My Little Victory

In our new neighbourhood, during the evening, we'll witness couples bringing their dogs for a walk and each time when I see that, I really envy them and wish I could do the same. I keep telling Paul "I want to bring Mooch out for a walk as well. What do you think if we put Mooch on a leash ?"

Paul's instant reply was "Mooch would most likely strangle himself on the leash till he goes to kitty heaven and die inside the house before he'll allow a leash over his head." Okay, when death is involved, I don't want to toy with that idea and instantly attempt to diminished that thought in my head. But I still envy my neighbours when they bring their dogs out for walks during the evening whereas Mooch would just hide between the bushes and be ready to attack any transpassers. As for me, I can only bring my husband out for a walk to compensate myself for the emotional unbalance. It's like "Hell, I have a pet too but I can't walk him and I can only walk my husband. What's up with that ??!!!"

Last night, we've experienced this cloudy and overcast sky the entire afternoon and evening. Like a weather forecast radar installed in his head, Mooch simply refuse to go outside at all. Finally thunderstorm landed and it was a heavy downpour. All Mooch does was sitting on the window silt and watched the rain falling on the window. It's kind of sad especially when he look at me with his depressing look on his face and then release this sad "meow".

It was around 10pm when the rain finally stopped and the streets were clear. I decided "Hmmm... maybe I'll walk to my mailbox which is about 1/2 mile away and maybe try and see if Mooch would follow me to the mail box. Even thought there's no leash, it's still a good walk and I know Mooch would not try to kill himself."

So while Paul is in the house and I bet he is thinking "My wife is bonkers and my cat must be insane if he will follow my wife to the mailbox". And I was secretly thinking in my head "Damn Mooch, if you don't follow me even if it's half the way, you can kiss your treats goodbye and goodbye means forever !"

Beside having a weather radar, Mooch seems to be able to read my mind and the threat that I was quietly making. So when I got my mailbox keys in my hand and started walking out of the house, that little...sorry, huge fur ball just follow right behind me. Initially I thought maybe he is still within his comfort zone that's why he followed. And each time when I turned around, he is just right there behind me. The funny thing is that when I stop and turn around, he stopped and stare right back at me and "meow" and when I continue walking, he followed.

I wonder if his massive and hanging belly was just too much for him, cause about 1/2 the way to the mailbox, he stopped walking and just sat there. While I continued the rest of my walk, he just stood there unmoved. Until I reached the mailbox and returned, Mooch was waiting at the very same spot that he left me. Thus we continue our way back to the house and half way, he decided to make a detour and investigate our neighbour's yard.

I seriously wish there was some hidden camera that have record this whole episode or even Paul was there with me to witness this. It seems unbelievable that Mooch or a cat would do that and I asked Paul "I wonder if it's because Mooch witness me killing this enormous spider the size of his paw, that's why now he's view me as his pack leader and follow me around cause he know that I can make cat stew out of him ?"

Anyway, it's still a love and hate relationship with me and Mooch. I love Mooch cause he's everything I want in a pet. I hate him cause of his on and off outburst by tearing the window screens apart. Like a child, his is to love and be displine all at the same time.

Now, while I'm writting this, that huge fur ball is lying right next to me taking another of his cat nap.

I assemble this !

Yesterday, I decided to drive to the neighbourhood store aka Walmart (for Folks at home, it's kind of like Carrefour where you have everything under the roof, except it's 4 times bigger). Despite some racial comment or even about the quality of the product such as being "cheap", to me it's a money saviour store and nearest to me too. Yes, like any other stores, there's Best buy, Good buy and Yuckie buy but as long as it looks good, price good and is "useable", it doesn't really bother me.

Pete (Sommer's hubby) visited our place and propose a 2 in 1 - Laundry Basket in our Masterbath since we have the room for it and during then, I thought "but we already have 2 laundry basket". Next, Paul started complaning that he doesn't have enought counter space on the sink since I conqure most of the space available. SO I thought maybe Pete's idea would work for us and since then, I've been hunting for a 2 in 1 - Laundry Basket and Shelves and a hard time looking for one.

I finally found one at Walmart with a price tag of USD18, which sounds good to me. But since I've become a comparision shopper, I've decided to hunt for one with a cheaper price tag and I've found a similiar model at another store but it cost USD58 which is daylight robbery to me. Yah, that's a good USD40 difference and I'm not going to be an enemy to my wallet or in this case, Paul's wallet.

Thus yesterday, I drove to Walmart and grab my 2 in 1 Laundry Basket and Shelves before it really fly off the shelves. Oh did I mention another accomplishment, I installed and assembled the product ALL BY MYSELF !!!! Yah, Check out my victory piece. As for Moochie, he was busy circling around me investigating the parts and wondering what I'm doing.

