Chocolate Cake and Cherry's Wheels

Tomorrow we go to the dentist.  Both my husband and myself.  We are supposed to have our teeth cleaned but I think I'm going to change the procedure.  I have a toothache and it needs to be addressed asap.  At this point I don't care if they pull it out as long as it stops hurting!

I just iced the cake I made today...... so I completed everything I said I was going to do except the weeding.  It's going to rain tonight and tomorrow so gee whiz.....I can't do any yard work.  Awwwwwe I feel so bad *sniff*

mmmmmm the cake is good!  It's chocolate and has vanilla frosting with just a touch of fresh lemon zest in it.  I had to put it in my convection oven on the counter to cool because Hunter likes to just help himself to the top of cakes and muffins left unattended.  I remember one time I left out a pizza with a cellophane shrink wrap on it.  I went outside for about ten minutes while the oven heated up and when I returned there were holes all over the cellophane and a few of the pepperoni pieces were missing.  There he was.... happily cleaning his face sitting in the living room as though nothing had happened. The least he could have done was look guilty.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it but when we went to the beach a few weeks ago we went to a puppy boutique on the Prom in Seaside.  Cherry got herself  some wheels.  We bought her a doggy stroller.  That was wonderful because we didn't have to stop and pick her up when a big dog approached us on the sidewalk.  Everyone thinks it was a ridiculous purchase, but it even has a place to store purchases underneath her seat.  We were able to walk without the extra weight of the packages, Cherry pulling on her leash and both of us managing our walking stick and cane with ease.  It wasn't a frivilous purchase at all...it was very sensible.  Our friends just laugh and think we're spoiling the dog but we know the real reason for the purchase so they can just think what they want.

Good Night from Muttzncatz's Place

Today Was Hair Ball Day

Almost all the cats got rid of a hairball today.  Thank God I have a small rug shampooer.  It was very busy all day.  I'm thinking I had better go and get some of that malt tasting hairball remedy....not that I know what it tastes like...the vet told me it was a pleasant tasting malt flavor.  Now I wonder if he tried it??????  Oh well I guess that's his problem, right?

I had a super rough night with my restless leg syndrome in full force.  I ended up sleeping a whole 3 1/2 hours.  If I don't sleep tonight, I'm going to be very upset... not to mention grouchy.  The world is a far better place when I've had enough sleep.

Tomorrow is Friday and that means extra housework for me.  I'm going to BBQ a big steak for dinner too.  Maybe a tossed green salad and baked potato also.   If there's time I may bake a cake for the weekend.  I like to have something to nibble on all weekend long.

It's still raining here but this weekend it's supposed to clear up so I'll be outside working in the yard again. Not a fun thought but the more I do the closer I get to completing the job.  I still need to put the weed retardant on the part I've already done. 

Off to bed....
Good Night From Muttzncatz's Place

Another Rainy Day In Oregon

It's been raining off and on for most of the day right into evening.  I love it!  That means it's too wet to sit on the ground and do weed pulling Yea!!!!!  A day off is a good thing.

So...what to do with my time?  How about dragging out the watercolors and giving a kitty portrait a try?  Let's see....who should I paint?  I can guarantee it won't be a black kitty so that lets Homer and Moosey off the hook.  Maybe miss funny face (Fina)  Her cute little one nostril, cleft lip might be interesting to paint.  Tanner has beautiful markings even though he has a scaredy-cat attitude.  Most of the time when I'm trying to get a photo of him all I see is his rump moving away ASAP.  Hunter won't get away from in front of the camera so it's hard to get any distance to get a good picture of him.  Paddy is usually sound asleep or has his head in a just emptied can of cat food. (That's why we call him can-face.  He has a permanent circle cut around his face from the cans which wouldn't be too awfully wonderful in a portrait anyway) Lamont might be a good model but he is presently not a happy camper from being confined to the back room.  Victor doesn't care as long as he can be Velcroed to Lamont.  Maybe someone else has a cute and cooperative kitty that would like to be a subject of a portrait?  You would think that out of eight cats at least one would be a good subject, wouldn't you?

Maybe I could do one of the birds we had appear at the feeders last month.  We had Orioles, Tanagers and Evening Grosbeaks.  What a treat it was to see them. Here's a picture of one of them.

We always have Black headed Grosbeaks but once in a while these beauties come through and visit for a couple of days.  During this time the birdwatching society at the sliding glass door was a standing room only situation.

I think I'll get busy now and do one of my bird photos.

Good night from Muttzncatz's Place

Now For The Dog Days Of Summer.......

Thank God the fourth of July is over.  We did well though.  Everything turned out pretty well and we only had one glitch.......The Turkey had to go from the BBQ to the oven to get done in time.  I understand the Vancouver, Washington fireworks display was nothing to shout about this year.  I was told they were low to the ground and only 25 minutes instead of the old 45 minutes.  Nothing stays the same I guess.

I'm working outside when I can ...weeding the flower beds. This is a bit of a sore spot for me since we pay extra in our rent so they do our yard work.  We live in a mobile home park and we are in a section that is supposed to have yard  maintenance included. Watering, weed control, edging, trimming are all included.  Ya, right!  I have worked harder in this space than in my old one where I was responsible for all the yard work.  The only thing the park does is mow the very front lawn because it shows from the street.  After I'm done with the weeding then I have to start the trimming of the trees and bushes. Is it any wonder that I like Winter better than Summer?

I'm still looking for a watercolor class to attend.  I did find my last teachers phone number though.  I'm going to call her this week and see if I could maybe go to another one of her classes somewhere else.  I need some inspiration.  If I could go out and take pictures of flowers and birds.....I would possibly become inspired.

We are having a very cool Summer so far.  I do understand that we will be in the oven soon. 

On the kitty scene.........I now have Moosey, Victor, Lamont and Homer in the back room (Due to spraying issues).  Victor has to be watched very carefully because he has pain shots for his inflamed gums about every 6 weeks.  (He was allergic to the enamel on his teeth and had to have them pulled). When
he hisses it sounds reeeeeeally wet.  He hisses every chance he gets because he's still very feral. At least HE thinks he's still feral.  He loves to be petted behind the ears and under the chin but then suddenly realizes he's being handled by a human and hisses and trys to look almost vicious.

In the main part of the house we have Fina, Hunter, Paddy and Tanner.  Tanner is trying so hard to make up to Hunter but the best he gets is a whomp on the top of his head.  Since we did a major shift in the fur people that live in each part of the house things have not been boring.  Lamont is lamenting, Victor is glued to Lamont (no change there), Moosey attacks Homer relentlessly, Tanner keeps getting beat up by Hunter, Paddy is afraid Hunter will eat all his food and Fina is attacking Hunter Paddy and Tanner.  Ahhhh, life is good....well, maybe not good, but interesting.

Good night from Muttzncatz Place

The Van Has Gone To The Used Car Lot On The Strip

We decided to trade in the van for a Trailblazer.  The van was beginning to have more wrong with it than we could afford.  Might as well go and get a newer used car.  We got a 2004 Trailblazer with so many extras I couldn't believe it.  I get to pay for it out of my Social Security each month.

It seems like so many things have happened since the first of this year.  Some bad and some good.  The older you get the more people you know are dying off.  I heard once that God gives to us when we are young and when we get old he takes away.  I tend to believe it since so many of the people I knew years ago are no longer with us today.  By far the most devastating loss was the two kids, Midge and Ming.  The hardest part of loosing them was the timing...... with both going on the same day.  I don't know if I mentioned it before, but because of the large number of cats we had a very heavy garbage can each week.  Ten cats produced a bunch of scoopable litter in the can each week.  We were getting notices that we had better lighten the load or pay extra.  From then on I had to weigh everything that went into the can.  Luckily we have a single neighbor who lets us throw anything extra in her can.  Now with Midge and Ming gone I rarely have to take any extra to the neighbors can.  I still have to weigh the garbage though just to be sure.

I wish I could find a reasonably cheap watercolor class to go to.  I miss my class.  It was at the local community center but got cancelled because there were not enough people interested in it.  The class relaxed me and helped with my fibromyalgia pain.

Well...... better get in the kitchen and finish my 4th of July BBQ dishes.

 Good night from Muttzncatz's Place!

