Sunday, August 24, 2008

Here is how I watched most of the Olympics these past two weeks.



When I say "watched" it was really watching highlights and re-runs as I generally could not stay up late enough to watch much live. But I got to see the best of the gymnastics and volleyball and swimming and diving. Sorry the video is so dark here, it is much better on my home computer screen. The kits climb all over the two crates we made for them and perform some pretty amazing gymnastics. Meanwhile, momma Stormy and Smoke find safety inside the crates while the kits are out.

How do you like my peacocks?


Saturday Mom and I went to 8 yardsales as Beth and Dad went to church meetings. I got some nice buys for VBS next year (the set of 3 metal peacocks only cost $1) and 12 picture frames. Actually, 10 of the frames are frameless and consist of 8x10 pieces of glass with foamboard backings and metal holders at each corner. These won't be any good for next year's fair photos but will be nice for home use. I only paid $2.50 for the whole lot and only 50 cents each for the other two frames I bought, one of which is oval. Mom and I had a great time and came home exhausted (at least I did). I had a nice lie down on the bed with all four kittens clambering over me and the bed. They are really active and loving. I am so glad we had this litter inside where they could be well socialized.

They have no fear and are beginning to express interest in OUTSIDE. When I open the door to let dogs in or out I have to check carefully for any nearby kits and even if I do not see any I usually still have to chase one down as it streaks off the porch after having eluded my grasping hands when it darted through the door. Shamus, who is being adopted by my cousin, is usually the culprit. Barb is going to have SO MUCH FUN with him.

It has been a long week for us. Saturday evening DH started having pains in his neck, shoulder and arm. He had had these before and got a cortisone shot in July for the same thing. This time it was worse. All day Sunday he was in agony. Monday morning he was a bit better but we still went to the doctor without an appointment but they squeezed us in. Prescription for pain pill and set up for MRI. Went to the pharmacy and picked up Rx's. Monday afternoon was his preop for the prostate surgery so we went to hospital and spent most of the afternoon there (waiting, mostly) and got that taken care of. Got another Rx there for Flomax that he had to start taking that evening. Back to the pharmacy to get the new Rx. MRI set up for Tuesday afternoon so I had to take more time off work because he still could not drive himself. Pain not much improved on Tuesday and Rx not really helping. So we went to the hospital for the MRI first and spent a few hours there then back to the doctor to ask about stronger pain meds then back to the pharmacy to see about filling the Rx where we were told the new Rx was just a stronger pill of the same thing he already had and just take 1 1/2 of the current tablets instead of filling the new Rx. Duh! Why didn't they just tell us that at the doctor's office? He was able to work on Wednesday and the rest of the week. Thursday evening we got home to discover a message on the answering machine from the nurse to please call about the results of the MRI. They have my work number but repeatedly call and leave messages on the home phone instead of calling me at work. So Friday morning I called and she tells me DH has "bulges" in his back and they are making a referral to a neurosurgeon. DH calls me and I tell him and on his last break of the day he is able to talk to the nurse and she tells him the same thing but has no real explanation of what the "bulges" are. It will take a few days to set up the appt with the neurosurgeon. Oh, and I have my yearly mammogram set for 9/5.

Life goes on.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Web Shots

I was out and about yesterday morning and this morning and got these nice shots of webs I thought I would share.



Shooting webs is something I find challenging and rewarding. They are so delicate and intricate and the sun and dew do marvelous things with the strands.

I also got some macros down the throat of the trumpet vine in Mom's yard.

I hope all of these can be biggie-sized when you click on them. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't?

I have not been on the computer much this past week for various reasons including the release of the kittens from the cage in both the mornings and the evenings. They are 8 weeks old now and have no respect for gates or barricades intended to keep them confined to safer areas. So ... except for the basement and attic they have free run of the house for unrestrained play until the dogs and the humans wear out. They still try to nurse from Stormy and she still wants them to do so at times but all are eating dry and canned food and drinking water (right alongside the dogs at times - no fear of bigger animals with bigger teeth at all). They also appear to have been successfully litter-trained. They have accidentally (I hope) used the speaker button on the bedroom phone twice now and put the phone off the hook as a result. Smoke runs and plays with them in delight and momma Stormy is becoming less of a worrywart and plays with them too. When they wind down I gather them all up and return them to the crate for food, drink, litter usage, and some well-deserved rest (for us, although they sleep, too).

Yardsaleing on Saturday netted only 1 picture frame ($1) this week but I also picked up an electric fountain to use for VBS next year (only $3) and a stainless steel water dish for the kits (50 cents) and a set of 4 glass coasters you can insert photographs into ($1) and 5 12 inch rulers (10 cents for all 5) that will also go into the VBS supplies. The fountain has a large rectangular base about the size of a large baking dish that holds a hollow "rock" that hides the pump and has a hole up through it for the water to come out of. On top of the "rock" you place a fake shell that directs the flow of the water. Looks good and works okay and will fit in with most of the VBS themes we use.

Still a month to go before the seed implantation procedure for husband's prostate cancer. Tomorrow we go for his pre-op and then back to the cancer center for more information. I know worry is what has upset both my IBS and fibromyalgia. Aches and pains galore but he is what is important right now. And I know that the worry is useless and unnecessary. Lord, I believe. Help me with my unbelief. It is so hard to let go of worries.

But in the meantime, He has provided the comic relief of 4 romping kittens and 2 semi-adult cats and 2 "where did those cats go?" dogs.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Happy Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day

Many, many years ago I gave a program for our church's woman's group that included a listing of special days of the year including famous birthdays, etc. In my research for special days I found Bonza Bottler Day. My family has "celebrated" this invented holiday sporadically ever since then.

Bonza Bottler Day occurs every month when the day of the month and the number of the month match. When the number of the year matches also it is a Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day. So today, August 8, 2008, is a Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day.

I called my sister at work this morning and sang her the celebratory song -- Its Bonza Bottler Day! Its Bonza Bottler Day! I just called to say - Its Bonza Bottler Day! (sung to the tune of Howdy Doody). My niece Jen called me at work and wished me Happy Bonza Bottler Day and I got to sing the song to her also.

There is even an official website for this holiday - www.bonzabottlerday.com.

So, to all of you, I send this greeting. Happy Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day!

Monday, August 4, 2008

Expansion

The kits are growing so fast. They are 6 weeks old now (as of this past Friday) and are brave, fearless, explorers who have no common sense as yet. So the crate has grown with them. I added another level this past weekend to give them more room to play and have they ever used it. Both Momma Stormy and Smoke enjoy the outside carpeted level, Momma mostly to sleep and still keep a watchful eye on kitten antics and Smoke to reach in and play with kits. Smoke and the kittens get unfettered play time together too. I am still not completely certain that he does not think of the kittens as entertaining prey but he does watch out for them and tries to herd them away from areas he does not want them in.

I have hung toys both inside and outside the crate to help entertain them when they get bored with romping with each other. There are now so many levels of entertainment and places to sleep.


Sister Beth and I went to yard sales on Saturday again. I came home with 8 more picture frames for only $4.50 total. We have about another month of yard sales before the season is over for this year. Have to start making plans for next year's Fair photos.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Top of the World, Ma

The new scratching post is a hit ...
so is underneath the recliner.