"I have never felt that anything really mattered but the satisfaction of knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed and had done the very best you could." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Monday, December 27, 2010

Rare Monday Sighting

Today was scheduled to be a day for me.  The office was closed and I had only planned three things:

  1. Take Eraser to the Vet
  2. Get the car inspected (and washed)
  3. Renew the registration for the car
That all sounds simple enough right?  So it seemed to me as well.  I got up with SF, amid all her protests that I should sleep in since it was my day off.  I wouldn't hear of it because I wanted to keep the regular hours that I am accustomed to so I would be certain to be ready for bed at the correct time.  Somehow, that first cup of coffee in the morning while she is getting herself ready is much more enjoyable.  We have time to chat a wee bit and she is in a good mood.

After she left, I fixed my breakfast and started a load of laundry.  I was only planning on washing what I needed for a three-day work week and holding off on the rest until this coming Friday.  The load finished while I was cleaning out my knitting bag.  It had become stuffed with WAY too many patterns and items I was not utilizing for any of the current projects.  I promptly placed the clothes in the dryer and began to gather up the things I needed to accomplish the THREE things on my to do list.  All very organized and efficient things to be doing.  Dryer finishes, clothes get folded, hung or laid out to finish drying.  Off I got to get showered, dressed and generally presentable.  So far everything is going as planned.

Now anyone with a cat can tell you that what you wear to take said cat to a vet's visit is interesting.  In Eraser's case, she sheds quite a bit more than normal when she gets nervous, so I never wear white or black, as her fur shows up far to easily on those colors.  But today with the cold I wore dark green corduroy pants, my cowboy boots and a black log-sleeved tee shirt from the last Lone Star Rally.  Seemed safe enough to me considering the weather and the fact that we were going to a feline specialist.  So, no make up since cat fur sticks to that and makes my face itch.  I scooped up the pet carrier and before Eraser knew it she was safely locked inside and we were headed out the door.

We arrive at the new vet, Feline Medical Center, with plenty of time to complete the new patient interview and history gathering phase.  They have a wonderful front staff that instantly put me at ease and listened to Eraser's issues without any negative feedback.  The vet herself was wonderful.  My thanks to Dr. Julie Molitor would not be enough if we are able to get Eraser back to "normal".  The "house" cat, Isabella tried to be nice to Eraser but she was not really in the mood to make new friends.  Dr. Molitor patiently took more history from me and as we talked, we discovered some potential issues that we agreed merited closer investigation.  Now, for those of you that don't deal with Her Highness on a regular basis, you will not understand the strength and aggression that she gains when she visits the Vet.  She becomes extremely hard to handle and has drawn blood on more than one occasion.

This visit was no exception.  The tried Feliway to make the exam easier but Eraser would have nothing to do with it.  It calmed her for about three seconds.  End of discussion.  We placed a large bath towel sprayed with it over her and then the Vet and I worked in tandem to examine her.  She only got bad one time and that was when the Vet needed to look at her teeth and gums.  Blood was drawn from the Vet but not too much or too bad of a bite.  We agreed that she needed to be sedated so that they could get a blood sample and a urine sample without stressing Eraser or anyone else out too much more.  Thirty minutes later the visit was concluded.  It took just over two hours to get all of it done.  I'll spare you all the details, but I certainly hope that the test results tomorrow show us anything else that will help get her back on track.

Off to get the car inspected.  Should be a snap since the car is only two years old, right?!  Guess again my friends.  I lug Eraser and my knitting inside and get comfortable.  About thirty minutes later the tech comes in and advises me that the car cannot pass due to a faulty gas cap.  Seriously, a faulty gas cap and I had to lug all the stuff back inside and call SF for the nearest Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer.  She was wonderful.  She located one about five minutes away and even verified that they had the correct part before I drove there.  Another twenty two dollars later I was headed back to finish the inspection and get the car washed.  Once again, I lug Eraser and the knitting inside.  This time the car passes and in thirty minutes we are all finished and back in the car once again.

