A Weekend of Christmas Preps

I was very tired from Friday's activities, and was slow to move around Saturday morning - didn't get dressed and leave the house until 10am! I had errands to run yet that I didn't want Cassie witnessing, but couldn't leave her home with Mark cuz he was napping. So we hit McDonald's and got breakfast to-go and headed to Mom's. While I ate, Mom and I divided up who was bringing what for Christmas breakfast. Then I was off!

I got the last of the stocking stuffers, then returned for Cassie. We went to Gateway and hit Hickory Farms, Bath and Body Works, and a couple of other shops. Then on to South Pointe to Hallmark, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. A late lunch at Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop gave Cassie and I a chance to revive and cuddle. On to Hy-Vee to order Scott's birthday cookie and get a sack of groceries. Whenever Scott decides he wants his party I'll be ready.

Locked myself in the bedroom and sorted through the purchases. Cassie knocked at the door every five minutes needing something very important. :-) Got her fed then she and I wrapped gifts in the bedroom. After she went to bed, I finished the rest of the gifts then pulled out the stocking stuffers. By midnight I was done! (Except for one that I've hidden so well I can't find it.)

Sunday I was naughty and skipped church. Couldn't get myself moving until 9am when Cassie and I managed to head out to bring home LaMar's doughnuts for breakfast. We watched "White Christmas" while eating then I got right to work on getting the house picked up (with Cassie tagging along at every step). Twelve hours later I had six trash bags of Cassie's clothes for the consignment shop, the gifts arranged beneath the tree, my Christmas linens brought out, and other organizing done.

Unfortunately we didn't get to the baking. Cassie and I did get the Christmas Day grocery list finalized and sent Mark to the store for the goodies. I also pulled out my tripod and attached her camera and mine and took photos of the decorations using different settings. Cassie had a blast using the tripod - raising and lowering, tilting, carrying it all around. She got some pretty good shots!

She and I also had fun going through my linens and Christmas platters, bowls, and plates. Too bad I'm not ready yet!

An Eventful Day

This was a hoppin' day.

The icemaker died so Mark stayed home to meet the repairman from Schaefer's. We got the usual "he'll be there between 8:30 and 12:30" timeframe. The guy arrived at 10:30, made his diagnosis, replaced the unit, and was gone. A 10-min service call. $230.

Today was the all-school assembly at Cassie's school; 1:45pm. Mark and I attended to watch her receive the Star Citizen Award for all 2nd grade. The recipient has been helpful to the teacher, helps classmates as necessary, is a role model, and exemplifies the five pillars of character. Okay, so I can't recite the pillars but they include integrity, honesty, treating others as you'd want to be treated and includes quotes from famous people such as Gandhi and M.L King, Jr. The pillars are written along the stairsteps to the school. Cassie didn't know she was the winner until her name was called. Her teacher emailed me on Monday so we could make arrangements to be there, and it's been tough all week not to spill the beans.

I returned to work and barely made it into my parking lot as the drive belt came off the van again. This is a routine problem for Dodge Caravans when water splashes up underneath the engine, and this is the fourth time in three years that I've dealt with this (there's no fix for this, the little shield that's in place is useless). Always requires a call to AAA, they tow it to Russwood Chrysler Plymouth, Russwood spends 10 min getting the belt back in place: $80. So I work hard to avoid puddles (no more fun for me sloshing through puddles in the street). But the melting snow on the streets must have created enough moisture splashing around. And you know that without a drivebelt you lose hydraulics and you nearly break the steering wheel (or your arm) trying to turn the wheels. But lucky me, the AAA guy was able to get the belt back in place and didn't have to tow me. I called Russwood back to let them know the van was not on its way (and they couldn't get to it until Monday anyway so I'm not without a van for the weekend). Yea AAA!!!

After work I picked up Mark and Cassie for a frantic dash through several stores to finish Christmas shopping. For my gift I'd asked for the heavy spike thing (that's a technical term) that you can use to break a vehicle window to get out and you can use it to cut through a seatbelt if necessary. Mark said he had no intention of buying that. So I'm thinking the lightweight, cordless drill was out too. So we hit Target for bath soap and a few other things plus I picked out a flannel winter nightie. I needed a new one but I preferred the weapon or the drill.

On to Gateway. I dropped Mark and Cassie at the Food Court so I could hit Jo-Ann's for beading/jewelry-making supplies for Cassie from Santa. I don't do that stuff so I was lost as to basic supplies. I had glanced through a beading book but still, there's so much out there. If she wanted quilting stuff count me in. But this? Enter Danielle A. from the library - my hero. This morning she gave me a long list of stores, requisite supplies, and purchase suggestions. And lucky me, the stuff was on sale for 50%-off!

Met up at the Food Court again then headed all over Gateway to find a few more last minute items. Very crowded and very definitely the Christmas shopping season. When Cassie and I were there last (the Monday night after Black Friday) the place was dead.

