Come Buy Stuff

Don's Cafe Press has been selling like crazy. Thanks to everyone for their support! I'm proud to say the best seller is still "I Shoot People For a Living" which I came up with for myself! GENIUS, I tell you, GENIUS!

My Sister Started a Blog

Emily started a knowledge sharing blog. Go check it out here.

It's Been Awhile

Wow. I am on the phone with Emily and she said the last time I wrote a blog was September 16th. "That can't be possible!", I say as I go check. Sure enough, it's been that long. That's just ridiculous. I have been so busy. Yesterday was my first day off in fourteen days. I spent it cleaning and napping. It was fabulous.

Tonight I made homemade chicken noodle soup and breadsticks for supper and had Ashlie over to watch the 1995 version of Bye, Bye Birdie since she had never seen it. We're thinking of watching the original together now, too, as I still say that is better, and she hasn't seen that either.

My soup was delicious and my noodles to chicken to vegetables ratio was great. Ashlie brought Napoleon brownies or something of that sort and they were just magical. I wish I would've taken a picture of her dessert. I am hoping for the recipe.

Here's a picture of my soup. I have to go to bed so I can work at 6 in the morning. Love you all!

Hi Chivon!

Just wanted to give a shout out to my BFF! HAHAHAHA! Here's her adorable kids!

Blurfing....

So the Cake Wrecks took me to The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotations, which lead me to Apostrophe Catastrophe. These are all things that drive me batty! That and the improper use of the @ symbol. That does not mean "about"! ARGH! Anyways...

Check them out. Please. Make sure you use the restroom first!

There's a Reason She Got This Way

Okay, so Angi introduced me to my new favorite site. Cake Wrecks is hilarious. I will be telling everyone I meet about it. Here's a lovely baby shower cake I will whet your appetite with.

You Can't Fool Owls

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/Owls/



You're welcome.

The Original Blogger

I've had this on the tip of my tongue for the past few months. Ever since I was doing my normal rambling on about weird stuff thing and said how Doogie was the original blogger and my listener said, "How so?" I said, "Don't you remember he would do a diary entry on his computer at the end of every episode?" So, maybe it wasn't on the Net. Oh well. He's still the OB (original blogger) in my book. So I decided to Google this action. Someone thought it'd be funny(?) to have a Doogie blog. In reading his comments, I see that another person backs up my theory by calling Dr. Howser the first blogger. I am a bit saddened that I am not the first, or only, person to come to this conclusion, but I also take pride in the fact that I'm not the only awesome person. I tried really hard to find a picture of NPH with his back to the camera, typing madly away. This is all I could find that would fit my topic. It'll do.

Random Mussings

Ever since the beginning of message boards, forums, even back on the days of the FIRST message boards that my husband would get on in his early teens, there has been drama. Yes, it's true. Then when you make them with a bunch of women, you're going to get drama queens. Liars, fakes, pretentious people, girls who think they're the best, the first, the only. I am not like this. I try to be humble, try to be modest, and this is because of my faith, beliefs, morals and upbringing. Sure, I fail at times, like everyone does, as none of us are perfect. In the past few months there has been some unsettling drama that has caused bad dreams, nervous stomachs, etc. Even though I know only a few of these people in real life, it makes me sick to know that people are slandering me. It was brought to my attention that in one forum I had bad things said about me behind my back. Untrue, ridiculous things. I feel like I need to speak out and stand up for myself. But at the same time, why should I have to defend myself when I didn't do anything wrong? To be told that I was "running the show" makes me mad. It's a MESSAGE BOARD people! If you want to talk, TALK! And to be upset that some of us are friends in real life is ridiculous.

