Scout - Our New Edition

Seth and I have been talking about getting a pet since Christmas time, and we decided that a kitten would best fit our lifestyle. And, really I just need a little friend while I'm home by myself during the day. We went to the Cleveland Animal Protection League, a nice shelter in Cleveland, and found Annie. an adorable 4 month old domestic short hair mix. She was the last one of her litter, and it seemed like she really just wanted someone to love her.

So we picked her out, they put her in an animal carrier, which was really more like a box with some air holes in it. The shelter was only 20 minutes from our house, but the highway ramp was blocked, and the detour was terrible, and we ended up driving around downtown for almost an hour with a crazed kitten on our hands. It was really my fault. I am a sap for meowing it seems, and I let her out of the box so I could hold her. Bad idea! She just hated the moving car. Then after about 15 minutes of struggle, I finally got her back in the box, and she meowed and scratched even harder! It was somewhat terrifying to watch all those needle like claws frantically trying to tear apart all the air holes.


But when when the car stopped, she got all still, and we set the box in the living room for a minute and let her out. She lept out of the box, purring enthusiastically and became the most friendly, curious, happy furry thing, I have ever seen. Our house was immediatly her playground.


Annie, just didn't seem like it should be her name. We tried Daisy out, and that didn't stick either. Then I thought of Boo, (from Monsters Inc.) which made Seth think of Scout, from "To Kill A Mockingbird." It was perfect! She is definately a Scout. She is so much like the curious little girl in that story, so that will be her name.

We really need to find a way for her to start liking to scratch her scratching post instead of the furniture. If anyone has any suggestions. We could sure use some help! But she has a great time chasing things like imaginary things, her tail, hair ties, bottle caps, and string. And I can already tell she has a knack for getting into mischief. This morning while I was eating breakfast, she kept on jumping onto the table, I kept putting her on the ground, and then she did it again, and held onto the placemat knocking all my milk onto herself, me, the table, my scriptures, the chair and the floor. She seemed pretty happy lapping the milk up off the floor. We'll have to work on that.

Last night we watch a movie, and she cuddled up with us on the couch, and took a nap while purring loudly the whole time. But then when we wanted to go to bed, she wanted to play. We'll have to figure this one out. It seems as though I am going to have my own furry little alarm clock. She meowed, and meowed, so I let her in our room, and she proceded to walk all over my head, chasing every movement of my sheets, my hair, and everything else. But when I sit down on the big lounge chair for a while, she comes over to the big brown fuzzy blanket she loves, and the following is her routine.

Scout has been purring ever since she got into the house. Seth thought her purr box might break if she keeps going like she is. It seems like she is really happy to be with us, and we are happy to have her.

Still going

Well, I don't have the time to post pictures but, I figured it would be good to try and keep posting at least once a week. I would just like to thank all of you who commented on my last post, and all posts. I can't tell you how happy it makes me! I appreciate all of you who check my blog, and it just makes my day when you leave a comment.

First of all, Seth and I had a nice long weekend. We got to go down to Columbus, and attend the temple, stay with my Aunts Laura and Candi, and visit my Grandparents. My Grandpa gave us the rundown about a lot of my ancestors, and gave us pedigree charts, and pictures, and articles to help me get started on my family history for that side. It was fascinating to me. It turns out that all of the ancestors from my Father's side lived in Cleveland after they came to America! Crazy, huh! I have felt a connection to Cleveland, and I like it here. It turns out that I have ancestors buried in cemetaries just a few minutes away from our home. I am very excited to learn more about them.
We had a lot of fun with Laura and Candi playing the Wii Fit. I think it is a wonderful program, and we are considering investing in it because it will help us excercize, together even, and have fun doing it. We are very comepetative, and the Wii fit games helps to push us because we want to beat each other. We also had a Euker marathon Tournament between me and Laura against Seth and Candi. Laura and I won almost every game, and it seems we have developed quite the rivalry.

This isn't related to anything, but I really like this song. It helps calm me down, and it is very peaceful. It's by Brooke Fraser, called, "The Thief."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LxVh9WPiJI

Seth and I have been having the most terrible troubles with Alltel, our former cell phone provider. We have been tricked and swindled by them. They have taken advantage of us, and I have never felt more used by a company in my life! I will add more details later when we get further into our fight for redress, but until then, I urge anyone not to sign with such an uncaring, and fraudulent company.

I have been practising the piano just about every day now for 45 min. to an hour. I have really enjoyed it, and teaching myself hasn't been too bad. The 9 years of playing the cello, and singing in the choir most of my life has really helped me to know enough to read the notes, and it's just a matter of practice. I really have the motivation to practice, that I didn't have when I was 9. I want music to be a big part of my family now like it was when I was growing up. I want to play the piano, and have all the kids, and Seth gather around to sing hym ns, and Christmas songs. I have a lot of work to do, but I am really making progress. I can now play (well enough to have people sing along) 25 songs in the simple hymn book. It is a great book to get me started.

It amazes me at how our economy, and even our country has taken a terrible turn downhill in such a short amount of time. There are companies failing, cheating, laying off all employees. The stock market is to say the least, not doing well at all. One year ago, I never could have believed that all this would happen. But listening to President Obama's inaugural address really inspired me. I don't support some of his policies, and don't agree with all of his tactics, but he sure is a good speaker, and I hope that he can help unite us as one nation under God. I hope that all the words from his address (whether he wrote it, or not) will come true as we work together as a people for a better world. I know that the only way we can do that is with the Lord's help, and I pray for it every day. If you haven't seen the address. You should watch it. Follow the link below to watch the 20 minute address.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4

Happy New Year!

Well, I know it has been forever, and ever since I've posted. I guess I've been a little discouraged because I don't thing more than 2 people actually reads my blog when I do post. But, I guess there are other reasons to blog. But as an update, we are doing just fine here. We had a lovely time with our family for the holidays. Seth's job is going well, and we think his job is pretty safe. I have finally found a really good doctor for once, and I think that my health is going to start getting better in the near future. So that is something to really look forward too. We are going to go kitten shopping when we get the house done, so that is a great incentive! I'm really excited about it. We are getting really close do being done painting our house, we are on the trim, and doors. Once I get the painting done, I am going to start posting long awaited pics of the house, and the holidays, etc. So stay posted. More blogging coming soon!