9/4/09 – Friiiiiiiiiiiday!

I had to have blood drawn yesterday (they took four fucking vials! This was regular blood work ordered by my doctor to go along with the physical I had last week.) and it made me think of a question – how come when you have blood taken, they sometimes tell you not to lift anything … Continue reading “9/4/09 – Friiiiiiiiiiiday!”

I had to have blood drawn yesterday (they took four fucking vials! This was regular blood work ordered by my doctor to go along with the physical I had last week.) and it made me think of a question – how come when you have blood taken, they sometimes tell you not to lift anything heavy with the arm they took the blood from for a few hours? Will my vein pop out and go shooting across the room or something if I lift my purse (in which I regularly carry 45 pounds of change)?

Just curious.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Can everyone see the names of the cats under their pictures in the left sidebar now? Any other flaws in the design you guys notice, or does it look good enough?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

I’m glad I’m not the only avocado lover – you guys and your suggestions were having me drooling yesterday! Using mashed avocado in place of mayo? You KNOW I’m trying that! I had another scrambled eggs, chopped tomato, and chopped avocado rollup for lunch yesterday and holy COW was it good!

My only question – exactly how does one grill avocado slices? It seems like they’d be too soft for that. Would you use a veggie basket or something similar?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

I’m sure the other book you enjoyed that was written by a blogger was Fred’s book, right?

This was in response to something I said in my comments the other day – that I find that books put out by bloggers, except for Dietgirl’s book – which I thought was fabulous – (and possibly one or two others I couldn’t remember at the moment), tend to be kind of boring. I don’t think, for the most part, that blogs translate to books very well. I used to buy almost all books put out by bloggers to Support! the! Cause! (“What cause?” you ask? The cause of Shut Your Face, is what cause.), but I got burned so often that I don’t any more.

And yes, of course I enjoyed Fred’s book – is it sad that I didn’t even think of his book when I typed that? (But then, I don’t think of him as a blogger, either, I just think of him as Fred!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

When will the Crooked Acres Jams and Hot Sauces be available again (and yes, I’m on the auto mailing list, but I have friends – and friends of friends – that want to know.) :)))

It’s my goal to start jamming and saucing it up ’round these parts on or around October 1st. It could happen sooner, but it’ll definitely start that weekend. I need to stock up on canning jars and sugar and fruit and such, but once I start making the jams and hot sauces, I should have enough habaneros to keep going for a good long time.

I also intend to start experimenting with Splenda this time around, too.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

URI is uniform resource indicator and URL (uniform resource locator) is a subset of URI…TMI for me!

FYI!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Which of the cats are still outdoor kitties? You don’t talk about the older ones much any more. For instance, how is Sugarbutt’s foot doing? Hope he’s out of his collars!

Most of them – except for Stinkerbelle and Jake and Elwood – are allowed out into the back yard. Other than that, Maxi and Newt are our “free range” cats who aren’t confined to the back yard. Newt is always around, and spends his days wandering in and out of the house. These days, he likes to hang out on the chicken processing station (which has been cleaned since it was last used, let me assure you):

Maxi’s been around less and less lately. I think the fact that she and Joe Bob hate each other so much is keeping her away from the house, I’m sad to say. She stops by the side porch every once in a while during the day to eat (and at Snackin’! Time! I put a plate out there for her), but we can rarely get her to stay inside at night. I believe she’s spending a lot of time hanging out with the kids two doors down.

Sugarbutt’s foot is FINALLY – thankyajesus! – healed. We went from the two-collar system to the Bite-Not collar paired with a “boot” made of gauze and tape to cover his foot. When we found that he was leaving his foot alone, we kept the “boot” off and when his toes were healed, we took the Bite-Not collar off, and he’s been racing around like his ass is on fire ever since!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

I think the current great minds of usability say that users can choose to open links in a new window with a key or click (or mouse action, for advanced users), so there’s no reason to dictate that action in the code. It really only gets done these days on bad commercial websites that don’t want users abandoning their pretty, pretty ads, and invariably mess it up so that every page of their site starts opening in new windows and gah, that sucks.

CTRL- (or Command-) click is your friend.

Myself, I’m fond of right-click/ open link in new tab but I may have to give this fancy new CTRL-click a try.

In a perfect world, I’d be able to find a WordPress plug-in where, if someone wanted the links to open in a new page, they could check a box over in the sidebar. I haven’t found it yet, but I also haven’t spent a lot of time searching, either.

