I'm no stranger to living with boys. I grew up with two brothers. I would wager the majority of my friend are guys. Despite all of that, I have learned a few things since I moved in here with my friends and their sons.
Lesson 1: I was laying in my bed reading one night. The rest of the house was next door in Lisa & Dave's room. I do not try to eavesdrop, but being right next door, sometimes sound just travels. I caught a tidbit of advice that night.
Being a girl, and having a daughter, and having gone through college for nursing and working as a nurse, I'd heard the advice to wipe little girls from front to back to prevent spreading opportunistic infections to the urinary tract. I never thought about that for little boys. They kind of have a speed bump that would prevent that, right?
Apparently not. While talking to the 4 year old, I heard Dave instruct, "Wipe from front to back. You don't want to get frosting on your doodads." I laughed.
Lesson 2: Another night as I was coming out of my room on my way down the stairs to get a drink, I saw the 4 year old run past downstairs into the half bath next to the stairs. The light went on. That's a sure sign it's night because he doesn't turn the light on during the day. He just leaves the door open, regardless of what he's doing in there. I have walked past the bathroom numerous times only to get a glimpse of the kid sitting on the throne, pants around his ankles, singing. Yes, he sings while he poops. Never saw that before either. But I digress.
This particular night Dave was trying to get them ready for bed. They're like every other 4 and 6 year old I have ever met. They stall. "I need to go to the bathroom." "I need a drink." "I have to say good night to the cat." "I need a hug." So there goes Dave checking in to make sure the kid is not stalling in the bathroom. More good advice came forth.
"Pee in the bowl! We do not do theatrics with our penis while we are peeing." Never would have thought anyone would need to know that, but apparently when you're 4 you still need a reminder.
Lesson 3: When children are playing hide and seek, you need to look EVERYWHERE! Especially in the bathroom cabinets before you try to use the toilet. Today as I was heading towards the bathroom, JJ ran past and asked, "Have you seen Jeremy?" Nope.
I got to the bathroom, turned the light on, closed the door, and nearly jumped out of my skin when the cabinet under the sink opened and a 6 year old popped his head out and yelled, "PEEK A BOO!"
"Good Lord! Do not do that! Get out of here, I have to pee!"
So for any of you out there not accustomed to little boys, there's three lessons you need to know. In case you ever find yourself living with little boys, remember to check the bathroom cabinet BEFORE you sit on the toilet! And remember to check the seat for the remnants of theatrics!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Quasimoto Day
It's pathetic. I didn't do much at all yesterday. Yet this morning I
woke up in awful pain and had trouble getting out of bed. I pulled
myself to the edge of the bed, pushed up to a sitting position, and
opened the night stand drawer. I shook out a Vicodin and swallowed it
with the last little bit of water left in my cup, specifically left for
this purpose.
I placed my feet on the floor about hip width apart, and pushed my weight onto them. I grabbed hold of the dresser and "stood." My knees remained bent, my back remained hunched over. Deep breath. Straighten spine. Not happening. Deep breath. Straighten legs. Not so much. Oh well.
I hobbled my way to the bathroom down the hall. Leaning on the sink counter, I managed to sit and stand as necessary. Still leaning, I washed my face, scrubbing the sleep out of my eyes. I turned and dried off on my towel, still hunched over. So this is how it's to be, Quasimoto day, hunched over. Another of the terms my daughter and I use to describe what kind of day I am having. Definitely a day to remember the instruction, "Stand. THEN walk." Some days I forget and try to stand and walk at the same time like I used to. On days like this, it doesn't work so well.
Out of the bathroom and it's time for the stairs! Yay! Woo! Ugh! Ok, hand on railing, other forearm braced against opposite wall, step down on right foot, pain in back and left leg. Move left leg to catch up to right leg. Breath. Reposition hands a few inches further down. Step down on left leg this time, pain in back, move right to catch up. Reposition hands. Step down on left again. And so it was for all 13 steps. Deep breath. Hobble to kitchen and put on coffee, my sweet, wonderful, morning "Wake Up Juice."
