It's For The Birds...

Jacob is a Wolf Scout in the Cub Scout program, and one of the requirements he has for a conservation award is to make a birdhouse.

Well, Saturday was the day for Dad to get in gear! Since power tools are involved, so is Dad. I operated the saw and the drill; Jacob operated the glue and the hammer. Together we made the birdhouse seen above.

I had some wood in the garage that we used, and I just "eyeballed" the design. It was simple enough, even with the slanted cuts, that it worked out great! I usually don't have such luck...

The lid is hinged for easy clean-out, and slanted to keep the rain off. The perch was Jacob's idea.

We had to let the glue dry, then we will put it outside. Don't know if it will be occupied this year, but it'll be ready for the spring!

How Did This Happen?!?

In the busy day-to-day activity of the Christensen household, last month I discovered I how have a 12-year-old!



How did that happen? What happened to this little boy??

It's Good to Have Water (Pressure)...

Fair warning - this is going to be a long post. But I hope to make it interesting, First, a little background on this post: our house was built in 2001, and the location/height of the house relative to the gravity-fed city water system means we have very low inlet water pressure. As a result, all of the houses on our street have a water pump / pressure tank combination, similar to what you would have if you had a well.

Our particular tank/pump started having problems a year or so ago, where we would notice the pump cycling more often. It looked like the tank was not holding a charge of air. Take a look at the following picture from this page to see how the air tank operates (click for larger view):


So you can see that if the air leaks out, then there won't be as much pressure to keep the water pressure up, and the pump will have to fill things up faster.

That was what was happening at our house. I could see some rust on the back side of the tank, so I suspected that was the cause of the leak. But the leak wasn't bad enough, and I could use an air compressor to pump up the air tank and give us a few more months before I'd have to do that again.

Well, as things you put off usually do, the tank got worse and worse, where I was pumping things up every week. I knew I had to replace the pump. I called around locally for prices, and was shocked at what this system costs (I wanted the same make/model of pump and tank, as I felt that they were the best quality). I found a few cheaper alternatives, but they scared me a little (there were models with no tank - I'm not sure how long that would last).

I found out the company that makes the pump is about 30 minutes away in Rhode Island! Great, I thought! I'll call them and go pick one up. Unfortunately, they make you go through a distributor, and the local distributors have terrible markups and they charge you the freight charge it takes to get it from RI to their store.

I found a place in New York which had the exact model I wanted, at a significant cost savings from what I could get it locally. Plus, their shipping was pretty reasonable (well, still expensive, but not as bad as others). So I ordered the pump. Ironic I had to go to NY to get an item made 30 minutes away... Anyway, they arranged for a freight company to ship it (it weighs 150# - too big for UPS to handle). But I learned later that I was responsible for getting this off the truck (they were only a freight company - but for an extra $120 they would send out a truck with a lift gate! [no thanks]). So I took the day of the delivery off, and waited for the truck. Luck was with me, because the truck that delivered it had a lift gate, and the driver was nice enough to bring the tank up to the top of my driveway! It was good, because here is what was delivered:

I got the box down to the basement (it really wasn't heavy - the 150# included the pallet), and here's the new pump next to the old one, which is still hooked up to the plumbing:

So off I go to Home Depot to get a bunch of plumbing parts, copper tubes and elbows, joints, including a blowtorch and solder, etc. (I honestly thought I had a blowtorch already, but couldn't find it in the garage). It wouldn't be my only trip there...

Step one: remove the old pump and tank. The house plumbing had a bypass already set up, so I bypassed the pump and removed it. Here's what it looks like after I took it out:

Notice the bad rust down the side of the pump. The connection between the pump and the tank was leaking, and had rusted out the tank. If you figure the tank was installed when the house was built, it had 8 years to corrode.

I was pleased to see the new pump had an electronic controller, instead of the mechanical controller the old one had. Unfortunately they also changed the locations of the inlet connection, and I had to do some extra piping.

Now comes the fun part - I salvaged the existing shutoff valves and check valve, so that required some creative ways of draining water pipes. You can't heat up a copper pipe if it has water in it - trust me, I tried. All you do is make steam!

Step two through 'n': install the pump. So I got the new pump hooked up, and turned on the water, and... A LEAK!! Drat!! Double-Drat! Now I had to take things apart and fix it. The piping of the pump is a combination of screw threads (requiring Teflon tape) and solder joints. You get one chance to tighten a threaded joint, because after you solder it to the other pipes, you can't tighten it any more (it is fixed solid). And it's not like an electric circuit where you can use a meter to check for shorts, etc. You don't know until you pressurize the system if it is leak-proof.