And Then There Were Eight

Sadly, we are mourning the loss of two of our children.  Ming and Midge have gone over the Rainbow bridge. A few Saturdays ago we awoke and I began my medicine and feeding ritual.  Midgey always got her meds first.  I pulled her out from under the table she always slept under due to a heating vent there. I wrapped the towel around her and pilled her as usual.  Normally she didn't like it but took it in stride.  This day she turned on me and anchored her front claw in my chest.  I pulled her claw out, set her down and she flipped over on her side, yowled loudly, her front legs stretching out stiffly in front of her.  I ran and got the cat carrier to put her into.  I picked her up and set her back on the carpet so I could unlatch the carrier door and she again yowled and her legs went straight again. I carefully put her into the carrier and went to find Ming.  He couldn't walk.  I kept sitting him up and he kept falling over.  I retrieved a second carrier, put him  in and off we went to our vet.  The diagnosis was Midgey probably had a brain tumor and Ming needed steroids but that was risky because his heart had also worsened.  I could not put him through possibly having more heart trouble because of a steroid treatment.  Ming was around 23 and Midge was around 18 so they did have a long life but still I miss them so much.  No matter what the circumstances, I still always feel like maybe there was a chance for them to get better even though my heart knows better.  I have to say putting down two in one day is a hard one to take.

Cherry's Hospital Experience

Our little Cherry had an operation on Saturday.  She was constantly getting bladder infections and it was found that she wasn't put together right in that area.  She had a nip and tuck and she won't be getting infections anymore.  She also had her teeth cleaned while she was under.  She came home that evening with a cone on her head to keep her from biting her stitches.  We found out that our mild mannered fur child had a temper.  She was still a bit out of it when we brought her home but I thought she should go potty before we settled her into her box.  I hooked her up to the leash and out we went.  She walked about a foot and put her head down ...the cone stopping her from going any further.  She stayed in that position for several seconds and then went about another foot, her cone catching on the ground again.  This process was repeated several times and then all of a sudden she jumped up and ran in large circles.  I had to reel in her leash to get her to stop.  She looked up at me and her eyes were wild looking.  She was angry and frustrated.  The next day she taught me that the cone will not be worn while going out to go potty!  She does just fine now that I learned my lesson.

She does well with her water and fairly well with her food.  I have to be careful when I give her a bite of something though because if she doesn't get it into her mouth right away it falls into the cone and ends up under her chin.  The cone is clear so she gets upset sometimes if she gets a piece of food stuck under it.  She thinks she can get to it but she can't.  Her stitches don't come out until April 9th so she will be wearing the cone for awhile.  She has learned to scoot on the carpet to itch her stitches.....so I have to watch her constantly.

Since we got our tax refunds back we can both get our dental work done.  I need a tooth pulled and my husband needs a crown.  Then I need some glasses.  It's been about three or four years since I had my eyes checked so it's time.

Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

The Kitty Flu

The flu bug has been rolling through here since the beginning of last week.  Almost all of the cats have had it.  We finally had to take Paddy to the vet yesterday.  He had a big expensive blood test and it's still the flu.  Midgey went also because she is loosing weight so she had a big expensive blood test too.  Her Thyroid is good (on meds) and all her organs are functioning well.  She will need some richer food.  We have to go tomorrow and pick it up.  Cherry had her Rabies shot and she wouldn't let us pick her up all night.  She yelped every time we tried.  She seems better today but she still grunts a bit when we pick her up. 
The only cats that didn't get the flu were Victor and Tanner.  I have no idea why they seemed to have an immunity.  I used the little green machine to clean the rugs so much I couldn't use the vacuum.  I couldn't tell where the rugs were actually dry.  Even the two cats in the back room got the flu (Hunter and Moosey).

My poor son broke his ankle at work.  He will be off it for around eight weeks.  I went tonight and picked up his mail for him.  He's about to go crazy already and it just happened at the end of last week.  He can't drive since it's his right foot.  I'm going to have to take him to the doctor possibly next week.

I sure wish that things would calm down a bit.  We can't afford all these bills for the animals.  Next week I have to renew Cherry's license for three years.  That's another $50.00.  This weekend I have to get some meds for Ming at Fred Meyer Pharmacy.  The vet writes a script for the meds and I take it there and they fill it.  They even price match with other pharmacies in the Portland area.

Better go to bed...Good night from Muttzncatz's Place

Valentines Day Is For Lovers

Valentines Day is for lovers cats.  Well, some cats. Like our gay guys (Hunter & Moosey and Victor & Lamont)  Victor follows Lamont around like a lost puppy.  You rarely see Lamont without a snuggled up Victor by his side.  Hunter and Moosey have lived in the back bedroom for years together so they developed a close relationship in a lover sort of way too.  All of our cats have been spayed and neutered so we maintain a zero population growth.  That is, unless we bring one in from outside who needs rescuing.  With ten cats..... we have reached our maximum once again.  So, sadly, there is no vacancy here.
Something I have always thought to be strange is when we are full there are NO cats trying to get in.  When we loose one or two cats suddenly there's a stray or two wanting to be fed and let inside.  How do they know that there is a vacancy?  Do they communicate with our cats? Do they, in fact, network with each other on the street? Do they make a mark somewhere on our property to show we are once again taking in orphans?

Of course, once they come in they don't go back outside.
(Muttzncatz's Place house rules) 

Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

DO-NOT-TRUST-MUTTZNCATZ'S-PLACE-SUPERBOWL-PICKS!

The Kitties blew it!  They all had a good time having treats and catnip though.  Midgey swung at any cats that got too close to her, (Nasty drunk)
while Homer, Paddy and Lamont flew around the house like they were Tarzan.
Ming ate his catnip and went to bed in his basket. Fina, Victor and Tanner slept through the whole thing in their various favorite spots.  When they woke up they were covered with a fine coating of catnip which made them very popular with the other cats.  The cats in the back room (Hunter and Moosey) had catnip and slept soundly all evening.

Today was a sunny and crisp day in Portland.  That meant that the South side of the house was littered with lumps of fur in squares of sunlight a good portion of the day. You didn't need a sundial to know what time it was....you just had to watch the cats moving slowly from East to West in the living room following the shafts of sunlight.

Well....maybe next Superbowl the cats will do better on their predictions?

Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

Muttzncatz's Place/The Super Bowl Party

Today we went to the grocery store and got the makings for hamburgers.  I'm making potato salad tonight and we are having baked beans, potato chips and assorted crackers and cheese for snacks.  We got three bags of Whiskas cat treats and I'll bring out the wacky weed tomorrow.  The cats get so excited when they see the glass bottle of catnip (looks like a wine bottle and has a black cat on the label.  It says "Chat Noir"). I'm afraid they'll knock it on the floor and break it.  The excitement builds!

Maybe a pineapple upside down cake for desert?  It's either that or a dump cake.  If you people would comment occasionally I could ask which sounds the best to you ?  Alas....I have no one to help with some decisions.*Sniff* 

Homer is doing his part to help with the cleaning for the event.  He has dug under every appliance in the house and has brought out huge furry dust bunnies.  It's always after I have swept and mopped the floor though.  He's only looking for his little catnip mice but he thinks he has me fooled.  He'll stand there looking up at me with a very proud expression on his little face and a large dust bunny caught in the claws of his right foot.  Yes, he's right pawed.  Haven't you noticed that they are either right or left pawed?  Seriously.....just watch a couple of your pets.  Since we have 10 cats I have a good group for a test.  If I remember correctly, I have two cats that are lefties. I'll have to check again to see which ones they are.

Have to go make some hard boiled eggs for the potato salad................

Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

Who Do You Like For The Superbowl?

The cat's like the Steelers.  GO STEELERS!  Don't ask how we arrived at their pick,  just trust me.  Now I suppose they expect a Superbowl party with all the kitty treats and wacky weed too.  I have some pretty mean cats when they get high on catnip.  Midge and Paddy get really nasty.  I guess it's just like people who have different reactions to drugs and alcohol.  Midgey swings at all the other cats if they get too close to her and Paddy tries to steal the other kids  piles of wacky weed. 

I took some pictures this morning of the feeding ritual.  I'll post them soon so you can see the shifting from bowl to bowl that they do.  Ming got about three bowlfuls today.  There was a waiting line for the dry food bowls afterward.. so more than one cat got cheated out of their canned breakfast.  I run three bowls in the main part of the house so there's normally no waiting.

