Well, the Christmas Season has once again come and gone.  I waited to post this mostly because there is generally so much going on and it all runs together this time of year that it's hard to separate.  On top of that, Erica has her daily post on her Project 365 site, so there is not as much need to post as often anymore.  I figured I would wait and summarize the Season at the Kassel household.

We began everything by digging out the decorations on Thanksgiving weekend.  Once everything was up, we were able to sit back and relax, and soak up the atmosphere.  We also went to Cherry Hill to see the Magic Tree at its new home.  The official lighting ceremony was on December 5, and while we were a little late for the actual lighting we still got to see it.  They had a whole to-do out there this year, with carriage rides, carolers, and a food stand.  There were a LOT of people out, but we still had a lot of fun.

We made our trip to Bass Pro Shops and their Christmas Wonderland set up too.  Laura got her picture taken with Santa and told him about how she wanted a Lalaloopsy doll, but John was too scared.  They played with the slot cars, and the target rifles that shoot a flash of light, and John watched the train for EVER.  Then they got to listen to Mrs. Claus read a couple of Christmas stories to them.  They very much enjoyed the trip.  Ironically, they had just been to Home Depot for Kids' Workshop that morning, and Santa was there too.  Nobody seemed to make the connection that Santa looked significantly different at the two places!  Laura did ask the Home Depot Santa what kind of cookies he likes so we could put the right ones out on Christmas Eve, though!  For the record, his favorites are Sugar Cookies, Brownies, Snickerdoodles, and Chocolate Chip.

The holiday season is upon us. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend full of fun, food, and decorating. Our Thanksgiving holiday started on Wednesday as I stayed home with the kids. We made fresh pumpkin pie and homemade cranberry sauce! Laura even helped me roll out the pie crust. I’m starting her early because no child of mine will EVER use store-bought pie crust.

Thanksgiving Day was a beautiful day. The weather was perfect (though maybe a little too warm). It was just the four of us because my Mom and Dad couldn’t make it down this year. Andy and I spent the morning preparing the turkey and all the trimmings! We spent part of the day just relaxing, spending time together, and playing with the kids. When it came time to finally eat that wonderful meal, we got out the china and crystal. We explained to the kids that the plates we were using were “special” and that we had gotten them for our wedding. They were so careful throughout the meal, making sure to use both hands when drinking from the glasses that we let them use. We had a great meal and really just enjoyed every part of the day. I needed a wonderful day like that. I’ve been struggling a lot with my job situation and it was really nice to have that day remind me of what I have in my life and what is really important.

Recently, we made the decision to have Oscar put down. He either has diabetes or kidney disease. After a discussion with our Vet, Dr. Candace Stormer, Andy and I decided that we would just let Oscar live until he wasn’t Oscar anymore. The stress of treatment for either of those illnesses would just make the end of Oscar’s life a terrible time. We didn’t want that for our wonderful, furry friend.

Oscar was “my cat.”  He was my “Bubby.”  As a kitten, I found him under my old Ford Escort coming out of work one night.  He was screaming under there, but once we brought him home he hardly ever made a sound (other than purring) more than a little squeak.  He was so tiny and he fit in the palm of my hand.  He was fascinated by candles as a kitten, and spent the first year of life with one side of his face or the other missing its whiskers because he decided to examine a candle flame and burned them off accidentally.  He LOVED all of our other pets, but especially Smokey.  We used to have “Oscar and Mommy” time every night.  I would sit on our bed watching television or reading and Oscar would sleep next to me.  He was goofy at times too.  He used to love it if you left the faucet on in the bathroom sink.  He would merrily hop up on the sink and contort himself so that he could drink the fresh water.  I could flip Oscar on his back and he would slowly stretch into an upside-down arc as I supported his back. He used to love to taunt Newman. He would sit about a foot away from her and just stare at her.  The crouch and then cat “butt wiggle” would happen and off they would go through the house. He always looked like Pepe Le Pew when he was bounding after her.  Andy and I would laugh for hours watching the two of them. When I was on bed rest while pregnant with Laura, he would sit on the bed with me and purr. It always made me relax and feel better.

While home with John recently, I spent some time with Oscar while John was napping. I held him and hugged him. He looked up at me a few times and it was obvious that my Bubby is already gone.  He doesn’t know us anymore. There are flashes of recognition, but they don’t last long. It was in that moment that I knew that this is the right decision even though it’s killing us to have made it.

I brought Oscar home for the last time on November 14. I stopped at Rolling Hills to pick up his remains on the way to a doctor appointment for John. It turned out to be a much harder experience than I thought it would be. Originally, I had asked Andy to go and pick him up because I didn’t think I could do that. Well, since I was already over on that side of town and the Vet’s office is on the way, I did it. I saw the beautiful box and the pawprint and the tears were in my eyes again.

I miss my furry friend.  I’ve had many other cats in my life and none of them have quite touched me the way Oscar did.  Oscar always seemed to know exactly when I needed some love and attention even when I didn’t realize it.  For 14 years, he has always been here and it’s just so hard not seeing him.  I actually caught myself looking for him as I gave Newman some treats.  I stopped when I saw the box on the counter and again tears came to my eyes.  I love you, my beautiful friend.  Thanks for always making me feel better and for watching over me. You were always there for me and I miss you so very much.  Say hello to Sammie and Smokey for us and give them the best Oscar rubs that you can.