I have NEVER been one to be swayed by brand names. I buy whatever strikes my fancy and my checkbook. If the store brand is cheaper than the brand name whatever, I buy generic. If the brand name is on sale this week or I have a coupon that will make it cheaper, I buy the brand name. I've always been a fan of Target, WalMart, even, gasp, Kmart. Don't tell the kids from school! I have never had the need to buy purses, shoes, etc at higher priced stores. I keep things simple. This goes over to my scrapbooking/crafting supplies, too. I am not swayed by names, brands, designers. I like what I like. Who I like. So for people to name drop, doesn't impress me. Just annoys me. Makes them sound snobbish. Sure, I'll say who things are made by. That way if others like it, they can find the products easily. That's what they do in the magazines, right?

If I hear something, I'm going to verify it. Especially if something sounds "funny" to me. I will call and ask how much something costs, if something is true, etc to back up my thoughts. Crazy? Maybe. Fact checking? Yes. Believe you me, if someone is going to say something about ME, I will back up what I say. I will also prove you wrong. I might not tell you that I've proved you wrong, but trust me, I've done so.

I'm also fairly computer savvy, so I will use my World Wide Web to find things that even the unsavvy could find. Keep things private if you don't want them to be viewed, yes?

I am keeping this fairly vague, only those who are the offenders would know what I am referencing, and a small group of friends.

I know that I am better than you. Much, much better than you. Whoops, there went humble and modest. Wait, I already stated I make mistakes at times.

Everybody Hurts....

Oh this morning I woke up hurting. It's also raining. Am I turning into one of those people who will hurt with the change of weather? Well, for the past two months my hip/pelvis/sciatic nerve issues have all been flaring up. My eyes are wonky for the past couple months also, and I was just in to see the eye doctor a few months before that and they said all was fine. The heel of my left foot constantly hurts, and I'm pretty sure it's because I hate wearing socks and shoes...therefore, my sandals don't provide the support I need. I've been spending money that needs to go elsewhere on doctor's visit copays, meds, chiropractor copays, massage therapists, treatments, etc, etc, etc. Don & I just went to our six month psych check up. That was another chunk of change. There's so much more to this story, but I don't want to get into it. This is dreadful enough. Not happy, not cheerful, not productive. But this is my blog, and I can cry if I want to. I just hate not feeling well, constantly hurting (to the point of crying...howling....can't lay/sit/stand/anything....nobody understands, it seems) and being behind in my bills. I am working overtime for the past few weeks.....so less sleep, more lifting, sitting, standing, carrying, etc. *sigh* I can't even take my muscle relaxers and pain killers at work/before work because they make me sooooo loopy-ish. They don't cut the pain, but they sure make me drugged. Oh please, just have some sympathy and compassion for me. Please.

Fishin' in the Dark

And yes, that will be the title of the LO I make, too. HA! So tonight we went fishing. Well, Don cast out a few times. So.....Don went casting and I went picture taking?



His first catch!

Yes, Yes I Am.

I love Noodles & Company. Very much. I even did a layout about it. That's how much I love it. Last night Don & I went in Mankato. I actually had a take away box and enjoyed it for lunch today at the office. LONG day. 9a-10p LONG.

Let it Go, Let it Go, Let it Go!

I have a problem. I can't let things go. Even when I know it'd be healthier for me. Even when I know things are false. They resonate in my head, the things people say, and I carry them around with me. The comments float in my head, torturing me, taunting me. Recently there was a meltdown in a forum and I was accused of saying things that I never said. Normally, you'd think, "They're wrong. I never said that." and move on. Why can't I do that? Instead, I'm very frustrated that the person is out there lying about me and my friends. I'm hurt. EVEN though I know this person is a liar. I AM BETTER THAN HER. Ugh. Maybe this will help me move on. I sure hope so. She's not worth it. Definitely not worth it.

My LOVE!

It's a GIRL!

Monday night at work I talked to a coworker who's getting a divorce. She asked me if we'd be interested in her hamster. I said sure.....but I'd need to talk to Don about it. Then she said that she also needs a home for her dog. I said probably not, but I'd talk to Don since he's been talking about dogs lately. So we talked and then called Ashley and decided we'd pick up the dog on Tuesday and do a trial run for a week....see how we do with her, how the cats do with her and how she does with everything in our house/life.

