Heather Shrinks in Houston!

[Houston Heather]

I was just on another board. One day I will get smart and realize it is not a healthy place for me.

It really made me appreciate posting here; people respect each other. We disagree, sometimes bitterly, but name-calling and personal attacks are strictly forbidden! The moderators have incredibly difficult jobs, but they do it well and they are fair.

I sent them a fanmail. I hope they like it.. but I wanted to put it in here, too.

They make a horrible, thankless job look VERY easy.

[bjw]

I am glad your rat problem worked out so well.
What is in your Starbucks cream drink? I am scared to go cause I don't know anything about coffee except hot and black. I would feel stupid unless I knew exactly what to order.
Jean

[Snowman]

I really like your new avi!!! You and Ron look really nice and happy, too!

YOU are one brave woman!!! I would have run out of the house faster than lightning and not come back until somebody got that rat out!!

[Houston Heather]

I get a 12 ounce portion of steamed heavy whipping cream with some sugarfree syrup in it. It's a "Tall Heavy Whipping Cream Steamer" - about 12 carb grams.

I could get plain hot coffee with heavy whipping cream, if I liked it.

My wrist is bugging me... not much posting tonight!

[Houston Heather]

I had a good trip to Foodtown, that was it for the day.

Got up, ride was late. We got to Foodtown and it was quiet.. nice. I put Ron on the husband bench and got to shopping. I got my Powerade Zero (almost impossible to find elsewhere, even though it's made by Coca-cola!), lots of diet Dr , meat... I got a lovely 3.5 pound chicken. Tomorrow I plan to slow smoke it on the grill, rub it with pepper, garlic, and olive oil. Yum. I got a potroast, cube steaks, and ground beef for cheddar burgers. They might happen today, maybe tomorrow.

Boy, my wrist kills. I don't know what I did but it's mad.

I also got salad stuff and some microwave dinners for Ron. He likes fixing his own food if possible.

I am out of Spanish Bibles. I always take a couple to Foodtown and I'm completely out. I need to go to the bookstore, hopefully I won't get shot this time. I still have a bruise.

We got picked up and the driver was really nice. One of my favorite clients was on board. He is a quadraplegic business major, really nice guy! I put up my groceries (he had gone to a grocery store, too, but the bags were different colors), and got onboard.

My buddy had bought a couple of canteloupes. They kept escaping from the bag and rolling around the van! One wedged itself in his wheelchair, another rolled all the way to the front and down into the stairwell. I yelled "goal" and everyone laughed. I rounded up the melons and tied them up in a bag when I got off, and put it back with the other stuff.

When we stopped at the house, a small terrier mix dog was sitting in our yard. Ron loves dogs, so he sat down and started talking to it. I put the groceries in the house and got a can of dog food (I don't own a dog, yet I have dog food). Bubba-cat ate some of the food, and then the dog came back.

The dog and cat got along amazingly well. When Ron came in, the cat was lying behind Ron's chair, and the dog was in front. He was alternating petting the animals.

The dog ate, decided we were "cool" and proceeded to love on Ron for about an hour. She looks like an escaped pet, not a young animal either. Ron enjoyed the "timeshare" and who knows. Maybe she got dumped, is a good girl potty wise, and will get along with the cat? All that said, I'd consider adoption.

She was about 7 pounds, a size I found comfortable. Years ago a pit bull wanted to live with us. I loved that dog, but I was scared to death of him. We tried so hard to find him a home... He was just too big for us, and we'd have had no insurance coverage for anything he did.

I've never had a dog. Just cats. Anyway, Ron had fun, I gave the dog the food, some water, and a few sausage tidbits.

It sure made for an interesting morning.

Now I'll probably take a nap and figure out what I'm cooking for dinner. Smoked chicken and some cheddar burgers, maybe. I like the idea of smoking it on the grill, and Ron was practically drooling.

I don't know if I mentioned it, but the day I got shot I had gotten Ron some KFC snack sandwiches. He found them tasty, so I think the chicken flavors are coming back.

[Houston Heather]

Here's some good news. I was in the kitchen and Bubba kept trying to get into a cabinet. I opened it and heard him meowing and SQUEE SQUEE SQUEE.

Oh God. Tomorrow, I get a trap. UGH.

Now I have to stand in that kitchen and cook my dinner... [moan] but the last thing I want to do is go out in feels like Hell (over 100) hot sun and humidity to buy a trap.

That also means I get to dispose of the remains... but Bubba has been staring under the stove for quite a while... days to a week[shudder].

So, I don't know what the hell is going on in my home, but I need some rat traps. I have the peanut butter.

Come on, cat! Do your job!

[Houston Heather]

I forgot to mention, I was a little wound up at lunch so I took one of my little lithiums.

I found a better message board to meet the need the -icky- board was doing (not LC related).

Bubba hung out in the kitchen while I did dishes, food prep, cleaned out the fridge, and cooked up some cube steaks! I got some romaine and iceberg, salad fixings, so Ron and I each had a nice big salad with dinner.

Dinner was cube steaks. Tasty. Bubba got a few bites for protecting me while I worked in the kitchen. He would have gotten them anyway.

