Kitty’s Place

Was home with a sick child today. Last night his cheeks were ruby red so I checked and he had a fever. He still had it this morning so I kept him home. He complained of a sore throat and a headache and stayed quiet on the couch most of the day with his pillow and blanket. We watched movies, read and he played a bit with his game boy. But he was not really well all day, very pale and just not up to much.

My fellow was to the vet today, since I was home with the sick child. She watched Rusty run and agreed that something is going on with him. She put him on an anti inflammatory for 5 days and  we have to contact her if there is no improvement. Next on the list is an xray of his hip if there is no improvement. She also put Susan onto a supplement that is supposed to help arthritis symptoms. I really hope Rusty is better in the next couple of days. He is just so clumsy, always has been one of those dogs who gets tangled up in his own legs. He falls off the bed because he hops up and then forgets that he is up there when he is playing, he slides down the stairs in a mad rush to food or to go out. So I hope that he has just irritated a muscle, not hurt a hip. It has not however interfered with his following in his mother’s footsteps, spending as much time as possible on two legs. *laugh* Because the weather has been nice, I have had the balcony open and he loves to go out and stand up at the railing and look out. If I go out he leans on me and snuggles in. He is such a loveable and loving puppy … one who weighed in today at 32.2 kg.

My fellow had a municipal council meeting tonight. Even though LL had been home sick I took him to Euronight at our local mall. They had a man making hard candy and there was face painting. The face painting we skipped, to long a line. But he was fascinated watching the man make the candy. By the time he was done, the kidlet was pretty much wiped out so we came home and he got ready for bed. I let him stay awake on the couch so he could see his dad get up and speak at the council meeting and as soon as pappa was done talking, it was off to bed for the kidlet. No fever at bedtime but he is still really pale and still has a sore throat.

Tomorrow I have a test to write and I am trying to figure out the logisitics of what to do with LL during that time. If he still has a fever though, I will just call and say I can’t come.

Susan was moving around fine this morning, up and down stairs with no problem so her hips are likely just going to be stiff occassionally.

Once Rusty was all dry and I got a chance to look at his foot without him wanting to play, I found a small, sharp piece of stick stuck in between the pads in his foot. I had to extract the mud that was there to get to the stick but he seems to be moving easier today although still a bit of favouring that paw. Will see how he is when he has his daily run and playtime later today.

I really have no idea what we did last weekend. *laugh* I remember that on Saturday I took Ibo breakfast in bed and on Sunday he and LL returned the favour. I slept long both days, LL had a birthday party Saturday and I took Rusty out to play for an hour while the kidlet was away, Sunday I took him out again for a long wander and some playtime.

The week sped by but the thing that stood out was that it got darn cold again. Monday Ibo had a meeting, Tuesday LL had stamp club, Wednesday we stopped to get LL’s new glasses adjusted and pick up dry cleaning, Thursday I had a meeting. I had a major flare of my asthma and a killer migraine, one of those that makes you throw up when you move. So I was home in bed for most of Friday.

Saturday we had a meeting and a dinner to go to, so LL went to spend the weekend with farfar. The meeting was interesting and was done fairly early so we had time to come home, take Rusty for some playtime and get changed for dinner. I wore my black patent leather boots with the spike heels and carried the black patent Hello Kitty purse that I got as a christmas gift from Ibo’s sister. It was a fun party but we didn’t stay late as we had cats to feed and dogs to take out (we were popping in and out of Ibo’s sister’s apartment to keep an eye on her kittens).

Today we slept in, had a leisurely breakfast and showered. Then I took out Rusty and discovered as we were climbing in the forest that it was a gorgeous day so we came home and took Ibo and Susan along as well. *laugh* We were out for 4 1/2 hours. The dogs ran, played, swam. It was great fun for them both. Susan was moving really slowly this morning and I thought her hips might be stiff, she is coming up on 10 years old. But once she got out and moving, she was as frisky as a puppy. Rusty just loves to have room to run and he had that today. But he seemed to be favouring his right back foot some on our way home. So we will check him in the morning and if it is still noticible, I will call the vet. I think he likely stepped on something that made the pad sore, we were out over all kinds of terrain. I was thinking that if anyone who had seen me the night before in my party shoes, had seen me in my mud encrusted hiking boots today, they would have laughed. Of course as usual I was out hiking in a skirt, so I was still girly. *laugh*

Unfortunately the fresh air didn’t help the asthma. If it isn’t better tomorrow I will have to call the clinic for an appointment. I am having bad chest pains when I breath and I feel as if I am not getting in enough air, so I think I am in need of some cortisone. At least the inhalers help some. *laugh*

Oh, one fun thing I did last week, I applied to university! Yahoo! I applied to 3 different schools to complete my nursing degree here. So this week I need to send off all my transcripts and then wait to see what will happen. I can’t believe university is finally this close.

