Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Well laid plans

I thought that I would get back to writing. That I would get back to reading and commenting. But getting back into the swing of things. Finding my routine. Well, it hasn't been an easy process. Especially since things here are not exactly normal.

Michael is doing great. He gets his staples removed tomorrow. I think he'll be back at work next week. But. He can't drive until the end of July. So, I have begun a six degrees of seperation quest. There has to be someone who lives somewhat near us. And that works near Michael. He cannot be the only one making that daily commute. I have yet to find that person. So. It looks like I am going to be his chauffeur.

Chauffeurs spend an awful lot of time in the car. Time they could be spending at home. Or shuttling children to activities. Or cooking dinner. I have no idea how I am going to get everyone where they need to go. I am going to be an incredible juggler come August.

So yesterday. After my end of year PTA meeting. While I sat here in front of a blank screen and contemplated my next blog entry. Thinking I might tell you about the snow that we had on the first of March. Or maybe about our Spring break. Or meeting Paula Deen. Or my strange desire to have chickens. Or about my newest TV addiction. I was brought out of my day dream by strange hacking noises.

And as I went to investigate, I found one of the hooligan kitties coughing. And foaming at the mouth. She naturally ran from me. And hid behind our washing machine. Still making these horrid gagging noises. Finally with a broom and the long arm of Michael, we extricated her. Stuck her in the kitty carrier. And set off in search of a vet that was really close to our house.

It was challenging paying attention to the road as I listened to Jessie try to breathe. That high pitched wheeze. The struggle to push air into her lungs. The wet congestion as she tries to release whatever she is gagging on.

The first one I pulled into...the doctor was gone. And they directed me to another vet another mile up the road. As I pulled into the next office...they were expecting us, and took Jessie right away. It wasn't too much longer before they came to let me know that they had to put her under anestheia. And it looked like she had a shoe lace stuck in her esophagus. They were working on pulling it out. And they would keep me updated.

Have I told you how bad these kitties are? I thought so. Well. Apparently, these vets now have a great story to tell. About the cat that ate 40 hair tyes. And got them stuck in her throat. At least the bill this time was only $400. And not the $1200 that her sister cost us for eating foam.

Happy first birthday hooligan kitties.

So...what about you? How many emergency room visits have you had this year? Ever? Do you keep a running log of blog topics? Know anyone Michael could carpool to work with?

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39 comments:

Jen said...

That is one of the grossest things that I have seen. I am glad she is alright but it if is not one thing its another with you. Sheesh.

sassy stephanie said...

Chauffeur, eh? Maybe you should now drive a stretch Hummer. Buy it with the vet bill savings.

Heather said...

Good lord, Kat, your cats are awful! Rivals my cat stories from growing up, let me tell you. I'd do a post on it, but animal protection would probably arrest me or my mother...

Consider yourself tagged by my post, if you wanna play along.

I feel for you on the driving thing. Although, just think about how many books you'll be able to read...

Teri said...

Oh yuck. Gag. Seriously.

We once had a cat surgery bill of $2000. Yep. It was disgusting but worth it. That cat never ever gave us any trouble before or after that. It was my idiot ex- (current at that time) who didn't watch for the cat as he was speeding down the driveway and ran over the cat's legs. Jackass. Ooops, sorry. Nah. Anyway, I didn't even want to hear a word about that bill. And I never did. :-)

Linda said...

OMG ... that is the grossest thing ever! I shudder to think what's in my cat's and dog's insides. I do know that our dog pooped a huge pile of pink string once. Eeeew.

I have a running list of blog posts in my head. But they never seem to see the light of day since I can't recall them once I sit down and start typing.

Wish we could assist with the carpool ... bummer we're clear across the country. Not much help.

Shelley said...

I am more of a fly by the seat of my pants kind of blogger. And not a very good one or faithful one at that.
I don't know anyone who carpools.

And I'm so thankful that prayers have been answered and that your DH is home and they discovered what happened and that it has been fixed.

Praying that something will work out to help you with your busy scheduling issues.

Brandy said...

Oh please. Most times I think of the topic on the way to work and then just hope it comes together.

And sometimes that works.

I cannot believe the cat ate FORTY of them. Please tell me it was a new package or something, because I just can't think of why else there were FORTY in there.

Sorry I can't help with the car pool issue unless Michael works in Va.

Unknown said...

Oh_My_Giddy_Aunt !!!

Look at all those hair ties !!

Glad Hooligan Kitty is okay though !!

It's also wonderful that your hubby is on the mend, but not so great that you need to play chauffeur. Though, at the same time, it's also wonderful that you are getting to do it !!

Emergency room visits ... yup ... know all about them. Though fortunately, they have not been part of my life for awhile ..touch wood!!

I was at the ER ... or Casualty, as we call it in NZ ... on the average of about twice a month. I have one son who was always in need of their services.

I also had three other kids ... 'nuff said!

Finding Normal said...

Yikes! Don't feel bad...Steiny cost us almost $6grand in his final 6 weeks. But it was worth every penny.
Let's see...2 ERs for Addison. 2 for Einstein. None for the rest of us. Knock wood.
I make the blog posts up as I go along. Clearly.
Don't know anyone. Sorry. How about getting some audiobooks? Then you could really multitask!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh-I thought my pets were bad. Holy cow!

Fritzie said...

Oh.My.Goodness!!

Hair ties!!

I have no words. I am stuck in shock and awe. I mean .. did she eat them all at once or just one at a time, all dainty like? Did they smell like tuna? Or was it a dare?

To be inside her head for just a minute! =-)

Carrie said...

Ummm, that is super gross. Yet another reason to add to my list of reasons to dislike cats...

Angie's Spot said...

You met Paula Deen?!?!

