Welcome to June 2006
Our Engagement Photo, Spring 2005 & Wedding Photo, October 8th, 2005
Thank you for visiting. We update this page every few days.... check back soon!
Thank you for visiting. We update this page every few days.... check back soon!
June 9, 2006
Ok, so we don't update the site very often, but here is the latest on the goings-on of the Van Bruggens. First this is my (Bruce) first attempt at this and so here we go.
First things first. My mom has been doing quite well since her surgery last Thursday until this morning. She came through the surgery with flying colors. The doctor was extremely pleased with how everything went. The surgery latest just over 2 hours and he only had to make a 3 inch opening to get to the heart and replace the valve. He said mom's heart started right up after surgery, where it normally takes 5-10 minutes for it to restart, her's started in about 1 minute. Each day she made good progress and by the time I left last Saturday, she was sitting up in a chair and was almost off of all the equipment she was attached to. She continued to make good progress and was moved out of ICU either late Sunday or early Monday. Since the move she has been out walking with dad and her PT to help get her mobility back. She has been fiesty towards the nurses and dad, which is a good thing because that means she was feeling better. I received a call from my dad this evening and was told mom had a setback that would keep her in the hospital until either Monday or Tuesday of next week, she was originally looking at getting out on today. Her heart arithmea returned causing her heart rate to excellarate rapidly. She was given medicine to correct it, but she was experiencing some side effects and complications with other medicines she was on so the new one had to be eliminated and was replaced with a blood thinner to try and help curb the arithmea. Once the doctors and nurses are satisfied that all of this is back under control than they will look at sending her home.
As for other family matters: we have begun the process of moving into the condo. We have started taking some boxes and smaller pieces of furniture over and setting things up the way we think we want them. We have our new/used computer desk set up in the office and since we actually have room for a true guest room we have set up my old bed in there so people staying over will actually have a private room (how nice). The master bathroom has been painted a nice salt water blue (a far change from the hot pink that was in there before). We will be continuing to move stuff over as we get it packed up so that on the 17th and 24th, our major moving days, we won't have a ton of stuff to move. Each time we walk in the condo we just can't believe that is where we will be living (hopefully for a long time).
Also, I spent this past weekend in Cincinnati on a men's retreat with some guys from my church in Cincinnati. It was a nice relaxing time with just the guys (only female was one guy's dog). I got home Sunday and was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with my wife whom I hadn't seen in almost 6 days. Unfortunately, nothing new has developed on the job front. I will continue looking and putting my faith and trust in God that the right job will come along at the right time for me.
Diana kept herself busy while I was gone, working at the Columbus Arts Festival (when it wasn't raining) and also at REM and at the garage sale that we had in conjunction with Debbie and Phil at their house. We made about $75 at the garage sale (not bad considering it rained the entire first day of the sale). She also sold some of her jewelry at the Festival and made about another $75 in only about 1 1/2 hours of actually being able to sell stuff.
On Saturday while I'm at my men's group, Diana will be meeting with the owner of an open market consignment shop to potentially sell some of her jewelry there as well.
So all in all, the roller coaster of newlywed life continues on for us and it is especially evident from this past week and a half.
Ok, so we don't update the site very often, but here is the latest on the goings-on of the Van Bruggens. First this is my (Bruce) first attempt at this and so here we go.
First things first. My mom has been doing quite well since her surgery last Thursday until this morning. She came through the surgery with flying colors. The doctor was extremely pleased with how everything went. The surgery latest just over 2 hours and he only had to make a 3 inch opening to get to the heart and replace the valve. He said mom's heart started right up after surgery, where it normally takes 5-10 minutes for it to restart, her's started in about 1 minute. Each day she made good progress and by the time I left last Saturday, she was sitting up in a chair and was almost off of all the equipment she was attached to. She continued to make good progress and was moved out of ICU either late Sunday or early Monday. Since the move she has been out walking with dad and her PT to help get her mobility back. She has been fiesty towards the nurses and dad, which is a good thing because that means she was feeling better. I received a call from my dad this evening and was told mom had a setback that would keep her in the hospital until either Monday or Tuesday of next week, she was originally looking at getting out on today. Her heart arithmea returned causing her heart rate to excellarate rapidly. She was given medicine to correct it, but she was experiencing some side effects and complications with other medicines she was on so the new one had to be eliminated and was replaced with a blood thinner to try and help curb the arithmea. Once the doctors and nurses are satisfied that all of this is back under control than they will look at sending her home.