Tomorrow is shopping day.  High on my list are three packages of kitty treats.  You can't have a kitty Superbowl party without treats, can you?

Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

Surveillance Cameras Are A Must!

I think I should install cameras in every corner of this house.  Something is going on at night.  In the main part of the house we have eight cats.  In a separate room we have two more.  When I get up in the morning (our room is closed off to the pets) I enter the main part of the house.  The place looks like they've invited all the neighborhood cats over for a wild party while Cherry and I were sleeping.  It takes me a good half hour to pick up all the stuff from the floor that they have tossed off the counters and table.  It's not just some things that have been carelessly left out either.  Homer pulls pens and pencils out of a container on the kitchen counter. Then there are the cling-ons from the potty box that have been left here and there. After that I scoop up all the hairballs that have been deposited on the rug and get the rug shampooer out.  I put the tablecloth back on the table and then everything that was on the table when I went to bed (If I can find it all). Ya know.....while I'm doing all this they all watch me and not one of them even looks guilty.

When I've put the house back together again it's time to feed the cats.(otherwise known as slopping the hogs)  Two small cans of Friskies later....all the cats are playing musical dishes.  Why is it that someone Else's dish tastes better than their own? This game takes another 20 minutes until all the bowls are completely empty.  I'm never quite sure who ate what but everyone seems happy after breakfast so......what's the harm?  Next it's a quick spit bath and then off to find a warm spot to nap in.  What a life, right?

Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

Pet Porters Are The Best!

In April of last year we purchased a Pet Porter Jr. online.  The second time we used it my husband reached into the car and lifted it out.  I was ahead of him and almost to the door of the vet clinic when I heard a thud.  I turned around and the carrier was sitting on the ground and the handle was still in his hand.  I called the pet porter people and they immediately sent out not one, but two handles.  They were concerned that the cat was OK after the fall also.  I was so impressed!  These days there is no such thing as customer service so it was refreshing to encounter a business that cares.  Unfortunately the cat that dropped to the cement was one of our super feral ones (Victor).  I would imagine that it stressed him out majorly (it was hard to tell since the trip to the vet made him crazy anyway).

Since we have several cats, I have made their medicine times at 11:00 AM and 11:00 PM.  It's much easier to medicate all of the ailing and elderly ones at the same time.  The older ones have pillboxes with the days of the week on them.  If I'm late with their meds Mingy comes and gets me.  You see...they also get a treat after they take their meds.  Since Cherry was on meds for the last two weeks she has been getting a couple of her graham goldfishes after.

Good night from Muttzncatz's Place

TGIF *YAWN*

This is Friday and I'm bored already.  The cats are all sleeping off their dinner.  The husband is growing roots on the couch and in-between snores watching wrestling.  The dog, in her box, on her pillow, sound asleep... is chasing after some unknown object of her dreams.  Here I sit blogging and yawning.  The beginning of this weekend is so exciting I can hardly wait to see what the rest of the weekend holds. *snicker*

I finished three of the wrist warmers and found out that only one pair will fit my friend in Hawaii.  The other pair is much too big.  I'm going to start a new pair that will fit her.  I want to send two pair this time.  After I get done with the wrist warmers I want to start beading again.  I have been asked to do jewelry for a wedding in April so I have to brush up on my skills.

I think we can forget about any snow this Winter.  It's almost February and we've had nothing.  Back East is getting hammered though.  I wouldn't want to have anywhere near that much snow.  I feel sorry for everyone that is going through all the problems caused by the many storms that have rolled through their area.

The yawns are taking over...I need slee.......................................................................................................

Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

A Place In The Sun

Fina found a spot in the sun under the Bentwood Rocking chair.  There wasn't much sun today but she enjoyed what we had.

The cats were doing strange things today.  I was in the computer /craft room this afternoon and I heard a couple of thuds.  No screeches, howls or screams. I rushed out to find four  cats quietly laying around a huge pile of grey and white hair tufts. They all looked so innocent...ya right! I think this was an alpha kitty fight.  Paddy and Lamont still have not determined who's the top dog (kitty).  Fina believes herself to be the crowned queen of Muttzncatzville.  She's the smallest, yet she'll take a swat at any of the other cats without  provocation.
The repairman came today to fix the dishwasher and there was not a cat anywhere to be seen for the first 20 minutes.  Fina decided at that point to come and help the poor guy.  She ended up supervising his every move.  He temporarily fixed the dishwasher but we are going to need a new one soon.

I have three of the four wrist warmers done for my friend in Hawaii.  I hope she likes them.  They're different from the first pair I gave her.  I had Better get them done soon.

Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

Another Day In Muttzncatzville

The vet was uneventful.  Cherry could not produce a urine sample so we went there for nothing.  Now I have to try and get it myself this weekend.  I'm waiting for an estimate from one of the doctors for the surgery she needs.  While I was there I picked up the meds I needed and a round of flea medication for all the cats and the dog.  That means this weekend we will be chasing the feral ones all over the house to apply the flea dose on their necks.  I'm referring to Tanner, Homer and Victor.  Cherry is starting to help with trapping process.  She herds them into our bathroom so they can't get away.  I think she missed her calling.  She might have been good on a farm.

Tomorrow the repair person from Sears is coming to fix our dishwasher.  I'm always concerned that whoever they send might be allergic to animals.  It's pointless to tell the appointment taker to send someone who has no allergies.  People are getting so uncaring and cold it scares me.  Customer service isn't a concern for a business either.  When they make an appointment with you to show up between 1:00 and 5:00 PM.......I think that's rude.  In this age of cell phones and all the ways of communicating with one another....They can't make an appointment for a set time and then call if they are going to be late?  Almost everyone has a cell phone.... why are they tying up our time for FOUR HOURS?  Better to inconvenience the customer than the repair person!  Now that's customer service.

I think I'm losing my faith in mankind.  You have to guard everything you own....including your name.  Thieves will break into your car just for a GPS charging cord.  If you leave an aluminum ladder outside too long...it's gone. 
Metal is a precious commodity these days. One of our neighbors got their car stolen and found it a day or two later with all four rims gone.  Nothing else was taken from the vehicle. You have to look over your shoulder no matter where you are and don't trust anyone. Sad, isn't it?

Tomorrow is another day...maybe it will be a better one.
Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

Basket Beds And The Fuzballs That Frequent Them

Here is a basket bed and Ming is the fuzzball taking a nap.

We have five baskets and ten cats...ya gotta be quick to get a good spot after having your meal and a quick potty box visit.  As old as this boy is he still beats out the younger ones to an ideal spot.  This one is by the front door so there are times that it's sunny and warm near the basket.

The four cats I blogged about earlier today usually head for the sliding glass door for wildlife theater and Ming, Fina, Paddy and Midge look for a good place to take their morning naps.  Hunter and Moosey are in the back room since they don't get along with the others to well.  They have their own beds. 

Tomorrow is vet day again (Cherry).  She has to go and have a urine test again to see if her infection is going away.  I'm thinking she is going to need an operation.  I have to pick up Midges and Ming's meds (Ming-$63.00 Midge- $65.00)  By the time we're done it's going to be another two hundred dollar visit.  I have to find a way to make some money,and soon!

How many of you enjoy beading?  That is an escape for me as well as reading and knitting.  Here's some of my beading (which I haven't done for about six months).

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/muttzncatz

I'm thinking about starting one blog for reading, one for knitting and crochet, one for beading and one for recipes.  Whew!  That's a bunch of blogging.  I will share patterns and titles of great books I have read and yummy recipes that I have tried or use frequently.  Are you interested?  If you are, start following me now so we can take this journey together. 

Goodnight from Muttzncatz's Place

Movin' Right Along.................

Got a new used tire on Saturday.  The tire is almost new and was only $30.00.  That's an OK deal since it only has to last until March or April.  On Sunday the cats were busy with their morning bird and squirrel watching.

The squirrels are to their right and the birds are to their left.  From left to right we have: Homer, Lamont, Tanner and Victor.  When a bird or squirrel gets close to them on the deck they flatten out like little fur pancakes.

I'll write more later ....this was just a quick update.

