Weekly Musings of the 30th

 

Good Morning family and friends.  Here we are at the near end of another month and the silly daylight savings time.  Oh, I know there are those that like it but standard time is what is more normal for our bodies and the less light during the winter.  It would work just fine for the summer too if those that decide those things would get their heads out of their butts and let it be.  Anyway,  that is just my rant as I have always hated daylight savings time.  

Birthday Sunday was pretty quiet but since hubby's 80th was so full of family, good food and lots of fun I was pretty good about quiet.  Next year both my sister and I will be hitting the milestone with her turning 60 and me turning 70 and we hope to do something special for it.  The date that is smack in the middle between her birthday and mine is in June so perhaps then.  Hubby bought me a huge collection of David's Tea which was wonderful.  When I am asked I always say you cannot go wrong getting anything from David's Tea for me.  That has lead to another project idea for hubby which is great too as he always loves a project to work on.  That is a project with a purpose and not just something for filling time.  If it works out I will take pictures so you can see what he created.  

I, also have decided to pull out non-screen projects once more.  I really began enjoying my plastic canvas projects again and have one on the go as well as another puzzle to work on in-between.  Books are always on the go as well and that kept me busy this week while hubby was recovering from an infection that really came to a head on Tuesday causing him to need to see our doctor.  She joked with him that she doesn't see him as often as most and he replied he was okay with that - LOL.  

The full moon was pretty gorgeous on my morning walk so I could not resist taking a photo that morning.  

So, not much going on but yet still busy, busy.  

Wishing you a fun All Hallows Eve and new month ahead.

Weekly Musings of the 23rd

Here we are at another Friday and leading up to my birthday on Sunday... wow, 69.  I see it in the mirror but I sure don't believe it most days.  You know what really ticks me off about this?  When I was young and I mean teens, twenties and even thirties and forties I thought those that were seniors figured it all out and no longer ate food that was bad for them, took care of themselves and wouldn't wake up in the night anymore with heartburn due to being silly when it came to overeating and such.  I thought they had it all together, that they knew what they were doing and that I would get that way eventually.  Well, I am here to say that was bullcrap one more year to 70 and I am still doing dumb stuff and still arguing with myself about eating something that I know I am going to suffer over later.  

Honestly, sure I have some stuff figured out and looking back those lessons were tough but it is those silly things that I figured would be behind me that still trips me up and even more so thinking now looking back at grandparents and even great-grandparents are figuring out that they really didn't have it together and were just guessing or tripping up too.  

So, yup this lady is right.  You are still going to do dumb stuff. 

Anywho, this week had me seeing my dentist for a quick check and x-rays as I see my hygienist at another place but this time I am insisting on seeing the dentist that I signed up to see in the first place not whichever one is handy.  I am getting more fussy about that stuff.  All went well which is nice.

We went off for a drive to check out a shop called Coyle's which has lots of Halloween, Christmas and everything in between.  They also have a wonderful selection of local jams too which I indulged in this time.  

 My arrangement of Halloween this year.  It is a lot simpler and much less too, I am not doing as much decorating as I use to.  I like one simple lay out and our ceramic pumpkin in the window, our seasonal flags top it off.  All in all about 30 minutes to do and I am really good with that.  

The vet called to pick up Tigger's remains so she was brought home and that felt much better just to have her urn here.  

They also do a paw print and piece of her fur in their card.  I put them in a frame with their picture (previous cats) I couldn't resist putting her favourite toy beside her urn.  

Anyway, now all things are done, I even remembered that the fencing at the bottom of the balcony was actually for our cats and was no longer needed, hubby took care of that and now the space looks pretty bare without all that stuff keeping them safe.  

So, that was our week, not too busy but getting out for a bit of exploring and giving Sparky (our car) a bit of a run.  

Wishing you all a lovely weekend and week ahead. 

 

Weekly Musings of the 16th

 

Another week has flown by, before we know it we will be saying good-bye to the year.  It is the 289th day of the year today, just wow to that.  

