 little feet running up and down my body. I am getting used to it, since 8 week old Lucy Lu wakes me up that way every morning. She barks while she does it too. Shortly thereafter, I hear the barking of 2 puppies and 2 full grown chihuahuas.....and it doens't stop for at least 20 minutes as they race through the house. They are having their morning romp!

Joe calls the house and says....is this the Pound Mommy?

He is absolutely in LOVE with Lucy Lu and has been from the first day. He bought her a collar, got her shots and then says, "well if you can sell her, go ahead." I admit, I haven't had the heart to advertise her, but I have had enough with dogs! They are making Sabrina look good. (who by the way now LIVES on my footstool)

Sabrina will NOT allow me to use the footstool, as it is HERS. I don't argue with that cat. She wins. She bites. So, she sleeps there most of the evening at my feet, perches there first thing in the morning to meow at me and seems to watch all the action from there. By action, (and I DO mean action) I am talking about the puppy wrestling matches.

All is well in the Pound on this beautiful summer day. Grandma seems so content and happy here, Andy is in love and smiles more than ever, Mellow Mikey is doing well (even if he DID get a speeding ticket last night). Mike and Andy actually went to WARP tour together and came home in one piece. Catie is really blossoming this summer, in spite of being 13 and Joe is doing the best he can to get out to his boat, where he is the happiest.

I have found my niche, I think. I am just Mom and it keeps me rather busy. Yeah, I am still attempting to knit a million UFO's (unfinished objects), thinking about scrapbooking and mostly doing the endless laundry of summer. I got as far as startingto clean the back porch this summer. Not doing a whole lot of much, except hanging out with my kids. Can't think of a better way to spend my summer.

Friday Night Family BarBq

Just as I was wishing to see grandkids, Laura granted my wish. Her family was going to gather for dinner and bonfire and we were invited. We picked up Grandma and headed to her brother, Dave's house only to be welcomed into a backyard feast of BarBQ turkey, pork, beef and lots of pot luck dishes. Mmmmmmm! I love eating other people's cooking!!

Had a great time watching the kids play, especially when Alexis and Catie started putting ice down people's backs. Jan got 'em back!

The ball went in the tree and Laura's neice climbed about 3 stories up the pine tree, entertaining everyone.

The kids enjoyed the pool and then finished off the evening with S'mores at the bonfire. Can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night.

Missing Cat Today

It's Cat's birthday today and I am really missing the insanity of the day already. It is only 5:30am here as I write (11:30am in London) and I am sitting thinking of the excitement of past birthdays. She used to get so excited by the day before that she would get sick!

It was never hard to make her happy. A special cake would send her to the moon with excitement. Last year, it was a cupcake tree! These past few years, we have managed to be together every year on her birthday by sharing vacations, planned around the special day. Now that Tate's birthday is so close, we get double celebrations. Chins know how to celebrate. We often turn it into "Birth-Week" by having more than one party and days of "Early Birthday Presents". Joey was always good at that. He coined the phrase "ECP"....which also became "EBP".

I hope today is filled with laughter in London. We are missing her!

Justin and Andy's BAD Night

Justin and Andy were heading to their friend Tully's house, each in their own cars, when Justin left the road to avoid an oncoming car. Andy experienced the nightmare of watching his best buddy crash into a pine tree and telephone pole. He quickly called 911 while helping Justin until help arrived.

Thankfully, Justin's injury could be mended and he is recuperating at Sparrow Hospital from a broken leg and wounds. We all spent the night with Justin at Sparrow, until he was out of surgery and in recovery. Andy and Sam kept him company all day yesterday and the entire family continues the trek to Sparrow, until we have him home safe and sound. He will spend the next months in rehab and on crutches, but will be good as new per the ER doc, by wrestling season. Due to his age, he is in the Pediatric department at Sparrow and his room has a crib. They gave Justin the big bed, but Sam got tired while visiting and decided to try out the extra bed.

Missin' My Kids!

I woke up this morning and realized that I am just missing my grandkids. It has been a couple of week since I got hugs from Daniel and Alexis, about a month since I saw that beautiful smile of Tate's and far too long since Nick and Cameron were in my arms. Life isn't fair.

