Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 20
On this 20th day of November, I am thankful that our home, and those of many of our family and friends, were not damaged by the tornadoes and storms from this past Sunday. I also pray that those who lost loved ones, pets, homes and belongings may find the help that they need to recover from the many losses. What are you thankful for today?...
Read MorePosted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 19
On this 19th day of November, I am thankful for the many little things that bring happiness into my life: A funny message from one of my sons My husband scooping the litterboxes That phone call from a friend “just because” The wagging tail of my happy dogs The peaceful purring of my felines What are you thankful for today?...
Read MorePosted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 18
Today, I am thankful for non-drowsy cold medicine. That’s it! What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 17
On this 17th day of November, I am thankful for one of my favorite services: Netflix. Our household is one of the few that does not have cable television. Oh, yes, we did have it for a short time, but we found that we still ended up watching most programming from Netflix. I like being able to save a list of movies or shows that I want to watch at some future date. I enjoy watching programs that...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo: 6-weeks-old
November 16, 2013. Young Nemo is now 6-weeks-old and full of kitten spunk! Today, he climbed up one stair – and promptly turned around and came back down. He helped me put away the left overs in the fridge. He watched the big cats eat meat. And he ended the day…. ….by rolling around…. …. on his back…. …. all over the...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 16
Wow! It is already November 16! Today, I am thankful that all three of our sons have inherited so many of the good things that I love about their father: Love of family Resourcefulness Sound work ethic Tremendously off-beat sense of humor Mechanical inclination Even though these things may manifest differently in the sons than they do in the father, it does not matter. Each son has applied these traits in his own unique way, with the same...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 15
“What you see in the world around you is a reflection of who you are.” Today, on this 15th day of November, I am thankful that I make an effort every day to be happy and optimistic. I love that last line in this short story. I think it goes along with my view of seeing my glass as “half full.” On the days when I feel upbeat and positive, my world looks just that way. On the...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo : 5 weeks and 5 days old
November 14, 2013. Nemo is very active – he loves being with the other...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 14
Today, on the 14th of November, I am thankful for the ability to crochet. I learned how to crochet from my paternal grandmother, Elvira, and my cousin Kathy. Over the years I have made many items for those that I love. From scarves and shawls to afghans and curtains, there is something special about crafting something from a skein of yarn that someone I love will wear or use. What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 13
Today, on November 13, I am thankful for texting. My use of texting has evolved over the years. It began when our oldest son started taking classes at the local college. Since he was only 14, I had to drive him and pick him up. There were only 2 or 3 public phones on campus so my husband and I decided to get him a cell phone so he could use it to text us when he was...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 12
Today, I am thankful for being able to go through life with a “my glass is half full” mentality. I try to stay positive, no matter what is going on in my life. Bad things do happen. They even happen to good people. I believe that no matter what happens, there is something good in it. Of course, I may not see the “good” right away, but it is usually there. What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 11
Today, November 11, 2013, is Veterans Day. On this day, I thank all of the Veterans for protecting this great country. They are true heroes! What are you thankful for today? ~Karen P.S. For my local friends, check out the FREE 3-hour cleaning offer for Veterans from HAYS Cleaning, based in Hickory Hills,...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 10
Today, on the 10th of November, I am thankful for my church community of Sacred Heart. This parish is small, but the people there are so genuine. I also love the historical aspect of this church, which began as a French-Canadian mission. The mission has a reputation as a place of healing. To this day, a prayer list is read at every Mass, noting the names of the ill, the deceased and those in need of special intentions....