When we got to Ashley's house, the dog barked but was very happy and excited...she warmed right up to us. We drove to BK since we hadn't had anything to eat yet and bought her some chicken tenders off the dollar menu for a treat (Ashley said they do that). She loved them. Then we went to Walmart to return some stuff and get a brush, bones and two toys for her. When we got home she was so scared of the cats she jumped up in my lap. I felt so sad for her. Ashley had a cat before, and she was afraid of that cat at first, too, but then they were buds and played together and everything. It's kind of funny, she's afraid of Pesto the most. Probably because he's the meekest, nicest boy ever and isn't afraid so he walks right up to her to sniff her and say hello. Basil is watching from afar and Garlic is very scared. Don got out the rats, too and she sniffed their backsides. They sniffed her, too. We went for a walk around the block and all the neighborhood dogs (never realized there were so many!) barked and barked...but she didn't! Not even once! She came right up to bed with us and slept really good.

Wednesday morning she woke up with me and was so happy and wagging. It was so fun to wake up to. My cats are happy to see me, too, but it was just different. I went to work and she spent the day with Don. When I got home the three of us went for a walk....a different way...so new smells to smell. We all loved it. She actually got warmed up some to the cats and wanted to play with them, but they didn't understand that yet. She's letting them walk closer and they sniffed her while she was sleeping. Sneaky, sneaky!

Today has been great, too! She's just so fun to have around! And so smart! She'll go to the front door to let us know she has to go out, but she'll then walk to the back door when we get up. I want her to go in the back, not the front, so we've been consistantly doing this. But we go out the front door for walks. I've tried to take pictures of her and she won't look up at me, but hopefully that'll change with time.

Well, without further ado, I introduce to you, Prancer, our three year old German Shepherd, Chow, Golden Retriever mix.

How Do You Get COCK Out of CHACK?

So tonight our DVR was messed up. We called Mediacom and took turns waiting on hold (oh that music is annoying, but so is the repeated message every couple of minutes). Finally after almost an hour of being on hold, a lady gets on the phone. First the lady called Don Mr. Manhack. Okay, close. But then, she thanked Mr. Mancock. This is NOT the first time this has happened. He'd already said his name twice. But either way, how do you mispronounce our last name? I think it's a pretty easy name. Manchack. MAN-CHACK. Manchack. Easy. Oh man.

I Wish I Could've Seen My Face

This morning I opened the door and saw this

I wish I could've seen myself, as I'm sure it was hillarious. My jaw completely dropped. Quite comical.

I was all excited about SPRING! The grass to snow ratio was excellent....only a few mounds of snow here and there left. Right before I got to work I heard the dj announce something about three more inches today.... My client's dad said that we'll be in a winter weather watch tonight, too. Not amused.

No Kidding

I think I want to rip my ears off. Well, not really. But Don just finished up telling me about a movie he watched the other day for FORTY minutes! The movie did NOT sound interesting to me and I didn't understand why he was telling me about it. So finally he sums it up with, "So she bent over pulling stuffed animals out of the bag that was supposed to be holding two million dollars, and you could see straight down her crack." I said, "Was this all because I said,'nice crack?'" He said yes. Oh for the love of......

Cat Says the Silliest Things

Yeah, I've heard it since I was young....I have a funny way of saying things. Even when I lived in Willmar, a service group once decided that I need a Book of Cat for the things I say. We had a few things in there, and I lost it. Of course. HA!

So yesterday I was at my Friends Group Facilitator meeting and we were talking...I mentioned my legs being jibbly. Then later I said something else, and something else. I don't remember because I'm so used to saying them. But after about four things, they stopped the meeting and all commented on my words.

It was decided that I need a Cat Dictionary of Catisms so I can let everyone know what these words mean. I told them about the Book of Cat, they laughed. I was going to tell them about Becky's Becktionary, but talk time was over.

Here's a layout (LO) I once did about my Cat-isms.

