Car, Cat and bad news

I got my new car and I love it.  I went in Monday to talk about it and test drive, I took Jackson and he was actually really good.  He went on the test drive with me and it was good.  I was not too happy with the financing terms but it was the best I was able to do, and I can afford it, just means I'd better really use those coupons!  I picked up the car Wednesday, less than a week!  The funniest part is that Jackson still insists it belongs to "the man" and is not ours.  He's getting used to it but it is too funny. 

I also heard back from the vet on Monday.  Mea's anti-inflammatory are high, her protein is low, her liver & kidneys are fine, and her urine was slightly dilute.  Apparently her body is fighting something and it's causing her pain.  I was able to speak to the first vet who saw her, and she was not very optimistic.  Apparently Mea would likely not react well to the medicine they wanted to use for arthritis.  So.  She's on an antibiotic to try and see if it's an infection, as well as a pain med that she was on previously.  I am hopeful these will help, but if not then it is cancer and I will have to say goodbye. 

I am still not entirely sure what to tell Jackson, he knows that she is sick, and I have told him she is getting medicine but she might be too sick for it to work, and she may have to leave us and go to heaven.  I didn't want to use "the farm" because we actually go visit farms on occasion, I didn't want him to ask to, and expect to, see her again. Heaven is a vague term here, we haven't gone to church and I'm not sure he will understand it but I will explain that it's a nice place for Mea to go and live, to be able to play and sleep and have fun whenever she wants.  It will be hard on both of us I think.  I do believe I have seen some improvement in her but not much, and it never lasts long.  I think in another week I will know one way or the other.  The pain meds are only for a week, so if the antibiotics do work I should know by mid week. 

In better news, I heard back about the process I am in at work to keep my promotion, I was invited for language testing and told the next test will be one I've written before.  I am not going for the language testing, I do not speak French at all right now.  I checked my score on the other test and I've got more than is required, so I emailed the contact for the competition and they have confirmed I have the score I need, they have the record. So I am in.  Which is a relief, to get into the pool at this point pretty much means I'll be keeping this permanently.  Phew. 

So that's my week... Jackson has been really good the whole week and is still the light in my life, he makes me smile and is such a good boy.  We've been working on the terrible two issues, and it is going better, he is starting to listen and I'm giving him simple options to choose from, to allow him to feel in control.  Now to deal with the toy issue... every time we go shopping he believes he should get a new toy... which is of course my own fault but now it's a hard habit to break!

Our new car still wrapped in plastic

Of cars and credit

On the last trip to my parents when I started the car to come home the check engine light came on.  It had rained a lot the day before we left, and it was still damp.  It was a long drive home, worrying about what to do.  The car is a 2002, so it's not new or something.  It's got some rust and will need new tires before winter, the heat wasn't working that great by February but we managed, I'm not sure it would last another winter without sinking a lot of money into it.  So the check engine light was a bit of a worry.  It went off a couple days later, and came back on the next time it rained.  To go off again when it got hot and dry again.  It's possible that it's something easy to fix, I'm just so tired of dealing with it. 

So I finally called a car company, they sell a couple different makes, and I've settled on the car I want.  I go in tomorrow to discuss details and test drive a couple models.  I hope it all goes well.  I am not looking forward to the expense, but am looking forward to the new car. I don't feel that my current car is safe to get back and forth to my parents.  And I know I can make the payments, though it may mean putting off a house for an extra year, possibly baby 2 as well, which is somewhat on hold any way.  It seems that having a nice permanent government job is all I really need to get a car loan... how crazy is that?  I believe having the car loan will further improve my credit, and allow me to get a mortgage. 

And about my job, I'm moving to a new position Sept 11th.  I'm pretty sure I'm happy about it.  It is a good opportunity to learn something new.  It's still an acting position, so I'll continue with the higher pay, and once the process wraps up I'll be in the position permanently.  So it's good. 

