I've been very bad!

I haven't updated in so long!  The kittens are thriving and 10 or 12 weeks old now?  They are active little troublemakers and such entertainment.  I can't find my blasted camera to post pics, so this will be a pictureless update.  We have decided to keep the kittens, are you really surprised?  How could we not?  As such, they have permanent names, Asher became Logan, and Booger became Gambit.  Gambit is just like his namesake and does not know if he is good or bad!  Logan is the lovey dovey of the two, at least to us, not so much to his brother.

The last month has been focused on my baby girl, Cashew.  She became deathly ill after I used Sentry flea and tick drops on her.  They very nearly killed her.  Two weeks into that battle, she had to fight a very nasty infection where she ran a 105.3 fever.  The poisioning of the drops and the infection were overlapping, but with the poisioning hurting her kidneys we were first focused on that.  Then we cha ged to the infection when we had just about given up hope and didn't think she was going to pull through.  On the 1st I took her for a check up as she had started vomiting again.  She was about 80% herself, but I panicked when she started vomiting.  Boy, am I glad I did.  More tests later and her platelet counts were down to 8.  Yes, 8.  They should be between 148-448.  She was on the verge of hemorrhaging and woukd have died within a week.  Underneath all of this was erlichicia (spelling is wrong I'm sure), which is a tick-borne disease.  She is on prednisone and a 3 week round of doxycycline and had a short burst of meds to help with the vomiting.  We are unsure what stage she is in, so we don't know what the future holds.  The prednisone will temporaril bring up the platelets while the doxy goes to work.  We'll hpjust have to see if they stay up once she weans off it.  We do 't know if this will be long term or short term.  On a good note, her kidney function had greatly improved and she has mostly recovered from the sentry drops.

On the 30th my Tyler turned 18.  So hard to believe.  He is taking a 13 hr course load in one tiny summer session and going nuts.  I am very proud of him.  I did not get his wolf done in time for his birthday so I am not allowing myself to stitch on anything else until I finish it.  But oh how Halloween House, 6 Fat Men, Christmas and Halloween ornies and smalls are calling to me.  I still have 2 and 1/4 pages to go on wolf.  Soon.

I hope everyone is having a great 4th.  I am putting together a little spread for my guys.  We aren't going out, too many idiots on the road around here.  We'll probably watch a movie later.  Of course I will stitch on wolf also!

Stay safe, cool and have great stitchy success!

No Stitching

Once again, a no stitching week.  So this week will be another personal update.  If you're more interested in stitchy news, don't read any further :)  There, that is my disclaimer :)

I don't have very many pics this week.  It has been a week full of appointments and not as many opportunities to pullout the camera with the kitties.  Monday found us on the college campus taking care of some of Ty's stuff for the summer.  Tuesday I played cabbie for my father-in-law and helped out with a situation with granny.  Wednesday was Seb's counseling and Ty''s dermatologist check up.  It seems like the late afternoons were spent trying to get a hold of doctors to get med prescriptions figured out, trying to call and get Ty's neuro appt in Dallas scheduled (still waiting to hear back and will be calling back on Monday) as well as trying to schedule Seb an appt for his knee (we can never get through, we're talking 30+ minute hold times).  Pharmacy not notifying us upon pick up there was a problem or hold on getting a prescription filled.  Just crazy.  Then a moody teenage on that?  Now let's top it with a normal down loop in the marriage cycle.  You know how most marriages have their typical patterns, same 'ol, same 'ol, and some of that same 'ol, is the same 'ol thing that can be a down point?  Yeah, we hit that point and just need to make time for us again.  We'll do it though.

