Down, Kitten! You've Been Soft-Clawed.

Last night we put a stop to Remi's devious clawing ways. My friend gave us some soft claws to try out since I decided not to declaw her.

They are a soft gel like cover that fits over the claw. You cut them to fit the claw and then you fill them with glue. When you have all 10 filled you then start putting them on said Kitty. It was really easy and it only took a few minutes. They are said to last for 4-6 weeks. Remi was a very good girl. She doesn't even know they are there. They even come colored. When we run out of these I am going to get her some red ones! As for Sully, he gives 2 paws way up!!

I am Shmell

On Monday night after karate, we were standing around visiting with our karate peeps. One of the smaller ones, a boy named Robert (who is 2 cute) asked Luke if he was testing for his green belt in March. Luke said "No, my Wife is testing for her green belt." And Robert asks, "Who is your wife?" Luke replied "Michelle." Robert very shocked says, "Shmell's your Wife!" Which brought back memories because my brother used to call me (and on occasion still does) Shamell. Pretty close.

Just Peachy

Here we are already half way through the month of January. Where does the time go? Luke is feeling much better! We went to Walmart yesterday and he was walking through the store saying, "I feel good!' Do I hear a little James Brown in the background? He was back to work today working on his favorite seven-plex.

Remi is doing much better after her little snip snip and she has mellowed a smidge. Sully is on the mend after we discovered a large lump on his neck which turned out to be an abscess (a gift from the Naughty One) and I kid you not one week later a bought of Gastroenteritis! Vet bills, you gotta love them.

We had to initiate Operation Toy Lock down on Sunday. Kristian's attitude has been less than desirable lately and we had to resort to drastic measures. We completely cleaned out his room. All he had was his bed, blankets and dresser. It was very dramatic. At first, he says, "This is fun guys!" Then it finally sunk in. He later threw the Mother of all fitties. Luke handled it very calmly. He left him in his room with his head buried in his pillow. Finally, he came out of hiding and I asked him what he wanted for dinner. He was totally mute. I then played my wild card. "Would you like waffles?" I asked. His demeanor quickly changed. Then he was back to the Kristian we all know and love. Later, he walked over to me and he said, "Mom, I'm sorry for throwing a fit in my room." I accepted and thanked him for his apology and told him it was a very mature thing to do and that I was proud of him. He apologized to Luke when he got back from the store. This is turning out to be pretty good for all of us. Kristian especially because I have let a few things slide and I need to fix them before he gets to old to train. Kristian is a good boy but he needs to learn that life does not revolve around him. So, remember us in your prayers this week! He has already earned 2 items back for his room. His sound machine and a giant teddy bear that he likes to sleep with. I went in his room and saw that he (without anyone asking him) laid out his clothes for the next day. I immediately praised and rewarded him.

I am feeling much better! I think I have gained some of my sanity back. I worked today and then I made some volunteer phone calls for an upcoming event at school with most of the positions filled. Kristian and I are getting along a lot better which is good! And it pretty much sounds like I will be testing for my green belt in March. Am I nervous? Maybe. We'll see. It's going to be a really cool promotion so I can't help but be excited!

And then we have Miss Josie. She had a run in with a plastic bread bag while we were at Karate. She is now wearing what remains of the bread bag. Need I say more?

It's Official! I'm Wiped Out!

I have another Luke update. The crazy Doctor called me tonight and decided that maybe Luke does have the flu. He said that influenza test can throw a false negative. So, tomorrow I have to call him and update him on Luke's condition. He said he put him on the antibiotics for his cough. Finally, we get some answers! And me, I am done. I am sleepy but I know that when I lay my head on my pillow, little green belts will start dancing through my head. Explanation: I may test for my green belt on March 1. Can we spell p-r-e-s-s-u-r-e? I know it's a silly thing to worry about, no that's not silly that's just plain stupid. Of all the things to worry about! I am also worried about Luke missing work. We have been so fortunate that he has always been healthy and now the provider is sick. It is very scary to think about. We do have some money put in Savings so that should help. The scales have fallen from my eyes so to speak. Anything could happen at any given time.