This week was our week to do some more carpet cleaning which became a result of our little kitty's illness.  It was a quiet week of getting use to a life without a cat.  I was trying to think of why it was so hard, after all when Minoux past we didn't get another cat (and were sure we would not get another either but Tigger had different plans) and although we missed her it wasn't as hard as Tigger.  Then, it was time to do a head slap when I realized that when Minoux past we were still working full time, planning our retirements and the big move down to Simcoe so our days were full.  We only really felt our loss when she was not there to sit on our laps in the evening or sleep with us in bed.  Tigger was different since we were retired we three were together most days with only an hour here or there each day that we were not with her.  We are feeling the lack of kitty in the house greater this time.  We both look for her when walking in the door as she use to walk down the hall to meet us.  There were so many parts of the day that were for feeding and spending time with her that are not there now.  The funny part is seeing either myself or hubby skirting something that isn't there anymore like the litterbox.  Our feet are use to walking around the cat condo, food dishes and litterbox that are no longer there that it just looks funny that weaving around.  

One morning walk had this beautiful pink and purple sky which gave me a smile to start the day.  

Another big smile this week was my one of my favourite authors came out with her new book and it was back to Sinful Louisiana to catch up with old friends.  

 

I really admire this author because we are up to book 31 in her Miss Fortune series and still the stories are fresh and not gotten the same story with different names.  I found that in a few series of cozy mysteries.  Once the author got to about book 15 or so the stories got pretty boring being the same thing happening in each one with just the names changing.  These books have had totally different cases and things going on and I actually am not sure where the story is going in much of the book.  Sure there are some standard things like Gertie is always going to Gertie (you gotta read these to know the chaos that this means and often with glitter) 

So, I had some good laughs and great fun reading the latest of Fortune's adventures.  This series is the only cozy mystery bunch that I still read after finding the new bible fiction that just has taken over my pile of TBR books.  

So, quiet week missing our girl but still good and we are doing okay with that.  

Weekly Musings of the 9th - RIP Tigger

 

Good Morning family and friends.  Most of you know that Tigger crossed the rainbow bridge on Monday but I still wanted to share the week of it all as well and I couldn't resist putting up her baby picture.  This was the face that stole our hearts in 2013 when she had been abandoned by her mother at barely 3 weeks old. 

Anyway, Sunday morning all the Tigger's symptoms came back including throwing up and not being able to poop again.  The blockage was either back or had not truly gone through.  We cleaned up through drips from one end and sickness in the other.  We could both see that she was suffering and first thing in the morning (Monday) we called our vet once more but this time to ask for an end of life appointment.  

They were so sorry to hear things had not mended and we had an appointment for noon.  Of course, right after Tigger came out and although she had not climbed up on the rocker, hubby's chair, couch nor footstool, she, that morning sat on each and every one of them, jumping with seemly ease.  We, of course, started to doubt our decision but then I watched her as she lay sleeping on the footstool and saw her spasms of pain.  She was hiding it very well but I could see it.  

The appointment was hard. 

This was Tigger's last picture before she took a turn for the worse.  It was a help that the attendant said to us - you really did all that you could and this is the right decision.  With tears we said good bye to our beautiful girl who was both the most different cat that either of us ever had and by mutual decision she is also the very last cat we shall ever have.  Neither of our hearts can take another end of life decision, it is just too hard to say good bye to a pet that has so entered one's heart.  

When we came home to our empty home we began to clear up all toys, tissue paper and all of Tigger's things - except that little toy she is holding while sleeping.  I couldn't let that one go.  We donated all extra food and unused items to our regular pet store and told them of Tigger's passing and thanked them for all their service through the years that we had both Bear and Tigger.  

Now that all things that reminded us of her were taken care of as neither of us could look at the stuff without feeling sad all over again, the sad day was done although both of us still looked for her when we were doing something that usually brought her out of wherever she was to watch us.  

Tuesday we had decided we had to start washing the carpets in both our rooms.  Under both our beds was where she would go when she was feeling sick and although we cleaned up whatever mess she did, it was time for both carpets to have a thorough cleaning.  My room was first as there was quite a few drips under my bed and although I did wipe them up... well, you get the idea.  In between hubby finishing off the cleaning plus windows in my room I went out and got the groceries including our turkey for this weekend's Thanksgiving.  By the end of this day we were both pretty bushed - LOL.  

Wednesday was hubby's room where Tigger slept most nights under his bed and where her litter box was.  Washing the carpet didn't take very long and both rooms looked much brighter.  We still kept looking for her at those times and both of us had to remind ourselves that she truly was gone.  It is amazing how much of one's day is to do with the routine and care of one's pets.  So many things that were done no longer were needed and it felt weird.  Although considering we had done these things for 13 years it meant that they were firm habit in both of our days.

