The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Part II

The GOOD:
Remember this? I think it was an April blog. Yeah, it has been that long. It's the rubbish from our old shed. Well after today, it looks like this!!!!!

Wooohoo!!!!!!

The BAD: We have a stinky ugly dumpster in our driveway possibly until tomorrow but more likely until Monday. I am willing to sacrifice though. It was worth it to get rid of all that stuff. We are getting rid of the ugly thrashed swings on our front porch and replacing them with one nice one. That will be nice. We can dispose of the old ones in the dumpster too.

The UGLY:
Now we have an ugly dead patch of grass in the place of where all the refuse was. Hopefully it grows back.

Life in a Cat House

No not that kind!

So here it is a week of living with cats. I guess it has been longer, but since we got our second set. I thought I better report for anyone who doesn't have pets and is wondering what my experience is as a new pet owner. I often remember, wait. . . I don't like cats. . why am I living with them? I keep having half dreams at night and waking up to thinking the cats are in my room, other than that it is fine. This is what I like about having cats:

The Pros:

1. Keeping the litter box clean is super easy (get the kids to do it. When they complain remind them they are the ones that wanted a pet so much).

2. I appreciate a lot that cats like to keep themselves clean and have a litter box that is clean. I can live with an animal that shares my goals of having a clean house, body and toilet.

3. I appreciate also that they use their litter box. I really don't want to potty train anymore individuals than I have to.

4. The pet aisle has taken on the same level of excitement and fulfillment that the baby aisle used to. Weird. . I didn't realize it but the idea of visiting the pet store has the same fun feeling as shopping for new baby stuff used to. I can see how pets can be a good fill in for kids

5. I like that they like to fall asleep on our laps. It makes me realize how good it feels to cuddle my kids too. I am glad I still have a 3 year old cuddle on my lap.

6. It is fun to see them just come in the room just another individual to keep me company.

7. It is fun to watch them play and sleep.

8. Seeing how happy the family is, including Tim and I, for have these cute and fuzzy friends arond.

The cons

1. They are always play fighting. Drives me nuts. I wonder. . ."Am I being a bad owner for not splitting them up? I wouldn't let my kids do that!

2. I am constantly worried about them getting sick like the others did.

3. I want to let them go out to the rest of the house. Right now they are just in the basement. There are two reasons: 1. We don't want them to come in contact with the upstairs bathroom where the sick kitties were until they have recieved their shots. and 2. we don't know if kids or grown-ups can be trusted not to just leave doors to the outside just hanging open. They could run away and be more easily hurt or come in contact with sick animals, at least until they get all their shots. I feel bad keeping them in the dark basement all the time. Granted there are windows but it is only bright in the morning.

4. Disciplining kids-One of our kids doesn't seem to understand if the kittnens don't want to play to leave them alone. Not to pick them up, not to run after them when they want to be alone. I can't tell you how many times we have banished him to the upstairs because after countless times of reprimanding he JUST DOES NOT GET IT! When we came down stairs today another one of the kids had the kittens face close up to the tv screen. The cat was not happy. So three kids got sent upstairs.

5. Dread of destruction: I know cats scratch. I am preparing myself now for the consequences of that.

6. I am worried about getting nipped and scratched or even the kids getting bitten or scratched

7. I feel really guilty that some of my friends or their kids are allergic to cats. I wonder how inconsiderate it was of me to do that and make them feel in any way less comfortable in my home. I know how I feel about pets in general so I don't want make others uncomfortable because of the animals I have.

8, What do we do with our cats when we are out of town?

So all in all, I am pleased so far with the cat experience. My concerns are mostly due to getting used to the idea and not knowing how everything works yet. All in all it is more fun than I thought it would be, and easier too.

Experimental Eye Surgery and other great deals.

Sounds like fun huh? Tim jumped on the chance to get Lasik for cheaper because he agreed to be part of a study at the Moran Eye Center (Highly Reputable Eye clinic, part of Uof U) . OK. . . so "Jump" may be the wrong word. He actually went into it quite cautiously. . . if it is possible to be part of a research study and be cautious at the same time. Anyway, he got half off for being in the study and the study is to have one eye corrected with Lasik and the other with PRK. The doctors wanted to see how the healing differs etc.

He had the surgery on Monday afternoon. He has interesting stories about suction cups on his Lasik eye and ice water being poured into the other. The PRK is described as getting a "really nasty rug burn on your eye" That is the one that is causing him more discomfort in his recovery. The upside of the PRK is that it is supposed to produce more satisfactory results. . . in about 5 weeks. Right now his PRK eye is sore and blurry.

He is being a good sport and I am having fun nursing him to health. He isn't one of those husbands that whines and complains a lot thankfully. If anyone wants to know what it is like to have either surgery and what the pros and cons are be sure to ask Tim. He is one of the few who can give you a first hand description of both kinds of surgery. You might want to wait five weeks if you want to get a report of his satisfaction.

