Dad's Retirement--Round 1

Over this summer, a magical, long-anticipated event happened in our family:
My Dad retired.

Now, this has been particularly anticipated in the last couple of years, since Dad had to go all the way to Canada to finish out his time with his employer when they moved out of our area.  If you haven't read about the adventures of my family while the parents were away, read any of my posts filed under "brother" or "homecomings," and you will be up to date.

So--retirement.  We had a surprise party for Dad.  The surprise was that we were able to keep straight faces while lying through our teeth for weeks in order to get the party together.  And the bonus was that, for once in our lives, Mom told us to lie to Dad.  Fun.

The cake.

Memorabilia from his working years.

My personal favorite:  his lunch box. 

My dad took this small cooler to work every day for many years.  The contents would vary, except for two things:  Tums and ibuprofen.  Tough job.

Shop talk.

 Women folk.  Oh, if you could listen to this particular group of ladies. 

They are too funny.

Brother--remembered his side kick, forgot his shoes.

Priorities, people.

The guest of honor, best father in the world, hardest working man I know.

So, in his retirement, Dad has done the following, so far:

~ Got a dog and developed the most severe case of puppy-love I have ever witnessed.

~ Torn down a shed and built a new one out of the scraps.  Isn't that how we all do it?

~ Repaired vehicles for everyone in a fifteen mile radius.

~ Planted a massive garden, including a crazy amount of corn and pumpkins, which he sees as a perfect background to take more photos of his dog. 

~ Went back to work.  Seriously. 

So, Dad is now semi-retired, semi-OK with that, and completely enamored with his dog, Bruiser. 

But that love is for another post :)



The End is Nigh

Here in the Midwest, we are bracing for a massive winter storm.  Even if I did not have 24 hour access to the Internet, television and Facebook, I would still know that the weather is about to go crazy.  How?  Because my animals are going insane today.  They have been chasing each other and fighting horribly over one common interest:

The pink doll that Daisy Dog received in her Christmas stocking.  Oh, and it squeaks when she bites it, so there is that to contend with as well.

Guarding the turf.  Waiting for Stella to just try to take dolly.

But Stella has lost interest.  Instead she has employed the age-old method of predicting the weather.

"Nothing yet!  But I think it might do something soon."

So, if the predictions are right, whatever will the family do when we remain stuck in the house for days without power? 

Well, we will fire up the generator, cuddle around the fireplace (in which we will burn our furniture, I suppose, as we have no firewood), and read aloud together from a fascinating book.

Ok, I will save that one for silent reading and just bust out the Little House books. 

Stay warm everyone!

Just In Case...

Just in case you wondered if you were loved...

you were.

Just in case you wondered if you were special...

you were.

Just in case you wondered if you would be missed...

\

you will.

Just in case you wondered if it was hard for me to hold your sweet head when you left me...

it was.

Goodbye, Mr. Chins Monroe. 

No need to wonder if you will be remembered...

you are.

To learn more about Chins' story, click here.

Spice It Up

Mr. Chins has come to live out his final days in our home. 

While he seems to be doing well, we believe that he still has cancer.  So, we brought him with us, and he is spending his precious time left with us, lounging on my couch, shedding fur all over the spots touched by the sun.  He also enjoys sleeping in Daisy Dog's pillow, when available.  It isn't often available.

Tiny Love has acquired the job of feeding Chins his daily meals. 

Last night, she obviously felt that his dinner needed something extra.

She emptied in the usual fare:

"Hmmm, Rotisserie Chicken and Gravy?  Sound good, but I think it needs a little something..."

She scurried out back to this:

My lovely little thyme plant.

Dinner is served.

Chicken is better with thyme.  I agree.

Chins was not impressed.

I was totally impressed--matching the herb with an appropriate food (well, cat food) and knowing how to strip the leaves off and make it pretty. 

OK, I was also a little grossed out.

If it is true that we eat with our eyes first, Chins must have shut his.

He waited for a less fancy dinner.

"Chicken and gravy, straight up.  No garnish, please."

Simple Woman's Daybook

To participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook, click here.

