Monday, May 31, 2010

And NOW for PART 2 !!!

Remember I said I wanted to get off the KITTY CAT ROLLER COASTER ? Well, little did I know that we were approaching the part where they warn you to keep your hands & feet inside the ride because it is about to get CRAZY !!!
First, let me say that we picked up Walter & he was doing really well. He goes back tomorrow for a recheck & hopefully his dental work. Fingers crossed.
ANYWAY .... yesterday I had a MINOR meltdown about doing dishes ... it seems like I spend half my time doing just that. So I announced that I was washing the dishes and then NOT making supper - I refused to dirty another dish that day. So Charlie went to get a pizza. Alone in the house , I went into my craft room to work on some card kits for the store. It was really quiet ... peaceful ... then I heard MEWING. I listened really carefully and I DID hear it ! So I went outside thinking there must have been a fifth kitten ... I could hear it outside too but it sounded like it came from under the house. I ran in for the carrier in case I could catch it. But no sign of it. Then the mewing stopped. I waited outside until Charlie got back, but no further noise.
After the 'dish-less supper' I went back to my craft room to work ... after a bit... more mewing. I called Charlie in but he said it was a bird. Now, I just said, "hmm. okay. " but never for a minute did I not believe it was a cat. I knew what I heard.
A little while later ...more mewing ... and it was definitely mewing. Charlie heard it and agreed. But where was this kitten ?? We searched the wood shed, the loft over the wood shed, the furnace room. We then took the gyproc off the wall in the furnace room and explored the wall cavity. Nothing. I kept returning to the craft room and could sometimes hear it, sometimes not.
Then Charlie went up in the attic. Nothing. The mewing got louder and then LOUDER. By now I am in tears because I know there is a kitten somewhere and it is probably needing help. It had been 5 days since the mothers were taken away.
Charlie decides to crawl under the house. We have no basement, just a crawl space that narrows to about 8" at the back . The noise was coming from the back but under a room that is separated form the crawl space by a rock wall. But maybe the sound was playing tricks on us.
I layed on the floor listening ... the mewing was getting more frantic and there seemed to be 2 little voices. I kept talking to them and telling them we would find them. They kept mewing back. It was heartbreaking. Then I hear Charlie's voice below the floor saying "I see you". THANK GOD !!
I ran to get the carrier and went to the trap door. After a lot of difficulty... crawling on his belly with a flashlight in hand ... Charlie hands up 2 black kittens !!! But there was another... and it was behind the rock wall & not moving much.
I ran back in and could hear a faint mewing so we knew the other little one was alive. The kittens had crawled through a little spot where a rock was missing. The other 2 were strong enough to come out on their own. But not this little guy. Our only option ... and we didn't care ... was cut a hole in the floor. We first had to move a 7 foot shelf LOADED with stuff ... a few bottles on top smashed after they hit the door jamb as we frantically pushed it out of the room. Then totes & totes of supplies. (Remember this was in my craft room ... no empty space or bare floor there !!)Then paper racks got pushed aside, carpet was cut, desks were moved, carpet flipped up. Then a 2'x2' hole was cut in the floor ... then through another plank floor, ... and then OMG a third plank floor. Finally, crowbar in hand, Charlie pried up the last boards. WE shone the flashlight down and there was the kitten, He hung down in and grabbed it ... then another. Oh my ... the last 2 were finally safe except they were very weak and couldn't really walk. They just shook and cried.
Once again we sprang into formula mode , mixing it up, filling the pipettes, making milky cat food, gathering blankets & heating pads ... oh, it was all too familiar !!
Anyway, after an hour or so we had everyone fed and warmer. They were all looking well but were even tinier than the first batch. We slept on the couch and chair, sometimes with the kittens snuggled up to our bellies to stay warm. Did I say slept ? Sorry. Not true. It was 4am before we got them full enough to sleep. Then it started again at 6:30 so we had a brief 2 hour CAT NAP. That was it. But thankfully they were okay . They wouldn't have lasted much longer - it had been 5 days with no mommy.
This morning they were picked up and will probably be at CAPS or a CAPS foster home by afternoon .
I have the greatest respect for the CAPS foster homes ... that is hard work , feeding those little babies every few hours. HATS OFF !!!
Well, hopefully that will be the last installment of the KiTTy cAt RoLLeR CoAsTEr ...
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Baby Bat Face
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Two Eyes
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Baby Bear Cub
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One Eye ... becoming 1.5 Eye