We returned home at 8:45pm so I could get Cassie ready for bed while Mark went to Best Buy for the two movies I'd chosen (bye, bye cordless drill; hello "Madagascar" movies. But then, I love the penguins and King Julian REALLY had to grow on me). I sorted through the bags and purchases, read through Christmas cards, Cassie EXCITEDLY read her letter from Santa, I heated some soup for me for supper, and got a little girl to bed.

My feet are killing me, but only have a few stocking stuffers left to pick up and the shopping is done. How did I end up so late with my shopping when I was mostly done before Thanksgiving? Tomorrow I can concentrate on wrapping, and maybe even get my baking done!

A Snow Day with Cassie

Area schools called for another Snow Day today. Something to do with -20 windchills, 12" of snow on the ground, and many neighborhood streets not plowed. My turn to stay home with Cassie and we had a grand time.

Our day began by cuddling in bed while Finding Waldo, then her reading poems to me from "When We Were Very Young" by A.A. Milne and "Lunch Money and other Poems about School" by Carol Diggory Shields, and me reading to her from "Falling Up" by Shel Silverstein. Then a trip to LaMar's and McDonald's for breakfast, then Target for more winter clothing, Campbell's for greenery, and to the grocery store to stock up on Christmas cookie-fixing supplies.

It was bitterly cold and I was glad I wore three shirts - until we hit the greenhouse at Campbell's. The streets were very busy so I'm guessing everyone had cabin fever and out running errands now that the main streets were passable. This was my first snow day and I was just eager to get back home.

We wound up not baking cookies (perhaps after work on Sat). Cassie asked to watch "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" while we ate lunch. From there we segued into more decorating while doing laundry, and Cassie got enthused to tidy up her room. And all the while her mouth was running a mile a minute with comments or asking questions. It's like being at the reference desk 24/7 with no letup.

The Trip to Work

Awoke at 5am on Wednesday, and turned on the pc at 5:30, but alas, the city website nor the library's site did not announce I could stay home today. Cassie was very disappointed.

I fired up the low-riding van at 6am and gave a trial run at negotiating the neighborhood street. I got stuck a few times but decided I could make my way to Vine Street. Returned to the house and had breakfast then headed out at 7am.

With most everyone stuck at home the plows were able to get the major streets in great shape for travel. (Note to self: "N" street is apparently not considered a major street, stick to "O" street next time. Had to gun it most of the way to plow through the heaps. Don't know if "gun it" quite applies to 25 mph but that was definitely too fast for the conditions and fortunately I was the only vehicle around. Considering I do 50 down Vine it was odd to think of 25 as pushing the envelope.)

Made it downtown but no parking available! My $65/mo lot was not plowed until mid-afternoon. I'm supposed to be able to get into any other Grubb & Ellis lot but my key card was not accepted. I tried the Eagle parking garage across the street from the library but with no staff on duty the gate wouldn't let me in. I ended up at University Square on 4th floor at $6/day. Saved my receipt to request a refund from Grubb & Ellis.

Finally walked into the library at 7:45am. Staff were trapped at home and the phone was ringing off the hook as they called-in. Fortunately it was a slow day, and I was able to get other work done as well.

The library was very chilly. Even though I was wearing two pairs of socks and four shirts (yes, along with other clothing!) I was cold.

The travel home was much easier as my street had been plowed on both sides! Yippee!

A Wintery Day

A snowstorm and blizzard has hit town. Schools closed so Cassie was home today; Mark stayed home from UNL with her. I toddled out of the house at 8am, brushed snow off the van, and carefully drove the (usually) 10 min to work - got there at 8:45. My workday begins at 9am but I was really hoping to get there a little earlier than that!

UNL ended up closing at noon so Mark didn't have to take much vacation today. He helped our older neighbor across the street scoop the walk, and he scooped our walk several times. I also got home to find a festive porch - he'd strung lights along the railing.

The libraries closed early at 5pm. No Snow Days with the city, we have to take vacation. Downtown was empty but the snow was oh so pretty. Six inches of it had accumulated during the day.

Mark also peeled potatoes for supper. I got them cooked and mashed, and made a double batch of Favorite Meat (1 lb hamb, 1/4 cup milk, 1 egg, 8 crushed saltines; form into patties; fry at 320, 5 min each side). Ymmm!

Full tummies, a warm house with electricity, and watching "White Christmas" with Cassie. The day ended pretty well!

Weekend of Decorating

Cassie and I spent a fun, busy weekend getting ready for Christmas.

Saturday we finished decorating the tree while watching the Star City Holiday Parade on TV, then put on my dvds of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

After a late lunch, we hit the Open House at A Novel Idea Bookstore (where Cassie purchased two "Ready Freddy" chapter books), stopped by the library, and had supper at Subway downtown. We were planning to go to South Pointe mall to see Santa but we both faded during supper and just went right home. We showered and climbed into bed at 7pm! Mark was sprawled on the couch watching the Big 12 conference championship.



