A full month

I know I haven't posted for awhile.

Honestly, I have been battling my sinuses for supremacy. I'm losing. I started late December, or early January. I've been to the doctor twice. I had a double ear infection. The last time I was put on two weeks of antibiotics; four days after the last dose everything started turning green again. I am going to the ENT this week. I hope this time they will help me.

Valentine's weekend we took a trip to Pigeon Forge. We took my Mom too. I think she had a good trip. I know the girls did between the pool table, the hot tub and the snow.

 

The girls have been busy with the theater. Chloe is working hard with her singing. One of the girls helping with the music said Chloe sings well she just needs confidence. Jesse has been tasked with "bee keeping". Or said another way, keeping about fifteen 6-7 year olds amused, quiet, and where they are suppose to be when they are suppose to be there.

Jesse is also working hard on her second animation class. I think she is finding getting the work done a little daunting considering she spends almost every night at the theater. But she is managing her time well.

We have also had a couple of "Nerf War" dates with friends. I know they are enjoying the outside time and seeing friends they don't see at the theater.

Update on Winnie: she is growing and doing well. However, her hernia re-opened a bit. The vet said she doesn't want to go back in to correct because Winnie is growing and doing well. We are watching it daily to make sure things don't change.

We also have another kitten. She showed up a few weeks ago. We are going to make sure she gets fixed (SOON) and have named her, Ember.

Happy birthday, John!

Today is one of those days we enjoy so much. Because it involves cake! LOL With everything going on John practically forgot about his birthday, though, thankfully, he remembered to renew his driver's license.

We took him out to dinner last night (we have plans for today) at San Jose. It was during this trip we discovered one of our roads is now open. They have not finished asphalting the new "bridge" but we can at least to that way be it slow over the gravel. I'm just glad I will not have to take another 40 mile trip to take the trash; once was enough for me. Anyway, John had his favorite: poblano peppers. He was happy.

This morning he opened his presents from the girls.

Hallmark ornament of Steve Austin

Poblano pepper!

The funny part was the pepper. John never quite gets what Chloe makes with her Rainbow Loom, but as soon as this was out of the paper he screamed, "Poblano pepper!" He loved the ornament too, but the girls knew he would. It even plays the theme song. He was a happy man.

If you are wondering how Hank and Winnie are getting along, I think pictures say it best.

Apparently, before this scene, Hank was trying to flip this bed (which is Rosie's bed) without knowing Winnie was napping inside it. I suppose he figured instead of dumping her out he would join her. He hasn't been chasing her aggressively either, just playfully. But she has found a new spot to hide and observe away from him.

 

 

All-in-all, I think life is going well here. John's birthday had a good beginning this morning. It is kind of calming hearing the tinkle of a tiny bell through the house.

Winnie

This post is about Winnie; however, it begins with Hank. Hank loves to play with is food. He is so adorable and simply cracks me up. First of all, we can't put his food dish in the holder because he enjoys tipping over the dish to dump the food. Then he slaps the food across the floor, with his booty in the air and tail just wagging! He loves it.

So that being said, this is why Hank's dish is not where it should be.

Winnie, however, loved his dish being on the floor. Winnie is a night owl. Even with her torn hernia, last night she decided to go for another nightly stroll around the house. She started with Hank's water. This is where she decided to sit while drinking.

The vet's office called and said Winnie came through surgery just fine. We will pick her up this afternoon.

Really need a break

In the last few weeks, we have spent more than I care to think about. My car alone has been in the four digit range (and is now making the same noise as before--don't get me started!). We were told Hank has a cyst that should be removed, but nothing urgent. And there have been a few other things too.

Today, we found out Winnie has a hernia. A very bad hernia that needs immediate surgery. She is going in the morning to have it fixed and she'll be "fixed" too. I just need a break from all the expenditures. I'm trying not to think about all of it too hard. But dang!

We also found out today the pond where the girls and John fish most often breached and fully drained at Fort Jackson. Also, Hwy. 601, south of us, is closed somewhere also. I am not sure if the road is there and needs securing or if it has collapsed.