What a week it has been. I really have no clue what day it is even. *laugh*

Sunday we were at an all day conference at Sigtunahöjden. It was a nice day, lots of information to take in, met a lot of new people and got to talk a little more with others I already knew.

Monday it was school and then we had a nice quiet evening at home.

Tuesday I went to Riksdag with my swedish class. I was fascinated and absolutely enjoyed every minute of our tour through the swedish parliament buildings. We were taken round by an mp (ledamöter) and he talked about life as an mp. It was really interesting. Before our tour we had a little mini tour of the cathedral in Stockholm and heard the story of the statue of St. George and the Dragon, that is housed in the church. Then we ate lunch together. I got home about 1640 and my fellow was just finishing up at work so he picked me up from the train station and then we picked up LL. I threw together a quick dinner for them and then Ibo took me out to Rävsta for a “pta” meeting. That lasted until close to 9 pm and then I came home and did homework.

Wednesday we went to Uppsala to the university. It was a gloriously sunny day so we walked everywhere. We were done with the day program at 1630 and then we had a wait of 2.5 hours until the play were going to see started. So I bought shoes. *laugh* A group of us ate dinner together and then it was to the theatre where we saw a really funny two man play, in english! I ended up getting home about 2320, totally wiped out. 

Thursday was school, then I picked up LL and we went straight home where I cleaned after having been away for most of the previous two days. Males do not clean up when sambo/mom is away. *laugh* Then I went off to a meeting and Ibo went off to one as well, LL went with him. I got home about 9 pm, did more cleaning, ironing and laundry and then sat down and had an english toffee coffee at 11 pm, before heading to bed.

It was awful getting up at 0600 this morning, I so wanted to stay in bed with my fellow, but I struggled up about 0620 and got LL organized before his dad got up. I had a terrible headache that lasted till lunch time, but it still was fun in class. Now I have half an hour free time here at school before I pick up the kidlet. Then we will shop some and drop off drycleaning.

The weekend looks quiet. Only thing booked is a 2 hour birthday party to drop LL off at on Saturday. So I plan to sleep some and then get more work done on the assignment I have due for komvux next Friday.

So the kidlet was first up this morning. We woke about 0830, got up about 0900, had a leisurely breakfast, then a nice long shower. So it was a lovely morning. After some housework and taking the dogs out back we went to Väsby Centrum where the kidlet bought a gift for the classmate whose party he was going to. He got the gifts for next Saturday too, since he has another party then. While LL was at the birthday party we took Rusty and Susan to Roserbergs Castle. It was so much fun for them both and Ibo and I had a lot of laughs together. Rusty ran and jumped and climbed and just had dog fun. He was out on the ice, chased sticks and he and Susan chased each other. We were there for about an hour and a half and it was so wet and muddy that Susan went from blonde to brunette. *laugh* Rusty got wet and dirty but he dries off quickly, Susan stays wet for many hours. We headed back home, picked up a few groceries and then picked up our son. He had fun but apparently hurt himself 3 times, not unexpected when you have a dozen boys playing in a gym.

After we brought home the dogs and the groceries, we packed up a bag for the kidlet and then took him to his grandfather’s for the night. He is going to sleep over and then spend the day with farfar tomorrow. Now I am going to trim Susan before I shower her back to her real colour. *laugh*

Yesterday was a busy school day and then after I picked up the kidlet and came home, we took Rusty out to the dog run and played. About the time we were getting ready to head home, Ibo called and said he was done work, so he picked us all up and we went and picked out new glasses for him. Quiet evening, Ibo’s parents stopped by, I had picked up some tickets for his mom and she came to get them.