I tossed in my timer tape and settled down to watch the final two eps of "Monk" but Cassie joined me after 20 min "because she was lonely." So much for her going right to sleep. She happily read a book while I struggled to stay awake.



Today we attended church, hit the grocery store, had a quick lunch, went to South Pointe to see Santa, bought some socks at Scheel's for me, then back to church for two hours of craft-making, on to Target for shoes for Cassie, then home to make supper. And best of all, it's snowing!!!

Prepping for Christmas

I was stunned today while checking out materials to people at the library. The due date is three weeks from today - Dec 24!!! Only three weeks to go.

Last night Cassie and I hit two more stores to get her set for winter weather. Mark accompanied us this time. When we were done we'd gone to Target and Penney's for three sweaters, three camisoles (for use beneath the sweaters), two winter jammies, and two more jeans. I also got a new pair of gloves. I did three loads of laundry before turning in so she could wear some of her new clothes today.

Tonight Cassie and I rearranged the living room, then I brought up the skinny tree from the basement. Last year we bought this skinny tree to replace the other tree I've had for 27 years - it's a nice, triangular tree but too big around for this small house (it's a beautiful tree and I'm keeping it yet). Last year was the first time I've seen a skinny tree that looked nice enough so we went with it.

I was surprised at how patient Cassie was at separating and arranging the branches. Mark brought up the box of lights and garland, and Cassie again was very patient at unrolling the lights and checking to ensure they all lit. Tomorrow night we put them on the tree, then unpack and hang my beautiful, 1950's vintage ornaments.

Black Friday

I got dragged into Black Friday and ended up enjoying myself. Even worse, Cassie and I are planning to go next year as well!

Brother Scott convinced Cassie she HAD to attend BF at "his" Target (56th & Hwy 2). She was all excited about it and asked me if we could participate. She thought we should go at 5am. Ha! We set out our clothes the night before so we could get out the door ASAP.

As I expected, we left the house at 8am. By the end of our adventure we'd hit both Targets (niece Paige was our cashier at the south store), McDonald's for breakfast (new one at 21st & K), and Gateway mall.

We had a blast! No one is more surprised than I. Parking was non-existent, the crowds were thick, and it was difficult to get our cart around at the Target stores (but we didn't have to wait for fitting rooms at any store). Lines to a cashier generally took 15 min. At Gateway, the restroom in the mall right outside of Penney's had a long line, no toilet paper, everyone fought with the electric-eye water faucet, and there were no paper towels. (Note for next year: pack hand sanitizer and a travel supply of toilet paper.) Then lunch at Subway. And don't forget 60-degree weather!

I think we enjoyed ourselves because we had no goal in mind. I'm mostly done with my shopping so anything we purchased was a bonus. I'm sure Cassie's enjoyment was partly due to her coming home with a bracelet-making kit, two henley's, a pair of jeans, and a top. I found a winter purse to replace the two I have that I don't like.

Amazingly, I can't wait until next year!

Ghosts of Thanksgiving Past

Well kids it's been ages since last we gathered. A lot of changes have happened.

As Queen Elizabeth commented about 1992, "annus horribilis" has been our 2009. I'm just trying to get through the rest of this year, and hope 2010 is better.

First of all, shortly after my last post, beloved auntie Betsy Mae entered hospice and passed away on April 5 - Palm Sunday morning. She was a major player in my life. She sparked my interest in old movies when I was in elementary school. When I returned home after two years of college back east, Betsy and I would attend movies (and Mom too) at Sheldon Art Gallery's "American Movie Classics Series." When that series ended we'd hit mainstream films as well. We'd have dinner at Alice's Restaurant (a familiar family restaurant for long-time Lincolnites), attend the film, then snack afterward at Lum's restaurant on "O" street. We'd also carve our pumpkins together. Her absence is just beginning to feel like reality. In early October I was browsing through Ben Franklin and Campbell's looking at decorations and planning my table centerpiece for Thanksgiving all the while thinking I'd run my ideas passed Betsy for her input.

Mark's mom entered hospice the beginning of summer. She stabilized until August, then passed away Aug 20. She just couldn't recover from the stroke and the multitude of infections and other medical issues that subsequently arose. The boys are orphans now as they lost their dad to brain cancer in 1987. I met Mark the following year, so I never knew his dad. Neita was the hub in that family.

So two empty seats at our Thanksgiving tables this year.

As it happened, I ended up canceling Thanksgiving for my side of the family. We always celebrate the Saturday-Before since Mark's family celebrates on Thanksgiving proper. But this year I'd caught a bad respiratory thing (NOT H1N1) and knew I couldn't recover fast enough to pull together a dinner. Mom and niece Paige agreed so I concentrated on getting myself healthy and am looking towards Christmas.

