Non-Sucky Army Wives – NSAW. These are the friends I’ve made since becoming an Army Wife. Most Army Wives are sucky. Some are not. We find each other and stick together. S is my best NSAW friend. She happens to live on the next cul-de-sac, which is freakin’ awesome. And she makes dee-lish cookies, so that's also a plus.
Erika – Aliases include but are not limited to: E, E-Dollar, The Dollar, The Dollar Bill, Bill. Oh yeah, she’s a dog. A German shepherd with German blood lines who I acquired as a gift for LT Fromage. The process was likely more intense than adopting a child. After we finally received approval, we had to arrange travel from Kansas to Wyoming to pick her up, and then bring her back to Kansas. Erika is LT Fromage’s dream dog (minus the digging), but we leaned two things: We will never, ever, ever, ever, ever buy another purebred dog from a breeder again and we will NEVER get another puppy. Ever. God made them so freakin’ cute when they’re little so their poor owners wouldn’t have the heart to kill them before they reached a calmer, adult state.
Garrett – G-unit is our orange tabby. He loves wearing his many ties (true story) and knows how to sit, roll over, speak and beg. He loves cuddle time and at the first indication that we may be headed up to bed, he rushes the stairs and plops onto the middle of the bed. Also, he likes to lie on his back with legs sprawled all over the place.
Toby – Garrett’s little brother. A gray or brown tabby (depending on if you ask LT Fromage or myself) who can speak and beg, he and G are besties and are often found lying together on the couch. We only had one qualification when it came to bringing home a second cat, and he passed the test. What was so important? LT Fromage must be able to hold them hanging upside down. LT Fromage hung him upside down, thought for a moment, and said, “Ok, we’ll take this one.” Then he pooped in the car on the way home. Twice. Toby, I mean, not LT Fromage. He doesn’t usually poop in the car.
The Rattinos
In order of acquisition:
"The Ladies"
(photo to come, I promise!)
(photo to come, I promise!)
Lillie Marlene – Named after a German love song. A brown and white hooded with a cute little white blaze. A little introverted but such a doll.
Jenny Wren – Named after a Paul McCartney song. Solid brown with a white tummy and feet. Also has a little white star on her forehead. A picky eater and always plays the big sister roll to the young new comers.
Nina (Nini-Panini)- Long story. Marked almost identically to Lillie, also very introverted. I shouldn’t play favorites, but if I did, she would make the short list.
Ruger – Named after my gun. Black with a white tummy. I’m particularly close to her because she was so young when I brought her home, I had to wean her. Favorite place to sleep: In the food dish.
"The Gentlemen"

GOB (left) -- From Arrested Development (Said like Job, in case you're confused). He's a dumbo, and I'm not picking on his smarts, I'm talking about his ears. A cute little brown and white with giant ears. Pretty much melts your heart to look into those little beady black eyes.