Here's another song I like

Ok...so I know I wont get any comments on this one because I never do when I post songs I like and that is . . . ok. . .because it's good enough, It's smart enough and doggonit, I like it !!!!

Our new kittens

Meet the new kittens. I know I said they were named Merry and Pippin but we [Tim] saw problems we hadn't though of. We have now decided they are Clouseau (orange and white) and Cato, in honor of the old classic Pink Panther movies. They are always "fighting" and sneaking up on eachother and it made us think of their classic fight scenes. This time it should stick, but with Tim. . .no promises. He has way too much fun picking out names and he doesn't have the permancance of a birth certificate to tie him down.

August Rush

I saw the movie "August Rush" last night with my friends. A musical and emotional banquet. Interesting ethereal mood to the whole thing. Here is one of my favorite songs and scenes.

Twice Smitten

Ok. so maybe we are crazy and cruel. We got new kittens. Why did I do this? I guess I am sold on cats. I really missed the other kittens. I am already addicted to their calming effets.
We are taking a lot of precautions to avoid exposing these kittnes to the others germs. The last kittens were in our top floor bathroom and a little in the upstairs hallway. These kittens are in the basement, in the sewing room. The other cats traveled in our laps on the way home, these ones traveled in a new carrier the other ones never came close to. I disinfected the bathroom with bleach and the car with disinfectant spray. We aren't using the dishes and blankets the others used until they are all immuned. Can you tell I feel a little nervous and guilty for taking the chance of exposing these ones?

We didn't get these ones from the shelter, I didn't want to take that particular risk again. We went through classifieds (KSL). They come from someone that seemed to be taking very good care of them and they still hung out with their mom a little. This time when we left with our kitties, we felt more like we were being mean rather than merciful. Not to mention we took them straight to the vet to get shots before we took them home. I am sure they loved that. They have to get 3 rounds of shots before they are completely immune to the thing the others got (a.k.a Distemper) so we are going to be overly careful this time not letting little kids from the neighborhood pet them in case they could spread this disease after petting other animals and always washing our hands before we play with them. Have I convinced you yet that we are going to be VERY careful? I am not sure I have convinced myself.

These two are boys and one is orange and white and the other a tuxedo cat (black with white tummy and paws) As of now they are named Merry and Pippin. That is subject to change though. Tim is having WAY too much fun coming up with names and probably wont give up this easy. They love to wrestle with eachother. Very cute little guys! Lets hope everything goes ok this time. We will take some pictures later today and post them later.

My kids dealt with the loss very well. I am sure it didn't hurt that they didn't get a chance to get too attached in one and a half days.

The cats have "it" indeed!

Unfortunatly the "it" the cats have (had) is called Panleukopenia. An illness often deadly and very contagious among cats. I am sad to announce that we found the white cat had passed away in the night. We noticed it didn't seem to be eating when we brought it home. We did one last way to see if he was eating at all and the next morning he was dead and now his sister wasn't eating either. We brought them both back to the shelter. Now the bathroom that was perfect for starting the cats off is contaminated too. Of course we will clean and disinfect it but if we get other cats they will have to start in a different room and that is where we would want to put the upstairs litterbox. Now I have to convince myself I want cats AGAIN. They almost had me convinced until this morning. I will probably do it again though. Wish us luck this time. A friend tells me that shelter kittens are notorious for dying. Perhaps we will have to try another rout next time. Perhaps we will be gluttons for punishment and try a shelter again. At least they died feeling loved and cared for.

And the Cats have it!

Today we adopted two very cute little kittens from the animal shelter. One is a white male and the other a tabby female. They are about 2 1/2 months old. Very adorable. When I saw them I was immedietly smitten. We will update you on the names.

Cats vs Dogs

We are looking into buying a cat or dog. Tim grew up with both and I grew up with neither. We are having a hard time deciding. I am having a hard time being convinced I really want either. They are a lot of work and I am not used to having animals in the house. What little experience we have had (rats) did not endear me to the idea of a pet either. I could see myself warming up more to a cat than a rat though.

Tim and many other sources tell me pets are very good for children's emotional health. I know my kids would benefit from having a pet too. I wanted to wait 'til my kids were a little older but we have been told that now is the time to get a pet so they can grow up with the kids and die about the time they move out. I know there are going to be people of many opinions on the subject and passionnate opinions for that matter. I know it is a matter of personal taste. But what are the benefits and disadvantages to each kind? Can anyone tell me anything that will actually make me exited about the prospect of animals in the house. Pets seem like just a hassle to me.

I am leaning toward a cat, possibly two if anything because they seem to be much less work. That doesn't seem like a good reason to get a pet but it isn't just me getting it. A smaller dog would be fun too...but I am not sure we are up for the work they take. . . yet. . if you know Lincoln, you know he would do great and maybe better with a dog. I believe I could be converted to life with a pet and some day when I am a lonely widow I am pretty sure I would want a pet but I am hesitant about getting one while I still have small kids in the house.

Decisions Decisions