Still standing...

...The Christmas Tree, that is...

Little Miss Kitten Scribbles has become quite fascinated with the tree.  This comes as no surprise to us - we are veteran kitten-owners, after all.  She truly believes that we put that tree in the living room solely for her.  And then we added all sorts of toys, and lights too! 

She has a favorite spot IN the tree.  Yes, in the tree.  She climbs up into the bottom row of branches, and then stretches her little furry self out in a semi-circle.  She will sleep there, quite happily, for hours if left alone.

Of course, the two older cats are not going to leave her alone.  They know better - that if The Mama finds you INSIDE the Christmas Tree, there will be Trouble.  So, they sit under her, and jab at her with their old paws, and then - I swear - they laugh when she tumbles out of the tree, half asleep.

They are better entertainment than cable TV.
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Twinks is still standing.  Barely.

Over the last several months, she has had increasing pain below the waist that runs down her legs.

We worked via long-distance (Telemedicine) with Hospital City because our first assumption was that it was orthopedic.  We were wrong.  It is apparently neurological in nature - so stay tuned, Gentle Reader; we will have another diagnosis to share in January.  In the meantime, we have been going to local hospitals for MRIs and "evoked potential" testing and EMGs and EEGs (?) and a whole alphabet soup of other tests. 

Despite her Pain Management doctor's best efforts, Twinks is still having a hard time coping with this new type of pain.  She had brought it under control, and was doing... OK... until the testing began.  All of the procedures that stimulate/test the nerves or central nervous system have left her in extraordinary pain.  She tells us that she can feel the pathway of each nerve that is tested - that it burns like fire for days and days after each test.  One nurse said in a rather off-handed fashion "Oh, that just means that there is nerve damage". 

She has one more round of testing during the week between Christmas and New Year's.  If you have a spare moment during that week, please send a little prayer up for her. 

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My Mom is still standing... and sitting... and then standing again.  Agitation is common in dementia patients, and some days she can't sit still for more than 5 minutes at a time.  Other days, she is quite calm, and quite happy to watch the cats play, or to color in her coloring books.

As the days pass, she is less and less my mother.  There are times when I cannot even catch a glimpse of the person I know and love so well.  This other person who has replaced my Mom is quite nice - fairly easy going, she has trouble making decisions - even the simplest ones - and this other person has no desire to do anything but sit on the couch and stare vacantly at the TV.

I find it hugely ironic that I still miss my Mom... even though she is right here with me.

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So there we are.  Still standing.

How are you?

And we shall call it...

Scribbles.

Scribbles with Thim (camera phone)





:::sigh:::


Yes, we have a new family member.

Scribbles with The Twinkie


And yes, it is adorable. My Mom just loves her...

Scribbles with Thim (camera phone)



And I think she loves us too...

We will be accepting condolences on behalf of the Christmas Tree from now until 12th Night. Scribbles apparently believes that it is a huge toy we "planted" just for her. Both it and the ornaments that adorn it (all non-breakable, of course) are in for a rough time this year.

But a kitten that had been abandoned has a warm, loving home for Christmas, and her new family falls more in love with her every day. So the tree, and it's adornments will just have to take one for the team. Because Scribbles is here to stay...

The One Where I Try Something New!

Well. I thought it would be at least a few days before it showed up, but there it was this morning...

My first post over at GNMParents!

And I have to tell you, it gave me a little tickle! So, if you haven't by now (and if you read my good friend Stu, you probably have already) please take a moment to bookmark GNMParents, and then browse around a bit. Make yourself comfortable - find a comfy chair, settle in, and get ready to meet some REALLY great folks.

Because I'm going to be hanging out over there, too. Not leaving here - just *adding* GNMParents.

Now, here's the thing. I know that some of you - some of my most favorite, dear and gentle readers - may believe that you are not classified as a "parent", and therefore have no need to visit. That doesn't matter! I think you will find many articles there that are quite compelling, regardless. I also quite firmly believe that you don't have to be a "parent" to be interested in parenting, or child welfare issues. And finally, I truly believe that if you have ever loved a child - truly taken that child into your heart - then you are a parent. Maybe not by birth, but certainly by my definition. So, you will feel right at home at GNMParents!

Oh - and many thanks to Stu! :) It is largely because of him that I have this great new opportunity. I'm really looking forward to working with him, and I really am honored to have been recruited to be a part of GNMParents.

Hope to see you over there! :)