The Light at the End of the Tunnel....

....Has been turned off due to the economy...and pay cuts, cost of living and on and on and on. However, I do believe I've been able to turn mine back on and it's growing a little bit brighter by the day. Through the advice of some very knowledgeable friends I have been able to take advantge of some of the "debt restructuring" opportunities in out in the world. By doing so, I'm managing to bring my life back into a reasonable balance after the massive pay cuts we received at the beginning of the month. I'm told by the time the project I'm working on at work winds down at the end of the year, the mortgage loan modification should be complete and in place so the massive amounts of overtime won't be necessary any more - good thing as it's probably going away anyway. Not only will I be able to afford the mortgage on my now-reduced salary, I'll have time to enjoy the things I've been stashing for that rainy day...nice. Time and a little bit of money - what a concept. So, there does really seem to be a light...hoping it isn't the train, but really is daylight heading my way...and that 2010 will be a better year.

Moving On

The last couple of months have been very challenging. Losing a beloved friend, health issues, challenges with employment being just a few. However, the more that happens, the more I keep finding out how resilient I am. Doesn't mean I'm not complaining about it to everyone who'll listen, not at all. ;) It just means that I've been able to survive it all a lot better than I have in the past, or that I thought possible in my own mind - Thanks, Lorraine! I'd attribute that to a wonderful host of friends and a fabulous support system. Thanks, all! Anyway, my point is, that through all of this going on, I've still been able to continue on that one big adventure: weight loss. And while the loss hasn't been big on the scale, it's been big in my mind. So, here's to letting go, moving on and moving up!

One Last Chessa Post

When we played with all the other cats Chessa wasn't interested until we brought over a wand with a long ribbon on it. I tried a few times to get her to play, but she didn't want to. One day when we were in the family room I tried again and Chessa was so funny! She was like a little kitten. She chased the ribbon and slid across the slippery wood floor. Candy and Sue said that was the first time Chessa had ever played like that. It made me feel good that I got her to play. She was so funny to watch!

Memories by Megan

I think what I would like to share most is something that happened at noon on the 27th (of July), the day she passed away. I had dozed off on the loveseat and I had a dream. I don't know where I was but I was sitting on a bench in a wide open area people-watching. I looked up and Chessa was coming toward me. She jumped up on the bench beside me and I started petting her as I always did. She purred so loud as she always did. She only stayed for a few minutes, then climbed up on my lap, licked my face and gave me a look I'd never seen from her before. Then she jumped down off the bench and walked away. I woke up instantly and went to check my email...Sue had emailed just 7 minutes before letting us know Chessa was gone. I like to think Chessa came to tell me good-bye before she went to her better place.

Memories by Gena

Sick of RUDE PEOPLE

What in the world ever happened to common courtesy? It surely isn't common any more. When someone said "thank you" the reply used to be "you're welcome." Now there IS no reply or even any kind or acknowledgement for the most part. Do people just not listen? Or don't they care enough to be bothered to respond? How did it get to this point? When did we all stop caring? Are we really all that self-centered and shallow?

Watch Out! Here I Come!

Through the sadness and heartbreak, the anger and frustration, the trampled and abused feelings, wonderful things still manage to find their way into our lives. Since Chessa passed and I received news of my pay-cut, life has seemed to spiral quickly down that never-ending drain, constantly gathering speed but only continually spinning, spinning, spinning, never going down. Knowing full well I'd done everthing I shouldn't have been doing during that time, I decided I needed to get myself on the scale to get myself back to reality and move forward. Maybe that would help to slow the spinning if it wouldn't stop it. Eventually, maybe I could get myself back on track, one step at a time. So, Saturday morning, I braved the scale. At that point, I told myself I would be very happy to have not gained, figuring I would have gained some from the reality check of the last few weeks. One foot....second foot. Can that be right? Step off the scale...make sure it is calibrated at zero...the cats have surely done something to it, yes? Step back on, one foot...second foot...bend down to read it. Well. HOLY CRAP! I've lost another 5 pounds! Not only haven't I gained anything, I've met my next milestone! And while I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, I'm very happy to be there and really ready to move on to the next! WOO HOO! 50 POUND MILESTONE! YOU CAN'T BEAT ME! 75 is the next one on my list....watch out, here I come!

More Miss Roo

What I love about Chessa is the way she was always the purrfect hostess, the first one to greet me at the door enticing me to lift her and give her lots of loves as she purred in my ear. She was the complete love bug, never failing to hop in my lap to give lots (and demand MORE!) love than anyone else. It was her job, and she took it seriously. Being Queen is not an easy task, but she was always up for it, giving more and more and more love. She is missed dearly, and remembered purreciously. Yes, I will remember her always.

Memories by Suz

For Chessa

So many memorable moments start with sitting down on the couch and being begged for love by Chessa. The moment anyone, no matter who it may be, sat down or even stood in the same place for too long, you could count on Chessa being there. Her love for everyone wasn't fake, it was purely everything you could ask for in a cat. Standing anywhere in the house you knew she would find you and you'd feel that familiar and comforting brush on your leg; followed by a meow or two and a pawing if you ignored her. She loved everyone with her humungous heart and she is always going to be missed. I remember walking around the corner of the hallway one day and seeing her sneak a pass at a stray mouse toy; the look I got when I "intruded" on her play time was just something else. Her personality shone through her eyes and her purring was amazingly loud for such a small bundle of love. Her being there always made me feel even more welcomed and it was a comforting thing to see her walking toward me, knowing what was to come.

Memories of Chessa by Tammy