I did it..... but not the way I intended.....

well I think I did it.... uploaded a pic. Not to where I wanted it but then it took me a week to do it at all. Now if I could just make the camera download the pics I took with it. Maybe one of my dear sweet sons will help mom....... and maybe hell will freeze over or I will win the lotto.

Nick is here to spend a couple of days with us. We havent' seen him since his mom moved in with her new/old boyfriend. He says that when Nick is with us he has an attitude when he gets home. Maybe that is because we treat him like a human and they don't. Tonight he told me that his mom and the counselor had had him on pills to control his temper! Only time I have ever seen his temper is when his dad shoves him around or his brothers ruin his stuff. That is why when we gave him something he usually left it here to play with when he visited cause his little brothers would tear everything up. Anyway he said they took him off pills cause they made his temper worse. So he is happily camping in the tv room and we will start to look for movies to go to cause that is what we do on his birthday. But now that Lord of the Rings is over who knows what we will see this time.

We have had a drippy faucet in the kitchen for months. So today I pushed Roy in to going to get parts for it. It cost $2 and 10 minutes. I did find the kind of faucet I want there but we have to measure to see if it will fit. I guess it is a bar faucet..... one that the spigot is very high and curved. Easy to get my head under when I wash my hair and easy to fill big pots and bath errant animals.

Mrs. Ewife sent me a American Girl email and there is a new doll out. She is a dancer and so very cute. She has the cutest little jazz shoes on. And the outfits are not tooo terribly expensive so maybe we will have to see about her for a birthday in June. Will see what A's reaction is to her when she sees the new catalog.

Well off to bed. Now that I know about bringing up pics watch out......

that's ME! 

Monday

We made it through CHristmas.... Had Don and Eileen to dinner one Xmas Eve and then went to Joyce & Michael's Xmas day. It was very quiet. Just them, Joyce's mom and Terry and us. Very nice and very quiet.
Eson and Ewife gave us a trip to the ocean and I am sure looking forward to that. We will likely wait til Joyce gets back from Florida from being with Marie while she has surgery.
I finally started Aundrea's quilt today and am about half way through it. It doesn't take any time at all once it is all cut out. With a little luck I will gt to her outfit before school starts again. THen maybe I can do one for me. i have fabric and patterns just didn't have time before to do it.
#2 son and family were in Oregon for the holidays and left early on Sunday to be back so Aundrea could dance at Zoo Lights and then about 4 pm Jayna called from the studio and said it was cancelled. So I called them and they had been in Tacoma all afternoon waiting for it to be time. I still don't know why it was cancelled. Maybe Cherie or Jennifer know... I guess I will email them and see.
I finally got my tiny little digital camera software loaded so now all I hav to do is to figure out how to operate the darn thing.

Monday....

Where did I leave off last time? Well, Aundrea didn't go to Seattle and she wasn't even disappointed... I think she was too sick. She was running a temp on Saturday night... Sunday night I took her to her gift exchange for dance... her secret santa, who we had figured out was Rebecca ( who we have know since she was 3. Her mom was A's first dance teacher) gave her a blue velvet dance costume. Very cute and in fact one that A had looked at out at the Gallery. We left there at 10 pm and the gift exchange was still going on. Anyway she was very happy and excited with her new outfit.
She coughed all night, so I took her to the dr and she is on steriods and antibiotics. Stubborn bug. Hope she gets rid of it.
I put up our newest little silver tree in the dining room and I would have bet Iwould not like it. Reminded me too much of the aluminum one my Dad had at home that had red balls on it and a revolving light. (Excuse me while I barf) First thing Mother did after Daddy died was to pitch the chair that he loved and she hated and that &(*&*^^))_ tree! But this one is fluffy, which the other one was not and also fibre optic. And a poinsetta on the table. Yes, we had a TABLE in the dining room again. It almost looks like a real house. I am going to have to clean animal cages and have Joyce and Michael over before the crap sneaks back in.

Dec. 18.....