Knitting Smart

I love to knit and crochet.  I don't love spending a bunch of money on patterns and yarns.  Lion Brand yarns are priced  for the middle income people like most of us.    Even better is when they sponsor a knit along.  Here's their new one...come play with us!  I would wear this sweater.  I'll  have to knit in the computer room/office so the yarn doesn't entice any of the 10 little indians I live with.  The cats can't resist yarn any more than I can.

Is There Still A Debtor's Prison?

Our puppy Cherry, went to the vet with Midge today.  Midge got her blood tested for the Thyroid T4 numbers and got a Cortisone shot for her leg as well.  Cherry had X-Rays to make sure she didn't have kidney or bladder stones since she is having her second bladder infection in five months. Good news.....no stones in either place.  Bad news.....the bill for the two was $369.11.  Our credit card is getting sooo high. *choke* 

It's super expensive to rescue animals.  I just can't stand to see animals turned out to fend for themselves.  NOT ALL CATS CAN HUNT!  I can't stress that enough.  I've seen several cats that could not catch a bird or mouse to save their lives.  Those are the cats we rescue.  There are so many animals that need our help.  I wish I could open a no kill shelter for cats.  I would have a geriatric wing for them too.  Sort of like the progressive care/assisted living rest homes for the elderly.  As they get older and need more help they are moved into another wing of the facility.  We could have a visiting vet and a tech on duty 24/7.  There could be a play/exercise room too.  It's a dream but wouldn't that be wonderful?

I wonder if I could start a cartoon strip about these fur people?  I would have enough to write about with all the crazy personalities in this house.  So many of my friends tell me that all these cats are strange.  Hunter talks....he says hello, help and my room. That's just for starters.  Ming does a drum roll before he has a bowel movement.  His front feet go back and forth like he is digging only super fast and there's a beat to it. They use to have Friday evening meetings.  Before my husband's cat died (she was the alpha kitty) she would sit on a table and they would all gather in the room around the table.  The meeting would go on for around half an hour. I'll bet Stephen King would love to take that one into print. It was strange.

Baby Didn't Need New Shoes

I'm telling everyone my car got new socks this weekend.  I only had to have brake pads put on.  Unfortunately, my Son found out that I need a new tire.  Apparently when my car had a new front end put on (before we bought it) they didn't make sure that there was no rubbing going on in the wheel well on the passenger side.  So...that has to be addressed before I get a new tire.  It needs to be done soon because the threads are showing.

Midge is going to the vet tomorrow.  She's having a problem walking again.  I think she needs another cortisone shot.  She had one last year and it helped tremendously.  She also needs her yearly check up so she can have her meds for another year.  Her Thyroid will have to be checked as part of her checkup since she is on medication for that.  It seems that every month it's something more to spend money on that we don't really have.  I truly wish I could find a job that I could do from home.  We need the money for the cat's vet bills.

The cats seem to be partying every night.  I get up in the morning and there are all kinds of things on the carpet.  This morning there was a pencil, a Dot (candy) with black hair stuck all over it (HOMER), the table cloth was almost off the table, the throw rug in front of the door was in a wad with a catnip mouse hidden in it and someone must have ridden the cutting board from the kitchen island to the floor. Is that what they call hanging eight?

We're Having A Heatwave!

I can't believe that the weather here has gone from icy to almost 60 degrees F.  Now we're looking at 2 inches of rain this weekend.  Good grief!  There will be all kinds of flooding.  Since there isn't anything we can do about it...bring it on.  I think this is close to a pineapple express like we had in 1996 when we had major flooding in our area.  The weatherman says that some of the snow on Mt Hood is going to melt too.  This means, he says, it will be like 5 inches of rain.......yikes!  If it gets bad enough that we have to evacuate I do have enough pet carriers for the cats.  We had to leave in 1996 because we live next to a river.  He did say also that it should get back in a few days to more normal temperatures.

This weekend the brakes on my car need to be worked on.  My son, bless his heart, is going to fix the front brakes for me.  That way it won't cost so darn much.  He has been such a help to me the last few years.  I don't know what I would have done without him.  I think he realizes that I'm getting older and need him more now.  Whatever the reason, I thank God he's there for me.

The cats have their own special places to sleep.  I have several baskets with towels placed around the house for them.  Recently we bought one of those pillow pets (Bee) for Fina.  I put it in one of the baskets and now she only sleeps there.  The back of the couch is also a favorite place for some of the cats.  In the evening sometimes it looks like a long strip of fur on the top of the couch.  Three or four of the cats stretch out heads-to-butts and drape over the  cushions. I might add, the couch is covered with a king sized flannel bed sheet to catch flying hairballs and cling-ons.  Almost every piece of furniture is covered with something to keep from being ruined.  When you have ten cats and one dog you can't have anything nice, trendy, antique, priceless or God forbid, new!

Unimpressive Drizzle

No snow...no freezing rain, only drizzle and 47 degrees F when I got up this morning. No skating birds or squirrels on the deck. The cats seemed to be unimpressed with the weather too.  Only a couple of the die hard cats were at the slider gazing at the comings and goings of the wildlife.

I need to get back into my crafting (knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, beading and polymer clay)  I need to make a couple of pairs of wrist warmers for a friend in Hawaii.  Yes, I said Hawaii.  She's old like I am and if it gets below 60 degrees F she has joint pain and is freezing.  I can sure relate to that.  If it gets cold here (below 40 degrees F) I get the same pain.  I'm thinking the cats (the older ones) have a bit of the arthritis as well.  I know when it gets damp feeling or exceptionally cold here I make a fire in the fireplace and Midge and Ming are somewhere close to soak up the heat.  I almost made a fire today but just didn't have the time.  It isn't cold but certainly is damp.  The damp weather affects my Fibromyalgia so I personally would have felt better if I had started a nice toasty fire.

Soooo when will it snow here?  Is there a weatherman out there that knows when it's going to snow in the Northwest?  We still have through February so I'm still hoping.

Slicker Than Snot

I can't believe a snow storm has turned into an ice storm.  It started with sleet and then went to freezing rain.  It's supposed to be gone by the morning commute time but I don't see how.  We're holding at 30 degrees F and it's lightly raining.  What a bummer!  If it's still here in the morning the cats can watch ice skating birds and squirrels.  They might actually like the new twist to their daily bird watching.  Those Oregon Juncos will be entertaining on the deck.  The bush tits don't land on anything but the hanging suet so they aren't in the equation same as the Hairy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers. Occasionaly a sparrow or wren will forage on the deck but it's mostly the Juncos that dominate the area.  One of these days I'll take a pictue of the cats doing their bird watching and I'll post it here.  They tend to line up at the sliding door and scrunch down like little pancakes so the birds can't see them (ya right)  That's like them hiding under the couch cover only their rumps are sticking out but they are sure they can't be seen. (ya right)
Cats are funny creatures aren't they?

Snow?

I love the snow.  For days now the local weather people have been talking about a storm that's on the way.  Now tonight they are saying it's not going to be a storm just a short event. grrrrrr!  I absolutely love to watch it snow.  So much for that I guess.  The cats are in awe when those fluffy flakes start to fall.   It's almost as big a sport as watching squirrel tales and birdie toes on the deck.  Maybe I should get my fur children some fish.  I'll bet most of them would be thrilled to fish tails to watch too.  I would have to put some sort of mesh over the top of the tank to keep them from fishing.

I'm learning to use my E-Reader more each day. The Nook is fantastic.  It has a dictionary, shows you color book covers and you can purchase a book from anywhere there is a strong cell phone signal or if you have a wifi connection.  The only drawback is that you can't always buy books before they are released like you can with a hardbound book.  I would love to purchase the new Diane Mott Davidson ,"Crunch Time" novel that is coming out April 4th....... but there is no sign of it yet in Nook format.  I had to go to Barnes and Noble to download an update for it because I can't get my password right on my wifi connection.
Apparently you can only download if you are on a wifi connection not a cell phone one.

Santa's put away, time to look forward to Valentines day.  What am I saying?  I get nothing for Valentines day.  It would be wonderful to be in love again......maybe I'm too old and wrinkled.  When I look in the mirror I see my grand mother....Oh-my-God!  I look like an old Native American.  I'm not sure if I was my husband that I would get me a bouquet of flowers either.  I'll quit with the boo hooing now.

Oh hey.......I should try a snow dance!

Santa Is Still Staring At Me!