[Zer]

Originally Posted by Houston Heather

...a small terrier mix dog was sitting in our yard. Ron loves dogs, so he sat down and started talking to it. I put the groceries in the house and got a can of dog food (I don't own a dog, yet I have dog food). Bubba-cat ate some of the food, and then the dog came back.

The dog and cat got along amazingly well. When Ron came in, the cat was lying behind Ron's chair, and the dog was in front. He was alternating petting the animals.

The dog ate, decided we were "cool" and proceeded to love on Ron for about an hour. She looks like an escaped pet, not a young animal either. Ron enjoyed the "timeshare" and who knows. Maybe she got dumped, is a good girl potty wise, and will get along with the cat? All that said, I'd consider adoption.

She was about 7 pounds, a size I found comfortable.... I've never had a dog. Just cats. Anyway, Ron had fun, I gave the dog the food, some water, and a few sausage tidbits....

So, what name, if she decides to hang out? Terriers are good ratters, I believe, so she can earn her keep by prowling your cupboards for intruders.

[Houston Heather]

We haven't seen her today; but Ron has mentioned, more than once, that he'd like to get a small dog when Bubba goes to Jesus. I think it would be good for him, a devoted companion animal. Bubba is a cat; everything's on Bubba's terms.

From what I've seen of dogs, they live to please. They love attention and cuddles, unlike Bubba, who's favorite mode of attention is to rub against our legs when we're using the toilet!

Got up early, went to work. My wrist is KILLING. It was bad enough that I think I might have sprained it (don't tell Ron) pushing Ron in his wheelchair on Saturday. I didn't have a particular event where I went OW, my wrist is killing me, it was more gradual, so I think it's just a strain.

I wrapped a shop-towel around my wrist, then duct taped it to limit the range of motion. It helps.

Later on today, I'll be buying RAT TRAPS and a wrist brace at the grocery store. It might even rain, thank God!

Ron acted like a butt for a while at work but then apologized.

[Houston Heather]

Ron got his money back. We have to sign an affadavit but that's all.

I got my brace, just in time. Wrist kills..not much posting for a while. I also got some salonpas pain patches, it's like a 4x2 inch bandaid that you stick on the owie part. They work great!

I am cooking a chicken on the smoker, and cheddar burgers on the little grill. Yum.

[bjw]

If you decide on a dog, read up on a breed before you get one. I can totally recomend Boston Terriers....the best dogs we have ever had and believe me we have had alot!
Can you take Advil/ibuprophen? It sure is good for strains.
Your grilling/smoking sounds great. I want to tackle Dh's smoker at some point.
Jean

[Houston Heather]

Oh, it's fun... secret is indirect heat and lots of soaked wood chips.

I got a brace and some of those pain patches, which are actually enabling me to type without pain. I can't really take anything but Asprin, and I have some blood tests coming up.

I took the brace off to BBQ, then right back on. Ron's getting his chicken back, I gave him a wing and he proclaimed it delicious.

I love these pain patches, it was funny, I knew I had some braces around in the garage. I looked, all knee braces. I had terrible problems with my knee for years as I began gaining weight.

Once I went low carb I was able to run a half marathon without a twinge! I used the patches (Salonpas brand) on the knee all the time, and it kept me functional. Nothing weird in the bloodstream, either.

I haven't seen the doggie today, I think she went back home.

[Houston Heather]

Nobody sells a rat trap, they are all just tiny little moustraps. I am not using a glue trap or bait.

Got up, went to work. We finally got some rain! Filled 'em up, saw our Dr Pepper repairman. Got the milk, good day. Then we went to Walmart.

I only spent about $12, ever since I found Foodtown I spend all my grocery money there. The wrist brace helps but it's a hassle. NO pain though. Can't type very well.

Got depressed around lunchtime but I whacked it with some Lithium. Tomorrow's my day off, I need to figure out what I'm doing.

Probably the Christian bookstore (bang!), dollar store, and hardware store, but not in that order. Christian bookstore last because I always buy too much stuff.

[bjw]

Heather, I know it sounds cruel but cat in a bag poison is very effective under your house and in the attic. No smell after death either.
Very important to keep it away from Bubba however.
2nd choice of rat traps should be found at the hardware store.
Good Luck,
Jean

[karenb]

OUr cats will stare under the stove every so often. Eventually the real under and beside a lot of cat hair drag out a toy! Your cat is probaly just teasing you. They have a weird sense of humore!

[lalala]

Heather,

One day I stumbled upon your journal, opened it, read that days excerpts, and I've been hooked ever since. Your a great storyteller and you make everything sound entertaining! I've even gone back to the beginning and skimmed through all the pages to get caught up so I wasn't missing out on any fun stories.

Your daily trips amusing to say the least, and your kind heart and generosity speak volumes about your character.

I finally decided to post to break out of secretly reading your journal to thank you for some great laughs and thrills. But I must admit, I'm really not enjoying this rat talk that has been going on lately!!

[Houston Heather]

Oh, THANK YOU!