Well tomorrow is the show in Seattle and guess who won't be there? Aundrea is running a temp and coughing so there is no way I am takeing her to SEattle... especially since it is a whole day of activity and then a party at night. Maybe if the temp is gone I will takee her to the party to find out who her secret santa is. Tho I am sure it is Rebecca.....
I worked at PetsMart today and Bill said he adopted out a little of kittens last week and then found out the whole litter had distemper. Wonder it those got it from our or vice versa.
Anyway we got the video from Jennifer and it is cute. Lots of all the kids in it. So we will share it with family.

Wednesday Dec. 15......

Well to continue the saga of the kittens.... Mr. Fuzz was not put down but he did die a few days later and Rene wanted me to bring in the rest of the litter. No, I said not as long as they are acting healthy. Well Sunday we found little Stripe dead. She was sneezing and just died. So took her to Josh and he said bring in the rest of the kids cause we have to stop this now. So on Monday we tearfully took the rest in. Still not sure what is going on but Josh fears distemper... if that is the case then we will have no more babies for a year. Takes that long to get the virus out of the house. And will need to make sure our guys are all vacinated.
Aundrea danced on Saturday at the Mall and they did so good. I got some pics that are still on the camera. I will finish it at the Seattle Center on Sunday. Jennifer also has a video for me that is under the tree at the studio. It is of all the performances os far. Mostly Rebecca, cause that is her daughter but still some of Aundrea too. REbecca has been ill all week so she has not been at dance.. and on the days she was not there, Aundrea did not have a secret Santa gift.... Could Rebecca have Aundrea's name? I have suspected it from the first but will know on Sunday when all is unveiled.
I am off to bed, it is late and I am pooped. See ya and maybe not so long in between.

My Zoo & The Animals In It------Dec 7

Today was mostly an awful day.... we took on of the kitties to the shelter on Sunday cause he was ill and Josh looked him over for us and gave me some special food to feed with a syringe... said to bring him back Tuesday about 12:30. Well today I called in cause we have two others sneezing. They said to bring them all and have them looked at. So having to change carriers etc, made us late. As we arrived and were finding out who to talk to this man walked in and went to the back. I thought it was the grounds keeper. I said to the gal that REne had told me to bring the kids in for the vet to look at. The gardner turned around and said "I am the vet and you werre to be here at 12"30. Sorry. So Josh came and got Fuzz and took him back with his paper work. He came back out in a few minutes and said this guy is staying with us he is too sick to go home. I said but I thought he was doing better and he said maybe stronger but he still has a fever of 104. Then he took the 2 sneezing kids and came back with them and the vet said to get baby nose drops and give them every three days?? That makes no sense at all. What I think I want to know is ... are they treating Fuzz or euthenizing him?? And in my personal opnion, the vet is a pompas ass. He was pissed that we were late so he treated us and the kids like shit.
Tonight I took Aundrea to performance and she got her warm ups. And a bag and a hat and a water bottle. They are very cool and she was soooo excited. She wore them home and mom and dad were suitabley impressed. She performs on Saturday and then again next Saturday.
When we got there I discovered that I had lost her Santa gift somewhere along the way. So I told her to go on in to dance and while they were in there I would take care of it and get a ballerina ornament or a hair decoration or something from Jayna and put it under the tree. Before I got a chance I saw Vanessa pop up from under the tree with her reindeer antlers on.... she was not there last night and we had put two packages under there for her then so I am sure she thought one was for last night and one was for tonight. Wheeeew!! Saved.

Saturday.... Dec 4?