I read all the old novels about family living close and gathering regularly. We lost Karen last year, Joey is in Kansas, and Cat is in London. How did all that happen and why? Laura is great about making sure we get to see the kids, thank God, but I long for what cannot be. I want Sunday BarBQs with my whole family.

With Joe sick right now, I just can't pull it off alone, but I am committed to spending time with the kids. To see Tate, means I start saving $$ for a ticket to London. Groan! No way around that one.

Nick and Cam live only 20 miles away and I will find a way to get a message to their Dad. Summer is running fast.....but we still have July and August to play. Catie, Nick, Cameron, Daniel and Alexis can have a good time together and I am sure if Joe isn't up to it, Laura will help me.

When Cat returns from London, I will convince Joey to come home and we will have a big party where I can put my whole family together, if only for a day. Until then, I will find a way to get the children all together soon. They need it and I need it.

It is the important part of life, beyond all else. Family.

The Dogs HATE the 4th of July

It was inevitable and at promptly 9pm the noise began. Instantly, the dogs began going crazy and one by one, they were running for cover. With Mike, Andy and Catie all gone to see the fireworks display, I began scooping them up. I carried them all up to our bedroom so I could soothe them, but it wasn't me they wanted! Oddly enough, it was only Josie that lay on the bed with me, while her entire family cuddled with Joe.

CRAZY CAT!

Ever since Sabrina bit me, we have been re-negotiating our relationship. NO animal has ever bitten me, so I had to really think this one over. I decided to keep my distance for the first few days. Maybe she would miss all the love I was pouring all over her and feel bad about biting me. Probably not, but that is what I told myself, since my arm was aching from the shot and I wasn't loving her.

Then she began trying to get my attention. She was as stubborn as I was. She began by creeping all around me meowing loudly. Then rubbing against me and finally turning up EVERYWHERE I turned. As shown above, I went to the porch and had that feeling that someone was looking at me. I had removed the cracked top of the cedar chest and there she was....just staring at me. Was she waiting to pounce and bite?



That night I sat down to knit and she decided to take the plunge.....jumped on the couch and began to rub on me and my yarn. She LOVES wool! She also won't go away until I pay and scratch her.

I got up the next morning and there she was SITTING ON MY LAPTOP!



Unfortunately, she would not get down. I was afraid to push her, as I did not want another bite and she wasn't willing to move with a little prodding. Instead she turns around and meows loudly, as if to say "Who do you think you are?"

Andy, Andy, Andy!

Busy Saturday!

The day began with a family meeting at TEN AM!! Now that is NOT a time for the Chin boys to meet on a Saturday morning, however it was definitely going to be a workday. The pool was coming out and going away. Justin had spent the night and we all ganged up and encouraged him to help out.

The boys headed out into the heat and humidity, armed with a bottle of OFF, since the mosquitos had claimed the yard long ago. It was time to get rid of our own private Frog Pond/Swamp combination. The boys soon called for Catie to take care of trash detail, picking up plastic parts, as they headed off to sell the pool to the scrap metal dealer. She was less than pleased.

She scampered off quickly to the neighbors yard, hoping not to be found, but ran into our favorite police officer Mike, who was visiting. He soon showed Catie just what happens when you run away........



I asked him to keep her handcuffed while I got my camera and he replied, "Don't worry, I don't have the keys with me." Catie's face was priceless. She informed me that handcuffs are "really heavy". I told her I don't plan on ever finding out. After the picture was taken, Mike "found" the keys.



Edgar has taken over the house! That little puppy just climbs right out of the cage while the others watch him. He then climbs up the stairs, up on the couch and grabs a toy to play with. He has just decided he is on the same ranking as Josie, Rocky and Frankie. Tonight, I decided to ride the mower and try to help with the yard. I carefully put away my knitting so no dogs would get it. I came in to get a Coke and found about 6 balls of yarn pulled out of the storage cube and a huge mess!



Joe quickly pointed out that HIS dogs were in bed with him, Frankie was locked up and it could only be.......EDGAR! He is NOT a permanent resident, no matter what HE thinks!

After the boys showered off the mud and Catie coated herself in mosquito ointment, we settled down for a load of take-out food. Mr. M's pizza, subs and China Buffet for Catie and Papa. Mike took off fast to go hang out and play some music, Andy happily went off to meet Sam, who was returning from her mission and the rest of us finally relaxed.