Thanksgiving morning Mark, Cassie, and I loaded the van (and I mean loaded. Read: Cassie packs practically her entire room when I say, "Pack a few things to entertain yourself for the drive up and back.") and met at brother-in-law Gordie's place; we ate at Divot's in Norfolk. First time in 20 years that we were up and back the same day.

The empty seats are not quite as obvious yet. A change in tradition was probably good for this first year.

Playing with the New Cameras

Cassie and I are having fun using our new cameras. Here's a shot of both of us taking photos of our shadows! This was taken in the parking lot at Lancaster Manor.

She's been busying snapping shots of the landscape as we drive by, of other vehicles, of buildings. There are shots of me driving, Mark driving, her feet, her blankie on the next seat, her books, and her backpack. You name it, we now have a photo of it.

I've been practicing too. Turns out my camera has a setting called DM which allows me to get microscopically close to an object and take a clear photo. Maybe this is one way I can read the small print on my medicine bottles...

Here's a shot of the photographers at the library after closing time.

Another Lost Tooth

Cassie lost another tooth Monday night!

This one took a long time to wiggle loose and the last couple of days it was difficult and painful for her to eat.

We carefully wrapped it in a tissue and put it beneath her pillow. The Tooth Fairy left a quarter.

Here's a photo she took of herself Monday night with her new camera.

Another Busy Week

Ran a bunch of errands on Mon and Tues but really got nothing accomplished. Don’t ‘ya hate when that happens?

Wednesday, Cassie and I visited Betsy at Lancaster Manor after work.

Thursday a girlfriend and her hubby were in town from Las Vegas - Kathy’s oldest daughter was getting married in Omaha. Cassie and I met Jim and Kathi at Tico’s for supper, and her other daughter, Loray, Loray’s son Robbie, and her boyfriend were able to join us as well. Cassie ran out of gas at 7:30pm so I had to make a short night of it. Got the little girl home and right to bed; she was asleep before I left the room.

Friday I’d originally planned to visit Betsy again. But we’d had such a busy week and we were going to see Betsy on Saturday anyway to get a universal remote and a clock for her room, that I decided at the last minute to skip Friday night. So Cassie and I went to Valentino’s at 70th & Van Dorn for supper.

We like that location best because there are several buffets to chose from, not solely an Italian Buffet like at the Holdrege Street location. We happily helped ourselves to the Kids Buffet (me – I love the corn dogs!), the Pasta Bar, the Salad Bar, the Pizza Bar, the Seafood Bar, the Chinese Bar, the Dessert Bar. I also nabbed for her a purple balloon that we tied to the back of her chair. So we were happily munching along.

Then brother Scott called to say Mom was on her way to the ER at St. E’s. We finished our desserts and headed over. I called Mark and he left his part-time night job to pick up Cassie and put her to bed. I sent Scott home since he’d been up since 3am (he works the early shift at the Target warehouse) and he still needed to eat his supper. So it was just me and Mom all night in the ER. They decided to admit her, and I got home at 1am. Long story short, she had an episode of atrial fibrillation. Meds were adjusted and I was able to take her home on Saturday. Also hit National Pharmacy to pick up her prescriptions.

Then Cassie and I visited Betsy at Lancaster Manor. I got the Universal remote to accept the TV in Betsy’s room (or maybe it's the other way around?), showed her how to use it, and left her a clock. We also ran several errands.

Sunday Cassie and I got donuts from LaMars. After breakfast we hit Best Buy for a new digital camera. My Canon PowerShot A530 died and it was time for a new one. Problem is I just can’t get my head wrapped around all the techie stuff. I don't understand aperture, ISO, resolution, pixels, optical zoom vs digital zoom, so I just buy a camera I can put on Auto. I came home with a Canon PowerShot SD 790 IS Digital ELPH (10 megapixels) on sale. I’m currently reading the manual. Best of all it's a rechargeable camera - no more running through tons of AA batteries.

I also bought Cassie a camera. The little stinker knew how to use my other digital camera so I decided what the heck. The $20 Hannah Montana models or $40 High School Musical things were pieces of crap. So I got her a $70 Insignia (7 megapixels!) in bright pink. She knows how to take a picture, zoom in and out, look at the photos she’s taken, delete what she doesn’t like, and change the batteries (yeah, I'm still buying AA batteries for a camera...sigh). So we’ve had fun taking photos together, and taking photos of each other taking photos of each other.

Also visited Betsy again, checked on Mom, washed the van, went through tons of paperwork, and did lots of laundry.

I had to go to work on Monday just to rest up!

Cassie's Bday Party

Cassie enjoyed her birthday party.

