Feline Terrorists

I think nesting has kicked in. Though I'm not sure I can technically say that when I have, essentially, sat around on my bum all day.

Yesterday, I did four or five loads of laundry. I washed all of the 0-3 month clothes for the little man. I changed out all of Alice's clothes. She no longer fits in any of the 12 month stuff. I put all of that in a tote, and it is ready to go upstairs.

I cleaned the bathroom. It is more clean (or well it was) than ever. I think I'm going to have to clean and vacuum the floor in there at least once a day. The cats are gross! Of course, if my husband would change the litter more than once a week, this may not be a problem. It drives me nuts! I'm about to go buy a mask (I already have gloves) and take care of it myself. Along with a hood. That would help with them flicking litter out.

Seriously, I never thought I'd say this, but I think I'd prefer a puppy than indoor cats. Sure, they make messes and chew up stuff, but you can put them in a crate and train them. It is pointless trying to "train" cats. I spray them with water and they run off, presumably to plot their next terrorist attack upon my house.

And Gretchen...can I pee in solitude? What about trying to sleep? This cat is stuck to me like glue. She lays on my belly (which I don't mind), my head (irritating), and face (makes me contemplate seeing how far I can throw her!). Oh and don't get me started on her new thing of "attacking" and chewing on my hair. How in the world does a cat get its claws stuck in your hair!!

Oh, and Mortimer has this really bad habit of getting up on the kitchen counter. Gretchen has a few times, but 99% of the time it is him. I have sprayed him, yelled at him, and threatened to beat him but he doesn't care. I'm pretty sure he runs off, and curses me in feline while cleaning himself. All the while, watching to see when I'm not in the kitchen, so he can get his "litter box" feet all over the counter, stove, and clean dishes! Oh the dish drainer...when he gets up there and there are dishes, I LOSE my mind! Yay, just what I wanted to do is re-wash CLEAN dishes!

Don't get me wrong. I like the felines. It just seems that they are a bit too much to handle some days (most days) now that I'm getting huge. And who (besides them) thinks it is "acceptable" to feed an animal at 3:30 in the morning? Certainly not me. Especially when they have dry food they can eat.

While I'm sure I'm going to jinx myself, but at least they haven't peed or pooped outside of the litter box! And they can be cuddly.

Friday Night Leftovers (The Ingenious and Inept Version)

I didn't post yesterday, but not because I didn't have a post idea. I just never got around to it, and by the time I had "me" time it was almost midnight. So without further ado, this week's leftovers. Courtesy of some brilliant and not so brilliant ideas.

Ingenious Ideas
•We bought a second water container for the chickens. This is awesome because I don't have to (more than) double the time it takes to feed and water them! No trekking out to the coop to get the waterer, trekking back, de-icing, and making another trek there and back!

•Same thing with the rabbits water. I "stole" the cats' water bowl (it is metal) and put it in the hutch. Now I just flip it over, douse it with hot water, and voilà...an empty, ice-free bowl!

•Alice keeps getting into the refrigerator and I have been meaning to buy a lock. The problem there is the closest BRU is over an hour away, and I can't justify going there for a $5 item. Sure I could purchase it online, but the reviews aren't that great for it. Anyway, I took one of my husband's tools (I can't remember the name of it now-a clamp? It is for really big things) and adjusted it to work on the fridge. The result, someone can't get in to the fridge!

•If I start dinner BEFORE Alice gets hungry, she will eat her dinner! I know, you're thinking "gee, no kidding!" Two nights this week, I started dinner later than usual, and had a screaming kid who wanted Cheerios, chips, bagels, crackers, apples, or whatever. So I gave her a little snack while I finished dinner. The result? She ate hardly any of her dinner because she filled up on crap (okay, not all of that is crap, but you know what I mean).

Inept Ideas
•Alice got her first time-out this week. Why? Because she was climbing on the tv stand and the bookcase. So I took her to her room (no toys there) and closed the door. I came back a minute later to get her. What do I find? Her climbing up her dresser! *hits head* Why do I feel like time-outs aren't the way to go...especially when she gets in trouble for the one thing she is capable of doing ANYWHERE.