Jackson has been TWO lately.  He certainly has a mind of his own and does not like to listen until you threaten to take away his bottle, or not buy him a new toy.  He loves his little cars.  I started a sticker chart, but it did not go well, I'm going to try again.  There are moments I am at a loss how to deal with him.  I don't want to lose my temper with him but boy does he push my buttons sometimes!  I know he's not doing it on purpose but it seems like it sometimes.  I am working on it, as much as I am working on him.  We do have some great moments together as well, and I look forward to and try to enjoy those as much as possible. 

I am faced with a small problem.  My poor Mea is sick, she has pretty bad arthritis, and I took her for tests on Friday.  That annoyed me, the tests will say if she is healthy enough for medication, but if she's not they aren't willing to give anything to make her feel better.  So she's suffering while I wait for the blood work to come back.  Any way.  I expect she does not have much longer with us.  And I have no idea how to explain to Jackson where she has gone without unduly upsetting him, or having him connect things badly. For instance I don't want to say she got sick and didn't get better, then every time he or I get sick he will worry about it.  I can't say I took her to the farm, then he'll never want to go to the farm, or he will want to go visit her.  I hope that she can go on medication, and that it will help her live her life again, but I know it won't last long, so it is a dilemma of how long will I do this for her?  Should I have let her go?  I thought she was about 11 but the last very said she's closer to 16... that upsets me.  I've had her 9 years, and she came to me scared of people and very timid.  So while she has had a great life with me, I feel bad for all she obviously went through before me.

So ends my Sunday rambling.  Car, hopefully a new one soon!. Child... he's awesome but wow is he getting his own personality!  And my poor Mea... sweet little kitty that I love.



My Mea



Back to work tomorrow

Tomorrow we are back to the grind.  I managed to get him mostly back on track today in terms of naps and sleep, so hopefully tomorrow is not too much of a struggle for either of us.  We had a nice play date with a friend and her daughter, we haven't seen them since Jackson started daycare I think, so over a year!  close to 2 years actually.  They both had fun and want to do it again, Jackson asked to go back there and she asked for him to come swim in her little pool. It was nice that they got along, though of course my boy pushed her... a few times... sigh... He also ate two hot dogs for lunch there, which was actually a good things since he hardly had any breakfast before we left.  And Olivia had two hot dogs with buns, Jackson won't eat them like that... silly boy.  They have a new baby, well he's 3 months old now, which Jackson thought was pretty neat, he wanted the baby in the swing though, so every time he came out of it Jackson wasn't too pleased.  It was kind of funny to me.  I see how hard it is to have two little ones but still want another. Working on it.

A nice (short) vacation and my new obsession

I booked a week off from work.  We went to visit my parent's and it was a nice break.  But I have to say the "terrible two's" are no fun at all.  I am losing it more than I'd like and feel like I need a month off to calm myself down.  But of course that isn't an option right now so I will hopefully manage with a few long weekends between now and the end of the year, when I am off for just over a week at Christmas... less than 6 months away! 

Jackson has certainly been trying my patience, and I've been losing it.  He runs off, scares me, hits, hits my poor little cat with arthritis, pulls her tail, she can't even move fast enough to get away from him.  He doesn't listen, and I am just at a loss.  I mean I know he's two and testing his boundaries and all that, but now he is forced to ride in the cart because he runs off, and up and down the aisles screaming and looking for "toys".  He torments the animals, throws things on the floor, and generally doesn't listen.  I am tired.  I know I am stressed, partly because of all the changes at work, and partly because I just need a break.  Even the trip to my parent's was not so restful.  And on the way home the check engine light came on... great... I'm not ready to get a new car!  Not that I wouldn't love one but I'm not ready.

I know my credit is improved, and I spoke to the bank before my holidays.  There were two things to be cleaned up on my report and then I'd qualify for a mortgage (if I had the down payment).  I've called about one and am supposed to be looking into the other one, but am secretly hoping it just goes away.  I know.  I'll get my report again in a couple weeks, once the one issue has time to be resolved and then see where I stand. One interesting thing, the banker mentioned the HBP, yeah I know, put money in my RRSP and use up to $25k as the down payment/closing costs. I currently have $2500 in there lol, but am expecting another $11k late in the year through a work contract thing.  He mentioned I could use an RRSP loan to top it up... get the money back when I file my taxes of course, and be able to use the full $25k.  Interesting.  I had not thought of that so it was a good trip to the bank.

