Kitty is home...

I picked her up today. She seems to be doing well so far. She has a follow-up next week and I only ended up paying a car payment not a mortgage payment. That is what almost 3 days of kitty hospitalization costs these days.

So far so good...

we have heard from the vets office on Saturday afternoon and early this morning. Dot seems to be doing better with the fluids. Toxin levels are lower, she is also eating. Good reports all around and I may be able to bring her home Monday morning/afternoon.

My kitty is not doing so well...

I took her into the vet yesterday evening. They are keeping her over the weekend. The kidney disease that started a few months ago and had improved recently has started to flare up in a major way. They are trying to rehydrate her to get her kidney toxins diluted and get them to start working again. I may not have her around much longer. I am not sure what to do with her during vacation. Typically I leave her at home and she does very well. I am most likely going to have to board her which will totally stress out her system as well, she hates being boarded. We did it one time and it was a terrible experience for her. I really don't have any other choice. I could always take her with us I guess. Sorry to be such a downer. I was worse yesterday, but blogger wouldn't let me post for some reason. Probably a good thing too.

Now how do I manage...

to drop the butter container this morning as I am putting it back into the refrigerator. When I dropped it, it landed on the inside edge of the fridge. The lid then flies off and butter flies everywhere covering shelving, food containers, yogurt containers, etc. It got everywhere, I am still finding it on things. Such a clutz!

Some days...

I have thoughts all day long about things to write about here and I just can't get to the computer when I have the thought. Then I finally get the chance to sit at the computer and dry dry dry. I have nothing to say. Today Aidan has a 6 year old well check. B wanted us to meet up with him for lunch. Nothing exciting probably McD's. I must stay away from the french fries! I set up the pool for the kids yesterday afternoon. They were so sweaty and dirty from the morning at the park, but the water coming out of the tap is like ice water. Not like the lukewarm stuff from the tap in Texas. Anyway, after Ainsley's nap they got in to play. By the time I forced them out so we could get dry and dressed before our pizza arrived (Mommy was tired and took the cooking day off) Ainsley's lips were blue and teeth were chattering. This afternoon seems warm too so I will try to fill the pool up earlier so that the sun can maybe warm it a bit more. I will have to take some pics too because this year I got them a crocodile pool so it has a slide to get in and get out. Very cute! Aidan also has Happy Bats this afternoon so I need to cook early. Not sure if B is going to make it home for that, I will have to check with him. Also need to take pictures of that too. So delinquent am I on the photo taking. Next week will be better!



I am also having issues with my cat. She has been going down hill for a while and I thought it was taken care of when we got her started on some thyroid medication. WHat is it with this family and their thyroids! Anyway, I had her teeth cleaned a few weeks ago and she was doing fine. She has since slowed down on her eating big time. She is a shadow of her former self. The weight loss has been going on for sometime and she has never been a big eater, but nothing like this. So I think I will have to take her in to the vet tomorrow. Ahh, I hope I am not going to be making anymore of the vets mortgage payments. Seriously these guys have me going broke! Later!

It is sad when people go...

We have made some dear friends in some neighbors of ours. A few months ago we learned that they were moving to the DFW area. We had met for dinner sometime back and talked about different areas to live near their new job, places to shop, places to eat, etc. Well, the moving trucks actually came this weekend and headed them on their way and we stopped by to see them before they left. They gave us the new address and after talking with them further we realized that they live about 10 minutes from B's parents and after checking one of the map websites come to find out they only live 3 miles from the in-laws so we have already made plans to visit with them when we are down on vacation this summer. Small world! Ah, too bad this is the family of our babysitter. Now I am actually going to have to buckle down and find another teen to come watch the kids every now and then. Well, we will miss them and wish them well and can't wait to see them next month...if we can sneak away from the in-laws that is!

Oh how my garden has grown...

I can honestly say all the rain has sure made my veggie patch happy. It has also made the weeds happy which is what I have spent the afternoon doing since the kids are playing happily in the yard. The tomato plants have grown so much now that we had to put them in their cages this past week. The broccoli is growing like crazy and seems that it will be the first to be ready. Happy growing! Later tater tots!

Tenative trip itinerary

Hey my Southern friends! I just wanted to let you know when we would more or less be where. We will be leaving here Friday July 18, arriving in DFW on the afternoon of the 19th. We will stay there until Friday the 25th and head to the Houston area where we will be until the morning of August 2 when we will start our trip back north. Miss N, it is totally up to you where you would like to make plans to see us. I will most likely have more free time in Houston during the week, but whatever works into your schedule will be addressed with the powers that be in DFW. Just let me know what you would like to do. You are always welcome to come to their house again as we did last summer, but they have cats this year so again it is up to you. I need to e-mail Miss M in Houston as well since I am not sure if she checks this or not. Later taters, have a great weekend!

Adventures in Grooming...

