Just when we thought we were no longer the crazy cat people...

...SURPRISE!

Funny story. It took several weeks of phone calls and phone tag, but we FINALLY got an appointment to get ChaCha and KitKat fixed. Because the appointment was on a Friday (Sept. 7), we brought both girls in the house to make sure that (a) they didn't eat after midnight, and (b) we could find them the next morning. On the day of their appointment, Brett drove them to the clinic and picked them up later that day. Because of the anesthesia and their stitches, we kept them separated from each other in the house the rest of that night and the next morning.

Well, that next morning, KitKat was going NUTS trying to get outside. Actually, both cats were anxious to get back to the great outdoors, but KitKat was especially hyper, clawing at the back door.

And then we heard it--the high-pitched squeal.

Oh, no.

It took us a while, but eventually we found the source: two kittens under the deck! We were stunned, to say the least. KitKat must've had them right before the surgery. The vet, if he noticed at all, didn't say a word, so we had NOT A CLUE that she'd had another litter. We, in our efforts to help KitKat heal from the surgery, had deprived those babies of their mommy for at least 72 hours!

Well, after that traumatic introduction to the world, the kittens stayed under the deck for a couple of weeks. KitKat, ever the dutiful mother, would take care of them under there, but in spite of my pleading, she just would not bring them out into the backyard. Brett and I tried several times to prod the babies to come toward the light, but they were happy in their dark little home under the wooden slats.

One morning, we noticed the unmistakable smell of skunk, and when we checked on the kittens, their home just reeked, smelling more like polecat than cat. Later, during one of our attempts to lure the babies out, Brett looked between the boards and saw black fur with a white stripe. Convinced we might be enticing a baby skunk to join us out in the open, we gave up on that effort.

Still, the idea that these kittens' growth would be stunted--and my selfish desire to get a closer look at the cuties--led me to threaten on more than one occasion to rip that deck apart to get to the precious ones. So imagine our delight when I found the babies on the front porch this afternoon, three weeks and a day since we learned of their existence. Finally, we can get a good look at these, our last (I PROMISE!!!!) kittens.

Game 5, Part 1: A hot time at the ol' tailgate.

We had a big crowd for this tailgate thanks to the influx of K State fans. They really do travel well!


And even though it's the end of September, it was a HOT day!Thank goodness we had our own air-conditioning system. A little spritz from the water bottle by the fan = instant COOL.

In addition to visits from K State fans, we also got to see some college friends and their young-uns.


As much fun as we had at the tailgate, we should've recognized the message the grill was trying to send us about our game with Kansas State. This old standby, which has served up frog legs, sausages, ribeye steaks and countless hamburgers for tailgaters, arrived at our spot a little wobbly.


Before too long, it was obvious that this grill had seen its last charcoal. It ended up in pieces, splayed across the grass--all too much like our team later that afternoon.
Fortunately, one of our loyal tailgaters--the same one who has provided and lugged the grill for each of these tailgates--came through with a brand new grill to replace his old one. Voila!

It was assembled in record time, which was a good thing, too, since we had about 40 people hungry for burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches.

Also on the menu: KitKat bars in anticipation of our devouring of the Wildcats.
The candy melted. As did our team...

Game 5, Part 2: A walk across campus.

In search of a backpack, Dede and I walked from our tailgate to Longhorns Ltd. That store didn't have what she wanted, so across campus we hiked to the Co-op. The walk from the stadium by the Tower to the Drag is one of my favorites because of all the sights along the way. In spite of the heat, it was a pleasant excursion. (And yes, she found the backpack she wanted!)

Game 5, Part 3: Purple rain.

WHY? WHY? WHY?

I have more questions than answers about this ridiculous debacle--the second in a row to K State. We were SUPPOSED to get revenge for last year's loss to the purple, but no, we ended up black and blue. And now, we're still scratching our heads, wondering...

Why can't our linebackers cover somebody?
Why can't anyone actually TACKLE--you know, wrap 'em up?
Why can't our offensive line protect Colt and give him just one second to make the play?
Why do we punt when we're down by 20 with 10 minutes to go?
When we do go for it on fourth down even later in the fourth quarter, why do we throw for 2 yards when we need 8?
Why do so many of our plays send a back or receiver east or west when the endzone (or at least, the first down marker) requires movement to the north or south?