Thursday was our usual monthly trip for gas and hubby's smokes at the reserve.  Where gas was $1.89L in most places it was $1.52 at the reserve and as always worth the drive there.  

Today I am making up my annual batch of cranberry sauce which I got from another friend/blogger.  Making it in the slow cooker is the best and I thank her again for the recipe.

I also got myself some flowers this week and placed it where I use to not be able to because of Tigger.  I avoided cut flowers and plants just because Tigger would climb anywhere to get at anything green and growing whether it was okay for her or not.  We would not get any or keep any plants as there was only one place in the whole apartment that she could not get to and it was too small to use often.  

Today hubby has his semi-annual dental appointment and I am going to look at some shoes as mine are wearing out.  Next week we plan on cleaning the rest of the carpets in the apartment.  It never ceases to surprise me at how much fur one pulls out when cleaning the carpet even though one vacuums all the time. 

Oh, and I did get another puzzle done this week too ;) 

It was a fun one. 

And so I wish everyone a lovely weekend and happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

 

Weekly Musings of the 2nd

 

And now we have left hubby's birthday month and have slid into my birthday month.  I love October for many reasons like The Norfolk County Fair, Waterford's Pumpkinfest, Thanksgiving, My birthday and of course All Hallows Eve.  This month is just filled with Autumn fun.

But first Tigger news, she is slowly getting better, this morning she was more herself than the past two weeks.  She is going regular and acting more like the boss.  We gave the vet one last trip (the one I wrote about in the last blog) and that was the most traumatic one of all but hubby and I both agreed that it was the last one as the only next choice would be surgery and honestly neither of us want to put an old cat through that.  How do you explain to them why they wake up in pain and with all the things that happen during surgery and that it might be okay or maybe not.  No, we take care, yup, we bought the prescription food that is pretty expensive but is helping and took away the dry food but that is it.  If she goes downhill we will make that end of life call and have the vet service that comes to one's home do so.  So far she is doing okay.

This was taken last night when she pulled her little beaver toy close to her for sleeping.  That was first time in awhile too.  

Hubby came down with an autumn cold so he stayed home most of the week and rested which helped a lot and he was feeling better as the week went on.  Me?  I did the usual and of course back to books I have been reading.

The last book in the 16 book series of ordinary women in the bible was called Daughter of Light and a good read.

It began a bit slower than some of the other books but this series is written by all different authors which it really helpful if one is looking for new authors in this kind of books, biblical fiction which has become my most favourite kind of books to read.  

And so a very quiet week this week but a much needed quiet week especially for our Tigger.  

    

Weekly Musings of the 25th - Mostly Tigger

 

And so all our company headed on their way on the weekend so we were suddenly missing our family.  It was a wonderful visit with two of hubby's brothers with their wives as well as my sister and her hubby.  Although I do have to admit that hubby and I were exhausted.  Being use to our quiet time having company did make us tuckered out pretty quickly.  We loved it but needed rest for the first couple of days after.  Not that we really got that as Tigger had not improved.

Oh, she was her usual bossy self and was eating and drinking as she normally did but no pooping.  I think part of it was that her butt was pretty violated at the vet.  She saw the vet last Friday with the first enema, x-ray and various other pokes and prods and then we had to keep careful watch to see if anything moved.  Another appointment Saturday morning in which another enema as well as x-ray and more poking and prodding.  On top the x-rays showed kidney stones too which was another blow.  We were still hopeful and on Monday there was yet another appointment for a cat who hadn't been in years this was a trauma.  She was eating well and drinking well and going pee no problem and acting her normal bossy self but no poop.  

It was stressful on us both because every time she came out to do her usual check on us, we went to check whether or not she did.  We were in touch with the vet but had to wait to Thursday for a fourth appointment.   Aside from no signs of poop from her everything else was pretty normal with no pain signs or anything.  Thursday was yet another awful appointment for her, this time she would have light sedation to work the blockage out plus other stuff.  We had to leave her there.  That was awful for hubby as Tigger is his girl through and through.  It was so sad when we picked her up.  She was stinky and miserable and barely awake.  We read the bill after we brought her home and saw all that was done including something that I am sure the assistant had done as what she thought was a helpful thing but to us it was another blow.  She cut Tigger's claws.  Now Tigger uses her claws to brace in her bed when she is washing herself and as an extra help when getting up on the footstool or other place she sleeps because her back legs are not as strong as they were and now she has nothing to help her beside her butt being violated repeatedly.

