The Day From HELL

Tuesday, Dave took the day off to finally go riding with Marsh, Monroe (Chas), Andy, Tyrel and Emily. While they were gone, Dad came in from the shop telling me that one of my cats were in horrible shape. I was watching Kaitlynn and Tucker, so I took them both back with Dad and I, and was totally appalled at what I saw. Not only was the litter box SOLID with stuff, but all 3 cats had at least 1 eye shut and full of goop, and Angel, the kitty that was born just before Grandma Wanda passed away, was nothing but a skeleton with fur stretched on it, barely hanging on to life.
I immediately told Dad that he'll have to be put down, picked the cat up, took him into the house and called the vet. Me, Dad, Kaitlynn and Tucker then took him to the vet, where they examined him. He wouldn't move much during the exam, and they couldn't get his temperature to register on the thermometer with how bad he was.
After the exam, the Vet told us that we could have them hospitalize him and rehydrate him so they can run more tests on him to find out what was wrong, or I could put him out of his pain. He said that if I chose euthanasia, he'd back me 100% which I took as that's what he would prefer. As hard as it was to do, we opted to put him down, so me, the tech, and the Doc went to the back room to do it.
Normally when they Euthanize an animal, they find a vein and inject the chemicals in it, but with how bad off Angel was, they injected the chemicals directly into his kidneys. Before they even pulled the needle out of his body, I felt his head go limp in my hands, and knew right away that he'd passed away. It was not an easy thing to do, never really is, but I know that he's happier now, and not suffering anymore. I will miss watching him sit in the window sill of the shop with the window partially open, meowing at me across the yard. We'd "talk" back and forth like that for hours, and I loved it.
The other 2 cats are doing a little bit better though it breaks my heart to see Luna wandering around looking for her nephew. She meows all the time and rubs against everything she can. Jeriko is super thin in the hind end, but with lots of food, water and TLC, I'm sure he'll bounce back just fine.

Never Use Public Urinals

So yesterday was my Dad's 64th birthday. Though money is real tight for Dave and I, we decided to treat Mom and Dad to dinner, and went to Golden Corral (Dad's choice.) It was Date Night for Marsh and Emily so Tucker came along with us, Heather and Chas went to Idaho Falls.
We ate, played with Tucker and his food, and then when all was said and done, took Mom, Dad, and Tucker home. Dave and I then went to Wal-Mart to walk around and pick up some Toilet Paper for the house. When we got to the Electronics section, Dave decided he needed to relieve himself so he went to the bathroom. I walked around the area and waited, then after a few minutes or so, Dave came out, saw me and then said "Jess, he's dead meat!"
I looked at him, wondering what and who he was talking about, then I asked him, and got the response I wasn't really expecting: "I'm gonna kill Marsh!" At that moment, I saw Marsh poke his head around an aisle with a crap eating grin on his face.
Dave proceeded to tell me that while he was standing at the urinal, conducting his business, somebody walked in and patted his bottom. He told me that he stopped in mid stream and almost decked the person, until he realized who it was. After he told this to me, I began laughing real hard. I couldn't stop laughing and laugh every time I think of the story. I told Marsh that it was a good one, and we all went our separate ways. Dave and I beat Marsh and Emily to Mom and Dad's and didn't hesitate telling them, getting the exact same reaction that I gave.
I don't see Dave living this down anytime soon, and when Marsh is around, I tell Dave to cover his butt. Before they left Mom and Dad's, Marsh told Dave not to have any "good dreams". Oh to be a fly on the wall in that restroom at that time. It was the perfect ending to a good day. I love my husband for being a good sport, and I love my family for loving my husband.

Turning Back Time

Dave is into Dragons and I saw this clock while shopping for Christmas, and thought it'd make a good addition to his office. When we looked closer at it, the big hand wouldn't go past 7 and the face was cracked. The day after Christmas, we took it back to where I bought it and exchanged it for one that worked. When we got back, Heather asked where we'd gone and Chas told her that we went to turn back time.
I laughed when Dave told me this, and just had to post that here on my blog. It wasn't much, but it was a fairly decent Christmas. It was good to share it with both families, and I hope that our plan for rotating which Family we spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with works out.

Bah Humbug/Hum Bahbug

As far as I could remember, Christmas was my all time favorite holliday. I'd always be excited for Santa, the lights, decorations and Christmas Specials on TV. I loved going Christmas shopping with my parents until I was old enough to go on my own, and snooping around with my siblings for our gifts when Mom and Dad left the house for any period of time.
A few days ago, Mom asked me out of the blue what my favorite Christmas memory was. Though this question seemed simple, it wasn't. I had quite a few memories that I loved, Grandma coming over Christmas morning to watch us open gifts, siblings keeping me up all night waiting for the OK from Mom and Dad to see what Santa brought, and looking at lights on Christmas Eve and exchanging gifts with Grandma and Grandpa on the way home.
Out of these memories, and others, the one that sticks out the most is the late nights with my siblings. I remember being so excited for Santa to come when I went to bed, and just as I doze off, I'd hear a light tap on my door, usually around 1am. It'd be one of my brothers, as I was sharing a room with Heather, and they'd come sit on the bed and talk with me until it was time to open presents. We'd try to figure out what we got, tell each other what we bought people, and just spend some good quality time together.
As the years progressed and we each went our own ways, the joys of Christmas for me turned in to Giving, rather than receiving. I loved to find out what people wanted, go out and find the perfect gift for everyone, and pray they liked it. The last 5yrs or so, that joy has faded for me, and this year, I just can't seem to get into the "spirit" of Christmas. I feel I have totally become a scrooge. I don't know if this is because I'm overwhelmed with making gifts for people this year, or because everyone I know has kids to share their Christmas with, or just because I can't seem to do what I want to for everyone this year. I know that it does hurt knowing that my siblings and other friends who DO have kids get to experience something that I've been jealous of since I have been unable to have kids, the look of extreme joy on their faces Christmas Morning when they open their gifts and see what Santa brought them.
I really don't know for sure why I feel this way this year, I know part of it is the parental, no kid thing, but it's not the main reason. All I know is that it's really bothering me, and I hope I can get out of it. If you click on the title of this post, you'll be taken to the song that best describes my feeling for this Christmas. Feel free to take a look and as usual, your opinions and thoughts are welcomed.