Can it be December already? Time is sneaking up on me. Himself and I went to the mall tonight to get some gifts...Mervyns had some really great sales but I restrained my self mostly... only got a pair of shoes. Dressy black flats that are not sandles...not really flats either, a low heel but i can wear them to court etc. Then tried on the kind of pants I like there and the last ones i got in my size were too big so I tried a size smaller and that was too big so I got another size smaller and they fit.. and I have NOT lost weight. The sizing on them must be really strange.
I went with Joyce and her mom and we kidnapped Lynn and Rachel and took Jess along, also Lorna, Gary's mom and met Jane at the Victorian Rose Tea Room for a birthday surprise for Lynn and Rachel. It was fun to visit and see the dolls. I would have liked to shop more but did get a necklace for Aundrea and one for Rebecca. The food is also wonderful there. I had the carmel apple walnut pie and it is to die for.
We let the kitty kids out a couple of times aday and they just scatter all over. They are getting so very social now. All it takes is food and play. I got a cute pic yesterday... little Stripe got up on the couch and inched over close to Baby (who was not exactly thrilled) and they just layed there. Looks like mom and kid.
Must tell about Nick and Bud... Bud got up on the counter last night and got a steak bone. He jumped down and Nick was waiting for him. Nick put his foot in Bud's back and pinned him to the floor just as Himself came in. Nick took the bone from Bud and looked up as to say... I took it, can I keep it? Of course not but he did get a treat. He is always barking at Cleo when she scratches her back cause he knows we will get after her.

Monday

We got a call yesterday from the humane society.... could we take 7 kittens. They are from 2 litters and of course adorable. Aundrea has been asking everyday if we were going to get more kittens. Well she has all the kitties she can handle. A couple more days and she will have them all named. So far we have Smokey, Monkey, Stripe and I think she said one was Fuzzy.Oh and Punkin.
She has been having lots of overnights with us this week as her mom and dad caught her bug and I am not going near there til they are well. Well in her mom's case.... alot better.
At dance tonight she got a present from her secret santa. Some hersherys kisses and really cute pony tail holder. She gave her girl an Ornament she made. Tomorrow I will try to find some Pixie sticks as that is the candy that VAnessa likes.
Just before Thanksgiving I got a turkey breast to have after as we went to Peterson's for dinner. Well Himself got it in from the freezer and we left it in the store bag to thaw. Not until I unwrapped it to put it in the pan did I notice it had legs.... and wings...hmmmm. So I cooked the whole darn bird. At least I don't have to worry about dinner for a few days.
And i only have one more quilt to do. Eohn's is almost done, just clipping the seams. Then one for Aundrea and I do not know how to get that one done with out her seeing it. And a pants outfit for her. She may get the material for the pants and i will make it while she is out of school for winter break.

Saturday.....

Well today was Petsmart Saturday and I was supposed to be there helping the humane society adopt out animals. I got there and no one was there. So I went up to Target to get something I had in mind for Ensign, and they didn't have it but I got Aundrea a pair of dance pants and a shirt and finished off Handy's kids. I have the kids under control but have no ideas for any of the adults except Precious... well and Ensign and Ewife. What do Handy and his girlfriend want? No Idea. and no idea what #2son and #2chelle want either. And the eternal question at Christmas is what in the world to get for Himself's mother! She quilts. That is about it. I think maybe a Safeway gift card will do.
#2son tells me I gave away his identy by using his name..... sorry darlin. But it is nice to know someone reads this crap. And I didn't use the last name or address or phone or anything so who cares. I am also on the Sxxt list of a couple of case workers, they do not approve of my not being available to do whoevers job or else in the other case I have an opnion that is different than hers. TUFF! I am not going to supervise visits, I have been told by the court that that is not my job. I havent' been out to see the children for awhile but good grief the case worker churns out so much paper work and the mother calls so regularly that I have a very good idea what is goign on. This case worker is a dictator and wants it all her way. The other one is a bit easier to work with but no matter what time a meeting is set for, when I get there, it is half over. ANd when i have to drive 40 miles in rush hour traffic to get to the meeting and then it only last 10 minutes I really don't feel it is worth my time. ANd the child in question is always there so we can't talk freely ..... Well the child has moved to Texas until her dad's trial so there will like ly be no meetings for awhile.
Well that is all for tonight. It has been a long day and Aundrea is having a "sleep over" with us, which means that Nick will sleep with her and I get my own bed. (maybe, if I am lucky!)