Edited to add: OH JESUS CHRIST. Did you know that if you hover over a link and then click on your scroll wheel (on your mouse) that it opens the link in a new tab? DID YOU KNOW THAT? I did not! Fred just called and mocked me for not knowing that, but I ask you – how the fuck am I supposed to know this stuff if no one ever TELLS ME?!?!?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Have you ever heard of the cat breed Chartreux, otherwise known as the smiling blue cat of France? I swear your boys have the look!

I had never heard of the Chartreux. I actually think they look more like the Russian Blue, they’re built sort of long and sleek. Their eyes are more yellowish than the accepted Russian Blue, and I don’t think they have the wideset ears of a traditional Russian Blue. Actually, I thought yesterday that they’re long and sleek, and they are in the body, but they do kind of have short legs. It’ll be interesting to see what they look like when they grow up!

I recently read that they can do DNA testing on dogs to figure out what breed they are, but I haven’t seen the same thing for cats. Too bad, ’cause I’m certainly curious to know what their genetic background is comprised of. of what their genetic background is comprised.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

I have had people ask me if my Sookie was like this or that because she was a Calico. I don’t think people know that Torti and Calico are coat colors and not breeds. I find it fascinating that people find them to be more vocal. I haven’t found it to be so with my Calico(s) but my Siamese it has always been true.

It would probably be sexist to point out that Calicos and Tortis are female and thus more prone to talkativeness, wouldn’t it?

I agree with the point about Siamese – I’m pretty sure both Spanky and Stinkerbelle have Siamese in their backgrounds, and they are some TALKERS when the mood strikes ’em!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

After my RNY WLS I was still allowed to take anti-inflammatories (I’d been taking them for about 3 years for back pain), but had to take them with a Losec tablet (not sure what Losec is called in the USA) and some food like yoghurt first to line my pouch. It took about 5 months for the back pain to finally stop and I don’t take them any more. Just thought I’d say that these things are possible, despite what the Drs say!

Very interesting! A Google search shows that Losec is another name for Prilosec. I’ll have to discuss this with my doctor, because if I could take an anti-inflammatory, I bet it would help my elbow quite a lot!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Your toe in the turkey poop story made me laugh out loud. The other morning I was up early in the computer room when my husband walks in and tells me he thinks our dog puked in the bedroom. I happen to be right in the middle of eating and I am chewing as I get up and walk in the bedroom. I look at this small, palm-sized object laying at the end of the bed. As I look closer, I realize it is just one of her rawhide chew toys and I proclaim, “Hey! It’s just one of her rawhide chew toys!” and I go to pick it up. Unfortunately, my fingers slide right through the “toy.” It IS puke! Thank god I am a nurse because it didn’t even phase me and I continued to chew my food as I went to wash my hands. Three years ago, I would have puked myself. Eeew!

Isn’t it amazing what we can get used to? I could probably get up from dinner, go scoop out a super-nasty litter box, and sit back down to dinner without missing a beat.

I do make a very loud (profanity-laden) exclamation of disgust when I step in a pile of cold cat puke, though.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

So I am just curious…how much bacon do you get from one pig?

I actually had to ask Fred for the answer to this. He said that it depends on the size of the pig (of course), but an entire pig would bring about 20 – 30 pounds of bacon. That’s a lot of bacon for two people! (We’ve given a lot of bacon and pork cuts to various family members, which is the only reason we have ANY room in our freezer!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

I’m not generally a skimmer… But did you ever post how much we collectively donated for the Mr Boogers memorial?

I sure didn’t, I completely dropped the ball on that!

Almost $625 was donated to Challenger’s House in Mister Boogers’ name, and thank you so much to everyone who donated!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

What is keening?

It’s a constant, low, howling noise that the cats make when they feel the need to announce that they’ve caught something. Here’s Miz Poo doing it a few years ago (you really have to crank your sound to hear it, though):

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Awww… look at the Tubby movie I found when I was looking for that one of Miz Poo!

Good ol’ Tubby.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

i’m gonna die from all that cuteness! how did you get them all on the chair?

It involved Fred, a stick with a feather on the end, and a LOT of missed shots.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Just wondering…do you have pet insurance for your own cats? I took my one cat, Snickers, in for a checkup,and rabies shot this week and it was $80.Considering that I only have one cat, that’s not too expensive, but your crew would cost a fortune, especially when other health problems come up once in awhile, too.

We don’t have pet insurance on the cats, though we’ve discussed getting coverage for them as they reach a certain age, maybe 10. (Hopefully there’s no qualification physical, because Miz Poo would never pass!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Because I saw this and thought of you and Fred, of course!