•Bringing the cats indoors. Sure, we had to bring them in for a week after they got fixed. Then I felt bad putting them back outside after they got used to the heat and it was so cold. They destroy everything! I'm tired of being sneezed on in the middle of the night. I'm tired of being harassed when I get up to pee. I'm tired of being clawed and my face/head sat on while I'm trying to sleep. And then they manage to get candy (from where I don't know) and bat it around, Alice finds it, and then pitches monstrous fits unless I give her some. Oh, and don't get me started on how the smallest cat is able to open the door to the upstairs (but Alice and the bigger cat can't), and then all three are off and climbing up there (we don't use our upstairs-it is mostly storage. The guest room will be fixed up shortly).

•Co-sleeping and having to sleep practically sitting up. Alice likes me to cuddle her. In order to cuddle her, I have to lay on my side. That is NOT sitting up. Then my reflux gets worse. (good news: my reflux is better today!)

•The "refrigerator lock" that I came up with. It only works when you remember to put it back on. Plus it is a bit of a pain.

While I'm sure I could come up with more good ideas (and bad), Alice has decided to take a nap an hour early today so I had better go enjoy "me" time while it lasts. Go check out Danifred. She has a momentous occasion! And while you are at it, give some love to all the other FNL participants!

Oh the Agony

I had a whole post idea for today, but I'm going to wait for another day. I'd rather tell you how miserable I am...and Alice too.

I made chicken parmesan last night. It was wonderful. Alice didn't eat any of it because she filled up on Cheerios shortly before dinner. We did a bath and got into bed shortly after 11. Alice finally fell asleep about midnight.

I woke up about 3 with horrible heartburn/reflux. My throat was burning. I drank some water and tried to go back to sleep. I couldn't get comfortable and every time that my head wasn't elevated, the problem would get worse. Alice started having a night terror about this time and would only stop if I cuddled her...which made my situation worse. After about an hour, I went looking for Tums. While I was searching frantically, Alice crawled out of bed and landed on the floor (she was asleep the entire time). So I got her settled down and woke Sean to tell him I was going to get Tums.

I threw on some sweats and my coat and shoes, and went out to the car. Of course, it was covered in frost, and I sat there cursing Sean in my head because the garage isn't cleaned out for me to pull the car in, while I waited for the car to warm up. I then drove to CVS and got some Zantac and Tums. I had to wait TEN minutes for someone to come check me out...I seriously thought about just taking the stuff and putting money down because I thought I was going to pee myself and puke blood all over their floor. The guy finally gets to the register and smells like bleach. He then takes an insane amount of time explaining how he is choking from bleach fumes from cleaning the bathroom. I mumbled a few things, paid, and got out of there. I immediately took a Zantac and started eating Tums like they were candy. I got home and felt no better. So I kept eating Tums. I finally drank some apple cider vinegar (it will neutralize the acid) and felt insanely worse for about five minutes. I seriously thought I was dying. My throat was literally burning! I then felt better and was able to go back to bed. I didn't fall back asleep until about 6, and Alice woke up at 8.

I was having another attack and drank some more apple cider vinegar. Thought I was going to die again, but felt better. I'm not able to eat or drink anything without a flare-up, so I'm miserable and tired. The good news is that Alice is tired too, since she slept poorly and went to bed late and woke up early. So we started nap-time an hour early today. Alice fell asleep in record time, and we took a two hour nap. I actually got almost an extra hour, as she stayed in bed and watched Scooby Doo.

So I guess there will be no more pasta in this house until after the baby is born. Though I may change my mind about that. I think it was a combination of the sauce, broccoli, and garlic bread. Those are all possible causes, and combined yowza! No wonder. I managed to eat some oatmeal a bit ago, so I will be eating bland foods for a day or two. Good thing I have an appt tomorrow. I can ask my OB for a prescription, since the Zantac and Tums don't do a thing.