I Can't Believe I'm Going to be 29! and Other Random News

I can't believe it. I really can't. I'm talking to Emily right now and she said, "I remember when you were 9. And 19. But I remember when you were all your ages, except one and two. Well, one. Maybe like 3 and 4." She also pointed out that I got rid of my imaginary friends when she was born, per my Mom. I had Sherrie and Suzie, I think. I'll have to check. I have no pictures. HA! I crack myself up!

Grandma is back in the care center, and now with her own room. She's so happy with that. They think she might be able to go home in a week or so. Hopefully! Grandma says she can move her fingers more and that she has been using the apple stress ball from Emily. She's very proud.

Still no babies. But we got our new king size bed today, so hopefully it's a baby making bed! Don has mentioned that I really need to go back to my ob/gyn and check out the Chlomid again. We probably will do that soon. And maybe check out Don's swimmer count. heh.

Emily is flying in Thursday so we'll be picking her up and then going to the MoA for cheese for Dad and I have some coupons for free cardstock at Archivers. Then to Tony & Julie's for supper and LOST and sleeping at home in Sleepy Eye. Friday morning we'll be off to Willmar for a day trip and back to work that night for my 24 hour shift. Then Emily flies back on Monday.

Dad sent an email with our Florida ticket info and itinerary! We're flying out April 15th and coming back on the 24th. WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

BIG BOYS!

I weighed the rats again last night. Nigel is up to 12 ounces now! YAY! But...SIMON IS UP TO 14.6! Apparently he's been taking advantage of the extra food and treats, too!

More Updates

Well, I am so glad that I got to see Grandma and Grandpa and MOM last week! I was pleasantly surprised to see that Grandma still looks pretty much the same. Her face is slightly droopy and can only lift half of it when she smiles. (she calls it a half-a**ed smile, haha) She can lift her left pinky slightly. I also enjoyed seeing Ashley and Sandy again and seeing Ethan for the first time. He's a DOLL!

Today I talked to Mom to see when she was going to Shakopee to leave tomorrow morning. I was then informed that she cancelled/postponed her flight as Grandma is back in the hospital due to tingling in her lips and arms. They're going to check her Coumadin levels and adjust them and then adjust her BP meds.

And just in case you're wondering....Nigel is much better, too. Almost back to normal. For a comparison, here's the weights. Simon's was 12.4 oz on 2/17.


Here are Nigel's weights:

2/17 7.8oz
2/18 8.2oz
2/19 9.4oz
2/21 10.2oz
2/24 11.2oz

So he's almost back to his normal weight. I'm not sure what he was exactly, but it was very close to Simon's. If not a smidge bigger.

I'll blog more when I know more.

Grandma Updates

I talked with Gail Dalka yesterday on their way home from the Cities. She gave me all sorts of positive encouragement and thoughts on Grandma. Grandma can't swallow and does have a feeding tube. Saturday she couldn't move her arm, but Sunday she coulr lift it (didn't say how high) and was flexing her wrist. When they asked her if her wrist hurt, she said that her wrist needed to remember what to do (or something like that). So she was basically starting PT on herself. She choked on a couple tablespoons of apple sauce and could taste the meds the nurses had put in it.

Today I got an email from Mom that she is planning on coming on Thursday, leaving next Wednesday. We will be picking her up at the airport and bringing her to the hospital. Then we'll stay overnight at Jason & Chivon's. Go back to the hospital on Friday, then head home for my weekend shift.

I was also able to sign the paperwork for the car and get all the insurance situated. The DMV was closed because of President's Day, so I'll take care of that tomorrow. I'm glad we're going to have a decent car again. A humble car, but decent. Don also got a salvage yard/auto shop to buy Lucy the Lumina so that's good and taken care of.

Nigel Updates

Well, yesterday Nigel was 7.8 ounces. After feeding him Pedialyte, baby food and yogurt, today he weighs 8.2 ounces. His fur is no longer sticking out weird, he's less hunched, his eyes aren't as sunked and his testicles are starting to drop again. We're so happy. We really hope this is the cure, and the reason was simply a greedy Simon taking food, causing Nigel to weaken so he couldn't fight back.

