hellziggy

Yeah, last week was quite the roller coaster, with extreme highs and extreme lows.

The low was, of course, losing Gabriel. But, out of this came a confirmation of something I already knew. I have the most awesome friends, both online and in real life. So many sweet & touching comments from y'all here, and over on Facebook, and on Twitter. We also got a half dozen cards and 3 bouquets of flowers. Our neighbor Tammy planted a hosta for Gabe back where we buried him.

It's been tough, but Monday really was the worst day. It's gotten better. The sadness hits at weird times though. Like when I put the carpet cleaner away under the sink. I started crying because I wouldn't be cleaning up cat barf a couple times a week. Not that I miss the barf, just the barfer.

Lump seems unfazed. We expected that.

And then the highs. I know I mentioned the NASA Tweetup that I got picked for. I don't think I posted anything since then though. I'm going! Although incredibly jealous, hellbob said that I shouldn't miss it because it's the opportunity of a lifetime. So I changed my plane ticket to fly down Wednesday and will be spending most of the day Thursday at Kennedy Space Center. The whole rest of the crew (hellbob, genevra, monkeys, etc) will be watching the launch from a river boat, and will also go on a bit of a nature cruise.

I've got my camera gear sorted out for the trip. My giant lens is going w/me in my carryon and I've got a carbon fiber tripod rental set up down in Orlando. I'm sort of nervous about going to meet such a huge group of people where I don't know anyone, but at least we can get to know each other on Twitter first. And of the 3 other people I've learned of that are going down from Minneapolis, one of them is actually on the same flight as me. I haven't met her yet so that could be good or bad! LOL. We're even going to give her a ride to the airport with us most likely. I just wish we could have brought a plus one so that I could have hellbob there with me for the launch. I'm going to miss getting to see it with him. :( Moose is awesome, but he's no Rick.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook already know this was a Very Bad Day. Short Twitter sized updates were all I could mentally handle earlier.
hellbob & I lost our beloved cat, Gabriel, earlier today.

( The medical crap that you probably don't want to read )

( The last day.  )

He went so fast. It was quick and peaceful and hopefully painless. He was in Rick's arms with me there. It was best that way. He hated the vets office and would have hated to be there.
It was just so damn hard. Our cats growing up were all either outdoor cats or indoor/outdoor since we lived out in the boonies. I'd never had a cat die of old age before.

When I met Rick 17 1/2 years ago he had this awesome cat. Friendly as could be. Purred like a mother-fucker. The very first time Rick kissed me that cat was curled up on my lap. That was Gabriel. My entire life with Rick has also been with Gabriel. I just can't imagine not having Gabe around.



You were the best cat I've ever had, Gabriel. If there is an afterlife, I hope you enjoy the hell out of it.



Gabriel ~ 1991-2010