Momma's Pumpkin Pie by Tammie

I am not the cook in the family. Patty is by far the best cook of the children. Momma makes the best desserts known to man.

But this week I needed to vent some frustrations. So I bought a pumpkin. cut the top off and gutted it. Then I baked it.

Last night I actually made 100% from scratch pumpkin pie for today's Chilli and bake-off luncheon at work. The last time I made crust was in home-ec when I was in the 8th grade. I was so good at home-ec the principal was forced to transfer me to shop class mid-semester at the urging of my home-ec teacher.

Anyway. Margie once told me that if you can read, you can cook. So I pulled out my Amish cookbook and off we go. First problem, I didn't have a rolling pin. So, off to WalMart to buy that.

Once I began... I really started to feel like my mother. I had the oven on preheat. Dishes in the sink soaking. Laundry going in the washing machine. And the Phillies and Yankees were on the tv. Now all I needed was my dad to yell at. hehe

The pie dough turned out easy enough to make. After all I grew up in the kithens of Granny Mae, Nannie and Momma. The first pie filling was completed and poured. During the mixture of the second pie filling I realized that there was no brown sugar in the first pie. OH NO!!! Well not to worry, while completing the second pie, it dawned on me... I would just add brown sugar to the already poured pie filling... then stir.

Now the pies are cooking. Dishes are in the process of being washed. Clothes have been changed out. The table is almost recognizable. I called my mom. Then Patty. =)

Once the dishes were completed. It was time to begin the chilli for the luncheon. I couldn't stop at just one pot, I had two crockpots full of chilli.

The judging took place and I won!!! My totally organic pumpkin pie made from scratch had beat out the competition. One of the ladies commented that she didn't try it because she thought it was something someone picked up from Tippin's! Woo Hoo. That totally surprised me, because if you could've seen the pie. There is no way you would've thought that crust was store bought.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Cat Mommie

Being a cat mommie has given me surprises that no one warned me about.

A few weeks ago I found a dead snake along the fence line. Since I have dogs that were bred to find and kill critters that burrow and slink and it was Toby that brought my attention to the snake, I gave them full credit for the "kill."

Yesterday during my lunch time with the babies Oprah Mae brought a baby snake into the kitchen. She was very proud of her catch. So proud in fact that she tried her best to keep Millie and me from obtaining and killing said catch. When I finally managed to kill the serpent she became bored with it and ate it. This brings me to the conclusion that the first snake was killed by the black panther known as Oprah Mae and simply too big to eat.

Today she went outside to play in the rain. Then came in soaking wet. She jumped on the bed and me to let me know it was raining. Without her, I wouldn't have had a clue.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Fall...

I love the Fall for all the colors. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. This morning on the way to work I paused long enough to snap a shot of the beautiful drive I have...

Outside our building the parking lot has lit up with the colors of the season.

The downside to this all is that Winter is just around the corner. But before then we still get to enjoy Halloween - Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin and Momma going home from the hospital!

Mother-In-Law

I can't believe the day has actually come and gone.

Nicole had the most beautiful wedding. It began with an afternoon rehearsal - she arrived 20 minutes late - Jeff even later... We were skeptical about the wedding starting on time. Hayden and Sinclair were super. Sinclair practiced tossing the rose petals while Hayden wondered why the ring bearier only got a stupid pillow. By the time of the wedding we had convinced him his role was equally important.

We then went to a wonderful restaurant compliments of Bill and Deana. Thanks! It was nice getting to catch up with Fr. Bob and Georgia. (that's Father not Friar...)

The day of the wedding Laura and Kyle took the kids to a museum where I hear they were able to hold real snakes. Glad that duty was given to the other parents! Terena and I went over to Nicole's house around 2pm. Terena turned Nicole from a pretty young lady into an absolutely gorgeous young bride. She also helped with the curls on the bridal party.

Nicole jumped into my car for the trip to the chapel. Only one stop was required before arriving - she needed Rooster Booster. For those of you wondering what that is - well basically red bull and Nicole is addicted. Things were pretty calm Saturday. We managed to get Nicole to the chapel and in the dressing room before Ryan arrived. No major incidents happened.