Today I had a class at komvux at 0815 and then took a taxi to the other school so I could be there for the second class that starts at 1030. We were done at 1300 and then I had a meeting of the book committee, our class is going to publish a book and I am going to be doing the photoshop work on the pictures we will be adding. After the meeting Halima and I were picked up by Ruth and then we three picked up Cyndi. We went to Ruth’s and had fika, she had cheesecake, coffee cake and chocolate cake. We had a great visit, the four of us so rarely find a time we can all get together, so it was really a treat. Ruth took me to pick up LL and then gave us a ride home. When we got here I took the dogs out and then started cleaning. Did a couple loads of laundry, vaccuumed, did dishes and washed floors as well as scrubbing the bathroom downstairs. LL cleaned in his room. I am totally wiped out and looking forward to sleeping in a bt tomorrow. Sunday we have an all day conference to attend and tomorrow the kidlet has a birthday party to go to. So the weekend will speed by. *laugh*

The week is already half over. How did that happen??? *laugh*

Yesterday was a great day. We had an education day for those of us who are members in the political committees that cover education, job creation and social assistance. In the morning both committees were together and then after lunch we broke into our respective groups. It was nice to see Ibo in a different setting. I have been with him to party meetings and to various things during the last election campaign, but this was different. Before lunch I had my picture taken for the website that shows who is on what committee or council. Ibo didn’t need to have his done but he waited for me so we could eat together. After the last speaker in both of our groups had finished, we picked up LL who went home with a friend after school. Then I stopped to pick up a couple things at the grocery store while Ibo and LL went to put air in the tires. Once we were home I made pizza, ironed clothes and did some homework. I was out with Rusty as well and it was a much more enjoyable walk than we have had this past two weeks. *laugh*

Rusty is going through a defiant phase and since Irish Setters are renowned for their stubborness, it has been a real challenge. He was walking fairly well on the leash, occasional pulling but mostly when he saw other dogs and such. He was also coming when called, although actually staying once he came was still in the learning phase. *laugh* But a couple weeks ago he started dragging on the leash, refusing to come when called, refusing to sit etc. I don’t think Ibo believed me when I said it took 20 minutes to walk him 20 metres, because every time he pulls I stop and wait till he backs off and the leash is loose again.  Saturday we took him for a walk and Ibo was appalled. He said I have taught Rusty bad things but the fact of the matter is that Rusty decided all on his own to be defiant. I think part of the problem is that he doesn’t get enough outside play time during the week, since it is only after school that I have time to take him to actually play. He does get walked often, but even if it is a long walk, it is not the same as getting off his leash and running and playing. Sunday he was brutal, because we had been out shopping for a few hours and he is used to being out of his pen during the day when we don’t have school/work. But then Monday he suddenly decided to walk properly on the leash again. No idea why, he just did. Yesterday he was good until our last long walk then he started pulling some, but after a good round of stick chasing, he was fine. Until bedtime. Then he was a major brat, so much so that I actually put him in the pen last night in our bedroom because he was dragging out electrical cords, knocking over furniture and growling and doing his biting thing (which isn’t really biting, he does it with Susan, pretending he is going to bite and occasionally tugging an ear) more of a taking hold with his mouth. The worst though was that directly after being out before bedtime, he jumped up on the bed and peed on Ibo’s blanket. So he was in the bad books. This morning he was fine again, walked fine, played fine and went into the pen with no problem. As soon as we got home from school I took him to the dog run and we had an hour of playing and training that went remarkably well. I have set the alarm for 0530 tomorrow so I can take him for an hour in the morning as well, to see if that helps. Just in the time I have been typing here, he has scattered the contents of the paper recycling bag at my feet in a bid for attention. It is hard to be a puppy when you are 31 kg and can pull a grown woman off her feet and have to learn to be careful. He really wants to sit on my lap, that is what led to the paper scattering, I told him no when he tried to crawl up on me. *laugh*

Today was a fun day at school. We have a group of international exchange students living there at the moment, they are here for three months through a swedish church exchange program. There are 4 from Costa Rica, 4 from Tanzania and 4 from the Phillipines. We met with them and did a bunch of different exercises to get to know each other.  I picked up the kidlet after school and we stopped to pick up a few groceries again. He is also being a bit of a problem, he is being 8 ….. which means he is critical of all things all the time. *laugh* Luckily he is a really good, sweet kid, so a bit of 8ishness is tolerable.

