Losing Harry

Hey Everyone, 

Today my post isn't going to be filled with my normal goofy stuff.  Today I'm going to write about the harder side of life.  With every life, there also comes death.  I had to face death just two weeks ago.  I am just now ready to talk about it. 

On Sunday, October 7th 2012 at 11:30 am I was happy at home.  I was cleaning the bathroom and enjoying the routine of it all.  I then heard a cry.  Not an ordinary kitty cat cry, but a sad, scared cry.  I walked out expecting that my timid mama kitty needed some attention.  But instead, in the hall I found my Harry looking as if he was having a seizure.  My first thought was he's having a seizure... meds, he'll need meds.... vet appts.  I went to him and honestly I wasn't overly concerned because my DiDi kitty as you know, has had these episodes before..... he just needed to get this over with and then we'll get him to the vet for meds.  But my boy didn't get it over with.  The longer it lasted the more freaked out I became..... what seemed like minutes was only seconds when he was taking rasping breaths.... sticking out his tongue.  By now, I'm crying..... yelling his name..... Harry!  Harry!  Come on buddy!  Harry!  I tell my son to call Daddy to see what we should do..... Through tears I give him the phone number...... 

His body then went limp, but I still thought he would come back..... flicker his eyes and wake up.  But he didn't.  I'm rubbing him sobbing..... This can't be happening.... he's only 4 years old.  My son is on the floor with me rubbing him, but surprisingly calm.  I tell my husband over the phone that I think Harry has died..... no pulse, no signs of breathing..... all in all it was about 2 minutes. 

I put his body on a towel and laid him in our sons bathroom until my husband came home.  We were all in shock.  We decided that we would have him cremated, so that if or when we move from this house we could take him with us. 

Now, I know what some of you are thinking.  He's a cat.  It's not like I lost a family member or anything.  But for someone like me..... it is like losing a family member.  I had plans for that boy..... I was hoping to move to a bigger piece of land someday so he and his sister would have a lot of room to romp.  I was going to put his 5 week old picture next to his 5 year old picture on facebook on his birthday..... I was looking forward to at least 17 years with him.  I wanted to see him grow old.....

But he was taken from us just moments after giving him treats and playing with him.  After doing some research, we feel he had the same thing our DiDi has.... Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy.... thickening of the heart walls.  Very hard to detect and often the first symptom is death. 

We had his remains sent to Valley Pet Crematory.  We did a private cremation and received his beautiful box of ashes back just a couple days ago.  We have his collar sitting on top of his box.  They did a wonderful job.  Seeing the box pulled away any healing we had done since surrendering his body to our vet.  The hurt felt as fresh as the day it happened.  But he is home now.  He will always be in our hearts. 

The only good thing that came out of this is that we were home and by his side when it happened.  We know that even though his life was short, it was a comfortable and spoiled life.  :) 

It's still weird not having him snuggle up with me under the covers, (yes, he insisted on being under the covers!)  his sister lays next to me instead now.....

My son is handling it ok.  At first he was just mad.  This cat loved Ashton from the very beginning.  Ashton's energy never scared him. He would follow him around and just rub him..... so, this has been tough on my son.  After he was over being mad.... he cried and cried.  When we got back his ashes, he said a few words and put his ashes on our shelf.... kissing the top of the box. 

So, that is the story of losing our boy Harry.  I could go on and on telling stories of how sweet he was..... but I won't. 

It's time to say goodbye to my dear boy. 

Enjoy the every day.

Hello Everyone,

Fall is here.  Sunset comes earlier and the air is chillier.  I'm looking forward to the coming holidays and everything that comes with it.  Snuggling up on the couch with my kitties, reading a book with my son and eating up yummy food.  I've learned alot this year and one thing I've learned is that life is so precious and we never know when our time is up.  We need to enjoy the everyday.  The pretty predictable, dare I say boring parts of our lives are probably the ones that we would miss the most if taken away from us.  So love on your honey, squeeze your kids and cuddle cuddle cuddle those pets. 

Love every second.

Until Next Time Friends.....

The story of Tater and Wormy.

Hey Everybody,

This past spring I read a post on Homestead Acres where her kids enjoyed catching caterpillars and keeping them.  She said they really enjoyed watching the process of them going into the cocoons and later coming out a butterfly or moth. 

So today, I tell you the story of Wormy and Tater.