A sunny day, but far from over

Today is beautiful! The first day in weeks the sun has shone. The temperature is wonderful and you just want to get out.

Roads are still caving. Where there were no problems with roads yesterday, roads are collapsing today. Not just sidewalks, but the entire road, all the way across, and five to ten feet wide. I believe I mentioned yesterday about Spears Creek Road collapsing. This morning a friend of mine posted on Facebook a second section of that road (all the way across the road) has crumbled, just a few feet above where it collapsed yesterday.

I worry about getting out on some of the bridges, that already worried me structurally speaking, because once people start getting out and traffic builds, weight on the bridges build are more bridges going to collapse? I told my Mom last night driving right after Hugo wasn't as scary as being out yesterday seeing all the roads washed away.

We have tried to keep our minds off of everything today. The girls rode their bikes today while John and I walked down the hill. We are also still trying to get Hank and Winnie closer. Rosie just wants to lick Winnie constantly, which Winnie does not really appreciate.

We have left Winnie's crate door open today. Hank has been more relaxed; he would go a bit crazy when he heard the squeak of her door opening. But she still is not adventuring out of her crate unless we take her out. John says she is the calmest cat he has ever seen. I agree...but don't tell him that.

A rose by any other name

Our beloved new family member has been renamed. Chloe has now decided her name will be Winnie (from Winnie-the-Pooh). John and I like it so much better than Tuna. Jesse is really hoping Winnie does not stay an indoor cat. lol

Hank is doing...better. He is so funny. Whenever we take Winnie out of the crate, Hank is right there wanting to see her. He likes to tug at her fur with his teeth. He used to do that to Rosie, but she stands up to him so he has stopped. Now, he is doing it to Winnie. Last night the little two pound kitten hissed like a big cat when he did it. We are taking baby steps with Hank. I think he'll get there, but it is going to take awhile.

I have been slipping further and further behind with my side of schoolwork. I am hoping I will spend the next two days working on catching up with school; however, with this icky weather I just want to sleep!

Jesse is about to finish "The Last of the Mohicans" and I am about sixteen chapters behind her. I know. I know! That is ridiculous. I also have not created their October spreadsheets showing what work they will do each day. I have a stockpile of math, science, English, Spanish and papers to be graded. It is rather depressing just thinking about it. I WAS DOING SO WELL!

Last Monday we took Chloe's submission to the state fair. Jesse's is due to go this week. Chloe submitted another picture. This one is of a goat. When she turned it in, Mrs. Betsy laughed. She loved the picture. I hope Mrs. Betsy is there when we turn in Jesse's earrings. She should like those too. We did hear that because there were so many student submissions this year that only the finalist will be displayed.

We finally decorated for Halloween today. I had told Chloe we would do it on Thursday, but it didn't happen. And we'll have to decorate outside after all the hurricane rain passes.

A funny thing happened on the way to Homeschool Wednesday at the library

Today started like most other Wednesday mornings. Except this morning the girls woke up early to watch the season premiere of "Shield" before going to the library. We usually watch it during lunch when we return, but since the library is having a Homeschool hour we watched the show before we left.

We left the library after Jesse volunteered, fully intending to return after lunch and running a couple of errands. But Target through us off. We were actually leaving Target heading to the car with all of our focus on the library. Then. Well, then we weren't. There, to the left of the door, in the corner, was an orange kitten. So small! But something didn't seem quite right. I handed my pocketbook and bag to the girls, then slowly approached the kitten. I remember why we call M.C. M.C. Because of how mean he was as a kitten. So, I approached cautiously.

The kitten panicked trying to run up the wall of Target, then back down to the ground again. And it wound up laying in that same strange position. After talking the girls a couple of minutes, and several other people stopping to see the kitten then moving along. I sent the girls in to ask for a box with a lid. As I was waiting, an older lady stopped by. After we talked about the kitten a couple of minutes, I told her our plan. Honestly, I didn't know how in the world I was going to get that hissing, adorable orange thing into a box without getting ripped to shreds, but I couldn't leave her. And Chloe clearly was not going to allow me to leave her.