Kevin walked me to my seat and then the show began. The girls and guys were so sharp in their red dresses and matching tuxes. Ryan looked more nervous than I've ever seen him. Then Nicole appeared. She was dazzling. I had promised myself I could handle that moment. Seems I couldn't. My baby girl was walking down the aisle to officially begin the next phase of her life.

How fortunate she is to have the family she is marrying into. Deana will make the best mother-in-law to her. She now has 2 additional sisters and 2 brothers.

A snapshot of the weekend is to your left.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Hospital Update

Mom had to go back to the hospital this week. Nothing major just an infection trying to set in.

The doctor removed some dead skin and she is doing well. She will be in the hospital for about another week.

This morning Jimmy brought Daddy and Skylar up to visit with Grannie.

The visit went like this...

Daddy and Momma

Skylar walking me to the car in anticipation of rain

Skylar and Aunt DaDa catching some zzzzz's while Grannie slept.

Long days and pleasant nights!

Prescriptions Urged for Cold Medicines

On my soap box...

It is no secret that Oklahoma has a huge problem with methamphetamine production. A few years ago we had a groundbreaking law that actually worked in curving the amount of meth manufactured in our state. The law moved all over-the-counter colds meds that were used for the production behind the pharmacist wall and required ID to purchase no more than 2 boxes at a time. This proved so successful surrounding states began enacting similar laws.

Well the production method has evolved to get around these laws. So one of our new legislators that happens to be a former police officer is proposing this new law:

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A doctor's prescription would be needed for what is currently an over-the-counter cold medication under a proposal by Oklahoma's top drug enforcement officer. Darrell Weaver, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, says the proposal is designed to cut down on so-called shake-and-bake methamphetamine labs in Oklahoma. Weaver urged state lawmakers to make cold medications containing pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed and Claritin-D, a Schedule II drug that requires a visit to a physician's office and a prescription before it can be purchased. Weaver aired the proposal before members of the House Judiciary Committee. A Tulsa-area lawmaker who requested the meeting, Rep. Lucky Lamons, says he'll introduce legislation next year to make Weaver's plan state law.(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

This is going to far - in my mind. First we need affordable health-care for everyone. If this law becomes real it will only hurt the people without health insurance. The criminals will still find a way to make meth. They will adjust the formula or something.

It would be alright to make these cold medicines prescription only if we had a healthcare plan that works. The majority of people that buy over-the-counter cold medicines are just like you and me - honest, hard working people.

I don't want to have to go to a doctor everytime I have a bad cold. Even with health insurance it is $20 to see the doctor, $10 for the prescription plus time off for the doctor appointment. That equals far more money than what I would have spent going to the corner drug store and buying a box of Sudafed. Not to mention lining the pocket of the health insurance companies even more for no reason.

Please contact your local State Representative and tell them this is just silly. Also contact Senators Coburn and Inhoffe and your congressman to let them know we need affordable healthcare that works!

long days and pleasant nights...

Late Sept Update...

Wow - it has been a really long time since I've been here.

Honestly I didn't know what to say during Mom's hospital stay. We now know what Mom would be like as an addict. It wouldn't be pretty. She is well on her way to being beyond this whole ordeal.

It all began with what she thought was a kidney infection back in January of this year. She has lived thru more testing than you can imagine, 4 chemo treatments and ultimately having her bladder removed. We are all learning how to change a stoma bag and care for wounds we never imagined. The end result being that she has been proclaimed cancer free!

Sunday we celebrated Skylar II's third birthday. He received many gifts... Handy Manny, Dora, a box full of balls from his big brother and the best gift of all - fireman boots from Aunt Tammie, Toby, Millie and Oprah Mae! Holly is hoping that he will now decide to be a fireman for halloween in lieu of his original request - Dora!

The wedding is getting close. Nicole and I have wedding hair appointments Saturday. Hayden has a suit, I have to pick up the vest and tie this week.