It all started on Tuesday when I received an e-mail coupon from Petco advertising discounted grooming. I have been meaning to take Alex in for ages, but I just never managed to get around to it. So, I call and schedule an appointment for that afternoon. After speaking to the groomer when I dropped the dog off, I was not terribly hopeful about how she would turn out. Typically all Alex needs is a bath and a brush out. She has mats that need to be cut out usually as well. The groomer told me up front that she could not get the mats out because they were too close to the skin and she could not use a razor. I said that I just usually get them with scissors, but I would just appreciate the best she could do. Then I explained about Alex currently shedding her undercoat. She seemed understand what I was talking about and took Alex back. She calls me about 3.5 hours later to tell me she was ready and that she did not do a very good job and that the dog needed to be shaved. She was clean when I picked her up, her feet and nails were done and minimal brushing. We chatted a bit and she discounted my price and I paid and left. When I actually started looking at Alex, I realize that she brushed out the trunk of her body and did nothing about the hind end or shoulder area. I wondered if she just got tired of brushing her. I decided that the next morning I would spend some time cleaning Alex up further. I spend most of the morning cutting out the mats and just brushing her out. The mats that the groomer felt required shaving was all the undercoat that needs to be brushed out twice a year. I am wondering if she just had no experience with this kind of coat before. Strange but not unheard of. Anyway, in the process of all the brushing I managed to break the brush we had so I made another trip to Petco. While the kids and I were there looking at all the brushing supplies, I came across an undercoat rake. The answer to all my problems. I spent a good 30 minutes and one kitchen trash bag later brushing out the rest of the dog's undercoat. She looks beautiful now. I will have her groomed again at the vets office while we are out of town in July. Hopefully with this brush, and regular groomers visits we will keep her from needing to be shaved. I can't imagine her mostly naked! Two days of industrious work and my poor peeing pup is all nice and clean again. I wish though that I would have come across that undercoat rake years ago.

New Recipe of the week!

Now I have not tried this out on the kids, but I know they will love it. We had this salad at a friends house and I never got around to asking for the recipe before they moved away. I happend to be going through my recipe bulletin board and there it was. I was so excited I printed myself a copy. I am thinking I will make this when we have my sister visit or if our friends from TN stay around for a day or two after our trip to the Windy City.


Apple Snickers Salad--don't have the original poster


4 granny smith apples sliced
8 oz cream cheese
8 oz Cool Whip
Snickers-4 large or 12 fun size cut into small pieces. (refrigerate first for easier cutting)

Whip the cream cheese. Fold in Cool Whip. Mix in apples and Snickers. Refrigerate until ready to serve.


Sinfully yummy!

I have to confess...

that things with my in-laws did not go so well. Some of you know that if I stayed in Texas a week longer this summer, they had offered to drive the kids and I back to Wi in their RV. I had my reservations about the situation, besides my general discomfort with so much together time over what would be a 3-4 day trip, I have Aidan signed up for a camp with the school that he would miss (intro to 1st grade). My concerns also included the driving situation. I would be sitting in the back of the pick up between the 2 cars seats for 3-4 days, potentially getting car sick as I do in the back seat. Plus, my in-laws will be continuing on at some point to Colorado so they would be travelling with their 2 cats. Somehow, travelling between 2 car seats in the back seat with 2 cats crawling all over the place doesn't sound appealing to me. B and I had a huge discussion about this the other night and I finally came to the realization that the reason he wanted this so badly was not so much so that I could stay more time with my family but so that his family would be committed to come visit. Needless to say, B made our excuses and told his parents that we would like to stay with our original plans because of Aidan's camp and such. His parents have now decided not to swing by this way at all. I don't understand why as they obviously had the time before because they had offered to come get us and drive us back. B is very upset with his parents about this. I feel like I should say something to them, but am afraid that it will fall on deaf ears. What I don't understand is why they have felt the need to be in such control of our vacation and then when we can't cooperate with them fully they just decide that they don't have the time to come see us. B was explaining the weather up here at that time of year too which was kind of strange as they visited in the summer the first year we were here. Are they concerned it is too cold? Anyway, if any of my readers can help shed some light on my in-laws behavior please leave me a comment, or send me an e-mail if you have it. Anyone else deal with this sort of thing? I am sure it has to do with the fact that this is the first time we have not lived in the same town with them for an extended period of time. Advice please as I am in need!

Harpt Lake

A Father's day desire of B's was to go fishing. We all went and he had purchased the kiddos easy to use poles. Ainsley was so impressed with her Barbie pole that she has been playing with it all day. The lake we went to was very full of water from all the rain we have had. The peir we were on was underwater the day before. My picture of the 3 of them together did not turn out for some reason, it seems to have been a camera glitch or something. I think everyone had a good time, even though I spent most of my time worrying that I was going to end up fishing Ainsley out of the lake. That child has no fear of water! Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there.

This makes me so sad...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25148584/



I really enjoyed Tim Russert and his sudden passing yesterday makes me so sad. I can not imagine an election without his commentary. Obviously he was left leaning as most TV commentators are, but he impressed me so with the election between Gore/Bush. He said early in the day that Florida was the key state in the election. Also, he had the best explanation of the electoral college that I have ever heard. Sad and sudden passing.