We worked hard today, but a light rain fell through the sunshine, leaving us with a beautiful rainbow to end the evening.

Scrapbooking

I finally found a friend who has an interest in scrapbooking. We spent a lazy summer afternoon, just exploring the art of scrapping. I almost forgot how much fun it is to share a hobby. Maryann and Cat love to scrap, but neither one is local, so I have to wait for those special times when we are together. As I think of it, every holiday weekend is a scrap weekend, usually with one of the two or sometimes both.

This year I missed the Scrapbook Convention in Northville because I didn't want to go alone. Let's face it....it is BORING to someone who isn't into it. Kind of like asking me to go to a football game. So the thought of a local scrap buddy is wonderful.


I have tried to convince Deb, Valli, Ruby and Carol to give it a try. No takers! I continually hear that they are too busy to begin to even organize, muchless scrapbook their photos.

I have boxes of old photos (previous to digital) and all are categorized and ready for the mood to hit to document the days of the past. I have online storage, photos on discs and a computer full, but I know where every photo I have ever taken can be found.

As we sat exploring some of my albums, I was thankful for every page I had ever put together. My heritage album brings a lump to my throat as I look at all my favorite photos of my parents and grandparents. It isn't finished, but I doubt it ever will be. It is a life project.

Each child has an album and they are filled with wonderful memories. Some of them are absolutely ordinary days, which are the best of all. I look back and wish I had taken more photos of Karen. I don't think you can ever have enough. My Christmas album begins in 1971 and it is so much fun to watch the years drift by as I turn the pages. Each year there are more children and yes, sadly, some faces disappear. It is documentation of my life.

Somehow, it just wouldn't be the same with all those photos piled in boxes.

CAT BITES and TETANUS SHOTS

Even though I have my own private ZOO at the House of Chin, I agreed to let Sabrina stay here while she waits for her "passport" to go to London. I didn't know she would bite me!

Today the neighbor knocked at the door and when I opened it, her dog ran in with her.

Josie barked. Rocky barked. Frankie barked.........SABRINA WENT NUTS!

She began hissing and attacking everything and everyone in sight! The dogs were running like crazy trying to get away from her, but she was going to kill anything she could get. It was insane! As Catie began scooping up dogs, I reached for Sabrina to comfort her. WRONG MOVE!

She attacked ME! She bit me so hard that I had two very deep puncture wounds in the flesh of my thumb and hand. It hurt like hell. I was really mad, but more dismayed that this cat who has been in my lap for weeks had actually attacked me. Then I got the bad news......to quote the Dr. "Cat bites are dangerous. You MUST come in immediately to get a shot and be put on antibiotics or within hours you could have a very dangerous infection."

DAMN IT! I hate shots!

I also had a day planned that was about to be further interrupted by driving to Charlotte for medical care. So I am now taking Keflex, my hand hurts like hell and Sabrina knows we are not friends at the moment.

Lazy Days of Summer

Summer is a synonym for "lazy days". I am convinced that we sometimes forget that and I intend to change this year. I have spent the past years working so hard all day and running around at night to keep up with my responsibilities, that I am sure I missed far too much. One thing I have learned since being off work is that my kids are fun!

Andy is hilarious! Today he was grounded and out of boredom began to do one thing after another thinking if he aggravated me, I would let him go out. NOT! I wonder how many kids can bark exactly like a Chihuahua?

Justin and I went out house hunting, since he and his Mom need to move. Then we had lunch together and we even invited Andy. (We feed him when he is grounded.) We got all the puppies out and let them loose with toys. I don't know the last time I spent an hour playing with puppies. Of course, they got into my knitting and unwound two balls of yarn.

Laura alerted me that Cat was on Yahoo Messenger and we got to chat online for a few minutes. She informed us that an apartment is going to cost over $6400 a month in London!!! They are still hunting and hoping to find something by the weekend, since Paul has to go to Germany on Monday. They need a home! Otherwise, London is great.

Catie had gone to the lake with the neighbors, so I took the luxury of an afternoon nap. aaaaaahhhh Then I sent Andy to the store for everyone's favorite ice cream.

Today I DID NOT clean the house, do the laundry or even meet a single responsibility. Instead, I just took a day off. Now tomorrow, I will pay for it, but who cares?

Puppies Rollin' Out the Door!