With the lady still looking on, I slowly approached the kitten as it hissed, baring all its tiny sharp teeth. I rubbed its hind leg gently. The hiss roared and paws flew! I pulled back my hand with no injuries at all (whew!). I put the box on the ground with the open end toward the kitten slowly moving it closer. Un-expectedly, it raised up slowly walking right into the box. I closed each flap slowly hoping not to startle it, then gently turned the box with the flaps going up.

Once we were in the car, I called our vets office. I remembered they closed early on Wednesday and was really hoping it was not at noon since it was 12:02. I let them know what happened and that we were on our way. I think it took about two minutes for the kitten to stop meowing in the box.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "I LOVE Dr. King!" She is fantastic. Not only did she treat the kittens ear mites, worms and fleas for free, but she also made two x-rays for free. We found out the kitten is a girl. She weights 2.4 pounds and had eaten a bird sometime recently (very cool x-ray!). Then Dr. King said, "congratulations, you are now the proud owner of a kitten." Then I told her how many we have at home. Our cats go to the shelter for shots...too many of them for a vet, which I told Dr. King.

Chloe was given the privilege of naming the kitten. Right now she is going with Tuna (another cat named after food).  Her broken bone is lined up perfectly, so the doc said she'll heal fine on her own. However, because Tuna has ear mites she cannot be around the other cats. So, she is having to stay inside for a couple of days. Not sure how John's allergies are going to react, but Hank is going a bit crazy. I'll be working on calming him down until she goes outside I believe. I hope not, but right now it is looking that way.

So, we didn't make it back to the library today but there is always next week.

Somehow our funny bone is often tickled at night

Last night was no exception.

We had retired to our rooms. The girls were trying to fall asleep and John and I were watching TV and reading, respectively.  Suddenly, a loud bang came from the front porch. John and I both got up. I tried looking outside, while keeping Hank inside (he still believes an open door is an open invitation to go outside...we're working on that one still). Finally, I got out the front door looked left to wide-eyed frightened cats then noticed at my foot a weird wet "cat". I looked down and there, a mere, 8-inches from my foot was a small opossum. Yep, a opossum on the porch! I came back in immediately informing every one of my find (by now the whole house was awake). John got a long stick and pushed it off the porch. I found it more amazing none of our cats hissed or anything. The only noise had come from the opossum tipping over an empty container. Of course, that was enough noise to set both dogs to barking wildly.

Tonight is our only night off from rehearsals until after the show. Chloe is going to help a friend run lines over the phone and I don't know what the rest of us will do. I am looking forward to one night at home.

I am very happy to be wrong

I reported last week that none of our lilies returned this year. Well, a couple of days later John pointed out a few. I started counting. Twelve lilies are coming up. I had given up on them; my Dad's are about to bloom and mine are just coming out of the ground, but I'm glad they are there.


I had another discovery over the weekend, while planting the Mexican Heather. Last summer, my Dad gave a plant he had grown from me from one of his plants. Please do not ask me its name, because I really have no clue. What I can tell you is my Dad starting growing his summer before last and I loved it. It has tiny, thick leaves than drape over pots. I thought one would be perfect on our front porch. Last summer it was on my porch and it flourished! Well, it did flourish.

What I did not anticipate was our cat, Oreo, loved that plant too. She thought it was a wonderfully, comfy spot for her afternoon naps. In other words, by last autumn the plant was toast. I was heartbroken. Then, while taking a little rest, sitting on the front steps something caught my attention. There in the rise of the top step was something familiar. Several small plants. It was my plant! Growing right there on top of the mortar. John carefully pulled them up for me. There were two pieces. One plant growing tall by itself and another on a runner that had five or six small plants. Both pieces have been in a pot on my kitchen counter since Sunday. They have grown so much in less than a week. And this pot will stay in the house. No more nappy time for Oreo!

A day out

Monday was John's day off. As usual, by 10:30am he was bored. By 10:50am, we were all loaded into the car heading out to the zoo. We haven't been in awhile and knew there were some new additions to it that we wanted to see. We were no longer bored. ;)



It was sitting on Jesse's head.