I have the cleanest floors in the Midwest...

as she did it to me again. Last evening and night we had some pretty serious rain. My pooch refused to go out again before being put away for the night. We debated leaving her in the crate, but were worried that she would just pee all over herself. B decided to put down newspaper. It helped, but I still had to mop again for the week. It is amazing the cleaning power of vinegar. It cleaned the dirt ot of the grout almost on contact. I may have to get the toothbrush out and do the rest of the floor. Don't mean to whine and complain again, but seriously...

Works in progress...

The first picture is the Mystery Block of the Month I have been working on. I have one more block to complete and I can purchase the finishing materials next week. The irish chain is much further along than pictured here. I have sewn all the strips together and have the large center portion complete. I have also cut out all of the strips I need for borders. I need to repress the seams and then I will be ready to add the borders. Just wanted to update my progress. More another day as I am babysitting this morning. Later tater tots!

These things are so for the parents...

As I have been buried in Kindergarten papers over the past school year, I have started scanning or photographing in Aidan's artwork. I decided to scan these in as well as some other certificates that he received on his last day. They also made red graduation caps for which I did not have my camera. So, another one of the Mom's promised to save her sons for when we get the boys together this summer so that we can photograph the boys in them together. I just love these things and I keep them all. Maybe I need to get off of my tushie and get into some scrapbooking.

We went to the library today and got the kiddos signed up for summer reading. It was a fun time as there was a bee keeper telling all the kids about bees and he even brought some to show. Aidan was able to pick out the Queen pretty easily (gotta love PBS). The kids got tattoos, visited the bees, decorated cookies and checked out books. When we came home we had a picnic in the back yard. Overall, a very fun day until Ainsley decided she needs to take a nap with her silly putty and wakes up screaming with it stuck between her body and T-shirt. Not sure if I can save the shirt, I removed all the silly putty, but as it was colored it has a huge red blotch. It is currently soaking with stain remover. We will see what happens. Later taters!

OMG Number 2!

I know someone on Nashville Star! I can't believe it. I don't generally watch these shows, but B asked me to put it on and there she is. She sings praise and worship at our old church in Texas and I believe her family is originally from Nashville. She has a voice like I have never heard before, but it is weird hearing her sing secular music. Her name is Melissa and I hope she takes this one home. She had made it through the first cut on another show, but did not go any farther which was a shame to me. Hopefully this will be a better fit and maybe you will even hear her music on the radio someday! Now though, I am going to have to watch that silly show just to see how she does. Later taters!

Office Challenge...

Would you believe I am still working on this! After B did our taxes I pretty much had to start over. I finally made it through the files, I had done minimal file shredding since 2005. My excuse is Ainsley was born so I never got around to it. Then in 2006 we were selling the house and moving, so I never got around to it. I have no excuse for 2007 except that I had my thyroid surgery and then a bunch of other miscellaneous illnesses. So here we are in 2008 and I finally cleaned out the files, updated what needed to be so for our new life in NEW, and I have shredded documents dating back to 2005. What a mess and I killed our previous shredder in the process. I had to run and get one this week and found one on clearance for $5. Done!

She peed on my floor again...

you all know who I am talking about. After being inside almost all day the day before refusing to go out due to the rain, this morning I wake to the dog outside and the distinct smell hits my nose. Argh! Brian had left her out this morning probably fearing for her safety. Anyone want a dog? Seriously, I am so done!

New Recipes

I was inspired by a friend this weekend to try to start baking more again. Little does she know that she inspired me either, but Miss J this is a shout out to you. I have had this zucchini bread recipe forever, since the original baker gave my hubby a loaf for Christmas and later sent over the recipe after we just fell in love with it. Then came kids so I never got around to making it, and now B is a bit of a health nut at times too so...you know how it goes. Aidan has gotten super picky over the past school year and even more so over the past few weeks, so when my friends hubby mentioned this bread the light went off in my head how to get some veggies into my son without him realizing. Hence, I baked zucchini bread. I told Aidan it had veggies in it, but he thinks I am fooling him and what is really in the bread is green sprinkles. I will let him think this if it will get him to eat it! So here it is, an Aidan approved Zucchini bread recipe.



Zucchini Bread- by Crystal C.

3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 c oil
2 c grated zucchini
3 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c nuts (optional)

Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Beat eggs and add oil, sugar, zucchini. Add vanilla and cream together. Sift 3 c flour and add other dry ingredients to cream mixture. Add nuts. Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees.

M's notes: I left out nuts as I am not a huge fan and neither are the kids. 2 c of grated zucchini-I left the peel on and just grated the whole thing, 2 of them made just over 2 cups grated.


Enjoy, later taters.

Memorial Day Parade

Aidan and his buddy Owen were part of the Riverview Marching Band. Aidan was excited about the parade but when he was done he was exhausted. The parade got a thumbs down because "it was about 10 miles." Needless to say I think it was actually 1 mile but he was tired nonetheless. I am not sure he will sign up to march if the opportunity arises next year. Too bad that he and Owen will be at different elementary schools next year. That is the big drawback of having a school of entirely kindergarten.