w...What...w...When...w...How I became a Kitten Foster Mom

Wait so you have how many cats at your house right now?!?! SEVEN!!

 

I have always had a love for cats. They have my whole heart. I seem to have a 6th sense that attracts cats from afar. Driving down the road I can point cats sitting on porches from afar. I may or may not believe that I was a cat in my former life! I am considered the Crazy Cat Lady... granted before I was just the Crazy Lady without the cats! 

I have had cats my whole life. We got our first Tiger when I was 6 years old. From them I have had Mittens, Tiger II, Simba, George, Timpleton, Little Bit and Glee. These are just ones I have owned. It doesn't include the ones who follow me when I'm walking down the street on a stroll. Or the ones that randomly show up on our porch passing through on their journey for a quick bite to eat. And of course the neighborhood cats that randomly try to run in my house! Needless to say my life if full of felines. 

When George died, two years ago,  my heart truly broke. I had a huge hole in my heart. We couldn't just get another cat with the most territorial cat of all, Timpleton. He would not have it. Although I think he misses a buddy to wrestle with and snuggle with. But it was just a no. 

Around that time I started following a few Cat Foster Moms on Instagram. It was truly amazing seeing what they are doing for pregnant, abandoned, injured and the teeniest cats/kittens all across the country. I wished with all my heart I could do that, but it just wasn't the right time. I had too much going on. A baby and a toddler potty training, I was working, we had just moved back into our house, there just wasn't enough time! 

I continued to follow these woman and yearned to be a foster mom. I studied all about kittens and fostering. I read the ins and outs. I took notes on techniques I saw. I prayed about it. I feel such a passion for helping animals. I know I can't but I want to help them all. It's horrible thinking of all the animals sitting in shelters waiting for a loving family. After all this time and effort I just knew what I needed to do it. 

Fast forward 2 years later. I'm sitting here typing this with 5 little kittens that has taken up a temporary residence in my bathroom! 

I am a believer in signs! When I was looking on one of the Instagram accounts I saw this post that anyone can be a cat foster. WHAT?!?! I clicked on the link that took my to Texas Foster Programs. WHERE?!? I was reading the comments and found the one for Fort Worth about the Cowtown Crashpads. WHO?!? The poster mentioned that they needed help right away because of shelter overcrowding. WHY?!? I decided to write a message to this poster about how she got involved with fostering and what I needed to do. HOW?!? I sent in my application that night! 

I was approved the following week! 

The coordinator wanted me to come in that day and pick up kittens. Remember how two years ago I felt like there just wasn't the right time and I didn't have enough time? Welllll......I am even busier now. We were leaving for Colorado the next day, my business is taking off, Reid is about to start Kindergarten...timing?! I figured lets be honest, when would it ever be right and when will I ever have enough time. I just need to go for it regardless! 

A little over a week after getting back to Colorado I was sitting in parking lot at the Fort Worth Animal Control waiting to go in to get some foster kittens. Anxiety ran through my veins. Was I making the right decision? Would Timpleton be ok? What about the kids? What if something happens to the kittens? How am I going to give them away? I ventured in. On the way back the coordinator asked so how many would you be able to take. I was thinking 3 but told her oh however many! 

She said they have the perfect match for us. FIVE! Yes FIVE! What was I going to say, no I would like to just take 3 please! Forty five minutes later I was walking out with a cage full of tiny kittens. Oops!! 

I can not begin to explain how much these tiny little kittens have filled my heart. Don't get me wrong I will always mourn George and he will never be replaced, but these little ones are so much fun to have! 

Timpleton is doing as well as can be expected with the new residence in the house. I installed a screen door with vinyl on it so he can at least see what creatures are in the bathroom. They are entertaining him for sure! He still has some anxiety when he smells our clothes with their scent on them but at least no aggression! 

This starts my first (and hopefully many) attempts at fostering kittens/cats! 

You know it's summer when....

Yes it was officially summer on June 20 at 6:34pm EDT... but lets be honest for a reality TV fan summer officially starts with the premier of Big Brother!! And that's TONIGHT!!!! I'm so excited!!! Can you tell?!?

I am so curious to see what the twists are this year. So fat there are 12 houseguests so that leaves 4ish spots left. I really hope it's not another veteran team captain twist. And goodness knows not another twin twist. But with Cody's brother and Vanessa's sister in the house I am wondering if the twist is they come back into the house and another veteran brother/brother sister/sister come in. The only other sibling recently that I can think of is Rachel and Elissa. However Rachel just had a baby and Elissa is pregnant.... so that's probably a no!!

The house looks pretty neat! Like the travel theme throughout. Tokyo room... BRIGHT! London room... umm a phone from the HOH to call down to the houseguests?! Interesting. Hmmmm they didn't show the backroom... Airplane kitchen, love. Africa Safari lounge is pretty cool, much better than the hammock. UMMMMMM... is there sand on the bathroom floor???

NEW POOL???????? Love it!!!! About time. The backyard looks great.