Eraser falls asleep from all the stress and the ride home is quiet.  I drop her off and then go tot the laundry mat to wash all the cat bedding.  Part of her "issue" causes this weekly trip.  After that, which was not scheduled, I drop off the bedding and head to the Kroger's to renew the registration.  I stand in line for forty-five minutes only to be informed that they no longer provide that service.  A thousand horrid words wanted to escape my mouth but they didn't.  I head back to the HEB and when I got to the Courtesy Booth there was no one in line.  BONUS!!!!  It took about five minutes and then I did a tiny bit of shopping and headed to the next stop.  I had to go to PetSmart for some canned cat food, a second litter pan, a scoop and a special litter.  I must really love this fluff ball.  Finally done I got back home at 4:45 PM.  I left home at 8:00 AM to start the day of three errands.  Not exactly how I planned to spend my day off.

Starting this evening, Eraser and Sassy get 1/4 cup of dry food and two table spoons of wet food.  Before I go to bed all food is to be removed.  They are no longer free feeders.  Ms. Eraser went up by almost two whole pounds from last year at this time.  They will get food two times a day and that is that.  They will need to learn to eat when the food is out.  We should have all the test results back by the end of the week, so i am hopeful that we can get to the bottom of the issues and get them all resolved before anything else develops.

Keep your fingers crossed and send healthy kitty mojo to her....

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas set up and the Cookie Mouse








Friday Fill-Ins #204

FFI


Today's the last Friday you get a choice of the regular fill-ins OR a different kind of fill-in (or both). As you know, a friend emailed me a list where you have to identify Christmas songs by the initials of the first words of the first line of each song. If you'd like to play along, great! And...Merry Christmas eve to those who celebrate it!

So...here we go!

1. These are a few of my favorite new traditions: Christmas Eve dinner with Kevin and Kathy, Christmas Dinner with Jeannie and Pat and opening presents on Christmas Eve with SF.

2. We like to have chili for Christmas, quite a non-traditional holiday dinner.

3. What's that I hear that someone in my immediate family now wants me to knit hats and scarves for them  What a pleasant surprise.

4. A house on Christmas Day without kids is quiet, quiet.

5. Some of my favorite holiday memories include coming home after Christmas Eve Mass one year to find all of our presents in green garbage bags with labels on them.

6. Our house has been so quiet this week we didn't hear a peep from anyone, not even a mouse.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a quiet evening with SF and bed early, tomorrow my plans include dinner with Pat and Jeannie and Sunday, I want to chill out and relax!

AND/OR

28. JOSNLYETW:
29. GKWLLOOTFOS:
30. UOTRRPOJGOSC:
31. JBJBJBR:
32. IHABCWY:
33. WUNWTAGC:
34. JHTSBRTTTT:
35. CTTMPRPPP:
36. AWHHOH:
37. HAHJC:
38. AIAMNCFAB:

And here are the answers to last week's:

19. IDOAWCJLTOIUTK: I'm dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to kinow
20. CROAOFJFNAYN: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nippin' at your nose
21. IBTLALLC: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
22. OLTOBHSWSTL: Old little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie
23. SBRAYLITLSIG: Sleigh bells ring are you listenin' in the lane snow is glistening
24. IBHFC: I'll be home for Christmas
25. WWYAMCWWYAMC: We wish you a merry Chrisrmas...
26. IHTBOCD: I heard the bells on Christmas day
27. FTSIAJHS: Frosty the snowman is a jolly happy soul

Saturday, December 18, 2010

So, did you miss me?

Okay, as you may have noticed I have been a bit reclusive as of late.  It hasn't been because I have nothing to share.  Quite the contrary.  I have been super busy at work and most nights I barely have the energy to fix myself some dinner before I crash.  While this is not all bad, it has consumed all of my energy for the last few weeks.  Even my knitting has suffered.  So, I sat down and had a chat with myself.  Starting TODAY I will be making sure that I set aside time for myself again.  Time to catch up on Ravelry.  Time to "visit" FaceBook.  Time to knit.  Time to go to Panera on Monday to see the Clack gang.  And time to catch up on all my friends blogs.  I have a lot to catch up with, so bear with me if I comment on your old posts.

That is all for now....off to get this place cleaned up and get ready to see CLACK peeps!

Friday Fill-Ins #204



FFI


This week, I'm going to give you a choice of fill-ins OR a different kind of fill-in (or both). A friend emailed me a list where you have to identify Christmas songs by the initials of the first words of the first line of each song. Each Friday until Christmas Eve I'll post 9 more of these songs and if you'd like to play along, great!

So...here we go!

1. What in the world is wrong with me.  I seem to have lost my knitting mojo, or at least misplaced it.  If you see it, please return post haste.