My five foot Santa is still standing in the dungeon waiting to be put in his box.  Ya know how sometimes it's just a pain to put away the last little bits of stuff from the holiday?  That's where I am right now.  I can't make myself go into that room, get his box down and put him away.  It's going to bug me until I get it done too.  Oh well......maybe tomorrow?

We are suppose to have a Wintery Mix on Wednesday morning.  The weather people here never sound an alarm before we get anything bad.  That's probably because it's hard to predict the weather in this area.  The weather systems seem to shift suddenly and go elsewhere.  Sometimes when we aren't expecting anything bad the system shifts and we get a bunch of snow dumped on us.  It should be interesting to see what's going to happen.

The cats have been resting since the New Years eve celebration.  The youngest one (Homer) is playing with all the toys that were in everyone's Christmas stockings but everyone else is resting.  I came out of the bedroom this morning (the cats are not allowed in the bedroom) and it looked like they had a party of their own.  A coffee table book was on the floor, the swivel rocker was turned around facing the bedroom door, one of them had thrown up in three different spots on the carpet, The stereo is in a cabinet and the door to it was standing open and one of them peed over the side of the NEW kitty box onto the floor.  We replaced the old kitty box the day before because the cats were doing the pee over the side thing.... so we got one that was a bit higher in the front.  DIDN'T WORK!  I'm at my wits end.  I don't know how to stop that behavior.  Any suggestions?

The Party's Over

So much for celebrating the New Year.  It was fun last night ....I even won a couple of Yahtzee games.  That's unusual for me.  Today we took the tree down and drug it to the curb so it can be picked up on Monday.  Tomorrow we take down the outside lights and decorations.  Thank God the weather is at least dry.  It's a bit nippy, but dry (with the wind chill it's about 27 degrees). 

I'm so proud of the cats...not one of them sprayed or climbed the tree.  That's amazing to me.  One of them (Lamont) acted a couple of times like he was spraying the table we had the tree on but when I checked, he hadn't.  I think everyone in the house is happy to have everything back where it belongs.....I know I am.  I still have to put our five foot Santa back in his box but all else is stowed away until next year.  This year I didn't have as much to put away since I didn't take out my Snowman collection. That's at least another three boxes of stuff to pack and store.

All in all,  I think this holiday season was wonderful and I wouldn't change a thing.... except maybe the death of our neighbor a few days before Christmas.  We're thinking about you Joe, go into the light,  God's waiting for you.
Happy New Year Everyone!

Party like it's 1999?

We are having a small New Years Eve gathering tomorrow night.  The cats won't be thrilled, but oh well.  No hats, horns or confetti but some sparkling fruit juice to toast with.  Aren't we the party animals?  I'm having seven layer dip, onion dip, summer sausage, boursin herb and garlic spread, Sharp cheddar cheese ball, Lil smokies in BBQ sauce, assorted chips,crackers and cream puffs.  Everyone is bringing there own drinks and we are playing Yahtzee.

The fur kids will be trying to steal the meat and cheese from the kitchen counter so I'll be ready with the sprayer at my side.  Luckily the table we are playing at is super close to the kitchen counter and my aim is fairly good too.  Lots of wet cats and a good time will be had by all.  There aren't to many places you can go for a party and get target practice too. *snicker*

Here comes 2011!  Best wishes for a super year.

Excellent Christmas!

Christmas is over and we made it through it.  When I filled the stockings for the cats and dog before I went to bed last night, Homer wanted every mouse and ball I stuffed into a sock.  I cleared the mantle of all the decorations thinking that he might jump up there for a better swing at the contents of the socks. When I got up this morning everything was still hanging where I left it....good kitty!

My husband got me a super gift.  I have a Nook e-Reader from Barnes and Noble.  I just love it.  He also got me a roll up pad to do puzzles on.  I haven't been able to do a puzzle for years because the cats take away pieces or push them off on the floor and the dog eats them.  I now can do fun puzzles.  My son Jeff, gave me a gift card to Michael's......that's going to keep my knitting needles clicking for most of the year. What a super Christmas!

For dinner we had prime rib, parsnips, petite peas, mashed potatoes, gravy, Watergate salad, corn pudding and steamed carrot pudding for dessert. Amazingly it all turned out pretty well.  The meat was a perfect medium rare.

Now we prepare for a New Year's eve party.  Nothing fancy....just a few people, snacks and Yahtzee.

Tonight... (on a sad note) two houses down the street a neighbor was taken away by the medical examiner.  He passed away two days ago in his recliner.  His girlfriend had not heard from him so she called the police and they did a welfare check and found him.  How sad he didn't make it through Christmas.  He was a diabetic, and a heavy drinker, which I didn't know until tonight.  God rest his soul.

Success!

The tree is up, lights and ornaments on.  Homer has not tried to climb the tree once.  I have found a few of the bottom ornaments suspiciously laying on the floor in the morning though.  As long as he only bats them off and doesn't spirit them away...it's fine with me.  I'm getting excited about Christmas now.  I'm not getting anything for Christmas but it's the lights, cold weather, family coming and Christmas dinner that warms my heart.
I think this year I'm going to make my carrot pudding.  It's a steamed pudding made from carrots and potatoes (Free recipe to follow).  It takes longer to cook than to put together.  It's so rich and yummy.

                           Carrot Pudding

1 Cup Carrots (finely grated)       1 Cup Potatoes (finely grated)
1 Cup Flour                               1 Cup Sugar
1Cup Raisins                             1/2 Cup melted shortening
1 tsp Baking Soda                      1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg                         Pinch Salt

Steam 3 Hours or until done ( becomes almost cake like)
I have a steamer but you may use a pan over another pan of boiling water.
I serve this with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Kitchen stadium will be busy all day on Christmas eve!

I need your vote

I entered a photo contest using Cherrier's (Cherry's) picture.  Please take the time to vote for her.

http://gapc-vote.com/?c=multi&p=275830

What Money?

This time of year just makes me feel so overwhelmed.  We don't have enough money to do Christmas as it should be done.  Both our sons are coming for dinner and gifts on Christmas eve plus my grandson will be here too. I guess we're  going to use our card and hope for the best. 

At some point next year I'm going to start and Internet business.  If it works I'll share my experience with you.  The economy is so still bad.... especially here in Oregon.  So many people are unemployed because of lay-offs and are loosing their homes.  It's frightening!  I don't want to go down the drain too.  My biggest fear is that in my senior years I will become a bag lady. 

I was raised in a home that was fairly well off.  We had an in-ground pool and the best of most everything else. I don't care to have that much again, but to be comfortable would be so wonderful.  Just knowing that I could take the cats to the vet and it wouldn't put us in debt.  This week Victor has to go back to the vet.  His mouth must be hurting him since he isn't eating again.  We have to do something soon!  These are the types of things that scare me so much.  I know he's going to have to have his mouth operated on again.  That's going to be another three hundred dollars or more.  We just don't have it.  This is what's driving me to find some way to make enough money to stay afloat.  This stress has to end.

The next problem is our doctor visits.  If we go to the doctor our deductible is $1500. per person.  We don't have that either.  It just never ends.

Bad Kitty!

Moosey takes an immune system boost pill (half in the morning and half at night).  This morning he shifted or I shifted and he got my finger in four places.  I'm truly hoping I don't have to go to urgent care for an infection.  I got bitten last February and had to get antibiotics before the infections got too bad.  He is usually so good about being pilled.  Maybe it was me.  Since so many of the cats are older I give quit a bit of meds each day.

Tomorrow we get our Christmas tree.  I usually put up a fake one but I'm just too tired to stick all the limbs in and then spread them out artfully.  Besides that, I need to see if Homer is going to try to climb it before I put on my good ornaments.  Last year was so much fun.  I never did put on the ornaments.  He kept climbing into it and falling asleep up high in the branches.  I had a lovely tree with beautiful lights and that was it.  I'm hoping he has outgrown his adventurous side?

Wish me luck everyone!

My Dirty Little Secrets

I'm re-organizing our storage room.  I started in the closet (no, I'm not gay).  That took all yesterday evening.
I'm tossing out a whole bunch of things and repacking boxes that have one or two items in them.  It's hard to believe that my containers in this room end up with a single item in them, but you see......I might need one or two things and so I take those out and use them.  That leaves the single item in there and then when I put them away again they go into a new box.  I  (just in the closet) gained 10 empty containers.