Yesterday I discovered Craig's List. Unbelievable! I had about a million puppies yippin' and it was time to get rid of the Porch Monsters. In desperation, I posted them to Craig's List.

Within an hour I was getting emails and phone calls. Wow! I wish I could say that they were gone, but I can say they are going! People wanted me to email pictures, so of course I ran for the camera. When I emailed them, I found I had to identify them, otherwise I got another email asking about "the brown one on the right". Try to figure THAT out when you have a million photos.

Soon I was getting emails asking about "Brutus", "Little Andy", "Mimi" and "Edgar" (or as the boys say when they imitate Catie "Eggger". A man called to say that his little girl was deaf and going off to a special boarding school. "Brutus" would be her reward for this tough journey. Why did she pick him? She loved his name.

Mimi continues to be a favorite and may join Little Andy soon, as the new owner can't pick between them. Edgar has 2 people coming to see him tonight. Of course, Andy is keeping "Wendy Wu" and Mike is still begging for Mimi. HELP! Laura may have one sold for us. God bless Laura, as usual.

On another note, Andy finally found a car, so we spent ALL day getting the minor repairs done on the "new" car. I got a bit tired of calling for prices and finally got smart, sending Andy. The Jeep rolled down the street, courtesy of CraigsList and Catie tells me the neighbors are interested in Cat and Paul's car. Hmmmm maybe I need to keep this up.......could I have a career in sales?

Three Years Is a LONG Time

OK...today is the day that Cat, Paul and Tate leave for London. Yesterday she warned me not to get sad. Sure, Cat...no problem! I was instructed to pretend it was just like the days when she went off to college, off to the Air Force or off on a vacation.

She forgot one minor detail. During all of those times, she was just hours away if I really felt that maternal need to hug my kid. This time we have an ocean to cross. Oh, and by the way.....our daily telephone contact is just a tad bit more expensive. I am already finguring out which things to cut form the budget in order to afford that addiction.

I lay here in the night last night thinking about just how long 3 years is. Hmmm, 3 years ago Andy was a 13 year old kid just getting out of Jr High, Mike was a Sophomore and Catie was a 10 year old fourth grader. Tate wasn't born yet and I felt a helluva lot younger. Three years is a long time!

How much will life change in 3 years? Andy will be graduated from high school and hopefully in his second year of college. Mike will have graduated, I hope! Catie will be a Jr in high school and driving. Oh, my......Joe will be 60 years old!

Tate will be a 6 year old first grader and maybe have a brother or sister? Yep, 3 years is a damned long time. I will swallow the lump in my throat all day today and carry on, hoping that I get the guts to board a plane for a very long flight and see London some day. Otherwise, 3 years will seem like eternity.

The Month of June

June began with Prom....Sooooooo much fun to watch the beautiful couples dressed to their best going off for that magic evening. We gathered at Island Park, parents and kids, to admire and take a million pictures. I was so sick with some kind of cold from hell that I could barely walk (but you KNOW I took pictures anyway).












Most of these boys are the same guys that I have watched sweat and grunt as they wrestled their way to the State Championship this year. They sure clean up well! As for the girls? Well, let's just say, I have never seen a prettier bunch of girls! They are a far cry from the taffeta gowns of the 1970's and all I could think of was they looked like HOLLYWOOD....then I found out that the theme of this year's prom was....HOLLYWOOD!

These past 2 weeks have been spent apartment hunting for Grandma. She arrived in Michigan and decided to stay, so off we went in search of the perfect home. Once we secured it, the wrestlers to the rescue....(oh, and Mike too!). Those guys had her moved in within an hour. Muscles come in handy.

Fathers Day was a nice relaxing Sunday and Cat bought Dad a membership to the Lansing Boat Club. What a perfect gift! He drove straight there and secured his dock. Now it is time to get the boat ready for the water and it makes me miss the days of the past.....Cat, Karen and Joey out scrubbing down the boat with Dad. Ok, that was a tear jerker of a memory!

We just spent our 37th Wedding Anniversary together this week and took 24 hours to hide away together. Joe surprised me over and over from the beautiful roses to the diamond necklace....I am going to keep that man around for at least another 37 years. Seriously, I am a lucky woman.

