Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Bonfire
Really just burning trash/cardboard so a very short, smoky, and not very good one. But it makes us excited for those times to come...
Monday, February 27, 2017
Crawfordsville Saturday
Last weekend...when the weather was beautiful...lunch and play at Turtle Park/Dari-Licious. Plus a scavenger hunt and play at the Library.
There was a time (not too long ago) when she could stand up in this!
Friday, February 24, 2017
They're Back...
We had one more project on our list that had priority. Our contractor has been back this week moving a door to our 1/2 bath. Of course, I forgot to get before pictures, but did find one from before we had possession and we were documenting the ceiling/light work we wanted done (first project).
You can see the entrance to the bath was on the fourth wall in the family room. It had a big step up, took away a wall from being completely usable, and was just awkward for people to use (everyone would be watching you enter).
They are almost done now and you can see the immediate difference this makes. They have removed the door, dry-walled, mudded, sanded, and primed the wall. Tomorrow they will paint it.
The entrance has been moved around the corner in a little half hall. It still is a little awkward if people are facing that wall, but it's much more private. They finished trimming out the door and priming this wall.
Inside the bathroom, we also had them take down some wall paper trim, mud and sand the inside of the old door, and prime the walls of the bathroom. There was some damage to the cheap linoleum when they cut the new door, but we had some spare tiles and just had them replace the damaged ones for now. I do want to get new flooring after they paint, but Kevin can put that down.
This makes a world of difference and we can't wait until our furniture arrives in about 6 weeks to finally start utilizing our family room.
You can see the entrance to the bath was on the fourth wall in the family room. It had a big step up, took away a wall from being completely usable, and was just awkward for people to use (everyone would be watching you enter).
They are almost done now and you can see the immediate difference this makes. They have removed the door, dry-walled, mudded, sanded, and primed the wall. Tomorrow they will paint it.
The entrance has been moved around the corner in a little half hall. It still is a little awkward if people are facing that wall, but it's much more private. They finished trimming out the door and priming this wall.
Inside the bathroom, we also had them take down some wall paper trim, mud and sand the inside of the old door, and prime the walls of the bathroom. There was some damage to the cheap linoleum when they cut the new door, but we had some spare tiles and just had them replace the damaged ones for now. I do want to get new flooring after they paint, but Kevin can put that down.
This makes a world of difference and we can't wait until our furniture arrives in about 6 weeks to finally start utilizing our family room.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Mental Health Day
I let Camden take some "mental health" days from school. Occasionally, her emotions just are over-spilling and she needs a day to regroup. Last week I let her stay home one day just for this reason. She was restless by mid-morning and called to ask to go do something with Gramma Pat. Whoa! No way! If you can't go to school, you can't be out having fun. But in late afternoon (once school was over and she had done some multiplication practice) I allowed her to go do something with Gramma. They chose a game of bowling. After work, I got there just in time to snap a photo.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Hair, Hair, Hair
As her hair grows, we have been trying different barrettes and bows. They usually don't last but an hour at school, but we attempt anyway. Her head is so tender, it makes it hard to do anything. She look so beautiful with it pulled back.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Monday, February 20, 2017
Valentine's Day
New Market Elementary has a tradition of Valentine's boxes. I asked Camden about what she wanted to do this year and she said she already made it at school. Her teacher gave them the option, so she made a paper cat box at school. Fabulous! All we had to do was get cards and address them.
Monday night before the big day, I was at two meetings starting right after work and continuing until about 8:30pm. I called in between and reminded them to do the cards. The second I walk in the door, Camden comes running up to me, "Mom, I need a Valentine's box!" What?!? I asked you about it last week (it didn't hold up so she needed a new one). You've been at home for 5 hours with 2 other adults (well...I didn't think to tell them). Geesh! Find a box and make it simple! Thankfully she wanted a monster.
Not too bad after all. Just wish it had been done on the weekend and not at 9 o'clock the night before. Thankfully Gramma could make the brownies I volunteered to make earlier in the day because her teacher forgot to ask until the day before too. We made two heart-shaped brownies - one with cream cheese frosting and the other with chocolate cream cheese frosting.