Catching up #6 - Dad's blanket

I know I posted this on FB, but I never did here so Dad would not see it.

During the craziness of January, with all the theatre rehearsals, taekwondo classes and everything else I was trying to get done, I decided to make my Dad a blanket.

The treatment Dad is on, and the fact he has little blood, means my Dad stays cold. Well, honestly I could not let my Dad be cold. Yes, they have blankets in the house, but none made by me for Dad. So, early in January I started a blanket. I was really hoping to have it done by the weekend of the performance, so Mom could take it home with her. Well, I almost made that deadline, but then bronchitis reared its ugly head and I just couldn't focus on the blanket.

I did get the blanket done for a our trip up to see Dad in early February. It was the first time since Christmas we got to go up. (Play rehearsals were on the weekends too for this show.) I think my Dad liked the blanket. I made it blue, his favorite. I tried to make it long enough to cover those long legs of his! He did use the blanket that day as a pillow; we left it on the back of his chair. :)

Dad with his new blanket



Rosie just adores Grandpa!



Grandpa is always amused by Chloe.

Good with the bad

Last Wednesday we finally bought the girls their Betta's for Christmas. The girls were so excited to have their "own" pet. Each found a place in their room to put their new friend. However, we soon discovered their rooms were just not warm enough. Three, or four, nights ago we moved both fish into the dining room.

Yesterday morning, Jesse went to feed her fish only to discover he had passed away. Poor fish. Poor Jesse. John wanted to take Jesse out to get a new fish. Since I had an appointment, I decided to stay home so they would not be rushed. (They had already looked up the opening times for Monkey Joe's.) Again, there were no fish left at PetSmart.

We went today and Jesse has a new fish. A girl this time. Her name, of course, is Dory! Did I ever tell you Chloe named hers Squirt?

So much to tell ya!

First, I'll start with Cal. We took him back today to have his stitches removed. However, the doc didn't want to remove them because one spot did not look completely healed. We'll have to take him back in a couple of weeks, BUT he can go back outside. YES! I can sleep in my own bed and hopefully not be woke up in the middle of the night...several times. :)

Our home organizing is coming along. We purchased the second shelf for the classroom closet. It has made such a HUGE difference already. Everything that was in the closet has returned to the closet and I have even put some things that were in a bookcase in the closet. We purchased 16" shelves and it has made a remarkable difference. We have decided I need a third shelf, but only a three-foot one, rather than a six-foot one like the others. The three-foot shelf will house my sewing machine. I have agreed to let go of the desk I was keeping it on because it was in the middle of the room. I have to admit the room looks great without it. And with John's new rule of the classroom table has to be cleaned off each day I should have no problem with a place to put the sewing machine when I want it out.

I also reorganized the linen closet. I had recently worked on it, but a few weeks ago decided to donate a few things. Therefore, another reno was needed.

The girls are doing well with school work. Funny story: this morning at the vet's office the girls were doing some reading for school (we had a forty minute wait). An older gentleman came in and noticed the title of Jesse's book ("Franklin D. Roosevelt"). He told me he was impressed by the title for her age. I explained it was part of her history reading and he was happy with that. :) Most people in there just looked at us weird...probably wondering why they were not "in" school. LOL

The girls are counting down the days to my birthday. Before you say, "Aw, thats sweet." Hold that thought. They are couting down because that is one of the days for the next audition for CCT, for "Music Man Jr.". I still have not decided if I'm going to take them that day or the day before. I think we are leaning toward my birthday, so John can come to auditions. (Leaving work 1 1/2 hours early rather than 2 1/2 hours early sounds better.)

The great pool debate is continuing in our home. Last year we were going to get an above ground pool, then changed our minds. Now, John is convinced, again, it is a good idea. Not sure where we'll go from here. I'll keep ya posted.

Getting there?

I think our (my) goal to reorganize is coming along. We now have one shelf done in the classroom closet and it, alone, has made a big difference. We decided to add a shelf per paycheck. Sounds weird but that way I can live with one shelf, two shelves, etc., for a couple of weeks to know if I really need another one or not. I know I need two, but from there, I'm not sure.