Well, let's just say plumbing is not a profession I will be switching to, because even after two more tries (and multiple trips to Home Depot - they know me there in the plumbing section), I still couldn't tighten the screw joint tight enough. I was frustrated at how much soldering and cutting and re-soldering I was doing.

So I turned to the font of all knowledge - the Internet! I learned that just using Teflon tape alone sometimes doesn't seal things. They suggested pipe dope, and I got it during my next trip.

In the mean time, the family is suffering through wimpy showers and slow flowing faucets. They were "encouraging" me to quickly get the job done, but were also very understanding!

After the guy in the plumbing dept. saw me for the 3rd time, he told me about a product called Sharkbite. It's a connection system where you snap things together. That sounded ideal for my problem of tightening things up. If there was a leak, I could disconnect the pipes, and try again without soldering. I wasn't too sure about it, but then I noticed that the joints on the pump itself were sharkbite joints - so they obviously had some quality behind them.

So after multiple times, I finally got things fixed, and thus far, no leaks!! Here are some "after" pictures - note the creative sloped pipe (hey, who said pipes have to be only horizontal or vertical!).



All in all it was a good learning experience. It could have gone quicker and easier if I had called in someone to do it, but my time is cheap, and right now we need to watch all our pennies. The end result I think is pretty good, if I do say so for myself!

Cooper's Hawk

On the 9th of October, I had just returned home from taking Jacob to school. The drive is usually quiet and uneventful, which is sometimes not a bad thing trying to beat the tardy bell. But not this particular morning. Just as I was pulling into the driveway of our house, I noticed 2 crows flying very low. Then I saw what they were flying low for. There was a hawk who was looking for refuge to get away from the crows. Obviously, the hawk had flown into the crows' territory. The hawk sat in a tree in our neighbors' backyard with the crows sitting high above in the same tree waiting for the hawk to make its next move. This gave me the opportunity to get the pictures. Shortly after I got the pictures, the hawk flew and the crows pursued it. The battle continued as I ran through the house hoping to get a glimpse of where the battle was going. The hawk flew just above our house with the crows nipping it and they all landed into the shallow edge of the woods just out of sight. But wow, the screeching of the two different species made for some interesting morning sounds. I really couldn't tell what type of hawk I was seeing as it was just too far away and trying to get closer would have made it fly. Luckily, after downloading the pictures, I could magnify and looking at other websites, I have come to a conclusion, this hawk was a Cooper's Hawk. It is the same kind of hawk Jacob and I saw in Plymouth, in August, at the seashore.

Learning New Things

Jacob is working his way through his requirements to receive his Wolf rank. He is trying to work through the requirements to receive the patch with the Panda on it. One of those requirements is growing a plant indoors and then building a raised planter box to grow plants in as well. Tonight, Jacob and his Daddy nailed a box together with using the nails, hammer and a drill. Jacob thought this was a great delight and the look of satisfaction is on his face as seen in the picture (and Mom burned a grilled cheese while taking the picture- I sure didn't mind- it's a fine box). Jacob hasn't been that thrilled when told he needs to do these requirements to get his Wolf rank but when he sees the results, there has been a little smile that Mom isn't suppose to see. Now, the downside this was that after he finished his box, he wanted to pound nails into a board. So, Dad let him have at it. He gave Jacob a hammer, some nails and a board. In about 10 minutes, there was a sobbing little boy with his left hand in a stiffened position at his side and tears of pain. Yep, he had hit his thumb and pointing finger. And just like the bees after being stung, he claimed, "That's it, I'm done. I don't ever want to hammer anything ever again". And nothing would console him except a bowl of cereal and watching, "America's Funniest Videos" and an ice pack. But he has a neat ol' looking box made from an ol' pallet that didn't cost a thing. And Mom will cherish it forever!