Good Grief

I got Alice down earlier than ever for bed last night. She was in bed by 9:30 and asleep within fifteen minutes. Which is awesome because I was super tired myself. I was hoping she would sleep until at least 8 or 9. Well she woke up when Sean did around 7, and proceeded to run around for awhile before Sean put her back in bed with me a little before 8. I put Beauty and the Beast on and she fell back asleep shortly after. Then I had to get up and feed all the animals and get showered.

I woke her up a few minutes before we had to leave for my mom's. I dropped her off and went to PT. I normally was going at 1:30, but she typically is napping around then so I moved my appt to 11. I then picked her up (it took 45 minutes before she was ready to leave) and headed home for a nap. Well someone fell asleep in the car, so when we got home a bit before 1:30 she didn't want to nap. She FINALLY fell asleep about 4:30 and it is now after 6. I'm going to wake her up because she will never get to sleep tonight. I'm hoping she will be asleep by 11, but who knows if that will happen or not. At least I managed to get a bit of a nap.

Just when I think I'm getting her on a schedule, she throws me a curveball. Good grief, kid!

Randomness and Pictures!

I don't have an interesting post for today, so this will be random. So lets bring out the bullets!

I wrote this yesterday, but it never published.

•I got a new blogging app, but when I tried it earlier I lost my whole post. Boo!

•I passed my GTT! The nurse called while we were napping (me too today), and I sent it to voicemail. She then called right back, so I figured something was wrong. She said everything looked good, but wanted to know if I was taking a daily prenatal (yes). She then went on to say that they would be drawing more blood to look at my b12 levels. Now on to research that and make myself paranoid!

•I was 29 weeks yesterday. I took two pictures for your viewing pleasure. I haven't gotten my 28 week one from Lindsay yet, but she is really busy. So here are 29 weeks. Forgive the towels on the floor-you'll see why in the second picture!

I personally prefer the second picture because it is like "Where's Alice?".

•Speaking of Alice, she has been opening the refrigerator for a week or so. Yesterday she brought me a can of whip cream and her sippy cup. It is her way of telling me she is thirsty!

•And then she told me she was hungry by doing this...

I like her choice of salad and veggies. The cool whip-eh, not so much.

•I have been feeling not so well today. I don't think I'm getting sick. The best way to describe it is "feeling off". I have been a bit nauseous at times and extremely tired. I'm hoping it is just typical pregnancy stuff, and not a sign of early labor. Though I do have a feeling this little man will be early. Fingers crossed not too early. I have been having cramps (or contractions per my ob) off and on for the past three weeks. I may have her check my cervix at my appt this week. Not that that is indicative of anything.

Give Me My Money, B!+€#

I have mentioned this several times, and decided to finally explain the whole situation.

I was laid-off the beginning of September (yay!). I had been at my job for ten years, so I was offered three weeks for every year I had been there. I could take the lump sum and get 75% (minus taxes) or take a weekly amount for 30 weeks. I chose the weekly amount. I was planning on just being a SAHM, and why lose about half of what I could get. So I filled out my paperwork.

I had to wait a week before I could file for my weekly severance. I call them and go through an automated system once a week, answering questions like am I currently employed (no), able to work (yes), filed for unemployment (yes and no), etc.

My first check (they mail them out bi-weekly) arrived with just the first week. The next one, two weeks later, was a LOT less than it should have been. I called and inquired as to why. Because they take my weekly unemployment amount out of my check! Nice! So I'm technically paying for my own unemployment for 30 weeks. I'm not sure if this is legal (I'm not going to research it), but I know it is not fair or right.

On the other hand, I have filed for unemployment. I was initially granted it, but had to jump through a million hoops to get it. While I'm jumping through those hoops, I still file weekly and state that I am receiving a weekly severance of x amount of dollars. I have to state this every week. Well I get a notice saying I'm denied unemployment until such and such date because my gross weekly severance is above their limit.