FOR TODAY, September 15, 2010


Outside my window...the sun is rising, the fog is lifting, the new day has begun.  Funny, that is exactly what is happening in my heart.

I am thinking...about someone who is very important to me, but also very upset with me.  I am praying that God will heal that relationship, because I don't want to be without it.

I am thankful for...God's grace, deliverance, and assurance in times of trouble.

From the learning rooms...Tiny Love thinks she can't read yet, but can.  I remember this phase with Curlyjo, and the amazing moment when she realized that she could indeed read.

From the kitchen...tonight we are having dinner at the church before Awana.  On the menu:  hamburger horseshoes with fries.  I don't think that is going to work.

I am wearing...workout clothes, as I have already walked the dog and will be going to the gym, come hades or high water.

I am creating...a budget for the Financial Peace University class I am taking.  Ack, I hate this process.

I am going...to get things done today.  Yesterday felt like a total bust.

I am reading...Where the Red Fern Grows to the kids.  I love it!

I am hoping...in the Lord.

I am hearing...the bell on Chins' collar as he wanders around the house, waiting for the girls to get up.

Around the house...there is animal hair.  I need to vacuum again. 

One of my favorite things...walking Daisy Dog, even though she has to smell every blade of grass and wait until we get REALLY close to home to do her "business."  My neighbors are going to hate me.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Visiting with a friend and her new baby this afternoon.  I can't wait to hold that sweet baby!  Then Awana starts tonight (so excited!), and we may take a field trip to the apple orchard later this week. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...the sweet little reasons I vacuum daily.

Cuddle time for Chins Monroe and Daisy Dog.

My fur babies.

Man to Man

Chins:  So, I never got to thank you for what you did.

The Husband:  That isn't necessary.

Chins:  Well, I just feel like a little display of gratitude is in order. 

The Husband:  I am not really one of those "cat people."

Chins:  That's OK.  I am totally one of those "people cats."

The Husband:  Maybe this isn't so bad.

Chins:  See...so, thanks

The Husband:  Sure.

Menu Plan Monday...and a Request

When I do a menu plan, I almost always end up improvising at some point in the week.  Things just never go quite as planned!  So, I have decided to tweak the way that I menu plan a little.  I made a list of five meals (leaving one night for leftovers and one for simple food), and I grocery shopped accordingly.  Now I have a list of meals that I can make with what I have on hand this week. 

Dinners:
1.  Hamburgers/veggie burgers on whole wheat buns, oven fries, zucchini
2.  Quiche, bread, and fruit
3.  Chicken wreath and salad
4.  Crock pot BBQ chicken, macaroni and cheese, frozen or fresh veggie
5.  Garden Minestrone and Whole Wheat Beer Bread

Other things to make this week (for breakfast/lunch/snacks):
1.  High Protein Whole Wheat Bread (also from the More with Less cookbook--it is amazing!)
2.  Granola Bars
3.  Tuna salad

If you don't have a copy of the More with Less cookbook, I highly recommend it and its philosophy on cooking and eating.

And now, on a more somber note, I have a request.  I don't know what the rules are about praying for pets, but if you could keep my Kitty Friend in your thoughts, I would appreciate it greatly. 

She is very ill, on IV fluids, waiting to gather enough strength for surgery.  They think she may have a tumor in her abdomen, and she has lost thirty percent of her body weight in just two weeks.  She is weak, and I am not sure she will do well in surgery, or that they will be able to do anything for her.  She has been my friend for thirteen years, and my heart is just breaking that it may be time to let her go.  Remember us today.  I am aware that she is an animal, not a person, but I think God cares about ALL of my tears, and there have been many today from my beloved Kitty Friend.  If nothing else, I pray He will comfort me...and her.

Soooooo Thirsty!

This hot weather seems to be getting to everyone.

Nothing a tall glass of cold water can't fix!

I set my water glass on the landing of the stairs, walked away to get a book for Tiny Love, and Kitty Friend decided to help herself. 

It was a tight fit, so she decided to try the "hand-to-mouth" method instead.

I guess it is kind of a clean/hydrate combo. 

Once we were all done admiring how cute (and kinda gross) this was, I led Kitty Friend to her water bowl, where I poured her the rest of the water. 