Finally, the BIGGEST news of all - My Redbirds are in the playoffs! They did it without me during the month of September - but they did it! They were the second team to wrap up a divisional title. Every game still counts thru Sunday because we really want home field advantage!

Long days and pleasant nights to ye....

Parents

When did Patty and I become the parents?

You are told your whole life (at least we were) that you have kids for only one reason... so you will have someone to make miserable when they hit middle age! =)

Dad is doing remarkably well. He is doing exercises on his own, walking more than riding in the wheelchair and eating healthy. He hasn't had a cigarette since Aug 31!

Mom's surgery went well. Dr. Confer says he is pleased with her so far. He has sent some tissue off for biopsy to make sure the cancer is gone. We will have the results by Friday. She is still in ICU and with a little luck will be in a regular room tomorrow.

Tuesday was a very interesting day. I had forgotten what a wonderful community I was raised in. At any time during the surgery we had at least 10 people sitting in the waiting room. The stories from mom's cousins and life-long friends were priceless. Actually I found out a couple of people I always thought of as relatives aren't blood relatives, but I'm not ready to drop the Uncle and/or Aunt from their names quite yet. =) Also, most of the time I was looking for some waders - Daddy, Ralph Wayne and Baby Joe - yes those are real names - were trying to best each other on stories. Mom is upset that she wasn't there to defend herself on the stories Patty and I repeated to her.

One last comment for the day. There would be pictures but I promised Momma that her face wouldn't be on tammieland like Daddy is. Actually she threatened that I would need a room in ICU if she found out I was taking pics of her and putting them online. hee hee...

Keep the prayers coming, we can really feel them.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Update

This is incredible.

It took a stroke to get Daddy in the kitchen cooking! =)

Patty has been assigned to stay the day with him. They are learning together the things he needs to be able to do before he can go home. We thought it was just getting dressed and bathing. Evidently the folks in the therapy place think he should know how to completely take care of himself! Mom has been trying to get him to do this for 45 years now.

We are looking forward to his release Saturday. If things continue to go well.

Mom will do her pre-op tomorrow. Then check into the hospital Monday.

Long days and pleasant nights to ye...

On the Road...

This has by no doubt been one of the longest week's of my life. I would say that about Daddy too, but he doesn't remember most of Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday. Last Saturday hanging out with the family seems like years ago.

Moments ago, I received this picture from Patty. It has been a long and tough journey for Daddy this week. But he was able to get dressed in sweats and sit in her car. They are on their way to McAlester Regional Hospital. He will be in physical therapy rehab for at least a week.

His nurse last night assured us that they would work his hiney off. That's a good thing. =)

Long days and pleasant nights to ye...

24 hours...

What a difference 24 hours can make!

Sunday we were all at church enjoying the company of family and life-long friends. Daddy was the life of the party with all his jokes and stories of the past.

About 6:30 am Monday, Daddy suffered a stroke. It was a clot in a vein that affected his speech and his left side. He was flown to Tulsa St. John Stroke Unit from McAlester.

The doctors ran test after test. He was given so many different medicines and things changed so fast that even Patty wasn't able to document it all like normal. In retrospect, the doctors were honest with us without giving us false hope or gloom.

From about 11am Monday until this morning, things are a blurr. Tuesday was probably the worst day for Daddy. All the symptoms seemed to hit rock bottom. He had no use of his left arm. He couldn't stand or sit by himself. And worst of all his speech was very difficult to understand.

The doctors, nurses and aides were all wonderful and very patient. They worked with him and us to show us ways to help him begin the road to recovery. Slowly he began moving his left arm and both legs. He talked constantly when he was awake. He fed himself. the small things that you don't think about, really do matter.

By the time I left the hospital last night he was gripping a cup and handing it to me. He could take his glasses on and off by himself. He also kicked me because I had said he was grouchy. During the night he woke up and decided to learn how to work the tv remote control. Patty says she lost count of the number of times he accidentally pushed his nurse call button. =)

This morning before work I called to check on him. He kept correcting Patty's words to me. I think this episode has made his hearing better. lol

When the doctor came in this morning he was confused. Daddy raised his left arm all the way over his head. He lifted his left leg up in the air and held it for a count of 5 and his speech is easy to understand. The doctor said according to his chart, all of this is impossible.

