Motherhood

I am not legally a mother. I am not recognized as a mother on bs Hallmark holidays like Mother's Day. I am fine with that. Really. Being a cat mom is all I can handle, I think. Having met my precious piglet and seeing all that he needs, I am glad not to be mom to a human. Piglet is amazing. Watching him develop and evolve in the few days we were with him was remarkable. Piglet's ability to track time and demand feedings exactly every four hours is amusing and quite awesome. We could tell time without even looking at a clock! Despite his sweet smell and darling little clothes, his poopy diapers and smelly farts were enough to knock me over. Add his late night/early morning meals into the mix, and parenthood isn't for me. That's not to say I wouldn't walk to the ends of the earth for piglet (not even my kid!), but I would not willingly choose to devote the rest of my life to raising, caring and worrying about my child. Or dealing with a 30-year old child still living with me. Or providing daycare to a grandkid.

As caregiver to Angel, Davis and Cara, I think I've been a good mom to them. I would venture to say that I'm probably a better mom to my cats than some people are to their human children (how sad!). Feeding, providing shelter, and seeking medical care for my kitties are my duty. It's what I am supposed to do--it's what they are entitled to, as my dependents. I chose to assume responsibility for their well-being and their lives. Where I think my kids are lucky is how I am their advocate, their activist, their researcher, their personal fighter.

Angel is still sick. The thought that she's been suffering for two weeks is very upsetting to me. The good news is that her urine no longer looks like pure blood. The bad news is that she is still straining to pee and still has some pink in her urine. She has been on antibiotics for a few days now and while her condition has improved, she's still uncomfortable. That is not good enough. I researched her medications and prescription food earlier this week. (Part of me wants to believe that all parents of furry or human children would do this.) Her food is not for prolonged use. Angel's previous medication could affect kidney function with continued use. Her current medication can impair vision and damage her eyes with improper or prolonged use. Although our veterinary practice is superb, I don't think they are obligated to disclose all potential side effects or adverse reactions. This of course puts the burden on us parents to do the research and learn as much as we can, so we can ask the doctors the right questions.

I would like to think that all parents would do the same for their children, human or otherwise. Heck, if I do that for my kitties, parents BETTER do that for their human kids! Maybe I am one of "those" parents...the overbearing people who constantly call the doctor's office with questions or seeking advice, the ones who ask difficult questions or questions the treatment options. My thing is, if I don't demand the best care for my kids, who will? If I don't aggressively learn and research all I can about my kitties' conditions, who will tell me? It's unreasonable to expect a doctor to educate me on all the possible conditions or treatments. My job as their mom is to form a partnership with the doctors and fight their illnesses as a team. Unfortunately, with Angel, the doctors are puzzled by her condition. She's had the stones for years with no ill effects. Why now? You can bet the first call the practice receives after Christmas will be from me. Hopefully it will be a call to provide an update on Angel's significant improvement.

Family Reunion

It feels so good to be reunited with the kitties!!! The house was so empty and lonely without the kids. I entered the library this morning without anyone hauling tail to slip in before I closed the door. Nobody woke us up requesting breakfast (I still woke up at 4:00 though). The kitties seemed a bit indifferent to our arrival at the resort. Maybe it was all the commotion. The resort reported that the kids got along with the other cats. No hissing or other issues. HEY! NOT FAIR! Davis still hates Cara but she seems to back off a bit now. It's probably jealousy, so we'll try to make Cara feel loved even if she doesn't like to be held. The kitties smell weird. They don't have their personal scents. I never realized how comforting I found their essence until now. Everyone seems to be settling in. Davis is more skittish than his sisters. Hopefully things will be back to normal tomorrow.

Our boy looks really thin. The resort said that all three snubbed the canned food served. Davis has special needs and usually eats his kibble off the rug in his room. I suspect he didn't eat much at the resort since dry food was served in a metal bowl. He is so skinny that I am worried about him. Hopefully I can bulk him up in the next month or so. It won't be the end of the world if he only eats kibble, I suppose.

Santa Claws came early this year. Cara's room is also our computer room/office, so she doesn't have a perch to look out the window. Apparently Miss Honeybutt decided windowsills are below her royal status. I asked QE for a small tree for Cara as my Christmas gift this year. He groaned since we got Angel and Davis a big tree last year. PetSage had an open house the weekend before we left and held a raffle. We won the most perfect cat tree!!! It has two U-shaped perches that are perfect for sunny naps or looking out the window. We could not have asked for a better cat tree for Cara! In typical big-sister fashion, Angel inspected the tree and decided it will be her new venue for afternoon naps.

The pet resort took wonderful care of our precious babies. I am so grateful that such a business exists to serve high-maintenance pills like me. :) I am not sure I ever want to be away from my kids for that long again though. The best news is that they only charged us for seven days and not eight. That saved us over $120. Yay!

Cock-a-doodle goo

We are home. So much to share...highlights: Dulles sucks in comparison to Munich's airport. American mentality isn't alway inferior to European thinking, but we really are a bunch of me-first resource-gorging wasteful beasts. My piglet smells so good (except for the one time we smelled his poopy diaper--that made me heave.) I already miss piglet's sounds--the cooing, the drinking milk, his cries, everything. We pick up our kids today! Grandpa visited my kids at the pet resort on Sunday. Angel and Davis both sought love and attention from him and my dad was smitten. Cara bit one of the resort workers. We had gluwein every day we were in Munich. The Christmas market at Marienplatz freakin rocks. I bought yarn from three stores. Not "a lot", but enough that I spent "a lot", especially with the crappy exchange rates. The department and grocery stores are so clean, orderly, and tidy. It makes you want to shop. Maybe Macy's should take some notes and improve their dumpy rat nests for stores.

