skip to main |
skip to sidebar
It was the first day of school and a new year had just begun. My daughter Julie welcomed 19 new kindergarten students to her classroom. She was happy to be greeted by such eager boys and girls, each ready to work and learn new things. What she didn’t know at the time was that there was another eager student just waiting to join the class.
A little black and white kitten had been born under the music building over the summer vacation. He started life as one of four kittens that were either abandoned by their mother or she had fallen victim to a car or other tragedy. Three of the kittens didn’t survive the loss of their mother but one did. One lonely little survivor had learned to hunt for his food and to maintain shelter under the music building.
Due to his inquisitive nature the little cat was unable to resist the laughter and squeals of the children. For days he just watched them from the safety of his underground home as they played nearby. But it wasn’t long before one of the students noticed the little kitten. As their squeals got louder the kitten hastily retreated to the safety of its’ den but not before his four white feet were spotted and the children had named him “Socks”.
The school year progressed. The children were learning so many new things. They were learning to obey the classroom rules and to follow instructions. When the children were at recess they were told to leave the kitten alone and not to touch him. Since he was a stray and had not had any vaccinations it was not safe to play with him.
Now, Socks knew of no such rules so each day as he bravery grew he came closer and closer to the playground until one day he was lying under the jungle gym playfully swatting at the children’s feet as they dangled above. Soon he was trying to play chase with the children. Finally, it was apparent that something would have to be done to protect both Socks and the children.
Two days before Thanksgiving break a call was placed to a local feline rescue organization called “Hands Helping Paws.” The young woman who answered was told about Socks the kindergarten kitty and the she agreed to come to the school. She and Julie tried to coax Socks out from under the music building but he wasn’t having it. Julie explained that the only time Socks would come out was when kindergarten was out for recess. So, the next day when the students went out for recess she was there. She placed a cat carrier down on the playground and waited for Socks. They didn’t have to wait long before Socks came bounding out to play with his friends. Miraculously he went straight to the cat carrier to check it out and stepped inside. The door was shut and Socks was quickly taken away to find a new forever home.
Since the children had been prepared ahead of time they were happy to see that Socks would not have to live outside in the cold this winter. They all decided they wanted to raise money for the rescue group and so they began their Pennies for Paws campaign. Today the class received some pictures of Socks and they were updated on how he is doing. He has received his vaccinations and was neutered yesterday and he will be available for adoption this weekend just in time for Christmas!
 |
| Socks |
What a great Thanksgiving! Plenty to eat and lots of family to enjoy. Mike is doing so great he's come such a long, long, way since his hospitalization. I couldn't be happier!
I'm taking a day of rest today. I really got worn out with all the cooking and celebrating. Ron had to work today so I just vegged out in front of the television.
I hope everyone had a blessed holiday.
I had a nice day with my daughter. We went for pedicures....only my second time for a pedi but it was fun to go with Jamie. We got Thanksgiving plans solidified and the menu set. Then we went Christmas shopping and out for lunch. It was fun. I haven't been shopping with her in a long time.
Ron stayed home and mowed our yard for the last time this year. He's geared up to watch the football game this evening. Alls well today and I'm heading for bed early tonight. I have grocery shopping to do tomorrow after church!
I thought the election was over! Yet, there is still so much hostility being thrown around. States petitioning to susede from the Union? Really? Is there no end to stupidity? Maybe the whole doomsday is for real. Maybe the stupidity that seems to be so abundant in this country is really going to do us all in. God I hope not!
The temperature is dropping and I'm going to have to turn on the heat. I've managed to avoid it but I think 39 degrees is going to push me into it. Of course it is supposed to warm back up next week.
Mike is still improving. He is with Ron at a basketball game today. I had planned on picking him up at 1/2 time but he told me he was going to stick it out for the whole game. I'm staying by the phone just in case.
I'm happy to have the day off tomorrow as we continue to celebrate Veteran's Day. I am grateful to all those men and women who have served or are serving our country. I just hope we can come together as a nation and make their sacrifice worth while.
Well, that's the last time I say my life is dull. No more than the words hit the screen Mike started having trouble. I was a mess last weekend. He was really acting confused and exhibiting bazzar behavior. Stuff I haven't seen in over a year. I was scared to death trying to brace myself for a full blown psychotic episode. I called the psychiatrist but was told he is only in the office on Thursdays. I waited until Thursday for a return call that never came. Then the reality of the situation was clear. We were going to have to handle this on our own or take him to a hospital (where he would just get in the mental health revolving door). I decided that was not an option.
So, I tried to evaluate the situation with a clearer head. He was acting and sounding crazy as a bitsy bug but he wasn't talking suicide or doing anything that indicated he was a danger to himself or others.
Then I tried to figure out if there was anything new in his routine. I knew he was under stress about his friend Lloyd so I went to talk to Lloyd 's stepson to see how he was doing and found out that Lloyd's wife had died the day before. OMG no wonder Mike was stressing out. He was upset about Lloyd and now this.
Then it dawned on me that they had just changed one of Mike's medications. I realized that the change started when he started the new med. The psychiatrist had said that if it was too strong he could eliminate the noon dose. I immediately did just that. It took a few days but Mike is now starting to sound more coherent and seems to be improving.
I might add that I've never received that call from the psychiatrist.
What I learned through this week is that I had no idea just how much I've been living "on the edge." I have been a mess. I've cried and worried and felt just like we were back two years ago.
I realize that things could change in an instant. That I can not prevent a psychotic break no matter how hard I try. That I'm not in control and that I can not "fix" my brother no matter how much I want to.
But as of today............I can take a breath.
I went to the doctor last week and had x-rays taken of my hip and back. I won't get the results until next week but I'm not expecting any surprises. Arthritis and burcitis are my sworn enemies and I'm just dealing with both.
Controlling my diabetes is my number one concern at the moment. I had gotten away from my diet and it's time to get back to basics. I am able to control my blood sugar pretty well when I follow my diet so I'm back on it.
Life is just pretty dull right now but that's OK. With everything we have going on all the time dull is good. It means we have no immediate crisis on our hands.
Ron is watching the football game with Mike this afternoon so I'm trying to clean house. It just takes me a lot longer than it used to.
Mike's friend and neighbor Lloyd has terminal colon cancer. They have given him six months to a year. Today his wife Pauline passed away with Alzheimers. In a way that has relieved Lloyd's mind about what would happen to her after he's gone but it hasn't eased his sense of loss. Lloyd has been so good to my brother and all we can offer him now is our condolences and our prayers.