I am Very, Very, Very Irritated

I have come to a conclusion. And that conclusion is that we have now entered the Twilight Zone. I took Luke to the Doctor this morning. We arrived at precisely 8:08 am. Their sign said open, yet the door was locked and some very sick people were waiting in the entryway. We were 4th in line. We waited our turn. I asked Luke if he wanted me to go in with him, not wanting to be a hoverer I decide it would be better to sit and wait. Huge mistake! He gets called back. I'm thinking influenza test and we're gone. I wait and I wait. People keep pouring in. I am surrounded by sick people! Finally, a woman comes in with her toddler and the boy has no coat, no socks and no shoes. He starts running around and screaming and laughing. Typical toddler behavior but after waiting 3 hours, I am not amused. I then ask the receptionist if I can go back and check on my husband.

I find Luke huddled in a chair and I inquire what it is they are doing. Blood tests. Oh OK, that's good. The Doctor comes in (I totally don't want to seem prejudiced in anyway) he is from another country. He is very hard to understand. He tells us that there is something seriously wrong. It is not normal for a 29 year old male to get sick. People in their 20's don't get sick. His exact words. He asks me if I have noticed any changes in Luke. I tell him that Luke had a really bad headache over the weekend and he started feeling ill on Monday. I told him about coming home yesterday and finding Luke with a very high temperature and that he was shivering and out of it. I say that I thought he might have the flu. I literally watched a light bulb come on over this man's head. He says to me "I wished you had come sooner." He then tests him for influenza. And much to my dismay, comes back negative. I then ask if it is viral. He says maybe and prescribes him antibiotics.

He then hmmmed and haaaaed about what to do next. Told us that Luke was very sick and if he got worse to run him to the ER and that he should be hospitalized. He then wrote a note for Luke to take to work and told him he could return to work on Friday. If he is very sick is that enough time to get over whatever has got him? He then changed his mind about the type of antibiotics to prescribe citing a stronger more expensive alternative. I tell him we have insurance. He says "It's still expensive with insurance." Then goes back to his original idea. So now I am worried. I constantly worry no matter what, it is unavoidable. It is in my DNA. What is going on? Could he just be sick? More than likely. This Doctor looked him square in the eye and told him that he should not be sick like this. So, now what?

Luke and His Flu Blug Minions

Well, it finally happened. Luke is really sick. It all started with a headache and a few dizzy spells. He almost went to work today but I told him he needed to stay home. I checked on him after lunch and he said he was feeling a little better. When Kristian and I got home at 4 o'clock, he was totally out of it. I took his temp and it was 103.4. In all our years of marriage, I had never seen him like this before and it was pretty scary. I gave him Motrin and some cold packs to try and bring the fever down and then I called Ask -a -Nurse and the Nurse said he probably has the flu. Kristian and I then went to Walmart to purchase a Humidifier, Gatorade and NyQuil. His fever has now broken and he seems to be doing better. He can at least carry on a conversation. I said to myself "Self, how are we going to get him dressed and to the clinic?" Thankfully, that did not happen and he seems to be resting comfortably. Luke is always the healthy one so it was a little frightening seeing him like that and I think I did a pretty good job by not freaking out. Kristian and I both received our flu shots in November so hopefully we are covered. The Nurse asked if Luke had his and I said "No." and she said "Did he not get around to it?" and I said "No, he's one of thooose people." and she said "Oooohhhh. Maybe he'll get one next year." Yes, let's hope.

Jailcat says, "LET ME OUGHTA HERE!!"

My first post of 2009 is of our sweet little jailbird er cat, Remi. She was so naughty that I had to resort to drastic measures and set up a cozy little house for her in Josie's kennel. She has full amenities: food, water, bed and a litter box. What more could a cat want? Well, as nice as it is she is not happy. I took this cute picture of her with my cell phone as she was begging me to let her out. The vet prescribed a "analgesic elixir" that we give her 2 times a day for the next 7 days. She must of shown them some of her "naughtiness" because we never got anything like that for our other cats. It doesn't start to work until afternoon and she lapses into a little kitty coma. I let her out of her pen today and she napped with me for about an hour, then just like that she shot off the bed and she looked back at me with this wild glazed over stare and for a few moments I don't think she knew where she was. I was left with no other alternatives. Back to jail, Cat!