I worked that weekend so her party was held at 6:30 at Mom's. This year she wanted a giant cookie with the Disney Princesses on it instead of a regulation cake. I had Mark and Cassie pick up her cookie (and Hy-Vee managed to misspell her name!), and get the paper plates, cups, and napkins - Hannah Montana, Disney Princesses, and High School Musical of course. Sigh.

She was very excited about her gifts: "Uno" card game with Hannah Montana on the design, several books, "Wall-E" dvd, a couple of music cds (Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, shudder), and a craft kit to make garden stones (from Uncle Scott). We make and decorate our own stones and then put them in the garden plot in front. Right away Sunday morning Cassie wanted to begin work on the stones.

But even through the excitement, fun, and joy of Cassie's birthday, I always think of her birth parents and the heartbreaking decision they had to make. They will never know how she's doing, what country she's in, and in general what kind of person she's turning out to be. They will never see her smile, feel her hug, smell her hair, hear her laughter, receive her handmade projects, or hear her say, "I love you Mommy." Well-meaning, but ignorant, people say to us that we did a wonderful thing by adopting her. And sometimes they say this in front of Cassie! But in truth Mark and I are the lucky ones.

A Rough Week

Most of this week I spent at home sprawled on the couch. I returned to work on Tuesday but shouldn't have. By Friday I was much better and returned to work. Unfortunately due to my own illness and taking time off for Betsy, I'm now 9+ hours Leave Without Pay on this time sheet.

Lab results came back and I don't have C-Diff or salmonella or any other of a host of things they checked for. Just a really bad case of the stomach flu. Really bad. Really. Bad. Really.

We planned to celebrate Cassie's birthday on Saturday, but since I was down all week I hadn't done any shopping on behalf of me or Mom. So Friday night Cassie spent the evening at Grma's while I quickly hit Toys R Us, Barnes & Noble, Target, etc with list in hand. There's not a Ken doll to be found in Lincoln, that's all I can say. Luckily Toys R Us and B&N pulled some items that I wanted and held them for me so I just had to swing in and out. (Yeah, like I can ever just pop into B&N...)

Earlier this week Betsy was moved from Bryan LGH East to Lancaster Manor. She's not happy about that and finds fault with everything. Friday she was taken to Bryan LGH West complaining of chest pains and difficulty breathing; they chose to admit her.

Mark's Mom is still having a rough time of it but has finally returned from the Norfolk hospital to the nursing facility in Verdigre. She's also convinced she gave C-Diff to Cassie who then passed it on to Betsy, so she's refusing to see Cassie to prevent spread of disease to anyone else. This is not true but we can't convince her otherwise. I'm trying to get Mark to go up to visit, but so far our next scheduled trip is at Easter.


Medical issues have been the theme since February. With luck, Cassie's birthday party can get us switched to a new state of mind and moving in a different direction.

Not the Weekend I'd Planned

Betsy went home from St. E's last Thursday evening. I was very surprised they released her but the doc okay-ed it so I had to follow through. Cassie and I picked her up after I got off work, hit the grocery store for a few basics for her fridge, then got her settled at home. After ensuring Betsy was fine, Cassie and I had supper at Taco Inn and went right to bed. It was past her bedtime and I was very tired - too tired to pack for my weekend quilt retreat.

Friday was Cassie's 7th birthday. I sang Happy Birthday to her, we let her open one present (a pillowcase made out of Hannah Montana fabric), and she and I gathered around the radio to hear her birthday announcement on KFOR. Got Cassie to school by 9am and I headed off to pick up Betsy's antibiotic prescription. Then I could pack and head to retreat.

Not to happen.

Betsy's home health care provider called. Betsy had exaggerated her condition because she wanted to be home (and I can understand wanting to be home), but now she recognized this was a mistake. However, now that she was home the hospital social worker would not be finding a nursing home for her, it was now MY job to call around. Long story short, the visiting nurse arrived early and agreed Betsy needed care. She suggested we just call 911 to have her transported back to the hospital - there was no way I would be able to get her to my van. We ended up at the ER at Bryan LGH East.

Cousin Bob called me in the afternoon to kick me out. He reminded me I'd been caring for Betsy almost nightly for most of February, and that I needed this quilt retreat for ME. He promised to take over until I returned Sunday and I was to leave town and forget the worries. So I headed home to pack and take the 30-min drive to the 4-H camp outside of Gretna while listening to a book on CD.

I arrived and unpacked in time for supper. I didn't eat much but then I'm not a fan of jambalaya. At 8pm I was very tired so I headed to my cabin, showered, and went to bed. At 1am I awoke and spent the rest of the night in the bathroom with my cabinmates peeking in on me occasionally. I called Mark at 6:15am to say I needed picked up. He and Cassie finally arrived at 7:45 to take me to Bryan LGH East. I was concerned I'd contracted C-Diff from Betsy and wanted to be tested, and if they decided to admit me I wanted family to have to visit only one hospital.

