Perditia the Pirate Cat

Several years ago Dita's eye started turning a bit red.  We took her to the vet, tried some meds but the eye continued to change color.  The vet told us it was okay and there wasn't much we could do about it at that point.  So for years she has had a red eye.  This summer we noticed that Perdita's red eye had started turning black and goopy.  It got bad enough that we took her to the vet again. Greg and I talked before hand.  We put a price limit- less than $700 and I'd just say do it, less than $1000 and we would talk, over that and we would have to say good night to Perdita.  The Vet said she was totally blind in that eye and it needed to come out or put her to sleep - his price was $800.  Greg called around and no other vet even came close.  We figured Emily couldn't get through  Middle School without Perdita so we had her eye taken out.  

She was  a bit lazy for a few days and had us worried because she wouldn't eat.  We made a late night run to Ridley's and got some soft cat food and that did it; she started eating again.  After that everyone monitored her eating and pooping habits, gave her extra love and showed her to all the neighbors.  There have been lots of jokes about getting her an eye patch and calling her a pirate.  

It was actually pretty cool to watch the wound heal.  It looked pretty awful at first but as the stitches came out and the hair grew back in it began to look pretty normal.  Now we hardly notice at all.  She surprised us with a mouse the other day; even one eyed she is taking care of things.  That cat has been around a long time - at least 11 years.  She has been an amazing cat, hunter of mice and snakes, and best friend to Emily.  Glad she is still with us.

First Day of “yellow status” School

School finally started Sept 8th - We only go two days a week.  Monday and Tuesday are our days.  Friday's we don't have school at all which is a new experience with lots of potential.  

Wearing masks when it is "highly encouraged" but not required isn't always easy but it makes me happy that my kids, thus far, have obeyed our request to wear them.  We want to keep going to school and visiting Grandma's house.  

We miss Natali but love hearing about all of her new adventures.  Mack is a Junior, Andrew a Sophomore, Kate 8th, Emily 5th, Lily 2nd.  They are growing up so fast.

I think everyone was glad to get back to school.  It had been almost 6 months since they were in the classroom.  Two days a week online isn't my favorite but we are so thrilled to get two days in class that we will take it with gratitude for the teachers and administrators that are making it possible.  

Goodbye Summer; Last Hurrah

Andrew and Mack started soccer practice the first week in August.  One evening they were scrimaging Varsity so Greg and I came to watch.  Andrew got caught up with Caleb and fell.  He caught himself with his arm and he was not doing well when he got up.  He was tearing up and ended up going to see the trainer.  She wrapped it up and told him it could be broken soo either go right to the doctor or come see her again in the morning.  It was past 8 o'clock by the time the game was over so ER was the only doctor option.  I told him we'd see how it looked in the morning; it looked the same.  No swelling or bruising but he said it hurt really bad.  We took him back to the trainer and she told us to take him in.  An hour later we knew what a buckle fracture was and he had this fancy brace.  No soccer for two weeks, no games for 3 weeks, wear the brace for 4 weeks.  Fun times.  Luckily, due to poor air quality a few games were rescheduled so he only missed one game.  

Due to Covid - school started 3 weeks later than scheduled so the girls and I enjoyed a few days up in McCall with Grandma and Grandpa.

Emmy and I did a lot of paddle boarding - I love being out there on the water- so peaceful.  I found a group of huge fish on my own then grabbed Emily to show her.  It's fun to share it together.

We went on lots of walks with Grandma and we found this little bridge in the middle of the forest.

At Emily's request we drove out to North Beach to look for moose.  No luck - but we did walk around and explore the empty beach.  It is nice to be up there when the crowds are back in the valley.

When we got home from McCall we repacked our bags and turned around and drove to Utah to spend Labor Day with Natali and the cousins.

Unfortunately, right before we got there one of Natali's roommateso went into quarantine so we chose to be pretty careful.  We went and saw her room but didn't stay long and wore masks the whole time.  She walked us around campus and we visited the bookstore and creamery.  Then we said goodbye and headed to Aunt Sue's house.

All the cousins gathered at Sue's to slip and slide and pick raspberries. 

Mack and I played a lot of soccer and I may have given him a bloody nose with the ball - my juggling skills could use some work.

On Sunday we hiked into the mountains and had church among the trees, in our hammocks, on blankets, rocks, and tree stumps.  It was fabulous.  

Andrew even found himself a snake on the trail - he had to be the reptile tamer since Brad wasn't there.

We also spent a lot of time at Laurie and Brett's new house.  The boys spent hours and hours playing cup pong and sting pong or some combo with Bode.  Emily, Hazel and Piper walked around outside on the trails.  Lily loved hanging with Dane and Zella, and Kate, Harper, and London kept themselves busy doing who knows what.  Man the kids love their cousin.

The fire pole was a huge hit and we did manage to see a moose and a deer in their backyard.  

Sharing a late night apple peel snack.  

Monday morning Greg, Laurie, Beth and I went for a gorgous 5 or 6 mile hike.  We even had to take a few bushwacking detours in order to avoid the three moose we saw.  Such a wonderful weekend; the only reason anyone wanted to go home was becuase we were actually starting school Tuesday morning and we were ready.  It had been over 5 months since they had been in class.  It was time.