Third time is the charm

I continue my evolution to "Crazy Cat Lady".  I took in my third foster litter a few weeks ago.  They know I want kittens that are not sick.  When I picked up this last litter, they told me they are 1/2 of a litter and one of the kittens in the other 1/2 of the litter was sneezing.  Of course, I had them home a day and they started getting sick too.  One of the poor kittens was actually fading fast so I spent lots of time with the staff vet, giving the kittens medicine, and force feeding the kittens.  Luckily, it all worked and after 7 days of antibiotics, they were all better and ready to grow and play.  I disinfected the room and was ready to move forward.

So they are the 1/2 of the "True Blood" litter.  I have Lafayette, Bill, and Jason.  They are the cutest little shits.  Bill and Jason are both missing back feet so they are considered "tripod" kittens.  They are very active anyway and love doing everything 4 pawed kittens do.  They are just not great jumpers and seem to get tired quicker.

You know me....here are photos....

Bill.   Such a sweetheart.   I started letting them in
my room as a daily treat.  He loves the bed.

Bill loving his scratching pad.

Jason in his box.  Little rascal.

Jason has big owl eyes and a fluffy face.  He was
 the most shy but now is doing much better.

Lafayette.  Seriously beautiful.  He is extra fluffy
and loves to play but also cuddle.

In my room, he loved laying by  the fan letting it blow on him.

Check out that face!

These are my longest fosters so far.  They are scheduled to go in for neuter on 9/7.  I won't take them back home after that.  So that is about 4 weeks with me.  I won't lie.  I've gotten really attached to them.  It will be very difficult to turn them in.  But there are 200 more kittens in the nursery waiting for their chance to learn social skills so they can be adopted too.  I hope these guys get adopted easily to great homes.  Makes them that much more special that they are tripod kittens.

Careful what you ask for

So this evening was the first HOA meeting at my new condo since I moved in.  Because of all the "issues" I've had since moving, I decided to attend.  Boy were they surprised to see me!  It was regular condo stuff like reviewing the budget and surplus and what costs what and how it meets (or doesn't) the budget.

Recently someone crashed into the garage door.  So they left it open until Philip's car got broke into and a bunch of stuff missing....which I promptly reported.  Within 2 days, they had a temporary door installed to make sure the building was secure.  Much to my surprise, they were able to negotiate to get the new temporary door for $500.  They will keep it in storage should the door break again.  But we are still waiting for the "real" door which is much more heavy and insulated.  (Insert eye roll here)  Then we saw the gym equipment was over budget because the elliptical trainer broke so they got a new heavy duty one...for $3000.  That must be some elliptical machine!!  I'll have to go check it out.

Finally one of the chair people brought up holiday decorations in the lobby.  I guess she couldn't get to it until mid-December last year and wants more help.  Betty Lynn leans over to tell me it is a horrible job and takes 3-4 hours to do. I asked further what they are putting up.  It is 3 table top trees, a wreath, and garland down the stairwell.  Hmmmm.  Well before I knew it, I was assigned "Chairperson of the Lobby Decorating Committee".  My head spun so fast, I could barely catch my breath.  That is okay.  Little do they know, they probably picked a perfect person for the job.  I like decorating and they might be very sorry they gave me the title. Of course, everything needs committee approval but it might actually be fun.  Plus they already have the stuff.  We will see how tough it really is.

Remind me not to go to church anytime soon.  I hear they are great at assigning jobs too!!

The Golden Girls

Several weeks ago, I was scrapbooking and watching TV.  When my movie was over, The Golden Girls came on.   I was being lazy and didn't change the channel so I watched it.  It was like a total blast from the past.  I remember how controversial the show tried to be.  They seem to try to tackle issues that were going on at the time - AIDS, Interracial dating, lesbians, age discrimination, etc.  Bea Arthur was always stirring the pot.  And oh my gosh, the fashion.  I wore many of those things they are wearing.  What I realized is these women are depicting women in their 50s and 60s!  I do not consider myself to be a Golden Girl age!  I find myself watching it more and more.  It comes on about the time I am trying to relax and get ready for bed.