When I got home Tuesday night, we had a plethora of candy. Kevin bought each of the three ladies in the house a heart of chocolate. Then Gramma brought home a cake heart. We definitely got our chocolate fix this year!
Friday, February 17, 2017
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Chuck E. and Friends
Camden and I met up with my friend (and former colleague at Purdue) Kate and two of her kids on Saturday. Camden and Caroline are two weeks apart in age. They had such fun together.
It was so great to catch up with one of my favorite people at the same time that Camden played at one of her favorite places.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Kitchen & Dining Room
We have been shopping for the past month for furniture to complete several rooms. Our two biggest needs are family room furniture and a kitchen dining table. Because of our space, it was going to take just the right piece. We had been talking about doing an island, but had been seeing expandable tables that we really liked. We finally settled on this beauty.
Bandit had to check it out before we could put it up in his house.
It is mango wood with a cherry finish. It is counter height (love!) with a built in butterfly extension. Even at it's smallest, we have seating for 6. The extension just gives us more elbow room (and we could add additional chairs).
We also liked the bench seat, so chose to get it. It sits nicely against one of the walls and we just use the four chairs in everyday use.
This part of the house is now completely furnished. We still have a little bit of decorating to do, but not much. I don't like a lot of stuff on walls or sitting around. I do also love our newest wall art, "Family Rules" that is in our kitchen. Good reminders for us all.
Next purchase...family room furniture.
Bandit had to check it out before we could put it up in his house.
It is mango wood with a cherry finish. It is counter height (love!) with a built in butterfly extension. Even at it's smallest, we have seating for 6. The extension just gives us more elbow room (and we could add additional chairs).
We also liked the bench seat, so chose to get it. It sits nicely against one of the walls and we just use the four chairs in everyday use.
This part of the house is now completely furnished. We still have a little bit of decorating to do, but not much. I don't like a lot of stuff on walls or sitting around. I do also love our newest wall art, "Family Rules" that is in our kitchen. Good reminders for us all.
Next purchase...family room furniture.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Snoopy!
We have signed up for another session at Vanity Theater. Camden hasn't been involved in an activity for a while and several of her friends are in this production. The other reason we signed up for this one was that it was a brief one - just two practices, one song. We will still have two weekends of shows to participate in, but she was up for this mini-theater experience.
Her first practice was on Saturday and it went well. It was an 1 1/2 hours and I left and only came back for the last 10 minutes. But the song has been going through my head all week...
Monday, February 13, 2017
LuLa Roe
I'm not into the latest leggings craze, but one of Kevin's cousins and her kids sell them and several of my friends love them. One friend, and her twin daughters, had a party this weekend hosted by the girls. Camden and I (plus Gramma Pat) stopped in to do a little shopping.
Camden picked out several legging she liked and tried a pair on.
She liked how they fit and liked the designs. Since she wears leggings regularly, I decided I would get her a pair. She had picked out about 8 pairs. I told her to pick out one and decided on the Valentine's day pair - which was $10 off! Good choice!
The red "stripes" are actually hearts. I really like the pattern on this one. Especially because it doesn't scream Valentine's, so she can wear them year-round.
I also ended up getting a shirt (no leggings for me!).
Camden picked out several legging she liked and tried a pair on.
She liked how they fit and liked the designs. Since she wears leggings regularly, I decided I would get her a pair. She had picked out about 8 pairs. I told her to pick out one and decided on the Valentine's day pair - which was $10 off! Good choice!
The red "stripes" are actually hearts. I really like the pattern on this one. Especially because it doesn't scream Valentine's, so she can wear them year-round.
I also ended up getting a shirt (no leggings for me!).
Friday, February 10, 2017
Shoe Box Book Report
Camden had to complete a book report in a shoe box. She read the book, "Dogs in the Dead of Night." It is one of the Magic Tree House books.
She had to create her favorite scene from the book and then make 4 note cards outlining several aspects. It took a long time to find three St. Bernard dog figurines. We looked at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Dollar Tree, etc. Then we remembered that Big R has some of our favorite animal figures. And sure enough, we found the perfect ones...and fairly cheap too!