Now on to the good part, the kitties had their vet check Wednesday and all looked good!!  They got a tiny bit of wormer.  I was a little stumped on some of what my vet said and talked to Linda, my handy dandy wonderful kitten encyclopedia friend.  We came to the conclusion that although my vet is really, really awesome when it comes to dogs, he may not be the bomb when it comes to cats.  Nothing against him, and if these were perfectly healthy, perfectly started kittens, then it would probably be fine, but these guys started out with a short stick and I really want "the bomb diggity" when it comes to the kitties.  I think I found just such a vet today and will take the kitties there at 6 weeks for their first shots and see what I think :)  Which leads me to something that is just been heavy on my mind as I go through the stumbles of raising these two little guys.  See, I'm adopted.  I was taken away from my biological mother at 18 months.  Yeah, I got the first 18 months, but it wasn't great.  Then I was booted to 6 different foster homes between 18 months and 4 1/2 when I was adopted.  Their reasoning was, they didn't want the foster parents to get attached, but it instead taught me not to get attached.  So at 4 1/2 when I was adopted, although I loved my mom and dad very much, I never really attached until adulthood.  My parents and I went through a lot of angst, and as I've gotten older and we talk more, we realize just how much none of us knew back then.  If the state would of offered post adoptive counseling, things might of been different, but they didn't do that then.  So we didn't understand each other.  I remember how much pain I felt, and how detached I felt.  If I was such an awful BABY, that my OWN mother couldn't love me, how could anyone else?  Let me tell you, that thought alone drove so many decisions in my life to way too late in adult life.  Bad decisions.  It took a long time to realize it wasn't me, it was her.  I've met her and I don't hate her, nor hold it against her.  She is a product of what she was raised.  But we have nothing to do with each other.  But at least I was able to realize it wasn't me and to be able to finally accept love in my life.  Then I look at these little guys and think of all the things their mother is not going to be able to teach them, things I'm going to try and fumble my through, and things I will miss and hopefully their instinct will kick in.  And I hurt for them.  I hurt that they are missing out on that bond that they should have been able to have.  I know, they have me and James.  But, we aren't momma cat.  We can never replace her, fill that void.  I worry when I see them desperate to snuggle with one of the dogs that they are craving that furry, animal to animal contact that I can't give, and I keep praying one of my dogs will step up and give them more than 30 seconds of that connection.  I love these little guys so much, who woulda thunk?  I do have a few pics...so here they are so we can end this morbid little post with a smile :)

Logan in one of his favorite spots.  (oh yeah, we're pretty sure *Asher* is a boy, so his name is now Logan, if it turns out to be a girl, it will be Rogue) 5/13

Gambit (formerly known as Booger, who is most def. a boy) sleeping soundly. 5/15

Issy has quit being stuck up and decided to start trying to figure out just what these little creatures are!  And yep, Logan's eyes are open, although Gambit didn't like the flash!! 5/15

We're starting to walk!  Logan actually did this 1st!  Gambit had a little trouble because he was so belly heavy!  5/15

Logan, I'm coming to get you!! 5/15

James - Logan is snuggled up under James's chin and Gambit is wrestling in the crook of his elbow :) 5/15

And of course Lil Momma (Cashew) has to make sure they are ok!  5/15

Gambit and Logan napping, aren't they just tooo cute?  5/17

Logan trying to play with Gambit.  5/18

Gambit is more interested in Lil Momma! 5/18

No Stitchy News - Picture heavy

I know, 2 weeks and no stitching news, no news whatsoever!  How bad am I?  Horrible I tell ya!!!  But it has all been for a good, good cause!!  Yes, the kitties are still with me!!

This is from the 27th when they came into my care :)

Kitten B on May 2nd....

Kitten A on May 2nd....  Yes, they were Kitten A and B because I tried not to get attached for numerous reasons...yes I said tried..and yes, in this picture Kitten A is drinking from kitten B's bottle....oops, we weren't sleeping much then!

May 5th....Kitten A, now Asher, snuggling after feeding time with Cashew, now "Lil Momma".  Don't worry James was taking care of Kitten B, now Booger.

May 7th, top is Asher, bottom is Booger, showing off how big their bellies are getting :)

May 12th, the 1st day Booger opened his eyes!!  And I'm past due for more pics!!  On the 13th Asher opened his eyes, and just today he took his first steps!!  We're not talking scooting here, we're talking up on all 4's and wobbly steps!!  I'm so proud!!  This first half of the week has been full of appointments so I haven't had a chance to breathe, much less take pictures, and sadly it may be Thursday before I get to do that.  These two little guys are my reason for not stitching the last few weeks.  I'm hoping Thursday evening I might get some stitching time in.  Lord knows I've missed it!  Oh, by the way, we are now so attached, we're keeping them.  And depending on the sex of these little guys, Booger will become Gambit (if he is a boy, Storm if a girl) and Asher will become Logan (if a boy) or Rogue if he is a girl.  Time will tell!!!  This week we'll go to the vet for a little check up.  I hope everyone is having great stitchy success with no frogs and I hope you enjoyed these pics!  If you want to follow these guys a little more, they have their own place   www.boogerandasher.shutterfly.com
Shanda

Holy Crap Batman! It's Monday!! 6 Fat Men SAL

Yep, I have no progress because I did not get to stitch today, but I have a really good excuse as to why.  I won't get into all the details as to why, but I have 2 newborn orphan kittens that I am nursing and trying to save.