The aides came in to give him a bath and Patty went out to the hallway to wait. She heard "hey sis" in Daddy's voice. Looked up and there he was. He was standing in the hallway un-assisted, using only a cane for balance. She told him to stand right there and snapped this picture.

We have been told that he will be transferred to a physical rehabilitation center. We are hoping that will happen today.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Millie

Poor Millie. She is allergic to grass. (sorry Auntie Vicky - I didn't explain...) She had licked a place on her tail raw. Thus the floatation device around her neck.

Well that is finally healed. We spent the weekend at Patty's house. Our wonderful Uncle NT and equally wonderful cousin Steve were in town. Things went well with Toby, Millie and Jethro until right before we went to the Sunday evening service.

Patty fed Jethro the rest of my half eaten sandwich. He ate it and then decided that Millie couldn't enter the house. The only damage was a tooth into her paw and a slice on her back. Well, also the nerves of Millie, me and Patty were fried.

So she had to wear a bandage on her leg for 24 hours. When we made it home that night I gave her an aspirin and bendryl. She curled up on Steve's lap and passed out.

Can we say a collective... "Poor Millie..."

More to come...

weekend of gettin stuff done

Quick update...

Millie continues to get better. Her tail is actually looking good. We spent the weekend making sure she didn't miss a benedryl. In fact I actually set my alarm on the phone to make sure I didn't forget. The rough times were when she had to wear the flotation device because either the benedryl was wearing off or she had just been outside and was itching.

The vet suggested that I wipe her down everytime she comes in from going potty. This is a chore. But it is part of our routine now. She also suggested that Millie get a weekly bath in oatmeal shampoo. This is ok, except that she is supposed to sit in the bath for 5 minutes and let it soak in. The first of these 5 minute spa treatments was Saturday night. We were about 5 minutes into the soak when Oprah Mae decided she needed to be in the bathtub also. It was a very interesting 10 minutes.

Since I had forced myself to stay home and nurse my ailing dachshund... I found a peach salsa recipe and made it. OMG it is sooooo gooooood.

I also tacked and hemmed a blanket for myself. Not to mention getting some work done on Aunt B's quilt.

Had a fast dinner with my kids. They had the 2nd meeting with the priest. I asked how marriage class went - they both answered - it's pretty easy. lol They met Fr. Bob at his church in Sapulpa and Ryan saw a sign for Billy Simms BBQ - so we just had to go try it. My salad was good, Ryan said his pulled pork was decent - Nicole ate her sandwich so fast I'm not sure she even tasted it.

Long days and pleasant nights to ye...

More changes

You know the end is near when major changes happen. I don't mean the fact that the roster changes daily. Hell, that's the only way LaRussa knows how to manage a team. I mean when literally names change on uniforms.

We are about 6 weeks out from the end of the 2009 regular season. Rumors have been flying that controversial, future hall-of-fame pitcher John Smoltz was in talks with the Redbirds. He is 42 and has played most of his professional career in Atlanta. He went to Boston this season. The AL and he didn't agree. As of noon today he became a free-agent with blessings from the RedSox. About one minute after becoming a free-agent he became a Cardinal.

Here are my thoughts... He has an incredible arm, yet it is very old for professional baseball. He has experience yet he lacks tact. I remember the summer he had to travel with armed guards everytime the Braves went to NY because of his mouth. I saw him pitch that year and he was very impressive as a pitcher. However, he is no Carpenter.

So, I will withhold my opinion on whether this is a "good" thing until the World Series.

Long days and pleasant nights...

Happy Birthday...

My kitten is no longer considered a "kitten." She is now officially a CAT. SSSHHHH don't tell Millie.

