Why is time standing still, yet still disappearing before me? It is the weirdest sensation. Seriously. I can hardly wait to hear if J got the job in Halifax. It could be weeks before we know anything. ugh. Yet I am trying to get some things done and time is GONE. GONE. ugh.

I feel like the more I attempt to get organized the more unorganized I become. How is that possible?

We miss Grandpa already.

I mentioned I was knitting. Well there are a few projects that are still in the works, but tonight I finished a cute Market Bag. The bag turned out awesome and I totally want to knit up a few more once I de-stash some of my yarn first. I have a little collection growing that I need to tame. I posted some knit ramblings on my knitting blog for those who care to wander over there.

Becca, Ethan and I had a wonderful day. We walked to the department store to peek at their swim suits (way over priced) the headed over to Starbucks for a milk and tea. Then it was off to the library to return some books and take out new ones. I spotted a great book for Becca. The main character loses his beloved cat, something that Becca can relate to.

I miss Charisma so much. Yet there is this eerie calm in our house. I had no idea how stressed out we all were while he was ill. Even Skippyjon has calmed down and has settled into being an only cat quite well. We talk openly about Charisma and how much we miss him, the things we loved about him and the things that annoyed us. I hope we are doing good by Becca.

On Monday I stated Becca was settling into swim lessons … well no. She was lulling me into a false sense of security. Total rebel in the class once again. It is a good thing Miss Rebel has a sweet, VERY patient swim instructor. The kid is giving me some more gray hairs I tell ya!

I have been making people smile and have won awards for it! I rock. hehe. Seriously. Thanks. It gives me great joy that so many read my blog. Who would have thought three and half years ago when I started here at soodz that anyone beside my Dad and Mother in Law would come by (they do it for the cute pics of their grandchildren more than my ramblings of yarn, mean moms, naps, or rather the lack there of). Many Thanks for the award Nadine and Shannon!

As for tags … Seriously. You all make me smile. So if I come by and comment, your tagged. Thanks for having me be a part of your world and making me smile.

Well my Dad’s visit is already come to a close. How is some weeks go by so slowly yet last week was lightening fast?

On Sunday we headed to Bandelier National Park. We hiked and explored the ancient ruins. Then we had a picnic while Becca recovered from a terrible fall. I swear this girl cannot keep skin on her elbows and knees. My Dad really enjoyed the park.

Yesterday I went to see the chiropractor again. The man is a saint! Thanks to everyone that recommended  seeing a chiropractor! It was not plantar facilitous as I was first told. Rather is was more of a sprain and injury to my foot. The chiropractor explained it a lot better. All I know, is that my foot is marginally better than it was before! w00t! Good shoes, magical socks and some therapy from the chiropractor!

Becca was able to show Grandpa her stellar swimming skills during her lessons. She is becoming less of the rebel in the class and is starting to listen more. I really think all these group activities are good for her.

I am spending today catching up to normal life. I am way behind in reading blogs, designing and thoughts in general. I have been doing a lot of knitting that I look forward to sharing too! ugh. back to laundry! ugh.

… the way to San Jose Santa Fe?

Thank you so much for all the hugs, comments and emails. I can feel the love, truly. The house feels empty. Charisma will be dearly missed.

We ran away to Santa Fe today. First we snooped through the HUGE Flea Market just outside of Santa Fe … *~drool~* I could have spent the entire morning exploring through all the booths of beads, jewelry and so much more! We purchased the cutest chalk cloth made of oil cloth, so Becca. Entertainment on the go! It rolls up, it is clean and she loves it!

Afterwards we hit up the Plaza in Santa Fe. It was so much fun. There were tons of galleries, art, museums and goodies! It was fun to explore and I hope to make it back when we have a little more time. Becca enjoyed the balloon animal guy in the park and the cats and dogs. The shelters were there with a ton of animals for exposure and hopes to get some animals adopted. I so wanted to rescue them all!

Having my Dad here and taking him around has been so wonderful. I am so glad he is here. Sadly he will be heading back to Canada early next week We hope to go down to Bandilier National Park tomorrow.

Oooo in the next fews days I will reveal some special art from Becca … Hope you are all have a fantastic weekend …

Who sings the song that I quoted in my title? 

… My Dad’s visit is awesome. Unfortunately, I have some news I have to share then we can move on, but never forget …

My life was changing. It was becoming my own. J & I had been dating for a few months, when I saw him. So sweet and totally gorgeous. I knew I had to have him.

J was not so convinced (although came to love the little beast), rambling off all the reasons not to have him. I was relentless, went ahead and adopted Charisma.

Charisma was a shelter kitten. Dropped off in the middle of the night with his littermates. I feel for him the moment I saw him. He was an evil little kitten but grew up to be an amazing friend, to all of us.

He came to work with me in those early years. He provided much needed affection and therapy to a brain injured youth at the group home. Later, others with disabilities would come to see him. Charisma always demonstrated such patience and affection for the individuals that came to visit him.

Charisma snuggled with J all those crazy nights I would work, endless hours away. He helped us be foster parents to cats on death row in our home. Charisma showed the homeless cats what it meant to be a pampered house cat. Every single cat that Charisma helped was adopted to homes.

He traveled with us from one side of Canada to another then to yet another country! He put up with our crazy dog herding him constantly and then welcomed our babies.

California was good to Charisma. He spent endless days sunning himself and being a constant companion to Becca. They were inseparable. Becca claiming that they would be together forever and ever. They watch tv, read books, played with her animals and Charisma even supervised while Becca would splash around in her pool!

For whatever reason, I guess we will never know for sure, moving to Los Alamos was hard on Charisma. Was it the altitude change? The lack of furniture in the beginning? Too much change? His people were stressed and busy and did not see how little he was eating.

When we did notice the lack of food consumption and the weight loss we were worried. We took him to the vet but without spending an obscene amount of money to determine the cause of the anorexia all we could do is try to entice him to eat and hope. Hope that he would recover.

Charisma has had a few rebounds eating a little the last two months. But he has suffered. Unable to eat on his own, we have been feeding him by syringe. His lust for life dwindled slowly.

He stopped coming to us when we called (something he always did before) and rarely spoke anymore. Finally his kidneys started to go forcing him to spray on sadly Ethan’s bouncey chair. He became dehydrated the last week and really lethargic.

We tried to feed him and he just could not keep it down anymore.

Today we took him to the vet.

He was too sick to live. Hanging onto hope meant he would suffer more.

Charisma was too good of a cat to endure a painful, drawn out death.

We love you Charisma.

I could feel Becca’s heart break with every scream of pain when he died. She understands that he is gone but wants it to be different.

“He is my friend, my Cat. Charisma Forever, Forever”

Becca came home tear filled eyes and placed Charisma’s collar on Skippyjon Jones. Now a piece of Charisma will live on with Skip.

I miss my cat.

Her best friend.

Ethan has tried a little oatmeal & apple sauce … He was ok with the process until food was in his mouth! We are going to give it a few more weeks to see if he begins to swallow more

J is home and believes the interview went really well.  Now the waiting begins. ugh. I am really really hoping it works out, it all sounds so wonderful.

My Dad arrived yesterday too! It is so awesome to have him here.  Becca is bouncing with excitement!