Ringo has some opinions

 

I had to work a little late one evening recently, and Ringo had some opinions about that (none of them good). Sorry, Ringo, but sometimes there's just not enough hours in the workday to get things done. And it was only for one hour.

It's been a rough start to the year. My mom (Rene) learned she had breast cancer just after Christmas. She had stage 3 breast cancer 32 years ago, and the doctors think a cell or two migrated and went dormant for all of that time. She had her first chemo last week and, unfortunately, it put her in the hospital. It seems she's picked up every kind of infection there is, from a UTI, thrush, and an infected scratch on her arm. Plus, of course, diarrhea, low platelet count, and dehydration.

I'm thankful to have two sisters who are nurses. I've visited once and plan to make more trips, but right now we're waiting to see what changes will be made to her treatment plan. Prayers or good thoughts would be appreciated. It makes me sad to see her having to go through this again.

Thrifty Thursday: Precious Moments pieces

Since high school, I've collected Precious Moments pieces. My (now late) aunt gave me my first piece, and she had a collection too. One of the pieces of hers I'd admired most was a girl playing a piano.*

I've looked for these pieces off and on, but they aren't that common. I sure was surprised to find them (the boy version) at my nearby thrift store recently, for $9!

I've always loved the kitty on the piano.

The piano has a secret--it's a music box! (and it works)

The piece is dated 1985. I will treasure them.

* My aunt used to play the organ in church. I play the piano.

We are back home

After being away for a week, we are finally home. Jim's dad passed away on July 31, with me, mother-in-law, and a caregiver in the room. He was 85. This photo is when he was 18 and had enlisted in the Navy.

The week was a rush of funeral planning, errands, and paperwork. 

During his final days on earth, I read him my favorite book, The Fur Person (about a cat--he loved cats). When we arrived, he was already non-responsive, but I hope he could still hear us and knew we were there.

Watching someone die is an experience that is difficult, but I'm glad we were there. He left this world with love, prayer, and someone holding his hand.

A look back at baby Sadie

I was looking through some old photos and saw a bunch of baby Sadie. Gosh, she was a cute kitten. I thought I'd share a few photos from that time.

Benny meeting Sadie in October 2008. I love the look of surprise on her face.

For the first week or two that we had her, she liked being carried in pockets. I had given her a bath to remove fleas and had put her in my shorts pocket (September 2008).

Hey, look, there's a camera!

A photo I don't remember taking, likely October 2008. Note the chicken baby food on her face.

A favorite of her in November 2008 with my late Grandma.

Thinking of a family member today. . .

We has a sad this week. My (Rene's) uncle has had a long battle with cancer (five years!) but sadly, he is nearing the end of his time on earth. On Wednesday, we drove to Green Bay (about 2.5 hours north) to see him, likely for the last time alive.

You shouldn't have a "favorite," but he was the only uncle who played with my sisters and I as kids. He always remembered us at Christmas, and when we were in college he'd slip us a $20 from time to time. (He is also a big cat lover and recently lost his 21-year-old cat.)

I visited him a few weeks ago and during the conversation he asked my aunt to bring him a photo from his bedroom. She came back with this (sorry for the bad pic but it's all I could manage with the low lighting at the time).

This is my sister Cheryl at left, my grandma (his mom) and me. My grandma is holding her cat Yogi.

I was touched that he had this in his bedroom. I had never seen this photo before.

Godspeed, Uncle Mike. I sure will miss you and the kindness and love you've always shown my sisters and I.

Thrifty Thursday: Citywide rummage sale event

Every year I visit my parent's town for their annual citywide rummage sale event. I go with my sister and anyone else who wants to come along. This was my 14th year! 

It makes me giggle to see some of the street corners packed with signs. If one sign is good, a dozen signs are better!

It is interesting to see some of the oddities for sale.or instance, this bag of cotton from medicine bottles (it was the second year this woman had this for sale).

Or one of these "fat-busting" weight loss machines from the 1950s.

I did find a cute t-shirt.

One place had baby socks for free! I use them to make cat toys for the local shelters.

Our crew after 8 hours of rummage sling. My niece, me, and my sister Jill with our rolling bags.

Special memorial brick

My maternal grandmother died in June of 2015 at age 93. Regular visitors might remember that I was close to her and spent many summers on her farm as a child. Grandma loved animals, especially cats and dogs, and always had pets on the farm.

After she died, I asked my mom what charity I could donate to in her memory. My mom was too distraught to make a suggestion, so I pondered it for a while.

The answer came to me a few weeks later--I purchased a brick for the walkway at Elmbrook Humane Society. They are a no-kill shelter, and where we adopted Ringo from.

The brick is finally installed. It is a comfort to know it is there, and that the funds helped an animal.

The memorial walkway.

Goodbye, Baby the shih tzu

My parents' oldest dog, their shih tzu named Baby, went to the Bridge yesterday, at age 15.

