Rainbow Bridge

We got Blue's ashes back from the vet. The certificate had the most saccharine poem on the back titled "Rainbow Bridge". Written by an 8 year old, or a barely literate crazy cat lady, it's all about meeting your long lost pets in heaven. I mean really and truly - we're talking Hallmark card quality crap. I burst right into tears after reading it. Oy vey.

We might have to hold off on finding a new sibling for Tama. The SPCA has no kittens because it isn't "the season". I wasn't aware there was a season for kittens, but it looks like we'll have to wait a few weeks or a month. I'm not as worried about Tama as I was even a day or two ago - he wouldn't leave our sides for the last few days but today he seemed much more normal.

Election time

It's election time here in Auckland. It's a really big deal, as all of the local townships around the city recently merged to form a Super City. It's changing everything, although I admit that I haven't been paying nearly as much attention to it as I should.

Some of the big issues facing the next mayor include taxes, public transport, the Harbour Bridge, and what the hell Auckland intends to do for the throngs of people coming here for the Rugby World Cup. It should be an interesting race.

I've been at home for the last two days with yet another horrendous head cold. I went in on Monday and revolted my coworkers with endless coughing fits. On the bus home, I sat in the way back to minimize bothering the other passengers as I coughed and hacked from Auckland, over the Harbour Bridge, through Northcote Point, past Birkenhead, and finally home.

Iain's delicious hot toddies aren't cutting it, nor is the codeine I had leftover from foot surgery. Last night was so bad I stopped talking altogether and wrote to Iain on a whiteboard: "I'm still hungry." ; "I'd rather watch 30 Rock." ; "We've seen this episode." ; "How were your meetings?" ; "Where's Tama?"

For two nights I've kept Iain awake with my constant coughing. Last night we were going to set him up in the guest room with the Aerobed, but totally forgot forgot. This prompted Iain to say the words every wife longs to hear: "Well, I might as well sleep with you tonight since I forgot to make other arrangements."

Blue

We had to say goodbye to our beautiful boy yesterday. The vet said his breathing trouble was a sign of the end, and we didn't want it to get any worse. We are so thankful that we were given almost four more months after his horrible seizure in June, and relieved that he did not suffer.

Blue was found by my sister over 4th of July weekend 1997 in the engine of a car in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He came with me back to Buffalo, then on to Philadelphia and eventually to New Zealand. He's been with me through 10 apartments and houses, 3 cities, 2 countries, 4 cats, and 7 jobs. In NZ he was finally allowed to be an outside cat and spent his last last three years chasing other cats, climbing trees, and lying in the sun. He had a pretty adventurous life for a kitty.

Tama really misses his big brother, and hasn't left us alone. Last night, we toasted Blue with a bottle of champagne and both had a little cry (ok, I had a big cry). Next weekend I think we'll make a visit to the SPCA to see if we can't find a new sibling for Tama, but we'll miss our "engine kitty".

Saturday

New Zealand was supposed to have been hit with a storm "the size of Australia" yesterday. Apart from some really crazy rain and a bit of wind, everything in Auckland is status quo this morning. I was on the bus home last night when the torrential downpour and wind began. I stepped off the bus with my soon-to -be-turned-inside-out umbrella and braced myself for the walk home, when I spotted Iain waiting for me in our car! We drove home to a delish meal of spaghetti carbonara.

Today we're taking Blue to the vets -- his breathing has gotten labored with even the mildest exertion. He's also losing weight quickly and we think he doesn't have long to go. I am still so thankful that we got these four months with him. We'll just have to see what the vets says. He still seems really happy, though, and even chased a kitty who wandered into our yard.

After we return from the vets it's off to Hallertau with new parents Sarah and Sean.

Mississippi Baby Squirrel Adopted By Mother Cat Learns How to Purr

This is from Alex Arnold's Facebook page and is the ridiculously cutest thing I've EVER seen.

USA! USA! USA!

Thanks to Facebook most of you know that I was in the US for two weeks, getting my annual Target fix, plus enjoying other "must dos" like rare hamburgers, Greek food, Oprah magazines, having a decent cocktail, and indulging in lots of my mom's cooking.

There were a few downers. I left 2 bracelets at the LAX security checkpoint and didn't notice they were missing until I was in Charlotte. It took my mom and I about 34 threatening phone calls and 5 days to get them back. We were on the phone at least 15 minutes every day, leaving voicemails, getting transferred to different departments, hearing a different story every time. There's a number to call for Lost and Found, but it's voicemail and they never ever ever ever ever call you back. I called so much I was like, "Hey, yeah, it's me again."

The whole ordeal culminated in my mom going right to the head of HR to demand to speak to the head of security. This was on day 5. I received a humble callback from some chick named Patricia. What's interesting is that I'd already left Patricia 3 messages, each time growing more and more frantic ("PLEASE call me back!!"). Danielle said that I sounded like Liz Lemon. I guess when Patricia's boss got involved, she rang me back immediately and was all, "How can I help you?" Horrible. But the bracelets are back and I've learned a very valuable lesson: take off all of your jewelry before flying.

The rest of the trip was pretty fabulous. A lot of relaxing, a lot of visiting, a lot of eating. While I was sipping Veuve on my parents' lovely patio, poor Iain was back home dealing with a fender bender and a flea infestation. Poor guy. This year we've got some fun New Zealand travel lined up for the both of us.

Here are two cool pictures of my fam - the rest are all on Facebook.

OH: I learned another valuable travel lesson. When you can, purchase the day passes to the airport lounges. For $40US, I booked a day pass to the USAIrways Club lounges. I had 24 hour access in any airport, so I was good to go for Buffalo, Charlotte, and finally LA. It was a godsend. Free wifi, comfy chairs, a clean bathroom, it's QUIET, and you get a free glass of wine and/or free water, coffee, tea, etc.

Spring!!!!

September 1 marked the start of spring here in New Zealand. It was pretty awesome coming back from my trip to the USA and enjoying lighter mornings, less rain, and longer days. And I was only gone for 2 weeks! Daylight savings is approaching and I can't wait. In another month or two this beach will be stunning.

I loved our house this winter - central heating, insulation, and all the normal modern amenities Kiwis still don't have in most homes - but I cannot WAIT for summer. Our backyard and our pergola scream for a Saturday afternoon BBQ with the cats.