Those kitties of yours, I swear. You've got way more patience than I do. We had all our pet emergency visits last year as a result of the 2 dogs that we took in. $1000 later, we found new homes for both of them. After we cured them. Sigh.

So far, only 1 emergency room visit for us this year. Me. Gall bladder. Yuck.

And I'll keep my ears out for any potential carpool rides for Michael. :-)

texcindy said...

oh good grief! how come we can never find those darned hair ties around our house when we need them, and yet your cat found 40 of them?

she is lucky to be alive, and that you all love her enough to rescue her! i think your kitties are assuming that will always be the case. unconditional love, Katstyle!

what's next week?

Rhea said...

Good lord have mercy. I've never heard of people having cats that ate weird things. I honestly didn't know cats did that.

I thought just dogs did.

But, we have the best dog in the world who only eats what she's supposed to...other she begs terribly for human food and we might give in occasionally...

Your kitties are hilarious, but they'd totally stress me out. lol

LadyStyx said...

Good golly. I thought mine was bad for ripping apart my flip flops and playing with the hair catcher that's in the tub to keep my long locks from jambin up the tub drain...

Trish said...

ACK!
WARNING would have been nice!

Ack!

I read every word you wrote but that horrible picture caused me to lose my lunch and memory.

ACK................

Unknown said...

I have had my time with the hospital over the past 12 months.. I am SOOOO done... the $1600 spent on cats... (reason we don't have pets... - ok not really, but OUCH!)

Anonymous said...

Yuck....

MaBunny said...

Aww, poor kitty! Glad they got to save her in time ! I know cats can be curious but didn't think they'd eat hair ties...

Elena said...

Uggggghhhhhhh!!!! Oh my gosh! Your cats!!! LOLLL!! The strangest things I have pulled out of an animals throat are a string with the needle still attached (from the cat) and my husbands full blown wallet cards and all being swallowed whole by the dog. Seriously he looked like a boa constricter or something. Thank goodness both of these were caught before we had to take the animal to the vet.

Susie said...

I am glad that your cat is ok. How scary.

I am happy to report that no one has been to the hospital this year. Great, now I just jinxed myself:-(

Jill said...

Oh Kat - never a dull moment with you!! So sorry to hear about your kitty and the disgusting stuff she ate... thank goodness your vet bill wasn't any higher! I'd cry!

As for Michael, good luck with his stitches removal - and schlepping him around for the next few months. Maybe you should invest in a Blackberry so you can stay in touch while you're on the road??

Aubrey said...

Oh NO WAY! LOL Thank goodness my cat is a bit of a food snob!

We have only had one ER visit this year, with my tween, not the pets! She sliced her shin open on the brand new playground equipment at her school. It had only been up one day. I wasn't a very happy camper!

I would LOVE to chauffeur Michael...if you lived in CO!!

Shannon said...

Lawsy mercy! What are you going to do with those kitties?!


I have been to the ER a few times... but not this year {knock on wood}

Any luck on the carpool situation?

Mama Dawg said...

Can't help with Michael, sorry. Wish I could.

As for the emergency vet visits? Yeah, my old cat Boots O'Malley ate a toxic bug. He was foaming at the mouth and we took him to the vet. $300 later, he was fine.

Swirl Girl said...

does he make you wear the little hat like the one Morgan Freeman wore in Driving Miss Daisy?

LOL!

I would offer to help drive you guys - but the daily commute would be a bit far.

The Joye of Teaching said...

The cats look so beautiful. My cat is also a demon on the inside. Glad to hear Michael is on the mend.

Lori said...

Kat
Sweetie I feel like were kinda related! If its not one thing its another! please take care and have a Happy Mother's day!! Love,Lori

Darcy @ m3b said...

Oh. my. stinkin. heck.

That is the nastiest thing ever.

What a month you've all had.

So, um you really met Paula D? Do tell!

John Deere Mom said...

Oh my gosh!!! I wonder how long that little kitten had those hair things in! That is gross and sad and unbelievable! So glad kitty is okay!!

Lula! said...

Um...
grosssssssss...

And after all that foam eating, it's no wonder she switched to ponytail holders.

Gross.
I'd kill those cats. I would.

(not really...I am a cat lover.)

Michelle said...

Ewwww. I could have done without the photo ;) Poor kitty.

So do you have a ride share online board by you? We have one set up in IL that I've heard good things about. Good luck. And get comfy with that crock pot!

And yes, we had three ER visits in a three month period. I stopped counting after that.

Firefly Mom said...

Glad to hear that Michael's doing well, but sorry to say I don't know anyone he can carpool with. See what happens when you live so far away?

HiHoOhio said...

sisters cat ate curling ribbon and it was about 40 feet long in the intestins.....yuck! glad Michael is better!

MsTypo said...

I totally have a list of blog topics and ideas for those days when i'm stuck. :)

If cats liek to eat hair we had better never get one since i tend to shed all the time! LOL

Tonya Staab said...

Oh. My. Word. 40 hair ties. What was that cat thinking LOL.

I wish I lived closer. I'd drive him. I hope you find some help soon. I'm so glad to hear that Michael is doing so well though.

Meaghan said...

My dog (who will turn a ripe, old 14 in about a week) has eaten many things over the years, including:

1 entire pack of birth control pills.

1/2 lb. of chocolate covered espresso beans.

The legs of my mother's antique dining room table.

The wooden baseboards of my first apartment.

$250 in cash (in one sitting).

How she is still alive and kicking is a bit of a mystery. At least I've gotten my money's worth...

Jennifer P. said...

The bag of coughed up hair ties perhaps lessened my joy of being able to FINALLY get to your blog (stupid Internet Explorer hasn't let me for days!). But, I'm just glad you're good...mostly...in a good Kat way :).

I'll keep my ears open for a carpooler.

Love to you!