Wormy was a sweet little caterpillar than was hanging out by our door at our store.  We don't know how he got there since apparently none of his "host plants" are no where to be found around the store.  So we decided to take him home.  He is a Black Swallowtail caterpillar and the things he likes to eat is dill, carrot, fennel and other herbs.  So, we put him in our carrot patch in the backyard.  There he stayed until one day I noticed that he was no longer Wormy, but a woody looking cocoon.  He is now waiting for spring in our sitting room. 

We were shocked and surprised that Wormy completed his cocoon so soon, so we decided to bring in one of the Tomato Horn Worms.  We named him Tater.  We had him happily set up with green tomatoes in a fish bowl for about a week.  Until this happened.

See those tiny white things sticking off the back of this horn worm?  (That's not Tater by the way) Those white things are wasp larvae.  The wasps basically inject eggs into the worm and the larvae eggs grow and grow until they basically eat the worm from the inside out.  This is actually a good thing for gardeners because these little buggers can devastate your garden!  However, our Tater didn't have these eggs on him and he was easily as big as the one pictured here.  So we thought we were in the clear.  But one day, he stopped pooping.  Which in the worm world is bad news.  They can produce enough frass that you need to clean the fishbowl daily!  Then the next day, he had tiny white eggs appearing on his body.  So I took his little self out to the garden and said goodbye. 

There you have it.  The story of Tater and Wormy.  Wormy we'll see in the spring.  Tater Tot, we'll catch him next year in the tomato bed! 

Well Fudge.

Well, looks like my post on how I do what I want on my birthday didn't agree with the gods, because guess where I am right now? 

Yep. I'm at work.

Looks like hubby has some type of stomach virus or something.  We thought that his cha cha cha's was caused by the oh so processed cheap chicken fillets that we had for dinner the other night.  However, his tummy is still a rumblin'.... and looks like cold chills are setting in.....

Now that we have the business we can't just not come in.

Poop.  Poop on a stick I say!

At first I was a little upset and even a bit angry.  But then, I looked myself in the mirror and I knew I had a decision to make. 

I could either A- continue to be angry and irritated and make myself miserable all day.  Or  B- Go to work, enjoy my day and not waste a day wallowing in self pity. 

I chose B.  So I got myself ready..... looking super cute today by the way!  I pumped up the purple eyeshadow and played with my eyeliner. 

Would I rather be sitting in a comfy chair cuddling with my 17 year old kitty?  Abso-freakin' -lutely.
Would I rather make cheese today instead of looking over bills and daily reports?  Oh. Yea.

But, if I've learned anything from my now 41 years on this earth is that you gotta roll with the punches. 

So, I'm here.  I'm relaxing as best I can..... and trust me, that day to myself will come.  And it will be
sweeeeeet  ;)

Until next time friends!

What's a birthday girl to do?

Hey Everybody, 


I am anticipating my birthday coming up in just a couple of days!  I'm already daydreaming about sleeping in, reading and having several cups of tea and basically doing whatever I want. 

I've got so much I want to do, that I know that I won't have time to do everything I want.  I already know that I will be staying home alllllll day. Staying home is a sweet privelege now that we have the business, so this year, I am home bound!  Preferably in jammies or comfy jeans that I am no longer allowed to wear out in public.  Yep, they are that comfy!  These jeans are meant for the garden's eyes only. 

I have imagined a day full of bread baking, cheese making and garden setting.  Unfortunately, even though I want to cross my arms and say NO! like a preschooler, I will have to do laundry.  My family wants clean clothes again this week!  Sheesh! 

I have noticed in my years that once you become an adult, especially an adult with children, that we tend to let our birthdays swing on by like it's nothing special.  One of the saddest things is to wish somebody a happy birthday and their reply is "Oh, thanks,  it's just another day." Followed by a weak smile.  Not me. Oh no. I'm not going down like that. I haven't and never will work on my birthday.   I don't cook on my birthday.  (unless I really want to, which to date has never happened for the dinner meal.)  So no asking momma what's for dinner this wednesday.  It's my one day to be selfish and do what I want.

Here's something else you won't find me doing on my birthday..... complaining that it's my birthday!  I am proud and excited to turn 41 this year.  So you won't ever hear me saying the second anniversary of my so and so birthday.  I'm getting older and that's luck that some folks didn't get the pleasure to experience. 

I've noticed that I celebrate for more than one day..... I've been managing to squeak out a whole week of celebrating being me in recent years and this year won't be any different!  I will have a happy day at home to myself on my actual birthday, then this friday I'll be bowling with my family and friends, a girls night on Saturday and a triple birthday party this sunday!  I'll be celebrating my birthday along with my lovey hubby and my Muzzy who's turning 91 this year!