I've managed to make it upstairs to brush my teeth, and back and forth from the dining room computer back to the kitchen to drain more of the coffee pot. I think today's gonna be a slow one. Hope you all have a wonderful day. I think I'm gonna be reading a bit :-)
I placed my feet on the floor about hip width apart, and pushed my weight onto them. I grabbed hold of the dresser and "stood." My knees remained bent, my back remained hunched over. Deep breath. Straighten spine. Not happening. Deep breath. Straighten legs. Not so much. Oh well.
I hobbled my way to the bathroom down the hall. Leaning on the sink counter, I managed to sit and stand as necessary. Still leaning, I washed my face, scrubbing the sleep out of my eyes. I turned and dried off on my towel, still hunched over. So this is how it's to be, Quasimoto day, hunched over. Another of the terms my daughter and I use to describe what kind of day I am having. Definitely a day to remember the instruction, "Stand. THEN walk." Some days I forget and try to stand and walk at the same time like I used to. On days like this, it doesn't work so well.
Out of the bathroom and it's time for the stairs! Yay! Woo! Ugh! Ok, hand on railing, other forearm braced against opposite wall, step down on right foot, pain in back and left leg. Move left leg to catch up to right leg. Breath. Reposition hands a few inches further down. Step down on left leg this time, pain in back, move right to catch up. Reposition hands. Step down on left again. And so it was for all 13 steps. Deep breath. Hobble to kitchen and put on coffee, my sweet, wonderful, morning "Wake Up Juice."
I've managed to make it upstairs to brush my teeth, and back and forth from the dining room computer back to the kitchen to drain more of the coffee pot. I think today's gonna be a slow one. Hope you all have a wonderful day. I think I'm gonna be reading a bit :-)
Rice Krispie Night
I didn't manage to get on here too much yesterday. I was having an exhausted, ouchie, Rice Krispie day. During the course of my troubles, my daughter and I have come up with some humorous ways to describe my pain and it's effects. I have learned a lot. When my joints snap, crackle, and pop when I move, it's a Rice Krispie Day. I stand up, and off they go! Crackle, crackle, snap, POP!
Once I was awake and had coffee in me, I put in my contacts. I voiced my inner debate of "Shall I shower?" My friend, Lisa, said not if it was going to drain me. I asked, "Does that mean you think my hair is fixable?" Yes. It's a bun day! Clothes and makeup on, hair pinned up, and I was ready to go - albeit SLOWLY!
On our way out the door to Lisa's doctor appointment, JJ (4 years old) didn't close the screen door on his way out. Seiji took the opportunity to jet outside and under the porch. There we were. Two women and two boys trying to chase and grab a spunky 5 month old kitten who had a taste of freedom.
I have never had a cat that likes to be inside all the time. Seiji runs to look out the door whenever it is open. He sits in the living room window and watches the birdies at the bird feeder. He enjoys being held outside so he can look around and smell the air. I have a little harness and leash for him so he can explore the porch. I haven't taken him out on it lately, I'll have to so I can resume training him to stay on the porch and decrease his likelihood of taking off.
In the driver's seat, Lisa on her donut cushion, and two boys strapped into their booster seats in the back, we were off to Lisa's doctor appointment. The boys were good. We had over an hour wait in the waiting room while the doctor adjusted Lisa's suture and checked her wound.
Poor Jeremy (6 years old) looked pretty miserable. He's been having tummy troubles this week. We stopped at the drive-thru of McDonald's for lunch on the way home (I know, horrible for my diet). Two Fish McBites kid's meals ordered, two chicken nugget meals ordered, and BLECH! Oh boy! Good thing Jeremy's seat is near the window. Some quick thinking on his part and I caught a glimpse of the poor kid's head popping out the window and his breakfast coming back up. Yech! I'm surprised the car behind us still had an appetite and ordered after us.
After lunch, it was nap time! I love my naps. I hate that I need them, but I only get through a half a day before I am hurting too much to do anything and need to lie down. It's crazy how exhausting pushing through pain can be. Simple little things become HUGE energy expenditures.
I took it easy the rest of the day. I sat on the couch and watched American Idol's Sudden Death night for the first round of boys. I replied to an email. And that was about all I managed to do.
How was your yesterday?