As for other family matters: we have begun the process of moving into the condo. We have started taking some boxes and smaller pieces of furniture over and setting things up the way we think we want them. We have our new/used computer desk set up in the office and since we actually have room for a true guest room we have set up my old bed in there so people staying over will actually have a private room (how nice). The master bathroom has been painted a nice salt water blue (a far change from the hot pink that was in there before). We will be continuing to move stuff over as we get it packed up so that on the 17th and 24th, our major moving days, we won't have a ton of stuff to move. Each time we walk in the condo we just can't believe that is where we will be living (hopefully for a long time).
Also, I spent this past weekend in Cincinnati on a men's retreat with some guys from my church in Cincinnati. It was a nice relaxing time with just the guys (only female was one guy's dog). I got home Sunday and was able to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with my wife whom I hadn't seen in almost 6 days. Unfortunately, nothing new has developed on the job front. I will continue looking and putting my faith and trust in God that the right job will come along at the right time for me.
Diana kept herself busy while I was gone, working at the Columbus Arts Festival (when it wasn't raining) and also at REM and at the garage sale that we had in conjunction with Debbie and Phil at their house. We made about $75 at the garage sale (not bad considering it rained the entire first day of the sale). She also sold some of her jewelry at the Festival and made about another $75 in only about 1 1/2 hours of actually being able to sell stuff.
On Saturday while I'm at my men's group, Diana will be meeting with the owner of an open market consignment shop to potentially sell some of her jewelry there as well.
So all in all, the roller coaster of newlywed life continues on for us and it is especially evident from this past week and a half.
June 2, 2006
Well, yes, it's now been awhile since the page has been updated....but my how time has flown. I have been working my group home job at least 40 hours per week (usually weekends and overnights, unfortunately), plus teaching as much as possible before the summer began (when that paycheck is always suspended for 3 months), AND doing a lot of art therapy work. I've been busy.
Somewhere in the middle of all of that business (and sometimes during slow hours at the group homes), I've been very busy studying for my upcoming exam and creating a LOT of dichroic heart jewelry for this weekend's Columbus Arts Festival (more on that later). Also, Bruce and I have both had interviews for new full-time jobs (me: teaching art at a Gahanna elementary school, and Bruce: getting a financial analyst position in downtown Columbus).
SO, please excuse the fact that no webpage updates have been provided for about 2 weeks.... This evening is the first night that I've had NOTHING to do in who-knows how long. And, it totally feels good!
Right now, Bruce has been down in Kentucky for his mom's heart surgery this week on Thursday morning. In the pre-op surgery, they found no blockages (which is a good thing). She (luckily) had one of the best heart surgeons in the country working on her, and he replaced one of her heart valves....which she knew was going to be needed anyway after her stroke a few years ago. At this time (Friday evening), she is doing good, but did need some blood and fluid transfusions last night. Bruce said that she'll be in the hospital for about another week. Most of his family were able to be there for her. I had to stay up here because of working my OSU Art therapy job and the related Arts Festival....but my heart was down there with them. Bruce was so sweet when he said that all he needed to do was look down at his wedding ring to know where my heart was. Thanks to our cell phones, we've talked 4-5 times daily, which has kept us close and made it all feel better.
Tomorrow, Bruce will be driving up to Cincinnati to spend time with Andy (and be an attendee of Andy's church retreat). For both reasons, Bruce has been looking forward to this weekend for awhile now. However, because of his emergency trip for his mom, this is the first time since we moved in together that we have been apart for almost 5 full days. (And, btw, it's right during our "smiley days" too....so if I end up getting pregnant this month, believe me, it'll be a TRUE miracle...talk about something to celebrate! :) The new testing day will be Father's Day.)
With the Columbus Arts Festival, I was already committed to be there for my OSU job (and I volunteered many hours to help put it all together), and had planned to sell my jewelry there as well, at my supervisor's suggestion. So, I have just been working SO hard to get a good supply made, and designed a good display, since this was going to be my first REAL art show....potentially $2000 worth of profits!
Well, the weather had other plans. ALL day yesterday and today, it has been raining HARD....probably the closest to a true monsoon that I think that Central Ohio can reach, with lots of flooding. So, the Arts Festival was cancelled yesterday and today....which obviously ruined some plans. Additionally, we are having a garage sale with my sister this weekend, and the "monsoon" certainly hasn't helped that either. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.