The ER staff really hopped to it when I announced I'd been exposed to C-Diff. I was so dehydrated they had difficulty finding a vein for an IV, but finally I got hooked up to fluids, electrolytes, and an anti-nausea med. By noon I was stabilized and could go home with an anti-nausea prescription. It takes two days for the lab to test for C-Diff so I'm still up-in-the-air about that diagnosis. I spent the rest of the weekend on the couch, mostly sleeping, dozing, being read-to by Cassie, and catching the Harry Potter marathon on ABC Family.

Sunday I could stand and had tolerated a piece of toast for breakfast, so I had to accompany Mark back to the retreat to collect my things plus the van was still there. My quilting sisters had kindly packed up my stuff so all we had to do was load the van. Cassie chose to ride with me - my having the retreat snacks might have had a little to do with that - and she happily munched on popcorn, coke, and a candy bar on the way back to Lincoln (Mark drove the Neon down I-80 but I took the van down the more scenic route on Hwy 6). Then I hit the couch again and slept hard.

I was able to eat chicken noodle soup and later some rice. Now Monday morning I still don't have an appetite but need to eat something to get my strength back. My quilting stuff is still in the van (though I did bring in my sewing machine) but I'm not gonna worry about that yet. I'm just disappointed I didn't get to attend retreat. Last year Diana D. just got unpacked, was ill during the night, and her hubby retrieved her; this year it was me. I hope we don't have a Hat Trick next year.

Too Smart at Almost 7

While waiting for one of our doctor appointments a couple of weeks ago, Cassie was reading an animal book aloud to me. The book was explaining that bats sleep during the day and are active at night. She looked up and said to me, "That means bats are nocturnal, Mommy." And casually went back to her reading.

?!?!

The other parents and I just looked at each other with wide eyes.

A Medical February

February was even more hectic than January.

February 2 I had my medical appointment, and Feb 3 I had my eye appt. I make good use of my days off! I have new glasses with a new prescription.

Deb H. left town for a class so Cassie and I were the official catsitters for several days. Mark would drop Cassie to me at the library at closing time, then she and I would head to Deb's to feed and play with the critters. They learned quickly what time we'd arrive and were generally waiting for us at the top of the stairs. I headed over at 6am to feed them breakfast and get me back home before Mark left for work.

Saturday Feb 7 we held Betsy's 80th birthday party. She had been under the weather for several days but hadn't 'fessed up yet to the seriousness of her symptoms. I gave her a pillowcase made out of Kitty Cucumber fabric to coordinate with the Kitty Cucumber quilt I gave her last year. I also baked her a lemon cake.

Sunday Feb 8 Cassie and I were out early to have breakfast, feed the kitties, then run a ton of errands. We were at Deb's in the Highlands when Betsy in Bethany called to say she needed help. It took us several minutes to get there, then we took her to St. E's. I spent the entire day in the emergency room with Betsy while they ran tests. (It was very busy there that day with tons of sick people and I managed to catch bronchitis. This time the antibiotics worked like a charm.)

I called Mark after lunch to pick up Cassie and they went shoe shopping. Finally the docs decided to admit Betsy to St. E's and I left there at 9pm to hit the grocery store and feed Deb's kitties (who were not happy at the lateness of their meal). Betsy had a massive UTI and was on fluids, morphine, and antibiotics. Cassie and I would visit each evening after work, get our supper from the hospital cafeteria and eat with Betsy. After a week she was transferred to Tabitha.

I was very pleased with Betsy's progress at Tabitha, especially at how well she was walking with her walker. She was doing better now than she had been for a long time and I know it was due to the PT, though Betsy pooh-poohs exercising. So I expected to hear that they'd be releasing her soon yet I wasn't hearing anything from the social worker. So I made an appointment with the director of social services and got some updates from her and explained Betsy's home health care program to them. Finally got Betsy home two days later though Tabitha continued to visit to keep up with PT and OT - which was fine with me but irritated Betsy. She was only there for a week, but Betsy was very pleased to leave Tabitha.

In the meantime Mom had several dr appts and Mark took her to a couple as well when I didn't have my Mon/Tues off to compensate for weekend work. She's still weak and has trouble walking. The diuretics aren't working as needed so she's now wearing special socks to try to get her feet and legs back to normal size. Her cardiologist and her primary physician are still sorting out her meds.

President's Day I was off work and Cassie had no school. She had a morning dental appt, we had to stop at my doc's for a follow-up, stop and get my new glasses, then we had lunch at McDonald's. That afternoon Cassie had her eye appt and she needed to order glasses for reading. I managed to trick her into choosing the $105 frames instead of the $145+ Hannah Montana frames by continuing to show them to her and getting the idiot clerk to agree that the frames in my hands were the ones in the poster that she liked.