This is what great me every morning !

I'm a Cave Woman !

I had a superb Sat, shopping with my SIL who is now also my Interior Designer/Consultant/Councellor. It's like "Best Buy" combine with "Best Companion". And to make things suck for those who hate their SIL's guts, I really love and adore my SIL hahahah

It's our 2nd weekend shopping together and it's like a crash course for me. Since adulthood, my idea of decorative items is an open invitation for dust to reside and prosper. And whoever said that you'll grow to be like your mother - They are so true cause my mom said the very same thing about the dust invitation when I told her I'm out shopping for decorating items hahahah. Oh, I've also learned that a lot of American girls like to have candles at home and burn them to enjoy the scent and the feel of the candle burning.

For me, the very instant the candle wick is flicking, I can really feel that my money is burning along with it as well. As for the other decoration stuffs, don't even get me started ! Hahahah And I've told Sommer, pertaining to the decorating scene, I'm not evolve yet. And I really appreciate her patience, tolerance and endurance level when it come to a "cave woman" like me. For my BFFS back in Singapore, all of them know that I need constant reassurance when it come to shopping and all along, it's been the job of Tricia, Cecilia and even Angeline (yes, my shopping buddy in DC). Which also explain why I'm kind of lost now until Sommer's assurance.

But I am proud to say that we've got things going and I'm progressing. So far, we've covered the master and guest bathroom along with the kitchen. Next on our list - my bedroom and the living room ! But I know we'll get there =) Check out the pics on some of our conquest !

Oh Oh, something to share with you folks. Sunday, I'm alone in the house (Paul is out working) and I was in my room putting up the laundry. Mooch decided to stay outside and enjoy the sun. Suddendly I hear him "meowing" super loudly on a non stop mode. It's the kind of "meow" that got me wondering "what the hell". So I dash to the door and saw my next door neighbours who came for a visit and help us with our wireless modem. My neighbours told me they were really scared of Mooch for fear that he will attack them. That convinced me even more that Mooch really think he is a dog hahahah. My sweet Moocher is sleeping on my feet now when I'm writting this.

Crazy Funny Mooch !

After 2 weeks in the new house and spending hours at a day outside with Mooch, now I am proud to announce that he's more confident to explore the unknown territories on his own.

Since these days we've been having great weather, ie cloudy, windy and cool. I've erected a hammock on my covered front pouch and during noon, me and Mooch would take our happy butts outdoor. Thank God for the covered pouch cause the sun doesn't shine on me or there's no chance in hell that I'll be baking under the sun. As for Me - I'll be swinging in the hammock with some reading material (for now it's some religion books that some Jehovah's Witness preacher left behind). As for Mooch, he's either patrolling the surrounding or jump in with me on my hammock or simply hopped on our beach chair and take his cat nap there, right beside me.

Mooch have also found his favourite spot in the house now ! The Guest Bathroom and Mooch have also claimed the floor mat on the guest bathroom as well. It amuses me that of all the place in the house, he choose the bathroom. Paul makes fun of Mooch like Mooch love the smell of the stinky toilet but I'm thinking "Maybe Mooch is trying to figure out how to use the toilet". Anyway, whatever makes Mooch happy, makes me happy so I'll just have to drag Paul out of the bathroom and give Mooch some privacy.

Check out Mooch on patrol.

P/S : Sommie, THANKS for everything ! =)

My New Dog !

We all know how aloof cats are, that they have an independent character and a mind of their own. They are definately not as needy nor attention seeking like those of a dog. Infact the cat don't go to you but you go to them. It's like you don't own them but they own you. And I begin to wonder if that's true ???

Somehow Mooch had changed from his cat nature to those similiar of a dog. Perhaps it's the stress of the move that's affecting him. Perhaps it's new surrounding, perhaps it's the new environment. But Mooch had certainly behave like a dog now.

For the past few days, Mooch had been following me around the house like my shadow. And wherever I go, whichever room I am in, he's right there behind me. I swear sometimes he even meow at me in frustration cause I wouldn't stay in one room.

At night, Mooch would sleep by my bedroom door but the moment Paul leaves for work, Mooch would jump up the bed with me and it's no longer the corner of the bed like he used to, it's right next to me, right next to my face. Yah, imagine me waking up with his face right next to mine or his butt right at my face. How about the times when he'll sit outside the bathroom when I'm taking a shower ? Or even pawing at the bathroom door when I take too long. Even when I'm cooking, he seems to be my assistant chef and he doesn't go outdoor unless I'm out there with him.

