Trying to Stay Busy

With it being so hot here lately we've had to do outside things earlier in the morning and try to stay busy inside in the afternoon. It's been hard trying to keep the boys from killing each other. Not really, but good grief, who knew that almost three year olds would pick on each other SO stinkin much. They hit each other, steal toys, try to push each other down, yell and tattle on each other, and when their not doing that they follow me around whining about this or that. There are some days that I look forward to their bedtime so I can have some down time, and other times when we are having fun and I miss them when they go to bed.

My little men like to be busy. I have noticed however that when they are here with Jimmy they play better, or at least they don't follow him around whining as much. However, maybe that's because he doesn't move around that much(love you honey:0), he's not going from room to room trying to clean. I have to add that I don't mean that in a bad way, he does work all day, and does do stuff around the house. Oh you guys know what I mean right? Kids seem to follow mom around more and whine, while with daddy they don't do that as much.

I hear it only gets worse on the fighting front. I don't look forward to that.

Crud

I just realized that I made a big grammatical error on the boys birthday invites(and I read and re-read them to make sure I there were none). I used your instead of you're. Bad thing is I've already bought, paid for and sealed all 25 of them. So to our family and friends, I know, I know, what a big dork. I do know the difference, but don't want to spend the extra money or time to have them redone, so you get what you get. :)

Our Mini Vacation

We have been wanting to take a little vacation, but didn't know how the boys would do and didn't have a lot of cash to blow. So we took a mini vacation within our state. We drove 2 hours or so to Tulsa and stayed in the Radisson. They had this really cool indoor mini water park within the hotel as well as an outdoor pool. We played in the water, had dinner with their Uncle Joey and Jaylee then visited Aunt Janell. They did wonderful in the hotel and feel asleep easily. The next day we went to the Jenks Aquarium and looked at all kinds of fishies. It was a huge success! Everyone had fun and it proved to us that it's not too difficult to travel, at least a short distance, and have an over night stay with the boys.

It was FUN and I can't wait to do something again.

Sneak Peak

Absent

I've been gone for a week. Not really gone from my house, well we did take a mini vacation which was nice and I will write about later, but gone from the blogworld. First we were on vacation and now I'm having some blood pressure issue that make me feel like dook, so I haven't wanted to write. And now I'm fixing to start supper which will consist of these and this and steak. If you haven't make these potatoes or shrimp(found at Pioneer Women) you MUST, they are divine.

Happy Father's Day too all the daddies out there!

Meet the Cats. (Alternate title I'm the Crazy Cat Lady)

I've mentioned before that I worked at a vet clinic for 5 years. I LOVED my job and was very sad when it was time for me to leave. I've always been very passionate about animals. As as child I was the kid touching the stay cats, one time I got bit, my mom was so mad and I'm sure scared that I would get rabies. Anyway a vet clinic is a good place to work if you love animals and love taking care of them. I started in the back cleaning cages, walking dogs, and scooping poop. I didn't mind I got to see the inner workings of how a vet clinic worked. My intention was to work there for awhile and see if I wanted to pursue a career as a vet. That's what I had wanted to be since I was 5 years old. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I would always say a vet. I still would like to be a vet. This is a dream I let go due to life. I don't mean that negatively, I just mean life got in the way, fears got in the way and now family and my age gets in the way. I realize I could pursue this if I REALLY wanted to and I KNOW I would be an awesome vet, but I have chosen not to. Do I regret this decision? No, working in the vet clinic confirmed this. You work L O N G hours with not that great of pay. You are on call at all hours of the night. You are taken away from your family A LOT. I realized I had a decision to make. If I wanted to pursue this I would have to do it for the love of the animals, I would have done that, no problem, but I had more than just me to think about. I was married, with no children, but I didn't want to move to a new town away from my family. I didn't want to get into huge financial debt or go to school for 7 plus years. I let my fears rule me.

This post has actually taken a turn. I really just wanted to introduce our cats. Ok, back to the story. I worked as the poop scooper for 3 months or so, then it was realized what a great worker I was(pats self on back) and I was promoted to receptionist. I liked this for awhile and was really good at the whole people person thing even though people annoy me sometimes, but I began to ache to be back in the back where all the action was. All the surgeries and emergencies, where all the animals were. Thankfully, once again I was promoted and I became the animal nurse. This is basically like the position of a vet tech, but without the degree and I wasn't allowed to do somethings, but I did a lot. I prepped for surgery, I assisted in surgeries, I was in charge of the care of the animals coming out of surgeries. I tended to IVs in sick animals and administered medications. I comforted animals as they passed and comforted their owners in their grief. It was my dream job and I LOVED it. The office I had worked in changed over those 5 years. It went from a small husband and wife team to a divorced single vet with an unknown future, to an engaged vet, to a vet with a new wife, a new building and bigger clinic, though endless hours of work and endless employees,(not everyone really wants to scoop poop you, know), until finally the office politics or lack there of or something, I won't further evaluate on this because you never know who is reading and I don't want to hurt feelings(I'm a people pleaser), got in the way and I was the last of the original team to leave. I was very sad, but felt it was time. I even mourned leaving this job, but it was the best move I ever made, the end result was my two little boys. I now had time to focus on something else.