The next day Cassie had three teeth extracted (or "wiggled" as the dentist refers to it to the kids). The dentist said her mouth is too small for all her teeth, and that by age 12 she'll be wearing braces. They schedule wiggles in the morning so the kids don't have to worry about it all day, and I was fortunate that they had an opening the next day when I was still off work. I wasn't happy that she missed school, but I could understand the dentist's reasoning. After the procedure they gave her a cute sticker that read, "Ny nouth nis afleep." They used laughing gas on her so she didn't have to deal with a needle, but she still had to deal with the aftermath - she couldn't speak well and thought her lower lip was hanging out.

I changed the bloody gauze in her mouth three times, let her snuggle on the couch beneath my denim quilt, and let her watch cartoons all morning. By 1pm she had stopped bleeding and was hungry. She ate two servings of macaroni and cheese, then at 1:30 asked when she could return to school. That surprised me, but I let her go back since she wasn't bleeding and she wanted to go.

Parent-Teacher conference was Tuesday Feb 24. Cassie is doing math at the second grade level, doing very well in reading, and is well-liked by her classmates. And she came home with several books from the Book Fair.

Thursday Feb 26 I got a call late afternoon at work from Betsy's home health care people. She had a doc appt and the physician was immediately admitting her to St. E's. So I left work early and met her at the hospital. Lab tests confirmed that she now has Clostridium Difficile. C-Diff is a serious bacterial infection that affects older people, people who've just come off a round of antiobiotics, and people who have been in a nursing home environment.

Cassie and I picked up my mom and we all visited Betsy Friday after work. As usual Cassie and I got our suppers on trays from the hospital cafeteria. Mom can't walk very far so when we arrived at the hospital entrance I nabbed a wheelchair for her. Cassie had a blast pushing it and I could barely keep up.

On top of all this, we got word that Mark's mom is AGAIN, in the hospital. This is, what?, the fourth time since Thanksgiving? Her symptoms sound curiously like Betsy's so I emailed to brother-in-law Jack all the info I had on C-Diff.

Saturday after work I went straight home. I was exhausted and heated myself some chili. I tried to watch "The Magnificent Seven" but Cassie needed mommy-time so halfway through the movie I just quit, and Cassie and I got into jammies and cuddled while watching cartoons.

Sunday Mark, Cassie, and I visited Betsy after work, then we had supper at Perkins. We only stayed at the hospital for 20 min because I don't want Cassie catching this. Betsy looked worse and was back on morphine. Perkins was incredibly slow that night but we ran into Vickie and Steve (Cassie's daycare provider) and got to see new pix of the new grandson.

Aside from all the medical issues and doctor appointments in February, we had a nice anniversary on Wednesday the 25th. On that date in 2003 Mark and I received our adoption referral from the China Center for Adoption Affairs and got our first look at Gan Li Mei, soon to become Cassie Li Mei. Here's her referral photo.

A Very Busy January

I hit the ground running in January. I was hopeful that with the holidays over my schedule would ease up some but so far that hasn't happened.

The first book display of the year was, natch, New Year's Resolutions. I initially hesitated at doing this (afterall, it's such an obvious topic) but I so enjoyed browsing through the standard display at Barnes & Noble that I decided what the heck I'd do one at Bennett Martin.

Then my immediate family gathered for snacks and a game of Tripoley at Mom's. This used to be our New Year's Eve tradition but Cassie isn't old enough yet to stay up until midnight, and the rest of us were too tired to attempt such a late night, so we settled on Saturday, January 3. The advantage was we could make this an all-day affair instead of just a few hours in the evening. We had dips, chips, Christmas cookies, and a buffet set up with sandwich fixin's as well as the standard cokes and iced tea. This always turns out to be the Last Hurrah before anyone begins New Year diets.

Then I tossed up a book display about computers. January is National Clean Up Your Computer Month so I put up books about Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, My Space, using your Blackberry, email in general, various Google options, teach yourself Windows XP, a couple of Macs books, and keeping your kids safe on the computer.

January 11 quilt group met for our Christmas party. We meet in January for a more relaxed get-together - the rush of the holidays is over and we don't have to dash home to more wrapping, baking, decorating, or attending Christmas programs. At this annual event we learn who our Secret Sister was, and draw names for next year.

January 17 we celebrated Mark's birthday. I made him a pillowcase with hot babes on it. I have fabric to make myself several pillowcases of shirtless cowboys, shirtless construction workers, firemen, policemen, and Deb H. made me one with UPS and USPS guys. Cassie and I decided it wasn't fair that I have all my "boyfriends" as she calls them so I hunted for fabric appropriate for Mark.

I'd heard there was some hot babes fabric, but if you do an internet search for "hot babes+fabric" you get some REALLY interesting results. So I knew I'd just have to stumble across the fabric at some local store instead of an internet quilt shop. I found some at the Gretna shop during last year's fall quilt retreat. I don't like that shop but I knew it wasn't available anywhere else so I held my nose and bought a couple yards. I got coordinating fabric from The Quilted Kitty in Lincoln. (I also gave Mark Season One of Star Trek: The Next Generation on dvd.)