What I am really impressed with is the concept of older ladies sharing a house.  I really think there is something to that concept.  In the Golden Girls, they have a large house that Blanche owned with her deceased husband.  They each have their own bedroom and probably bathroom with the living room and kitchen being shared area.  I know many fabulously older women that find themselves single...either through divorce, death, or choice.  And how nice to share living space with friends to do things with and be able to talk too.  I like that idea a lot.

On my cruise, I met many fabulously single women over 50.  They are vibrant and vivacious women that are enjoying life and are really not interested in hooking up with a husband.  Yes a lover would be fabulous but necessary.  I found myself really enjoying the friendship of women and having inspirational discussions with them.  My new friend Maureen is living on her daughter's property in the "barn house".  Dixie and Sheryl were mother in laws enjoying each other's company.  These are perfect examples of women living a fantastic single life while supported by other women.  I like this idea and think single women are fabulous and shouldn't feel bad that they are single and choose to be so.  I wonder how we could help society develop more comfort with single women and removing the stigma associated with it.  And how nice to have the ability to share living space with women who support and care for each other.  No lesbian tenancies required.  Something to ponder for sure.

Doing a little canning

I am not quite sure what came over me but I got highly motivated to can some veggies.  Not just canning but pickling!  There is a place in Sandy that sells tons of "fresh from the farm" veggies so I went out and got some beans. I had some pickled beans last Fall and loved them so I decided to take a try at it myself.

Look at these beauties!

My finished product.  I decided to put a little
 spice in there with garlic and hot peppers.

That went so well, I decided to try asparagus. That ended with sort of mixed  reviews.  I'm not an asparagus person.  After canning, they were a little wrinkled and textured.  So I tried again and canned less time but the texture was still the same.  So I popped open a jar.  I tried a little bite and frankly, it had good flavor.  Pickled well with a little after bite.  John happened to be over so he tried them and gave them two thumbs up and even took the opened jar.  So I decided that was good

In talking with Nola and Mom, they both suggested I try Bread and Butter pickles.  So I did some searching and found a recipe.  It  just so happens, I had just received my Pampered Chef mandolin slicer so I was set!  I got the weird spices and went to work.  I set up the mandolin and decided to try 1/2 a cucumber without the guard.  Just as I finished the mantra "DO NOT use the mandolin without the guard", I felt an excruciating pain only to discover my right thumb went through the blade!!  And I was home alone!  I grabbed some tissue and quickly realized that wasn't going to cut it (pardon the pun).  I grabbed and towel and then went to my first aid kit to get some gauze and tape.  I was honestly bleeding pretty heavy and every time I tried to look,  I got light headed and nauseated.  So I taped it up as tight as I could get it.  I was able to reach Philip who offered to come over but he was about an hour out.  I couldn't wait an hour.  So pioneer woman heritage that I am, I gathered my mojo and started my way to InstaCare alone.  Who has to do that??

Cleaned up version waiting to see the doctor.

It luckily wasn't busy so I was back with the doctor within 15 minutes.  He was impressed I left a flap attached.  I guess this sort of accident happens often!  t was an impressive slice.  I cut a small nerve too.  He decided it needed 3 stitches.  So I laid there crying and swearing as I got 4 honking injections in my thumb joint.  I couldn't look and thought I might throw up but luckily I made it and it eventually became numb. The assistant came in after the doctor and cleaned up my hand (it was not pretty) and wrapped it up.  I was instructed to leave the wrapping on for 48 hours.  Come back in 10 days to have the stitches removed.  I had the biggest pity party through the whole thing.

I came home and for about 6 hours it was pretty numb.  I went ahead and finished my pickles.  In fact, I did 2 batches!  It started really hurting after the numbness wore off.  Not only the cut but my knuckle and entire thumb.  So much so, I tried to decide if I needed a pain pill to sleep.  Well I decided to skip that because I still have my cruise cold and figured that cold medicine is more important because surely the pain in my thumb will get better once I sleep.  The cold medicine and pain pill have a drug interaction so you have to pick one.  No can do on my plan.  It was some of the worst pain I've felt.  I was sweaty and sick to my stomach.  Writhing in pain the entire night. No sleep what-so-ever unless you count the 10 minute stints due to the major cold medicine.