School is going okay. Jesse is great as usual and so is Chloe, except for math. Chloe is struggling with multiplication and division right now. I think it may be the lack of book work the last few weeks with all of our field trips and yard work going on. We still have a good bit of work to do before the end of school (and maybe beyond a bit), but I think she'll get back on track soon.

Cal (our injured kitten) is still in the house. His leg is healing nicely and he is doing a bit better about not meowing, which is good when you are trying to do school work. I am hoping when I take him back Monday they will say he is good to go back outside. I know he is missing all the other cats and I'll be glad not to have kitty litter duty.

I cannot recall if I mentioned this. John has been thinking about painting the classroom. It is one of many rooms that needs painting. Face it, flat paint is terrible and that is what is on most of our walls right now. The fun thing is he liked the laundry room so much, he is thinking of painting the classroom the same color! It would definitely make it brighter in here for school and everything else we do here. I'll keep you posted on that one.

Pictures

I have had several friends ask when I was going to post pictures I've taken recently. So, this post is just that, pictures I've taken in the last week. I think I've probably taken about a thousand pictures! I do love my camera. And adore John for thinking of it.

This was taken at the zoo on Monday.

I took this picture in my Dad's backyard. While my Dad loathes squirrels, the squirrels love his feeders and despite Dad's efforts they still visit his yard. I love you can see the water droplets on the limbs. I've never been able to get that with my other cameras (I've tried).

This is from my Dad's yard too. Every afternoon the cardinals come in for lunch. He has four or five feeders and they are very happy there. I just caught this one resting and it is my favorite picture from that day. And I really love my camera does the border. My friend Carrie does this and I think it is beautiful.


Chloe found this on the nature walk. Yep, a hair. A canine hair. How did she see that on the ground???

Two of my friends, who are awesome photographers, were taking a picture of this tree, so I felt compelled to join in.

He did a fabulous job on this picture. I was impressed...so was his Mom. ;)

The wind was blowing!!

I love this picture!!

At the Children's Garden. I love the bears there.

Too Much!

I need a break! lol We have been somewhere everyday for a week (or more). Yesterday, we finally stayed home and did some cleaning, laundry and of course some schoolwork...no field trip. The girls were bummed. :)

I was not going to show a picture of my eye injury last week; however, a friend of mine told me she wanted to see it. So, if you are not into it, don't look. If you see it anyway, I'm sorry.

Momma cat was put outside night before last. I hate it was down to freezing yesterday morning and she has no belly fur, but she does have an electric pad in the house on the front porch to keep her warm. Yesterday, we saw her licking Oreo, and hoped Demon Momma was gone for good. This morning she was on the deck swatting at the other cats to keep a bowl of food all to herself. So much for family love.

I finally got out to the garage yesterday to fix my potting bench. John had asked if I thought I would need another shelf on the bottom; I just may need one. I am hoping to get out this weekend to repot some plants and start some seed (yes, a little late). But here are some pictures of the bench.

I had to teach TKD last night. While I have gotten used to teaching with Mike absent, last night was different. We give one free class for a try. You know to see if they like it. Well, we've had a young boy (4.5 yo) trying it. Last night was his third try. His first time making it all the way through the class, without tears or asking for his mother. Alex was there to assist me with him, at Mike's request. Mike was correct I did need it. Alex was by him almost the entire class, but the boy was leading more than Alex. So, toward the end I had Alex run the drills I wanted while I worked with the boy. I had to turn him to the back corner of the room to get most of his attention, it was still difficult to get him to look at me or listen to what I was saying. While he did understand most of what I was saying (he is Turkish and just learning English) I could not hold his attention. I had to tell his Mom we needed to wait. He was crushed. He cried...a lot. I felt horrible but it comes down to a safety issue. He almost got kicked a couple of times last night.

I have not mentioned how we spent last Thursday. Our nephew was the lead in his school musical, "Aladdin". He did such a great job. The entire cast did a great job.

So much this week!!!