Lastly, some police officers are *NOT* worthy of thier badge. Yesterday, with two OSU fraternity boys driving behind me, I was delivering items to the place were our art show is set up. It's in this little park that is only accessable by foot (by the Santa Maria, in downtown Columbus), so if you want to drive down there, you literally have to drive on a sidewalk down to the river's edge. We had a LOT of heavy books/food/etc, and my supervisor had told us to deliver our items down there by car. I explained the details to the frat boys, and they followed me as I "jumped the curb" to get onto the sidewalk. Just as the frat boys began to follow me, a police car drove up and turned on their lights and siren (stopping us). I explained the situation to the officers, but they told me that I was not allowed to do it.....even though I and many others, including my supervisor, had done it just the day before! The officers refused, and told me that I needed to follow them, that they would show me another, "better way to get down there." This sounded reasonable, so I got back onto the street and followed them. WELL. All they did was bring us to a sergant who was directing traffic. He asked me what I was doing, and then leaned over onto my rolled-down window in a "fatherly" way as I explained it to him. He repeatedly told me (for 15 minutes) that I was not allowed to drive down there.....and then kept asking me if I understood him. Finally, he looked down at my wedding ring, and asked me "listen, honey, do you have your cellphone? If I call your husband or speak to the guys behind you, you know, man-to-man, do you think that any of them could help you understand what I'm trying to tell you? You look upset at me about something. What's the matter, sweetie?" Talk about a time when I TOTALLY bit my tongue. I wanted to slap that sexist S.O.B. *HARD* across the face....it was all I could do to let his words blow over me, look away, and continue to act like I didn't get that I was being discriminated against. If I wouldn't have gotten slapped with a citation or something for my actions, I *SO* would have slapped that jerk. We ended up having to park in a parking garage and carry our (VERY heavy) things for about 3 blocks..my arms still hurt a LOT as a result. If anybody reading this wants to know the best way to get me *REALLY* upset, just use sexual discrimination against me. It's best way to "make my blood boil."
Well, yes, it's now been awhile since the page has been updated....but my how time has flown. I have been working my group home job at least 40 hours per week (usually weekends and overnights, unfortunately), plus teaching as much as possible before the summer began (when that paycheck is always suspended for 3 months), AND doing a lot of art therapy work. I've been busy.
Somewhere in the middle of all of that business (and sometimes during slow hours at the group homes), I've been very busy studying for my upcoming exam and creating a LOT of dichroic heart jewelry for this weekend's Columbus Arts Festival (more on that later). Also, Bruce and I have both had interviews for new full-time jobs (me: teaching art at a Gahanna elementary school, and Bruce: getting a financial analyst position in downtown Columbus).
SO, please excuse the fact that no webpage updates have been provided for about 2 weeks.... This evening is the first night that I've had NOTHING to do in who-knows how long. And, it totally feels good!
Right now, Bruce has been down in Kentucky for his mom's heart surgery this week on Thursday morning. In the pre-op surgery, they found no blockages (which is a good thing). She (luckily) had one of the best heart surgeons in the country working on her, and he replaced one of her heart valves....which she knew was going to be needed anyway after her stroke a few years ago. At this time (Friday evening), she is doing good, but did need some blood and fluid transfusions last night. Bruce said that she'll be in the hospital for about another week. Most of his family were able to be there for her. I had to stay up here because of working my OSU Art therapy job and the related Arts Festival....but my heart was down there with them. Bruce was so sweet when he said that all he needed to do was look down at his wedding ring to know where my heart was. Thanks to our cell phones, we've talked 4-5 times daily, which has kept us close and made it all feel better.
Tomorrow, Bruce will be driving up to Cincinnati to spend time with Andy (and be an attendee of Andy's church retreat). For both reasons, Bruce has been looking forward to this weekend for awhile now. However, because of his emergency trip for his mom, this is the first time since we moved in together that we have been apart for almost 5 full days. (And, btw, it's right during our "smiley days" too....so if I end up getting pregnant this month, believe me, it'll be a TRUE miracle...talk about something to celebrate! :) The new testing day will be Father's Day.)
With the Columbus Arts Festival, I was already committed to be there for my OSU job (and I volunteered many hours to help put it all together), and had planned to sell my jewelry there as well, at my supervisor's suggestion. So, I have just been working SO hard to get a good supply made, and designed a good display, since this was going to be my first REAL art show....potentially $2000 worth of profits!