At 5 am, I decided I had to take a pain pill and hopefully the interaction with the cold medicine won't be severe.  So I decided to take 1/2 an Oxy.  Seriously strong stuff but it didn't even touch the pain.  I was able to sleep for 20 minutes but still dying.  So I got up and grabbed my super sharp scrapbook scissors and cut the bandage a little thinking it might be too tight.  I felt a little better and slept for 45 minutes more.  I could see redness under the bandage and felt I should probably try to take off the bandage at some point but I didn't have the right supplies to protect my finger.  So I decided to wait until I could take a shower to do anything.

You can bet right after my shower, that puppy was cut off.  I was just going to have to make due.  It was tough to cut with my left hand but I was motivated.  I was shocked at what I saw.  Turns out, the non-stick gauze they used under the bandage was latex.  I knew I was sensitive to latex but I've never had an allergic reaction like I had.  In fact, it is 2 days without the latex wrap and I'm still purple with blisters.  It feels like the skin is burned.  I did a little research and found out it should heal on it's own with time.  I can't believe I have to deal with this on top of the cut healing.

2 days after removing the bandage rash.  Those are raised blisters!

For those that want to see the full enchilada, I put pictures below but I will say they are graphic so don't look if you are afraid you can't unsee it ever.

The good news is I got 7 jars of pickles done.  I'm going to try dill pickles next but you better believe I will be using that guard!!

Scroll for photos....





Really be sure you want to see........







Are you sure?????







Don't say you weren't warned.....

The repaired job.  The red skin is rash.

First look after bandage removal.  That rash hurts me to see.

Getting all Zen

About a month ago, my friend Koli invited me to join a group of her friends for a Paint Nite afternoon.  Frankly, I didn't really care what the painting was.  I was just looking forward to getting out and being creative with friends.  I've not seen Koli for awhile so I was anxious to catch up with her too.

Our class was last Sunday at Squatters Brew Pub.  I suggested we get together early for lunch before painting.  She brought her lovely Mom with her too.  For the painting, we went upstairs of the pub.  There  were big windows and lots of sunshine...and about 50 people.  We started painting promptly at 2:00 as scheduled.  Our painting was a Zen setting with green leaves and stacked black rocks.  I thought it was very appropriate to do a "Zen" painting.

It always makes me nervous to put paint to canvas we jumped in and before we knew it, our 2 hours were over and we all had great paintings to enjoy.  It was a lovely afternoon and I so enjoyed myself. I brought my painting home and promptly hung it in my 1/2 bath.  It looks pretty good if I say so myself.

Me, Koli, and Suzanne

Making rocks so they don't look like a "pile of poo"

Our group and our finished paintings

They have more classes that have paintings I really like.  I just might find myself painting again very soon.  Thanks ladies for a very fun afternoon.

Foster Kitten Version 2

Shortly after I got settled back home from the cruise, I contacted BFAS to let them know I was ready for more fosters.  I asked for healthy fosters since the last ones got my Sissy sick and she still hasn't forgiven me (and neither has my checkbook).  So they called me Saturday and told me they had a single kitten for me.

When I went in to pick him up, I saw 3 kennels.  One had 3 in it so I knew that wasn't mine.  But there was a sweet gray and white tuxedo.  I fell in love immediately but it didn't take long for them to point me to another kennel and told me that was my kitty.   He was a cute white and black tuxedo with the sweetest face.  But he was biting the bars with arms sticking out.  Yowling and literally making the kennel jump on the counter!  Oh goodie.  They told me he needed some work because he was just taken away from his Mom and needed just a few days care before he was ready to be neutered (less than a week).  Then they giggled and suggested I wore jeans and long sleeves when I was working with him.  Before I even stepped away with the kennel of mad kitten, my left had had major stratches on my palm.  My right hand wasn't unscathed either!  Oh boy!!