HOH - hawaii room. FISH tank!!!!! The fish will know all, why can't fish talk?!!?!?! 

Ok so here is my first impressions of the houseguests:

- Paul (23): You are definitely going to be a true character. I loved your I just don't give a **** attitude with Jeff. Play this low key and you will go far. Your laugh kills me. Will it be a Rachel laugh by the end of the season? Jury is still out. But I will place you in the jury for sure if not the top 5.

- Victor (25): gym manager....endurance master. However when your mottos is get money...get girls??Not so cool. Will you be the meathead Jesse or will you be the sweet guy helping other's work out in the backyard that everyone loves? You are a wildcard. Lets see you open your cards first week and then I will place you.

Natalie (26): Please close your mouth when you chew. I don't have a great views on Natalie's in the BB game. You could change my opinion. However when you want to start an all girls alliance week 1 that's a huge draw back for me. When has one EVER worked? Obvi you know nothing about BB. You aren't going to go very far, sorry.

- Tiffany (32): DON'T BE AN EMOTIONAL TRAIN WRECK. That is all! Play the mental game like your sister did and you will go far. Be careful though, you seem a little gullible. Hopefully people won't see that as a weakness.

- Corey (25): A Texas boy! I won't hold the Aggies against you too much. I think you will go far. If you team up with Paulie that would be a match made in eye candy heaven! You will be in the top for sure.

- Paulie (27): Yum. Oops, did I just say that out loud?! Another summer with a Calafiore? Twist my arm. I really hope that you go far and I think you will because you know the game and your brother did really well. If you can play the social game that Cody played you will do good. However the twist may hurt  you and the fact that you're Cody's brother... So I'm putting you in the top 10 depending on the twist. 

- Bronte (26): First impression you MAY get on my nerves. And if you are a mathematician how on earth do you not know what 9x9 is?? Even Jeff knew in the interview. I think you will be out within in the first 4 weeks OR be a floater into jury and then out before the final 5. You just don't seem to have the best idea of what is going to happen in the house.

- Bridgette (24): You have potential IF IF IF you can learn quickly how to lie! You come across very sweet and charming. Pair with the right person and you can go far. I'm putting you in the top 5. On the condition you learn how to lie! haha

- Zakiyah (24): anyone who is a preschool teacher gets mad props from me to begin with. WOW! You are going to do great dealing with so many whiny people in the house it will be just like your work environment. She seems like one of the stronger woman this year so I think she will make it far.

- Jozea (25): I'm sorry Jozea but I don't have high hopes for you. Out one of the first 4.

- Glenn (50): Oh Glenn. You are a tricky one. Compared to the other men in this cast I don't know how you will compete with them in endurance challenges. Mentally you could be the "big teddy bear" to the girls and they could take you a long ways. Adam and Donny went pretty far. However if you try to hard like Casey to be the "cool older guy" it could get you in trouble.

- Michelle (23): I'm sorry but you annoy me before the game even begins.  Are you Christina and Nicole's lovechild?? I don't need a lecture on nutrition in your Jeff interview. One of the first ones out, please....


Alright I'm ready!! But first..... only 9 hours to go..... Biiiiiiiiiiggg Bruuuuuuutha!!!

LauraLizzies Weekly Round-up - Letters

 

I am slightly obsessed with thew new letters! I had a request for an ivory X and O plain jane style. No embellishments or chalkboard. They are going to be used in the baby's nursery! How cute are they? They are now available in my store for $25 and $45 for two. 

This week I have been working on 10 letters! It's been a busy one for sure. Here are a few of them! 

A plan. A million question. No answers.

A plan. A path. An experience. A tragedy. A million questions. 

I am really struggling right now to find the clear picture of God's path for me. I have so many questions and can't find anyone who can answer them truthfully. 

I am a Christian. I believe in God and Jesus. I believe Jesus died for our sins and he will come back someday. Basically what I learned in Sunday school stuck with me. But I still can't fathom that God has a plan for everyone when such tragic things happen to good people. For example....

Both my grandpas are 91 and still kicking! They have lived full lives. Full of romance with their wives, love from their children and grandkids...and now great grandkids. They worked every day of their living to put food on the table and live comfortably. They were devoted to their communities in different clubs and organizations. They enjoyed their hobbies of fishing, golfing and cards. They lived a full healthy life. I believe it was God's plan for them. 

Then I think of the high school junior who died suddenly on July 6th in a car accident. the most talented, beautiful, young mother that died of cancer at 37. The innocent people that were just killed in Paris and California. Many whom reported having very strong religious beliefs. Was it really God's plan for them to be killed? Did He think, ok they will live to be 17, 33, 37, 48 etc. That's their "life" plan. I don't understand. 

I also don't understand how it could possibly be part of the plan to have a drawn out illness. Bringing physical and mental pain as the loved one is suffering and the family around them deals with the horrific pain of slowly losing them. I personally am losing my best friend daily and I can't make it stop. It's not fair. My heart is hurting so much. I just want to have her back. She isn't gone but she is at the same time. 