Well, the weather had other plans. ALL day yesterday and today, it has been raining HARD....probably the closest to a true monsoon that I think that Central Ohio can reach, with lots of flooding. So, the Arts Festival was cancelled yesterday and today....which obviously ruined some plans. Additionally, we are having a garage sale with my sister this weekend, and the "monsoon" certainly hasn't helped that either. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.
Lastly, some police officers are *NOT* worthy of thier badge. Yesterday, with two OSU fraternity boys driving behind me, I was delivering items to the place were our art show is set up. It's in this little park that is only accessable by foot (by the Santa Maria, in downtown Columbus), so if you want to drive down there, you literally have to drive on a sidewalk down to the river's edge. We had a LOT of heavy books/food/etc, and my supervisor had told us to deliver our items down there by car. I explained the details to the frat boys, and they followed me as I "jumped the curb" to get onto the sidewalk. Just as the frat boys began to follow me, a police car drove up and turned on their lights and siren (stopping us). I explained the situation to the officers, but they told me that I was not allowed to do it.....even though I and many others, including my supervisor, had done it just the day before! The officers refused, and told me that I needed to follow them, that they would show me another, "better way to get down there." This sounded reasonable, so I got back onto the street and followed them. WELL. All they did was bring us to a sergant who was directing traffic. He asked me what I was doing, and then leaned over onto my rolled-down window in a "fatherly" way as I explained it to him. He repeatedly told me (for 15 minutes) that I was not allowed to drive down there.....and then kept asking me if I understood him. Finally, he looked down at my wedding ring, and asked me "listen, honey, do you have your cellphone? If I call your husband or speak to the guys behind you, you know, man-to-man, do you think that any of them could help you understand what I'm trying to tell you? You look upset at me about something. What's the matter, sweetie?" Talk about a time when I TOTALLY bit my tongue. I wanted to slap that sexist S.O.B. *HARD* across the face....it was all I could do to let his words blow over me, look away, and continue to act like I didn't get that I was being discriminated against. If I wouldn't have gotten slapped with a citation or something for my actions, I *SO* would have slapped that jerk. We ended up having to park in a parking garage and carry our (VERY heavy) things for about 3 blocks..my arms still hurt a LOT as a result. If anybody reading this wants to know the best way to get me *REALLY* upset, just use sexual discrimination against me. It's best way to "make my blood boil."
June 30, 2006:
Today, I'll be going to Hibernia to turn in the apartment keys/parking passes, and doing the final walk-through. After doing a lot of work, that apartment is totally spotless right now....if they want someone to move in tomorrow, it's ready for them. I just hope that they don't find some silly little thing and charge us for way more than they should....Bruce and I both have experiences with that lovely thing in former apartments.
This week, Bruce was finally able to tell everyone on his email list that today is his final day at National City Bank. The department is downsizing, and since Bruce and two co-workers are fairly recent hirees, they ended up being first on the chopping block. He was given a 3-month severance package, including full pay and our medical/dental insurance, so I have been telling him repeatedly that this is a good thing, because now he will have 3 months to find the job he wants, rather than just anything that will pay the bills. Bruce has been pretty embarrased about it and wanted me to keep silent about it until he was ready to tell everyone (even though he did NOTHING wrong), so please keep him in your prayers that his dream job will come along soon.
Last night at work, I learned that one of my co-workers who has also taken the LPC test (the one that I have in a few days) failed it the first time (by only 3 points!) and then passed it the second time (again, by only 3 points!). It is a common fact that most people don't pass it the first time....I keep trying to remind myself so that I go into it with a realistic approach. I had hoped that he would say the test was easier than expected.....but he said "the first half was okay, but that second half was a bear." Oh, goody.
Snez is starting to get over her fear of the laundry room....she's now back to her normal begging for more food since she can see the bottom of the dish (and therefore, in her eyes, it's empty and she's starving). :)
Today, I'll be going to Hibernia to turn in the apartment keys/parking passes, and doing the final walk-through. After doing a lot of work, that apartment is totally spotless right now....if they want someone to move in tomorrow, it's ready for them. I just hope that they don't find some silly little thing and charge us for way more than they should....Bruce and I both have experiences with that lovely thing in former apartments.
