Happy Birthday Suzie!

Join me in wishing Suzie a wonderful & happy 44th birthday!

Enjoy your day... I will get there as soon as I can to help celebrate!
May 1, 2008

5 Days Old

I'm pretty sure the momma came to us with a head cold, but in the last couple of days since putting a humidifier next to her, she is sounding less congested. Poor thing. She's such a good momma, even though she probably doesn't feel great. She purrs and knits all the time, when we're with her, so maybe she's not as miserable as I imagine I would be in her position. Anyway, she's much better now. For about the first 24 hours or so, she didn't eat, drink or use the litter box at all. She is finally now doing all those things, resulting in a noticeable increase in energy. Even so, she won't spend more than a minute or two away from her babies.

Happy 48th Birthday Regina!

Katie and I are thinking of you,
Hoping you're having a terrific day!

We love you!

Click here to email a birthday greeting to Regina.

Kittie Update

Well, looks like we have two boys and one girl. The two boys are the white and orange ones while the girl is the calico. They are thriving. I have to admit I couldn't stand it anymore and today I let Katie hold a couple of the kittens. It didn't seem to bother the momma, as long as the kitten wasn't crying.

Katie really is gentle and loving toward them and the momma too. I'm impressed. In fact, I learned over the weekend how much she really does listen to me. Our neighbor's son, Tyler is three years old and came over on Saturday to play with Katie. They just adore each other and play together very well. Katie wanted to show Tyler her kitties so I escorted them up to the forbidden, locked room upstairs where the kittens are kept. That is, the sitting room off the master with the child-proof thingy on the door handle. Anyway, Tyler, being a boy, was not quite as gentle (don't worry, nobody got hurt!) and I heard Katie repeat to him, all of the things I've been saying to her! She very calmly and kindly explained to him the proper way to behave around such tiny, little animals. I thought I would cry. She sounded so mature.

We're a Foster Family Again!

I hesitated, big-time, when I got the call yesterday to foster this momma cat and her three babies, but I hate to NOT help if I can. So, I asked her to let me think about it for a few minutes and call her back. I got off the phone and weighed my options about how I could take care of the new kittie family for about the next 10 weeks while keeping them separated from our own kitties, Hudson and Mater - who were, by the way, two of our foster kitties LAST year! No, we're not keeping anymore! Anyway, I called her back pretty quickly and said I thought I could swing it. She said the momma had just given birth that day (yesterday Aug 25) and she was anxious to get her out of the hustle and bustle of her pet store. Of course everyone wanted to see the new babies and kids wanted to hold them, etc... Too much for a new momma.

Since getting them home, Katie has been BEGGING to hold the babies, but I just can't let her yet. If I do just once, she'll see that as a free pass to do it all the time. Even I haven't held them, well, except for when I moved them out of the kennel they came in so I could wash the bloody towels. It's just not a good idea yet to hold them.

The momma is sweetest of sweet. She purrs the moment either of us walks into the room. She's precious. So far, I've seen only one little bottom and it is a boy. I'm assuming the calico is a girl (isn't that the rule?) and the other one is a mystery for now. I asked Katie what she would like to name the girl and boy. She thought for a moment and said quietly, "Um, Jack and Avery?" Well, of course she would say that! Too funny.

Caitlin's Shop on CafePress - benefitting MS research

Click the Wobbly Walkers logo to visit Caitlin's shop.

Support NMSS with your purchase!

$5 of each purchase will go directly to NMSS.

We will find a cure ...

Caitlin, David and Bridget Wobbly Shopkeepers

Just Opened a Shop on www.CafePress.com!

I learned about CafePress.com from my cousin Caitlin and as I looked around, I became more and more convinced that it could be a good outlet for me to sell some things. In particular, products featuring my Two-Mom Family design. I've modified the design and added color, as you can see. CafePress allows you to apply your own design to any of products they have in stock, like tshirts, caps, tote bags, coffe mugs, buttons, etc. So, when you get a minute, check out my new shop on CafePress! Click here to go directly to my shop, or click the image above. Enjoy!

Katie's Flower Drawings

Feels like I'm getting a migraine, but want to post these pictures anyway. (Click on the image to see an enlargement.) Katie loves drawing and reading and playing school. Last night she was sitting on the couch in the family room reading one of her books to her "class" and I walked past her, only to get scolded nicely, "Mom, you just stepped on my friends!" They were invisible to me, but not to her! So, I apologized and made sure they were all okay!

Alright, that's it for now. I need to take an immitrex and lie down.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

There are so few people who reach the 50 year anniverary milestone and its hard to believe that this year marks 52 years together for the two of you! Congratulations!