And my new obsession... coupons.  Seriously.  I'm a little obsessed, ok a lot.  I have a coupon organizer and am on coupon trains, trading with people.  I am looking for bargains and matching up the coupons I have to the sales to get the best deals.  Today I got Palmolive dish soap for 99 cents, degree deodorant for $1.50, purex action pacs for $2.99 and dove body wash for $1.99.  I also found some bagged lettuce on sale for 50 cents, and dug through to find the latest expiry date hidden at the back :-)  All in all, I'm saving money. 

This month I am trying to use my freezer stock up. I have a lot of food in there and no room for any more, so I am eating what I have, the only food items I'm allowed to buy are fresh produce and milk.  I have enough of everything else to last the month. At least.  I wish that coupons worked as well here as they do in the US, I can't stack them or double them or anything like that, but I can use them on sale items, and can price match at Walmart, which I have not yet done because it intimidates me, but I will.  I am riding coupon trains to get my wish list coupons, my wish list which I need to revamp or I'm going to end up with 20 of the same coupon that I'll never be able to use.  And I am building up a stock pile of things like toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo and toothbrushes.  Things that don't really go bad and I can get a really good deal on.

I am also really using my shopper's points, or rather really saving them up to get some nice Christmas presents, I plan to get a free Wii, and possibly a few other gifts at that time of year.  I am learning all these things, and really enjoying it in the process.  As far as obsessions go, at least this one is saving me money!  I am carefully not buying things just because I have a coupon, but taking care to get things I will use and need. 

All of this has also cause me to purge and clean my house, also a work in progress, but I got rid of 5 bags of clothes, made a lot of room in my kitchen, both in the cupboards and on the counters, and will be tackling the baby items soon.  Those are a bit of a sore spot though, since I think I will need them for another baby, but see no way I'll be able to afford to have another one. Though with coupons I'm sure I could get a lot of stuff free or nearly free lol.  I am hoping my grocery budget will be greatly helped through all of this.  And yes I am buying healthy things too, or will be once my freezer is used up.  I have coupons for fresh chicken, salad, eggs, milk, and cheese, not just snacks and junk food.  Though I have a few of those too ;-)  And speaking of the freezer,I'd love to get a bigger one, but won't until my credit card is paid off, and I can pay cash for it.  So it'll be awhile.  Sigh.  It would come in so handy to be able to stock up on some great deals!  Oh well... I'm saving money either way. 

Another nice weekend

We've had another nice weekend.  I know it's not over yet but so far so good.  Yesterday was errand day, with lots of stops at stores and then some cleaning.  We went to Timmies after dinner and Jackson had two timbits which he really enjoyed.  I had an iced coffee and a new lady at the cash who made me an iced cap instead... she fixed it but seemed quite confused by it all.  Another lady was buying a dozen donuts and had to stand near our cash to choose them as we were on the donut side.  Jackson was quite upset that she was on our side but she was nice about it and had a little laugh at him.  It was cute, my boy knows his rules of line ups apparently, you stay in your line and don't cut in line. 

Today we went to a splash pad in Barrhaven, with a nice park there too.  Jackson took awhile to warm up to the water but did get quite wet in the end.  We met up with Missy and Emmerson.  Missy is my parent's best friends daughter, we grew up hearing about one another but never really met until I had Jackson and she had Emmy and we were both off on mat leave at the same time.  Now we hang out with kids in tow, and she is quite nice.  She has a baby boy as well, Cooper, so two under two, though Emmy is now just over 2 so I guess you can't say that any more.  She does have her hands full as her husband often travels for work so she's left with the two kids, and she is the type who needs some me time, she used to do iron man triathlons so is a big runner/biker/swimmer and prefers those activities in solitude.  Any way.  Jackson and Emmy played quite well together at the park, they share better when on neutral ground, if they are at one another's homes there is a territorial nature to their play.  Some kids from Jackson's daycare are actually neighbours with Emmy now, so we will be going over there for a big play date so Jackson can see his old friends. They are no longer going to his daycare so he hasn't seen them in awhile, and the older girl was one he has a bit of a crush on, always wanting to hug her... very cute.