Off to London

With Cat, Paul and Tate moving to London, a goodbye BarBQ was a must. As usual, we enjoyed Joe's skills at the grill and the dishes everyone brought, but the good part is just being together with those we love.

It was hard saying goodbye this time, even though we are used to Cat jetting about the world. It was no big deal when she went to Austrailia, Pakistan or moved about the US since we knew we would see her shortly or regularly. London is another story.

As many talked about maybe making the trip, we all knew that only the lucky ones will be able to jet off to Europe and three years is a long time. I have her cat as collateral....she has to come back! I should have tried snatching Tate.

.

We spent a busy week together. As we tried to get ready for the BarBQ, Joe was replacing floors upstairs. Both Cat and Paul pitched in to help, but it was Joe on his knees for 5 days.


Cat spent a morning with Laura and Daniel at playgroup, visited Charlotte to see old friends, made it to Northville to see Aunt Dot and we made a shopping and dinner trip to Detroit and Canada.

Melanie coaxed Mikey into providing our entertainment and Daniel ran for his guitar. Not that we needed any more entertainment, as Jim kept us all laughing as usual.




With 21 adults, 14 kids and assorted teenagers, it was a typical Saturday at House of Chin. To top it off, Daniel and Tate got along for the first time after 3 years of Tate screaming when he saw his cousin. It is hard to believe that they will be 6 years old the next time they see one another. Catie informed Cat that she will be able to drive when they return. (groan!)

So, after a fun filled week, lots of hugs and a few tears, we waved goodbye this morning as Cat, Paul and Tate headed out for their next adventure.

Pool Day

Andy and Justin sun bathing, while Catie and Joe have fun in the pool.....until the frisbee came out and everyone got in the act.

After a fun, but exhausting day at DisneyWorld, we headed out for a more mellow day at Universal Studios today. We didn't actually get started till about noon, since everyone was SO tired this morning. Then we had an HOUR wait in line. Joe had gotten a "Savings Certificate" for buying his tickets online (to save time). We waited and waited....and then didn't use a single coupon that we got!

Catie had one thing in mind...meet the characters. Ok...Andy told her "You KNOW they are just people in costumes!" She didn't want to hear him. She wanted their autographs. Thank goodness the lines were not as long as waiting for Mickey Mouse.

EVERYONE wanted their picture with Bart and Maggie, but they cut the line off after Catie.

We saw a 4D production of Shrek, which was great and complete with getting very wet when the donkey sneezed (gross!). Rode bikes in the air to rescue E.T. and had to explain to Catie just WHO was E.T. and why he wanted to go home. (ahhh the 1980's)

Then we headed to see Twister and explained another old classic movie. Catie is petrified of storms and had a fit. She didn't want to go and we couldn't just leave her on the street. She was clinging to Joe as the tornado raged, conplete with fires and explosions.

After the live animal show, a roller coaster that I chickened out on and a trip to see JAWS, we were ready to head back to the pool. Joe and I relaxed in the hot tub and soothed our aching muscles to get ready for tomorrow's adventure.

Dreams Do Come True

Ever since I can remember, Catie has said her dream was to go to Disney World. This summer, when the days were long and tough to get through, I told her to have a garage sale and earn the money....she did it!

Catie worked like a dog, dragging things out of the crawl space, cleaning her room and getting rid of everything possible. She was the sales lady, bargaining over prices on her old dolls and counting her cash. She raised enough to pay for TWO tickets.

Then Uncle Dave and Aunt Maryann gave her the plane ticket for Christmas. The trip was on.

More to follow.....

ER Wrestlers Head to State Finals

Eaton Rapids Wrestlers are now the REGIONAL CHAMPIONS and are headed to STATE Competition today. For a woman who used to say "I hate sports", surprising this has become a really BIG deal. I don't know when I have enjoyed myself more than this past few weeks as I cheered (screamed) and took photos at every match.

As the boys prepared for their last 3 matches to be held in Battle Creek tonight and tomorrow, the parents made signs which are posted all over town and arranged for meals, snacks and all the rest of the details necessary to take our champs to the meet. They were featured on TV as the Team of the Week this week. Michigangrappler.com has predicted the Eaton Rapids boys to win the State Tournament. We think they are right,

Andy has 8 consecutive "Pins" and Justin had the 100th win of his wrestling career this week. You KNOW there will be many photos to follow.