6am Catch up

 We had an ok Thanksgiving.  We  went to Aaron's cousin's house, which is fine.  But Aaron's parents' house is more conducive to entertaining.  I wasn't feeling super social to begin with.  Then I got to hear the two old men complain about how drag queens are somehow corrupting the children.  Not sure how, but they are.  So I most hung out alone, and played on my phone.  I brought Monty, so I walked him once or twice.  Sophie's dog really liked Monty.  Like he kept trying to hump Monty.  Monty was not happy about this.  Dinner was good.  I was bummed that there was no sweet potato casserole.  I like to make it, but someone else was bringing sweet potatoes and I didn't want to step on any toes.     

We did a little Black Friday shopping.  Mostly at Joann's.  We've been doing a lot of quilting lately.  More on that later.  We also went to Target, but only for usual things.  I bought a couple things online, mostly pants for Bertram.  He seems to have gotten tall all of a sudden, and his 7s are too short.  Almost all my Christmas shopping has been via Amazon.  And I'm nearly done, I just need Rebecca, and my step dad.  I'm going to make cookies for my FiL.  Saturday we went to Maker's Fair for Small Business Saturday.  We bought a few things.  I want to go again next year, sans kids.

At Maker's Fair, with her purse and dino.

We also got the Christmas tree up, and the decorations out.  Usually we do this Black Friday, but Aaron was feeling particularly sick that day, so we did it Saturday, which didn't feel right to me.  And because it didn't feel right, we didn't put out the outside lights.  I just don't feel like it.  (Or feel like having Aaron spend an hour+ doing it, though I usually do it).  I have the kids stockings done, little gifts for Hanukkah, bought a menorah, and candles.

Waffles got spayed this week.  She is still in her cone, because her surgery suit isn't here yet.  Hopefully today.  She's starting to be more like herself again.  But, hates the cone, of course.

Aaron has been sick for about 2 weeks.  I think it started as a virus, and became and infection, if that's possible.  He got amoxicillin this week, which is helping.  But he's still not 100%.  He was off work for 3 days.  Actually more, because he took a day or two before Thanksgiving.  He's starting to improve.  But is coughing a lot.  It's driving me crazy.  

A while back, in August, I started working on my sister's king-sized t-shirt quilt.  I started it, then took a 3 month break for no reason.  I made a lot of progress this week.  I got the top finished, got it pin-basted, and stitched in the ditch for the vertical lines. Before I basted it, I noticed the backing fabric was too short, so I had to get another sheet (twin-sized this time), to add about 5 inches to the quilt back.  I started quilting in each square, making a sort of baffle-box, though not really.  

Completed t-shirt quilt top

I also finished the scrappy quilt. It was one I made on the fly.  No plan, or pinning or ironing.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  For some reason, I don't have a completed picture. 

Nearly complete scrap quilt

A while back, I bought a batch of pre-cut strips from Joann's clearance bin.  I had this for a long time.  I came across them, and decided to make a subway tile quilt with them.  I had to buy supplemental fabric, and it ended up being lap sized.  I did different quilting.  I've never done triangles.  They turned out pretty good, though, I can tell my basting isn't as good as it should be. I decided to attempt the binding on my own.  Usually Aaron does it.  I bought machine quilting thread.  Which is apparently not made for my machine.  The bobbin kept getting jammed.  It was really irritating to have to fix the bobbing every 3 minutes.  So, it took a really long time.  And I thought I remembered how to do the corners, but I didn't.  So, the binding looks terrible.  And I don't like the colour with the quilt.  I think I'm going to take it off, and have Aaron redo it, in a different colour.

The subway tile quilt, done, but not redone.

The other thing Aaron and I have been working on together is Christmas quilts.  We made one for Aaron's mom, and we're in the process of making one fore his bio-mom.  I cut all the squares.  Aaron did all the sewing.  It turned out a little busy, but very Christmasy.  

The fabrics, all laid out

Monty in front of the basted quilt.

Aaron and Bron playing a video game.

animals on me and the scrap quilt.

Making the gingerbread house

My new ornament

Monty, in his purse

Always sewing.

A december post

Apparently it's been a month since I was last here.  I think I'm in a little depression slump.  No reason, really, as usual.