2. SF has been on a mission this week to keep me well fed.

3. Go Pearland Oilers!  You can beat the other team Saturday.

4. ISE9 scarf sent to secret spoilee with other goodies.

5. I keep avoiding the radio channel that is playing only Christmas songs for some unknown reason.

6. I will make a trifle for Christmas, or not.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to quality snuggle time with SF before she goes on her trip, tomorrow my plans include last minute house cleaning and knitting with the CLACK peeps and Sunday, I want to get my Christmas cards finished so I can get them in the mail Monday!

AND/OR

19. IDOAWCJLTOIUTK:
20. CROAOFJFNAYN:
21. IBTLALLC:
22. OLTOBHSWSTL:
23. SBRAYLITLSIG:
24. IBHFC:
25. WWYAMCWWYAMC:
26. IHTBOCD:
27. FTSIAJHS:

And here are the answers to last week's:

10. YKDADAPAVCACADAB: You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet & Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
11. ISMKSCUTMLN: I saw Mommy kissing Santa Clause underneath the mistletoe last night
12. CSBSDIHS: City sidewalks busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style
13. HTHASGTTNK: Hark the herald angels sing glory to the newborn king
14. GGROBAR: Grandma got run over by a reindeer
15. OHNTSASB: O holy night the stars are shining brightly
16. AIWFCIMTFT: All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
17. DTTSIAOHOS: Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh
18. WTKOOA: We three kings of orient are

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Friday Fill-Ins #203

FFI


This week, I'm going to give you a choice of fill-ins OR a different kind of fill-in (or both). A friend emailed me a list where you have to identify Christmas songs by the initials of the first words of the first line of each song. Each Friday until Christmas Eve I'll post 9 more of these songs and if you'd like to play along, great!

So...here we go!

1. I wish I could get motivated by something this month.

2. I would like a day at the spa...that's what I'm thinking.

3. Please bring an amazing chocolate dessert if you come for a visit.

4. Christmas through the eyes of kids is so amazing.

5. One of my fondest hopes is that I can close a chapter that still lingers open.

6. I have some amazing friends and I just wanted to say thank you.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing absolutely nothing, tomorrow my plans include a trip to the hairdresser for highlights and a trim and Sunday, I want to knit and do NOTHING!

AND/OR

10. YKDADAPAVCACADAB:
11. ISMKSCUTMLN:
12. CSBSDIHS:
13. HTHASGTTNK:
14. GGROBAR:
15. OHNTSASB:
16. AIWFCIMTFT:
17. DTTSIAOHOS:
18. WTKOOA:

And here are the answers to last week's:

1. HYAMLC: have yourself a merry little christmas
2. TFNTADS: the first noel the angels did say
3. GRYMGLNYD: god rest ye merry gentleman let nothing you dismay
4. ICUAMC: it came upon a midnight clear
5. SNHNAICAIB: silent night holy night all is calm all is bright
6. OTFDOCMTLGTM: on the first day of christmas my true love gave to me
7. DTHWBOHFLLLLLLLL: deck the halls with boughs of holly fa la la la la la la la la
8. YBWOYBNC: you better watch out you better not cry
9. JTTWTLHC: joy to the world the lord has come

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Friday Fill-Ins #202

friday fill-ins
(design by "thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/)"


This week, I'm going to give you a choice of fill-ins OR a different kind of fill-in (or both). A friend emailed me a list where you have to identify Christmas songs by the initials of the first words of the first line of each song. Each Friday until Christmas Eve I'll post 9 more of these songs and if you'd like to play along, great!

So...here we go!

1. The best thing about a birthday celebration is getting the meal of my choice.

2. Anniversaries are a great example of the passage of time.

3. I went shopping recently and the most interesting thing I bought was a red blouse from Eddie Bauer.

4. Life is child's game that I still love to play.

5. The reason is sometimes hard to explain but is usually as clear as the glass on a new car.

6. I live in the South so I don't have to deal with snow and cold.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the company holiday party, tomorrow my plans include the Pearland versus Katy game and Sunday, I want to knit and watch football!

AND/OR

1. HYAMLC:
2. TFNTADS:
3. GRYMGLNYD:
4. ICUAMC:
5. SNHNAICAIB:
6. OTFDOCMTLGTM:
7. DTHWBOHFLLLLLLLL:
8. YBWOYBNC:
9. JTTWTLHC: