And Now ......

...... the original subject that I was going to post about Thursday night.

When last I left you I had updated you about Jack and told you the story of my trip to the grocery store on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning I had my first orthodontic appointment in 2 months.  I've been wearing my braces only at night, which has been a lot easier than wearing them all day long.
Plus, the last time I went in, my ortho took off the attachments that he had glued to my teeth months ago.  Those horrible bumpy things that made raw spots on the inside of my cheeks ..... unless I had the braces on.
I was much relieved.

So on this visit, I got the next set of braces, plus 7 (SEVEN) new attachments glued to my teeth.  You know, to replace the 3 I had before.
Yeah, more raw spots, new tight braces that I get to wear 22-23 hours a day.
Fun!!

After my appointment I met up with my lovely friend/real estate agent so that she could show me a house that just came on the market in the neighborhood that I like.
I really like the neighborhood, but still don't know if I want to stay in Houston or not.  I guess I'm keeping my options open.

After seeing the house, I went back home and threw several things into a suitcase.  Since I was leaving town I did what I usually do:  locked a closet door and locked my bedroom door.  I didn't always do this, but ever since we had an "event" at the end of May last year (think "Risky Business" without the hookers) while I was out of town, I now take precautions.

Son #2 drove me to the airport, where I caught a flight to Tulsa.  Vicki picked me up, along with her daughter C.  We went to dinner and then to their house to relax for the evening.
I went to bed around midnight.
At around 1:30 a.m. my cell phone rang.  It was from Son #2.
Here's the gist of our conversation:
Me:  "Hello?"
S2:  "Hey.  How's it going?"
Me:  "Ummmmm, fine.  Why are you calling at 1:30 a.m.?"
S2::  And here's the whole reason for this post ........
       "Ummmm ...... how do you unlock your bedroom door?"
Me:  "With the key.  That's with me. Why?"
S2:  "The cats are locked in your room."
Me:  -silence, followed by ..... "Are you kidding?"
S2:  "Nope.  Theyre' in there.  Should I use a knife and take the door knob off?"
Me: "No!  Don't break the door knob.  Can you use a screw driver and remove it that way?"
S2:  "Nope.  There aren't any screws."
Me:  "What about sliding the bolts out of the hinges?  Wait, those are on the inside, aren't they?"
S2"  "Yep.  On the inside.  I can use a knife and get it off."
Me:  "No!  Don't use a knife.  What about that credit card thing .... where you slide it between the door  and the door frame?"
S2:  --after trying the credit card thing-- "Nope.  That's not going to work."
Me:  "Well, I don't know what to tell you.  Are you sure they're in there?"
S2:   "Yes.  You're not coming back until Tuesday.  They're going to die in there."
Me:  "Nah, they won't die.  Unless they eat each other."
S2:  "Not funny."
Me:  "OK, in the morning call a lock smith.  Here's the name of one I've used before:  ______.  Keep me posted."
S2:  "OK.

He called the locksmith the next morning.  The guy came out and had to break the lock to get it open.
Yep, I could've saved $85 and let Son #2 do that the night before.
Oh well, the cats were released.
Even better ..... by some miracle neither of them ate each other, or pooped or peed in my room.  So yay for that.
It's been an emotional week, feline-wise.

As I mentioned earlier, a cyber vet friend set up a page so that people could help with the expenses of fixing Jack (https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/3bI70).  I was, and am, very grateful and humbled by her actions and by the actions of others who have donated to that page.  It's not something I would've done. Ever.
But then I wouldn't have seen the amazing kindness of family, friends and complete strangers.
So thank you to her and to everyone who's wanted to help, and has ..... with good thoughts, prayers, comments and donations.
T.A.N.W.

In other news of wonderfully amazing support, SS received a grant Thursday ...... money to support our Regional Groups program.  A camper nominated us for it.  And every one of us on the Board was stunned.  And a couple of us cried,  Including me.

On the flip side ...... I received a text message from my bank on Friday.  I didn't trust a text message so I called them.  The text message was the real deal.
It seems that my credit card # has been stolen ...... for the third time in 6 months or so.
Seriously?

Now one credit card is dead and the other is pretty much full of vet bills.
But at least my bank doesn't make me pay for purchases that I didn't make.
Like three consecutive purchases at Target ...... each for between 2 and 3 hundred dollars.
W.T.H.?

So tomorrow I get to try to remember which accounts/bills I have on auto pay and hopefully get them all updated before they find out that the credit card I've used is now useless.  For the third time.  But I said that earlier.

Anyway ...... that's about it ..... I think.  Vicki and I are relaxing at her lake condo, which is beautiful and a wonderfully quiet space.
Of course as I wrote about the credit card, I remembered that it's being sent to her house tomorrow via FedEx and they'll require a signature.
Of course.

So our lake trip will end before we had planned.  And hopefully we won't miss the FedEx man/person.

I think I may have caught you all up now.
Maybe.
But don't quote me.
Because things tend to change over night.
Or second by second.

But life is good.
Mostly.
Before I forget, I had a great visit with Son #3 this morning.  He's very happy at school.
Very.
That makes me happy.
But boy, do I miss him.
And yes, I cried again today as we drove away from him.
But I'm glad and relieved that he's happy and doing so very well.
Did I mention that he's the president of his pledge class?
No, I didn't, but now I have.
In case you can't tell ...... I'm very proud of him.

I head back to NY on Thursday and I can't wait.
Oliver is going with me.
Which should make things very interesting.
Please join me in praying that he, and Jack, hate windows.

OK, Peeps.
That's it for now.
For however long "now" lasts.

I hope you had a good weekend.
Do me a favor, boycot Sports Illustrated.
For their lack of journalistic integrity.
That, and the fact that they print stories by someone who's been fired for writing lies in the past.
More than once.

That's all I'm going to say about that.
At least for now.

Happy Sunday/Monday, Peeps.
:)