Yesterday the cable guys came and Mooch just hide under the bed and I had to coax him out and when he's out, he stick right next to me. I'm beginning to worry about him cause he doesn't even go out anymore. Despite how much I hate the sun, I've been spending 30 mins each day outside with him. That's when he'll only be outside long enough. Even last night when I'm sitting on the floor chatting to my girlpals online, Mooch was sitting right next to me and kept rubbing his head against my knee. It's sweet but it's also worrying at the same time.

If he's alone doing his "business", he doesn't take more than 10 mins before he start knocking on the door and want to come in. *sigh* I hope Mooch would start getting used to the new surroundings. It kind of worrying when he's staying indoor so much and have no interest to explore the world out there.

This is Mooch's first trip out. Believe it or not, I have to physically carry him and put him on my lap for a while before he jumps out and venture. Even though so, he kept checking where I am.

Domestically Challenged !

Finally, I've returned back in civilisation after 4 days of no internet, no cable and no phone in our new house. So how did I survive ??? !!!

Let's say the giantic load of packing, unpacking, tidying and getting things in place and in order occupied my days. Serious, I think in the mere 4 days, I've vacuum the house more than 10 times (20 perhaps). Paul even asked if I'm addicted to the vacuum cleaner or have I developed an OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

I view it as being domestically challenged cause for the past 4 days, I've single handedly unpacked and get things in order. As for Paul, he have bigger fish to fry such as installing the ceiling fans, the blinds and my "rainfall" shower head. Yes, it's always been my dream to have a shower head as big as it can be and have the water falling down on me like raindrops. Now I can officially sing "Rain drops keep falling on my head" when I'm taking a shower. Despite the new tub is big enough for both of us but I've never been the tub girl. It's like after filling the entire tub with water and emerging myself in there for 2 mins, the intense guilt of wasting water flood my head with issues of global warming and the constant self-questioning of "So I'm in the tub, what do I do now?" And let's not forget the image of the water bill flashing right at my face. Get the idea now ?!

Regardless, there still a big "to-do list" and I reckon we'll conqure it bit by bit. Thanks to my decorator and saviour - my SIL, Sommer, at least I'm not walking around in circle like a headless chicken. Neither do I want Paul to suffer from an instant heart failure when he know how much I'm going to empty his bank account thus I figure I'll make the bleeding less painful by completing the house deco in different phases.... Yah, that should work ! =)

Oh Oh, my cutie husband returned home today and surprised me with a bouquet of roses, 2 punt of strawberries and a stalk of broccoli.... Why broccoli ? His answer is "Well, you like to eat broccoli". Yes, that's my adorable husband ! As for our Valentine's Day celebration tonight ??? Well, he have the 2 remaining fishes to fry - To install the fans in the remaining 2 bedrooms and complete his home work. But that's cool with me, cause I want him to complete all he need to do for the house.

P/S : I hereby wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day ! May the love for each other last FOREVER ! =)

TODAY is THE DAY !

IT'S FINALLY HERE !!! The Day we've been waiting for - Closing on the house and begin the journey of our first house together, hopefully filled with nice memories. Along with it, we know we'll be signing our lives away with a house mortgage tied to our ankles. But at least it's going to be a house to call our own and one that we can be proud of.

But before I get too overly excited about moving into a new house, I'm dealing with the hated, detest and most painful part - PACKING !!! Does anyone know someone who have a magic wand that with a swift of the wand transport everything from our current place to the new house - WITHOUT Packing involved ???!!!

I don't know if I can do it alone for now... reckon I better enlist Paul's help tonight and get things moving. Somehow, Paul seems very calm and composed with the packing. I wish things are as easy as he said it's going to be. But we're moving on sunday and it's friday noon and nothing is done yet.... *sigh*

For now, I'll just lie on my bed and let the packing nightmare fade awayyyyy.....

Chinese New Year !!!! Gong Xi Fa Cai !!!

It's officially the First Day of the Chinese New Year (CNY) and I'm washing the sheets and packing some of our junk for our move. Yah, not exactly how I want to spend my CNY but unfortunately we're expected to move on Sat so I have to get something done in the house. Moreover, there isn't too much to celebrate since my Chinese family is not here neither can I find the yummy New Year goodies.Oh yes, I even remember the taste of the Chinese new year goodies, so yummy it make putting on the extra pounds seems so worth it.