She turned up her nose and walked away.

She thinks she is people. 

I don't know where she gets this idea :)

Pet Therapy

Mr. Chins, Tiny Love's cat, recently had another visit to the vet, this time for issues with hair loss.  I know.  What next??  The vet decided that the hair loss was stress-induced and gave Chins a steroid injection and orders to calm down.  The kids decided that the most calming thing they could do for him would be to read to him.

We must have an apple to eat while giving Chins therapy.

Chins appears to be riveted by the tale. 

I love how this was not only cute and sweet, but also counted toward homeschool reading time. 

Sweet.

The Wrath of Kitty

Look at this lovely little friend:

She is crazy.

Really.

She is absolutely repulsed by her own litter box, especially when she has recently used it but no one took note and emptied it.  Tiny Love's chore is to clean the litter box every morning, and as she occasionally has trouble remembering her chores (which costs her BIG TIME), Kitty Friend is sometimes inconvenienced.  When this happens, Kitty Friend pees in the floor. 

*sigh*

So, as the litter box did not meet the required standards for usage, Kitty Friend left notice in the floor this morning.  Who cleaned it up?

What a way to start the day.  Someday Tiny will begin to see the value in completed chores.  Until then, I will smile while receiving her allowance, and she will clean up Kitty Friend's indignation while making this face:

Whatever works, sister. 

Where is Curlyjo in all this?  Where she always is these days:

Reading.  What is breakfast without The Boxcar Children? 

Now, if you will excuse me, Kitty Friend likes her food bowl filled about this time of day.  And we like to comply with her wishes.

Charlie

I am not very good with horses.  Okay, I am terrified of horses.  I grew up on a farm that was home to some of the most ill-behaved ponies the Lord ever created, so my opinion of these animals is much skewed.  My sister, the First Born, loves her "sweet" babies.

Foxy, practicing his "I didn't do it" look.

Cammie Jo, practicing her "I did it, so what?" look.

So, when my in laws informed me that they were getting a horse, I thought "Okay, a horse.  Well, that is scary."  Oh, little did I know...

Meet Charlie: part horse, part woolly mammoth.

Does this give you a better idea of his size?  Some of us aren't scared at all.  Some of us use the zoom on our cameras and keep our distance.  Some of us even RIDE Charlie.

Meet my wonderful, fearless (though tiny) mother-in-law.  It scares me that she rides Charlie, though I am sure she has no problem letting him know who is the boss.  Sometimes I wish I could borrow her bravery...and her energy.

That's it, Charlie.  Head down, eyes on the grass. 

Oh, no.  I think he's looking at me. 

*Insert scream.  Run for the house.*

Chins Update

I have had several kind inquiries concerning the post-operative condition of our beloved Chins Monroe.  His surgery went well, and no evidence of infection has appeared.  However, his spark is off.

Note the pensive stare, the distancing of himself from his friends and family.  He seems to have lost interest in the things he once loved and his appetite is off.  Either he has an acute case of depression and needs some Cymbalta, or he knows something we don't.

The vet informed us prior to surgery that there was no way to know if the cancer had already spread to other parts of his body.  At this time, we are waiting and praying that Chins improves soon.  While we wait, we pet and love and feed and dote.  And hope.

Daddy's Girl

Oh, the things Daddies will do for their daughters.  Last week we found out that Tiny Love's cat, Chins Monroe (named by her), has throat cancer. 

Chins is a sweet, gentle cat that wandered into our yard one day and then never left.  Tiny adopted him and our dog and Chins quickly became best friends, even sharing a doggie bed at night.  Chins is now part of the family.  So, what should we do when surgery is several hundred dollars and the only alternative is to put Chins to sleep?  We discussed it with Maddie.

Tiny Love:  "Well Dad, I can do lots of extra chores to help pay for his surgery."

Dad:  "It costs a lot."

Tiny Love:  "This is pretty much the worst day of my life."  *tears*

Dad:  "I will pay for the surgery.  Chins will be fine."

So Daddy will work extra hours to save the life of Chins Monroe and put a smile back on Tiny Love's face.

Because that is the man I married.