Sibling Rivalry...
Who knew that when Jackson was born he's have to compete with for our time and affections? When Jack was about two months old we brought Smokey into the household, wanting Jack to have a pet to grow up with. Jack and Smokey are the same age, born around the same time no less.
We've watched our two little guys grow older together, Smokey turning into a full-grown cat, and Jack turning into super-toddler. It seems as though Smokey has issues with sharing both Ken and I with Jack, but mostly me. Jack is a normal little boy, he plays with his toys, chases the cat around at times, and we've even taught Jack how to approach Smokey "nicely" so as to not have scratches and tears, which we have anyway. Smokey has taken to spraying on Jack's toys, in his crib, on his favorite "baby" even. I have the keen sense of smell, and when Smokey sprays, I'm forever watching him after a proper ass-kicking, but nothing seems to penetrate through Smokey's thick skull.
Smokey's getting neutered on January 2nd, but I wonder if this will stop him from spraying all over Jack's things. He's jealous of Jack, even though I try and show Smokey the most affection that I can. Smokey used to sleep in our bedroom at night with us, but since he's taken to spraying, he's been ejected and is no longer allowed in either bedroom, especially not Jack's!
Is there such a thing as a pet therapist? I can't run through the house with the pet odor spray all day long, and I most certainly can't separate Jack and Smokey, but it's getting to the point where Smokey may be sent to the after-life if he doesn't get over this sibling rivalry that he's going through. Jack is a permanent fixture in this family, and we were hoping that Smokey would be too, but it's beginning to look like Smokey's going to be given away, and that's the last thing we want to do with our beloved pet.
I never had this problem when Deanna was a baby and I had another cat. Buster was great with Deanna; he worshipped her, so I'm perplexed about the whole Jack and Smokey situation. This bothers me, and I'm hoping it will work itself out soon before Jack loses an eye, and I have to kill Smokey for it!
Happy Christmahanukkwanzika...
Living in Georgia I have found a VERY diverse group of people. It seems that Georgia has become a transplant mecca for those who wish to live in an urban society, but also want to improve the quality of living for their families since the cost of living here is quite a bit lower than that of the West Coast or the upper East Coast. It's why Ken and I moved here.
I've found that while the South is predominantly Baptist, there are so many other religious denominations here in Atlanta from Jewish to Christian to Methodist and Prodestant, to Hindu and Islamic. The term "Merry Christmas" has been replaced with "Happy Holidays" as to not offend, but the biggest crock of shit I've heard is that people a little further south are debating the actual Christmas tree, wanting to now refer to it as a "Holiday Tree". Hey look, I'm not at all offended if people want to have their Christmas trees; Ken and I have one since he's Methodist, but we also light the menorah that I've had for twenty years every Hannukah. Jews don't have Hannukah trees, Islamics don't have Islam trees, Hindus don't have Hindu trees, etc... so what's the big deal? I appreciate the "Happy Holidays" terminolgy, but this Christmas tree thing is taking it a little too far. Next they'll be debating over whether or not to call Santa Santa or "that fat, red-clothed, holiday dude". Let's keep things in perspective please.
Every Mall from The Mall of Georgia to Arbor Place Mall is packed, causing me to avoid them heavily. I'm doing more online shopping, going to Target and Wal Mart for gift cards, and actually baking gift baskets for co-workers and Managers. It just makes life simpler during the holidays. Schlepping a toddler around to shop for the holidays is a pain in the butt, even if most of the gifts are for him anyway!
To all of you I wish you a wonderful ChristmaHanukkwanzika. One never know's what religion you may be, so in covering all of the bases I also wish you a joyous Holiday Season. May you all survive the shopping boon with as little damage as possible. Thank God it's almost over...
UCLA/USC...Who's it going to be?
Is UCLA strong enough to beat the best college football team in the country? I'm going to hope, pray and say yes.
Matt Leinart is a hell of a Quarterback. Drew Olsen has been playing like his life depends on it this season, bringing UCLA to an astonishing 9-1 season so far, placing them 11th in the BCS for the first time in MANY YEARS!!! I'm thinking that UCLA is going to put up the biggest fight of the season, making the USC/Notre Dame game look sort of blase' by comparison.
We'll all find out Saturday afternoon at 4:30 est on ABC. I plan on being glued to the game with a Bloody Mary clutched tightly in my hand and my son trying to figure out why Mommy's wound up so tightly...
To my best friend Julie, who'll be at the Coliseum for the game: Jack wears a 2T now...please DON'T send an SC tee shirt, as we only support the UCLA colors in THIS household!
GO BRUINS!!!!