I had my teacher student interview today. It went well. I do work hard there, I participate and I try to be helpful when possible. My problem is that I have poor attendence mostly from illness and life in general interfering with school. Then after that my swedish teacher called me into her office to tell me how much she enjoyed one of the assignments I had turned in when I finally got caught up in everything before our sport break week. It was a story about when I was in nursing school and we had to give and receive injections with our classmates, for the first time. It really was a funny story and I am glad she enjoyed it. *laugh*

So now it is 9 pm. Rusty is tuckered out from his two walks and the playtime (and his paper scattering) since I got home at 4 pm and is sound asleep here. Ibo is out at a meeting, I asked him to let me know when he is done so I can put dinner on. Now I am off to put the last load of clothes in to dry. My half hour of “me” time is done. *grin*

Friday I cleared out in the office and set up computer screens and boxes for Ibo to connect. Walked Rusty a number of times and Susan as well. My asthma was really bothering me and this cough is just wearing me out. At one point I spiked a fever, threw up and then passed out. I really am not impressed with this bug. The kidlet came home about dinner time, was happy to hear we had internet but was more thrilled that the computer was set up and he could play games he hadn’t played since before we moved.

Saturday we all slept in and then we went out looking for a bed for the kidlet. We went to Kungens Kurv, started out at Mio where I fell in love with this kitchen set . We ran into my fellow’s uncle and his fiance at Mio and then had fika with them. After that we went to IKEA and found a loft bed  that the kidlet liked and this computer desk and shelf that can have this added to it. We need to measure in his room first to make sure it will fit where we want it.

After we came home, we dropped the kidlet off at his grandmother’s again for dinner and to spend the night. He stayed up to watch the lunar eclipse with her, Ibo and I did not see it, we were in bed by the time it started. *laugh*

Sunday we slept in again, I took my fellow breakfast in bed and then we showered. Then it was off to pick up the kidlet and we headed out to look at cars. We are looking at Audi’s, A6 Avant. We want something with more dog room now that we have the mini horse to take along when we travel. *grin* We stopped at a big pet store and got some new toys for Rusty and some treats for both dogs. The kidlet had been invited for dinner again with his grandmother and when we dropped him off, we were invited as well. So it was dinner with Seija and then home to take out Rusty for a long walk and some play time.

It was so nice to be able to relax and have time with my fellow. I have been missing time for just us.

Today was back to school. When we got home and took out the dogs I noticed Susan limping. I don’t see anything wrong with her leg but she is definitely favouring it, so we will have to keep an eye on her. My fellow has a meeting tonight so the kidlet had dinner but I will wait and eat with Ibo when he comes home. Tomorrow we have a full day of lectures/training for our respective committees. LL will go home with a friend and we will pick him when we are done. I am looking forward to this, even though it means missing a day of swedish at school. My swedish teacher pointed out today that it is still learning swedish, just in a different setting. *smile*

Oh what a happy day it is. Ibo picked up our modem on the way home from dropping off LL at his grandmother’s for the night and now we have internet here.

So what have we been up to? School, meetings, housework, the usual. At school I took on the job of organizing a school trip to parliament for my swedish group. It took a couple days of phone calls and emails but it looks like all has fallen into place.

This week is March break and we have been busy. Monday we went to visit Rose and Mike, Tuesday LL went to Barnen’s Djungel with Ronja and then they came here and played for a bit. Wednesday I took LL and Ronja into Stockholm to the Museum of Economy where they made their own piggy banks. We had lunch at McDonald’s and fika at Kaffekoppen. LL ordered for Ronja at both places and he bought her a chocolate heart and gave it to her on the train home. He is a charmer like his dad. *laugh* I bought them both really cute pirate hats and LL has been wearing his ever since. Today I took him to the National museum where he went on an “investigation” with a group of kids and then made a model of a chair out of modelling clay. He had great fun.

After we got home we packed clothes for him and then went and met his dad and went to pick up his new glasses. They are really cute. He only needs them for a few more months but his dad and I thought he needed new ones. Then he went off to spend the night with Seija. He is going to be one happy child when he comes home and finds out he can finally read his email. *laugh*