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Welcome, Baxter!
It’s been over a year since our Chelsea girl crossed over to the rainbow bridge. Our hearts have been open to adopting another dog. I wanted a female. Short haired. Small dog. And then, I saw this picture on Facebook. Bosco was his name. No, no, no! I thought, he looks like a lab mix. A big dog. A boy dog. Resist! I kept seeing his picture. This was posted on October 1, 2016. Look at that sad face! Then, I did a dangerous thing. I went out to the rescue to meet him on Monday, October 10, 2016. The next day, I brought my husband back to meet him. We found out then that his birthday is May 20, 2016. May 20 is also the birthday of one of our very dear friends. And that, my friends, is when Bosco became...
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T-Mobile & Channeling My Inner B
I am, but most accounts, a pretty happy and optimistic person. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. BUT….you knew there would be a “but”….. Sometimes some thing happens that makes that inner bitch in me come out. The one sure-fire way to make that happen is to lie to me. To tell me an untruth. To feed me some completely bogus, BS line of crap. And that, my friends, is what happened today. It all started when my goofy cell phone, an LG G4, decided to get stuck in a reboot loop. For you non-techy types, that means that that phone would begin to turn on, I would see the LG and T-Mobile logos and then a flash of the phone home screen..and then BAM! Right back to the LG logo. No big deal. The phone is 10 days shy of 5 months old. Still under complete warranty. I go off to my local T-Mobile shop, located 2.7 miles from my house. Note that distance, it will be important later in this story. I love this shop because the people working there truly do their best to help their customers. My first service representative told me that with the good warranty I have my best option is to call their service number and they will send a new phone directly to my house. That’s what I did. I went out to my car and called T-Mobile from another phone. And then it all went down hill. Fast. The T-Mobile service representative on the phone, Michelle, asked for my address and then said it would be delivered on Friday. Whew, I said, that is fast! I was happy! For two seconds….. Michelle then said T-Mobile would send it to a retail location rather than my home. I was okay with that….until she gave me my options. The two options she gave me were 205 W. 87th Street, in Chicago (11.4 to 15.5 miles from my home, depending on the route) or 51st and Pulaski, in Chicago (just over 10 miles from my home). Remember, my LOCAL store is 2.7 miles from my home. In a relatively safe neighborhood. The two options she gave me, not so much. I told her that this policy is crazy and that my warranty documents state a...
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Celebrating 58
On May 10, 1958, my parents tied the knot. The rest, as they say, is history! For their 50th in 2008, I made this video as their gift. They received a special blessing at our church at the 4 o’clock Mass. Afterwards family and friends gathered at their old home for a celebration. (Read more about the Mass here: http://www.crazycatladymews.com/2012/05/10/it-all-started-with-a-dance/) Even though Dad...
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Babies, Bongos and Remembering Dad
Although it is a week into January, this Christmas season keeps on giving! My “present” this Epiphany week came not from the Three Wise Men but instead came from our two grandsons when they were visiting with their parents (our son, Jeff, and his wife, Kristi) as we celebrated Jeff’s birthday. Several weeks before Christmas, I was at my parents old house and discovered that my dad’s old bongo drums were in danger of either getting thrown out...
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Advent Begins!
Symbolizing eternal hope, the wreath goes ’round and ’round, And where it starts or ends cannot be found. Woven of things that grow – for life, and hung for holiday delight, The wreath must be left in place From Advent through Twelfth Night. ~Unknown Today is the first day of Advent – a time of anticipation, darkness and preparation. While we are shopping for the perfect gifts, baking the delicious cookies, cleaning and decorating the house, let...
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Facecrooks: Every Facebook User Should Check It Out...
I love using Facebook. I enjoy sharing information with my friends on it. I like catching up with family and old chums. And yes, I even like to engage in some political and religious debates on it. I use information from a website called Facecrooks to help me sort through the changes Facebook seems to continuously make to user account functionality as well as the many scams that seem to get posted – and reposted – on Faceook....
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It’s Not Too Late and You’re Not Too Old!...
“You will never be able to leave that dog alone with your pet rabbit,” said the Veterinarian. She had spoken those words to me on the day my husband and I adopted a 3-year-old greyhound we named, Rosie. I often receive calls from adults who have received a new electronics device and are convinced they are either too old to learn something new or that it is too late for them to bother learning how to operate this...
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If I have Windows, does that mean I have an Office (Suite)?...
When I purchased my first computer, back in the last century, it came preinstalled with quite a lot of useful software applications. Of course, it had an operating system (or OS). That OS was Windows 95. Over the past 18 years, there have been many new versions of the Windows Operating System, with the most recent being Windows 8. Windows 10 is due to be released soon. (All new versions were supposed to have done away with all...