So I call the Sub Plan and they say they need a denial letter faxed to them in order to reimburse me for the past weeks and get my weekly amount right. No big deal!

A few days later, I get a call from two people at my old employer saying that I HAVE to appeal the ruling and that I'm not receiving a weekly severance, but a supplemental unemployment benefit (SUB). It would be a severance if I took the lump sum. Tomatoe, tomato, right? (yes I know I spelled that first tomato wrong-it is driving me nuts too)

So I appeal and use some crappy paper they mailed me as "evidence" for my appeal (which did not support or refute the whole not-a-severance thing...which they told me to say I was getting a weekly severance to begin with!) and give them a date that my employer (who is in other states as well) got their SUB plan approved with the state of Indiana. So I fax all of that in and wait. Meanwhile, still getting 2/3 of my money taken away for unemployment.

I get a denial letter (again) and go through the whole appeal process (again). I got a notice about when my appeal will be. It was over the phone with a judge. My employer was invited to attend, but did not (go figure). The whole thing was a train-wreck. The judge grilled me about the whole severance versus SUB thing. I told her they were taking out the unemployment every week, so I'm technically only getting x amount of money a week. She doesn't care. She was appalled that they would take my unemployment out of MY money (they are supposed to pay that). The paper they had me send did no good either. And the judge said she wasn't going to look up some ruling from a few years ago, that is their job to provide.

So, I get another denial letter (big surprise! Like I didn't see that coming!) on my birthday. I can do one more appeal, but only if I have new evidence. I don't. So I faxed in the denial of unemployment to the SUB people. Hopefully in the next few weeks my checks will be back in order, and I can get retroed my other money.

And my former employer thinks they are sneaky. Trying to get away with paying 30 weeks less of unemployment to me. Kind of clever though...cheaper for them.

So I will get a check in about a week, and the rep I talked to said that the unemployment should no longer be taken out. I'll let you know...I have a feeling it isn't that easy, and I'll be fighting them for awhile!

Happy New Year

I meant to get around to posting yesterday, but I was too busy partying! Ha ha! I'm just kidding. I was spending the day with Sean and Alice. I also spent a good portion of the day resting and in bed. My lower back, pelvis, and pubic bone have been killing me. I have pain killers, but I'm not too keen on taking them unless I absolutely need them. I took some yesterday and today.

We stayed home last night, and went to bed early. Well Sean and Alice did...I didn't fall asleep until about 3. Then I slept in until 11, thanks to my wonderful husband!

We got a lot done around here today. Christmas decorations are put up, laundry is caught up (almost), and we have been cleaning, picking up, and organizing. Sean and I discussed about him going in to driving at UPS. He is set on it this time, and says we will be moving to a condo when he does switch to full time. We'll see how that goes.

Our family goal (or resolution) is to simplify. Either use it, sell it, or chuck it. We are getting rid of the crap. That will make our lives and home less cluttered. I'm trying to convince Sean to let me hold on to all of Alice's old clothes. You know, wait several years and see what happens or what we decide. I can always turn around and sell them, donate them, or give them away. Or a combination of that. I seriously have EVERY single girl item that his sisters' had for their girls. So very large totes each with every size clothing (0-3, 3-6, and so on).

My personal goals for this year:
•Blog more. I won't say every day, but how about averaging 60% of the time. Who knows what life will be like once Sprout gets here! (I bet my blog becomes horrendous due to sleep deprivation!)
•Get more organized. Find a place for everything and return it there when done. (mostly Alice's toys, but there are other things)
•Get Alice on a schedule. I believe this will be the first thing accomplished, as I've been working on this for awhile.
•Finish Alice's cross-stitch birth announcement before she turns two. I started it when I found out we were having a girl, and still haven't finished! Start on Sprout's and get it done before his first birthday (yes, I realize that could go through to next year).

I hope you had a wonderful, safe New Years! Here is to a year full of blessings, happiness, and our growing friendships!