 Unfortunately because of my Fibromyalgia, today I can hardly move without pain.  I hate having this chronic pain!  You work hard for a few hours and the you're down for a day or two.  How am I suppose to get anything done?

Anyway.....Now we have to make a trip to Goodwill to donate some items and our garbage cans are getting full of useless stuff.  That's another puzzler....why would I keep plastic greenery and half used candles?  Dull and scratched  (old) Christmas ornaments?  Beyond me, but I did.

At one point during my closet cleaning I could hardly get out of the room there was so much junk in the middle of the floor.  I tried to make piles for Goodwill, throw away, and re-pack.  This sort of blew up in my face when it all shifted into one giant pile as it got too high.  Now I have to keep going on the back wall of the room where most of the boxes are filled with Holiday decorations.  I would wait until Christmas was over except I've used that excuse almost every year for the past 10 years.  It's time to get it done!  I start feeling guilty for not doing the work I should around the house. I, of course, clean the house, do the laundry, cook and take care of the cat's and dog.  But many other things (like the storage room) seem to spiral out of control as I plod along doing my daily routine.

 For just a little bit you will have to put up with me ripping into the dirty corners of my home.

You Light Up My Life

Christmas lights that is.  Last night my husband (Ed) and I did nothing but check our multi color icicle lights to see if we could get them all working again.  We managed to get three strings working so he went up on our roof and put them up.  They came on  around dark and I went outside to take a good look at the pretty lights.  Oh My!  Two light strings were  the same and one had longer icicles.  The way it worked out...one side of the front had short icicles and the other was longer (noticeably). UUUUUGLY!  So now he has to go back up and put different icicle lights up.  This also means that I have to get three more strings in working order.

I'm trying so hard to have some Christmas spirit.  Money is tight thanks to our medical insurance carrier who raised our deductible to $1500. per person and raised our monthly payment to $444.  To me that's like not having insurance.  It's going to be mostly out of pocket for my yearly checkup...so why have the insurance?  I know....in case I become super sick or injured.  My husband doesn't need the insurance since his medical needs are taken care of by Veterans but he has to carry it to cover me. The reason for the hike in both the premiums and the deductible is because most of the employees at my husbands work are over 50 we were told.  That doesn't seem very fair now, does it?  That's the way these companies are allowed to treat older people.  The golden years Stink!

I wish I could be a cat  like one of ours that is pampered and loved and their medical needs are taken care of.  Lots of toys, catnip, baskets to sleep in, fresh water and treats and wet food twice a day.  What a life!

Into the Dungeon

We have a room in our home that is for nothing but storage.  I have shut off the heat to the room since we don't really live in there.  There is only one tiny window in the room also ...thus I call it the dungeon.  It's packed to the ceiling with boxes.  Many of them contain Christmas decorations.  It's time to bundle up and head into the dungeon.  I also keep the cat carriers in there for easy access.  Can you imagine how many of those we have?  Actually not as many as you would think.  We have one that's big enough for a huge Lab, one that's big enough for three cats, one that's big enough for two and then a single one.  For space I have to break them down and put them in the closet when not in use.  Another fine use for the room is hiding the Christmas presents.  There's so much stuff in there you can't focus on any one singe item, so it provides a super hiding place. We keep extra stuff in there...like dry cat food, bird seed paper towels etc.  OK....the reason I mentioned the dungeon is if I don't start putting out the Christmas decorations they won't get out.  The closer it gets to Christmas the more I seem to lose steam.

There is always a problem with the cats wanting into the room too.  You have to be aware and alert when you open that door or they will shoot into the room and you won't see them.  There are about a trillion places to hid in that room and just like the Christmas presents...you won't see them.  Next thing you know, there's a crashing sound coming from that direction..... and one very innocent ball of fluff sitting in the middle of the floor after riding several of your prized possessions to the floor from the top of a pile.  This scene is repeated several times during the unpacking of the decorations.  Maybe I should try a baby gate?  I know some of them could jump over it but the element of surprise might get me in and out of the room a couple of times before they got wise.

One of my biggest pet peeves is that everything in this house is covered because of the cats.  There's a cover on all sofas, chairs, in front of the fireplace, throw rugs in front of the doors to cover the spots they've torn up and even small rugs under some of the doors in the interior of the house because Paddy has separation anxiety and rips up the carpet under the doors if he get left alone. If I had the money..... I would get those colorful cat claw covers and glue them on each one of the cats.  They don't go outdoors anyway, so what's the harm?

 I guess you could say this house is run solely for the comfort of the animals.(not the humans)

The Police Are Here (continued)

OK, here's the deal on yesterday.  Most of my afternoon was taken up by thieves working across the street from us.  I can't believe how bold thieves have become.  Broad daylight and they are out stealing metal from an abandoned home.  I shouldn't say it was abandoned,  it's still full of the peoples possessions but they are not living there.  They're taking care of an elderly relative but still paying the bills for their home.

I was doing my housework and took something out to the recycle bin around 1:00 P.M. when a pickup pulled up in front of their home. ( this was not the first time these thieves have been there)  I turned and watched two kids in their twenties get out of the vehicle, one holding a sledge hammer and the other clapping his hands and calling an imaginary animal.  Now this was incredibly dumb since the guy clapping his hands was calling attention to the two of them.  They both disappeared around the sides of the house. I ran inside and went to where I could see them better and dialed  9-1-1.  I made my report but before I finished they were getting back into their truck and leaving without taking anything.  I told the emergency operator that I thought they were going to come back and steal something at a later time.  They dispatched a police officer to come and take my report and have a look around.  About 15 minutes later the officer was at my door and we discussed what I had witnessed.  When he finished with me he went over to the home and had a look.  He emerged from the side of the house hanging onto a sledge hammer,  He tossed it into his trunk and off he went. 
I went back to work on my chores. Half an hour to forty five minutes later here comes the pickup again.  The kids hop out and one is carrying two small shovels. Again they disappear around the house.  This time I grabbed my digital camera and went outside behind my van and started shooting pictures.  I shot a really good picture of the back of the pickup, went back inside and called 9-1-1 again.  Made another report and like before they left before I finished.  Two policemen showed up this time about five minutes after I completed the call.  It seems another neighbor had called in a report also.  After speaking to the officers, the only thing they were concerned about was the fact that the license plates were not the same on the front and the back of the vehicle.  They were both the same state but different numbers.  Can you beat that?  They didn't care about the robbery, just the plates!  I think part of that stems from the fact that the people who own the house are hoarders and the place looks like it should have been blown up or condemned long ago.
But jeez!  They love their stuff.....even if they can't find all of it.
Next time I'm getting a picture of the kids.  I know they'll be back 'cause it's easy pickins.

So that was my afternoon yesterday. 

The Police Are Here!

I had a very strange day today but I don't have the time to blog about it tonight.  Come back tomorrow  and I'll explain. I also found where Victor disappears to.  I'm happy to report that there's no portal or triangle of any kind....just a very clever cat.

Hidden In The Computer Room

Tonight I'm hidden in the computer room away from the fur kids.  I'm knitting mittens for a Christmas present.  You know cats and yarn, right?  Not one of these felines can resist the soft slowly moving trail of yarn from the ball to the needles.  The Computer room is my office/craft room.  I do knitting, crochet, cross stitch, beading, polymer clay art, watercolor and acrylic painting in this room.  There are double glass doors into the room so the kids can still see me.  On Occasion,  Paddy will stand up and scratch on the door to try and get my attention. ( I have a water bottle that does a lovely stream of spray for misbehaving kitties)

I don't have much time left for making gifts so I have to cut this short and get with it.

And The Winner is......

I was thinking about the ages of the cats today and I believe that Ming is the oldest and then Midge.  Ming was my mother's cat and she had him for about 4 or 5 years.  He was around four years old when she adopted him. Mother passed away and I've had him now for 12 years.  You do the math....he's OLD!
Ming does nothing but sleep, eat and use the box now.  He's usually the first one in the kitchen when it's feeding time though.  Sometimes he even runs to get ahead of another cat.
Here's Ming:

Ming has congestive heart and is unable to eliminate without meds.
