Michael received his alto saxophone that he will be playing in the 5th grade band (and we get to smile through the band concerts while we have ear plugs in). As a family, we went to his school on the evening of the 11th, and did the rental route. The sax is a beauty. And Michael is doing really well with making a decent sound come out of an instrument that is almost as big as he is. He has been practicing this weekend. We hope he keeps that up. But Michael found his lip being sore afterwards. Guess he will have get some toughening up on the lower lip. Even Mom and Jacob tried to blow on it. Jacob just giggles when he hears the sound and after he blew in it and got a decent sound. And then Dad got his ol' sax out from his days in the marching band (it needs a complete makeover). Steven played in an all guys marching band. He went to an all guys high school, St. Xavier High School, in Cincinnati, OH. It's a Catholic high school run by the Jesuit Priests. And still one of the finest high schools in that region. Too bad we don't live near. But with Michael choosing the alto sax from a list of three instruments that he could choose from (flute and clarinet were the other choices), he scored a big heart tug of Dad's. It's fun watching Steven teaching Michael all the ins and outs of a sax and the proper care.

First Day of School

Blogging about the first day of school appears to be all the rage, so far be it from us to buck tradition.

Michael got up by himself and got dressed without any hassle. You could tell he was excited! Dad fixed breakfast (Michael has to leave earlier than Jacob, so Mom takes the Jacob shift in the morning). Jacob also was in a good mood to go to school.



Michael's all ready to go!

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Mom saying goodbye

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Giving the cat a pet before getting to the bus stop

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Here comes the bus! (the bus stop is literally 1 house away)

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Jacob's turn - he's all ready!

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We like the happy attitude

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Bye!

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We are glad we didn't have this:

Windy wind wind...

This is what happens on a terribly windy day, when you forget to put down the umbrella on the glass-topped table on the deck:


Needless to say, we were not pleased. It's a good thing the glass was tempered glass, or we would have a lot harder time (or more dangerous time) cleaning it up.


This is the second time we have had this occur to us (the last time, the umbrella itself blew a couple houses away). I think I am done with glass-topped tables. I think I can build a wooden one (gotta clear it with The Boss first!). Let's see that one shatter!!

Goodbye old friend (sniff!)

Well, it's finally time to say goodbye to an old friend (actually, a pair of them).

My Dad gave me these shoes I don't know how many years ago. They didn't fit him any more, and they were just right for me. Over the years I have broken them in such that they felt like they were a part of me.

They were simple shoes - the leather wasn't fancy and shiny; the stitching was simple and bold. But it was very convenient to just slip them on (with or without socks, and if you know me, I never wear shoes without socks). When I was feeling especially lazy, I would even wear them to work!

The soles have finally cracked through (I was wondering why my feet got wet very quickly when it rained); the sides have split out; I was on my 2^nd insole, and it was fading fast.

So I went to Wal-Mart to look for a replacement. I got a pair of canvas shoes, since I didn't find anything like my old friends. It won't be the same, but then it never is, right?

(sniff).

Being Domestic Today

I got busy inside the house on this rainy but grateful day for the rain. My garden is in. I got it done yesterday, the 8th. Now usually I would find every excuse except for doing laundry and dishes and go do something else. But today I really felt like putting on gloves (I don't like the feel of rubber gloves- I actually use medical latex-free gloves. I can deal with those) and pulled out the bleach, the spic-n-span (I guess they don't make it powder form anymore), and the windex. I lit a candle and turn on the radio. Between the hum of the dishwasher, the clothes washer, the dryer, and the radio, I got a pretty good dance workout.

I keep saying I want a bigger house, like the Tobin Farm that is for sale in Dudley. But I have problems keeping up with the one I have so I have to admit defeat and say that I have the right size house. I guess I just need to get rid of the junk. One of these day, Steven will come to find a huge haul-away dumpster in by our bulkhead door and stuff flying out of it into the dumpster. But for now I am just washing the fixtures and walls.

I have finished painting the boys' bath. I just need to do the touch-ups. I will not give myself full credit. Steven took down the light fixtures and such. Sherry Greenlees came over and balanced on the bathtub getting the upper wall and touching up where there were streaks. If it weren't for her, I would still be painting one wall per day.

So, onto cleaning the boys' bath and then mine. Then remaking the beds with fresh linens and blankets. Then, I will hit the piano/sitting/guest bedroom like a tornado and clean it up for Steven's Mom to come whenever she decides she wants to come in. At least it will be clean and I won't be frantic and having Steven and the boys laying low because I am one major stress ball. Because my mother- in-law is coming and the furniture isn't white glove clean. Actually, I don't have to worry on that but I think we women all feel that way when we have company coming. We want it to be, "perfect".

