DiDi... the end of a 17+ year friendship

Hi All,

Well, the day has come...... unexpectedly, but it has come.  The day that I had to say goodbye to my dear girl DiDi.  We had found a new routine that was working well both for her and us.  She seemed to be doing well, even went out to the garden with me. 

We came home the other evening and immediately knew that something was wrong.  We call her name when we get home.... "Hi DiDi!"  and we are usually met with an energized meow that means nothing less than get me on the couch! 

But, this time we were met with silence.  I walked over to her and she was just lying there, head up, but very quiet and seemed very out of it.  We continued to call her name, but she never made a sound.  I picked her up and placed her in front of her bowl, but she just laid down, not able to hold herself up.  I noticed that she had dried vomit on the side of her face.

We decided to watch out for her.... we figured that she had had a fainting spell which tires her out, she would be fine.  But she was not.  She became worse as the night went on, so much that we were certain that she wouldn't make it till morning. 

I slept with her on the couch that night, checking her breathing periodically ....

By morning, we knew that we had to help her put an end to her suffering.  She couldn't move her body at all.  I took her in the first available appointment our vet had. 

It's hard to let her go because she has been with us for so long.  We've had her even before we got married, so practically for our entire relationship she has been with us. She has lived in 3 houses with us, she was there when we married, there when our boy was born and has defeated many odds to end up living a long life.

I miss that girl.... and it's been a big adjustment not having her with us.  I spent so much time taking care of her that now, I really don't know what to do with myself.  No more carrying her to her bowl, litter box and couch.  No more cleaning up her play pen area in the morning and evening... no more baths, no more laundry..... I would do it all again though. 

Until Next Time Friends....

First Day Back In The Garden!

Hey All! 

Well, it's that time of year again.... crossing my fingers to grow some good food!  Not only is it healthier for my family, but also helps save some buckeroos! 

So here's some pics of my first days work.....

After doing some weeding and turning the soil, I planted my peas.  I also planted some collard greens.  Both of these crops like cooler weather, but unlike last year, the soil temp is still too cool for them.... they haven't sprouted yet!  Hopefully they will soon.  I chose to plant snap peas this year.  No shelling and more food for the same amount of work.  Win. Win.

I brought a helper out with me.....

My girl DiDi..... she loves being outside.... she is so cute when she sniffs at the air and just enjoys being outside....

Totally unrelated, but here's some just for fun pictures of when my little man and I went to the mall recently.  He keeps saying that these guys look like a creature from one of his video games.....

I however, didn't think they were creepy at all! 

Until Next Time friends!

Pancake Poppers

Hey Everyone! 

Sorry for the junky picture, but I quickly took this pic this morning.  I try to make something a little special on Sunday mornings.  I have more time to cook since we don't go to work until 11:30, so I like to make waffles, pancakes or this week.... pancake poppers!  I used up the last of the 9 cent waffle and pancake mix that I bought at Kohl's one evening to make these.  I needed to do some other chores while these baked, so it was so easy to just pop them in the oven! 

I'm looking forward to doing another batch from my normal homemade pancake recipe.  I baked these in a mini muffin tin at 350 F degrees for about 20 minutes.....

Yummy and great dipped in maple syrup.... even hubby loved them!  It was so cute hearing a grown man say "Are there any more pancake poppers?" 

In other news..... The sun is finally shining, the air is becoming warmer and I will be spending the day planting peas, lettuce and garlic tomorrow!  I will also be preparing a bed for potatoes. 

I am looking forward to a fresh start in the garden! 

Until Next Time Friends!

New Start....

Hey All! 

Just a quick post to say that I can't put my girl to sleep.  I just can't.  There is too much life in that old girl for me to decide to end it.  We are trying some more things to help her stay cleaner and comfortable.  We don't just up and put granny down when she has trouble walking and seeing do we?  Nope and I won't do that to my girl.  It would be different if she was in pain, but she is content, but just needs extra help and things done a little differently to help her thrive. 

Here's a picture of her after her bath this past week.

We feel like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders.  Since hubby and I decided that our gut was telling us not to euthanize her, she believe it or not, has been better.  I don't know if she's feeding off my energy or what, but she seems more with it.  She still can't see very well, but her problem eye has reduced the pupil which was nearly all the way dilated all the time to now you can see the color in her eye.  So we have found a new normal.  If that means a bath a couple times a week, that's OK and I'm more than willing to do it.  I put her outside for a couple minutes in the morning when its not too cold so she can sniff the air and truck around the yard.... I put down a towel for her to sleep on so that if she does wet the bed it pulls the moisture away from her instead of soaking her fur.  Doing these simple things have made it better already. 

Here's to my girl...... I won't give up DiDi.....

Here's to a new start!

Update on DiDi

Hi Guys, 

There's really no real point to my post today except to tell you that my girl DiDi is not doing well.  Over the last month she has really gone down hill. 

She's blind, can barely walk and now seems to be confused mentally.  She's not acting like herself. 

Even though it kills me to admit it, I think the time is here to put an end to what has turned into a very low quality of life. 

We've been talking about this more seriously the past couple of weeks.  We have tried everything to help her, but nothing seems to help and with barely being able to get up now she often ends up laying in her own urine and feces.  As you know, we work most of the time, so that is not fair to her. 

I know all this sounds like me just trying to justify our decision. You're right. 

We don't want to give up. 