Next we needed a soldier from Napoleon's army. Right! We were pretty content to simply have a human figure, but then remembered that in the fall we had stopped at Game Preserve in Lafayette and they had a table of free items. We picked up a bunch of little historic people - pharoahs, cowboys, pirates, etc. I was pretty sure we had some sort of American Revolutionary soldiers. I found the bag (her room is still not completely organized!) and found a perfect soldier that could pass for French or American (red, white, and blue uniform).
The scene is in the Swiss Alps and an avalanche has buried the soldier. The two children have a magic potion they can drink which turns them into anything for 1 hour. The drink it and ask to turn into a St. Bernard dog. Together, along with a real St. Bernard, they rescue the soldier.
The entire outside had to be covered, so Camden and her dad spray painted it green. She and I glued Styrofoam cones in the box to give the mountains some slopes, then covered everything with bunting. We used felt to cover the inside lid and added a few clouds.
We buried the soldier up to his face and put a small, empty bottle next to the kids (already dogs).
It is very simple, but looks good!
She had to create her favorite scene from the book and then make 4 note cards outlining several aspects. It took a long time to find three St. Bernard dog figurines. We looked at Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Dollar Tree, etc. Then we remembered that Big R has some of our favorite animal figures. And sure enough, we found the perfect ones...and fairly cheap too!
Next we needed a soldier from Napoleon's army. Right! We were pretty content to simply have a human figure, but then remembered that in the fall we had stopped at Game Preserve in Lafayette and they had a table of free items. We picked up a bunch of little historic people - pharoahs, cowboys, pirates, etc. I was pretty sure we had some sort of American Revolutionary soldiers. I found the bag (her room is still not completely organized!) and found a perfect soldier that could pass for French or American (red, white, and blue uniform).
The scene is in the Swiss Alps and an avalanche has buried the soldier. The two children have a magic potion they can drink which turns them into anything for 1 hour. The drink it and ask to turn into a St. Bernard dog. Together, along with a real St. Bernard, they rescue the soldier.
The entire outside had to be covered, so Camden and her dad spray painted it green. She and I glued Styrofoam cones in the box to give the mountains some slopes, then covered everything with bunting. We used felt to cover the inside lid and added a few clouds.
We buried the soldier up to his face and put a small, empty bottle next to the kids (already dogs).
It is very simple, but looks good!
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Neutering Scare
Bandit went in Tuesday morning to the Vet to be neutered and declawed (front only). I dropped him off before work and they said I could call after noon to check on him. They put me through to the Vet when I called. "So you got my message?" No (stupid phone!). Anyway, she went on to tell me that during the procedure he started expelling fluid from his lungs - including blood! They finished the neutering procedure, but didn't declaw him since they wanted to stop the stress on his little body.
They did a CAT scan (ha!) and it showed more fluid. She said his blood did clot and his vitals were good the whole time, but he gave them a good scare. He was stable, but not "out of the woods." She said that could indicate a recent, fairly severe injury to his side or a bad heart. Could we think of any instances when he fell a significant distance or was kicked? No, but he is a very active, jumping cat and is always playing - very rough and tumble. She suggested we send the fluid for some testing to determine if it is his heart (he's a good cat, but we won't spend $200 on that sort of thing). They would watch him overnight.
I called the next morning and she asked whether we had any rat poison around the house? No. Are we in a new house? Yes. WELL....she said that was important. Turns out his blood wasn't clotting after all and this might indicate poisoning. Perhaps there was something in the house that he got into. The only thing I realized is that we just moved his litter box into our laundry area and there are two open closet areas that have utilities in them. We have never looked behind them and who knew if there was some De-Con type stuff back there. She said they gave him some vitamin K and he was up and about being very playful and doing great. I could come get him anytime.
He has to take it easy for the week, take more vitamin K and 2 antibiotics to clear up the fluid. We checked the utility area and there is nothing, but I did realize that I had liquid laundry detergent on the washer (in that same room) with a measuring cup that had residual soap in it. He has jumped up there to get a better view of our goldfish (on top of a very high cabinet that he can't reach). Perhaps he licked the cup? That is the only toxic thing we can think of, so we will resolve that issue.