Personally I enjoyed the CNY better when I'm a kid, during then, it's like "Woohooo...it's my Birthday and I can eat whatever I want with no restriction and get high on the candies and sugar and even get red packets filled with money !!!" The only down part is the constant answering to Questions like "So what grade are you in now ?" followed by "What was your class position last year" which if I wasn't in the Top 10 of my class that last year, I would be in so much trouble with my parents anyway. So those doesn't really bother me and those FBI and CIA detectives would move on to the next questioning victim cause they have bigger fish to fry.

When I started work as an adult, that's when it gets annoying... No more getting high on sugar cause it no longer work but now I'm old enough to progress to the Adult section - The Alcohol, which will help to get me numb instead of high! Along with age, the question bombarded also upgraded. Like a game show, except there's no price (okay, maybe the red packet money to buy more alcohol to numb yrself). Some of the typical Questions are "So where are you working at now?" followed by "Do you have a boyfriend now?". If your answer is "Yes", then you would be thrown into a trap without realising and that is Question no. 3 which is "Why didn't you bring your boyfriend with you?" or even better the Holy Grail of all questions "When are you getting married ?" That's when you wish the alcohol in yr blood stream would work so fast that you either puke in their face or not then pass out so you didn't even hear Question 3 or even wish everyone is aware that you are suffering from Selective Memory lost thus you can't even recall what the question is or this whole entire conversation is all about!

Since my Brother is usually the first target and after witnessing the victim's pain and struggle, I normally cut the suffering off by giving my answer to Question 2 as "No boyfriend" and that'll save me all the pain and agony. If anyone in the entire universe would be as naive/stupid to think that, "Maybe after getting married, all the questions would stop". Then I am speechless as my typical saying is "There's no cure for Stupidity". But getting married is like a double whammy, that mean no more receiving "Free" money but it's squeezing out money from your blood cause the rule of the game is "As long as you're single, you can collect all the "free" money that you can but once you're married, it's your turn to vomit all the money that you have".

Remember the saying "You can run but you can't hide?" That goes for the Married folks as well. So what questions does the Married Folks faced??? Well, how about "When are you both planning for a Baby?" and if you already have a child, it'll be "SO when are you planning for Baby no. 2 or no.3?" and if your child is in school, it'll be "SO how did they do in school?" and that's when the whole question and answer game begin.So now, do I enjoy CNY as much? Well, let's say, I only miss the CNY goodies. I also discover that I have more relative that I thought I did...

I am also positive that I'm not the only one going through the questions and answers cause all my friends experienced that as well.Regardless, amidst the pain and agony, there's still tons of fun and laughers and again the super doper yummy CNY goodies. And I still wish I'm with my family. But I can visualise that if I'm in Singapore now, the questions would be "SO where is your husband?", "When are you having your Chinese Wedding Dinner", or even "SO when are you planning for a baby". Yah, my mom whom is my spokesperson now would have to deal with those Questions hahahahha

UPDATE - Final house inspection was completed yesterday and every thing went smoothly. However, the Closing is set on Friday at 3pm instead of Thursday as we were advised previously. Well, Day 2 of the New Year, still sounds good to me.

FINAL Home Inspection !

Today, we'll be completing our Final inspection on the house ! Yessss... seems like yesterday when I was just listing the entire and endless list of the PROs of being a house owner and going through the routine again and again with Paul and today, here we are having our final house inspection.

Once everything is in order, we'll be CLOSING our house tomorrow which mean that we'll finally be a proud homeowner !!! WOOOOHOOOO..... well, along with it come with mortgage responsibilities and other money draining list but at least it's a house and a home to call our own.

Just as it seems, tomorrow is the Chinese Lunar New Year and my mom is super excited that we're closing our house tomorrow cause to her is the ultimate good sign from the heaven above. FYI, it's the Year of the Rat, which my mom happen to be born in the year of the Rat as well... coincident maybe ??

It's a little depressing that I'm not spending and celebrating the Chinese New Year with my family and friends back in Singapore AGAIN. It's the 2nd Chinese New Year that I've missed. What sucks even more is that my family, along with the triplets are taking their first trip together to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 2nd day of New Year. Darn, I wish I was there too... but oh well, I'll just have to suck it up till my return.

I'll also like to wish all my folks back in Sing - HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR and May the coming year be the year when your dreams and wishes come true ! =)

My Cat possessed ???

Have Mooch been possessed by the Cat Devil ???!!!

Somehow Mooch seems to be on a revenge mission. Yes, again he woke us up at 5am and this time I got up before Paul really throw him against the wall. Apparently Mooch had been "meowing" on and off the entire night. The insane thing is, all his food is lay out for him, he went out and came back around 12.45am after I finished my phone conversation with Tricia. So I reckon he should be happy and contented now that he have everything he need, thus I happily and peacefully passed out in bed by 1am.