Once I was awake and had coffee in me, I put in my contacts. I voiced my inner debate of "Shall I shower?" My friend, Lisa, said not if it was going to drain me. I asked, "Does that mean you think my hair is fixable?" Yes. It's a bun day! Clothes and makeup on, hair pinned up, and I was ready to go - albeit SLOWLY!
On our way out the door to Lisa's doctor appointment, JJ (4 years old) didn't close the screen door on his way out. Seiji took the opportunity to jet outside and under the porch. There we were. Two women and two boys trying to chase and grab a spunky 5 month old kitten who had a taste of freedom.
I have never had a cat that likes to be inside all the time. Seiji runs to look out the door whenever it is open. He sits in the living room window and watches the birdies at the bird feeder. He enjoys being held outside so he can look around and smell the air. I have a little harness and leash for him so he can explore the porch. I haven't taken him out on it lately, I'll have to so I can resume training him to stay on the porch and decrease his likelihood of taking off.
In the driver's seat, Lisa on her donut cushion, and two boys strapped into their booster seats in the back, we were off to Lisa's doctor appointment. The boys were good. We had over an hour wait in the waiting room while the doctor adjusted Lisa's suture and checked her wound.
Poor Jeremy (6 years old) looked pretty miserable. He's been having tummy troubles this week. We stopped at the drive-thru of McDonald's for lunch on the way home (I know, horrible for my diet). Two Fish McBites kid's meals ordered, two chicken nugget meals ordered, and BLECH! Oh boy! Good thing Jeremy's seat is near the window. Some quick thinking on his part and I caught a glimpse of the poor kid's head popping out the window and his breakfast coming back up. Yech! I'm surprised the car behind us still had an appetite and ordered after us.
After lunch, it was nap time! I love my naps. I hate that I need them, but I only get through a half a day before I am hurting too much to do anything and need to lie down. It's crazy how exhausting pushing through pain can be. Simple little things become HUGE energy expenditures.
I took it easy the rest of the day. I sat on the couch and watched American Idol's Sudden Death night for the first round of boys. I replied to an email. And that was about all I managed to do.
How was your yesterday?
The Fins and Fur of the Family
Yesterday morning I decided to give my fish a treat. I fed them
bloodworms instead of flakes. They love them! My favorite part is
watching them swim around with their little "snorkels" during breakfast.
They take part of the worm in, swim a bit, then gulp more in, swim a
bit - it takes a few bites. They are so silly when they have half a
worm hanging out. It literally looks like a snorkel.
I have a male Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish) named Poseidon, a female Betta named Saphire (My original female was Artemis, Poseidon got lonely when she died), 4 zebra Danios (John, Paul, Ringo and Tigger), 5 Glofish (Also Danios, but neon colored red - named Charmander, orange - named Sunburst, yellowy green is Pikachu, purple is Amethyst, and blue is Saphira), and an Otocinclus Catfish named Bast (after the Egyptian cat goddess, she's our catfish goddess). All of the plants in my tank are real. The fake ones collect too much algae. I have Anubias, Argentine Swords, a Coconut and one I am not sure of currently (It was in the clearance tank and looked pretty). They are my calming therapy.
The dogs are nuts. I was doing laundry and Bailey, the older of the two decided lying in front of the dryer would be great. So much for finishing my laundry, I couldn't reach over her and she refused to move. The other dog, Buddy (or Sir Budrick, as I like to call him), continuously wanted to go outside! I let him out THREE times in an hour! Of course, Bailey refused to get up. She preferred to wait until I wasn't looking and then pee on the floor. Old age and incontinence issues get her pretty far.
While I was throwing a towel on the kitchen floor, I heard a CRASH! Oh no! There's my kitten, Seiji (pronounced Say-gee, it's Japanese for "lawful"), being anything but lawful. The hamster cage was knocked off the cabinet and leaning on the fish tank! Luckily, the little Hammie, Simon, was curled up in his sleeping quarters and did not get knocked out. And there's the cat, sitting there looking at me as if to say, "What? I don't know how that got like that."
Sheesh!
