The incident

A week ago we took the dogs on their nightly walk.  We went on one of our non-typical routes.  As we were walking down the sidewalk a grey pitbull charged out of a house, and straight towards the dogs.  It all happened so fast, I didn't even have time to think. (We carry pepper spray in our walk bag for that specific purpose, but didn't even have time to grab it).  I hoisted Yoie up by her lead, and the pitbull went straight to Zelda.  In a matter of 2 seconds, Zelda had several bites on her leg (one was muscle deep).  

The friend of the dog owner had let the dog out into the front yard without a lead.  The owner (Regina) was not happy about this, of course.  Aaron called his mom to come pick up him and Zelda, and they went off to the emergency vet.  I walked Bertie and Yoie home.  Aaron had to leave her for a while, and pick her up around 1:30 am.  It was $400-something. When Fiona and I went to bed, I noticed that she was bleeding.  She had been bitten on her chest, but it didn't look too bad, so I decided to take her to our normal vet in the morning.

Zelda came home and looked alright.  When we got up, Fiona's bit was really, really swollen.  I took her to the vet.  She had a hematoma and needed a drain.  So I left her for the day, her bill was around $500.  

Then on Wednesday we noticed that Zelda's stitches looked really bad, like she'd popped a stitch.  Thursday I took her to our vet, who told us that the emergency vet didn't fix her correctly and she had necrotic tissue in her wound.  So she needed a drain too.  Another $500.  Aaron is still in talks with the ER vet to reimburse us for their error.  The pitbull's owner paid $1000 for the first round of bills (but it it's right for her to have to pay for the vet's error).

In the meantime, my sister made a go fund me for Zelda and in a day we raised enough money to cover the bill, in case the ER vet doesn't pay.

Fiona had her drain out on Saturday.  She's looking a little better, and her appetite is coming back.  Zelda's leg is still looking bad.  She's suppose to have the drain out tomorrow, but we'll see that the vet says.

It's been a very stressful week.

And now, some complaining...

Bertie is definitely in the terrible twos, or maybe a two-nager.  He is always saying no, or when it's time to be done: one more, or one more time.  (Why am I trying to have another again?)

Today he wanted to draw with markers, then paint stamps (dot markers?  I'm not sure what they're called) then real paint.  I like him doing these things, so that was all fine.  When he paints he get super washable crayola paints, a palette and a cheapie brush.  Lately he wants a cup of water, but doesn't understand the water is for washing the brush, and then just keeps adding paint to the water.  Anyway, he was painting, then spilled the water cup.  No big deal, I had him continue on, but no.  He needed the water cup.  I said no, then the threw the palette across the floor.  He got a timeout, and I got to clean the floor.

He refused to nap today.   I tried 4 different times to put him down.  No dice.  Which means I didn't get anything done.

I have either a sinus infection or some terrible allergies.  My face/head hurts.

After his non-nap, we went to buy groceries.  There are always cookies there, so I got him a cookie.  Then he wanted another snack.  I had a squeezy pack in my purse, so I gave him that.  Then he wanted another snack.  The store sells individual squeezy yogurts.  He seemed excited, and chose a flavour.  I opened it, then he said no.  So I closed it, and let him hold it.  He was upset about me closing it, and threw it on the ground.  And the package split open.  Then he wanted it again, and, stupidly, I obliged.  He, then, of course, spilled it everywhere.  (Fortunately, the grocery clerk was nice, and didn't charge us).  Also, he bit into an unripe avocado, skin and all (and then was upset when it didn't taste good).  I'n not sure if that will ripen properly.

We had to go to one other store.  There he grabbed onto a gallon of water, by the strap.  He wouldn't let go, so I tried to unwrap his fingers.  But when I succeeded, he lost his balance and hit his eye on the cart.  (Mother of the Year).  Then he started crying.  So I carried him for a minute.  When I went to put him back (because he was reaching for everything, again), he threw a fit.  I had to wrestle to get him back in the cart, and buckle him in. (At which he was screaming "too tight", because that's what he says when he is unhappy).  And everyone stared, and I was "that mom"

My bridesmaid skirt came in today! I was so excited, because I thought it was really cute, and I could wear it again, unlike other bridesmaid dresses.  And if I'm pregnant I can still wear it with no issue.  Following the description I was a Medium, but following the size chart (which they said to do) I was a Large.  I opened the bag, and said "well, this looks huge.".  I tried it on, and said "this feels huge"  And it's very long (supposed to hit at the knee, but falls to my mid calf.  Then I looked in the mirror.  Oh Lord.  It was even worse than I imagined.  Like wearing a large tulle garbage bag.  I filled out the return paperwork tonight (since you have a mere 10 days to return it. (Thanks Obama. (Lol)).  Now I'm not sure what to do.  Do I order the medium and hope it doesn't look like garbage?  Do I order a dress, and hope I don't get prego, or huge and that it actually fits?  Also, this company is 15 miles from my house, and they have no show room.  Grr.

Catching up

We had Bertie's second birthday.  Just a small affair with family, pizza and cake.  Bertie had a good time, and got some nice gifts.

My mom was here for 2 blissful weeks.  I love having her here, and Bertie does too.  We always have fun together.  We went to the aquarium on day with my dad.  Bertie loved it!  It's fun to see my parents together again too.  Like we get to play the happy family, which we actual are now.  Funny, how divorce can make things better for everyone.  And, unlike make divorced couples, they can actual hang out, and be friends.
(Sometimes I feel guilty that I'm the stay at home parent.  Some days Bertie and I have so much fun.  I know I'd be jealous if the situation was reversed).

