On the plus side, I finished Twilight. And New Moon. And I had a very snuggly kitty who spent his day sleeping on me. He is always so affectionate when he knows I am not feeling well. He's helped me through a lot. I <3 Henry!!
Showing posts with label cats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cats. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2009
96/365
Monday. The first day of Spring Break. And what happens? I end up stuck in bed most of the day, suffering with nausea and cramps from a batch of bad salsa.
On the plus side, I finished Twilight. And New Moon. And I had a very snuggly kitty who spent his day sleeping on me. He is always so affectionate when he knows I am not feeling well. He's helped me through a lot. I <3 Henry!!
On the plus side, I finished Twilight. And New Moon. And I had a very snuggly kitty who spent his day sleeping on me. He is always so affectionate when he knows I am not feeling well. He's helped me through a lot. I <3 Henry!!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
77/365 ~ Nigel.
Nigel started acting sick again. His breathing was very labored, so my hubby took him to another vet for a second opinion. The diagnosis was a hernia in his diaphragm, and he was considered to be in critical condition. The vet didn't think that he would even survive surgery to repair it, as all of his internal organs were invading his chest cavity and crushing his lungs. We made the very difficult decision to let him be put to sleep, to end his suffering. We will miss our sweet engine kitty, that mischievous little fur ball.
Last May, after I drove the girls to school one morning, I kept hearing this weird whistling sound that I thought was coming from the backseat... I thought Niko was getting a cold and doing the strange whistling sound that kids do when they have a stuffy nose. I got home, and a few minutes later my Dad knocks on the door and says, it sounds like you have a cat in your van. We opened up the hood, and there, sitting on the engine, was this terrified, pissed off little wild kitty, about 10 weeks old, covered in fleas, who promptly bit me on the chin and spent the next month cowering behind the toilet seat and hissing. Lots of love and smushing later, he was our sweet little tabby, that my hubby named Nigel.
He loved to chase laser pointers. He allowed the kids to carry him around the house like a baby and even dress him up in doll clothes. He loved to sit on our headboard and watch the birds in the trees and on the front lawn, curling his lip up like a bad Elvis impersonator and chittering. He was best buddies with Henry, and it was so sweet to watch them groom each other and sleep curled up on our bed together. He also liked to wake me up in the middle of the night by pouncing on my head or biting my toes.
Saying "Goodbye"...
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
~Author unknown
Last May, after I drove the girls to school one morning, I kept hearing this weird whistling sound that I thought was coming from the backseat... I thought Niko was getting a cold and doing the strange whistling sound that kids do when they have a stuffy nose. I got home, and a few minutes later my Dad knocks on the door and says, it sounds like you have a cat in your van. We opened up the hood, and there, sitting on the engine, was this terrified, pissed off little wild kitty, about 10 weeks old, covered in fleas, who promptly bit me on the chin and spent the next month cowering behind the toilet seat and hissing. Lots of love and smushing later, he was our sweet little tabby, that my hubby named Nigel.
He loved to chase laser pointers. He allowed the kids to carry him around the house like a baby and even dress him up in doll clothes. He loved to sit on our headboard and watch the birds in the trees and on the front lawn, curling his lip up like a bad Elvis impersonator and chittering. He was best buddies with Henry, and it was so sweet to watch them groom each other and sleep curled up on our bed together. He also liked to wake me up in the middle of the night by pouncing on my head or biting my toes.
Saying "Goodbye"...
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
~Author unknown
Friday, March 13, 2009
72/365
I finished crocheting the preemie gown last night, and then wove in the ends and added the ribbon today. I think it came out very sweet and elegant looking. I am now officially out of baby yarn, so I will have to buy more before completing any more of these charity projects.
I have been trying out the free samples of soap nuts that I won back in December. I'm not sure if they are actually cleaning the clothes, but I can detect a bit of a smell from them is permeating the clothes. I'll write moer about them after I use them for a week or so. It kind of feels weird to be using such a natural soap product in the wash, and then throwing everything in the dryer with a chemical laden dryer sheet.
Nigel is home! That last enema worked and he pooped out some sort of rubbery squishy material that we are thinking came from one of the kids' toys, as well as the barium th evet had used for the contrast Xrays. I think it might have been one of those stretchy spiders, as I have caught him chewing the legs off of those. One day I thought one of the cats had some sort of horrid worm infestation when I went to clean the litter box and suddenly saw long bright pink tube-shaped things sticking out of the poop. He's breathing normally, eating again, and isn't acting like it hurts to jump on/off the furniture.