There were several things that make me appreciate being an American. Like having a clothes dryer and dishwasher. Having waitstaff at restaurants work for tips (German norm is 1 Euro regardless of bill amount). People aren't as friendly or courteous in Germany. Smoking is allowed in eateries, cafes and restaurants.

Holding a US passport afforded much less scrutiny than all those from ghetto countries. German customs and security was much more thorough than the US. Does our TSA and Customs even have a pulse? CBP had numerous signs saying they were the face of the US and pledge to sincerely welcome all to our country. Yeah. I said hello to our customs guy and he didn't even look up. Our entire transaction did not yield a single word or sound from him. Welcome to America, land of the apathetic, lazy, and indifferent.

I can't wait to see my kids today. Today is family bonding day. We will stay home all day and just be together. Purrrrrrr

Sick Princess

We found bloody pee all over the house. Angel is sick again. Her bladder crystals and stones must be bothering her. I don't know what's causing this irritation since her stones have been there for years without any problems. We managed to get some meds for her until we have a chance to take her to the vet. Poor little girl. She's great at taking her meds, so we are lucky.

Angel is just as loving with us, so her spirit isn't down yet. That's a good sign. Although, I have missed my headwarmer the past few nights. We've been through so much with her. There was one December years ago where we spent $1000 on her medical bills just for that month. I guess having animal companions can get expensive. The true test of our love and bond with our furry friends is when we are faced with the decision to fork over wads of cash or wash our hands clean of said animal. Her previous owners chose the latter and sentenced her to death before she was rescued. Their loss is our gain. Angel is the best cat ever. She's the only cat I know who will allow humans to dress her in clothes, put her in a half-nelson (hilarious), furburt her belly, and do all the crazy things we do.

Elf Sighting

I AM an elf! Papa elf sent me! The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud and clear for all to hear. I didn't know you were naked. He's an angry elf! Oh, it's not a costume, I'm an elf. What's a Christmasgram? I want one! Son of a nutcracker!

I finished SIL's stocking. :) I started my brother's this morning. His is a wool/soy blend in a varigated denim blue. I've been dying to use this yarn for over a year but was hesitant in case it was too itchy for garments. It's not itchy at all and quite soft once knitted up.

I saw a racoon the other night. He was cute. He had a big round face with short triangle ears. Maybe the size of a big fat cat. I had never seen a live racoon before, only roadkill. :( The racoon was drinking water from the train cats' food and water area. I wonder if he can transmit diseases to the kitties. He was very cute with his black eye mask. I wanted to hug him.

Secret Project Revealed

And today's secret ingredient is....


CAKES!

This is what I've been bursting to share. My favorite is the white with pink frosting. And it will go to Bri. I think she needs a bit of calorie-free sweet treats right now. :)

The original pattern comes from a UK website promoting Shaun the Sheep's picKnits. The one with yellow icing uses Shaun's base and my own cake. It didn't turn out as I expected. I will have to tweak the "recipe" a bit to get what I want. I had great fun creating these three cakes and look forward to more "baking" once I get papa pig's stocking order fulfilled. Angel helped decorate the cakes by pinning my legs down and ensuring I didn't go anywhere before completing the treats.

Meeting Justice Thomas

I met Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas yesterday. He was signing his book, My Grandfather's Son. Justice Thomas was warm, friendly, sincere, and just awesome. I was literally in awe of him. It's not every day a peasant girl like me gets to meet such an important person.

Justice Thomas was so nice and full of big smiles. A real departure from the serious-faced photos we see. (There are pictures of him with me on my Flickr site for friends and family.) I was deeply moved by just how sincere he was about meeting all of us, shaking our hands, and signing our books. As my turn came, he asked how I was doing. I froze. I was speechless and couldn't say a word. He looked up to get a response. WAH!!!! After I came to my senses, I managed to tell him how much I admired him and asked if I could have a picture with him.

Let me just say that he held me tighter than anyone except QE when posing for photos. Amazing. That alone won me over. He was so genuine in his friendliness. Most notable figures and celebrities give this fake niceties "meeting and greeting sucks" feeling. I don't know if I could have sustained Justice Thomas' cheery demeanor for two hours standing on my feet. Regardless of his political views and whether I agree or disagree with them, Justice Thomas is a good human being.

And his wife, Virginia? She is tall and gorgeous. Just beautiful. I spoke to her too. She wasn't pretty in that pretentious plastic surgery way. Naturally beautiful with amazing bright blue eyes. And so freakin tall. Here is this woman who is/was a GS15 or SES and wife of a Supreme Court Justice. You'd think she was rich diva. Nope. Her purse was a commoner's Nine West bag. WTF How grounded is that?????

Like many Americans, I don't know much about the judges of the Supreme Court. After reading his book, my respect for Justice Thomas grew tremendously. We share many of the same values and ethics. It's nice to know that good, hard-working people can succeed. Maybe there's hope for me yet.

Bye Earl

(Photo from a Mutts e-newsletter I received)

This is Earl. He is the real Earl doggie of Patrick McDonnell, author of Mutts. He passed away at the age of 18. I think that's pretty old for a dog and I'm sure Earl had a wonderful life. He was a wonderful inspiration and made great fodder for many Mutts strips. Mr. McDonnell is on the Board of The Humane Society of the United States. We can make donations in honor of Earl on the HSUS website.

(from Mutts site)