Biting Off MORE Than I Can Chew

Ok, so lately I've been intensely working on hats and scarves for my nieces and nephews Christmas gifts. Last week, since I shaved Merlyn naked, I decided to find a simple pattern for a dog sweater, and make him one to keep him warm. I found one online, printed it off and then went to work. It took me 2 days tops to finish it with doing a little altering. I put it on him and he totally enjoys wearing it, though I'm trying to figure out a way to make the back sit better on him.
Looking at the finished product, and back on all the other projects I've done, or am doing, I thought long and hard about using all the yarn I have to make afghans, dog sweaters, cat/dog toys, hats, scarves, and whatever else I can make or figure out how to make, and sell them. Chrystal has been telling me that I should sell them on Etsy, and it's been a thought, but I don't think I really want to pay for selling my stuff online. I have considered maybe posting items on my Facebook for people to see and possibly buy, but the only thing I see holding me back is the prices for things.
I do not know what people are willing to pay for my products, nor do I know what would be a reasonable price. Should I do special orders? Make up some in advance? I just don't know. I think it needs a lot more thought before I act upon it, I know for sure that Dave would be extactic if I used up all my yarn and retired my hooks for a while. My wrists and fingers would thank me for sure too. Who knows. This is what Merlyn's sweater looks like.

Good Fun and Good Friends

Saturday afternoon we were blessed by a visit with some friends. Dave has known Rachel since High School, and I met her almost 14yrs ago at Idaho Business Week in Boise. It's a funny story with Rachel. Dave and I attended her wedding, then after they moved, we lost touch with her. When the time came that Dave and I got married, as a wedding gift to him, I found him his 2 best girls. It took a few months to locate them, but finally succeeded. He was delighted to see her and his other friend Heather at the Temple, and though everyone else thought it was weird to see me give my husband 2 girls for a wedding gift, it was the best thing he could have ever had.

We once again, lost touch after our wedding, then finally reconnected thanks to Facebook and Myspace. Well, I think it was about a month or so ago, when I found out that Les was being sent to Mississippi and they were moving there in January. I told Rachel that she HAD to come see us before they moved, and they made the trip this weekend. Les immediately began to give me a run for my money, and he was caught off guard MANY times when I had witty comebacks for him and gave as good as I got. Dave and Rachel got a kick out of us I think, and I really hope we can visit them more before they head south.



We took them to eat at Craigos where they got their first taste of Apple Beer, then it was off to Outer Limits for some 3D Blacklight Golf. They had a blast with that, and towards the end Les decided it was fun to pick on me. I kept throwing the wit back at him, and realized how like Dave he is. All in all it was a good, stress free visit.

Christmas

Ok, so this photo was taken last year, but it is a photo about my subject on this entry, so Oh well. Anyway, since it's a month away, I thought I would share a little thought about Christmas. A few weeks ago, I was asked if we should draw names as a family, cutting back on expenses on having to buy for everyone.

I didn't respond right away, gave it some serious thought then after about a week, I told this person that I THOUGHT it'd be better for everyone to get each other gifts, even if it's "Family" gifts, rather than drawing names. I told them that it seemed more fair in the sense that those who couldn't be there to draw names didn't have somebody else do it for them and nobody would be left out or overlooked. I also pointed out that you didn't have to spend a lot for "Family" gifts, that it worked pretty good for Dave and I over the years. Though at times it seems a bit lame or Korny with what we put in these baskets, but they've got a LOT of thought put into them, and it gives people a taste of the heart put into the gifts.

This year I've focused on what to get Dave's family, and though I've drawn a blank for the adults, the kids are pretty well covered. I am quite stoked and hope they like the ideas that I have for them. Each child gets a home made hat and scarf in their gift, then a few other odds and ends sealed with LOTS of hugs and kisses. Knowing that money is tight for ALL family members, I would be quite content with a few cases of Mountain Dew LIVEWIRE as I can't get it in Pocatello, or any CD by Andrea Bochelli or Luciano Pavaratti. Yeah, I went there, I like those two, I've also got a christmas list that is being sent to everyone, and for "Family " gifts for Dave and I, there are TV Series I've got on my list we BOTH would LOVE to have in our posession.

I just ask everyone to remember that Christmas isn't about receiving, it is so much more than that, and the world seems to forget the true meaning. Lets all take the time to think about the true meaning of Christmas, and have a happy holiday season!