Turkey cam! I think we need one of those.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Do you realize you and Fred have the perfect life ~ the “American Dream”? You are lucky in love, staying home taking care of the homefront, the garden, the kitties, the cooking, the internet writing – as you happily make your way through the day. While your brilliant husband makes enough for you and him to live moderately and creatively and happily! Congrats and thanks for sharing with us and letting me dream of what you do!

I do love my life an awful lot. I know it’s not everyone’s dream, what we have, but it’s the perfect life for me, and believe me – I’m grateful every day for it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

So, after I went back and looked at the pictures of Sam the day after he had surgery, I’m thinking that Bill’s eyes look about right. I didn’t remember Sam’s looking so red and sore, but they certainly were.

I also decided that the fact that Bill’s been so quiet and is mostly sitting around watching his brothers and sister play is completely normal – because that’s what he did before surgery. He’s always been a quiet observer, whereas Hoyt has always been the spazzy bigmouth. They both seem to be healing just fine, feeling okay, and that’s all we can ask for!

And now I’m about to leave to take Lafayette to the vet for his new eyelips. Send good thoughts in his direction, would you?


Sam, a week after surgery and lookin’ good!


Hoyt, a day after surgery. Fred came upstairs to help me with medicating Hoyt, Sam and Bill last night, and he picked up Hoyt and looked at him and said “This isn’t one of the ones who had surgery yesterday, right?” and was surprised to find out that he was. That’s how good he’s looking!


Bill, one day after surgery.


Bill, still squinty. He may just be a squinty kinda guy. Maybe I should have named him Clint Eastwood.


Snuggly Hoyt.


Sam, up close. Lookin’ good!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 


Snoozin’ Poo.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Previously
2008: GOD PLEASE MAKE IT STOP.
2007: I can’t help it if giant forks make me happy.
2006: Does it make me strange that I can handle the thought of field mice in the house, but the idea of ants in the house just REALLY infuriates me?
2005: No entry.
2004: My Gram.
2003: If I had a brain I’d be dangerous.
2002: What I’ve been doing.
2001: I’m wise to your stalker ways, Margaret!
2000: No entry.

37 thoughts on “9/4/09 – Friiiiiiiiiiiday!”

  2. They tell you not to lift heavy things after puncturing your vein so as not to increase the pressure inside that vein too high and “pop” the teeny blood clot that formed over the hole that the needle made, thus causing you to bleed (although in my–professional–opinion, telling you to do that for a few hours is a bit excessive. Usually after 20-30min you’re good.).

    Funny that I just explained that same concept to the patient we just did a procedure on here at work (I’m an RN).

    1. I once gave blood at a bloodmobile at a factory job. They told us to take it easy on the arm. We then went to do our repative motion jobs for an 8 hour shift. My arm hurt like hell. It was the only really bad experience I had after giving blood. It’s probably excessive use like that which is not recommended. I was only 21 then too.

  3. My husband and I both have had RNY and we both take anti-inflammatories. Him regularly, me often. We inquired with our surgeon who advised that we should probably take an OTC Prilosec type medication, but otherwise, if we were not experiencing discomfort/stomach pain – she was not worried about us taking them.

    For us, the Naproxen works wonders. I restarted it this week because of the elbow pain and it is MUCH improved. Much much much. Have I said that it is much improved? It is. Totally.

    Obviously you don’t want to take high amounts of these types of medications, but that is true for the pre-WLS patients as the post-WLS patients. I am more concerned with my liver than ulcers. Those medications aren’t all sunshine and rainbows for the liver.

    1. So… you’re saying the Naproxen didn’t work for you at all, is that what you’re saying? 😛

      I’m going to check with my surgeon at my next appointment and see what he has to say. That so many post-RNY’ers are able to take anti-inflammatories is heartening, though!

  4. Awww, good to see Tubby. Always reminds me of my fat cat, Kittenish. Miss her too. She also liked to “talk/ask” for her food, and sometimes, DEMAND it! 🙂

    I’m sure anyone who has had several cats and/or dogs (or any pet for that matter) is aware how each one has their own individual personality. People who have never had a pet seem unable to understand that, but I know each one IS unique.

    Your cats look happy! And so glad the kittehs eyes are progressing well.

    Have a great weekend.

    1. Ollie is our first male dog and he is the most vocal when it comes to dinner time. I often get caught up in other things. He will hunt you down, follow you and bark relentlessly until you feed him. I’d only experienced one female cat as vocal about it in our many pets.

