So, as may or may not be apparent now, Smudge’s sudden potbelly was not afterall the result of nearly a week unattended at the auto-feeder as we had initially thought. It was confusing at first because he seemed fine, just fat, as in he was his usual self, playful, sweet, wanting to be around/on you all the time, tormenting Kitty, so we didn’t worry. Then nearly overnight he seemed to stop eating and just wanted to sleep all the time. Of course, about this time we got company, so we weren’t sure if he was just being his usual shy self around people so we still didn’t really worry. Then as company was leaving and I was trying to carry Smudge around a little just so he could be seen, he really started to groan a lot at being held, which was very unlike him. Then we noticed he wasn’t just fidgety, that he seemed to only want to lay down when he could be propped up instead of lying flat, as if his pot-belly was uncomfortable. He still didn’t really fuss or groan if you touched his belly, but it was more than enough to cause us to want him checked.

As it happens, the vet told us he had FIP, Feline Infetious Peritonitis, which he very likely had since we got him, since he’s always been “running hot” aka a little feverish. Cats can carry the virus for months or years without symptons, but his pot-belly was a sign that it was finally kicking in for him.  It was fluid buildup in his abdomen, which was actually fortunate as the least instantly deadly symptom to develop. If it had been his chest or brain, in all likelyhood we would have come home last weekend to find him dead instead of just fat. Unfortunately, the buildup of fluid at all was a sign that the virus had kicked in and he was terminal, as it would soon progress to his chest or brain.

I guess we were as fortunate as we could be to have a sweet new kitten for the 3 months we had him. It’s still hard to believe it was only 3 months, since he was just so social and inserted himself into our lives so completely. We were also fortunate that he was still alive with the least afflicting sympton, still loving and playful and in very little pain, right up until he was diagnosed. The vet told us that Smudge wouldn’t last more than a few days more and would only be in more and more discomfort, brought us piles of booklets on the illness so we could see the studies showing there has of yet been no successful treatment of the illness, and urged us to put him out of his misery. We certainly didn’t get up Saturday morning thinking we would be making this kind of decision, and even in the face of all the facts and Smudge’s obviously worsening pain it was still such a difficult one. It seemed like forever that we just stared dumbfounded at each other hoping one would pinch the other to wake them up. How do you even say your goodbyes to a pet? I decided to stay with him while it was done, though they wouldn’t let me hold him, and we considered ourselves fortunate again to be homeowners, to have land, so we could take his body home and bury him. We both had the same spot in mind. It’s a nice spot, that I can see from the deck as I write this. Part of me just finds it absurd that one could be so upset over the loss of a pet, and want to have a nice grave and a nice marker and plant something pretty over it, maybe even put a little solar light out so you know right where to look in the evening, but I don’t think we could have done it any other way. I only hope we made his short life a happy one. I think we did. Last night sleeping without him curled up between us was pretty strange, though I know when Kitty finishes checking the house for him she’ll make her way back up to sleep with us. I’ve said it a million times, that I’d never seen a cat so happy to just see you get home that he would start purring loudly just at the sight of you. He was just so loving, so happy to be around us. He is sorely missed already.

There were just so many things to coordinate for this wedding that I’m surprised more didn’t fall through the cracks. In essence, though, only the send-off went poorly, when as predicted, the groomsmen didn’t think to decorate the car so we had no where to “send” them off to. And, so much for allowing the bride to help tie the bird-seed packets… guests could barely get through the knot to get them open. Smart bride.

The 97 degree heat apparently cut our numbers despite the RSVPs, and it was commented that mostly local folks didn’t show. Our anticipated 150 turned into about 90, and left us with much food — though amazingly we went through the booze PDQ. The pavillion setup worked out great, and the combo concrete-sand dance floor was perfect. And I guess for never having run a wedding rehersal or ceremony before, I did okay. Figuring out how to walk down the aisle to non-traditional music was fun, and I owe a big “sorry” to Angela for messing with her plan for the girls. Angela had to walk first, and when I threw in the “try the traditional walk to slow things down” she did it great… then of course, nobody else could figure out how to do it, though at least they all walked slower than in rehersal.