I have a male Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish) named Poseidon, a female Betta named Saphire (My original female was Artemis, Poseidon got lonely when she died), 4 zebra Danios (John, Paul, Ringo and Tigger), 5 Glofish (Also Danios, but neon colored red - named Charmander, orange - named Sunburst, yellowy green is Pikachu, purple is Amethyst, and blue is Saphira), and an Otocinclus Catfish named Bast (after the Egyptian cat goddess, she's our catfish goddess). All of the plants in my tank are real. The fake ones collect too much algae. I have Anubias, Argentine Swords, a Coconut and one I am not sure of currently (It was in the clearance tank and looked pretty). They are my calming therapy.
The dogs are nuts. I was doing laundry and Bailey, the older of the two decided lying in front of the dryer would be great. So much for finishing my laundry, I couldn't reach over her and she refused to move. The other dog, Buddy (or Sir Budrick, as I like to call him), continuously wanted to go outside! I let him out THREE times in an hour! Of course, Bailey refused to get up. She preferred to wait until I wasn't looking and then pee on the floor. Old age and incontinence issues get her pretty far.
While I was throwing a towel on the kitchen floor, I heard a CRASH! Oh no! There's my kitten, Seiji (pronounced Say-gee, it's Japanese for "lawful"), being anything but lawful. The hamster cage was knocked off the cabinet and leaning on the fish tank! Luckily, the little Hammie, Simon, was curled up in his sleeping quarters and did not get knocked out. And there's the cat, sitting there looking at me as if to say, "What? I don't know how that got like that."
Sheesh!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Seiji, the Kitten!
Tuesday I took the kitten, Seiji (pronounced Say-Gee, Japanese for Lawful), to the vet for his next round of immunizations. They bounced my appointment back an hour due to an emergency C-section that was coming in. When we got there they were just finishing up. From the exam room we could hear the squeaks of the new babies :-) Nine brand new Golden Retriever puppies! Seiji didn't mind the wait. He had fun checking out the fake plant, smelling everything, and chasing bally toys.
Seiji is 4 1/2 months old now. He has a beautiful medium-dark gray coat that is so soft. His eyes are gorgeous! They are jade green right around his pupils and a lovely amber golden color further out on his iris. He likes to play catch and fetch with tootsie roll wrappers. He will bring you the wrapper and drop it next to you. He looks from the wrapper to you and back again. When you flick the wrapper away, he goes NUTS chasing it. A lot of times he catches it midair! Then he brings it back to you and drops it for you to do it all over again!
I asked the doctor to check his ears again because he has been scratching them again this past week. Ear mites, round #2. :-( Doc flushed them and swabbed them out. Seiji wasn't a big fan of that. Then the assistant held Seiji while he got his shots (2nd distemper and 1st FIV). Seiji successfully jumped out of her hands. First he hid back in his carrier. That didn't work - I picked it up, put it back on the table, and "on three" doc pulled him out while I pulled the carrier away. The second time he got smarter and hid under the bench.
We have another appointment this Thursday for his Rabies and his first Feline Leukemia vaccines. I don't want to go through another sudden death from leukemia like I did with our last kitty, Sakura. Next month Seiji will be old enough to be neutered. The vet agrees and said, "Then we'll tutor him so he's a smart kitty!"
Seiji is 4 1/2 months old now. He has a beautiful medium-dark gray coat that is so soft. His eyes are gorgeous! They are jade green right around his pupils and a lovely amber golden color further out on his iris. He likes to play catch and fetch with tootsie roll wrappers. He will bring you the wrapper and drop it next to you. He looks from the wrapper to you and back again. When you flick the wrapper away, he goes NUTS chasing it. A lot of times he catches it midair! Then he brings it back to you and drops it for you to do it all over again!
I asked the doctor to check his ears again because he has been scratching them again this past week. Ear mites, round #2. :-( Doc flushed them and swabbed them out. Seiji wasn't a big fan of that. Then the assistant held Seiji while he got his shots (2nd distemper and 1st FIV). Seiji successfully jumped out of her hands. First he hid back in his carrier. That didn't work - I picked it up, put it back on the table, and "on three" doc pulled him out while I pulled the carrier away. The second time he got smarter and hid under the bench.
We have another appointment this Thursday for his Rabies and his first Feline Leukemia vaccines. I don't want to go through another sudden death from leukemia like I did with our last kitty, Sakura. Next month Seiji will be old enough to be neutered. The vet agrees and said, "Then we'll tutor him so he's a smart kitty!"
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