Back from the vet - which went much better than I had hoped for as Arthur's wounds still looked superficial and he is not in any distress. So the total amount is:

1 minute examination: $41.00
Amoxicillin x 10 tablets: $18.40

Plus taxes and a bag of dry food that suddenly went up in price by 25% for a total of $85.15.

I think it's time to reconsider the catfood.

I feel like screaming!

Arthur was attacked AGAIN by another cat - within 20 minutes of going outside by a tabby with white spots around its face.

He's back to the vet tomorrow morning.

He is too old for this!

While Satchel is at sleep-away camp in the far, far away land of Aurora - Jakob has created his own camping experience. Here he sleeps, in his bed away from bed, a rocket shaped tent with all his stuffed animals placed protectively outside on a sleeping bag. And his most powerful talisman keeping guard on one of the flames.

I got my first tattoo today!

Nothing exciting, just a nipple.

I was told by one doctor that she had heard of a woman opting to have an eyeball tattooed rather than just the colouration of a nipple - I said "no, call me a traditionalist, but I'll keep it natural." Then added "That woman was a freak! What was she thinking?! I can imagine many other things...but an EYEBALL?!." What is she going to do, pull down her shirt and say "I can see you!"

I have to say that it's weird knowing something is being done to your body but you feel nothing. First a series of needles containing a freezing agent were injected deeply under the nipple and I knew she was doing it, couldn't see it because I was lying down and covered with towels, but felt nothing. I asked why bother and she said just in case plus it slows the blood flow. I closed my eyes focusing hard on feeling something, but there was nothing.

It's creepy. Really creepy.

During the tattooing I could feel a slight sensation of the pressure caused by the dragging of the needle but nothing else. Now I have a huge bandage so I'm not sure what they've done - there could be an eyeball and I won't know for 2 more days.

I really hope not.

The process seems different from a traditional tattoo: first they paint the pigment on to the skin and then attack you with the needle, plus I'm lying in a comfortable bed, surrounded by very nice women dressed in white which no piercings or body markings to speak of - and remember the drugs.

All very civilized.

I had my allergy testing today - but I'm very suspicious. First I've gained 6 pounds, lost 1/2 an inch in height and my blood pressure has shot from a standard 110/70 to 130/78. I'm most irritated about the 6 pounds. Plus the waiting room was decked out in religious reproductions and the angry young woman behind the desk spent her time licking labels and ignoring people in the waiting room.

The doctor was lovely though made me realize I am not nearly as curious about the world as I thought I was as he grilled me about the big apple in Kingston and WHY as a citizen of Ontario HAD I NEVER BEEN IN IT?!!

Anyway, I left the office with 10 long scratches across my arm and a list saying I should cut down on:

kiwi, apples, peaches, tuna, shrimp, salmon, peanuts and eggs and of course sulfite which was not on the list but my whole reason for going. I should also avoid, and thus hire a cleaning person and gardener, mold, dust, ragweed, tobacco smoke, grass pollens, tree pollens, weeds, cat hair and dog hair.

I kind of want to mess with my neighbour's head and not let on that the scratches are a result of allergy testing but make him worry about my mental health and think I'm cutting myself. Never mind, I just had a drink with the neighbours and confessed my plan.

Man, the scratches are really starting to hurt!

July 17, 1968

The world became a better, though slightly crazier, place with the birth of THESE TWO:



Thomas - wishing you a fantastic birthday! Dave - you too, but you have never read my blog and will therefore never know the greetings and possible slight humiliation being passed your way.

xoxox

Oh yeah, we're a good looking family.

I'm getting my tattoo next Wednesday!

The final stage of reconstruction will soon be over with. Just in time for my next mammogram/MRI.

It's a good day - I had a fabulous review at work complete with a very acceptable raise and I don't hate my hair which prompted me to cancel my hair appointment for tomorrow.

This is the look I'm striving for:



It's uncanny how much we look alike.

Saturday we took the boys on a surprise trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls. It was nothing short of AWESOME! When we walked in to the hotel, Jakob couldn't stop screaming...and that was before we saw the indoor water park!

Then Sunday we moved on to the actual Falls - described simply by Jakob as boring. He's a tough nut to crack, that one.

I know the name of my nemesis - sulfite.

Another allergic reaction on Friday to dried mango and a hot rush after making a fabulous dinner of lemon chicken and potatoes with spinach and almonds.

Cursed sudden allergy.

If I run away from home, let it be known that it is because our house is filthy and I'm quickly being driven insane by an overload of testosterone and sloth-like tendencies.

And because our house is still reading 81*.

Man it's hot outside. Good day to come home and christen the air condition unit - I can just imagine how wonderful the cold blast of air is going to feel. After all, it's 34* outside but feels like 43* and I lost 5 pounds in fluid just walking to pick Satchel up from camp.

But oh wait, it doesn't WORK. Our brand new, upgraded, over-priced air conditioning unit doesn't work - because you just KNOW the idiots didn't even bother to test it after it was installed.

Paul called John, John said to check fuses and to call him back after Paul got home and checked things out in a manly guy way.

Some mornings are best spent in bed.

Which was my first thought when I woke with a weather-induced headache. But when you only work part-time, you think to yourself "oh suck it up princess, you can get your sorry ass out of bed for a few hours anyway."

My morning started with Satchel and I leaving the house, me on my bike and Satch on his scooter, to first find Jakob's car window had been left wide open since Tuesday night, and we have only had rain since Wednesday morning. I considered this a sign that I had made a mistake.

Then my pant leg gets caught in my bike chain and I stop to fix it only to raise my body and have my Tiffany necklace chain snap like thread after getting caught on the handlebar..and I think, and say loudly, "FUCK!!!!"
'
Unfortunately there was an older woman putting her garbage out and right beside me when I said my favourite word loudly. I explained "but it's a Tiffany necklace!", tucked it into my pocket and headed off to Satchel's camp.

Then the heavens opened and the rain poured down - hard, the entire way to work.

I should have stayed in bed became my mantra the entire ride in.

But as always, there is a silver lining to every cloud: the shoes that I have been coveting for months were on the clearance table and in my size! So they just had to be mine to make up for the rest of the day.

I go to bed a very happy woman.

Thomas sent a birthday email celebrating Arthur's 15th year.

He's looking pretty good for an old pansy.

1st picture: Arthur with his birthday treat (extra large portion of wet food)

2nd picture: Arthur and Hamish enjoying their loot bags (wet food)

And finally, Arthur post birthday treats (enjoying the lingering flavour of wet food on his oversized lips)


Happy Birthday Arthur!

Through clenched teeth and over the din of a crying child - I wish everyone a wonderful long weekend. Happy Canada's Day!