The days of our lives - Animal Hospital

I've had a ripped beaver on top of my refrigerator for a. long. time. His name is Sting-y. He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. He's been up there for safe-keeping because one claw was falling off.

Are you like me? When your kids come to you when their beloved stuffed pet has a little rip or tear, do you tell them you'll fix it when you get a chance and then stick it on the fridge and forget about it for six months or so? I didn't think so.

I had a little project going last night. I'm making more rice bags for friends with various aches and pains. Jordan brought me a little beany squirrel with a ripped foot and asked me if I could fix it. I just had to say yes.

Then I remembered Sting-y.

Before I knew what was happening many more injured animals had materialized and were lined up for surgery.

Here is the beloved beaver shortly after receiving his general anesthesia.

I was miraculously able to reattach this claw. I can only hope that it heals nicely or he will be facing amputation.

Here is one of my recovery room nurses caring for the squirrel after he woke up.

Sting-y and his boy. Together again.

We also cared for a puppy with a skull fracture and a lizard with 3rd degree burns. He needed extensive skin grafting and will have some very obvious scarring. Thomas was my OR nurse and helped me to place IV's and clean the room between cases.

What fun we had pretending to run an animal hospital! It was one of those rare nights when I actually believe that I'm a great mom.

Counting coins.

After gathering up everyone who wanted to make the trek to the bank in town, I found myself with all the little kids and no big helpers. No matter. I can handle those babies just fine. One problem, the jar weighed over 30 pounds I'm guessing. It was much heavier than Ralph!

We parked at the bank, prayed together, and then I got out the double stroller. Ralph in the front, Ruby in the back. Thomas pushed it. I carried the loaded jar. Rose and Leroy opened the doors. What a sight!

We could only dump about half of the coins into the machine at one time. I was nervous to press the start button. I guess I was afraid it would make lots of noise, but mostly it just jingled like change in your pocket. Halfway through, the coin counter stopped because a bag inside was full. A lady came to replace it and we started counting again.

A digital display indicated the running total in dollars. It was fun to watch the money add up! We poured the rest of the coins in and watched the total approach $100. We all cheered when we hit $100 and the counting continued.

Then...I bumped the jar. Yes, it fell to the floor...smashed! After all the care that I took to carry it carefully while it was heavy and full, I had to bump it and smash it now that it was empty. *sigh*

Of course, I was not allowed to clean up my own mess. Liability and all. The counting continued. A few coins were spit out and I threw them back in! The grand total? Way more than I expected:

• 2514 pennies
• 281 nickels
• 477 dimes
• 203 quarters
• 1 half dollar
• 1 dollar!

That adds up to $139.14 in coins. There were also some foreign pennies and assorted bills in the jar making the total somewhere around $180. (I'm rounding up!) I was really hoping for about half that much.

I've brought out a new jar. A friend sent this jar to me full of potato soup after Ralphie was born. We have already begun our 2010 coin collection, starting with the mother lode that I found in daddy's trunk!!

tale of two computers

Here I am, typing on my dinosaur ergonomic keyboard on my trusty old tank of a computer. I'm pretty thankful for this steady old friend. We've been through much together over the past 8 1/2 years. Sure, I have to scroll left and right to read most of the blogs that I follow. And, yes, it takes a few minutes to load the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree page. (All those beautiful photos tend to slow things down) But, I can hard boot him anytime and he just takes it beautifully.

My flashy, slim laptop is turning out to be a rather delicate and fickle friend. He's the one you want everyone to see you hanging out with. He's also the one who stabs you in the back when you least expect it. This week Mr. Laptop is pretending that he can't find his operating system, but I know better. He just enjoys toying with me.

My problem is that I'd rather have any computer than no computer at all. So I go running back to my trusted friend whenever Mr. Laptop treats me badly. It's all very disfunctional, I know.

Husband Tag

I found this on Renee's blog and thought it looked like fun! If you do it too, let me know!

Husband Tag -

1. Where did you meet? At a bar in Hays, KS. Shocked??

2. How long did you date before you got married? Date, hmmm, don't know if I would call it that. About 15 months.

3. How long have you been married? 17 years.

4. What does he do that surprises you? Brings me candy.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? His great big hands.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? He has a rare kind of common-sense.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Mama.

8. What is his favorite color? Blue.

9. What is his favorite food? Mexican

10. What is his favorite sport? Baseball

11. When and where was your first kiss? Undoubtedly the night we met in October 1990.

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? See #13.

13. Do you have any children? Yes, eight... soon to be nine!

14. Does he have a hidden talent? He's really, REALLY good at Galaga. I put a link here for you young whipper-snappers.

15. How old is he? 38

16. Who said I love you first? I honestly don't remember!

17. What’s his favorite type of music? Country or classic rock.

18. What do you admire most about him? He works harder than anyone else I know.

19. Do you think he will read this? Of course!