So what's the point of my rant today?  I guess it's to love your birthday.  Whether you are tween, a college kid, thirty something or on the other side of 40.... love your day!  It's your day, enjoy it.  Rock it out and own it. 

How's that song go?..... I'm sexy and I know it..... yea baby, that's me!


To 41 more years!

Thoughts on a food stamp challenge and a new hobbie!

Hello Everybody! 

Today you'll find me at work enjoying the company of both hubby and son.  Looking around, I have to say that I'm pretty spoiled. But, I'm not here to brag about how great I have it.  Keep on track Kim!

First off,  I am a regular reader of The Non-Consumer Advocate.  I love her blog and she is gearing up for a Food Stamp Challenge.  The premise is to see and experience how living off food stamps can be done.  After looking at some links on government assistance, it looks like you get $4.00 a day per person.  I believe there is differences per state as to considering age of the people.  Cause lets face it, a teenage boy is going to eat a heck of a lot more than 6mth old boy!  So I did the math and it works out to be $84.00 a week for our family of three.  Well, since we spend $75.00 a week, we are doing pretty good!  I cook from scratch as much as possible, buy in bulk and use beans/legumes to help keep the cost down.  Not everybody has the time or ability to cook from scratch so please don't put down folks who need assistance by accusing that they don't use their assistance properly. 

Secondly, I have a new hobby that I love that The Non-Consumer Advocate inspired me to do. (yes, I really do love her site!)  She collects money that she finds and sees how much she has at the end of the year.  I believe that she puts it into her savings account.  I might be wrong.  Anyhoo, she has had a lot more luck than I have!  The last time she mentioned it, she had found and saved $20 couple dollars.  I on the other hand have found a dismal 28 cents.  Now, in my defense, I haven't really been keeping my eyes peeled lately but now I'm an eagle ready to strike in any parking lot that I roam.  Also, keep in mind that I do this for FUN..... (Mom this is for you!  I'm not starving!) 

Should I be concerned that most of my hobbies are involved in some way in saving money?  I'm borderline one of those people featured on Extreme Cheapskates! 

Until next time friends! 

See You In September......

Hello All, 

I've been enjoying the coolness in the air lately.  It's that time again.  Time for sweaters, fall leaves and pumpkins!  I don't like being cold but I do love that we get to experience 4 very different seasons in our area.  Along with starting my fall garden and learning how to make mozzarella cheese, I also sent my son to 5th grade.  Oh how time flies!

 

 

So here we are in September already!  Days are getting shorter and nights are getting cooler.  So how are we doing at Casa De Boyers?  Why, sit down a spell and I'll tell ya allllll about it!

 

First off, we've been in business for 5 months now and we are just on this side of the business supporting us.  So close we can taste it!  We are so very lucky to be able to do this.  It is frustrating some days, but we are getting to the part where we are actually being paid for the 50-60 hr work weeks!  We look ahead and say SAIL ON!

 

At home I am enjoying getting into a routine of sorts now that school has started.  He actually started back in late August and he has mixed feelings about the whole thing.  His teacher is nice, but she is firm and she expects her students to do their best.  Well, that would be ok if Ashton felt like doing his best everyday.  Oh well.  We will get through it.  Getting all the chores done at home in a some what timely manner is starting to get a bit easier. 

 

As I mentioned above, I've been focusing a lot on the garden.  My goal is to grow as much food as I can.  I'm afraid that my spring/summer garden was a bust with only a few tomatoes and a handful of beans.  But in my defense, I started late and had no supplies except what was left over from last year.  However, I have high hopes for my fall garden.  I've got lettuce coming up and planning on putting out more seeds this week, along with collard greens.  These will be placed in an area where I can put a cold frame over them to hopefully keep them going long after the first frost.  I bought broccoli plants and strawberry plants at our local nursery for 50% off!  They are in the ground and with a nice mulch/straw blanket, they should be fine.  I also have cucumbers and peas flowering.  In the center of the garden I planted Black Eye Susans.  Now, I'm not a huge fan of the flower, the main reason I purchased them (at 50% off!) was because they are considered nectararies.  They will attract honeybees and butterflies to the garden.  I'll be giving them some extra nectar, while they'll be helping me pollinate my vegetables.  Nice trade off.  Now that they are planted, I have to admit I love the splash of color. 

 

 

For dinner tonight we will be eating mozzarella cheese (not made by me unfortunately), homegrown tomatoes and homegrown basil.  Ahhhhh, better late than never!  Thanks for reading!

 

 

Until next time friends!