Hubby and I are very thankful that between the two of us, we have been scheduled for 14 mystery shops next week with GFK. That will help catch up from the blow that vet bill dealt us. Thank you for your prayers for our kitty. The vet said that he prayed before he went to bed last night that Nigel would pass whatever it was that was causing him so much pain and discomfort, since he didn't want to go have to go in and do surgery on him today. He has had several cats come in over the last month that have swallowed foreign objects and needed surgery... including one that had swallowed over 30 inches of ribbon. As you can tell by my crafting and projects posts, I have a lot of that kind of stuff laying around the house... ribbon, yarn, thread, etc. This is a big wake-up call that I need to try to stay harder on keeping the house picked up, lest little Mr. Eat-Everything-In-Sight gets a hankering to gnaw on some other forbidden item!
I have been trying out the free samples of soap nuts that I won back in December. I'm not sure if they are actually cleaning the clothes, but I can detect a bit of a smell from them is permeating the clothes. I'll write moer about them after I use them for a week or so. It kind of feels weird to be using such a natural soap product in the wash, and then throwing everything in the dryer with a chemical laden dryer sheet.
Nigel is home! That last enema worked and he pooped out some sort of rubbery squishy material that we are thinking came from one of the kids' toys, as well as the barium th evet had used for the contrast Xrays. I think it might have been one of those stretchy spiders, as I have caught him chewing the legs off of those. One day I thought one of the cats had some sort of horrid worm infestation when I went to clean the litter box and suddenly saw long bright pink tube-shaped things sticking out of the poop. He's breathing normally, eating again, and isn't acting like it hurts to jump on/off the furniture.
Hubby and I are very thankful that between the two of us, we have been scheduled for 14 mystery shops next week with GFK. That will help catch up from the blow that vet bill dealt us. Thank you for your prayers for our kitty. The vet said that he prayed before he went to bed last night that Nigel would pass whatever it was that was causing him so much pain and discomfort, since he didn't want to go have to go in and do surgery on him today. He has had several cats come in over the last month that have swallowed foreign objects and needed surgery... including one that had swallowed over 30 inches of ribbon. As you can tell by my crafting and projects posts, I have a lot of that kind of stuff laying around the house... ribbon, yarn, thread, etc. This is a big wake-up call that I need to try to stay harder on keeping the house picked up, lest little Mr. Eat-Everything-In-Sight gets a hankering to gnaw on some other forbidden item!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
71/365
Sierra got her stitches out today! She is healing very well from her tumor removal, and is back to being her darling playful self. While we were at the vet, I checked in on Nigel. He is breathing easier and appears to be more energetic, but still isn't eating much and hasn't had a bowel movement. The vet said that he wanted to do another enema, and it looks as though he is spending another night.
Since one of the only ways to get my mom up and out of bed for the day is to take her somewhere, I told her I would take her to the thrift store if she got up, ate breakfast, and took her pills. I was hoping to find more skirts for me, but came up empty. Of course, I did find two below-the-knee length adorable denim skirts for Cecilia and Abigail. They've been twirling around in them and talking about how girly they feel wearing them! $2.60 well spent.
I started this little preemie gown yesterday. I'm at 9.5" long and it is supposed to be 12" long, and then I need to do the little edging and trim around the chest and neck. I hope to finish it tomorrow.
Last night:
And tonight:
Once you get the hang of the skirt pattern, it is an easy project to pick up and take around with you to work on in those "little moments"... the waiting room at the vets, while giving the girls their spelling tests, or waiting for things to come out of the oven... Like the yummy cornbread I am about to go enjoy with my leftover pork and beans!
Since one of the only ways to get my mom up and out of bed for the day is to take her somewhere, I told her I would take her to the thrift store if she got up, ate breakfast, and took her pills. I was hoping to find more skirts for me, but came up empty. Of course, I did find two below-the-knee length adorable denim skirts for Cecilia and Abigail. They've been twirling around in them and talking about how girly they feel wearing them! $2.60 well spent.
I started this little preemie gown yesterday. I'm at 9.5" long and it is supposed to be 12" long, and then I need to do the little edging and trim around the chest and neck. I hope to finish it tomorrow.
Last night:
And tonight:
Once you get the hang of the skirt pattern, it is an easy project to pick up and take around with you to work on in those "little moments"... the waiting room at the vets, while giving the girls their spelling tests, or waiting for things to come out of the oven... Like the yummy cornbread I am about to go enjoy with my leftover pork and beans!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
69/365
I had to take Nigel to the vet today. He's been having labored breathing since Saturday; you can watch his sides suck in and out. He just hasn't been himself all weekend long, not wanting to play, ignoring his food. The vet at first thought that maybe he ate something he shouldn't have, like a piece of ribbon, but so far the xrays haven't shown any blockages, persay... though he did say it took longer for the barium to exit than it should have. He doesn't have a fever, so it's not an infection. The vet kept him overnight, so hopefully I will find out more tomorrow.