Next in the geriatric lineup is Midge.  I've had her for 16 to 17 years.  I have no idea how old she was when I took her in. She is now on meds for a sluggish Thyroid and has a neurological problem.  She still plays but is slightly unstable on her feet.                                     

Midgey is standing by her favorite rabbit fur mouse toy.  She loves to play with the laser light too.  She won't chase the light but if you shine it on her paws she bites at it.  My favorite way to play with all the cats is to take the laser when I'm tired of playing and run it under a door.  They stand there staring at the bottom of the door for quite a while before they give up and do something else.  That sounds sort of cruel, doesn't it?

On slow days I'll elaborate on the personalities of the fur kids.  Guess what?  It's a slow day, and here's my personality report.

Muttzncatz's Kitchen Stadium

This morning after feeding the cats I started our breakfast. Homer (Lil Chef) was perched on the kitchen cabinets that overlook the stove. I felt like I was on Food Network's Kitchen Stadium set. I don't know why he has to watch everything I cook since he doesn't eat human food. He stood there until I served the food and then he curled up and went to sleep. If you'll notice....the picture of Homer on the left of the page was also taken in the kitchen on the counter.

Take another look at the picture on the right. Notice (bottom right hand corner) that the drawer knob is rubber banded to the cabinet knob. I have all of the bottom cabinets banded together to keep the cats out of them. Mind you, I have child proof locks on every one of them too. I still get up in the morning on occasion and find a cat hidden in one. Sometimes I think it would be easier to have ten two year old kids!

I have a mystery. Victor at the evening feeding (they eat morning and night) spooks and runs under an antique chair that is next to our love seat. I chased him because when he hides I can't find him......... so I thought, Aha! Now I can see where he's hiding. I swear to you......he went under that chair and disappeared! I moved the chair, looked under the love seat, my husband tipped the loveseat almost over and there was no Victor. Three hours later he was standing in the middle of the diningroom. Do we have a timewarp that he has discovered? Maybe there's a Bermuda Triangle here in our livingroom. Victor is still very feral and doesn't even like to be touched plus totally freaks when someone new comes in the door. I have to figure this one out.

Well back to work..I have much to do before Christmas.

Turkey Hangover

Leftovers are wonderful if you're tired of cooking every night. The very best part is...... the cats sleep soundly after a few pieces of Turkey. There haven't even been any major disputes since they were served Turkey for a couple of nights. We have eight male cats (neutered) so there is usually some sort of fighting going on for the alpha position. So far the crown belongs to Paddington with Lamont challenging his credentials.

Homer is looking forward to Christmas for the Prime Rib dinner we cook. We have mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, parsnips, Watergate salad, horseradish sauce, rolls, a green veggie and dessert. We celebrate on Christmas eve every year. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas this year... think we have a chance?

I have to get back to my knitting. I have mittens and a sweater to finish before Christmas. The sweater is for Cherry. It's red, off white and black. She'll look so spiffy in it!

More pictures to come.......I'll try and get pictures of their live theater. (the birdy toes and squirrel tales)

Christmas is headed our way

It's time to drag out all the decorations for Christmas. I have a collection of Snowmen that are coming out first. The cats don't bother anything but the Christmas tree. I shouldn't say cats, it's only Homer that likes to climb the limbs and sleep in the tree. I can't understand why he likes that so much since it's an artificial tree and is super scratchy. It makes my arms break out just putting it together. So far he hasn't broken anything but I'm not holding my breath. I'm going to put it up soon and leave it untrimmed to see if he is still fascinated by it. Pray for my tree...please!

The weather here is still fairly frigid. I bought Cherry (dog) a couple of new sweaters to keep her warm. She has figured out how to squirm out of them. The first sweater I bought her was a small which is tight on her now. This time I bought her medium and she takes it off at will. Is there no happy medium here? No pun intended *snicker*

Yesterday was kind of a bust. I cooked a huge meal and nobody ate much. My son Jeff, and his son AJ came after they had gone to Jeff's dad's house for Thanksgiving. They weren't hungry. My husband Ed, had to get up early so didn't want to eat heavy. Next year there will be no Thanksgiving dinner here. I'm happy that Jeff is finally bonding with his dad so I don't want to whine and stop them from the progress they are making. On the other hand...I'm tired of cooking for three days and throwing away food. Little chef and I worked very hard on that meal.
The cats and dog certainly do enjoy all that Turkey though.

I'm not a black Friday shopper I guess. Today was the day to catch a bargin and I tried to go to Target to see if I could score some icicle lights at a good price. I wanted the kind that actually look like an icicle but have lights in them. There were no parking spaces so I went home. I like shopping online for whatever I need. I can't bear to think about driving around and around looking for a place to park. Then if you get in the store you have to deal with rude people. Thank God for the Internet!

Thanksgiving Countdown

Homer, the youngest of our ten little Indians, thinks he's an understudy for the chef position. He sits on the counter a distance away from me but takes in everything I do. I keep thinking about the Disney movie "Ratatouille". Remy the rat is a "little chef" in the movie. Homer is my little chef. I'm almost tempted to ask him what he thinks sometimes when he looks at me like," what did you do that for?"

Homer's schedule will be a busy one tomorrow since we are baking two pies (one Pumpkin one EggNog Custard) making the Corn pudding and boiling and making the deviled eggs. I'm betting he takes a nap between the pies and the corn pudding. Anyone want the corn pudding recipe? It's a war time dish (WWII). There was meat rationing and so they made dishes like this one. Now it's a darn good side dish for Holiday meals. It has corn meal, tomato sauce, egg, black olives, pimentos. butter and cream style corn.

Thanksgiving day all the cats will be on the couch with Dad who will be watching the parade. Well, at least the ones who don't believe in the sport of birdwatching. They'll be lined up in front of the sliding glass door watching birdie toes and squirrel tails flick and flit accross the decking in search of a morsel of food.....the aroma and warmth of the Turkey cooking wafting through the house making everyone a bit drowsy. That means it's time to make the Waldorf Salad, peel the potatoes, and get the veggies into their pans. No rest for the wicked!

I want to shop for collars for the cats and dog..... but I want colorful leather and crystal ones. I can't find them locally so I may have to shop online. They were, ages ago, easy to find in most any pet shop. There are hardly any pet shops around now. The big chain stores like Petco and PetSmart have taken over.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Thanksgiving week

Here it is Monday and tomorrow I start making the side-dishes and desserts for the big dinner. The animals love Turkey day....in fact.....we call it big Chicky day. Think about it...what do stray cats spend their time doing when they're in the wild? They hunt birds. This is just a big (cooked) bird. By dinner they're worked into a frenzy by the scent of a big juicy cooking bird! We settle down around the table and if you look on the floor....there, lined in a perfect circle are 8 expectant cats with their begging faces on. (The other two are in a separate room because they don't get along with the others.)

Anyway.... with the weather we're having, it really is puting me in the Holiday mood. I'm looking forward to making a big feast and having my son and grandson here to share it. Only an hour ago it looked like we were having a blizzard. Now it's stopped but it's (according to the weather man) going to snow somemore before morning. Fa La La!

Better get back to my knitting (gift for a friend)

Sundays are always a bit slower

Today is Sunday and it's a lazy day. The cats are in their napping places ( that would be their wicker baskets) The weather is chilly and the wind is blowing. Four of the cats retired after a bird and squirrel watching session. I feed the birds on the awning of our deck so the cats have an endless view of little birdie toes to watch. When the squirrels join in the cats have a heart attack.

In this house when they come in they don't get to go out again. I don't want them to be flea ridden or catch some horrid disease. There's really only one that cares to go out. Paddington makes an attempt every so often to break out. That's sort of dumb...... when he gets out he just stands there like, which way do I go?

I'm hoping we can stay away from the Vet for a week or two. We went to St Francis 24 Hour vet hospital (Vancouver, Washington) Friday. Victor's mouth was inflamed again so he had to have a anti-inflamitory shot. He's old and his immune system isn't what it should be and he's allergic to his own enamel on his teeth. We had all but four teeth removed but his body still thinks it has to attack the gums. If anyone in the area needs a vet there are some top notch vets there. Their prices are good too. We drive from Portland to Orchards just to take our pets there.