One post will probably not be enough, especially considering I still have not downloaded the camera. ;)

I did not mention when we went to Lowe's, to purchase stuff for the potting bench, I somehow put the corner of the stain brochure into my right eye. Monday morning I had a big red spot (like Jupiter) on my eyeball. Yesterday, it looked a little better (more spread out than one big blob), but it still bothers me a bit. I would post the picture I took of it, but it was a bit gross looking.

I still am not able to talk about the "changes" yet, but I have been assured it will be soon. Fingers crossed. ;)

Jesse got her short bow staff last night. It is as tall as I am! And that is short?! She started learning her nine moves. She told me before class ended (after her first practice with the staff), "I hate Master Mike right now". Hmm. Where have I heard those words? OH, from me!!! LOL

Monday we took Momma (cat) to the vet to be "fixed". Yes, no more babies. I have to say she has been such a (well, I'll be nice) pest lately. She was getting temperamental again and attacking ALL the cats. Cat Black has disappeared again and I truly believe it was because of Momma's attitude. She has been so sweet since she got home yesterday. But she is still inside (meowing away...all night), so we'll see how she is with the others when she gets back outside.

John and I finished the potting bench Monday. I LOVE it! Last night he put my new peg board up. I just need to find the time to get out there to put everything on the bench and peg board. I could do it now, but then you would not know it was finished. ;)

I will post pictures tonight of the bench and maybe I'll take one of Jesse with her new staff.

It's October?

Wow, I guess it is. A few of our neighbors have decorated for Halloween. We have too! John put out his Halloween village, with a new addition this year. He now has a haunted house. I have to admit it seems pretty complete. I will try to take a picture one night with all the lights on.

A friend of ours recently sent us a box of clothes to go through. Of course, Chloe was elated with the Tink pjs and t-shirt. Jesse found many things she loved too. More laundry, but I don't mind since they are SO happy with their new treasures.

We are getting back to yardwork again. My enthusiasm is still lacking, but I am looking forward to having it all complete. My first focus is going to be the garage. I find it funny (strange) that it is John's garage but I'm the one mostly cleaning it. John has misplaced a garage remote and personally I'd like for him to leave mine alone. I sometimes find myself in my car ready to leave but unable to open the garage door. So the opener must be found soon.

I imagine this weekend will be filled with chores. John really wants to hit the fence again and work on the area surrounding the grass in the back yard. We still need to get rid of the weeds and put down mulch. I would like to get my bird feeders back up but I'm not sure how I feel about the cats trying to eat what I'm trying to feed. Still need to think about that one.

John's birthday is fast approaching and I have to say I have no clue what to do for him. I know he wants to go out to dinner but other than that I'm not sure. I have a couple of things in mind, but the girls and I are still trying to decide what direction to go in.

Our adventure with Oreo

Oreo is one of our older kittens. She was spayed on Monday and she can't get her stitches wet for at least five days. So, with all the rain she has been inside. Inside because I was worried if the wind blew the rain onto the porch it would get her wet, even though she was inside the kennel.

Day one went great! Of course she was still drugged up so she slept most of the afternoon, evening and night. Day two. Hmm. What to say about day two? She bit, hissed and was just plain mean. All this from one of our sweetest cats. It was a sad day...especially for me who was on the receiving end of her bites. Day three is going better. While she does have her moments of meowing constantly (and loudly) she has been in a much better mood. She is still biting but it is more of a nibble rather than an actual bite.

We are letting her out (within a foot of the kennel) while I change the pee pad because it is so much easier for me. I believe it is helping her to feel better about being inside. My only worry is doing this four more times. While I think most of the kittens are going to be fine, I believe "Momma" is going to tear me up!! She will be last...and I'm going to hope for NO rain for her.

A brief update

I have to say I gave up on Cat Black a few days ago. John did not. I let Rosie out early this evening. She sat on the top step of the deck peering out through the rails intently at something. I went to look to see what was up and there she was. A Cat Black staring up at me. As soon as I said Cat Black's name, Rosie bounded down the stairs toward the cat both of them rubbing on each other. One happy dog. One happy, and well looking, cat.