When I got up at 5am this morning to feed him and I don't know why, for the first time, when I'm in the bathroom, he kept scratching at the bathroom door and the carpet outside. Until I have to shout at him, then he'll quit. No, it's not a stratch practise session for him cause we've bought him a scratching post. I thought maybe he want water but then he always drink from the tap in the guest bathroom and not mine. I just don't know what to do with him now except to prevent him from driving Paul insane. Why is he acting up now ? Does he no longer want to be with us ? But yet he always rub himself against me each time he sees me. Is there a Cat Whisperer out there ??? What does Mooch really want ??? What does his every meow and cries means ?? GIVE ME MY MOOCH BACK, THE ONE LAST WEEK WHO NEVER WAKE US UP IN THE MORNING !!!!!

Chinese Wedding Update - Major truma now since at the 11th hour, the venue which we initially wanted was booked. So it's back to the search and the hunt now. Back to exploring the venue, checking the menu and negotate the price. Aaarrrggghhhhh !!!!!

P/S : Dear BFF + Blood Sister + Wedding Planner (Tricia) - May the Force be with Us !!!! Thanks again for all your help, am seriously eternally grateful. Okay, I forgot, you hate to hear Thanks so here's the change "It's your bloody job !" Hahahahhah And Oh, that pic of Mooch is specially dedicated to you cause I know just how much you "love" cats ! =)

Jinxed !

I've jinxed it ! Just when I announced to the world about how good Mooch have been, over the weekend he decided to make up for the good days he had been and throw a fit with us and fed us with all his crappy behaviour.

Last night alone, he woke Paul up thrice, at 1.30am, 3am and then again at 5.30am. And each time, he started different tricks, first he wanted to go out of the house, then he wanted to come in, then he wanted to be fed even thought his bowls are filled with food. As for me, I am glad that I even survived the weekend.

Yes, for the first time in a long time, I'm sick but I'm glad that I'm still alive. Am down with a 101.7F fever (which is 38.7 celcius), beside that, I have the whole package, the burning throat, congested and blocked nose. Remedy, cold shower and loads of cough drops and mixture. Current Status : Fever gone, the rest still remain ! =/

Yah, now Mooch is still making demands and "meowing" at me and for the first time, I've scolded him, telling him that I'm sick and he's a bad cat. His reaction - Staring at the floor and stop "meowing". I hope he'll behave himself cause this morning, Paul was telling me, he's close to throwing Mooch against the wall !

Mistaken Identity Crisis !

I am proud to announce that Paul have successfully complete his training with Mooch. Why ??? Remember the 5am morning call that Mooch used to give us ? Or how about the 6am ritual with him stomping all over me just so I'll get up and open the door for him while I have to sit at the couch and wait for him ?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed while I'm say this but for the past few weeks, Mooch have never once woke me nor Paul up anymore. The only time when he make his requests is when Paul is up and getting ready for work. Even at 8am when I wake up, Mooch is sleeping peacefully right at the corner of my bed, protecting me. There are a few occassions in the morning when I'll pretend to be sleeping and spy on his move. Surprisingly, he'll just lay on his spot quietly, until I open my eyes, then he'll start meowing and walking up to me, which is totally cool with me now (for I use to go into a shock mode and think that he's about to attack me). I have to applause Paul for his effort and being firm with Mooch. It's definately Tough Love in the beginning cause Paul would shout at Mooch and say "NO" to him or even on a few occassions just push Mooch off the bed. As for me, I'll hide my face under the blanket or pillow cause I can't bare to hear Paul shout at Mooch. But Mooch is showing progress now....did I mention that he doesn't even stay out overnight now ?? He just chill out at home with me and Paul watching TV and if the lights are off, Mooch will go to bed too. It's like he know it's bedtime for him.

Now, Paul think I am suffering from a mistaken identity crisis with Mooch like I treat him as my child rather than a cat. Like how I would pet Mooch and talk to him and ask him where did he go if he just return home. OR cover and wrap Mooch up in a blanket when he is taking a cat nap. OR leave the lights on for him when we leave the house just so he's not scared. OR tell Mooch we'll be back in 10 mins before we dash to the store. My actions definately drive Paul insane especially when I ask him "You think Mooch will miss us or wonder where we're going ?" And Paul's reply was "He's a damn cat, he probably would be be thinking thank god now I can have some peace without that woman hovering over me !" Oh whatever, in my opinion, Paul's just jealous. Cause each time when we return, Mooch will just greet us at the door and rubbing me at my feet.

I only hope that Mooch will continue with his good behaviour. I've managed to sneak up on him and took these pics of him taking his cat nap (a hobby he is seriously addicted to).