Comming Soon

I'm going to be puting up some pictures of my fur kids soon. These guys were all strays.
The list is now:

Cats
Lamont-Large blue short hair
Homer-Black long hair
Victor-Maine Coon
Tanner-Yellow Tabby
Fina-Himalayan
Midgey-pastel calico
Ming-Flame point Siamese
Lil Tabby Hunter-Maine Coon
A-Moosey-black short hair
Paddington-Yellow Tabby

And last but not least the dog...Cherry-Terrier/Chihuahua


Sometimes the words just won't come to me because I have Fibromyalgia so just hang in there and I'll straighten everything out that I mess up.

UPDATE

Since I wrote the last blog we gained a cat. I brought in a huge grey cat that is not very young. Since we have been caring for him anyway I figured why not. He does have people down the street but they don't ever let him in or take him to the vet. We have treated him for earmites and given him flea treatments all Summer. Now it's getting cold and we took him in. His name is Lamont. He's a sweet neutered boy and after all....what's one more?

Exploring money making ideas

Here's one of the interesting systems I have stumbled upon while surfing.


http://www.projectpayday.com/go/3172081

You can actually make money on this but it doesn't add up very fast because you spend some to make some.

I'm so tired tonight

Sometimes my Fibromyalgia gets in the way of life. I try sooo hard to be positive and keep going but at times it's almost impossible. After dinner is over I just sit there. I can't seem to get up and do the dishes or fold the clothes or for that matter keep my eyes open. I want so badly to be filled with energy and an exuberance for life again. I'm beginning to think that this is the way it will be the rest of my life. Maybe I need to bite the bullet and go to the doctor and get meds for this horrid disease.
I need to start beading some earrings to take to the shop that takes my stuff on consignment. I believe that the woman that owns the shop is cheating me. She was going to put my stuff on Ebay and Etsy and they have never appeared there. In November she sold some items and I didn't get paid until the following month. Therefore....if some of my items are gone she had better pay me then and there or I'm pulling whatever I still have in the shop.
It's almost time to start working in the yard. I'm not looking forward to sitting on the ground and weeding or trimming back all the shrubs and roses.
I'm making myself even more tired *yawn*

Time to de-stress

I had my first watercolor class of the semester tonight. These classes relax me, so they are worth the money. My teacher is a sort of old hippy who just seems to be into letting everyone do their own thing. She makes her living teaching classes all week long. I would get soooo tired of it if I HAD to do it. Now I need to grab my camera a take pictures of things I'd like paint. I should try to get pictures of the cats since I have so many of them. It just seems like they never do anything wonderful or cute while I'm holding a camera. We have a variety of birds where we live too. It's almost time for the Steller Jays and the red wing blackbirds to show up at our feeder.

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Today was at least dry and fairly warm for the Northwest. We took advantage of the weather and dug up our pampas grass that never-ever bloomed right. We purchased pink pampas grass to replace it.
I can't believe it.......the neighbor that accused me of fraud is actually avoiding me. He always speaks when we are outside at the same time...until now. He pulled out of his driveway the other day and went the opposite direction just so he didn't have to go past me! This is beginning to piss me off. Take inventory buddy! Did anything come of the supposed fraud? Were you stupid enough to send money to the UK? Didn't I tell you to report it to the FBI? Would I have done that if I was guilty? Why are you acting like I'm typhoid Mary? Grow up!
Well here comes another week. I have a bunch to do this week. I need to go to the vet and get meds for two cats and one cat (Tanner) needs to go and be wormed and his back shaved. I have to make several calls to business offices that have told us we owe more than we do. My watercolor class starts tomorrow night at 6:30 PM. Yea! I can hardly wait. I hope enough people have signed up to take the class or it will be cancelled. I really need this class. It helps me forget about the physical pain I'm in. It also relieves so much stress for me too.

The Fuzzball gang (continued)

The fuzzball gang member in the picture is Paddington (Paddy) He always has a ring around his face from diving into cat food cans. He is a large one weighing in at 17 lbs. He looks at the kitchen sink like it's a dumpster filled with wonderful things only for him. He eats most anything that gets put in the sink. He even ate canned spinach the other night. OK...so maybe all his oars aren't in the water. He is a bottomless pit. So far he is still healthy unlike some of the other cats.

The other yellow tabby that we took in is named Tanner. He isn't a young cat. He is still so skittish that I can't get near him. This is a problem because he has worms now. I am currently working to trap him in a carrier so I can take him to the vet. He has slept in it now for two days. On Sunday night I'm trapping him and off we go on Monday. He will have to do without food and water for several hours because the vet will want to knock him out to pill him.

Victor is the most recent rescue. He is a Maine Coon. He is several bricks shy of a load too. I can pet him as long as he is sitting in a chair. If I approach him anywhere else he runs away hissing.
He is allergic to the enamel on his own teeth. We had half his teeth taken out and now he needs almost all of them out. He is over 10 years old and I can't help but think that he let me trap him. I think he was tired of struggling with the cold winters and the cat fights. Someday he will be a loving part of this family...but Tanner.....I'm not so sure!

More another time

I hate Facebook!

At dinner this evening I received a call from one of my friends from facebook. (Also a neighbor)
He was fit to be tied! He told me that I had e-mailed him and asked for money so I could get home from the UK. I deactivated my page and as I thought about it, I realized that I was angry with the friend/neighbor for accusing me of extortion. He knows I don't go anywhere so why would I be in the UK? Why would I ask HIM for money? He's not a relative or a boyfriend. Before I deleted my Facebook page I noticed he had taken me off as a friend. He didn't trust me to delete the page! I e-mailed him and told him to send the e-mail to the FBI Internet Fraud division. Then I found out he couldn't send them anything because it came through the chat feature. It had my profile on it, he said? I'm not sure I understand the whole scenario. How could my profile be on the chat feature? I guess I don't understand because I've never chatted. I do know that I expect an apology from him.
I'm still on Twitter but if this crap continues...I'm through with all sites that promote socializing.
I just joinned KelseyLive.com and I have my doubts about that one too. I was spammed with people wanting to be a friend and to join this group or that. I almost deleted my membership there too.
I think I'm in a bad mood...what do you think?

Sunday

This Sunday was a lost day. Changing the clock forward an hour totally messed up everything.
We didn't get up until 11:30 am. We had pancakes and then Linda showed up. We had to sit and listen to her dramatics. I like Linda, but everything to her is the end of the world. Her circuit breaker for the furnace blew and she tells us that she has no electricity in the whole house. Then about a half an hour later she says she is running a small heater in her living room to keep warm.
OKAYYYYY........She says the office sent her a notice that her water will be off for three days. EXCUSE ME LINDA, we got the same notice because there was a break in the water main and the water was to be off six hours tops for that evening (ending about 5:30 am the next morning)......and to boil our water for three days after. It takes a real rocket scientist to read a notice correctly I guess. Is there no end to her drama? She even made a point of looking in the paper for a new place to live. Then she says some guy is coming to fix the problem. So why did we have to go through all the drama????
Linda had been here about half an hour when Toni showed up. Now Toni is a sweet person. I enjoy talking to her. Unfortunately I had to activate Ed's new cell phone and spent about an hour in the computer room away from our guests. By the time they both left it was 4:30 and almost time to feed the animals (other wise known as slopping the hogs). I hurried in and took my bath, fed the cats and made dinner.
After dinner I gave the dog some chicken broth which she promptly vomited up. She had just had some of her dry dog food so I thought she was feeling better than she had been earlier in the day.
On top of this wonderful day I was having..... I didn't feel good. I had stomach pains and a headache. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Sher

Saturday Night Live is too boring tonight

I'm sitting here with our new fur person, Cherrie. You see.....she's a Chihuahua/Terrier so she's a Cherrier. She's from Merced County, California...here (at the Oregon Humane Society) on a second chance program. She is settling in very well and is spoiled rotten already. This spoiling was all accomplished in two short weeks. She really knows how to train humans, huh?

I've just tried to get a partial scholarship to take a watercolor class at one of our local community centers for Spring term. I find with the chronic pain I have, it tends to relax some of the tension and I can mask some of my pain for a couple of hours each week. It's good to get out of the house once and a while. I tend to be more of a shut-in.

I'm sooo thrilled that the other animal that I fell in love with at the Humane Society was adopted today. I was so worried about her. She was only a year and a half and she had to have bladder stones removed before she went up for adoption.

I'm going to have to keep it short this time...It's almost 1:00 am!