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 9
On this ninth day of November, I am thankful for all of my pets. When life gets crazy and I realize I cannot count on whatever plans I made (while God laughed), I find that I can count on my various pets to be there waiting for me. They are waiting for dinner, waiting for company, waiting for a gentle pat on the head. There is something pretty sweet about having a team of furbabies waiting to simply...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo: Gone to the Dogs
November 8, 2013. Nemo was a month old on November 5. I took these photos on November 8th. Nemo, and our dogs, Chelsea and Kelly, enjoy their play time together in our family room. The fun began when Nemo stalked Chelsea as she rested on her bed by our fireplace. Nemo did attempt to get onto the bed but never quite made it. After that little adventure, Nemo decided to “stalk” Kelly. Nemo and Chelsea Nemo and Chelsea...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 8
Today, on November 8th, I am thankful for my love of reading. This was passed on to me from both of my parents. There is something wonderful about curling up with a good book, transporting myself to another time and forgetting the noise of my busy life. What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo: Becoming Like the “Big Cats”...
November 7, 2013. Young Nemo is becoming more like the big cats every day! He is now using a litterbox and is starting to show interest in his “babycat” food. I am still bottle feeding him every day, but will be slowly weaning him from that after he turns six weeks old. Last night, I moved him into the big crate. There is enough room in there for his litterbox, along with a small house to...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 7
On this seventh day of November, I am thankful for our beautiful home. We bought our house just over 28 years ago. Then, it was merely a house. Together, my husband and I, along with our sons, and countless pets, have made our house a home. What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 6
On this sixth day of November, I am thankful for music. I love all kinds of music: classical, country, pop, dance and rock and roll. I love to listen to music. And, sometimes, I even like to play music on my piano or my flute. What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 5
On this fifth day of November, I am thankful for the changing of the seasons. Living in the Midwest, I get to experience everything from hot and humid sunny summer days to crisp fall mornings and snowy blizzards. Of course, living in the Chicago area, sometimes I get to experience all four seasons in one day! What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo: one-month-old!
November 5, 2013. Today, Nemo achieved two milestones. The first is he is one-month-old. The second – a successful sha-poopy in the litterbox! A morning snuggle with...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 4
Today, on this 4th day of November, I am very thankful for our speedy internet service. After recently spending two weeks out in the country, with internet speeds about as quick as a turtle runs, I will admit to being a city girl at heart, with respects to available technology. What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 3
On this third day of November, I am thankful for that extra one hour of sleep. I do hate that “falling back” makes the nights seem longer, but I rather enjoy that extra sleep time. Too bad it throws of the eating schedule of all the pets! What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo : 29-days-old
November 3,2013. Happy Sunday morning ! There is a whole lot of cuteness in this tiny kitten! It’s always a good morning for Nemo! Hello! Meow! Jethro watches Nemo groom himself Jethro is just making sure Nemo groomed himself well....
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo: 28-days-old
November 2, 2013. Nemo is 4-weeks old today! He is becoming more active and more interested in his surroundings every day. He is a regular visitor in our family room each evening, along with our other cats and dogs. While his presence has ruffled a few of their “feathers,” the other furbabies seem to take sharing their lives with him in stride. Nemo – 4 weeks old today! He likes sitting on the couch with...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 2
Today, I am thankful for the ability to return to my pilates and yoga exercises. I injured my neck, left shoulder and left arm earlier this year and it has been a long recovery. Thanks to a terrific chiropractor and massage therapist, I have most of my mobility back. That said, I will not be breaking up any tile floors in the near future! What are you thankful for today?...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
Nemo: 27-days-old
November 1, 2013. Nemo has really grown – both in size and personality. Early morning feeding Nemo drinks that kitten formula like a champ… …he always holds onto the bottle… Our little darling! 11/1/13 – Nothing says, “Good Morning” like waking up with a sweet, purring kitten. Little Nemo is growing – he’s about one foot long (including his tail) Nemo used to be about as long as this phone! Hmmmm…how do I make a call on...
Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland | 0 Comments
November Thankful Challenge Day 1
On this November 1st, I have seen this image pop up several times today on Facebook. I think I will rise to the challenge. Today, as always, I am thankful for my husband, David. He is a great husband, a dear friend, wonderful father and a man who knows what it means to be a hard worker. And, he loves puppies. And kittens. Especially the kittens. What are you thankful for today?...