New Chimney
We hired a couple guys to tear out the section of chimney from the roof to the attic floor; they got that done last month. Today the chimney guy came and put an insert from the attic floor down to the wood stove, and put …
Recent Posts
Big Tom Memorial
Late last month, Big Tom (AKA Oreo, Blackbeard, Long Tail, Scamp, Big Boy, Bubby, & El Diablo) got sick and was diagnosed by the vet as having FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) which is described as “feline AIDS.” Dad spent almost $600 for treatment over that Labor Day weekend, resulting in a rebound for Bubby–er–Big Tom.
But he got sick again last week, so Dad stayed home with him instead of going to Bellevue. Yesterday when we got home, Big Tom was having a lot of trouble breathing. He had an appointment scheduled for tomorrow to take out some stitches, but I told Dad I didn’t think Big Tom would make it that long.
So we took him to the vet today, and they determined he had fluid on his lungs. Dad had them drain the fluid, but it turned out to be all pus. The vet said since he developed such an infection despite already being on antibiotics, it wasn’t a good sign. Dad agreed that it would be best to put Big Tom to sleep.
Dad and I were with Big Tom for the procedure. They have a nice room for the family to be in. Dad got to hold Big Tom, who was still having a hard time breathing despite the fluid being drained. The vet and her assistant laid Big Tom on a blanket on the floor and gave him the shot. He died within seconds.
Dad took the whole thing very well. He’s already taken a liking to Spitty (AKA Spitfire), one of the kittens.
 |
He was a cute kitten that Dad saved from freezing to death the winter of 2005. | |
 |
||
 |
He was Dad’s favorite cat ever. | |
 |
Goodbye, Big Tom. |
O! What a City!
Dad mentioned a couple months ago he’d like to visit Don & Leanne some weekend. Not long after that, Monte’s counterpart and new friend Dan Lubben invited us to visit him in Omaha some weekend in September. That’s how it all started. We decided …
Babysitting Fun
Gary & Tonya asked if we’d babysit Ellis & Amelia Saturday while they went to the Husker game. Of course we said yes! They all arrived Saturday morning. Monte, the kids and I had fun that afternoon/evening at Stolley Park, where we played on …
Clarkson Funeral
Monte and I went to Clarkson, NE for Monte’s grandmother’s funeral. The funeral was very nice, and was attended by close family and a few friends. Marcy & Tim sang, and showed a PowerPoint of photos from Helen’s life. Carrol, Betty, Linda and John each gave a few words of remembrance of their mother.
We enjoyed getting together with family, and it’s a good thing we all get along, because we were crammed pretty tight into a small rented house for the weekend.
Betty & Verne slept in the only real bedroom (sans doors; the only inside doors in the house led to the bathroom–thank goodness!–and closets.)
Ray & Linda slept in the laundry room in what appeared to be a real bed, but was actually an air mattress.
Carrol slept on the sofa, and Alex claimed the floor beside her (though I believe he later removed himself to the car to sleep.)
Upstairs in the finished attic, Marcy & Tim took the twin beds, though it was soon discovered that only one contained a real mattress; the other was an air mattress.
Monte and I slept on an air mattress on the floor at the opposite end of the attic, and Mandel slept on yet another air mattress in the middle of the attic. We were pretty much crawling over each other up there!
In addition, John and his dog Lucy slept in his truck in the driveway, so that meant 12 people sharing 1 bathroom. Like I said, it’s a good thing we all get along!
Chris, Billie, and their kids slept in Betty & Verne’s camper at the Clarkson park.
Dad’s New TV
Dad’s had DirectTV for about a month now, though he’s still been watching the cable channels instead of satellite. Yesterday we bought a new TV to go in the kitchen, a 19″ flat panel, and it’s the only TV not hooked up to cable. I got it …