April 21, 2008

Playing in the Snow

We're getting SNOW!

Unbelievable! It's supposed to be springtime, isn't it?! Even so, we're getting snow this evening. It's unlike any other snow shower I've ever seen though because it's not coming down in flakes, but very tiny balls of snowflakes. At first we thought it was hail, but it's not icey, it's snowy.

Jack and Avery Video

These babies just get cuter and sweeter every time I see them!

Katie's Picnic Breakfast with Her Kitties

The Wrath of Katie

I forgot to talk about this the day it happened. On Sunday morning I was dressing Katie (I know, I know, SHE should dress herself at her age, but it's just FASTER if I do it! Leave me alone!) She was watching TV (I know, I know, TV should not be used a babysitter, but it gave me time to get things done with minimal interruption. Leave me alone!) I picked out a t-shirt and lightweight pants for her to wear and I dressed her while she was watching the TV over my shoulder, not really paying me any attention, or the clothes I was putting on her. So I finished with her, went back upstairs to get myself dressed and about 10 minutes later I hear her thrashing around downstairs, crying and screaming like the very worst, most horrible thing had just happened. I ran downstairs and found her crying the biggest tears ever, her body face down, draped over one of our footstools and when she saw me, she stood up, folded her arms over her chest and told me I was the worst Mom she ever met. "Bad Mom", she screamed at me, more than once, I might add. I hadn't yet figured out what was happening and finally she clued me in. "I HATE these pants Mom! I want tights. How many times do I have to tell you that?" I promptly told her she could wear whatever (the hell - I didn't say this, but wanted to) she wanted and told her to just go up to her room, pick out her own outfit and CHANGE her own (damn - I didn't say this, but wanted to) clothes (and stop screaming at me! - didn't say this either) if she didn't like what I picked out for her! She continued to scold me as she stomped as loudly as possible up the stairs. It didn't end until she had gotten those horrible pants off her body and was in the process of picking out a dress and tights. At that point, everything was good and I was back in her good graces. Geez!

Ice Princess, Gym Bucks, Ironing!

That's what my day consists of so far. Oh, that and finally talking to Bonnie on the phone, after playing phone tag. And, while I was on the phone, I glanced outside and noticed it was hailing! Tiny little white balls of ice, falling hard, bouncing all over the new plants I transplanted on Saturday! It was 70 degrees and sunny on Saturday, but today, just 48 hours later, it seems like I must have been dreaming or hallucinating, or maybe just living in Seattle. I don't mind though, really.

Anyway, last night Katie and I went to the mall. We went into Gymboree, armed with $50 worth of "Gym Bucks". If you have kids, you probably already know about these coupons. You earn them when you buy stuff and then you redeem them later during about a 10 period when the store says you can. If the Gym Buck is worth $25, you have to buy $50 worth of stuff. So basically, you're getting %50 off. I like that a lot. So, I picked out $100 worth of clothing for Katie and paid only $50. I like that a lot! And, you can pick things that are already marked down, if you like. I like that even better! So, that's what I did. The only problem is that we picked out things that need to be ironed. I haven't ironed in ages, until now! And, it's not even for me! I'm ironing for my 4-year-old! Crazy. Note to self: Never again buy a shirt with ruffles all over it that isn't wrinkle-free. But, geez, it's soooo cute! Maybe if I hang it to dry next time I won't have to iron it.

I mention Ice Princess because it is what I'm watching on TV while I iron. It's a cute movie I recorded on Disney Channel (yep, I'm watching a kid's movie). Joan Cusack is in it and I love her. Kim Catrell (from Sex in the City) is also in it and it's nice to see her in a role where she's not using her annoying high society accent (I don't know how else to describe how she talks in Sex in the City, but it always irritated me.) I am actually enjoying watching Kim in this movie.

Okay, that's it for now. Sorry I've been absent. I promise to post more often.

What a difference a sunny day makes!

It was a long week but it is amazing what two sunny, warm days can do for you! I took the time to exercise, relax, read and watch some fun movies... and a little of the things that you need to do like grocery shop, dishes and laundry. Its funny how you need to take time to regenerate by just doing nothing or just doing the little things needed to get by.

It also helps when all the week's stress settles down -- things at work are trying to get back to normal, Edy is home and healing, Mom is dealing better with Dad, and Suzie is healing and getting better each day. And, then there is Katie, my little bug. She is so full of life that even when she is mad at me it makes me smile! ;)

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Birthday Betty!