She was a sweet dog who accidentally spent a night with us in 2012. My parents drove down to attend my stepdaughter's wedding and she stowed away in their minivan. Because of her dark color, they didn't notice her until they were more than an hour into the trip.

We didn't mind having her; she was raised with a kitten and ignored kitties. Even Benny wasn't bothered by her.

Run free, Baby. I hope Tucker greeted you at the Bridge.

Baby in healthier days.

A new family member

I'm excited to announce that I became a step grandma on Wednesday! Jim's daughter and her husband welcome Sawyer Vincent on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Is this a proud Grandpa or what?

The next day, I went grocery shopping and found these cupcakes called "Baby bloom." I had to buy them in celebration of Sawyer's birth.

Here's to Grandma

My Grandma loved broasted chicken. I learned last week that her favorite chicken place closed. That night, I bought some broasted chicken and we all had some in her memory.

Sadie LOVED it.

Ringo thought it was good, but it was not his favorite.

Benny ignored his, but Sadie was more than willing to eat it for him.

I'll miss you, Grandma

I'm very sorry to write that yesterday, my maternal grandmother passed away at the age of 93. I've always been quite close to her, and spent a lot of time with her over the years.

I was going through some photos, and had forgotten that we had taken Sadie to my parents' house for Thanksgiving. Grandma always loved cats, and spent a lot of time holding baby Sadie.

The funeral (as of this writing) is still pending. Rest in peace, Grandma. I'll sure miss you.

Thrifty Thursday: Citywide rummage sale finds

This isn't really about thrifting, but about another passion of mine: yard sales! Each May, my parents' town has a citywide rummage sale event. My sister and I go most of the day. It's a lot of fun, and I've found some interesting items.

Here are some things I found this year.

Baby socks (free!) to make these cat toys for the local shelters.

 

 

Baking items: Vintage bread pans (.50 each) and a Halloween cat cookie cutter (.25)

Hexbug trails for $2! These will be fun to use with the cats.

Rubber stamping items--the stamp sets are new!

Yarn, knitting needles, and some accessories, all for $1. More yarn for the shelter cats!

Of course, even if I found nothing, it's the thrill of the hunt and being with my sister that are the best parts. :-)

Starting the new year with memories of Berries

It has been a long time since I've posted anything about Berries. She was my childhood cat who lived 19 years, and she was a sweet and special girl.

My sister recently found a photo from summer 2005, Berries' last summer with us (she died in February 2006). I don't remember this photo but I'm so glad to have it. I'm holding my niece.

Celebrating a special family birthday

On Sunday, my grandmother turned 93. She had a difficult summer with illness, and we weren't sure if she was going to pull through. She did, and our family decided to throw her a birthday party.

This was my "Thanksgiving" this year, since the event was out of town and a few days before the holiday.

My sister Jill showing Grandma her cake, cupcakes, and display my niece and nephew made.

Grandma with three of her four children. My mom is at left.

Me with Grandma

Not everyone gets to blow out a 93!

Though  hectic and a long day, Grandma truly enjoyed it. She got tears in her eyes at least twice as she saw people she hadn't seen in many years. And that's all that matters. :-)

Special Tucker drawing

Thank you to everyone who shared their "rallying" moments with us. It is comforting to know Tucker's situation was not unique. I take comfort that I was able to share morning routines with him on his final day on Earth.

I wanted to share this drawing my niece (age 10) sent to me. She captured his colorings so well, and I appreciate that she tried to make it a "happy" picture. I'd like to think that Tucker is chasing butterflies on the Bridge.

It was also touching that, inside of the card she sent, she wrote "He is always in your heart." She is wise beyond her years.

Friday flashback: Mom and my grandmas

I've always loved this photo. Left to right, it's my mom, paternal grandma, and maternal grandma, taken circa 1969. 

My paternal grandma died a number of years ago, but my maternal grandma is still with us (at 92!). Grandma has had a difficult time healthwise lately, recently hospitalized for a bleeding ulcer, MRSA, and shingles (all at once!). Her health is already compromised with congestive heart failure and ulcers from peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Grandma is a strong woman, but has been quite weakened by all of this. At 92, she's lived an amazing life so far, and I hope that whatever time she has left on earth is peaceful and as pain free as possible. 

Friday flowers

Instead of a flashback, I thought I would show you the adorable vase of flowers my niece (8) arranged for me. She did a great job!

I was amused to see that the vase fit perfectly in my car's cup holder for the ride home.

Tucker and the pile of leaves

Last night, I took the boys outside to brush them. Tucker discovered a small pile of leaves near our porch;

Then he sat down in them! He looked so content.

In other news, I would appreciate some good thoughts for my sister Cheryl. She was recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, and it was such a surprise, since she is only 38. Unfortunately, breast cancer runs in our family (my mother is a survivor, and a paternal aunt died from it). I am wearing pink in her honor today. Ladies--get your mammograms and do your self exams!