Yes, the little bit of fur you see is my Ms. Cashew, she is being somewhat of a lil' mama with this guy and def. checks on them.

Aren't they just too precious?  Yep, not much stitching or sleep in my near future, but it is worth it.  We are running to the vet tomorrow.  One is having trouble pooping, the other finally has started pooping.  They are both very much underweight, so we will see what my awesome vet Dusty has to say :)   I'm afraid with their weight their chances are pretty slim, but I'm going to do the best I can to pull these lil guys through!

shanda

Monday 6 Fat Men SAL

Okay, so I don't know if I'm just tired, knee pain, distracting, bad mood or all of the above, but stitching just isn't working for me today.  I'm afraid I didn't get more than a few rows done today and he is definitely going bag in his project bag until next Monday.  Here is after stitching today...don't you just love my doggie huggy?  I'm done with stitching for the night and just going to read or something.  I am very out of sorts today!!

 

Pre-6FM SAL Confession and IHSW

I was a bad girl this last week.  After getting my first ever generic Q-snap, I didn't want to put down my 6 Fat Men.  I wanted to keep seeing how much different it was to work on that fabric with that kind of frame.  So I worked on him all week.  Also, this past weekend was International Hermit Stitching Weekend and guess who I worked on?  Yep, 6 Fat Men.  But don't worry, I didn't get but maybe 50-100 stitches done.  I've been having a tough time with my knees, especially this weekend and was distracted by the pain.  Now, if you'll remember, this is where I got to on last SAL day:

.And I really thought it only fair that I post a pic of my progress on him from this week and weekend before I start on him for today's SAL.  So here is that pic:

Yes, I know I made that thing on the left one solid line, here's to hoping I can just stitch his arms over it and it be okay.  I'm really hoping I can finish this block today, that would be so nice!!  Now remember, this was all work done this past week, not during the SAL!  Now I'm off to stitch!
Shanda
 

My babies :)

Okay, so a non-stitchy post today :)  I recently asked a fellow blogger to see pics of her adorable chihuahua fur babies.  I thought I would return the favor and post pics of my 5 fur babies.

This is Dolly in her favorite spot.  She is otherwise known as Dolly Molly or Dolly Lhama.  She is Seb's dog.  She is the one we think might have some fatty cancerous tumors.  Dolly is one of the most mellow dogs I've ever seen.  She's pretty darn quiet.  Amazingly though, she is one hec of a vicious guard dog.  Do not ever enter our fence or house without one of us with you because Dolly will tear you up otherwise!!  Unfortunately Dolly is also the dumbest dog I've ever seen.  If you could see into her eyes, you would know it too.  You can just see that the light is on, but no one is home.

Meet Angel, a terrier mix.  Otherwise known as "chunk chunk".  yes, she is one solid chunk.  She is such a doll though!!  Officially she is Tyler's dog.

Now this one is all mommy's girl.  Meet Cashew.  She is a Jack Russell/Pug mix.  She loves her mommy and goes nuts if mommy is gone!  Oh, and yes, you can tell a little that I love snowmen by my coffee table in the back!

Ahh, the great Tasalhof Burfoot Markham.  She is "James's" dog, but really, she is so loving and easy going she is everyone's dog.  She is our most social dog of them all.  We have found very little that she does not like and she loves everybody!!

Dolly, Tas, Cashew and Angel were all rescued.  They were either adopted from the pound or the SPCA.  Angel and Cashew were the most abused/neglected and it shows in their personalities.  Angel is the most timid and skittish.  She's even afraid of the dark and won't go outside at night without someone with her and a big light on.  Cashew is also pretty darn afraid of people.

Last, but not least, is Princess Issabella. She is a "blue" chihuahua.  She is the "baby" (not in age though) of the family.  She has had luxating patella surgery on both back legs.  She is mostly daddy's girl and has almost an obsessive love/fascination with him, but yet she also loves everyone.  She is definitely momma's girl when she is not feeling good though.  Issy is the only dog I have ever bought.  I saw her and just could not resist her.  I had never seen a grey chihuahua, nor have I seen one with a nose as long as hers. 

All our doggies are extremely spoiled, and although 2 may "belong" to the boys, they are very much a pack and all sleep in my bedroom.  I know for a fact the boys will not be moving out with their dogs, it would be very traumatic for the fur babies!!  I hope you enjoyed meeting my babies!

Shanda