  5. Awww, I love me some Miz Poo! She could be my Molly’s sister. If you and Fred simultaneously buy the farm (pun intended) in a freak rogue-pig (or rogue-turkey, or rogue-whatever) accident, I want dibs!

  6. When you grill avocado, you have to use a not-quite ripe avocado. I slice around the edge, twist apart, and scoop out the flesh in one piece with a large spoon. Drizzle with olive oil add a little salt and pepper and grill. The heat from grilling, “ripens” the avocado. Yum.

  7. Ditto on the “making your arm bleed again” stuff. If you overdo it, you end up with a giant bruise. I did it myself last time I gave blood.

    While I’m here, I have a question for your next answering extravaganza… Do you have any experience with cats with arthritis? I think my Poo-clone may be developing it, and I’m wondering how much I need to rely on the vet for treatment.

  8. Yes I can see your cats names under their pictures just fine 🙂

    I did not know that clicking the scroll wheel would open a link in a new tab either! Cool!! I only knew that when I would accidentally click it in other circumstances it wasn’t good so I thought that meant avoid that!

    A lot of places put avocado slices on sandwiches and that is good. I like it about any way you can fix it.

    I’m tickled that the TrueBlood group is getting better 🙂

  9. The puke/litter box comments made me laugh.

    This past Thanksgiving, just as everyone started to eat, our old big dog drank a gallon of water, walked over to the table and puked it up. My granddaughter and husband hurried and cleaned it up, washed their hands and sat back down at the table. We were all chowing down and talking about our old dogs’ and cats’ digestive systems, when I noticed one (petless and childless) member at the table looked a little pale. Made me laugh.

  10. Those kittens are so cute, I’m so glad that their eyelips are healing up, I can’t wait to see how they look when it’s all said and done! I kind of want to come down to alabama to adopt that Lafayette from you.

    1. You know what? I’m thinking someone needs to start a web page with simple tips like that (although I wouldn’t doubt a page like that already exists now that I think about it). Fred totally mocked me for not knowing it, but how am I supposed to know if no one tells me, am I right?!

  13. Speaking of total $, did the $ you published for contributions for the kitty surgeries include mail in checks? Just curious.

    And as for the adorable Tubby – Meh!

    1. Actually, no – she’s received a handful of checks in the last week that amount to another $160! Pretty awesome, isn’t it?

      I lurves the internet.

  14. Awww Tubby. I loved him with that black triangle nose and tail. Too cute. Great to see him again.

  15. I’m skimming! But a few comments –

    Splenda does not cook well. I have not tried it in jam cuz I ain’t never made no jam (and I can buy yours1). But I would suggest trying Steel’s Nature Sweet Crystals or some other crystallized form of sugar substitute if you are not happy with The Splenda. I have found that Splenda foams up and then breaks down in a watery kind of way.

    Post-RNY anti-inflammatories – I always “just said no” when docs have tried to prescribe these or suggest them for joint stuff post-RNY. So imagine my surprise when I (finally) asked my surgeon about using anti-inflammatories, and he named several that he said would be “OK” such as Mobic. There may be a new drug to replace that by now, this has been several years. But the “NO NSAIDS” seems to be a waffly kind of post-op rule. I have, in fact, used several anti-inflammatories (with DR approval) with NO problems to my tummy. My surgeon does recommend Prilosec with NSAIDS if I were to use them longer-term. I’m getting ready to start on some again for ye olde whiplash in my neck from when I totaled hubby’s car in May. Talk about a PAIN IN THE NECK.

    I’ve not emailed about Lafayette – YET! Just seems like a good match for my Beau Rivage, and I have been promising Beau a same-species companion for too long now since his buddy Vinnie died (SNIFF). My cat needs a cat! I will be in touch!

    Finally and in conclusion, your Chernobyl Cherry Habanero Jam absolutely MADE the baked brie I served at our big party last weekend. Good thing I made two of them (1 lb each) because they were positively devoured! I couldn’t make myself throw away the remnants and we have been picking at the remains of the last one all week, IT IS THAT GOOD (sorry about the Doocey caps there). xoxoxo!

    1. Oh, I’ve been meaning to send you this link: http://www.pomonapectin.com you can make low-and-no sugar jams and jellies. You can set water with this pectin. It is real nice, but I have to experiment with it every time, since there’s no “set recipe” you use. I use 2-3 tsp of the powder and the calcium setting agent for 1 batch of jam, and if I double the batches, I double-and-then-some the pectin. I made Grape Splenda jelly for the in-laws and it set up just fine.