After going to the vet, I had to take my mom to pay her phone bill. While we waited in line, Niko got to play a video game.
I completed another preemie hat. This brings me up to #5!
I made Bev's Summer Hat with the flower toppers from here!
I also worked on another project that I will share with you tomorrow... here's a teaser though: I saved about $70 by DIYing!
After going to the vet, I had to take my mom to pay her phone bill. While we waited in line, Niko got to play a video game.
I completed another preemie hat. This brings me up to #5!
I made Bev's Summer Hat with the flower toppers from here!
I also worked on another project that I will share with you tomorrow... here's a teaser though: I saved about $70 by DIYing!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
66/365
We had a semi-busy Saturday. Sabrina and Abigail had to be at another local elementary school this morning at 8 a.m. for the "Great GATE Escape". It's a once-a-year event for all of the 3rd-6th graders that are in the Gifted and Talented Program. They had a great time and were so very excited when we picked them up at noon.
They both got to do a class on Geology cupcakes and learned about the different layers of the Earth, and then they had separate classes for the second session. Abigail's session was on Origami Math. She made a whole bunch of different origami sculptures... a piano, a swan, a house, a rabbit, and a box. Sabrina's second session was in Technology, and she learned how to do a PowerPoint presentation. They're both looking forward to the GATE summer program now, where as before Abigail was thinking of skipping it because she wasn't sure if she would like it.
Here's a random picture of my hubby smushing my sweet Henry baby. Henry is such a docil cat, and will just lay limp in your arms while you do stuff like this. Nigel... not so much.
Cecilia finally lost that snaggle-tooth. She bit into an animal cracker at snack time and it really started bleeding. I promised her a McDonald's ice cream sundae if she would just let me pop it out. She finally agreed, the tooth came right out with barely a tug, and we both enjoyed a hot fudge sundae.
Is it too early to start singing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"?
I started, and completed, my preemie hat for March. This one is from Bev's Bumpy Hat for preemies (and newborns). Sorry my picture came out so yellow... I'll try to take a better picture when it is light out tomorrow. I really liked this pattern, it was a very quick work-up and I love the little bumps!
They both got to do a class on Geology cupcakes and learned about the different layers of the Earth, and then they had separate classes for the second session. Abigail's session was on Origami Math. She made a whole bunch of different origami sculptures... a piano, a swan, a house, a rabbit, and a box. Sabrina's second session was in Technology, and she learned how to do a PowerPoint presentation. They're both looking forward to the GATE summer program now, where as before Abigail was thinking of skipping it because she wasn't sure if she would like it.
Here's a random picture of my hubby smushing my sweet Henry baby. Henry is such a docil cat, and will just lay limp in your arms while you do stuff like this. Nigel... not so much.
Cecilia finally lost that snaggle-tooth. She bit into an animal cracker at snack time and it really started bleeding. I promised her a McDonald's ice cream sundae if she would just let me pop it out. She finally agreed, the tooth came right out with barely a tug, and we both enjoyed a hot fudge sundae.
Is it too early to start singing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"?
I started, and completed, my preemie hat for March. This one is from Bev's Bumpy Hat for preemies (and newborns). Sorry my picture came out so yellow... I'll try to take a better picture when it is light out tomorrow. I really liked this pattern, it was a very quick work-up and I love the little bumps!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
60/365
Another week, another lazy Sunday. We relaxed around the house, watched some TV, and got dinner in the crockpot. I did my second mystery shop for GfK today. This one was for a phone store, but I am not sure whether I will get paid for it or not. To verify your shop, they required that you uploaded a picture of some brochure or business card that had the address of the store on it. None of the brochures in the store had the address, and the business card that I got from the salesperson did not have an address either - only the guy's mobile phone number. I explained all of that in the comments section, so hopefully I will still get the $9. I guess it's no biggie if I don't since it was only 2 miles from the house and took less than 20 minutes, but I tried!
After my mystery shopping was done and reported, it was time for the grocery shopping for the week. We went to Stater Brothers for the $1.77 London Broil and then to Vons for the 97c split chicken breasts. After we unloaded the meat, we headed out to WinCo for the "bulk" of our shopping. I will post our menu tomorrow for Menu Plan Monday.
We enjoyed the Crockpot Potato Chowder for dinner again this weekend. This time I actually doubled the recipe so that everyone could have seconds, and so that I had enough left over to pack a lunch for the hubby tomorrow.