Oh, the agony of defeat! What a drag.

Even though I'd like to just forget this game, here are a few photos for the record. In spite of the miserable game, someday I might want to remember:


1) VY.

Vince Young was there for the coin toss! He and his Texas Ex Titans teammates had a bye week, so they came "home." Of course, we all went wild for our championship hero. (Later we went wild, wishing he could suit up and come to our rescue just one more time!)
2) The weird weather.

We went from hot-hot-hot to wet-n-wild! The game started with few clouds, then more and more gathered as the first half progressed.

The rains came at halftime, just in time for the Alumni Band's performance. (Last year's Alumni Band appearance was messed up when lightning caused a long delay and many fair-weather fans left.)It was bizarre how quickly the rain came! Ginormous raindrops fell nearly horizontally, first from the south and seconds later, from the north. Once the rain stopped, it was like someone had turned on a sun lamp: INSTANT heat in spite of the remaining clouds.

3) The post-game deluge.

Near the end of the game, we couldn't help but notice another storm brewing to our east. The PA announcer said that the storm could contain small hail.

As soon as the game was (mercifully) over, he again warned that we should proceed to our cars as quickly as possible. Well, we TRIED...

It was ridiculous! I can handle a little rain, but this was RAIN. It was coming down hard and fast, and it created rivers along every walkway. It took us a while to catch a lull, but eventually we made it back to the tailgate.


Everybody tried to find a dry spot, and these guys apparently were willing to offer themselves as lightning rods under the tree!
The kids in the group didn't seem to mind the downpour. Here they're making "rain angels":No one should ever accuse us of being fair-weather fans! Even down by 20, even with a storm approaching, we stayed for every last second until "The Eyes" had been sung.

Which may leave you wondering:

WHY?

Kansas State 41, Texas 21.

Wii can work it out.

What can bring together two siblings with different interests? Nintendo Wii!

Brett found a Wii for sale in Haltom City Wednesday, and since the system's so hard to find, he went ahead and picked one up.
Brett diligently got it set up so we could try it out after church that night. We immediately hit the bowling alley!

And it was Wii, Wii, Wii, all the way to bedtime!

Game 4, Part 1: Co-Op crazy!

After breakfast this morning, we headed to the University Co-Op:

The Co-Op's gameday tailgate had games for the kids, and both won prizes thanks to their football and basketball prowess.

What a fun shopping trip!

Game 4, Part 2: Tailgatin'.

Ryan and Katie weren't too crazy about the idea of spending several hours tailgating before the game. It didn't take them long, though, to figure out that this gatin' thing ain't so bad!

Since dinner was still a ways off, the kids indulged in a quick snack of Lunchables "goodness" when we first arrived at our spot.

Then we got to play the new addition to our 'gate: Tailgate Golf! What a great game! I wasn't awful at it...

...but Ryan and Katie were really good!


We had numerous match-ups throughout the afternoon. Anne tailgated with us a little bit, and then later, we were joined by Dana and Kelley. For one Tailgate Golf challenge, Kelley and Ryan had a friendly wager: If Kelley won, Ryan would have to go to A&M. I wasn't too crazy about that bet, but RYAN WON! Whew! That was a close one!

It's always good to sit back and visit with our friends, but it was an extra-nice treat to spend time with Dana and Kelley. Since they live in L.A., we don't get to see them nearly as often as we'd like. Ryan and Katie were delighted to reminisce with them about our visit to their home last summer.

On the grill today--brats, Earl Campbell hot links, hot dogs and some amazing chicken sausages with cilantro:

We had a big crowd for today's festivities:


And everyone enjoyed the special dessert: Rice Krispie Treats!
Get it? RICE Krispie Treats? (What else could we do to acknowledge this week's opponent? The Asian market that had the frog legs doesn't carry owl meat! And fried rice? Too obvious. I shudder to think what might be on the menu next week when the K State Wildcats come to town.)