Next weekend we go to my parent's for about 5 days.  I think a week is a bit too long, 5 days should be good.  Jackson has big plans, he wants to go the french fry restaurant (food court in the mall), buy a snowplow (go to the toy store), get a skippy stone (from a Stella and Sam episode, stone is from the beach), go for ice cream, walk down to see the boats on the water, and play.  All the usual stuff really.  Hopefully the weather cooperates and we're able to get it all in. 

My little female cat was limping quite a bit, so I finally had the time and money to get her to the vet.  They said she sounds like she has arthritis, and was compensating for her sore end by pulling up with her front, and pulled something in her elbow.  Thus the limping.  They gave her some medicine to help her feel better and let the elbow heal, and I've got her on a glucosamine supplement, and have bought her senior cat food.  This is tricky because I also have a fat cat who needs to go on a diet.  But since the little one (who is 6lbs) can no longer jump up on the dresser to get to the big boy's food (he's 20lbs at least) I have started giving him diet food.  And I made a cat feeding box, which I call Mea's Cafe.  I took a clear storage bin and cut an opening in it just big enough for her and not him.  I covered the cut plastic with some foam stuff you get to wrap around pipes (the plastic was sharp) and lined the box with an old towel because it was slippery inside.  Now she can eat in peace, her own food, and he can go on a diet.  They still get canned food twice a day, which she mostly eats, and which I pick her up to get to as I can't put it on the floor or the dog will eat it all.  And we'll see how it goes.  I expect she will not make it too much longer though, she sleeps a lot now, can't jump like she used to (she's a climber) and is a bit sad overall.  I am hoping she'll get better but will not let her suffer. She has lost most of the muscle in her hind end, and her elbow is still sore.  But she still likes to cuddle and is doing better.  Hopefully the new food, supplements and time will help her adapt.  She's only 10 or 11 (got from the humane society so not sure her real age) which is not old really, for an indoor cat.  In any case, we're adapting and hopefully she has a few more years in her. 



Riley and Mea waching the squirrels in the fall



Mea



Snickers - look at his belly!



Long day with a tired kiddo

The weather started out pretty good this morning so I decided to take us on a little hike. It's about a 5k or so loop and normally takes us an hour to do.  About 20 minutes into it Jackson wanted up.  I had brought my fabulous preschool sized kinderpack so I flipped him up on my back and away we went.  Now if I had been thinking I would have turned around then since we weren't even at the half way point, but I thought he was just needing a little break and would want to walk again.  He didn't.  I carried him about 40 minutes, my back was a little sore, he is 34 or so pounds so he is heavy.  My carrier was awesome though, it really shifts the weight into my hips and legs so it's not pulling down on my shoulders. 

I'm not sure why he was so tired today, he had a good sleep last night and it was still well before nap time when we went hiking.  He had a big nap after lunch too, close to 4 hours.  And after a bath he fell asleep pretty easily tonight.  So hopefully he's not sick again because I am so out of leave it's not funny.  And we're going to my parent's Friday for the long weekend.  I'll pick him up after lunch at daycare, he should be pretty tired and ready for a nap after playing all morning and having a good lunch. 

I had a nap today too, and the puppy who came with us on the walk is currently snoring on the couch, and had a big nap as well.  He's not used to such a long walk, not for awhile any way.  I've had to start using the halti on him again though because he's pulling a lot again.  We did obedience classes before Jackson was born but he didn't ever really get the no pull walk.  He will sit, and down, especially if there is a treat offered, but he pulls constantly.  Jackson will never be able to walk him.

Overall it was a good weekend, didn't spend any money (have none to spend lol) and we got out to enjoy the nice weather quite a bit.  It's raining now and is supposed to continue for a couple days.  Means I don't have to water my garden which is nice.  Speaking of my garden, my tomato plants are going awesome, the carrots seem to have disappeared, the swiss chard is sad looking, I may try that again after the hottest part of summer.  My cucumbers were eaten by squirrels and only two bean plants made it. The pepper plant is hanging in there but doesn't seem to be growing much.  I do have some lettuce that seems to be doing well.  I also have a few calla lilies in my pots that are blooming, I guess the squirrels missed those.  I do love calla lilies, they are so pretty!