Our fakey tree is set up in the kitchen (displaced from the living room, due to Bertie's toys), and stuffed with gifts underneath.  I am pretty excited for Christmas.  I hope Bertie might actually get into opening gifts.  And if not, I'm still excited to see what he got.  We're having dinner with Aaron's family (as we always do), and my dad is coming (as he always does).  We've decided we're not "doing" Santa.  I have no nostalgia around it.  And Aaron doesn't care to do it.  (Actually the only memories I have about Santa were hoping that he was real, and would ignore the fact I was Jewish, though, he never did).  But I did get Bertram's picture with the Santa at Bass Pro Shop, because it was free.  My gift from Aaron was having my engagement ring re-set with two diamonds from my great-aunt's ring.

We're in the process of getting a new cat, because I'm a crazy person.  I saw that four years ago, we adopted Diamond Jim from Best Friends, in Utah.  I looked at their website, and saw it was cheap adoption time again, and saw an old lady cat called Tinsley.  She is 10, has 3 legs, and a black splotch on her white face.  I've always wanted a three-legged cat or dog.  And we like to get the less desirable cats (old, or with FIV, or old with FIV).  Because we have adopted from them before, she is free.  As of now, she is scheduled to arrive on January 8th.

Also, in the new year, I'm going back to being vegetarian.  Or maybe a very occasional pescaterian, I haven't decided yet.  I don't really like eating animals, and I don't like what it does for the environment.  ...But I'm also planning on getting pregnant again next year, so we'll see what my body wants to do.

Bertie is doing well.  He talks a lot!  He is really starting to become a twonager.  It's hard to keep my patience sometimes, but I'm still new at this, so I try to cut myself a little break.  And generally speaking, he's good, but precocious.

Julius

 

Don't let his cuteness fool you.  He's an asshole.

I've had it with this cat.  He is the worst cat I've ever had.

I was rocking Bertie, getting him ready for bed.  I watched Juli get up from where he was laying, walk over to the door that had shopping bags hanging on it.  He sprayed them, and then walked away.  I threw him outside and said you're not in the house anymore!  

I thought this problem was solved when he became indoor outdoor.  But he peed (or sprayed) in Bertie's carseat a week or so ago.  And I've been struggling to get the stink out ever since.  If it was just a stinky seat I could deal, but Bertie smells every time he gets out.  Arrgggh!  

Breakdown

Today was awful.

Everything started out normally.  I was finally feeling over my cold.  The shower that I wasn't attending was happening today, and I'd planned to skype in through my sister and say hi, and thanks to everyone.  We even practiced last night, to make sure we knew how to do it.

Anyway, Aaron and I watched a movie, and then got ready for church.  I printed out my lesson, and all that was ready.  We were a couple minutes late, so we sat in the back.  Right after sacrament, I started feeling weird.  Too hot, dizzy.  So I went to the bathroom, which helped a little.  I thought I might pass out.  I went out to the car, to lay down and put my feet up.  On the way out to the car, I started crying.  And then I couldn't stop.  I was sobbing for over an hour.  Maybe an hour and a half.  I have no idea why, and I couldn't stop.  I didn't teach my lesson.  I didn't skype into the shower.  All I did was cry and sob.  It kind of felt like a panic attack, but I can't say for sure.  Aaron took care of me, despite my being a burden.  I think he was upset at me first (he had to tell someone at church that I wasn't coming back, and text my sister and such).  But then he made me put my jammies on, and lay down to watch tv.  He made lunch, then I fell asleep for 2 or 3 hours.  On the couch.  With two dogs.  (Somehow I managed to sleep with Zelda at my feet, and Yoie at my side).

Now I just feel embarrassed and stupid.  And my eyes feel really puffy, even though I think they look ok.

And I have Julius laying under my laptop, which is odd.

Another catch up...