Friday, May 28, 2010

KiTTy CaT RoLLeR CoASTer

Stop the ride !!! I think I need to get off for a minute !!!
YIKES !! Yesterday we took our sweet little Walter to the Vet for some dental work. He had seemed thinner and had bad breath . An exam found that he had 2 bad teeth. So we set up the appointment but decided to do other tests as well just to be sure. Thank goodness because a kidney problem was found. Now, I won't lie ... I was gutted when I heard that. We had only one experience with kidney problems and it was bad. Anyway, he had to be re hydrated before he could have surgery and would have to stay and wait until today. So ... yesterday was not a great day. I was pretty sad. But the word seemed to be that he could have medication and it would be managed. But still.
So the day starts like that. Then I get my cakes out for the Cookies for CAPS and one is ... well ... not great. It seemed to have fallen and was more like fudge than cake. Charlie said it was okay but I thought it was gaggy sweet & yucky. I did still have a Rhubarb Cream Custard cake though. Anyway, I decided to bake something else that night.
But then, the time came to go home. I dragged my feet, found errands, all sorts of things ... I hate to go home when one of our animals is missing ... the house seems too empty.
Finally we went home, pulled in the driveway, and heard a screechy sound. I sat listening, trying to figure out what bird it was ... hmmm ... do we have a cardinal ? ... hmm... HEY, THAT'S AN ANIMAL !!!! And yes, it was a tiny little hungry screaming kitten marching right up to us. We picked it up ... then the next one ... and the next ... and the next. Four little hungry babies !!
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EDIT : Allow me to introduce you to the newest CAPS family ... L-R... Pamela (she's the one who lead them all out to us ... she's also the loud one ...hmmm ), Emma, Sara, and Charles.

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Well now we had a mission ! In the house we went, gathered milk and food, blankets and little boxes of litter. We fed them , cooed over them, and warmed them. Then off we went with them in a carrier looking for bottles & kitten formula. We ended up with a recipe but had little luck finding all the ingredients. Try finding Infant Vitamin Drops and PLAIN Tums at Needs !!! But we mixed up what we could , fed them, and got them to fall asleep.
(Then I had to start madly baking ... 2 dozen cookies and 2 pans of squares later I was ready to drop !!)
Meanwhile, our cats were VERY ANNOYED and trooped off to hide upstairs. We ended up sleeping on the couch and in the lazy boy with the kittens while our cats enjoyed the queen sized bed upstairs !
I swear that there is an Cat Underground Railway with a sign that says "Go to the ugly house in PG and they'll help you."
This morning, with the help of our CAPS friends, the kittens were picked up and taken to the Vets to be checked out, then off to CAPS to be fostered until they can be adopted.
Now I am back to worrying about Walter but hopefully that too will turn out well and tonight we will be taking him home to our happy little cat house !!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Up to My Ass in ... Rhubarb ?! HALLELUJAH !!!

EDIT : hmmm ... the baked rhubarb with orange zest & vanilla beans ... ewww ... not so much ! So this weekend I will try out Rhubarb Cheesecake ...
I'm in a bit of a random mood ... mind moving off in 50 directions at once these days ... so random blog post ...

Here are some things I know or love ...

1. Rhubarb ... love it. My goal this year is to use up every bit of its spring goodness. We have THE BEST rhubarb ... ruby red & sweet. Gorgeous. It came with the house ... we've never done much to it. But it is faithful and true. Every year I use some & give some away and the rest bolts. No bolting this year ... I am on a mission to make RHUBARB EVERYTHING !!! Rhubarb drink syrup, rhubarb jam, rhubarb in the freezer, rhubarb cheesecake, ... on and on ...

So far I have made Rhubarb Custard Cake which was SPECTACULAR !!! It was soooo good. And so easy ... Wanna make it ? Here's how :

Mix up a golden yellow cake mix as directed. Now don't think this will taste cake mixy because it doesn't. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with 4 cups of chopped rhubarb, 1 cup of sugar. Then pour a pint of whipping cream over top. (strange, huh?) . Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes. Cool and then chill. (okay we ate it while it was still a bit warm and it was yummy then too !) But as it chills it forms a lovely rhubarb cream custard on the bottom topped by a thin layer of cake. SOMETHING MIRACULOUS HAPPENS IN THAT PAN !!! Try it - you will love it !! Add a dollop of whipped cream and experience bliss !