Oprah Mae was born sometime in the middle of August 2008 - so the vet and I gave her a birthday of Aug 18. I am still waiting an officially notarized birth certificate from her country of origin. I'm pretty sure it is the US - but you know how things are on the Mazie Prairie with the Amish/Mennonite population.

She has been raised as an Episcocat on the West Side of Tulsa. She has no problem integrating with dogs of other color either. In fact she loves her half brother and sister very much.

In other and terribly more exciting news...

You heard it hear first that the St. Louis Cardinals were the sleeper team of the NL to watch out for this season. Well, at the halfway mark still no one was taking them seriously. All the news was focussed around the Dodgers and Manny or when will the Cubs wake up. Well here we are mid-August and the Redbirds have pulled ahead of the Cubs by 6 games! We even shutdown the Dodgers when they came to St Louis, then we beat them at their own park last night.

How did we get ahead? Well, we played one game at a time. Each day was a new day and La Russa never has the same lineup two days in a row. No one knows how to pitch to my boys. We had a modest lead coming off the All Star break. Then, DeRosa and Lugo were added. Two pretty major bats that were needed in the middle of the lineup. Then days later Matt Holliday arrived. Since that addition - with Carpenter and Wainwright healthy, we haven't looked back.

Nicole had better hope that there isn't a Cardinal play-off game the evening of Oct 17...

Long days and pleasant nights!

Life with the Kolker's

It has been a relatively short time since I've blogged. In the world of the internet - it has been a lifetime!

A lot has happened in the past week.

First we had Nicole's bridal shower. It was a blast! Laura is the hostess that I never had to be because I have her. =) Aunt Becky, Patty and Miranda all made the long trek to Tulsa town to enjoy Nicole's day. After the shower was awesome. Nicole and I actually were able to spend some quality Mom and Daughter time. I miss the time when we could grab even 15 good quality minutes a week.

It seems like just yesterday I was rushing out of the office and manuevering the Tulsa traffic to reach her pre-school before they closed. She and I would chat and sing for the whole 30 minute drive home. When she was in grade school we always found time to talk about our day to each other. In junior high and high school finding time became tougher, but we managed. Now that she is a college graduate and has a home of her own, it feels like I am missing so much.

Then, I had the boys for Hayden's 3rd and Skylar's 1st "Aunt Tammie Vacation." This year the vacation was very short - but memorable... We went to the Drillers game on July 31. The day started with lunch at DQ complete with an ice cream cone for each boy. Of course Aunt Tammie and Poppie had to help them finish before they were melted. Then we came to the station so Hayden could see his favorite TV person - Frank. One of our directors let Hayden turn on the studio lights and then actually do the Weather like Frank! No amount of money could have bought a present better than that! The highlight of the time at the station for Hayden was getting to talk to Frank... for me it was when Skylar ran thru the newsroom screaming at the top of his lungs - Chuck just about bust a gut laughing so hard.

The boys had fun at their very first professional baseball game. Hayden made my week when he looked at me and very seriously asked "will they play again next year so we can come back?" I smiled and promised we would come back again. They ran and played so hard - the bath tub was full of mud by the time they finally exited it - then collapsed on the sofa bed watching Sponge Bob. The next morning we had breakfast at Ollie's before meeting Aunt Dada officially ending our vacation.

Mom saw the oncologist. The good news is that the tumor is now stable. She sees the urologist next week to schedule the surger that will make her cancer free!

On my way to work from Mom's doctor appt - my car died. It was so dead I couldn't even move the gearshift in neutral. Two days and a LOT of money later - hopefully I finally have a car that will work for awhile. During this adventure, I found out that the dealership is 3.2 miles from my house. The post office is 1 mile. How did I find these things out? Well, I walked to and from both places...

And finally, I refinished my dining room table. It is the same age as me and was really beginning to show it. I'll place the sealer on it this weekend and work on the leaves that go with it. The reason I mention this is to say a funny story about Oprah, the black panther. She knows she isn't allowed on the table and always swears she never gets on it. Well, she left tracks of varnish on the kitchen counter that led away from the table and to her food dish. She couldn't blame Millie this time - they were panther paw prints!

