R.I.P Dad

Work has slowed down, but I still haven't posted this year.  This is because two weeks ago my dad passed away.  Now, I know everyone will want to share their condolences, but this was a good thing and we are celebrating his life.

About 10 years ago my dad started showing signs of Alzheimer's Disease.  He did fine till about two years ago when he started wandering.  Then a year ago, he started not wanting to be out of the sight of my mom, afraid that if he didn't see her, he would be lost.  At this point with the disease, most of what made my dad my dad was gone.  He no longer spoke as he did not remember words.  Growing up, my dad never even thought about raising a hand to anyone, but when he was scared or didn't get what he wanted he threatened violence.  Then a few months ago he stopped getting out of bed.  He would wake up and my mom or their nurse would give him some food and drink and he would go back to sleep.  This is why it was a good thing.

Knowing my dad is gone is sad, but he had been slipping away slowly.  I have had the time to grieve over the last couple of years and now it's time to celebrate his life.  He is no longer in pain.  My mom no longer has to worry about him and take care of him 24/7.

I was able to spend time with him over the holidays.  He was awake when I called to say Happy New Years.  It was nice that he made it into 2019.  My mom thinks he was holding on for the New Year so that she would get the tax benefit (he worked for the IRS and was a true tax man).  Yesterday we said good-bye to him for the final time.  It was sad that I will no longer see him.  My mom and I shared some pictures and remembered the good times.

My dad helping me hang my stocking.

 

My dad and me at Niagara Falls.

Mom and Dad at Animal Kingdom.

Dad at winery Virginia Winery.

Mom, Dad, my uncle and aunt, and me in Denver for Christmas two years ago.

Don't be sad for me.  Be happy that I was able to have many years with such a great dad.  The last few years were hard as he slipped away and Alzheimer's took over.  But now he is in a better place.

Cat Stories - Zero (Friday Five Edition)

Since it was requested to have just a post of cat pictures, I thought I'd start a series of not just cat pictures, but cat stories.  I have tons and they are all over the place.


Fist is the story of Zero.

When I was in college, I moved out of my parents house and in with my boyfriend and a friend.  I had always had dogs growing up and we all agreed that we missed having a fuzzy friend around.  We also agreed that none of us had a schedule where we could guarantee a dog would be walked throughout the day.  And even though I was a dog person, I agreed to get a cat.

My boyfriend and I went to the local pet store and found this little black kitten.  He was so cute that we got him without a second thought.  He was my baby instantly.  When I first had him, I'd hold him on my chest and he would curl up in my hair.  Since then when I would go to bed, he would curl up in my hair and sleep right behind me.


My boyfriend named him and when I heard it I thought he said Zorro, which I thought was perfect since he was a black cat.  A few weeks later he corrected me and said that it was a name of some sci-fi character.


I only had him for 2 1/2 years, so I don't have as many stories about him.  He did love the bathroom.  If I was in the shower, he was on the tub ledge watching the water.  He would sleep in the sink all the time.  He was the sweetest boy.



Do you have a pet that does something weird or different from most pets? 

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

Cat Stories - Puss (Friday Five Edition)

Since it was requested to have just a post of cat pictures, I thought I'd start a series of not just cat pictures, but cat stories.  I have tons and they are all over the place.

First is the story of Puss.


Growing up we have always had dogs in the house.  I hated cats.  Well really I didn't know or understand them.  The summer before I went to college my brother brings home this kitten that his friend had given him.  Not really asking our parents, we had this kitten that I didn't want.  She had to stay in my brother's room because we had a big Samoyed at that time.


Since I was getting ready to go to college and had the bigger room, my parents were making me swap rooms with my brother.  My brother being the normal gross teenage boy, the room needed a scrub and new paint.  I was in there getting things ready to paint and this kitten played with a piece of plastic for an hour.  It was really so cute that it just totally changed my mind about cats.


My parent's lack of imagination gave the kitten the name of Puss.  She was with my parents for 20 years before she passed away.  She was my introduction to cats and I couldn't have had a better cat to do so.

(I looked and since this was before digital photos I couldn’t find any other photos of her).

Are you a dog or cat person (or both)?  Do you have any memories of a pet?

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0