2. Rhubarb stepping stones ... another project using the leaves & cement ... hope to do that this year !

3. HALLELUJAH by Leonard Cohen (or anyone else who does a good job) ... can you ever hear that song too often ? I think not.

4. The mothballs are back. (see posts from Feb 2009) See ya Mr. Stinky Cat !!

5. Our niece Amy is graduating from MSV tomorrow... so proud of her ! She has a great job already and volunteers with several wonderful groups. A great girl ... I would love her even if she wasn't family !!

6. Gardening ... soon time to put mine in ... I love it like a child ... fuss over it & am in awe of its developments. Veggies ... I love you !!

7. GEMS GEMS BEADS BAUBLES !!! I have tons of new semi-precious beads and I have been beading up a storm ... oh so pretty. My inner crow is sooo happy !!

8. A long weekend ... time has come for lovely fires up on the hill in the secret garden with friends, BBQs (I have been at that for a while now ...) , tailgating with the COFFIN BBQ, slowing down & chilling. Ahhhhh .... I can feel it now !!!

Well, that's it for now. Have a great week and a WONDERFUL long weekend !!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

oh to be 8 years old !!

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I'm not saying I want to actually be 8 but I love the honesty and straightforwardness. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Cool.

Last night we had an impromptu birthday party for a friend who just turned 15. Cake and fun ice cream flavours, a rousing game of Pictureka, and then cards and cash - he's a 15 year old boy - what else would you get ?? Anyway, fun time.

His younger brother's birthday is the next on the calendar. I asked if it was soon ..."TWO WEEKS AND TWO DAYS" was the answer. Nothing coy or vague. Here it is. Like that.

So then I asked what he wanted for that upcoming special day. Most people hem and haw, hedge a bit, maybe say"oh nothing". But really, they want something. We all do. But when you are eight, you say "There is only one thing I want. A weapon." WHAT ??? Okay, I misheard him. It was (phew) "a WEBKIN". "The pig." Turns out that he has a house built, complete with a calendar, a bed, a palm tree and sand, and a poster for said pig. I asked what if we bought him one and some one else did too ? Here is THE PERFECT answer. "Oh well I would have a family". Love that !

So he then informs me that he should write it down for me so I don't forget. (in my defence, I NEVER have, but I guess, when you are 8, all these old people might seem forgetful !!) So he did. And he added "supplies" underneath. That means craft supplies - something we usually give him as well. Guess he needs more !!

As we chatted about Webkins, I mentioned the clothes they wear and the on-line games. They were amazed that I knew this. Apparently it is supposed to be an elementary school secret ... Later in the evening, he told me that he remembered something else he wanted for his birthday. Clothes. For the pig. But he already has Tommy the Leopard and he was expecting a donkey and a wild pig from his mother's sister - not aunt mind you. So, he would need 4 sets of clothes, 2 for boys (leopard & pig) and 2 for girls (wild pig and donkey). Now I never would have known the gender so good thing it was explained !! Next, I am handed a second note with all the details. I am all set with my "birthday wishes documents". Now, don't get me wrong. This is not a spoiled child - he would never say anything if he didn't have his full list ticked off. This is a case of "I asked" and "he answered". And I love that. Of course you know what you want. Of course you are excited about your birthday. So spill it ... let it all out. Why can't we all be 8 ?!

So I guess tonight , we go shopping. I sure hope that the Pig is not a rare creature !!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

oh, so much ...

Where do I start ??? So much has happened ! We have moved into the witness protection program and have taken up new identities ... We are right now searching the country for a new home town . Exciting !!!
oookkkkkkkkaaaaaaaayyyyyy ... NOT REALLY !!! it just seemed better than saying "Where in heck has the time gone ??!!" and "Sheesh, have we been busy !!" But it's been day-to-day, get'er done busy so none of it is overly exciting. It is exhausting, rewarding, fulfilling, sometimes annoying ( I won't lie !!) but not really "let's sit down and I'll tell you all about it" worthy. Let's just say things are getting done, time is flying by, some things are NOT getting done, dinners are being shared with friends & family, some are being eaten in front of the TV, birthdays have been celebrated, babies have been born (NOT TO US !!), money has been earned & spent, sleep has been had, cats have been snuggled, plans have been made, cakes have been baked & sold, cars have been fixed,and laughter has rolled along . Life has been SWEET and it has been enjoyed and lived in. That's all I've got today !!
Get out there & DO SOMETHING !!!

... a few of my favourite things ...