Long days and pleasant nights...

Play-Off Bound?

Matt Holliday, Mark DeRosa, Julio Lugo have been added to the Cardinals lineup in the last couple of weeks. This says that Cardinals management can smell play-off games...

Over the weekend my excitement about the new defense/offense additions was questioned by a few family members. We had the worst road trip of the season. The Astros swept us in Houston. The Phillies tried to demoralize us Saturday and Sunday. We beat them soundly in Philadelphia Friday night. Saturday we lost 14 to 6. Sunday we held them to 9 runs while we had 2. It was a horrible end to a miserable road trip.

Monday we were back at home. Good News. We were facing the team with the best record in the National League. Bad News. Carpenter was on the mound. Great News.

If you have watched any Kevin Costner baseball movie, you know that superstitions in baseball are HUGE. Well, I have been reluctant to blog about games won and lost due to my baseball superstitions. However, I think it is time to talk.

My boys (as my cousin calls them) have been able to hold the Dodgers down. Resounding victories were won Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday the victory came after an hour and a half rain delay. Last night was a game for the record books. They managed to keep Manny's bat quiet. That in itself is an incredible feat. Everytime LaRusa goes to the bullpen I shiver. This is our achilles heal. Last night, however, was proof to the world that the St Louis Cardinals 2009 team is world class!

The fans are the best you can get. At 12:15am - the stadium was still full. Still cheering loudly for the Redbirds. I didn't even have to look to know that Manny was going to the plate - the boo's could be heard in Tulsa without the aid of television. 15 innings and almost 5 hours after the game began - the great Albert gave us a walk-off base hit. We won 3 - 2.

Wednesday night review by Matt Leach: "In short, the Cardinals did nearly everything right on a night when they had to. A team that had been 8-31 when the opponent scored first got a win when the opponent scored first. A team that was winless when trailing after eight, won when trailing after eight -- and after 10 1/2 as well. A team that hasn't been to the playoffs in three years played an awful lot like a playoff team."

Long days and pleasant nights...

Texas Ka'Tet

Since childhood I have had very vivid dreams. I am one of the lucky ones that remembers dreams clearly - often. Sometimes they are so real I have a freaky feeling for days afterword. Sometimes I feel as though God himself is talking to me.

A few years ago something even weirder (this is TammieLand and that is a real word here) began happening. Pat Green began appearing in my dreams. These were not random appearances either. The first appearance was a couple weeks before I was scheduled to see him at the Calf Fry. I was unsure whether I could make it due to my work schedule. He came to me in my dreams several times - needless to say, I made it to see him. This then became the norm. Every time Pat felt that I "needed" to see him, he told me so.

Unlike Pat, Boland knows I will see him when he is within driving distance and I have the money. I've even been known to go to the Cain's alone to support the band.

In the midst of all these "visits" SK taught me about todash. This explains everything. I'm not actually dreaming, I'm being transported to a different dimention at the same time Pat is there. Pat is obviously my Dinh.

All that brings me to last night. I had no sleep aid to help me thru the night. I was a bit bummed that the Cardinals were rained out - I was ready for another defeat of the almighty Dodgers. The last I remember before sleep took me was Jim Belushi. He has nothing to do with anything Texas that I know of.

So it was quite surprising when Jo and I appeared outside a concert venue - I can only assume we were in Austin. We were discussing the reason I was actually leaving before Jason went on stage. According to that conversation - he and I had grown apart.

todash - I was sitting on a sofa in a small dark room. Jason was lying on the sofa with his head on my lap. We were talking and I found a small growth on the back of his neck.

todash - I was at a hospital. My mom was sitting on the bed, Patty and Renie were in the room. I told my mom to move because Jason would be back any minute.

todash - I'm still at the hospital walking around a corner there is Pat Green - he gave me the update from the doctor.

todash - randy rogers is singing in my ear - kiss me in the dark.

todash - I'm back in my bedroom watching Sam Champion give today's weather forecast.

