August 2024

It was a rough month. 

Ally started the month with volleyball camp. But on the morning of the first day she got hit in the head with a ball. Concussion. Her 3rd in 16 months. She was in rough shape for the first week post concussion. The second week she was a little better and attended a college application workshop at her high school. She saw a specialist who is following Ally closely to monitor how her brain heals.

The kitten brothers were still with us. And they provided lots of joy. 







Ally got a lash lift. It’s like a perm for eyelashes so they stay curled. 





Haircut! 

Becky made eclairs. 





But Becky’s knee continued to bother her. She had an MRI and her meniscus is torn, she has also a Baker’s cyst and osteoarthritis which is likely cause of it all. So Beth and I decided we should get Becky a recliner. 

We had a store credit in Becky’s name, so Beth became Becky so we could use the credit. It is spooky how much alike they can look. 

In searching for a recliner, we actually bought a new sectional!

Came home with this recliner. But we returned it. We decided it did not work in our space. 

It was a fun day shopping and adventuring with Beth and Ally.

The kittens are getting big.

The new sectional was delivered. We consigned our 2 couches and chair. So we are still looking for a chair/recliner and the right coffee table/ottoman situation. 

This is the before of the living room.


Cloey likes the new sectional

Ally got her nails done. And her hands were featured on the salon’s Instagram page. Forget to get an after. This is before.

Mommy and Ally selfie to round out the month.

July 15-31 2024

July. Thank goodness for the kittens. And our 3 permanent pets.

These two cats bring a smile to Ally’s face everyday. 

Sophocles and his mom came to meet the kittens one night.

Becky as a Pug-Centaur or maybe it’s Cloey as one?

We went with Beth to see the new Twister movie. Ally decided to stay home with the foster kittens. She texted me during the movie about Biden withdrawing from the race and some kitten antics. 



We said goodbye to Teddy. We did our job and she learned than humans are good. She was spayed and adopted out the very next day.

There was an Art show displaying Ally’s work from her class. It’s all I asked for my birthday was that she go with me to see it. 

And bonus was the selfie she took with me. 

Two of my oldest friends were in town. Scott and Matt. We got together for dinner with their wives Camilla and Mimi.





Becky did not come with us because her parents came for the weekend. Clearly Dave is a fan of kittens.



We did a family birthday celebration the next night.


It was a lovely visit and a great birthday. Here’s to year 51!

First half of July 2024

It’s been a very hot July. We’re are so glad we have AC in our house.  We’ve been busy with college visits, medical appointments, work for July & Ally and volunteering. 

UConn College Tour 90+ degrees. 

Cloey is not a fan of the 4th of July. But she was very happy to sit on Beth’s lap while Becky grilled a feast for dinner.


Family selfie on the 4th.

Mornings are the best time on our little deck.

Ally couldn’t take the basement clutter anymore and spent several hours organizing Becky’s sewing supplies. Cloey was not a very big help.


We met up with Guat Girls at Rosa’s community pool.

Ally worked at her gym job last week.

And we finally got a foster kitten. This sweet dark brown kitten needs to learn to like people. The shelter separated her from her sisters and mom because as a group they were hissing and biting humans. Solo she is still pretty fearful but lets us hold her and pet her. 


We named her Teddy because she looks like a bear.

Teddy will probably stay with us for 2 weeks.

Daisy is still Daisy. She’s who gave us so much experience in how to socialize a kitten. 

Then Friday the shelter put out a request for someone to come pick up 2 tiny two week old kittens. I figure we could manage them in addition to Teddy.

They are so tiny. And just learning how to eat solid food.



Ally and I went to Marist college for a tour on another 90 degree day. Long drive over 8 hours round trip. Becky stayed home to care for all the kittens.

They are not very good at eating.



But they are really good at looking adorable.