And yes, I have a piano/sitting/guest bedroom. It's really the formal livingroom. But have you ever really seen me as formal? Right now, the formal diningroom has been Steven's work room with a Burger King Star Trek display that someone gave him. No joke. The formal dining table has electric equipment that Steven has needed to work with the extra job he contracted with. He is finished with that contract and said this morning he would begin to clear it off. I think he's getting tired of standing up when he eats. And so there's the explanation-- no, we are not formal. But that's fine as it is almost summer and our deck is available for cookouts and picnics. Nothing like eating with the bees, birds, and mosquitos. But it is so fun to sit looking at the edge of the woods hearing the turkeys gobbling in the woods somewhere, watching our cat tease the dogs on their lawns that have the shock collars. O'Malley, the orange, thinks he rules the world. He will also climb up from the deck, to the grill, then from the top of the grill will take a huge leap and go sit up on the peak of the roof by the chimney and meow out of us to let us know he is well pleased with himself. Our neighbors take a double take thinking it is an owl and realize it is O'Malley.

Now back to being domestic. I need to go change shirts and get shoes on to go get the boys and eagerly await to hear their stories of their day especially at the fact it was "step-up" day for Jacob to go to his new school for 2nd and Michael to go to his new school for 5th next year. I am thrilled they only have 8 more days and don't have to go back to school until September 1st. This is going to be a great summer! Being domestic and all! Isn't motherhood/housewifing great?

No Rest for the ... Husband

When we purchased our current house, it did not have an in-built kitchen island. The floor plan doesn't allow for a traditional non-movable island, as you would have problems getting around the counters and fridge. For years Tracy has used a simple hand-made (by her dad) butcher block table, which has open sides and just a simple shelf. Meanwhile, she has been scouting for possibilities, and last week found a good deal on a movable kitchen butcher block island shown above. We ordered it on-line, and it came on Monday --- in 3 heavy boxes!

We knew it was going to be a job and a half assembling it, so we (or more like "I") put it off until the weekend. Well, here comes Saturday, and Dad, being a Dad, would like nothing more to just kick back and relax. Au contraire, mon ami! She made sure I knew where my priorities were today!

So, this early afternoon I opened up the boxes, and this is what greeted me:


and an instruction book the size of a college exam paper!

Now I am not a neophyte when it comes to assembling furniture like this - for years we would buy the cheapo bookcases and dressers - you know, the ones where the back is just wood grain colored cardboard? I was glad to see that all the wood was a very high quality - the drawer bottoms were thin finished plywood and the main pieces were solid birch. The only particle board I saw was in the sides, and it was laminated with birch veneer. For the most part they had screws holding the pieces together, but there were a few of those post and catch doohickeys (which you tighten with your screwdriver).

I'll share a Christensen secret when it comes to these types of assemblies. I've found a way to increase the life of even the cheapest Staples bookcases. The key is: glue all the joints. If it's wood-on-wood, I put down a bead of wood glue. If it's wood on laminate, I'll use some Gorilla Glue. Even the cardboard backs get a rim of glue before using the tacks to hold it down. If you use glue, the joints are more solid and the piece is more stable. I followed that philosophy here as well.

So I started assembling around 2:00PM. Here are some in-progress shots:

This is the back piece with those hold-down doohickey things. Note that I am not working in a workshop, because... I don't have one. So I use the kitchen!

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I don't have any fancy clamps to use when I am gluing the joints, so I like to grab my trusty ratcheting tie downs (that I use for my truck). The straps can be cinched down as tight as I want. Here is the base unit drying (I installed the drawer guides while it was sitting there).

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Here are the assembled drawers, minus the gliders and handles. Again, all joints are glued!

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And here is the final product!

It took me about 5 hours to complete the assembly (there's a reason I am an electrical engineer and not a woodworker!) with only a little more aches and pains than normal (sitting on the floor assembling things is not my style!) But Tracy really likes it - she already has the drawers filled.