This week, Bruce was finally able to tell everyone on his email list that today is his final day at National City Bank. The department is downsizing, and since Bruce and two co-workers are fairly recent hirees, they ended up being first on the chopping block. He was given a 3-month severance package, including full pay and our medical/dental insurance, so I have been telling him repeatedly that this is a good thing, because now he will have 3 months to find the job he wants, rather than just anything that will pay the bills. Bruce has been pretty embarrased about it and wanted me to keep silent about it until he was ready to tell everyone (even though he did NOTHING wrong), so please keep him in your prayers that his dream job will come along soon.
Last night at work, I learned that one of my co-workers who has also taken the LPC test (the one that I have in a few days) failed it the first time (by only 3 points!) and then passed it the second time (again, by only 3 points!). It is a common fact that most people don't pass it the first time....I keep trying to remind myself so that I go into it with a realistic approach. I had hoped that he would say the test was easier than expected.....but he said "the first half was okay, but that second half was a bear." Oh, goody.
Snez is starting to get over her fear of the laundry room....she's now back to her normal begging for more food since she can see the bottom of the dish (and therefore, in her eyes, it's empty and she's starving). :)
June 20, 2006:
Our apartment is overrun with boxes...upon boxes....upon boxes.....upon still more boxes. Some are packed and sealed, and some are still open and waiting to swallow more of our STUFF.
Most of the walls are bare, and with that plus all of these boxes, one might assume that the Van Bruggens are in the process of MOVING OUTTA HERE. (You'd be right!) We have moved about 1/3 of our stuff over to the condo by ourselves, and plan to do a LOT more tonight and Friday night (and Bruce will likely do a lot on Thursday, too....but I'll be busy being the Interim Director (!!!!) of the OSU program that day....so I'll be a little occupied!).
We hope to have all of the "lighter" things (aka anything that the two of us can manage ourselves) over there by the time we collapse on Friday night. For those reading this who know of my "last-minute-itis"....especially when it comes to moving.....they will be happy to hear that Bruce CLAIMS that we'll be done (completely) before the clock says 12am Saturday......well, he can hope.....and dream.....and pray....
Anyway, then, Satuday, we have a moving company coming to help us....at **8:30am** Since they're being paid hourly, we hope to just have them do the washer/dryer, couch, futon, bed set....things like that.
Other news:
Bruce's mom is doing good. She has been moving around and slowly getting her strength back.
Also, we weren't able to celebrate Father's Day the way that we had hoped....no dice.....so, the Clomid saga continues, with our next testing day scheduled for July 16th. All prayers welcome, as this is getting to be quite the unexpected (and undesired) routine. Kind of steals away from the whole experience.
Last week, we both received very nice form letters, turning us down for the jobs that we had applied and really hoped for back in May (see the June 2nd entry). So, the Van Bruggen job hunt continues.
Finally, my LPC test is 22 days away.....studying is occuring daily, but that big box over there is filled with still MORE books (that easily help me fall asleep) yet to re-read. Anxiety 101!
Our apartment is overrun with boxes...upon boxes....upon boxes.....upon still more boxes. Some are packed and sealed, and some are still open and waiting to swallow more of our STUFF.
Most of the walls are bare, and with that plus all of these boxes, one might assume that the Van Bruggens are in the process of MOVING OUTTA HERE. (You'd be right!) We have moved about 1/3 of our stuff over to the condo by ourselves, and plan to do a LOT more tonight and Friday night (and Bruce will likely do a lot on Thursday, too....but I'll be busy being the Interim Director (!!!!) of the OSU program that day....so I'll be a little occupied!).
We hope to have all of the "lighter" things (aka anything that the two of us can manage ourselves) over there by the time we collapse on Friday night. For those reading this who know of my "last-minute-itis"....especially when it comes to moving.....they will be happy to hear that Bruce CLAIMS that we'll be done (completely) before the clock says 12am Saturday......well, he can hope.....and dream.....and pray....
Anyway, then, Satuday, we have a moving company coming to help us....at **8:30am** Since they're being paid hourly, we hope to just have them do the washer/dryer, couch, futon, bed set....things like that.
Other news:
Bruce's mom is doing good. She has been moving around and slowly getting her strength back.
Also, we weren't able to celebrate Father's Day the way that we had hoped....no dice.....so, the Clomid saga continues, with our next testing day scheduled for July 16th. All prayers welcome, as this is getting to be quite the unexpected (and undesired) routine. Kind of steals away from the whole experience.
Last week, we both received very nice form letters, turning us down for the jobs that we had applied and really hoped for back in May (see the June 2nd entry). So, the Van Bruggen job hunt continues.