Having her look at me with that 'how could you?' look broke my heart and all I could say was that I was sorry.

They wanted her to be x-rayed again today and seen by yet another vet but this time we said no.  We would watch her, look after her and take it one day at a time but we were not going to put her through any more.  Not only because we didn't think it was fair to her to have her suffer through more but the cost was over $3,000 with the vet adding more and more costs each time.  

Both of us have agreed that if she recovers and poops like she always has then great but if she doesn't and still seems to be not getting better then we shall have to let her go.  It will be the hardest step but to put her through anymore would be cruel.  

 How could one tell that sweet face who is being put through so much that it is for the best?  They don't understand what is going on and all they know is that they hurt and it isn't stopping.  There is a vet in our area that does end of life home visits and we shall call them if and when the time comes but until then we are going to give Tigger the love and rest that she needs after those four trips to the vet.  

That was our week of full stress and worry.  If it comes to the rainbow bridge Tigger will be the very last pet we have.  I cannot make end of life choices for an animal anymore.  I have made enough of them in my life and Tigger is the last.  My heart cannot take another.  Hubby has said the very same thing, his heart cannot say good bye to another pet again.  

    
 

Weekly Musings of the 18th - Part 3

 

And so we come to the last part of hubby's birthday the 'No gifts gifts'  Hubby had said to everyone that he had no desire for any gifts as he had all the clothes and things that he could ever want.  All he wanted was to see his brothers and his SIL and their spouses.  

That was kinda out the window.  Everyone found the most fun gifts that he could ever have thought of.  

There were Happy 80th cards aplenty.  His brothers and their wives had a great sweatshirt, glasses and a wonderful carving made by one of the brothers.

Coca Cola of course

Now this correctly written is a French swear but 
broken down it is saying A Bag Rowing

Books from both sides

The carving in the back was by my dad 
and the face by his brother

Now when sister arrived with her hubby there was another bag as the Florida side of the family all wanted to send a little something.  

A favourite band from hubby's youth
(and beyond)

A shirt that says it all

And a hat to match

A niece

The purple card has a lovely note from the other niece. 

And so even though hubby said that no gifts were necessary these gifts just brought a smile to his face.  He loved each and every one of them and each and every moment with everyone.

Although he still doesn't smile much in the morning - LOL.  Happy birthday my love with all my heart. 

Yes he is. 

Weekly Musings of the 18th - Part 2

 

And so after the brothers and their wives spent the night at a nearby hotel and my sister and her hubby were well on their way to our place having crossed the border on Thursday night, Tigger came out looking in pain.  I watched her carefully as I spoke to a nearby vet who does house calls.  She was trying desperately to go poo without being able to.  She was blocked and constipated.  The vet said this was too much for them to do a house call and so I reached out to the vet service that Tigger had seen up until she was fixed which was such an awful experience for her (the surgeon vet and her being feral did not get along) she had not been back.  

The good news that came out during the call is that since it had been nearly 12 years since last she had been there was that all the staff had changed over.  I explained how feral Tigger was and what I thought was going on.  We had an appointment within the hour and so I sent texts to all that we had an emergency with a sick Tigger and had to go to the vet. 

Funny that one always learns a lesson during these things.  I had grown up always trying to make sure that everyone was taken care of, had what they needed, taken to interesting sights and stressed greatly if everyone had not been taken care of by me.  The brothers and their wives all went off and explored on their own and from what they said, they all had a great time exploring here and there in our area.  I did not have to do anything for anybody, that just dropped the stress and need to have hands on everything from my shoulders.  Hubby and I took Tigger to the vet, and watched as this new personal all took care of our feral cat to the point that she was completely calm with a mask over her face that covered her eyes.  She had x-rays, blood work, IVs, and of course an enema plus meds and after 2 and a half hours waiting while this was done we very carefully took her home with another appointment set for the next day, Saturday.  