The great escape:
Last Sunday Julius made a break for it.  He's become a door darter.  When Aaron was letting the dogs back in, Juli slipped out.  We chased him around (think something out of Benny Hill), until he leapt over a fence and disappeared.  We called for him, put food out, I walked around the block looking for him.  And I cried and cried.  I know cats are good at coming back, but the fact that we got him from a shelter gave me pause.  Maybe he wasn't good at finding his way back?  We kept watching for him.  Then around 5 (two hours later) I saw him sauntering across the yard.  I yelled to Aaron and he went out to lure the cat.  The neighbour dog, Guinness, barked, and Juli took off again.  Aaron yell at me to go around to the front.  So I dashed out there, and Aaron had Julius cornered under the truck.  I told him to grab him by any means, so he hooked the collar.  I crawled around and got a good hold on his scruff and pulled him out.  Then I couldn't stand up, because I'm too pregnant to stand up while holding a cat.
Later in the week, Aaron's folks accidentally let him out too.  But they managed to chase him back into the house.
Illness:
On Wednesday, I wasn't feeling well, and ended up only working a half day.  I had sore throat and some kind of head cold.  Plus I had the feeling I was getting a UTI too.  Not my normal "Holy God! this is the most painful pee ever!" UTI, but the less common "I need to always pee" UTI.  I emailed my ObGYN, and she called in some antibiotics for me, and asked me to go to the lab for a urine culture too.  I left work after working four hours, and drove South to Kaiser.  By the time I got there I needed to pee really bad.  I was glad there was no line at the lab (since there often is).  Then I went down to the pharmacy, which was full of sick, screaming children.  And my Rx wasn't ready, so I had to wait.
The UTI is feeling better.  And after 2 more days off work, I'm finally starting to get over this cold/sinus thing.  I'm draining a little, and my throat is ok.  But I'm still tired. I was going to try to walk today, but a short trip to the grocery store wore me out.
On being alone:
Another reason I'm worn out, is because Aaron's been gone more of the week.  I have no clue how single moms, or Army moms do it.  I do not function well on my own.  He was gone Monday morning through Wednesday afternoon.  Then he had a long meeting on Thursday night.  And now he has a short camp out  tonight into tomorrow.  Bleh.  It's hard for me to take care of four animals, and my sick self.  And try to keep the house in somewhat clean shape.  Even when I'm not sick, I'm tired pretty easily.
Pregnancy:
I'm 31 weeks today.  That means in a couple of days, I'll be 8 months pregnant.  Holy Moly!  That's kind of scary.  Mojo's room isn't ready.  We don't have a car seat or crib (we do have a borrowed bassinet and lots of cloth diapers).  And I really need to get the insurance stuff straightened out.  Ugh, I'll be glad once I have that done.
I've been having a lot of indigestion lately.  Bleh, I hate that.  But I'm still sleeping well, except for waking up to pee.  I can still get comfortable.
Mojo is still dancing around a lot.  I love it.  We're still reading to him nightly.  Aaron was kind of joking around saying we were going to confuse him by reading him The Hobbit one night and Dr Seuss the next.
My baby shower is next week!  Actually, my first one is on Sunday in Virginia.  My relatives are having one for me, even though I can't go, which is really nice.  Then the shower that Sophie is throwing me is next Saturday.  And that means my marmie will be here on Wednesday night!!!  Eee!  And I'm getting an updo done before my shower so I look pretty, since I'm sure there will be lots of pictures.  And I'm excited to see people and eat and have presents.
Marmie:
I'm trying to get the house ready for Marmie's visit.  The guest room is almost ready, it needs a little more cleaning, and some fresh linens.  Aaron is hopefully going to get Mojo's room painted on Sunday and Monday.I'm not sure what she'll do while she's here, since I'm still working when she's here.  I think Sophie wants some help with shower stuff.
It'll be better once I'm on leave and then she'll be back.  Then I can hang with her.

Christmas was very good to us.

We had a good Christmas.  We went to Aaron's mom's church for Christmas Eve service (per our tradition).  The we opened gifts when we got home, since it was Christmas.

We got a lot of nice things: clothes, a new iron, a blueray player, electric blanket, backpacking stuff, a new showerhead, new shoes, etc.  It was very nice.  Church was ok.  Nothing too special, really.

We had Christmas dinner with Aaron's folks and extended family.  Aaron and I spent a lot of with with baby Isaac (Aaron's cousin's baby).  I just want to soak up all the baby-ness.  So I held him a lot, fed him twice, and changed him once.  Aaron held him a lot too.  Kind of bittersweet.