I will be calling our vet on Monday morning to make an appointment on Monday, March 11th 2013, so if I don't do a blog this coming week, its because I'm preparing my heart for the ache to come.  I'll be bathing my girl, loving my girl, helping my girl until the day we say good bye. 

It is the hardest decision we've ever made. We would prefer her to go on her own....but, she has always been a tough cookie. We'll see.

Thanks for just letting a girl vent. 

Until next time friends.

A bug and credit reports

Hey All, 

I wish this sweet little praying mantis is the bug I'm talking about in my title.... but it's not.  What I'm talking about is a bug that we all just love and hold dear to our hearts....

The Stomach Bug. 

Blahhhhh.  Love and hold dear to our hearts?  More like hide from and hope it doesn't find it's way to us.... but it did. 

Via my son's school.... lovely.

He came down with it suddenly last Wednesday night. Luckily, it was pretty much over after the first 24 hours.... but we kept him home from school Thursday and Friday to be sure he was good to go. 
I quickly followed suit on Friday night.  I'll spare you all the gory details, but I'm pretty sure there was a demon laughing at me from the bottom of the porcelain bowl my sixth go round.  I too was lucky enough to be pretty much back to normal by Sunday.  Hubby started last night and while the worst is over (you know, the whole camping by the toilet all night part) he still needs to gain his strength and hopefully will be better by tomorrow. 

So what do you say we move on to something more fun and delightful!?  OK!

Let's talk credit reports people! 

What? Isn't that fun and delightful?  Well, in my penny pinching world it is, so get used to it!

Your credit report is important to go over to make sure that nobody is walking around spending cash in your good name.  It's so important that you can get a free copy of your credit report yearly through the website www.annualcreditreport.com just to make sure there's nobody spending money in your good name!   I've known that this was available for quite awhile and I did it.... a few years back..... like, when my son was still in pull ups, but that's not the point! 

Luckily, I've been watching a YouTube channel that I really enjoy.... I highly recommend the family on the debtisdum channel.  (I know dumb is spelled wrong, but that's all they could get I imagine) They are on their journey to become debt free through Dave Ramsey's Money Makeover Plan.  The last video I watched was about credit reports and how to get one free every single year.  It got me off my booty and took all of about 5 minutes to fill out the info on the site, pass some security questions and print it out.

What a sense of relief when I reviewed everything and all was correct.  Keep in mind this free report won't give you your credit score.  It lists all the places that have requested a credit report on you, all the accounts you have open and all the accounts that are closed. 

I am proud to say that I owe exactly 0 dollars and 0 cents to anyone.  No. One. 

Now, my hubby..... well, he has the mortgage in his name...... aren't I a sneaky little bugger?  ;)

Until Next Time Friends..... Check your Credit Report! 

372 days, Sitting room re-do and 9 cents.

Hello All,

I realized this morning as I was vacuuming the store that it has been a year since I quit my part time job to join hubby on our adventure in being self employed. My last day at my previous employer was on February 12th 2012.   It has been (almost to the day) a year since I received a paycheck from someone else.  I have to say, I am proud. 

But enough of me and my rambling on how much my awesome-ness is off the scale today, let's get to the real reason why you stopped by! 

My sitting room BEFORE:

My sitting room AFTER:

I like it!  The only thing I want to do next is change out the color from maroon to blue.  But the budget is sayin' (in a pirate-y kind of voice) Arrrgghh Kim, but ye budget is not allowin' for those luxuries as of yet.... ye better get to savin' ye booty!  

That was bad.  Fun, but bad..... no more pirate voice OK?  'mkay!

I've painted the hall way where the laundry closet is as well.... and I'm embarrassed to say it has taken 9 1/2 years... but hey better late than never! 

After picture to come.... teehee!

Ready for some cheap fun stories!?  Hey now, let's keep it G rated!  Here's the riveting tale of a girl who is plain out cheap.... and did I mention broke?  Yea, broke is a motivator here as well... 

So I took Ashton out on a "date night" while hubby attended a meeting the other night.  We had a good 3 hours to kill and we had a great night for what??  9 cents.  I'm not kidding!  Well, Ashton spent some of his money on a thrift shop item, but me.... a mere 9 cents.   Here's how....

1. Window shop at thrift store while son looks around and manages to find a metal detector for $20.... he's been wanting one for ages, but have you seen the prices of those things new??  Good Find Son, Good Find.
2.  Take son to have dessert at Cracker Barrel to use up last $9.18 that was left on a gift card your mom gave you..... have delicious cake like this.....

Also, look up in surprise as you notice that your son is practically finished his cake before you are 4 bites in.... he gobbles his up and helps you finish yours!  My my, quite the empty leg he has!

Walk out of Cracker Barrel having not spent a dime... using the last $1.39 for a tip... hey, she came to our table once! 

3.  Go to local bookstore to look at magazines and discuss how over priced "MineCraft" items are with son.  Let son get on soapbox about how unfair that is..... glow with pride that you are raising a cheapskate   wise, frugal person! 
4.  With still 0 dollars coming out of your pocket and only one hour left until hubby's meeting is over, head over to Kohl's to spend that last $8.91 on a gift card you have.  Look around and around for the perfect items.... and then find it...... (angels start singing here)

A perfect mix of gift card use and something that will be used, but not take up precious space. 

On Sale.  Equaling $9.00 at the register

You owe 9 cents.  So you counted out your nickel and 4 pennies.... took your kitty cat shopping bag with your new treats in it and walked out..... high fiving yourself all the way to the car.

That my friends, is a night out! 

Until next time friends!