I had lots of plans for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. It began at 5am with Cassie and me taking Mom to St. E's for her colonoscopy. We breakfasted at McDonald's then headed back to take Mom home, then I was going to do some computer work at Mom's while she slept off the anesthetic. Then Tuesday, my day off since I had worked the weekend, I was going to take down the Christmas tree and put away the decorations. NOT.

Mom ended up in the cardiac unit and St. E's kept her for several days. They frown on a pulse rate of 200 bps. They did lots of tests and worked on various medications. I really like her doc from the Nebraska Heart Institute, and her hospitalist had a good sense of humor too. In between all her medical procedures we were able to watch the Obama Inauguration together.

Cassie thought this all was great fun. Mark would bring her to the hospital after school, and she and I would hit the hospital cafeteria for supper. We'd take our trays up to Mom's room and eat with her. Cassie would snuggle in the bed with Grma and their trays would sit together on the rolling tray table over the hospital bed. I was good for running their errands.

After several days Mom was released, but she's still weak, tires easily, and has difficulty walking. They are still sorting out her meds. (BTW, her colonoscopy test was good.)

January 25 was a sad day for us. We lost our cat, Eli. Here he is in his standard place beneath the Christmas tree. He liked to pretend he was spying on us all while hidden in the midst of the gifts.

We'd been treating his thyroid for the past year but the meds were no longer working. He began to convulse so I gathered him up and ran him to the after-hours emergency vet clinic. Cassie was in bed asleep by then. There was nothing we could do. They let me hold him while they put him to sleep, then left me alone with him for as long as I wanted. They were very nice. We even received a sympathy card from them, as well as from our vet.

I told Cassie about him Monday night. She cried and cried, and we had some interesting conversations about death and heaven. I haven't had the heart yet to move his bowl or litter box. We still think we see him out of the corner of our eyes, and it's kinda lonely without a kitty in the house. I'm hoping to adopt another cat from the Humane Society this summer.

Finally for January, at the end of the month when the people doing free tax preparations began arriving at Bennett Martin, I put up a book display on taxes. Your standard books on how to pay less in taxes, plus some neat books on behind-the-scenes at the IRS by former employees, and a history of our taxation system. Very fascinating.

2008 Wrap Up

Yes, it's been months since we've gathered here to chat. I've been booked solid and running behind on everything.

I'd originally considered doing a marathon session and tossing up in quick succession abbreviated versions of My Life Since September. Ultimately I decided you wouldn't be interested now in more detailed accounts of events from the past (plus, I don't have the time for a marathon session).

Instead, I'm just gonna unceremoniously end 2008.

So you won't hear about my book display on Back to School.

You won't hear about the fun, 12-hour day

Cassie and I spent at the Nebraska State Fair.

No sage advice from me on How to Survive a Colonoscopy Prep.

You'll miss my book display on Decorating

(along with some cool, shabby chic stuff).

And forget hearing about

the fun book display I did about Cats.

A co-worker did one on Dogs

and we decided to have Dueling Book Displays.

She was pleased that she was refilling her display

more often than I had to.

But then most of her books were on dog training

and we all know that cats can't be trained;

they give orders they don't take orders.

As the saying goes,

dogs have masters, cats have staff.

So there'll be no blog about this.

Sorry.

I will, however, happily inflict upon you

Cassie's First Grade school photo.

October was National Chili, Soup, and Chowder Month,

hence a book display was done on

Chili, Soups, and Chowders.

(Duh.)

But there will be no blog about it.

Cassie had a busy October between the Pumpkin Run,

the day we spent at the Roca Scary Farm,

the evening spent carving pumpkins,

her two trips to Boo at the Zoo

and of course her evening Trick 'r Treating.

But I won't go into all of that.

I also won't mention the book display on Bread,

nor the one on Trains.

Forget any mention of my Fall Quilt Retreat.

(So you won't hear about the

12-Hour-Pillowcase-From-Hell.)

And it goes without saying you won't hear about the book displays on Cookies,

Puzzles,

or the JFK Assassination.

You'll miss out on Paige's 18th birthday (my niece),

and Thanksgiving with both sides of the family.

And let's not forget the book display on Dead People.

Or rather, a display commemorating those who

passed away in 2008.

And the display on Board Games.

We held Scott's birthday party (my brother)

There was one final book display; this one on Financial Issues (irresponsible regulators, CEOs with golden parachutes, a public that spent, spent, spent, and how to manage your money).

Then we ended the year with Christmas.

No, no. Sorry, I just don't have the time to discuss it all with you at this late date. Perhaps I'll do better this year on staying current with events.

Onward to 2009!