Spring Fashion Shocker

I received a 15 % off gift card from Kohl's a couple of days ago. I have been wanting a new spring skirt. So, I thought, "Wonderful". With the deals that Kohl's gives out, I should be able to get a decent skirt within a decent price, right? Well, what a shock! I looked and looked and looked and looked. Finally, I decided to quit being a guy and, "ask for directions" to the skirts. When I was pointed in the direction and shown the skirt selections, it was a shock of your life. I didn't realize the fashion this season was to "try" and make every woman in every shape, size, form, or such into an any age cheerleader. Holy Cow!! I asked the clerk what happened to modesty this spring and she looked at me like I had lost my marbles. Yes, I did ask her that question and yes, she did look at me like I had lost it. I then went to Target in hopes. I should know better. It was even worse. And the swimsuits looked like thongs. I could have made a swimsuit cover up a skirt. But I think it would have been too noticeable. So, I thought, "maybe I missed something at Kohl's and I'm not looking in the right department". No- there wasn't anything- ZIP- Nothing! Then I took off to Sears. Well, that was a disappointment. Then I went to Macy's, Christopher & Banks (which is my favorite store- everyone knows that and they only had two to choose from - NO JOKE and they were ugly). Then others that were the tween sizes of 5, 7, and 9 , I might have been able to get my thigh into those. The deceiving part of those skirts were the labels were XL's were a size 9. I did find clothes for the boys, isn't that usually how it goes- you find stuff for everyone but you? I keep saying I need to learn how to sew, but when? And unless you hold my hand while following the directions, I would end up with a beautiful table cloth instead. So, for now girls, hold onto your modest skirts and if they are getting a little thread bare, well, I guess we can all start wearing burlap sacks. I'm sure they will be in season sometime in the future.

Yea For Snow Days

Yeh for another snow day! Lots of thoughts as to whats to do tomorrow at our house. Michael and Jacob are working on their pinewood derby projects. Steven has been working on his. Pictures will be coming soon. But just a chance to do have another day off together, working on cleaning the house, reading, Mom trying to get out of 12th place on Mario Kart Wii. It is shocking I'M allowed to drive on a real road.

I love when we are all home together. I love my days when I am alone and able to get things done, go out and run errands, or go and hang out with friends. But I love it when the boys are busy building their lego creations, getting along, and hearing their laughter at what they are doing. And then having Steven home is really fun. He may be working from home but just having him being about is shear joy and comforting.

Michael, Jacob and I were talking about giving their toys to charity the other night and Michael stated that he simply wanted to take stuff he isn't playing with and pull out things he hasn't played with. Then he named things we haven't done in a while. That is probably what we will be doing tomorrow. Digging through the pile and finding "new" toys to play. I'm a kid at heart and love to play games, do art projects, and be involved in what they are doing. Their idea of imagination is so different from what mine was and it is exciting.

So, yea for snow days!

Simpler Times

Today is a day to make more chocolate chip cookies and make rice krispy treats. That is what we have done today. The picture was taken on the 19th of January. Michael and Jacob helped make a chocolate cake in remembrance of Papa's birthday which was that day. They put all the ingredients that the boxed recipe required(no- I'm not that good!).

Since we have started cutting back and being more frugal, we have found we love made from scratch treats better. Even the cake we baked on the 19th, just wasn't that great. It's amazing how the more simple things are the better things become. We are finding life is more fun at home. We are finding we don't want to even go out anymore. Steven and I went on a date night last Saturday night. It was a fun time to be together. Steven is great fun to be with, don't get me wrong. But after venturing out into the crowd and the cold, freezing air of -2 degrees, we found ourselves heading home and not staying out nearly as long. And I would have been happy with a grilled cheese. Barnes and Nobles used to be fun. The library is a lot more fun now. I personally love the Oxford Library but I've heard there are wonderful ones all over.

I just got an advertisement in the mail to try a 7-day VIP pass at a local gym. Hey, now if you like gyms, don't get me wrong. But I would rather go walking with a friend, buy an elastic band, and use the weights that I have bought in the past to work out. Oh, and hey, how about the friends with the Wii Fits or those stairs that are in your house? Who needs a gym membership! Soup cans work too. I have a subscription to a fitness magazine that gives you lots of tricks of the trade, hints, and other mags that Steven has found for $3 for a year subscription or even for free. He's a frugal guru and teaching me a lot. But when the weather breaks, I'm sure you have friends who are feeling like they need to absorb that wonderful fresh air and sunshine. Grab them and go walking! (And if I don't quit eating these wonderful treats that I cooked, I'll need to climb the stairs much sooner). But I have to admit, I love the YMCA for their membership with the youth. The boys have a membership each that they can go swim, play in the gym, go to the youth fitness area, and rock wall climb during this time when they can't go out to play outside. We only go on Fridays now due to homework, school, and scouts. But during their school breaks, we go more. And your health insurance will give a discount depending on their policy. Pack the snacks and earn yourself some quiet time while they go play.