So in conclusion(if feel like I'm writing a paper or speech) I learned a lot from that job, not just how to care about animals, but things about myself. The end result was I left the job I loved to pursue other things, I went back to school, to get my bachelors degree(in behavioral science), worked in an OB/GYN clinic, and had preemie twin boys. Through it all my animals stayed loyal, my kitties comforted me on my bed rest days at home and Jimmy and I got a pretty good friend that just happens to be a vet out of the ordeal. Yes, that's right I am now friends with my ex-boss, Jimmy and he get along good and email back and forth sometimes. I know I can always go to him for excellent vet care, he's a good man.

This post is not really about him though. Sheesh, how did I get so far away from just showing you pictures of my cats. Lets get to that shall we.

Slink is our newest addition. We got him four days ago, and he's totally my husbands fault. While in PetSmart a week ago, killing some time with the boys, we saw Slink except he name was Elvis. Elvis was an owner surrender to the Animal Shelter. He ended up at PetSmart to be adopted out. Jimmy was instantly drawn to him, which if you know Jimmy that's not something that usually happens between him and animals. He tolerates them and my craziness about them. He wanted him, but we decided not to. A week later we have to go back to PetSmart for dog food. You see where I'm going with this? Yeah, the cat came home with us and the dog food. So far so good.

Pogo was brought into the clinic as a tiny kitten injured, by good samaritan. His injuries were assessed and it was realized that the price was out of the clients range for a kitten that he found and did not intend to keep. Pogo was damaged and it was decided he would be euthanized. While this always broke my heart, I could not save everyone, even though I tried. I placed Pogo, who at that time had no name in a holding cage until the deed could be done. I passed by the cage several time about my duties, and each time I would stop and talk or pet the kitten. It didn't happen always but there were times when I would just connect with an animal. Pogo had the spirit and the will to live. He was full of life. Despite his horribly broken and mangled leg and his broken mandible he purred. Of course I could not allow him to be euthanized so I was given permission by the owner to keep him. The good doctor did not have high hopes for Pogo. I however just KNEW he would be fine despite his injuries. I was right his mandible healed without the surgery to wire it shut, not something the doc and I agreed about. He wanted to do it I didn't. He did however have to have his front right leg removed. Doc warned me that he might not thrive with his handicap. I felt differently. We almost lost him during the amputation,but once again Pogo prevailed. He has been an inspiration to many who enter my home. While he cannot jump as gracefully as other cats, he does not let his limitations stop him.

Crash came into the clinic very broken and on the verge of death. He had been hit by a car, he was bleeding from EVERYWHERE and his prognosis was death and probably soon. Another good samaritan brought him in and being we didn't know who the owner was we made Crash comfortable with pain meds, while we tried to find his owner. I did not have high hopes for Crash as I placed him in the cage. I said a small prayer and headed out the door. The next morning when I arrived to work early to check on Crash, I was surprised. He was up and walking and purring and ALIVE. I opened the door and he reached his paws up around my neck like he was hugging me. Myself and the rest of the staff begged the doctor to allow up to keep Crash as a clinic resident. He reluctantly agreed and Crash and I had a special bond from that day forward. When I left the clinic I was sad to leave Crash, but I left instructions that should Crash ever need a home they should call me. A month or so later I got a call. Crash had begun bolting every time the door opened and his safety was in jeopardy as the clinic was close to the highway. I brought him home and the rest is history.

Are you still reading this? I am surprised! This is the longest posts about cats that I have ever read.

I do apologize for boring you to tears.

HOW DID YOU END UP WITH YOUR PETS?

Milk Truck

While driving down the interstate a week or so ago, we saw a big truck. I told the boys that it was a milk truck. They thought that was cool.

Flashforward to today : While Jimmy and I were playing on the floor with the boys, Karter climbed on my back and announces "I'm riding a milk truck." Yeah, I need to lose weight, but I had no clue I resembled a milk truck. Bummer for me.

My MisTreatments Of The Window Variety

As I was cruising around the home decor blogs several months back I found Thrifty Decor Chick. Heeeelllooo!! I instantly fell in LOVE with her blog, her wit and her money saving decor ideas. Oh and that girl loves her some molding and is not afraid to use a her nail gun or her miter saw. As I was reading her site I became aware that she pretty much makes all her curtains herself, and here's the kicker WITHOUT sewing a stitch. That was right up my alley, cause I can't sew.


Sewing and I don't get along too well. We tried to work together, but we would squabble and finally I had enough. I divorced sewing and have never looked back. Sorry sewing you're just not my type. Ironing and I aren't' on the best of terms either but a least we can be civil and work together. Actually bobbin caused me more trouble than sewing, but they were a packaged deal so they both had to go.


So needless to say I don't sew. My sister can sew and I'll just leave that to her.



As I read her archives I found many more helpful home decorating blogs. I'm not sure if I found Nesting Place there on another site, but she's so smart and thrifty and makes a mean mistreatment.



