Fosters 8.....9....10......11

Last week, I went in to Best Friends and picked up a new litter of foster kittens.  As always, I wanted to make sure I got healthy kittens.  They  assured me they had 2 that were ready for me.  They were very busy so they asked me to go them directly from the kitten nursery.

So I headed down and was surprised to hear they wanted me to take a litter of 4 kittens....from the "Yellow" room which is where all the most sick kittens are.  They told me only 1 was sick but is better now and the other 3 kittens were fine.  Well the next morning, it was clear that was indeed not the case.  I was told to watch them for a day or so and give them baths.  So Philip and I bathed them and watched. And they got sicker.  So I took them into the vet.  They have the scary virus going around the nursery and adoption center called Calici virus.

The music genre group - Reggae, Hip Hop, Dub Step, and JC Chazes (he is from a different litter)

I am not happy at all.  The virus is very contagious.  And I already brought it in my house for 3 days before I knew it.  I do keep the kittens separate from my cats but this virus travels in the air and can live off a cat for over a week.  So it is very likely my cats have already been exposed.

My cats haven't been to the vet since they were kittens and they certainly aren't immunized.  So I took them to the vet next door to get their shots.  While the shots won't protect them fully it would help reduce the impact if they catch this virus.  And if I am going to keep exposing them to fosters directly or indirectly, I need to do what I can to protect them. They were less than happy.  In fact, it was so pathetic, I took a video.  See below....

Sissy being a sissy at the vet.  She hid her face in my neck the whole time and yowled.

I have an extensive cleaning procedures  for the fosters.  I put  on protective clothing and shoe covers.  I'm wearing gloves.  And frankly, I don't spend much time with them because I don't want to increase my exposure and risk that I will get my kitties sick.  The vet at Best Friends advised I DO NOT let them out in my room at all during their time with me which means I have to go into the bathroom and sit to spend any time with them.  Then the cleaning in the bathroom....wow.  I am questioning this litter and thinking this isn't the best foster experience and honestly I could take them back but I figure we are already exposed and I think my bathroom is better than living in a kennel for 4 weeks when they are ready to be neutered.  These guys are really cute but I will be glad when they are big enough to go back.  The really sad thing?  I finally got a white cat to foster.  And he is a sweetheart.  I would keep him in a heartbeat but he will always have the virus in his body and could break out at any time through his life.  I don't think I want to risk that.  Sad but true.

Kitten season is getting close to the end.  About another 4-6 weeks.  It won't be long before we are done until next spring.  I set a goal to foster at least 12 kittens.  These guys are 8, 9, 10, and 11.  I might not make 12....especially if I keep getting sick kittens.  Plus they stopped intake at the nursery and they aren't putting any kittens out for adoption until they can get this virus under control.  They think they are close which is good.

I must really love kitties.....

Update from Dr. L

I was trying to think of a clever title for this blog post but I am coming up empty so it is pretty bland....like oatmeal without sugar.  But luckily that isn't an indicator of my doctor visit.  My doctor visit was like fresh steel cut oatmeal with apples, craisins, pecans, and the best brown sugar on the market.

Dr. L (my oncologist) was very pleased to see me and feel around for my lump behind my ear which is almost non-existent.  We talked about how this is great news because it certainly means it is not aggressive and has remained in the "follicular" stage which is easier to deal with and certainly doesn't require ANY alarm.  Follicular lumps can "wax and wane" and although it isn't typical, they can basically go away which appears to be what happened to mine!  When compared to the other side, there is no clinical difference (as he put it) and he simply isn't concerned at all about any thickness that is there.  Given all that, we agreed to go back to "regular" follow up appointments which we set for 6 months.  Of course, if I find anything concerning, I will call and see him sooner.  So I am free until March!!

The other thing we talked about is the aggressive stage I had before is probably gone because it would have come back by now in some fashion.  So that is very very happy news.

So I have another 6 months lease on carefree living.  I can plan for trips and flights and Thanksgiving and Christmas and even New Years.  I can plan for President's weekend and how I want to attack early 2017.  I like this "ignorant bliss" stage I get to enjoy from time to time.  It makes it all that much easier when I can't be so carefree.  So look out world, here I come!

On a side note, poor Dr. L was looking pretty pained today.  I asked if he was okay....In a bad mood or had to deliver tough news.  He was surprised I noticed and seemed to spend a little time trying to figure out what is going on with him.  He finally told me he is in significant pain.  He is a very athletic guy.  Several years ago, he had an MCL tear in his knee.  He hobbled on crutches for the longest time.  Well I guess it never quite recovered fully so he has been compensating....and that resulted in him wearing out is opposite hip!  Go figure.  Dr. L needs a hip replacement!  Poor guy.  He is way too young for that! I think he is in his late 40s.  He said he wants to wait until after ski season.  I told him if he can indeed ski, that is excellent and it can certainly wait.  I hope he is doing okay.  I was relieved it wasn't the pressure of being an oncologist.  I still can't imagine how difficult that would be.

Foster Update

Wednesday came the day to turn my foster kittens in.  I knew it would be hard but it was more than that.  It was incredibly heartbreaking.  I had them almost 5 weeks.  Over that time, I got really attached.  I am almost embarassed to admit I cried my eyes out.  In fact, I cried so much, I got a bloody nose!  But I followed through my committment and took them in.  Erin at the Adoption Center was so sweet.  She told me that it just means I am a great foster because I love them and that is exactly what they need.  Thursday they got neutered.

