Congratulations to Ken and Marqueta on the arrival of baby Rose! Another girl! We have a lot in common - I have three older sister's too. It'll never be boring, that's for sure. I hope you have enough bathrooms and phones in the house.

We're getting a puppy! A litte yellow lab. Our name came up next on the Guiding Eyes for the Blind list that I've been on for over 13 months, and they called me last week. I don't know yet if it's going to be a boy or a girl, but it could be here as soon as Feb. 4th, or if not, then some time in March. I'm excited. And a little uptight, too, about how it's all going to work out with Rachel, and my cats, and all that - but I'm optimistic that it's gonna be okay.

Hopefully soon Kirby's next book will be out, which will be another new beginning.

And last night, we caught a mouse in our kitchen and released him, so he got another beginning. Of course, it's in 2 ft of snow, but he'll have to find some other place to live. Probably right back in my kitchen, right? Better not! heh heh. Goes to show you what good cats I have. Maybe it's time for a new kitten, too. Nah. I'm actually kinda tired of cleaning out that litter box. And I found the owner of that black and white tuxedo cat - they're our new neighbors who just moved in. Whew!

This is the first winter that Rich hasn't gotten bronchitis - another huge new begining. And none of us are sick, either. This is a first! I'm so psyched! I know I'm jinxing myself because the dreaded puke virus is rampant. I am totally keeping my fingers crossed. Hope everyone out there is in good health and staying warm. It's FREEZING here!

Gina

p.s. I have to ask - would anybody mind if I didn't do the birthday rounds this year? There's probably a good chance that I could do them, but I'd feel bad if I missed anyone by accident because I think life is about to get crazy soon for me. I will do Kirby's, especially because he's turning 40 this year, and I certainly can't miss that milestone :) ha ha. We'll have to roast him for sure when that time comes. Help - I've fallen - and I can't get up! hee hee.

You mean that I would have to go without a Gina-birthday
wish this September?! No way, girl. But if you must, you
must. I'll give you a pass for this year but you better get back to work on BD's in 06. Did you live trap the mouse? You gotta use those spring-loaded guillotines on
the pesky rodents.

Dave

Oh man! Dave, have you been talking to my mother? She can guilt me into anything! Must be that parent thing. Ohhh, I'll try with the birthdays. Now you put the pressure on me.

Yes, I did live trap the mouse. Those metal cage hav-a-hart traps work great every time, and I was shocked at how perfect it worked in my house, because this little sucker could have certainly had his pickings anywhere in my kitchen. There is TONS of stuff for him to eat, between tthe crumbs under the table or anything in the snack cabinet. I never dreamed he'd fall for the little dab of peanut butter on the trap when 8" away, he could be eating mixed grill out of the catfood bowl. My cats are so dumb and decrepit they'd have shared it with him. He was only there for a couple of days at best, but he sure was portly. He was a cute round ball with a tail, but he repulsed me just the same, leaving all those droppings and that stench. Caused me a lot of work cleaning everything, he did! He was like a little ghost. The first night, I had an empty garbage bag, and I threw a few pieces of bread crust in it that the kids didn't eat. The next morning, the bread crust was right outside the bag on the floor. I was sorta surprised that maybe I missed getting them in the bag and accidentally threw them on the floor without noticing, which wouldn't be like me, but anything's possible. Then at breakfast, I opened a drawer the get the baby a bib, and there were a lot of droppings in there and it made me gag. So, that explained the bread crust. Every time I opened a drawer or a cabinet, I thought I'd see him scurrying, and I was freaked out. That night when I went to sleep, I imagined a little mouse running across my forehead because our room is close by the kitchen. EEK! But, the next morning, he was safe and sound in the trap. WHEW! The amazing thing was how he got 8 bread crusts out of the bottom of the garbage bag perfectly next to eachother on the floor. Did he throw them over the top? Did he cling to the sides of the bag and climb vertically up and down 8 times in that one night? How did he even squeeze himself into the garbage cabinet? He was amazing. I hope WAS is a safe word to use :)
G