So I got him home and set him up in the master bath. At first he was a little shy and hid but it wasn't long before he was out and running like a wind up toy.  This cat DOES NOT STOP!  He runs in constant circles.  He loved his toys I gave him and wanted to play non-stop.  He would not hold still to be held and bites and claws.  I figured he would settle down but he didn't.  After a couple days, I happened to be in the nursery volunteering.  I got to meet his Mom.  The staff giggled that I had him and suggested he just needs to get worn out.  So I came home and closed my cats out and let  him have run of my bedroom.  At first he was shy but within a few minutes, he was running like crazy.  Up over the bed and back down, over to the corner and under the bed, over to the mirror to puff up at the kitty he saw and then back into the bathroom.  Over and Over and Over.  He would stop and climb up my back pulling my hair that was in a clip then under the covers to bite and claw my legs and toes.  I tried to be very patient.  He just needs to burn energy.  But after 1.5 hours, I gave up and put him back in the bathroom.  Enough is enough.

Welcome to your foster home.  Mushroom looks almost upset to be in such swanky digs.

Giving us a wink.  He is such a flirt.

Resting for .5 seconds to watch TV.

His Momma post spay.  She was recovering in the Nursery.  Isn't she pretty?
I wanted to scoop her right up!

No matter how crazy he was, I did make a difference.  He learned to be touched, learned to jump and trust humans.  He even started purring when I pet  him and even petting him was a huge step.  I think if I had him another week, I could have made more progress but I think I did the best I could with my short term window.  I took him in last night to get neutered.  He was a shit but a cute shit and he looked so dejected I took him in after he trusted me.

I asked today how he was doing.  They put him with another kitten.  They said he was doing really well and they caught him sleeping snuggled up to the other kitten.  They assure me people love active kittens like that and he won't last long....leg climbing biter or not.  Good luck Mushroom.  Eventually all my scratches will heal.

Hello from the Tropics - Part 2

So I am home and finally downloaded my photos so I can share them.  Let's see where I left off....

In St Thomas, I never even got off the boat.  I enjoyed having my phone and data plan and spent time catching up on things including a good conversation with Mom (thanks Mom).  Because we were in port, the ship gets really quiet and I was able to sit by the pool and read with the island breeze.  I also went to Margaritaville and had an excellent Margarita which I am pretty sure was 1/2 alcohol.  Quick and effective for sure!  For we  had the most beautiful sunset departure out of St. Thomas.  Some jack ass was feeding the birds potato chips from the balcony so there were a bazillion birds.  I enjoyed a nice dinner at Cagney's....the steak house onboard.

Thursday, we were in Tortola and it was scorching hot!  By the time we docked and were able to get off the ship, it was probably already 90 degrees at about 9:00 am.  I did get up in time to have breakfast.  I went to the buffet because I had heard what great breakfasts they had.  So not my style.  I found a quiet spot on the waterfront deck to read.  It wasn't long before my new friend Maurene walked by.  We had a great visit.  She invited me to join her and Marlene for lunch the next day. That night, the solo cruisers had a dinner show in the Manhattan Dining room.  They had a Motown singing group which was great fun.  I was considering going out with the group but decided to stay low key.

I decided to enjoy room service the next day as it was a sea day.  It is free and easier than heading up to the buffet or other choices.  Plus I can be in my PJs!  I had a nice lunch with Maurene and Marlene and then went to the bingo game as I had some "win a cruise" tickets.  I did got to Teppanyaki again.  I was at a dud of a table but the food was delicious and the shrimp were fresh and HUGE!  I did go to the Brat Pack show at 10:00 pm.  That seemed so late for me but I heard great reviews and it seems I should be able to stay out until midnight!  There was a HOT WHITE party that night but I went to check it out and it was a real young crowd.

Saturday we came into the Bahamas...Nassau.  I do not care for the Bahamas and it was raining cats and dogs!  We docked about noon and they wouldn't let us off for a bit due to the rain.  It was absolutely stunning watching the rain from the waterfront.  I sat on a couch and watched us navigate around the rocks and such and park among the other 5 cruise ships docked.  Everyone was discouraged by the rain.  I think it foiled many people's plans.  It was our last night on the ship which means it is packing day and bags need to be out by 11:00 pm.  I watched some movies and just relaxed while I packed.  Maurene invited me to join her at Cagney's again.  I can't resist steak and shrimp!  Maurene invited me to join her on one of her future cruises.  That would be very fun!