Friday afternoon, they came out to the kitten room for adoption.  I was in my car in about 2.5 seconds to go see them.  I missed them so much.  When I got there, the room had 16 kittens in it that had just been released to find their way together.  It took me a minute to get oriented but then I recognized Lafayette and held him a minute but he wanted back down.  Then Jason caught my eye.  I called him and he ran to me and settled into my arms ready for some love and a nap.  Pretty soon Lafayette was trying to climb my leg.  He never was one that didn't want held if someone else was being held.  So I held them both for a bit.  I brushed them (their fur was ruffled and messy)  and cleaned off the stuff that was on them...probably from being in a kennel for surgery.  It took me awhile to find Bill and pick him up.  He was so nervous he couldn't hold still.  Jason was nervous too and hid in the cat box under the bench.

There were lots of people coming in and out to get some kitten time.  One of the employees said we could only stay 5 minutes if we weren't looking to adopt.  I still lingered a little while.  Before I left, Lafayette was laying upside down with his eyes closed sleeping in some woman's lap.  Jason was being cuddled by another woman that confessed how much she loved him (cute fluff face and owl eyes).  Poor Bill was still running around.  Driving home, I decided if they don't find homes, I will just have to go get them for myself.  I planned to come back Sunday.

Well today I wake up ready to go visit but Jason and Bill had both been adopted!  Both tripods found their forever homes.  Who knew Lafayette would be last.  He is so pretty.  Fast forward to this afternoon and Lafayette is adopted too!!  So they didn't even last the weekend.  So much for my concern for a black kitten with 3 feet!  I would like to think it was my love and attention that made them able to get adopted so quickly.  They certainly were sweet kitties and ready to be loved.  A pretty good story for kittens that were cast away by someone (including their Mom) 2 months ago.

I'll get some new kitten fosters again very soon.

Bill.  I called him Bill E Bob

Jason.  I called  him Jace Jace.  He knew his name well.

Lafayette.  The king of the crowd.  Such a pretty  boy.

A beautiful September wedding

One of my dear friends, Kiimberlee's eldest daughter, Karissa got married yesterday.  It is hard to believe that I met Kimberlee 21 years ago when Karissa was just a toddler.  Philip nor Parker (they were born on each other's due date) were born yet.  Yet Karissa has grown into an amazingly beautiful woman.  Ready to start the next phase of her life as a wife.  Karissa grew up and went to school.  She eventually found her way to Fidelity where she has quickly rose through the ranks.  Not surprised since her Mom was so incredibly successful during her time at Fidelity.  Her Dad John also worked at Fidelity for 30 years.

So we came together on a beautiful Saturday evening to celebrate Karissa and her love of her life, Tyler.  Karissa is every bit as beautiful as her mom and Tyler is handsome, almost like a Ken doll. They had a very small guest list so I felt pretty lucky to be included.  My close friend Stacy was invited and attending as well so we decided to go as each other's date.  They had a lovely dinner and drinks, dancing, and even a sparkler send off.  It was a fantastic time!!

Here are some photos....

Karissa and Tyler

Youngest daughter, Ella and her cute boyfriend.

Mother and Father of the bride, Kimberlee and John.
Good friends even though they've been divorced a long time.

First Dance

Kimberlee and her husband Aki watching the first dance.

Karissa, Kimberlee, and Stacy

Ella, Maid of Honor, giving her sweet and perfect toast

  

Me and Stacy

So we were trying to take a selfie.  And the queen of selfies (Kimberlee)
asked where to look.  Stacy just matter of factly said "Look at the hole.  
Magic is in the hole." It hit us all funny and we laughed and laughed. 
 And somehow happened to snap a photo of it.

Sweet ladies.  These women are so important to me.

Another view.

If I were a betting woman, I would bet that Stacy will be the next Mom we will be celebrating with as a daughter gets married.  I look forward to that and coming together to support each other through life's moments.

Mirror Lake

Fritz came out to Salt Lake for a visit during the Labor Day weekend.  We had a great time playing with my foster kittens.  I needed to check his luggage before he left because he and Lafayette bonded and became very close.  We also decided to take a drive up to Mirror Lake.  One of my reasons for choosing that drive is I've wanted eat at the drug store in Kamas.  I've heard they have the very best burgers.  Unfortunately, we got there and it was closed!  So we at at the Mirror Lake Diner which was also very good.

Fritz  and Lafayette.  Best buddies!

Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed the drive.  The leaves were starting to change and it was absolutely beautiful.  We found ourselves jealous of the people camping and enjoying the outdoors.  It was almost impossible to not smell the "camping smell" of good food cooked by the campers.  If you've been up there, one hits the point where the cell phone no longer works so my map application quit.  I was starting to question my decision without more planning and at least a paper map or knowledge of what I was doing.  But before we knew it, we were over Bald Mountain and peeking over the lake as we drove down the road.  We were both so excited!

Provo Falls

As you would expect, it was very crowded for a holiday weekend.  In fact, it was tough to find a parking spot by the lake but we decided to be aggressive and drive down the boat ramp to get a closer look from the car.  It was absolutely stunning.  I know I've been there when I was younger but for the life of me, I don't remember it at all.  We snapped a few photos and called it good before the mobs started clawing and stamping their feet at my car.

Gorgeous!

We were about the only ones in short sleeves.  It was cold.  In the 50s!

I thought this mossy rock was very cool.

We both left feeling relaxed by the beautiful scenery and dreaming of camping adventures in the forest!!