Everybody say "oopsy"

If you read here periodically you may remember that one of our cats has had health issues pertaining to her urinary system.

Cleo (Brian's cat) has had struvite crystals (akin to kidney stones), which was always an odd coincidence since Brian has had (and continues to be plagued with) stones.

At any rate, over the last year - give or take - Cleo has run into another issue, which we've managed to hurdle as a family on those 'crappy' occasions.  She becomes blocked (not constipated), and when that happens, our first warning of a bumpy day to come begins with her violent vomiting and extremely hot ears; continual, fruitless trips to the cat box; quiet whimpering; butt crawling; malaise; straining and dripping butt mud. 

It's a long road for her, but it finally culminates in a large stool or two.

We try to keep her cordoned in a small area and we line the floor with layers of newspapers.  We supply a small, make-shift cat box for her mental comfort, and keep her company and give her support when the going becomes extra rough.  When she begins to leak wet stool ("dripping butt mud"), I clean her bum after each try at evacuating stool - for this I am licked furiously, but lovingly.  Eventually, she is able to go.

She won't accept milk, and rarely drinks water while having an episode.  It's a wait-and-see ordeal, usually resulting in positive results anywhere from four to six hours after it begins.

She very recently had one of these bouts and I read online where a vet recommended a small amount of Metamucil be added to water and/or food to help 'grease the wheel.'  So, we rushed to the store and bought our girl a small supply, and hours later (after adding it to very wet canned food), plop went the weasel!  It was also suggested that canned pumpkin or mineral oil be added to the diet on a fairly regular basis.   Well, one of these will be added right away to keep her from suffering like this again.

We were so relieved for her that I lay down on the sofa with Cleo and we took a catnap.  However, before we closed our eyes, I neglected to pick up the small container of Metamucil-spiked water, and I awoke to the sounds of one of the other cat lapping at the water!

Um....oopsy.

Yabba Dabba Dooooo

Just felt like saying it...no reason other than I think it sounds funny.

"Ointment" is another word that causes me to giggle.

Oh, and any word that sounds - or syllabically reminds me of 'phenomenon' - gets me humming a tune that I remember from a skit once done on the Muppet Show. Ask my kids, they'll hum it for you (so will I, for that matter).

"Rectum" has had an odd place of honor in our household of late. You really had to be there. Suffice to say, playing the "rectum game" was hours of fun over the weekend, and still manages to pop in and out sporadically. You 'recties' will understand.

Note to self: start list of titles, cuz they was funny.

Poor January...you were gyped

As blog months go...you got rooked in the entry department. Sorry, old friend. And, nothing personal intended, January, but crap! - you were a sh*t month (thanks for the permission, Brad).

Between school and the state of Michigan (currently, one huge "state" of discontent, confusion and denial), I have been enormously shafted...and not in the good way. Geez, could there be an easier way to take someones money and not give them anything in return to show for it? Oh wait...yes, there is. It's called 'Specs-freakin'-Howard's-idea-of-FCP-and-PSD-instruction' (A.K.A. Four-tremendously-disjointed-weeks-of-delivery-and-little-practical-use-during-the-learning-stages).

The way in which the 3rd quarter has been presented, and the content delivered, is truly a work of art. [Yes! I know I am being completely sarcastic here. Sit down, mom.] The instructors are great - and really know their stuff - but have been given so little time to impart the knowledge (holiday interruptions not withstanding), then have to get on with the next portion of the quarter. There is no reason the information/lesson portion could not have lasted the ENTIRE eight weeks, given that next (the last quarter) quarter, we only have two basic classes - one of which will be a huge waste of time for me - at least 50% of it!

Gorram it!!!!!!

As for the state of Michigan... [growl, growly-growl, rrrrrr] No worker left behind - my ass! How do you want your load of sh*t from the state delivered? By the spoonful, the shovelful, or up your butt as an enema? Suffice it to say (right now), that the story is far too long to get into here...but, stop by with a glass of Samos and I will happily tell you where not to be unemployed (with expectations of the state delivering your UIA payments in a timely way after completing all paperwork and jumping through all hoops - as indicated by rude phone liaisons).

Lastly, the gossip girls have really got to grow up. The class disfunction is enough, without the b*tchy attitudes and childish one-upsmanship (which isn't required). Really, it isn't. How long do you think you will last with that sort of extreme nyah-nyah attitude and work ethic in the real world? CLUE: You WON'T!

So, thppppbbbbt!