I ordered my bridesmaid dress today.  Well, skirt.  I'm pretty excited, because I'll actually be able to wear it again.  But it's going to take til mid April to get here.  :-/

I've been keeping up with my exercise.  I've only missed one day so far this year.  I want to concentrate more on running.  But I've been really tired lately, which makes 6am running hard.  I tried a beginning plyometrics workout today.

 But, I've been eating like crap lately.  Lots of sugar, lots of diet coke.  And I've been more flexitarian than vegetarian.

My friend Brianon had her baby yesterday.  She had a lot similarities to Bertie's birth.  Emergency c-section, babies in NICU.  I wish I could be there to help out and meet baby Henry.

We finally got some rain today.  It's supposed to continue for a while.

A day of firsts

I just want to jot these down, before I forget.

• Bertram peed in the potty today!  I'd been trying to have his sit, which he didn't like.  So I put him on the step stool, and he peed on the second try.  (Then on the floor, I guess he wasn't done).  I was so excited.  He hasn't done it again, but it's a start!  (Yay!)
• Today was the first time we played in the backyard.  Up until now, it's been the dogs' toilet.  But I've been more diligent about mowing, weeding, and picking up the poop.  So we played back there all together.  At one point Fiona grabbed Charlie bear and ran around the yard with him.  We all chased her, and Bertie thought it was hilarious.
• While playing in the yard, we had the bubbles out.  Bertie blew some.  He'd never done that before.
• Later in the day, all the kids were in the bath tub at Grandma's house.  Bertie bit Michael.  He's never bitten anyone (other than me) before.  But to be fair, Michael did put his finger in Bertram's mouth.

Random things from high school

• Unlike many, I didn't have a bad high school experience.  I was, by no means, popular.  But I wasn't unpopular either.  I got along with most everyone.
• I was the only white person in my group of friends.  They were all Asian (Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese).  We were fairly nerdy and good (no drinking, drugs and we were all good students).  
• I loved art and science.  I still do.  There weren't a ton of art classes available, but I took all the ones I could.  
• The only AP class I took was English.  I didn't pass the test.
• In spite of that, I was a good student and got all As and Bs.
• I played badminton every year.  I love(d) playing badminton, but was terrible at it.  I was usually one of two white people on the team.  It didn't matter, it was fun.
• I had the same math teacher freshman and sophomore year, Mr Hoover.  He was the best math teacher that I've ever had.  My senior year of school he committed suicide.  He always seemed like a happy guy.  I felt sad that I never told him what a great teacher he was.
• I wish I had tried harder and paid more attention in Spanish.  (Also, Spanish was the only language my school offered.  Isn't that odd?)  I always got good grades, but I only learned to the tests, and once the test was done, I forgot everything I'd learned.
• We didn't have lockers, which was awful.
• Sometimes I think about the kids who got tattoos during senior year (mostly tramp stamps and tribal arm bands).  I wonder if they still like their tattoos.
• I got into almost all the colleges I applied to, but went to the local school instead.  I often regret not going away to school.  But I think there was to much change already.  My parents split and my sisters and mom moved away.  Aaron was only going to be in town until October, when he left on his mission.  And a lot of my friends went away to school too.  I needed something to stay the same.  But I think maybe I should have stretched myself more.  2001 was a terrible year.
• I wish home EC still existed.

Random Musings

• I would love to have two washers and dryers.  Even though I don't really have need for them.
• I have been binge-watching Law and Order SVU.  It gives me bad dream sometimes.  
• Last week I did all new recipes.  This week I've made all convenience food: spaghetti, tacos, breakfast sandwiches and Mandarin Orange Chik'en and sticky rice.
• I've been working on an easy quilt for Bertie's birthday.  Thomas the Train print on the front and yellow flannel on the back.  I'm just machine stitching around each box.  It's looking cute, and again, is super easy.
• I like working on sewing projects, but it makes my neck hurt.
• On Saturday I'm getting my hair done.  I wonder what colour it will be.
• Bertie took two baths today.  Mostly, because he was grumpy, and baths help.
• My house often looks like it was hit by a tornado.
• Since Bertie is sick we've been watching a lot of cartoons (or gargoons as he says).  I wish we could watch something other than train cartoons.  Ugh.
• I don't think Aaron and I have been in sync lately.  It happens.  :-/
• I had a piece of pie tonight.  I still need to eat less sugar.

Laid off.

I knew it was coming.  Not sure how, but sometimes you can just tell.  My tasks were getting lighter, some different cross-training had been going on.

I'm always the first one in.  6:30 is an early start.  I saw Shauna's (my supervisor) car, and I knew.  She said nothing personal, we loved having you, we wish there were a way to keep you, etc.  I got my final cheque, a small box with my stuff, and by 6:45 I was back in my car and headed home.

It isn't a terrible thing.  I only worked 8 hours a week, so it wasn't a lot of money.  We can tighten our belts.  But I liked my job.  I'd been there 6.5 years.  It was my break from baby, and time in the adult world.

I looked at unemployment, and it's just not worth it.  It would get something like $40 a week, and I need to apply to 10+ jobs (ones that I wouldn't want or wouldn't be a good fit), not to mention all the other hoops you need to jump through.

And so, I feel sad.  I had a milkshake.  For the first time in 33 days.  I went on a long walk.  It didn't help.  So I mostly took today to wallow.  Tomorrow is another day.