Thursday, November 30, 2006

Kitten's new name

Well, our little girl kitten who turned out to be our little boy kitten has finally had a name change. Originally named Kharisse (Greek for grace) he has been renamed to Spazmanian Devil or Spaz for short.

This name comes after much deliberation and many possibilities. One name which was in contention was Chewy. Such a name was a very proper description of his horrible habit of chewing on things. (Shoes, couches, people...etc.) However, it was determined that due to the fact he is still only a few months old and we believe he will grow out of this habit, the name would not make much sense.

Spaz was originally determined by my brother Michael (Chewy was David's preference) but the full name of Spazmanian Devil was discovered by Suzanne, a wonderfully creative young woman who was staying with us for the weekend.

This proclamation is to officially name "Little Boy Cat" to "Spazmanian Devil."

SO PROCLAIMED!

Friday, November 17, 2006

You know you are the talk of the medical community when...

I have, what appears to be, your average ordinary head cold. Normally I could handle the weary, congested, light-headedness of it all but here is why its getting to me so hard...

Approximately 3 weeks ago I went to the doctor. I wasn't feeling particularly bad, except for the fact that the entire right side of my face was swollen! My eye had been swollen shut every morning for at least a week before I went to see the doctor. Following is the conversation which transpired:

After feeling around my ear and eye, "Your lymph nodes are swollen, have you ever had the mumps?"

"No, I had the shot when I was little though"

"What about Mononucleosis?"

"I had that when I was 12 years old, really bad case too. I missed the whole summer because of it."

After referring to his textbooks for a couple of minutes. "Any fever or vomiting?"

"Uh, no. I feel fine except for the fact that my head is swollen and I can't see straight"

"We could test you for Mono again...you could have reactivated it somehow."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Fine, test me for Mono. That still doesn't explain the swollen eye though does it?"

"They could be entirely unrelated. You could just have pink eye."

"Dude. Are you telling me that I could have contracted 'reactivated Mono' and 'pink eye' at the same time?"

Chuckling, "It is entirely possible. It still doesn't add up though. Have you changed anything in the last month or so? New laundry detergent, soap, diet?"

"Nope. Pretty consistent with all that stuff."

"Hmmm"

"We did get a cat about 6 weeks ago but I'm not allergic to cats."

Eyes as big as teacup saucers, "Reeeeaaaalllyy. How old is the cat?"

"Maybe three months old. Why?"

"Frisky?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your cat, is it frisky? Scratch and bite and all that?"

"Of course, basically looked like a Med school drop out was practicing stitch techniques on my arm."

"Your right arm?"

"Yeah, pretty much only my right arm, that's the one I use to play with the cat."

*Deep chuckle, pulling out his prescription notepad* "Ok, we'll test you for Mono but I'm 98% sure you have Cat Scratch Disease." *Chuckle Chuckle*

"WHAT???!!! Like the song?"

*Chuckle Chuckle*

"You're saying I have Cat Scratch Disease, Conjunctivitis, and possibly 'reactivated' Mono?"

*Chuckle Chuckle* "Yep, you're a regular smogasborg of interesting diagnostics" (no doubt referring to my x-ray noted in my ABC Meme)

So I left the Doctor's office with a prescription for some strong antibiotics, a new found distate for my innocent little kitten, and a Ted Nugent song circling around and around my head.

Two weeks later they called to tell me that I do indeed have "reactivated" Mono and that I should avoid any situations where I would be punched in my stomach. I guess I won't be taking those cannonball gut shots I was so looking forward to.

AND NOW...A HEAD COLD!!!!!

They should just put me in the hospital to research how many diagnoses one human being can actually have in one month. Sheesh

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

ABC Meme

Emma from Diary of a Young Wife posted an ABC Meme a long time ago. I was reading her archives and I thought it looked fun. So, "drum roll please" here is my first ever Meme.

Accent: I was a military brat growing up so I wasn't in any one place long enough to pick up an accent! Then DH and I moved to the Pittsburgh area. Now I guess I have a little Pittsburghese going on.

Bible book I like best: The Epistles: Romans through Thessalonians. They really lay out the heart and desire for God's people in this day and time.

Chore I Don't Care For: Dishes. Thankfully, DH likes to take care of them. He likes them because they are a quick chore (we have a dishwasher). I just don't like them, I don't know why.

Dog or Cat: Cat. Kharisse (Greek for Grace). At least that was "her" name until we found out that "she" was a "he." Now we have to figure out a new name for "him."