~ click the image to watch eCard animation ~

It's Not a Good Idea to Eat a Mouse

That's what Katie said to me in the car this evening on the way home from her school. I agreed with her and then questioned her about what might have prompted that sort of a comment. She never did provide much of an explanation that made any sense.

Hmmm, well I had hoped I would be able to write something interesting today, but I just don't have it in me. Sorry. Maybe tomorrow.

Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help

A member of my new work family ended his life last night. Shock and disbelieve are the only two words that come to mind to describe the day. He seemed on top of the world and no one saw it coming.

Hug your loved ones. Tell them how much they mean to you. Remember that your loved ones want you to ask for help if you need it.

We were not put on this earth to do everything on our own. We are a community of lives that survive together, not alone.

Love to all.

Did I Open Pandora's Box?

Today was a big day for Katie... on our way home from visiting with friends Katie announced to me that she had drank too much "diet coke soda" and needed to go potty right now. Well, of course, we had just gotten on the freeway with no "potty" in sight and I figured we could get home as it was only 15 to 20 minutes away. As we past the only real opportunity to go potty she began crying saying that she needs to go right now!

I remembered back to those long car rides with Mom & Dad when we announced we had to go. Dad would stop the car and Mom would open the car doors so we could go "in privacy." So, I pulled off on an exit and quickly ran around to her car door. When she realized that I wanted her to go outside she cried out in horror... "Where is the bathroom? I need to go potty! No, not outside!" I told her she had to go outside and pulled down her tights, and held her up so she could go. While crying and telling me that she can't go in the dirt... she started to go. Tears of pain and fear turned to the joy of "going outside in the dirt!" She thought it was so funny (not to mention that she now felt good) that she couldn't wait to go home and tell Mom that she went potty in the dirt. On the drive home she hypothesized about other funny places to go potty! I hope I didn't open Pandora's box... I hope she realizes that the bathroom is the best place to go potty!

First Post-Op Visit With My Doctor

Today was my first visit to see the doctor after surgery. It was an uncomfortable visit, though not necessarily painful. She used an endoscope to take a look around my sinuses and she also used a tiny suction tube to remove mucus and dried blood that could potentially get in the way of proper healing. Overall, she was pleased with how things looked and said I should heal just fine.

I asked for more pain medicine since I've almost finished what she gave me last week. I figure why not? Why be in pain when I don't have to be? But I know, it's gonna be a sad day when I run out and she won't refill again. I guess I should start weaning off of them now. ~sigh~ It's amazing how quickly it becomes a habit to take something like that, especially when it works well. Now I'm at the point in recovery when I need to pay better attention to whether or not I really need another dose.

My Sister

Bonnie turned 36 this year on March 22. For her birthday I had a pair of earrings made for her (I got a pair too). The stone is a teardrop shaped black star sapphire. It came from a necklace our Grandpa Finger bought in Thailand for our Grandma when he was in the military in Vietnam. Grandma gave it to me several years ago and I'd actually forgotten about it until recently when I came across it as I was cleaning up, getting ready to put the house on the market. The necklace wasn't something I'd ever wear and the jeweler said it really didn't have much value outside the sentimental value, so that's when I decided to have earrings made out of it. I'm also going to have a pair made for Katie.

Worst Day So Far

I woke up to a pounding headache. Just as bad, if not worse than anything I felt prior to surgery. My whole face throbbed. So, I quickly took a pain pill and made some breakfast. The pain medicine didn't even begin to put a dent in it. I knew I was in trouble. So, I retired to the recliner and just laid there praying the pain would subside. It wasn't long until I began to feel nauseous, too. I never did throw up, but it sure felt like I would numerous times. Regina made me my favorite soup for lunch, but I just couldn't eat it afterall. It sounded good, but my stomach said otherwise. I went back to the recliner and even though the pain persisted, I managed to doze on and off for a couple of hours. Both kitties slept with me, curled up on my lap. Finally around 3pm I called my doctor to see if feeling so bad at this point in recovery was normal or not. They said, unfortunately yes, it happens. But if I don't feel better tomorrow, I should go in to the office to be seen by the doctor. So anyway, I ended up taking an imitrex (migraine medicine) at about 4pm and fell asleep again. At about 6pm I felt pretty good, considering. And now it's bed time and I don't feel so bad. I'm a little worried about how I'm gonna feel in the morning though. Hopefully the worst is over.

Got a Nice Treat Today!

Thank you, Mel and Courtney for the yummy basket of fruit and cheese from Harry and David. The timing of its arrival was perfect. I was hungry after not eating much all day due to a horrible headache that had finally begun to subside, so I immediately devoured one of the apples and a good portion of the Dill Havarti. It really hit the spot. Thank you for being so thoughtful.