Additions to the Family

News flash about the Sherer Family - we've had twins!

Yes - Michael recently found out that the young lady who accused him of fathering her twins that were born last December was right - DNA proved it. So twin granddaughters that we've never met are suddenly connected to us. We're still sorting through the ramifications... and it's getting close to their birthday! That makes a total of 5 grandchildren for Scott & Sue - a good start. We once told our three kids that we didn't want more than a dozen grandkids, and they all freaked out and said they weren't planning on have four apiece. Well, Michael is almost there already!

The newest addition is little Gypsy, our petite grey kitty we adopted from a rescue. She had been found about a year ago, pregnant and hungry - about six months old. After being cared for her during her pregnancy, she threw a small litter and nursed them tenderly, with coaching from another mother cat with new kittens. The rescue home had her spayed and got her shots and all the health care she needed, then we were lucky enough to be ready at the same time she was.

At first, we thought her name would be Nefertiti, since she is quite petite, regal and exotic looking. But the nickname of Titi was too easy to, uh, mispronounce. Gypsy is a name that fits her as well, and she seems to like it!

She's made herself quite at home on our cat tree after prowling every corner of the house. We're sure she is missing her babies and the rest of her kitty clan, but she is warming up to all the many folks in and out of the Sherer house. It's nice to have a little bundle of fur curled up on my lap again.

Thank you Lord, for giving us kitties!

A Brief Prayer

Dear heavenly Father,

You've granted me all of the joys of being a Grandmother, surrounded with delightful blessings at every turn. Please consider granting a special request to me and all other grandmothers... Let us love on our grandbabies when they are sick, providing them with comfort and snuggles, and keep us safe from their germs!

Thank you, (ah-choo!) Amen!

2010!

I can't believe it's already here! Seems we were just getting ready for the new millenium, and suddenly it's ten years later! Amazing...

Well, Happy New Year, everyone! May this year be filled with joy and peace: in your heart, in your home, in your community, in our nation, and in the whole world!

Cat Dreams

I dreamed of Licorice again last night.

It was just a normal-seeming moment: as I watched my big, fluffy Misty pop in through the cat door, she was followed by her sleek black sister, Licorice. I exclaimed to Misty, "You brought your sister home for Christmas!" and they both just stared at me with silly, cheerful, kitty grins on their faces. It was one of those dreams that was so realistic, I believed it was true!

When I woke up this morning, I was painfully disappointed to find that it was just a dream - again. And Misty was too. She's sitting on my lap now, purring and reaching her paws out to my hands and wrists trying to get me to stop typing, and pet her! I wonder if she had the same dream. I wonder if she's still missing her sister too. Normally, she's very independent - content to sit beside me and snore while I'm sitting at my desk. But this morning as I retrieved the newspaper, got my cup of tea and settled down to relax a few minutes, she hasn't wanted to leave my side - or my lap!

Certainly cats dream - anyone can tell you silly stories of their cats' paws twitching as they dream of chasing mice or birds. And certainly cats are sympathetic - always the first to offer comfort when you're feeling sick or blue. But is it possible they can share their dreams with their people? She was so happy in my dream - it's been 6 months since her sweet sister, Licorice, disappeared (courtesy of the bald eagle that lives nearby) - is it possible she still dreams her sister will come home?

Maybe she's just getting old, and the cold outside made her seek out the warmth of my lap... maybe. Maybe I'm just getting old, and wanted to fill that empty spot in my heart with my silky black, beautiful Licorice.

But maybe, just maybe, our Licorice-ster little-sister visited us in our dreams to bring us a spot of Christmas joy!

First Monday Back to Work!

Well, it's been my first Monday back to work since August - my forced vacation lasted exactly 4 months. I've found a new position, and it seems to be working out great. Just today, I overheard two of the other employees chatting about how much work I was getting done. I think they had feared their newbie would need lots of training!

So, now I am working as Office Manager/Bookkeeper for a small CPA firm called Schram & Associates, located quite close to home in Covington. We have a handful of friendly employees, and a solid and growing client base. The firm handles personal and business income taxes as well as offering ongoing business accounting services - really a full service company! Do you know anyone looking for a new tax preparer? Give me a buzz and I will hook you up!

I was hoping that being back to work would be like a magic wand in lifting my melacholy... but then I remembered that I was feeling a bit despondent before the layoff! Today, it was back to the old pattern of coming home to a messy house (except the kitchen, which I suspect hadn't been used all day) with two lumps camped out on the couch and a toddler in yesterday's dirty clothes putting around in a pile of toys and books scattered about the living room floor. Add to that the stalled Christmas decorating, and it was overwhelming just coming through the door. Scotty says I just need to get over it... right.

So, I will continue in this new pattern and find a new rhythm to my days. I'm sure there's a light at the end of the tunnel - I just hope it isn't another oncoming train!

The brief snow we had last week was a peaceful reminder that God is in charge in all seasons of life. I just need to remember His blessings and focus on the bright side!