Another thought to help with these tough times is to read the frugal websites, start a coupon swapping system (another one's trash is another one's treasure), have a Mom's social time once a month (in the summer for older children). I have found the book reading groups in our church have been beneficial. I may not join in but it keeps me aware of the latest book that might be popular.

Back to the libraries, they have summer reading programs that allow the children to receive passes to places that get them in for free. And then there are the passes that are available all the time that give a discount or get you in for free. There's nothing like a picnic lunch packed, joining a group of friends, and it provides the social hour for both mothers and kids. I've heard the Purgatory is wonderful and plan on going when the weather is much more cooperative. Anyone who is interested in going on a day trip to the coast for a picnic lunch and sight seeing, let me know. When it's warmer of course.

Well, I think you are getting the jist of what I am writing about lately in my blog. But I have come to realize that I must cut back. I have become intrigued into how many ways I can save and do without. Many of you out there are much better than I am. So, if you have an experience or idea, I'd like to hear it.

The Newest Member of Our Family

There is a new member of our family. My Mom has an old cat that we will keep when she goes back to Ohio. It was my Dad's cat. The cat has taken to just the boys and Steven. She knows me as the lady with the cage, medicine, and vet office. The thanks I get! Oh well... But this morning as the boys were watching their Saturday (cherished) programs, the old cat, Cordibell, was "kneeding bread" and loving life. Cordibell decided that Michael and Jacob was just what she needed for her needs. I'm just glad to give her a new home. But please, no more cats! Three is enough!

Another Bit of Spring

Another tulip from the flowers we received at Christmas. I love the fact the tulips are so far different colors. There are about three other bulbs with their greenery growing. I watered them today and they seemed very happy to get it. I could handle getting the arrangements every month of the year. I now wish I had planted bulbs last year. But this will remind me to do that next fall. I must admit tulips are one of my favorite flowers. I just wish they bloomed more than once on each stalk. There is a house down the road from us that has a wonderful garden in the spring. The woman is meticulous and her tulips are in the hundreds. Her flowerbeds are the type that look like those seen in magazines.

Michael's School Project

Michael is being required to do a project on a historic site in Washington D.C. at school. There were many historic sites to choose from. Michael choose the Washington Monument. And I think every other fourth grader at the school has too. I think all the books on the Washington Monument in the libraries are checked out. The project requires a visual model. If it weren't for Steven and his know how, it wouldn't look this great. Michael also has done so much. He has had so much fun painting. He has done such an awesome job. Tomorrow we finish the visual and start writing the report. Yep, just can't help but brag!

A Good Day for Baking

With the big snow flakes falling, it just seemed to fit that today we needed something warm and sweet. There was a bag of chocolate chips sitting on my counter calling my name. I made them and received the compliment that I was the best chocolate chip cookie maker in the world from two wonderful boys. I had a wonderful "other half helper" who was so good at literally watching the cookies bake in the oven. I couldn't get them out of the oven fast enough to figure how many I really made. Oh well, does that matter? That was at 4pm today. The glass jar is half gone. Think I need to make some more?

Spring

This was a gift for Christmas. When the planter arrived, it was nothing but dirt. Honestly, the thought it was dead. But after adding some water and waiting a few days, there was a glimmer of life. Then suddenly there have been several bulbs. The question was, what bulbs were they as the
card did not say. So, we have patiently waited and then it was figured the leaves look like tulips. We figured the blooms would not come about until closer to about February. As the snow was falling today, I was in the foyer talking on the phone and looked up at my plants. What a wonderful surprise! Yep, the picture says it all! Happy Spring! What a beautiful bit of sunshine on a gloomy day!

Living Frugally

Living frugally can be fun if you put a positive attitude toward it. With the economy as it is, our family is not exempt from the pitfalls. How thankful I am for the church and the guidance it gives about food storage, preparing, and living within our means. I'm wondering if the United Order will ever come into effect? But for right now, finding free things to do is being fun. And what's wrong with just staying home? Especially with these cold days and nights, who wants to go out in the frigid air anyway? I saw a portion of, "Wifeswap", on Friday night. I don't watch the show as I keep wondering why any wife would want to abandoned her family and try to live with someone who doesn't have the same "standards" as they do. But this one wife was very frugal. It made me wonder if this family was LDS until they showed 14 cans of coffee in their food storage. They had food storage that put mine to shame. The family did not do anything without a coupon or buy anything full priced. Their house wasn't fancy, their cars were used, and they were very clever in buying takeout pizza with a coupon. But with everything going on with the economy I must say we are being able to teach the boys about various ways of how the government works, living within our means, being blessed by Heavenly Father, having more family time, creating fun meals, rediscovering old toys, and realizing we just don't have it all that bad. It just takes willingness to live on less and have gratitude.