The delicious Sweet Potato & Turkey baby food and plain yogurt.

Nigel's eyes yesterday, compared to Simon's eyes (below) yesterday.

Nigel's eyes today, although I swear twenty minutes later his eyes looked bigger.

The coat staring has reduced dramatically. His coat is more normal..sleek with minimal strays.

See, don't his eyes look bigger?

My Day So Far

First thing. I was woke up by Don at 4:45 this morning saying to try to pick up Nigel. I did....he's skin and bones. His eyes are sunken in, his hands are cold.... We fed him and nursed him for three, almost four, hours......he's still alive...we don't know why the sudden change from when we played with them 48 hours ago. I left a message with the vet and went back to bed around 8.


Last night when I got home from work I saw that there were messages, but I didn't feel like checking them. One was very unimportant and one was from my parent's number. I figured it was just my dad calling to chat. I would listen to it later.....

So when I got up at 12:30 this afternoon I checked the messages....still mom and dad,unimportant call, a photo order, and another senior's mom callling. No vet. But I listened to the messages. And here's the BIG THING.

Mom called at 7:29 to say that my Grandma had a stroke and was helicoptered up to Hennepin County Medical Center. Grandma went to go use the bathroom early Saturday morning/Friday night? and noticed her arm wasn't moving. She went to tell Grandpa and it came out a garbled mess. Grandpa called 911 and they came and got her and flew her up.

I have no way of getting there since the car quit on 2/8 (antifreeze in the oil in the motor...awesome). I feel helpless, and yes, I know that even though I couldn't do anything if I was there anyways, I don't like that I have no way there. Tuesday we're supposed to get the car from the office...I'm going to see if I can just do it tomorrow so we can go up. Grandpa is even renting an apartment 5 blocks from the hospital. $275 a week...kitchenette, bed, etc, so he can try to have some good sleep.

I talked/bawled/sobbed to my Aunt Nancy and then to Grandpa John...they said it's okay, that I shouldn't worry about it. Grandma Susan wanted to talk to me. She said, "Hi Cathy. I can't talk very well." I said, "It's okay Grandma, I understand you. I've had almost nine years experience of working with people that can't talk very well." She laughed. That made me happy. Then she said, 'I'll give you back to Grandpa." Now, that's what I know she said. What it sounded like was completely different. Almost drunk sounding...slurred.

Mom isn't going to fly up yet. Nancy doesn't think she needs to, and Jeff and Curt (uncles) aren't going either. Anyways, I had to unload. My heart is heavy and I feel powerless.

Year of the Rat

February 7, 2008 marks the start of the Year of the Rat on the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

So CONGRATULATIONS Simon & Nigel! It's YOUR TIME TO SHINE! hehehe

Why are They Called Book Worms?

I couldn't come up with a better title than that today. I just finished reading Stardust by Neil Gaiman and The Camera My Mother Gave Me by Susanna Kaysen. Now I started The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. Amanda suggested it when I was asking her questions about the Hmong community and their culture (Amanda and her husband Joel learned Hmong to preach in the ministry to Hmong). It's about a Hmong child with epilepsy and American doctors trying to help. I'm only barely into chapter one, so I don't have much to say.


I don't know what else to say, but apparently I wanted to say something.

Despite All My Rage, I am Still Just a Rat in a Cage

Last Saturday night Don & I cleaned out the rat cages. Smelly, smelly fun. Don dumps the litter and takes out the levels, then I wash the levels and bowls, refill the food and water and Don replaces them. Don quickly hopped on his game while I was washing. I was bringing the dried levels to the cage and what do I see? Pesto in the rat cage!!! The other night when we were playing Star Wars Pocket Models we had the rats in their carrier on the table. When we put them away, Pesto went in the carrier. Anyways, I called for Don to come QUICK so he could see Pesto (as I missed the carrier action the other time) and he got to see Pesto, and I got to grab my camera. I think this is adorable, but I am a proud furmommy. I LOVE the third picture, with the lick.