I ate too much, so I'm up at 3am, feeling acidy.

It was a good day over all, but in the evening, I got depressio.  C'est la vie.

Diamond Jim update:
Mr Kitteh has Toxoplasmosis, which is common in cats.  But in FIV+ cats, it's worst, and can compromise the liver.  So he's on antibiotics, electrolytes and something else.  The vet said he probably won't live more than 4 or 5 years.  I'm surprised the estimate is that long.  It's good, but he's almost 12, his health is so-so, and he has FIV.  So we'll keep him around as long as he can be comfortable, but our goal was for him to spend his golden years in a nice home, so that's what we'll do.  But they saw no reason for the subcutaneous fluids, so at least there's that.  He'll have another blood test in 3 weeks to see how he's doing.

But he's been acclimating very well.  He's not sequestered anymore.  There have been very few confrontations.  And we solved the problem of his food.  He gets kitten food, to help him put on weight.  Moss, and Yoie both love that food, so it was hard to make sure he was getting him food.  Then I noticed that DJ cat can fit through the closet door when it's open 3-4 inches.  So we cleared out the bottom of the closet and set his food up in there, and it's been working great!  He's still super snuggly.  He'll follow
Aaron and I around the house. He really wants to sit on the keyboard.  Oh, and he not a huge fan of being carried.  

Rounding the bend

One of the therapists brought donuts today.  And, against my better judgement, I had one for breakfast.  Then my tummy was mad at me for most of the day.  For dinner I had pasta.  Then I wanted Muddy Buddies (aka puppy chow, aka trash), so I made some.  I'm probably going to regret that too, but whatever.  I like to get some joy out of food every now and then.

My drugs came in the mail today.  Here's how it goes:

Entocort (immunosuppressant)  Retail: $1,419.90  I paid: $10
Ambien (sleeping pill)               Retail: $9.80          I paid: $9.80
Asacol (gut drugs)                    Retail: $1,148.25   I paid: $35

"Your drug plan saved you $2523.15".  Yeesh.  Thank God for insurance.  Seriously, I include that in my prayers a lot.

Speaking of drugs, my shrink prescribed me Ritalin due to my perpetual sleepiness.  I want to say: I've never done any illegal drugs.  I've never even been drunk (just tipsy once at a Passover Seder).  I have to say, Ritalin is the best thing ever.  I'm on a low dose, but it really makes me feel great, like I have a lot of focused energy.  I'm thinking of asking the shrink to wean me off of the Prozac and just stick with Ritalin (especially since it has fewer side effects).

Aaron and I have been watching Dog Town on Netflix.  It's a show about Best Friends animal shelter in Kanab, Utah.  I was looking through their website at adoptable pets.  They still have a lot of the Michael Vick dogs.  I was looking through the cats, and saw a cat named Diamond Jim.  And I got the feeling he needed to be part of our family.  (I know most people won't understand this, as we're already inundated with animals.  But this guy is 10, and he's never had a home).  I got the ok from Aaron.  So I sent in the application on Monday.  And they're doing a Christmas special, where they'll fly the animals for free.  (Since he's in Utah, normally we'd either have to go get him, or ship him for $150-200).  I got a call from a Best Friends rep today.  She was telling me about Diamond Jim.  He's FIV+ (which we already knew).  He's a sweet boy, who loves people and ignores other cats.  He has no teeth, but can still eat regular hard food.  He had a little kidney issue, so he's currently on subcutaneous fluids (Aaron had to do this with our previous cat, Phantom before).   The rep said he's one of her favourite cats, and she was happy someone wants to take him home.  Normally they'd do a home visit, but she said she may be able to waive it, since we have a lot of experience with cats and we always adopt through shelter/rescue, so we'll see.  Also, he'll have a physical tomorrow, and he needs to do a dog test, to make sure he'll get along ok with them.  (Both the dogs love cats).  So she's going to contact me again tomorrow or Friday, and we'll see what happens.  If he doesn't do well with dogs, maybe there's a different, old FIV+ cat.  Or maybe we'll wait.