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Nemo Update
Nemo is now almost a year and a half old! He is still the darling of the house, but is also like a “bratty teenager” now! Like our other felines, he spends the afternoons either asleep on our bed or he is perched on my desk, peering out the window! 2/15/15 2/15/15 – the afternoon kitty convention 2/20/15 – Nemo loves to help organize 2/25/15 – Nemo, pestering Dexter 2/25/15 – Begging 2/27/15 This...
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Now, the Work of Christmas Begins
When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and the princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flocks, The work of Christmas begins ~Howard Thurman Today, at Mass we read about the Baptism of Christ Jesus. This is the time when I usually take down our Christmas decorations and pack them away until the coming December. It is usually a very sad time for me,...
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Epiphany
And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
It’s That Important
I don’t usually share other people’s YouTube videos, but I think this one is That Important. It’s not just teens. Every day I am out there driving I see people of all ages talking or texting. You are NOT more important than the other people on the road. STOP IT...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Smile!
April 3, 2014. As young Nemo quickly approaches his 6-month birthday, he still manages to do something cute several times a day. Today, he decided to enjoy an empty Cheerios box. Some of our other pets decided to check out what he was doing. First, Ellie Mae came to see what was going on. Next, Zecora got in the act. Even Chelsea, our oldest dog, had to see what was happening. Smile! Young Nemo…peeking out… Here…....
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Nemo on Valentines Day
February 14, 2014. Nemo shares a little love with his pup,...
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Nemo: 14-weeks-old
January 11, 2014. I did not have original intentions to keep posting about Nemo and how many weeks old he is, however, it is hard to resist doing so when it annoys my oldest brother. So, here it is: Nemo is 14-weeks-old today! He continues to be a sweet cuddly kitten. He spends his days annoying the other cats, chasing the dogs tails or sleeping on my lap. Below, enjoy a few other photos of Nemo from the...
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Nemo: Helps Me Help Other Kittens
January 11, 2014. It is hard to believe that our young Nemo is now 14-weeks-old! When I brought him home in October, I did not expect that we would adopt him. However, as the weeks went by, it became clear that Nemo had, in fact, adopted us. At his last veterinarian visit, Nemo weighed 3 pounds 11 ounces. That is a far cry from the couple of ounces he weighed on the day he was brought to Catvando...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo: 3-months-old
January 5, 2014. Nemo is 3-months-old today!
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Late Night Buddies
December 29, 2013. Kelly and Nemo – hangout on the dog...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo: 12-Weeks-Old
December 28 , 2013. It is hard to believe that young Nemo is already 12-week-old! He is now able to leap onto chairs and small tables. He climbs onto our bed for afternoon catnaps. And, he still loves playing in the...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo: 8.5 Weeks
December 3, 2013. At 8.5 weeks old, Nemo is exploring more of our home every day. He is very brave and will stand up to the other cats and the dogs. Nemo is quite the climber and gymnast. Just a few short weeks ago, he would barely notice the small scratch post. Now, he climbs on top of it! Nemo, relaxing on our bed with the other felines, watches me from across the...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
You Might Have a Kitten
When you have no small children or teenagers living at home, and you have to say: Get out of the refrigerator, you might have a kitten. Get out of the dishwasher, you might have a kitten. Get out of my sock drawer, you might have a kitten. Get out of my laundry basket, you might have a kitten. Get off of my keyboard, you might have a kitten. Get off of the bookshelf, you might have a...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
A Little Effort Can Make a Difference...
Today, another example of what happens when someone meets with something unusual in their daily work. We have all had that happen: we are going along, doing our job in the usual manner. Then, BAM! Something happens that requires a little bit of critical thinking, perhaps even a small amount of problem solving. We have had this Mailpost mailbox for almost ten years now. It is clearly labeled with the word “Mailpost.” And, yes, it is a regulation...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 30
November 30, 2013. Today, I am thankful that this challenge gave me incentive to reflect daily on my life. From little things to big things, I can always find something to be grateful for. I am also thankful that this challenge gave me a chance to get back into the routine of daily journaling and reflection. With November wrapping up today, it is time to head into the “most wonderful time of the year.” I will continue to...
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November Thankful Challenge Day 29
November 29, 2013. Black Friday. Today, I am thankful that I am not one of the millions of people who work in retail. I am also not shopping. What are you thankful for today? ...
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Nemo: Crazy on Thanksgiving
November 28, 2013. Happy Thanksgiving to all! This morning, it was tricky to get a good photo of young Nemo because he was so crazy active! Enjoy the video below!...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 28
November 28, 2013. A Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers! While the retailers would have us all thinking about tomorrow and worrying that there are less than four weeks to shop for Christmas, I prefer to spend this day being mindful that we are able to share this day with family and friends because so many of our men and women are serving in our military. I am thankful for their sacrifices. What are you...
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November Thankful Challenge Day 27
November 27, 2013. I do write quite a bit about cats – after all, I am a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady! However, I also have great appreciation for my canine furbabies. Their many years of faithful service have kept our floors clean of any dropped food from the humans who dine in our kitchen. Today, I am thankful for them! What are you thankful for today?...