 My friend's dad needs a lung transplant desperately. Was it part of God's plan for him to have him have this lung disease? Hundreds of people are praying for him and why hasn't God helped him? 

I just don't understand. 

I'm not sure if i will ever find the answer to my questions. It may be one of the first questions I ask when I get to heaven. That after why God put fireants and sporks on this planet! Until then I have to trust that this is part of His plan. Even though right now it's a pretty bumpy road. 

What the what?!

Six months. It's been 6 months since I've updated this thing. Sorry mom. (Not that she's going to read this lol) Any who I'm back. 

Currently laying awake at 1:50am because my overactive mind won't shut up. Seriously. Hubs is next to me snoring away and I'm wide awake. 

Can I just tell you how much I love Adele? I can't believe how every song feels like she writes makes everyone feel like she wrote it for you. Love her hair too, just sayin. It's so nice to have a normal size person in the spotlight. Not saying there is anything wrong with skinny people, I dream of being one, it's just nice to see someone breaking the mold and not caring whilst. <-- my new favorite word. 

P.S. I totally want "hello" as my text tone. Put it on my to-do list for tomorrow. 

Speaking of, I'm curious to see how many things I can actually cross off my list tomorrow. Tonight I made 5 hats. Tomorrow I pick up books and start a blanket that ohhhh has to go out Friday. Am I crazy?! Yup! But alas I got what I wished for and my Etsy store has orders so I can't complain. However I am still figuring out how to get an extra hour in the day. Although I'm sure ironically that hour would probably fall in the middle of the night and then just make my insomnia longer. 

I'm on new medicine for the thyroid. Not sure how I feel about it. I was hoping that I would magically feel better. Didn't happen. Which is fine. My levels are coming down which is good. I'm now down to an 8.9 TSH (from 13.8) The only thing now is I am still having crazy swelling of my face and now my thyroid. I can feel it when I swallow. Not cool. I get an ultrasound next Friday so we will see. I'm just ready to figure this damn Hashi out. 

In other news...

The elves are back. Mr. & Mrs. Giggle are back to their crazy tricks. This after I lost one. It's funny you hide it from your children only to actually hide it from yourself when they "magically" fly away. Oops! Alas. Night 2 and I remembered to move them. Score. 

Random facts: 

- I love saying the alphabet backwards

- I found out that cordial has a "d" my way of spelling it "corgel" and my autocorrect couldn't figure it out 🙈

- For the first time this century I have a big toenail on my right foot!! (Surgery gone bad in 1999!) pedicure here I come!

- I miss having a best friend in the city limits

Whelp I'm off to try to sleep. 

Until later. 

Nail or Fail: superglue

Last week Reid came to me and asked me to glue his plane that had broken. No problem! I glued it and put it up on the counter and explained not to touch until mommy gave the all clear. Well he didn't listen. Immediately tears because his fingers got glue on them. Not just any glue but superglue. Great. ER? Attempt to get it off with water? Nope! Here's what I did! 

 

First I grabbed some butter and salt. It would work with any corse grain also. Just needs to be hard enough to make an exfoliant. Slowly I rubbed the butter between his fingers until they were freed. It greased it enough to pull apart. Then I mixed the salt in and rubbed the glue off. 

This was definitely a NAIL! I will always be grabbing the butter and salt when I myself glue my fingers together. Let's face it. It happens about once a month. The other day I glued a light bulb to my hand. Ya it's a long story.... 

Monday Mash-up

I will get to my review on the Bachelorette tomorrow morning since I am a bad fan and didn't watch it. BUT have no fear I was watching The Royals full season with dear hubby. He wouldn't watch it all season and then after the finale he watched one episode and was hooked. Love it! 

This weekend went by so fast. In fact it's actually not the weekend today. However it was Memorial Day so i guess it is the weekend. Nevermind!  This pretty much sums up the weekend! 

First I would like to take a second to remember that this weekend isn't about bbqs and picnics or the Colonial. It's about the brave men and women who fight for our freedom. I can't imagine being in their shoes. I will never be that strong. They are amazing people and for them I proudly raise the American flag and am proud of this wonderful country. 

It pretty much has been raining for the entire month of May and this weekend wasn't much different. Thankfully Saturday my parents were able to get in from Colorado before the storms hit. I can't believe the rain. I am not ready to say "please stop raining" because then it will be 100 degrees. I'm not ready! 

We went and had dinner at my parents tonight. It was fun eating a ton of food and having a couple gin and tonics. My parents got the kiddos a mini cupcake for  dessert. Here is what happened with Miss E! It was everywhere, but she was happy! 

I finished 2 blankets this weekend. One for Shawn and another for a friend who is having a baby. I started another for a friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer. I am hoping a bright warm blanket will help bring comfort to her recovery. 

In 2 days Shawn will have his next surgery. Although we know what to expect knowing what to expect is making us nervous. Thankfully he only has 2 hips so this will be his last replacement! Haha I crack myself up! I'll update on his progress after surgery. I shall leave you with a funny!