Sunday my eye bolted open at 5:00 am.  I looked outside to see us coming into Miami.  It was so quiet and pretty to see the lights.  They let us stay in our room until 9:00 am so I ordered room service breakfast again.  I caught up on my phone messages and such as was able to get off the boat straight from my cabin.  I breezed through customs and caught a cab to the airport.  I was able to get on a slightly earlier flight through Minneapolis but I still spent a good hunk of the day in the Miami airport.  I got home about 9:30 pm.  I was so tired after all my travels.  I also caught a nasty cold that hit me on Saturday.  I was glad Philip was home and could help me with my luggage.

I had a great time and can't wait to go back.  In fact, I bought a deposit for my next cruise.  I would love to go cruise again before the end of the year.  I might take Maurene up on her offer to cruise with her!  That would be fun.  I keep thinking I am done with the Caribbean but I find my soul comes alive in the Caribbean.  Even if I have to travel different than I wished, I still had a great time and really enjoyed the ship.

I'm going to put my photos in this post instead of revisiting my prior post.  Hope you don't mind.

View of Miami from the ship

I am ready for adventure!

Bye Miami.  See you next week

Teppanyaki chef.  He was also the omelette chef at the buffet

What you see all day at sea.

Loved the Food Republic.  A paid restaurant on ship but well worth it.

Getting ready for a show.

My typical lunch or snack.  I'm determined to not gain weight!

Our trail off the back of the ship.

The only pool for most of  us.  It was always packed with all lounge chairs taken.

Listening to the Reggae band by the pool.  Very fun but HOT!

 

This is the solo lounge for those in the special solo cabins.  It is
like a big living room.  Although I didn't have access, they let everyone
on the solo list in at 6:00 to join in the fun.  They all went to dinner and shows each night.

One night, I ate at Le Bistro, the French restaurant.  It was excellent!

Massive chandelier in the middle of  the ship.  It was 3 stories long 

My favorite island, St. Maarten

Enjoying the port area

Beautiful flowers all over.

Our massive ship in port

by the side.  Isn't that huge?

Such a cute island

Another view.

And yet another view of St. Maarten

Margarita - my weakness.  So strong I
usually needed a nap after.

Fun fun fun!

 

St Thomas

St Thomas.  Love this island too.

I wish I could be right there on that beach!

For my book club ladies!  I finished this book in 2 days.  It was great.

The long hall from mhy cabin.  See the bright
blue spot way down there?  That was the
closest elevator and stairs.

My home for the week.  It was very comfortable.

St Thomas again.

Looking down from my balcony on deck 14.  Long ways down!

And to the back.  That black thing sticking out is Food Republic,
the restaurant I enjoyed.  Look how clear the water is!

Beautiful sunset as we sailed...even with the birds.

Dinner at Cagney's

This was so fun.  They would play a song without words and people
would run up to sing the words.  I went hoarse singing.  I guess I know lots of songs!

Tortola.  Absolutely beautiful.

Lots of sailboats in Tortola

Me in Tortola

Motown show with the solo cruisers

Helen and Billie.  Two of the solo ladies.  They were so fun!

Check out this cool cloud while at sea!

Reading on the balcony.  Perfect way to spend the day!

Waterfront deck.  I loved it here.  I don't think I was the only one!

Coming into Nassau.  Loved this lighthouse!

Ships that beat us there.

Atlantis in the background with boats of cruisers
out for adventure...in the rain.

 

Me and Maureen at Cagney's.  Can you believe she is 75??

Very cool cloud as we left Nassau

Miami and we cruised into port.  Simply gorgeous!

Since coming home, I've been kicked in the ass by this cold, work has been completely nuts, and my dating life fell to pieces.  I'll give more highlights since I've been  home in future blogs coming soon.