O'Malley and his trip to the vet

O'Malley went to the vet today. Really, enough said...
It was not a fun day for him. I really don't think any animal likes to go to the vet but honestly, I don't ever remember having a cat that ever was to the point of being so petrified that a bath towel was just not big enough to contain him. Jacob refers to O'Malley as the, "Howling Menace", because of the howling episodes he does to go out. But after today, I must say Jacob hit the nail on the head with the description of O'Malley. Steven woke O'Malley up from a nap this morning as I was taking him to the vet right after I would drop the boys off at school. Well, that was mistake #1. Then stuffing him into a cat carrier was the next mistake. Oh boy, O'Malley knew where he was going. And then the big mistake was traveling him in the car. I wondered if he thought he was never coming home again. I even offered egg and bacon from my BK croissant meal but he was so upset, the food hound wouldn't eat it. For O'Malley to skip food is not heard of. But as I was taking the boys to school, O'Malley pawed the cage, stuck his paws through the bars like he was in prison(oh- sorry he was) and then oh, the howling was amazing. Oh, the story gets better. After I got him to the vet, in his carrier, he contended with 3 big dogs, a sweet kitten, and the smell of the place. Then the most horrible of all the trip- "going into the room!". He literally had to be dumped out of the carrier- he wasn't coming out for nothing! And then he spotted the window and thought he was safe. Well, the vet assistant picked him up and oh- he was all teeth, snarls, and claws. I have never known a cat could be such a great contortionist. I came out wounded, the towel I think was still intact, the assistant was very good at keeping herself from being wounded(she was a pro!) and after three shots and a swabbing of his ears and hissing two good hisses for the vet to see the inside of his mouth, he was somehow stuffed back into the cat carrier. I was bad and illegal, but I let him ride out of the carrier in the car on the way home knowing I wasn't stopping anywhere (I'd didn't dare) until I got home. He rode in my lap and howled for the majority of the way home then when he was allowed to escape, he went in the house and disappeared into the basement for the rest of the day. Now, tonight he was on Jacob's bed but was still growling at us, especially me. Yes, I am the mean one!

Update on Mack

I took Mack to the vet today for another x-ray and leukemia test. It was negative. The x-ray looks better. There is still a mass but it is thought it is most likely asthma. So, we have two in the household with the problem. What we need to do is keep him on Revolution all year long once a month to prevent the heartworm and help the fleas. For some reason heartworms can cause a reaction after they have died and it is asthma. So, we are keeping him comfortable and we will go back in three weeks to see if he needs another steroid shot. But he was so good according to the vet. He was the only cat out of all the others that didn't have to be sedated. And the vet said she loves the fact he is a big purr box. Yea for Mack- it isn't as bad as thought. The tumor is still being watched though.

The Incident with Bagged Coleslaw

A couple of days ago, I bought some shredded coleslaw to use in my salads as I am trying to eat healthier and loose some weight (always the story for us girls, huh?). Today I was eating my wonderful salad before going to volunteer at Michael's school in the library. I got down to the last of the salad only to hit down on what I thought was a small pebble, but then thought,"oh great-my tooth broke or one of my fillings came out. So, I got the foreign object out of my mouth only to find it was a shard of glass the size and shape of a shark tooth. I have had a lot of hesitancy in buying the bagged salads but naively figured, "it couldn't happen to me". Well, after today, I think I will use my food processor and make my own coleslaw from now on.

A Winter Activity

Michael, Jacob, and Mom decided since it was
too cold to go out and build snowmen, we would
do one of our favorite indoor activities of making
snowmen or our own creation. Michael did a
snowman. And Jacob made a bridge. It's amazing
what you can do with
toothpicks, marsh-
mallows, and candy.

Mack

Mack isn't feeling well. He is being checked for possible cancer. We will find out tomorrow what the next steps are. He isn't in any pain, just coughs like he has a cold or fur balls. But he has shallow breathing. He is a Momma's boy. He can give better requests than a human can many times. Mack is part Burman, part Siamese.