Got tons of comments about how smooth everything went, and how beautiful it all was. Myself, the caterer, the DJ and the bartender were all invited to put together another party soon, and all but me apparently took the job gladly. My reply: “Am I related to the person this party is for? Otherwise, hell no. You can’t pay me enough.”

There are a million little gripey-bitchy-moany-whiny things I’d like to relate, but I think I’m just going to let things go. I’m still worrying about things relating to the event as if I could go back and fix them, even though I doubt anybody even noticed. More than anything I wish we’d had more hired help for the night as the help we had was kept pretty busy shuttling folks back and forth to their cars.

Honestly, I have no idea what family p0ses were made, though I hope the photographer was on top of those. Not sure why Jessie elected to let the photographer leave so early in the night and blow our chance of any good night shots with the fireworks, but was really too tired to care. Don’t think anybody got good shots of the fireworks really, but maybe there is video. I have 2 tapes left by Steven’s mom which need to be converted to digital so I can go through them.

Overall, caterers: wow! food was awesome! DJ: yeah, awesome. Nobody expects that many costume changes and for him to jump in and be dancing, too. He was hilarious! Cake lady: Um yeah, when I mentioned the cake would be in the sun, I meant the cake would be IN THE SUN. And she didn’t even leave us a box to save the cake top. I do hope somebody got pictures before we had to slice up the leaning-tower that it became in the sun. Dumbass.

And finally I was impressed at how many people just jumped in and worked their butts off to make things come together and to keep everything going. I guess it just goes to show how much Jessie is loved for the whole family to pull together in such a way to make the day the best it could be. I couldn’t be happier to have planned things and even to be HBIC for the day. It was sort of amazing to be running around materializing fans and water and safety pins and bobby-pins and whatever anybody needed without them having to ask twice in the midst of setting things up. I can’t wait to get more pictures to go through!

My Wedding Weather for: Jess & Steven
Location: Winfield, AL
Date: June 20, 2009
Time: 6:00 PM
Sunset: 8:05 PM
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent

I’m not even IN this wedding and I have just picked up yet ANOTHER possible dress I want to wear to it. I’ve got quite the array, and should be able to cover whatever mood I’m in day of the event. I even have them narrowed down so James only has to bring two ties to match any and everything I have. So, I know at least WE will be dressed…

24 days. This weekend, Alabama trip. Staining/finishing the floor in the pavilion. Joyce has picked up our “big-ass roll” of fabric, and it’s time for the final assessment of what we still might need to order or buy while we still have the time to do it.

Next weekend, “Girl’s weekend” for James’ mom’s birthday, where hopefully I can manage to relax and maybe even borrow some nice jewelry to wear with my array of dresses. We’ll likely get a mani & pedi and I’ll see if there’s a chance in heck I can maintain it for two weeks. Shyeah. Need to color my hair, too.

Then the following weekend, June 13 I leave for “week of wedding”, which I have mostly off work, with the promise to check on things daily a couple times, and will attempt to keep sis and myself sane as we finalize things and set up the event. Most of the rest of the family will be arriving on Wednesday, so we should have a lot of help.

James is downstairs soldering cables for the new fireworks firing system which will debut at this show. Actually, sis talked to the caterers today to confirm and see if they’d leave us some items to return the next day and they’ve said that if we’re doing fireworks and having an open bar, that they might just stick around for the whole party.

Mmmm… open bar. Which reminds me… must go liquor shopping. Wonder where I can find a site to help me scale up a drink recipe to mass quantities so I can mix up a gallon or so of things. So much work to be done still.

But now, time for tv and a workout.

Los Loros, Decatur - Monday night - though we didn’t try the margaritas, all of us burned out on too sweet drinks and opting for beer - it was a nice, chill reminder that girls nights keep us sane.  We must do it more often.  This weekend… LONG weekend in Kentucky and home via Bristol. Busy busy busy… meanwhile FYI:

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions.

Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you’re ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.

Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn’t mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include: Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, Erotic lustfulness, Loss of motor control, Loss of clothing, Loss of money, Loss of virginity, Table dancing, Headache, Dehydration, Dry mouth, And a desire to sing Karaoke.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not, may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them, may cause you to think you can sing, make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie

» 1 cup sugar
» 1/2 cup flour
» 2 eggs (beaten)
» 1 cup english walnuts
» 1 cup chocolate chips
» 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
» 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
» 1 ready-made pie crust
1.Mix flour and sugar. Add eggs, then butter. Add nuts, chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.
2.Pour mixture into an unbaked pie shell.
3.Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 - 45 minutes. Test with tooth pick; pie should be chewy but not runny — Bake longer, if necessary.

Well, not score on the Derby pot, though pretty good on the hat, but the title “score” refers to the stash of LPs and the record player in our room… posting this as James plays House of the Rising Sun.

 Apparently JamesT’s mom has quite a sweet collection… Animals, Simon & Garfunkle, America, Peter Frampton, Rod Stewart, Gary Wright, Neil Diamond,  Bob Seger, Beatles…. Leo Sayer… yes, Leo Sayer. James is reading off these titles to me and commenting on “the only songs he recognized” as a youth and how he would play a song or 2 of most of these and go through the stack pretty fast. He gets to Leo Sayer and I’m like “Whoa!? Seriously?” That was one of my first two 45s, bought as a youth at a yard-sale for a dime, as I recall, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing/Magdalena” –the other was Rita Coolidge “Your Love (is lifting me higher)”.  Technically they were the first records I ever had that weren’t red or blue or green and went along with storybooks, though they were still played on my same toy record player. I SO played the heck out of those two 45s that mom and dad broke down and got me a real stereo with record player that Christmas and encouraged the fam to get me records to play on it… ANYTHING… so I’d leave those behind. I have vivid memories of Dad and myself playfully arguring that Leo Sayer must be a woman with a voice that high pitched.

As I recall, with the stereo that year I got my first LPs… Kenny Rogers “The Gambler” from dad, K-Tel’s “Full Tilt” 1981 collection, Rick Springfield’s “Working Class Dog” and the ever mysterious “Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk”, which contained the words “Star Wars” and thus I forever tried to love, but didn’t really “get”… at least at 9-10 years old.

Four records, of course, weren’t nearly enough, and thus began my “allowance” phase — which I was given bi-weekly along with a trip to Hills, where I could pick out a 45 or save up for an LP (save! ha). I think Mom and Dad were compelled to give me an allowance  just to keep me from playing the same record over and over (which I actually still tend to do even today, a cd may not change in my car player for a month or until I have the same passenger more than once and I get self-conscious about what was playing for them last time). I remember more than once being reminded that the “stereo” had more than just a record player, but was also a radio — though, without an antenna all I seemed to pick up was country music stations so it was worthless to me.

Anywho… as the still mostly tipsy JamesT is enjoying his nostaliga moment with all these records from his mom’s collection, and inspired mostly by the “Frampton Comes Alive”, I had to share a bit of nostalgia of my own.

The nostalgia was probably a requirement of these family reunion weekends anyway, even though I like the new traditions, too. Making our hats was fun, making (and eating!) the derby pie was fun, and our derby “lotto” made the race fun to watch, even if I didn’t win. I think we should probably make our hats in advance and just show up with them in the future… so we could be more elaborate, and though it was rich and delicious, I wasn’t fully pleased with my chosen derby pie recipe, so i think i’ll make the tradition to try a new recipe for it every year until we find a winner.

But… gah… it’s late for this crowd, and the wake-up call for breakfast will be all too early, so I’d better shut up and get some sleep. Sunday is the “official” reunion day, and we have to get that overwith so we can have our yearly gossip-fest.

It’s new. It’s blue. And it’s awesome. Already spent a day in Douglasville making sure it’s up to portable work tasks, and now an evening on battery on the couch in front of the tv. Rock on 9 hour battery life!

We’re happy with this one!

The good thing about this anonymous book swap is now there’s a big pile of random things other people enjoyed waiting for me to read them. The bad thing is deciding which one to pick up next. This is a good pile.

Less Flerly.com day to day. More Flerly_diet’s Bootcamp Journal. I’m keeping it at Livejournal again, so it’s here: http://community.livejournal.com/flerly_diet/