I HATE XMAS!!

Well here we are in the midst of the hurry hurry and do the damn duty dance thing. I think it is just too darn much $$ and the kids all have the gimmies.... If I had my choice, or the guts to do it, I would disappear for the whole holiday thing. Just go to the beach and sit in a nice warm room with a fireplace and a good book and veg out.
The depression has already begun and it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. At dance tonight the kids drew names for Secret Santa and and of course it will not be Aundrea's parents that will help her make her presents. It will have to be grandma. Along with the 1000 and one other things I have to do and buy.
I called Marc from the studio and asked him to meet me somewhere half way and pick up Aundrea cause my car was acting up..... no not a chance. Then I called home and told Roy that after he drops off Aundrea in the morning I want him to take the car and get it looked at. No he can't cause we have no money. Well I SCREAMED something not very nice at him and asked him why he thought I didn't cancel all the credit cards. By the time I got home I was and still am ready to chew nails.
Now on a bright note..... wait a minute til I find one........ must be one here somewhere.... oh yeah, Johnny's quilt is all cut out and I have begun sewing it so it will be done for Xmas.
And I got some very cute dance pictures from Becca's mom which I will someday figure out how to put up on the website.

Tuesday

Today started out pretty well and then just went downhill. Monday is ballet night for Aundrea, ( she belongs to #2son), and Tuesday is Performance team practice and it is at 6pm. So I got her at school and we went to the store and came home and she played around then ate some dinner and we were getting ready to leave... she was already in her dance clothes and she was sniffing and coughing. I asked her if she felt like dancing and she said no. So I think she is getting a cold or ???. I called the studio and said she willl not be there, knowing full well this is a problem because they have a performance on Saturday. But what can I do? So I said to give Sherri my phone # and ask her to call me and let me know what is up. The lady on the phone said.... she isn't coming in either, Jessie has pink eye. Now I know how Jess looked and acted last night at ballet so I am thinking Aundrea will have pink eye in the morning. I suppose tomorrow will bring a trip to the Dr. Please, Jill, be in the office.
On the bright side I did find the lost credit cards. Put away very safely, just not where I usually put them. Now if I could find the envelope with my SS stuff in it, so I would have my birthcertificate I would be even happier.
So now I am off to bed to snuggle with Nick, he is my bed partner and snuggles if I want him to or not. Then tomorrow is doll class for me and at least the is always a few laughs, even if we are doing assembly line santas for the bazaar!!

Our Basic Zoo......

Well here I go off on a new adventure. We will see if being considered old and retired is too far gone for new technology. (well new to me that is).
I am only going to tell you who is who once and then it is up to you to keep up with us. Sometimes there is quite alot and sometimes it is very dull............
Hubby is Himself, children are Ensign, Ewife, Ebecca, Eosh, Eohn, then we have Precious... she is 40 this year.... Then there is #2son, #2chelle, #2drea and then Handy, Hgirlfriend, Hceana, Hbritt, and the Terrorist.
HImself and I and 3 of our children live in the rainy NW, and today is it rainy and windy. Ensign and his brood live in the area of Washington DC. His Navy Reserve and drills at Whidby Island so finds himself here every few months.
Our Zoo consistst of Cleopatra (a chihuahua/pug commonly known as a CHUG,) Nick, a chihuahua/dachund?, 4 cats, Baby, Bud, Wellington, and Sylvester, 2 rats, Mable White and Erma Gray, 1 hampster, Geraldine, and a white long hair guinea pig or Peruvian Cavy... Drizelda. That is alwasy subject ot change because we do animal fostering for the Humane Society and there are also occasionally small animals that need rescuing and I am a big Chump when it comes to animals or children.
Besides volunteering for the HS, I am also a CASA (court appointed special advocate for children in foster care). I advocate for what is in the childs best interest at the non offenders unit of juvenile court.
I think that is enough for today, maybe tomorrow I will go into what I do when I am not volunteering.
Zookeeper