What do I take from this dream? Well, obviously God wants me to move to Austin to save JB's life! I have already contacted my fellow gunslinger and the plan has begun. We must do as our Dinh commands. In remembering the face of our fathers - we will save our fellow gunslinger in the Texas ka'tet....

Long days and pleasant nights

Holliday Goes to St Louis!

Breaking News from Cardinal Nation...

July 24, 2009

Matt Holliday is batting .287 with 11 homers.Cardinals Trade for Matt HollidayThe St. Louis Cardinals acquired outfielder Matt Holliday from the Athletics on Friday in exchange for Triple-A 3B Brett Wallace, Triple-A right-hander Clayton Mortensen and Double-A outfielder Shane Peterson. Holliday, 29, hit .287 with 11 homers and 54 RBIs this season for the A's but has been hot of late, batting .338 with a .413 on-base percentage, three homers and 14 RBIs in July. He is eligible for free agency this offseason.

You can not slap the smile off my face right now. All I can say is - all you nay-sayers - sit back and watch fundamental baseball at it's very best!

Long days and pleasant nights...

Oprah Mae's Big Adventure

I have said this before, I'm not a cat person. To prove that - my "cat" has turned into a pup-cat-coon.

She has been going outside with Millie and Toby when they get their potty times. The past couple of weeks I've even become brave enough to let her stay outside alone with her sister while I take a shower and get ready for the work day.

This morning I heard Millie do her "MOMMA THERE IS A CAT WITHIN MY EYE SIGHT YOU NEED TO COME KILL IT" scream. So I went running. I didn't want one of the neighbor cats getting my Oprah Mae. Well, by the time I made it to the back door, Toby, Millie and Oprah Mae were looking at me like I was a bit too over protective.

When I got out of the shower, Toby and Millie were on the bed looking at me. This was odd because Millie rarely leaves Oprah Mae outside alone.

I looked outside, no Oprah. No alarm, she was probably behind the shed in the compost. So I dressed a little faster than normal. Looked out the back door, still no Oprah. Made a bowl of cereal - surely she is on the side of the house. Went outside with my cereal calling Oprah Mae. Normally when she hears me call I will see her running to me, or at the very least telling me she isn't ready to come in.

Not behind the shed or under the lawnmower cover or on the side of the house. Slight panic. Look under the bed - she loves to hide from me. Nowhere in the house.

I am really panicking at this point. Send Nanna a 911 - Oprah is Gone! text. Put the phone down and start looking in the neighbor's yard. She was looking at the the Big Woods next door. When I saw her she had her back to me. I said, calmly - Oprah Mae what are you doing? She froze - slowly turned to look at me - got that deer in the headlight look - ran right past me to the back gate of our yard. Couldn't figure out how to get back in the yard - ran under the front porch. I'm seriously considering having her chat with Strait. He could tell her what happens when you try to run after obviously doing something your mommy thinks is wrong.

I sat down and wiggled my fingers. She couldn't resist coming out for a "good pupcatcoon" scratch on her head. Our trip back into the house was something from a comic. Me carrrying Bill the Cat all 4 legs spread wide to avoid being taken to the killing chambers. Not to mention that for a cat that never stops talking she hadn't made a sound until we were on our way inside. Then the sound was like she really was being taken to the gas chamber.

At lunch, I let her venture back out again. I had suspected that she went thru the gate/fence opening. So I made it where she couldn't do that again. Proof that I was right came when she tried pushing her head thru mesh and it wouldnt go. She was so upset that she went back inside and pouted. Needless to say, the door was closed. Millie began pouting because I made her come in with Oprah.

Someone asked if I spanked her. Well, if it had been Millie or Toby the answer would have been yes. Don't go calling PETA quite yet. A slap on the bottom isn't puppy abuse. It does work in extreme cases with them. However, cats are different. You see, Oprah Mae didn't do anything wrong, I did. She was simply taking advantage of the opportunity to chase flying things on the other side of the fence. I failed to notice she woke up as a cat today.

Long days and pleasant nights...