In my life this week...
I became a mom again ... a foster mom ... to a cat. It was totally unplanned, but I'm feeling really good about the spur of the moment decision. It all started out with an innocent trip to the humane society's yard sale. After we'd purchased our new treasures, we headed inside to visit with the animals. My tween was absolutely drawn to a sweetheart orange tabby. His information said he's 9 years old. I can't imagine what it must have been like for him to have been a part of someone's life or family for 9 years and then be dumped at the shelter. I say "dumped" because his information stated the reason he was brought in was because he didn't get along with the other household cat - not a case of someone losing their job or home. He was a big love bug, but it was obvious he was coming down with an upper respiratory infection. This humane society is not a no kill shelter. I knew his fate would be being moved to isolation (where he would not be given meds) and then euthanasia. My heart wept for him. My tween was begging to adopt him, but dad made it clear that was a big NO. Instead, wegot roped into agreed to foster him with the intent of finding him a forever home. Now we're (hubby and I) debating adopting him. We fear he would be passed over as undesirable due to his "advanced" age (never mind he has plenty of years left) - everyone wants a kitten. He's a great, mellow cat - loves to be loved, loves belly rubs, and loves to "talk". We're giving him meds for his URI (fostering or adopting him was the only way the shelter would give them to him), and he's making good progress so far with kicking it. Unfortunately, he thinks my pillow is a perfect place to sleep (while I'm also using it for sleep).
In our homeschool this week...
I became a mom again ... a foster mom ... to a cat. It was totally unplanned, but I'm feeling really good about the spur of the moment decision. It all started out with an innocent trip to the humane society's yard sale. After we'd purchased our new treasures, we headed inside to visit with the animals. My tween was absolutely drawn to a sweetheart orange tabby. His information said he's 9 years old. I can't imagine what it must have been like for him to have been a part of someone's life or family for 9 years and then be dumped at the shelter. I say "dumped" because his information stated the reason he was brought in was because he didn't get along with the other household cat - not a case of someone losing their job or home. He was a big love bug, but it was obvious he was coming down with an upper respiratory infection. This humane society is not a no kill shelter. I knew his fate would be being moved to isolation (where he would not be given meds) and then euthanasia. My heart wept for him. My tween was begging to adopt him, but dad made it clear that was a big NO. Instead, we
In our homeschool this week...
There's been a lot of focus on the foster cat and not a lot of focus on homeschool lessons. Of course taking care of him is a lesson in itself.....
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...
I personally think it's great to build up your home library as much as possible through yard sales, thrift stores, library book sales, etc. I got away from doing so just because it felt like we were drowning in books, but this homeschool year has been a difficult and frustrating one for us using the public library. Our county public library system continues to be hit with budget cuts, they're understaffed, and items returned on time aren't being checked in on time (we've had to argue a lot of fines we didn't owe this homeschool year). It's also been increasingly difficult to obtain the specific materials I'd intended to use. There are definitely a lot more homeschoolers using our library system than ever before. I will be back to building up our home library again.
I am inspired by...
The calm feeling I have in the midst of some recent big decisions (see last week's THMJ).
The calm feeling I have in the midst of some recent big decisions (see last week's THMJ).
Places we're going and people we're seeing...
Taekwon-do lesson, a taekwon-do testing for my tween (moved up to high yellow belt), a yard sale to benefit the humane society, and homeschool co-op where my tween made oyster mats and my kindergartner participated in an archaeology dig by "excavating" chocolate chips from a cookie.
My favorite thing this week was...
Manatees in one of the canals here. Magical.
Manatees in one of the canals here. Magical.
What's working/not working for us...
Working - My kindergartner is having a wonderful time doing step-by-step drawings in various issues of Big Backyard magazine.
Questions/thoughts I have...
If I had a nickel for every time I've stepped on a Lego over the past 12 years, I wonder how rich I'd be?
Questions/thoughts I have...
If I had a nickel for every time I've stepped on a Lego over the past 12 years, I wonder how rich I'd be?
Things I'm working on...
I'm still working on a general declutter and reorganization around the house. I have also been cutting up outgrown/old clothing to use for making quilts and pet blankets.
I'm reading...
The book of Genesis (Amplified version) and The Throne Of Fire by Rick Riordan. I finished Paper Angels by Billy Coffey (I'm working on the review) - it's a must read!
The book of Genesis (Amplified version) and The Throne Of Fire by Rick Riordan. I finished Paper Angels by Billy Coffey (I'm working on the review) - it's a must read!
I'm cooking...
Instant refried bean mix, banana chocolate chip muffins, potato leek soup ... I think those were my main contributions this past week.
I'm grateful for...
A nice stack of homeschool materials and books given to me by an acquaintance. To top it off, the same day my spouse brought home a big stack of homeschool materials and books given to him by one of his clients who is no longer homeschooling. Yay!
A photo, video, link, or quote to share...
A nice stack of homeschool materials and books given to me by an acquaintance. To top it off, the same day my spouse brought home a big stack of homeschool materials and books given to him by one of his clients who is no longer homeschooling. Yay!
A photo, video, link, or quote to share...
Manatees in the canal
Moose (drawn by my kindergartner)
Our sweet foster cat
5 comments:
Beautiful cat!
I'm so sorry to hear about your library! Ours is going through budget cuts too but not at all that drastic. They are still open 7 days a week, with long hours on weekdays. I'm not sure what I'd do without the library, but like you I guess we'd spend more time focusing on building a home library, and there is NOTHING wrong with that!
So much to comment on! First, the foster cat is adorable! It'll be hard to let him go, especially if he's at home sleeping on your pillow. You're right - most will not adopt an adult cat. We tried once - and he had a fantastic personality - but he urinated like crazy on the rug! Obviously, he had some kind of condition that wasn't disclosed to us. I vote for adopt :) One of these days, we'll consider cats again. I haven't been ready for any pet commitments since I lost my cat several years ago. He was such a lovely, easygoing cat and it was heartbreaking to see him suffer in the end. I love your idea of building a home library and I appreciate your reasons. I chide myself for constantly buying (wherever!) and then I find too that our library lacks good materials...and yes, I recently fought a fine issue! Thanks for sharing your week - and LOVE the manatees! What a thrill to see in person!!
Ugh...legos. I think we need a room just for blocks so that I never step on one again.
That cat is adorable. We adopted a cat a few years ago, and I have been wanting another one. They are just such great animals!
Orange cats just know how to cuddle into your heart!
Our library has no budget for materials this year. I donate when I can and help with the Friends of the Library bookstore. It's annoying when your material isn't checked in on time, but that is probably due to an understaffed and overused library. Maybe you should suggest they set up a self-check in for books. That way, if you have the time, you can make sure your material is checked in when you bring it.
Peace and Laughter,
Cristina
I LOVED this post! I was totally carrying on a conversation with you in my head as I was reading it. Seesh, it's stinks we live so far apart! Manatees!! You get to see manatees!! I am so jealous :o)!
Blessings!
Deborah
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