Essential Electronics: Laptop and Cell Phone. I simply don't know what I would do without my cell phone, didn't I always have one? LOL

Favorite Cologne(s): Omni by Bulova. Although I can't wear it because my DH has such bad allergies to cologne. We haven't found any cologne that he can tolerate.

Gold or Silver: Gold, the color of my wedding band and the predominant color in my favorite time of year...Autumn.

Handbag I carry most often: Vera Bradley - Petal Pink - Betsy Bag. It matches absolutely NOTHING and therefore it matches absolutely EVERYTHING!! I probably need to find a nice Autumn/Winter purse but I just can't imagine puting my Vera Bradley away. Maybe a new Vera in a different color...I will have to see.

Insomnia: It depends on whether I had caffine after 1 P.M. If I did, then I absolutely have insomnia. If not then no I don't.

Job Title: Legal Secretary - Awesome bosses but I would much rather be a full-time homemaker. However, I tried that and I was a horrible failure at it...This is the current enigma in my life, is the grass actually greener on the other side or do I just imagine it is. Am I cut out for being a stay-at-home wife? I just don't know.

Kids: No, we are believing for them. Until then, we are just enjoying each other and our recently adopted kitten.

Living arrangements: A sweet little (at least by outward appearances) Cape Cod style home with 4 bedrooms (2 of which are HUGE); 2 Bathrooms; Livingroom; Diningroom; Kitchen; Screened in porch; Full basement, 1/2 finished and a decent little postage stamp yard in the "Burbs." Recently purchased (about a year and a half ago) and in the process of redecorating/refinishing. Thus the desire to be a stay-at-home wife...there is A LOT to do.

Most admirable trait: I am a good listener. I have been told I have a very patient and loving attitude.

Naughtiest childhood behaviour: Lying. I was a horrible liar. It is not something I am proud of, but it is true. I still struggle with lying, its the little things that get me sometimes.

Overnight hospital stays: None other then when I was born.

Phobias: None really. I don't like being alone. Not to the extent of a "phobia" though.

Quote: "This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important, because I'm exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it." Robert E. Eberly (1918-2004)

Religion: Non-denominational Christian.

Siblings: 3 brothers (Mike, 16; Timothy, 12; and David, 9)

Time I wake up: 6:45 or 7:45, depending on how tired I am (usually dependant on what time I went to bed!)

Unusual talent or skill: I can cross one of my eyes without crossing the other (all of my brothers can do this but neither of my parents can).

Vegetable I refuse to eat: Asparagus. We have a love-hate relationship. I know its really good for me, and I try it everytime it is served (not by me!), but I can't handle the texture.

Worst habit: Not finishing what I start. For example. I own a high quality banjo and took lessons for almost a year...it is now residing in my coat closet. I took a book binding class and really enjoyed it. I have all the supplies to make my own books but have not made a single one! I took a beginning sewing class. I loved the class and could see myself sewing a skirt for myself to wear...I have not touched my sewing machine since the class. I have probably 25 journals of different sizes and colors...I have not written in any of them. And so on and so forth.

X-rays: Many. My most memorable was the one I had when they thought I had something seriously wrong with my digestive tract. Then the x-ray showed I was just "backed up"! LOL, my Dr. got a kick out of that one, so did my DH. I was just thankful it wasn't something more serious. At least now I can laugh about it...at least a little bit.

Yummy stuff I cook: Lemon Rosemary Salmon (that's my favorite), Shephards pie (that's DH's favorite), Baklava (I cooked it once while learning it from DH's Aunt, it was excellent...another "unfinished" project), Choco-nut dainties (a tradition in my family for holiday cookies)

Zoo animal I like most: Pygmy Hippopotomus. It is such a oxymoron of a name. Plus on the first date with my DH, we went to the zoo and had a lot of fun putting voices to the animals. One of my favorites was when we say the Pygmy and there was a beautiful storklike bird on the rail near the hippo. He kept switching legs and DH kept saying "look what I can do...I'm way more interesting than that ol' hippo, it's not even a REAL hippo..." I guess you had to be there, but that is why.

And now you know more than you ever wanted to, I'm sure!!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Femininity Challenge

Emma at Charming the Birds from the Trees Posted a Femininity Challenge on her blog on Sunday. I thought it would be fun to see what I can come up with to be more feminine.

Today I wore a skirt and a soft sweater. I will braid my hair (when it dries a little more...VERY thick hair) and then I will take a picture to post here on the blog. That is my feminine effort today. This should be fun.

EDITED TO ADD: Ok, DH wasn't home to take my picture and I don't have a full-length mirror to do a self-portrait, so you will just have to believe me when I say...I looked mahvolus.