A short work week, then a nice long weekend.  I hope we have a good time at my parent's place, and are able to go to the beach.  The short week will be nice for his first in the preschool room.  I am hopeful that it goes well and he adjusts quickly, but I know my kid and anticipate some crying and perhaps a tantrum or two.  I really hope they listen to me about the potty training, which did not happen at all this weekend.  If the weather is nice we'll be outside a lot this weekend, so that'll be good for hanging out in underpants outside. 

Starting in July I'm moving to a cash budget system, well a hybrid of one any way.  I will be using envelopes, mostly because the jars I see on Til Debt Do Us Part would be too hard to carry around.  I have my categories all sorted out and a plan to pay off my small debt, and save for a house and a few other things.  I am also going to be saving for Christmas.  I plan to use my ING savings account, which I haven't used in many many years, to save for that, and a couple other things that are yearly purchases.  I'm combining a few different ideas and am hoping it will go well.  I will need to show some restraint, and to say no to my baby.  He usually asks for a toy when we go to certain stores, but when I look around the living room it isn't like he needs any!  I need to stop shopping.  I am a shopaholic.  Extreme shopaholic.  I need a replacement for that.  Maybe I can do a workout when the urge to shop strikes... I'd lose weight for sure! :-) 

And that's that for now.  Rambling post I guess but just stuff to get out.  Time for me to go to bed shortly, kiddo is sound asleep and it's a big day for him tomorrow. 

Picnic at the Park

Today has been a good day so far, the weather is fabulous and we met up with the SMC group in Ottawa for a picnic at Sandy Hill park.  It was a lot of fun though I spent more time chasing Jackson than being able to chat with anyone unfortunately.  He was pretty good but at the end was not listening so it was time to come home.  I didn't know they have a wading pool there so didn't take his swimsuit, so he didn't get to get wet.  I know now and it wasn't that hard to get to so we may go back. It was quite a nice little park.  I'm sure there are similar in our area, closer to home, but I have to find them!  We normally stick to our little hidden park that he enjoys, we can walk there in just over 20 minutes so we take the dog, play at the park then walk home.  I am thinking of trying the bike out after nap time, to head to that little park for some playing.  But it will depend on what time he wakes from his nap at.

Some pics of him enjoying himself



driving the train



on the toddler sized slide



on the tire swing

 He also enjoyed digging in the dirt and going down the big slide with mommy, though mommy's butt got a little burned so we only did that twice.

It was nice to see the other mommy's and kids as well, a few are either trying for 2, in the process of having their second or already have two.  It was inspiring to see and makes me more determined to make that work for me. 

Work is work, and my acting promotion was extended so the extra money will be coming in for an additional month, which is great and will hopefully build up my savings towards my goal. 

Daycare is going well, he moves up to the preschool room on Monday and yesterday they gave me a list of things he'll need that I wasn't prepared for, so had to spend extra money which rather annoys me.  And then there was some issue with training pants, they want him in pull ups, I don't use disposables, and he's been wearing underwear in the toddler room for two weeks now, so why are we going backwards.  His toddler room teacher was nice, and told me that I am his mother and to say what I want them to do.  Which is underpants.  I'll make sure to leave a few extra pairs of underpants and shorts there, I do any way, and will expect accidents, but if they are consistent with getting him to sit on the potty, there shouldn't be an issue.  I will have to be on top of it here, which so far hasn't gone well.  I am hoping next weekend at my parent's will be good, he will likely be out in their backyard a good portion of the day, or at the beach, so underwear it will be!  Plus I got a piddle pad for the car seat so won't have to worry about that either. It should be delivered Monday or Tuesday (had to order it online as it's been out of stock at the local stores forever).

And that's our time so far :-)  He's napping, I'm considering one myself, though I have a lot of chores I should be doing.  Always chores to do though... don't always have time to nap.