Ah Cats! Those mysterious creatures that haunt the mythologies of the world. My two cats, Mocha and Pushkin, are as distinct as my human friends. Mocha is every bit the prissy female. She demands feeding, wants attention when you are in the bathroom, and is always underfoot, but she is a major love bug who purrs like a chainsaw. Pushkin, as his namesake, is a lover and an independent spirit. He is always willing to sleep with me, and wants to be loved and sit on your lap, but only on his terms. He is wary of changes, but travels well. Above, Mocha and Pushkin enjoy a rest in mother's sun room. Yes, all my cats are black. No I am not a witch (well, last quarter's students might think so...).
5/29/08
The cats are headed to Kansas! To avoid multiple moves (i.e. to Cincinnati in an apartment then into a house), the cats are going to head to Topeka to live with Shadow and Beau for a few months. I hope this isn't permanent. I will be lost without my little ones (but I guess giving them up is a small price to pay for getting Ben!)
4/4/07
Mocha update. Poor Mocha (well, stupid Mocha at any rate) got her collar stuck in the heating vent. After a fortunate rescue by Ben and Mark, she had to be taken to the vet because she had torn up her claws. Despite all the trauma, she is still complaining about the lack of food and sleeping on the vent. Some animals never learn.
5/15/07
Mocha and Pushkin are doing fine. Mocha is back to "normal" and Pushkin is still wanting to meet Suki, the dog upstairs. They both complain that I am not home enough.
7/16 Mocha is most upset about getting a new collar, but such is life. We are traveling soon and can't afford to be without one.
1/17/08 The cats are doing well, but poor Beau Ty, the dog, is having trouble with his liver. Right now, he is resting at the vet, but hopefully, he will be chasing rabbits again soon! |
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5/7/08 Successfully defended! Yeah! Now it is just a matter of time before I get everything done so that I can move on and start my job. It is exciting that now I can plan wedding things and prepare for the move. So many things have been put off! Suddenly, two months doesn't seem so long...
4/1/08 April Fool's Day is perhaps the perfect time to get engaged (after all, fool's rush in where angels fear to tread...). Ben asked me to marry him, and I gladly accepted!
1/17/08 A year after I dislocated my arm, I find I am in much the same position. I am working on research, trying to graduate, and trying to keep fit and stay warm! This quarter, I am a TA for biomedical engineering with Mark Johnson. It should keep me busy and on task. I am also working on finish my research. Ben and I are happily dating (more so since he doesn't have to rescue me)!
7/16 The surgery went very well. I now have a huge scar, but the pain is less and I am feeling a lot better. I still don't have much of the movement in my arm, but that should come back. I am headed to Colorado soon to work with Paul Papas then to Utah for a family vacation.
Benji is doing well, but as grad students we are always stressed to keep up with the research. His folks are coming this week to visit! It will be great to meet them.
5/24 New update: There is to be arm surgery in my future. On June 23, I go in for surgery on my arm to move my ulnar nerve. It shouldn't be too bad as far as surgeries go...
A good man is hard to find...
Benjamin Passty and I have been friends for most of grad school, but it wasn't until January that we finally got our act together and started dating. Since then, we have pretty much done exactly the same things we did before we called it dating, just more.
Ben is also a student at Northwestern, working on his Ph.D. in Economics. He loves dance (more than I do!), and is involved in the BLAST showcase this year. He has a great sense of humor, a wonderful smile, and is an incredibly caring and warm person!
5/15/07
Ben and I went to a conference in Florida at the beginning of May. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the many exciting things Florida had to offer including visiting Mickey and Minney in Epcot and spending time on the Space Coast. One of the highlights was the chance to meet several astronauts. |
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5/12/08 Adam graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a degree in criminal justice. That is so exciting! I am so proud of my little brother. He is an incredible kid and a very smart young man. This fall, he starts law school at Washburn in Topeka. Way to go bro!
1/17/08 The family is doing very well! We just got back from a trip to Disney World where we were able to spend some wonderful time together and celebrate our parents' anniversary.
I got to spend Christmas at home in Topeka, enjoying the time with my family, but not the snow and cold weather! Among the coolest Christmas presents: a Mickey sweater knitted by my mom!
It really isn't news to talk about my family, but since I love them at least as much as the cats, they should be mentioned here! In December of 2005, my parents, Jim and Diane, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and took my brother, Adam, and I with them on a Disney Cruise.
Currently, everyone is doing well. My grandmother, Ann (known affectionately as Nana) is living with them in their place in Topeka.
Sadly, my grandfather, Lowell Renner, passed away in January 2007. We will miss him greatly. He will always be remembered as a loving grandfather.
5/15/07
Adam is now officially a Senior (amazing--seems like just yesterday I was a senior in college!). He is working this summer for a law firm in Topeka.
7/16 Adam took the LSATs not long ago. I am so proud of him that he is working so hard. Mom and Dad are working to sort through all the stuff that has gathered at our house. I am thrilled that I'll see everyone soon, if only on the way to Colorado... |
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