We ended the day with hubby playing a video game, and with me shaving the teenager's head to match his Daddy and brother. He also bought a pair of aviator sunglasses this weekend, so now I have to get a picture of my three handsome guys in their matching haircuts and sunglasses!
To conclude this post with a picture for today, here's Nigel chilling on the back of the couch:
P.S. My hubby started blogging again. He had a blog before called the Fat Cyclist Rides, but he slacked off on it and it was evidently deleted for inactivity or something. He decided to start up a new blog, The Fat Cyclist Rides Again since I got him back into cycling. His link is over there on the right of my blog. :)
After my mystery shopping was done and reported, it was time for the grocery shopping for the week. We went to Stater Brothers for the $1.77 London Broil and then to Vons for the 97c split chicken breasts. After we unloaded the meat, we headed out to WinCo for the "bulk" of our shopping. I will post our menu tomorrow for Menu Plan Monday.
We enjoyed the Crockpot Potato Chowder for dinner again this weekend. This time I actually doubled the recipe so that everyone could have seconds, and so that I had enough left over to pack a lunch for the hubby tomorrow.
We ended the day with hubby playing a video game, and with me shaving the teenager's head to match his Daddy and brother. He also bought a pair of aviator sunglasses this weekend, so now I have to get a picture of my three handsome guys in their matching haircuts and sunglasses!
To conclude this post with a picture for today, here's Nigel chilling on the back of the couch:
P.S. My hubby started blogging again. He had a blog before called the Fat Cyclist Rides, but he slacked off on it and it was evidently deleted for inactivity or something. He decided to start up a new blog, The Fat Cyclist Rides Again since I got him back into cycling. His link is over there on the right of my blog. :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
56/365
We took Sierra to the vet again this morning to have her incision checked. She had a lot of fluid built up so the vet had to drain it. Hopefully she will continue to heal well and this will all be over soon.
I made the cream cheese dip for the kids' after school snack today. I actually halved the recipe since it was just the 5 of us eating it, and it was more than enough. It was very yummy!
I also boiled up the 10lbs of chicken leg quarters. We had the Arroz con Pollo tonight. I already have the shredded chicken all packed away in the freezer, but I need to cool the broth overnight and then I will pack it up tomorrow morning.
Next up on my list of things to tackle today was giving both of the cats a bath. Henry is so nice and calm and docile... Nigel on the other hand likes to use every appendage and/or orifice available to him to try to claw his way out of the tub. Oh well, at least I saved a good $50 by not taking them to the groomer.
Nigel giving me an evil look:
My sweet Henry:
Giving them a bath reminded me of this joke:
How To Give A Cat A Bath
1. Thoroughly clean the toilet.
2. Add the required amount of shampoo to the toilet water, and have both lids lifted.
3. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
4. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids (you may need to stand on the lid so that he cannot escape). CAUTION: Do not get any part of your body too close to the edge of the toilet, as his paws - and claws - will be reaching out for any object they can find.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "powerwash and rinse" which I have found to be quite effective.
6. Have someone open the door to the outside, and ensure that there are no people between the toilet and the outside door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.
8. The now-clean cat will rocket out of the toilet, and run outside, where he will proceed to dry himself.
Sincerely,
The Family Dog
Poor Nigel... this thought did cross my mind. He's a lucky cat today.
I made the cream cheese dip for the kids' after school snack today. I actually halved the recipe since it was just the 5 of us eating it, and it was more than enough. It was very yummy!
I also boiled up the 10lbs of chicken leg quarters. We had the Arroz con Pollo tonight. I already have the shredded chicken all packed away in the freezer, but I need to cool the broth overnight and then I will pack it up tomorrow morning.
Next up on my list of things to tackle today was giving both of the cats a bath. Henry is so nice and calm and docile... Nigel on the other hand likes to use every appendage and/or orifice available to him to try to claw his way out of the tub. Oh well, at least I saved a good $50 by not taking them to the groomer.
Nigel giving me an evil look:
My sweet Henry:
Giving them a bath reminded me of this joke:
How To Give A Cat A Bath
1. Thoroughly clean the toilet.
2. Add the required amount of shampoo to the toilet water, and have both lids lifted.
3. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
4. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids (you may need to stand on the lid so that he cannot escape). CAUTION: Do not get any part of your body too close to the edge of the toilet, as his paws - and claws - will be reaching out for any object they can find.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "powerwash and rinse" which I have found to be quite effective.
6. Have someone open the door to the outside, and ensure that there are no people between the toilet and the outside door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.
8. The now-clean cat will rocket out of the toilet, and run outside, where he will proceed to dry himself.
Sincerely,
The Family Dog
Poor Nigel... this thought did cross my mind. He's a lucky cat today.
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