I suppose I should explain what a mistreatment is. This is directly off Nesting Place, and this post.


Mistreatment: (n). covering for a window that is quick, cheap and pretty. may or may not need hardware does not require sewing. a real designer's worst nightmare.


Mistreating: (v). the act of treating a window with dignity and respect without use of the following: hundreds of dollars, sewing, time, crying, divorce, child neglect...


It took me a couple of months to build up the courage to try it, but I did and it was SO easy.

I was able to do it while the kids were awake and running around. No one was neglected, no sewing machines were harmed in the making and my window that have been bare for a year are now clothed and pretty.

Sorry about the quality of the photo's. The stripes on the fabric make it hard to see.

I spent way less than I would have, had I bought these.

The kitchen fabric I bought at walmart 27.00 for 6 yards. I bought way too much, but didn't really know what I was going to do with it. I used upholstery tacks to tack them to the wall.

I spent 20.00 on the fabric for the family room for 8 yards. Once again too much fabric, but now I know how much I really need to cover our windows.

Thanks

Thanks to all who identified your selves. I knew all but one of you. I do have some post floating around in my head, but they will have to wait, because my sister just called and after that I'm going to watch one of my favorite shows, Burn Notice.

Who Are You?

If you read my last post, you know I'm in for a little change. That's were you all come into play, my dear readers. According to my site counter, there are about 26 or so of you who read daily. I would like to know who you are. Who is reading my little tidbits of life here on Found a Peanut. Are you a multiple parent, a preemie parent, not at parent, married not married, you get the point. Where are you from, how did you get here.

It's time to delurk yourself folks. I want to meet some new people and have new blogs to read, so please leave a comment, in the comment section.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Changes Coming to the Ole Blog

I've been finding the Internet more depressing than uplifting lately. I've been pretty upset about this situation it's just heartbreaking. It's sad in and of itself, but I read her blog daily, commented several times and read about the repeated, hurtful procedures and surgeries, a lot possibly caused or helped along by the ill mother.

This lead me to realize that there are many blogs that I am reading or follow every few days that are just absolutely depressing. When the boys were born I searched for other bloggers that were or had been in the same situation I've followed some of those for years now. Of course a long the way they would link to blogs or people who needed prayers and that's how I found pretty much all the blogs I read.

Anyway, I can't deal with it anymore. I tired of all the hurting, the babies dying, the families mourning, people getting hurt. There are so many more I could link to, but won't, sad blogs aren't hard to find. I feel like I need to step out of the three year repression. My boys are fine, we are fine. No one died, we are lucky, way luckier than some other really good people who weren't so lucky. I've decided to stop following a lot of those blogs. My blog roll will soon contain more light hearted stuff. Stuff that I enjoyed before the boys were born. Stuff that I'm only now getting to enjoy doing again. My crafty side was gone for a long time it's coming back now. It's time to move on.

Bulldozers, two little boys and their dad.

So last Friday we finally got our cellar. The boys were excited to see the big "tractor" and watch the whole thing take place. I stayed in the house for the first part, the hole digging, and then went outside to watch when they actually placed the cellar in the ground.

Let me just tell you that was a BIG, DEEP, hole. Ten feet deep to be exact. We opted for a totally buried cellar with only the door and the vents sticking out of the ground. Jimmy didn't want the slanted ones because he was a little worried that it might get sucked out of the ground. I doubt that would happen, but we have had an F5 here several years back and that thing leveled whole neighborhoods, so who knows.

In all the above photo's the bulldozer was not on or running when the boys were that close to it. All photos, except the first one were taken by daddy.

Also, my computer has been having issues and I had to have my photoshop reloaded and I lost my copyright brush. So just a reminder DO NOT steal my photos.

I Feel Sick and Very Sad.

I've been reading this ladies blog for a year or more. I found her while searching for other preemie moms who had blogs. I followed and prayed while her daughter was in and out of the hospital. I looked at family pictures of her other two children and husband. I worried about this little girl, I didn't have a good feeling. My sixth sense, that has never been wrong, was telling me that something was very, very wrong and I worried the little girl might die. So when I couldn't get to her blog for several days, I worried that she might have passed or her family was being threatened since she made no secrete to her last name or where she was at. So with a worried feeling I googled the daughter's name and was sickened and saddened to find that the little girls own mother was the one making her so sick.

I realize that the mother is sick and needs serious help, but she almost killed that little girl and her other two children who I'm sure love her dearly are losing their mother and her husband how shocked he must be. It's all very sad and proof that you never really know what's going on in someones life or behind someones computer screen.

Of course her blog is private now, but this is what I found when I searched the daughters name.

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/mobile/McDonald_was_a_hospital_volunteer

Dear Friends and Family

Just a little note: If you come over and you need to use the facilities, you would be wise to use the half bath under the stairs. I'm just saying for your benefit, unless of course you want your senses to be insulted by the stench of urine. Urine that I clean up a bajillion times a day because two little boys don't quite have their aim down yet. Oh and a little boy who seems to be refusing to poop in the potty.

Yeah fun times.