Finally, my LPC test is 22 days away.....studying is occuring daily, but that big box over there is filled with still MORE books (that easily help me fall asleep) yet to re-read. Anxiety 101!
June 26, 2006
We are moved in..with many boxes now being opened and sorted...and our "garage sale pile" is suddenly growing quickly!
On Saturday (the main moving day), we had a TERRIBLE time with the moving company that we had hired. Instead of sending 3 young, fit guys at 8:30am as was agreed, they sent two guys who were not in the best of health, had likely had their share of drugs in their lifetime (one in his late 30's, the other in his 50's), AND the two guys came 1 1/2 hours late because of truck problems without any dollies..... As a result, they moved SLOW. It, all in all, was terrible from start to end. And the owner of the place was even worse. Then, later, we had to transport our cats to the condo. As expected, Abbey (our younger cat) (who is normally a totally loving, huggy cat) became "ferral", which she does whenever she's VERY scared (which is most every time that I've had to transport her from her home). Abbey was (likely) born on the downtown Cleveland streets to an alley cat mom, and for her first 7 weeks of life (until I chose her from the Cleveland Animal Shelter), she learned how to survive as a ferral alley cat. So, when Abbey's not in control, the alley cat returns. This was Bruce's first opportunity to meet Abbey's ferral side....and he admitted that he was "a little scared of her."
Anyway, we love this condo, and if you can look beyond the many boxes and no pictures yet hung on the walls, it feels like us. There are less kitchen and bathroom drawers than in our apartment, but other than that, it is SOOOOO much better.
Wait, I guess that more precisely would be ALMOST all of us like this place.....except Snezana (our older cat). We are required to have the cat litter in the the tiled laundry room, so we decided that would be a good room for the cat FOOD as well. Like many laundry rooms, that is also the room where the water heater, air conditioner, etc, are at. And as a result, that room is at times noisy and has an almost constant water dripping sound coming from the water heater. Snezana is scared to death of the room!!!! The only way that she'll go in there to eat is if either one of us goes in there, and stands next to her to "protect" her from that big, nasty water heater. If either of us pass by the laundry room, Snez begs us to go in there with her. Maybe my fat kitty will get a little thinner for awhile.... I've had her for 9 years, and this is the first time that she's been such a wimp! :)
We are moved in..with many boxes now being opened and sorted...and our "garage sale pile" is suddenly growing quickly!
On Saturday (the main moving day), we had a TERRIBLE time with the moving company that we had hired. Instead of sending 3 young, fit guys at 8:30am as was agreed, they sent two guys who were not in the best of health, had likely had their share of drugs in their lifetime (one in his late 30's, the other in his 50's), AND the two guys came 1 1/2 hours late because of truck problems without any dollies..... As a result, they moved SLOW. It, all in all, was terrible from start to end. And the owner of the place was even worse. Then, later, we had to transport our cats to the condo. As expected, Abbey (our younger cat) (who is normally a totally loving, huggy cat) became "ferral", which she does whenever she's VERY scared (which is most every time that I've had to transport her from her home). Abbey was (likely) born on the downtown Cleveland streets to an alley cat mom, and for her first 7 weeks of life (until I chose her from the Cleveland Animal Shelter), she learned how to survive as a ferral alley cat. So, when Abbey's not in control, the alley cat returns. This was Bruce's first opportunity to meet Abbey's ferral side....and he admitted that he was "a little scared of her."
Anyway, we love this condo, and if you can look beyond the many boxes and no pictures yet hung on the walls, it feels like us. There are less kitchen and bathroom drawers than in our apartment, but other than that, it is SOOOOO much better.
Wait, I guess that more precisely would be ALMOST all of us like this place.....except Snezana (our older cat). We are required to have the cat litter in the the tiled laundry room, so we decided that would be a good room for the cat FOOD as well. Like many laundry rooms, that is also the room where the water heater, air conditioner, etc, are at. And as a result, that room is at times noisy and has an almost constant water dripping sound coming from the water heater. Snezana is scared to death of the room!!!! The only way that she'll go in there to eat is if either one of us goes in there, and stands next to her to "protect" her from that big, nasty water heater. If either of us pass by the laundry room, Snez begs us to go in there with her. Maybe my fat kitty will get a little thinner for awhile.... I've had her for 9 years, and this is the first time that she's been such a wimp! :)