He is pretty calm right now, but picking up his playfulness more and more. He is not supposed to jump, but he has gotten up on the coach and a bed to be with one of us. Hopefully this was just an incident and will not be a problem going forward. He will go back in a month and if things look good we will move forward with the declaw. They did put "soft paws" on him which is little plastic nail covers so he can't damage anything in the meantime.
We are glad he is home.
They did a CAT scan (ha!) and it showed more fluid. She said his blood did clot and his vitals were good the whole time, but he gave them a good scare. He was stable, but not "out of the woods." She said that could indicate a recent, fairly severe injury to his side or a bad heart. Could we think of any instances when he fell a significant distance or was kicked? No, but he is a very active, jumping cat and is always playing - very rough and tumble. She suggested we send the fluid for some testing to determine if it is his heart (he's a good cat, but we won't spend $200 on that sort of thing). They would watch him overnight.
I called the next morning and she asked whether we had any rat poison around the house? No. Are we in a new house? Yes. WELL....she said that was important. Turns out his blood wasn't clotting after all and this might indicate poisoning. Perhaps there was something in the house that he got into. The only thing I realized is that we just moved his litter box into our laundry area and there are two open closet areas that have utilities in them. We have never looked behind them and who knew if there was some De-Con type stuff back there. She said they gave him some vitamin K and he was up and about being very playful and doing great. I could come get him anytime.
He has to take it easy for the week, take more vitamin K and 2 antibiotics to clear up the fluid. We checked the utility area and there is nothing, but I did realize that I had liquid laundry detergent on the washer (in that same room) with a measuring cup that had residual soap in it. He has jumped up there to get a better view of our goldfish (on top of a very high cabinet that he can't reach). Perhaps he licked the cup? That is the only toxic thing we can think of, so we will resolve that issue.
He is pretty calm right now, but picking up his playfulness more and more. He is not supposed to jump, but he has gotten up on the coach and a bed to be with one of us. Hopefully this was just an incident and will not be a problem going forward. He will go back in a month and if things look good we will move forward with the declaw. They did put "soft paws" on him which is little plastic nail covers so he can't damage anything in the meantime.
We are glad he is home.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Mornings
Oh...to be able to start one hour later. Camden would enjoy getting out of bed so much more. As she says most mornings, "Moooommmm, why do you always wake me up when I'm tired?"
Monday, February 6, 2017
Sweet, Sleepy Cat
Bandit really is a welcome addition. He is very playful and loves his treats. If they are anywhere in the room, he tries to get the bag. He even opens drawers to get to them. Then he tries desperately to open the package (almost successfully). We have to keep them in the closet so he doesn't drive us bonkers with his constant searching.
He loves his toys and his climbing station. He also loves Camden. Most evenings he is napping and will let Camden sit close. Last night she rubbed his cheeks and chin while he snoozed. At one point she even covered him with her sleeping bag so that all that was showing was his head and he just slept through it. Camden tucked him in and said, "Perfect little human cat."
He loves his toys and his climbing station. He also loves Camden. Most evenings he is napping and will let Camden sit close. Last night she rubbed his cheeks and chin while he snoozed. At one point she even covered him with her sleeping bag so that all that was showing was his head and he just slept through it. Camden tucked him in and said, "Perfect little human cat."
Friday, February 3, 2017
Big Joe
Slowly, but surely, we are getting things for Camden's room. We still don't have a dresser, pet net (for all her stuffed animals) or a table (her request), but we have Big Joe.
It is a beanbag chair. Very sturdy and comfortable.
I bought it to put under her bed, but it is too big/she is too tall and so that doesn't work.
I may end up buying a second one so that when friends are over they both have comfortable seats. Or I may buy a smaller bean bag to go under her bed since she loves to hang out there.
Regardless, she loves Big Joe.
It is a beanbag chair. Very sturdy and comfortable.
I bought it to put under her bed, but it is too big/she is too tall and so that doesn't work.
I may end up buying a second one so that when friends are over they both have comfortable seats. Or I may buy a smaller bean bag to go under her bed since she loves to hang out there.
Regardless, she loves Big Joe.
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