Once home the family started gathering at our place getting ready to go to The Beach House for hubby's birthday dinner.  I had made the reservation under the family name so that if someone wasn't with us, they would know where to go without us.  While hubby was getting pictures of himself and his brothers my sister arrived too.

She and her hubby had driven up from Florida for this dinner for hubby's 80th.  

Another family group shot of sister and our hubbies.  

We had a great time with lots of laughter and memories before heading out to continue our wonderful family visit at the Beach House.  There are many wonderful restaurants in this area and all very good each in their own way but the Beach House sits on the beach in Port Dover at Lake Erie.  Whenever anyone from areas far away come for a visit this is the place to take them.  

Whether it was planned or not it worked out that we got to spend time with the brothers and their wives on Thursday and Friday and my sister and her hubby on Friday and Saturday, how perfect was that?  

Hubby said it was one of the best birthdays he has celebrated.  

We went to the vet the next day and it seems that the blockage had reduced by about half.  We are hopeful that Tigger is rounding the corner and on the way to being better.  

And being back in her rocker soon.  There is another appointment on Monday afternoon but we are hoping for a lot of progress before then.  

Saturday evening we went to my sister favourite place for wings - The Barrel so that she could enjoy them before they headed back on Sunday morning.  Robert's side were all heading back to their homes in the Ottawa area this day, Saturday.   

This morning my sister and her hubby were on the road for home and hubby and I went back to our usual Sunday routine and of course a much needed nap this afternoon - LOL.

Weekly Musings of the 18th - Part 1

 

This was hubby's birthday week and there was a lot going on and so there is no way I can do this blog in only one sitting.  Also, I think those that read my blog would like a break in-between everything.  Monday started with a few errands as we would be having six people visiting with us on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  There would be no time to do much else.  At least that is what we thought but Tigger also had plans that we had no clue was coming.  

Tuesday was my cleaning appointment with our dental hygienist at Polished Smiles and I have to say that it was so great to see Lianne again.  The temps that were working at my dental office just did not have her care and ability so I was a pretty happy camper after that visit.  

One morning I was getting ready for my morning walk and the sky was this red/orange colour but by the time I got downstairs and got walking the colour was gone.  I don't care to take pictures through screens but this one was worth it because it disappeared so quickly.  Wednesday was cleaning and laundry because of course nothing of that nature would happen once company arrived.  

Thursday morning before company arrived I picked up drinks and a little Norfolk gift bag idea.  

 In the late afternoon both of hubby's brothers and their wives arrived and it was wonderful to see them once more.  

Catching up on all that was going on in our lives and all the kids, grandkids, cousins and the like.  It was wonderful chatting and laughing over pizza and our favourite drinks like coke.  Seems all of us rarely drink anything stronger than ice tea, coke or ginger ale.  

At this point Tigger made herself vanish but we both could see she wasn't truly herself.  Something was wrong but the night ended with our guests going to the nearby hotel and us getting off to bed as the next day would be hubby's 80th birthday.  

More to come....

Weekly Musings of the 11th and Come From Away

 

Yes, I am remembering September 11th and all the lives lost with sadness but also all the amazing stories of help that happened.  So, I am listening to the soundtrack of Come From Away.  Which is the story of when so many planes were rerouted to a small airport in a the small place of Gander, Newfoundland.  

Below I will put a link to the trailer that is on YouTube, although I am sure you can find clips, shows and the full music soundtrack on all kinds of streaming services.

Just like I have music for nearly every special occasion and songs that take me right to a special moment in my life, this album brings me back to September 11th.  

So, the week was the week starting of course with Labour Day and also the week we gave the carpets another wash as next week company will be here when we celebrate hubby's 80th.  We are keeping it a small gathering as he didn't want a big fuss and that is good with me too as I am not a big fuss kind of person either.  Anyway the carpets are nearly done for this month.

I just love the morning clouds on my walks, some I just can't help but take a picture.  This was yesterday.

We went off to visit a friend yesterday afternoon as well and it was so good to catch up with her.  She keeps the crosswords from her paper for hubby and had quite a collection since the last time we got to visit.  It was lovely enough outside to sit and chat and watch neighbours go by.  Hope we get a chance to visit again sooner rather than later.  

So, that was our week really, not a lot going on and mostly usual stuff but the kind that makes you appreciate the quiet day to day. 

   Have a good one