      1. Er: clarification:
        I use 1-2 tsp of EACH of the pectin & the setting agent for each batch, and I double BOTH amounts if I double the recipe. Email me if you need tips, the pectin likes to dissolve in cool jam rather than hot (unlike Sure-Jell or others) and I have a couple other tips… hit me up if you give it a try.

  16. We got a few quotes for pet insurance for Brianna, because she’s always at the vet for her ears. Basically, we found out two things: absolutely NO prexisting conditions, NO coverage for 99.9% of everything, or none at all,after 8 years of age (for dogs at least, don’t know about cats). Not worth it!

    The video of Miz Poo with the feather duster thing made me want another cat sooo badly. I love their little voices!

  17. RE: Pet Insurance

    I use a company called PetFirst and have had an excellent experience with them so far. Granted, I got it when Liberty was still a puppy. I don’t think it is really applicable after the first year or so. But in my case, I protected her from the start because I pretty much watched my bestest dog friend die from cancer and there was nothing I could do financially to save her. Really, for the type of her cancer, nothing anyone could do. BUT – I knew I didn’t want to get another dog just to have her need new hips or knees and me not be able to do anything for her.

    I just renewed her policy for the year. I paid around $450 (A LOT! Gah!) But, $220 of that will cover her routine care, shots, well exam, flea med, etc. Then, all of her other issues are covered around 80%.

    In her first year, after using up the routine care on getting her spayed, shots, etc. The company paid ME because Liberty had a couple of ear infections, tummy troubles, and a random act of dog violence (10 staples… OW!).

    So, 10 thumbs up from me, but I would only cover a new pet for a couple of years – to see what develops as they grow into their bodies and we learn their suidcidal tendencies – say eating rocks, wood, shoes. Or in Liberty’s case eating all of my damn fruits and vegetables. Even the spinach! She is SICK – what kind of anything eats spinach willingly? Damn vegetarian dog. But the upside to that is that those things pass thru the digestive system a lot easier than rocks. Trust me. I am not likely to renew next year unless she develops some new bizarre behavior that would like be expensive to treat. I wouldn’t put it past her.

  18. My cat Tigger used to jump in our laundry basket, pull out my underwear, & run downstairs with them while keening to lay them at my feet. Hope the baby’s eyes heal quickly.

  20. I miss Tubby so much. He is still my favorite. When you posted the Cartman video of him, my daughter and I fell in love. I also will volunteer to take Spanky and Joe Bob should something drastic happen. I have Peanut that looks like Joe Bob and Spanky looks like a lover kitty. We can always use more snuggles.

  21. Okay you’ll think this couldn’t possibly be good at first, but try it, just try it. It’s so easy, SO GOOD, and I’ve never met anyone who didn’t love it, even those that say they hate avocadoes. It’s Avocado Pie. Seriously. Just. Do. It. You can love me for it later. : )

    3 medium ripe avocadoes (I like Haas, but for anything, not just this)
    1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
    1 can Eagle brand condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
    1 pre-made graham cracker pie shell
    canned whipped cream (or use fresh and whip your own – I go for easy and it’s just as delicious)
    1/3 cup chopped walnuts

    Peel avocadoes and throw in a blender with condensed milk and lemon juice. Pour in pie shell. Put plastic top back on pie shell (inverted, duh) and chill a few hours. When ready to serve squirt with whipped cream and spread about half inch (or less) thick. Then sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

    Keep refrigerated.

    It’s rich, so don’t cut big pieces. SO GOOD! Enjoy. : )

    1. I admit it doesn’t sound like it could be good, but I’m going to trust you and give it a try (it certainly looks easy!). I’ve printed it out and I’ll make it for next weekend!

  22. Re the Avocado Pie – when someone says they don’t like avocadoes – kids, or a few adults who are super picky eaters – I’ve told them it’s “Grasshopper Pie” and not knowing what the heck that is but willing to give it a go eat a piece and LOVE it. Then I tell them and they’re caught between being mad they were tricked and actually ate and loved avocado, and happy they had really good pie. I turned my nose up at it the first time it was offered by a roommate who’s date brought it over. Late that night I wanted something to eat and ended up standing at the kitchen sink eating it out of the pie plate, almost making myself sick it was so rich and still I kept eating, still wanting to taste it.

    I’ve never seen/heard it talked about since and from that night on I’ve been making it – for almost 30 years now.

    Let me know what you think!

  23. So here I thought I knew absolutely everything there was to know as far as tips and tricks while browsing the internet, but the scroll wheel new tab thing is TOTALLY news to me and also now my favorite internet tip. Just like that. How have I survived the last several years of tabbed browsing without it?

Comments are closed.