I am being bad, taking off my wrist brace....

I used to live in Redwood City, for 7 years. Ron used to work in the Tenderloin for a non-profit. My parents still live in San Jose.

When I inducted, I was so glad I didn't have the temptation of the "It's-It" ice cream treat... OMG.

BUBBA DID IT! Lots of squealing and meowing.. clanging, things falling over, but a very good boy left a big dead rat in my bedroom doorway this morning. Poor cat is exhausted.

I gave him treats, petting him and telling him what a good boy he is, and later on I'll cut up a cube steak for him. The rat WAS the size of my foot.

I plan to run by Home Depot and get the big, mean traps. Just in case Bubba's out. I believe the horrible rodent got in through the cat door. UGH. Most likely on his own.

Anyway, it's gone. Now Ron wants me to read the books of the Bible onto tape for him. How could I ever say NO to that?

Oh, and putting my brace on now. Bad Heather!

[Zer]

Yay, Bubba! Dead rat delivered after noisy battle! Maybe leaving a dead rat outside that pet door will discourage further visitors. Isn't that how farmers and ranchers use dead pests, displaying a carcass as a warning to other varmints? Might work. Meanwhile, more treats for brave Bubba!

Originally Posted by Houston Heather

BUBBA DID IT! Lots of squealing and meowing.... clanging, things falling over, but a very good boy left a big dead rat in my bedroom doorway this morning. Poor cat is exhausted.

I gave him treats, petting him and telling him what a good boy he is, and later on I'll cut up a cube steak for him. The rat WAS the size of my foot.

I plan to run by Home Depot and get the big, mean traps. Just in case Bubba's out. I believe the horrible rodent got in through the cat door. UGH. Most likely on his own.

Anyway, it's gone....

And you have evidence to show Animal Control or whoever MIGHT have some heavy-duty traps to lend you as you face invasion. You said Ron kicked one? Good for him, but I think he is in danger of being chomped by these creatures who enter a cat's home. That is a sign of disease - aggressive behavior. Rats like that would interest Vector Control, I bet. Do call your city's designated disease center for some help.

[Houston Heather]

I think it was just one rat, it had a limp. Everytime I saw the critter in our home, it was limping, favoring the same leg. This morning's corpse had a bad leg, the same one I've seen on my "invaders".

I believe that it got in the house, probably through the cat door. Bubba would spy it and go after it, and as he'd catch it I'd hear the rodent screams, see Bubba with a rat, and yell at him. He'd let it go.

Last night, I changed tactics, and encouraged him to "Get it!" repeatedly. I told him I knew he could end my problem forever and could he PLEASE do Mommy a HUGE favor? It worked. He gets cube steak for dinner tonight, as promised. His own steak.

I had a really fun, but hot, Day Out. I'm getting the hang of typing with the brace.

I left around 9. I rode up to the Dollar Store/Christian bookstore area. I got some ace bandages, for instance, at the Dollar store. I tried to get small, light items because I only had my backpack. It was kind of difficult to get the pack on and off, with the brace. I did not see a rat trap.

I looked around a craft store, and a bookstore, without spending any money. Ron called the Home Depot for me and found out they had the traps I needed, the ones with the spring.

Then I went to the Christian bookstore. I walked in with a soda in my hand, my hair was doing a demented cactus thing, and I was hot. They greeted me very kindly and asked if they could help. I got some info on ordering CASES of Bibles.. I need to pay in advance, not a problem.

I bought about 25 Bibles, which just fit in my bag. I had brought several of my own to hand out.. and happy to report I am empty! I gave them all away when I was out!

I told them about being shot with the BB gun last week, told them I'm glad I'm doing enough work for God to merit the "attention" from the devil, and told them I put the punk on my prayer list! Ha!

Then I went to Burger King and got me a big drippy stacker, no bread. Oh, yeah.

Next stop, Home Depot. All I got was a rat trap. I was rather embarrassed, walking around with a rat trap in the cart, like a huge sign saying "I HAVE A RODENT PROBLEM". I hurried up and paid, put the trap in the bag (poor bag! ) and escaped to the bus stop.

You all probably know by now that I LOVE my little Christian romance novels. I have a good stash of a couple dozen unread books, but I'm always in the market for more.

I went to the bookstore and got about 15! Yay! I also got a good hardback book, nonfiction about evangelism in the Middle East.

I saw a woman with a "seeking" kind of vibe looking at the religious books. I told her I'd love to give her a free Bible. She took it! I did tease her a little and said "Don't make them charge you for it!"

More crap to carry, in the heat.. roast at the bus stop for a while, catch my transfers, and go to Starbucks (I had just enough left). I had a good time.

I didn't really talk to Ron except to ask him about the trap, and he's sleeping. Good. I'm going to take a shower and a nap.

[Houston Heather]

I want to add, I handed out about 6 bibles today, not all the ones I bought! I like to put personal notes, "Footprints" bookmarks, and such in the Bibles before distributing.

I woke up with an awfully nasty headache but it abated. I won't be drinking the Welch's instant on the go drink mix anymore. It has a tiny amount of red #40, but too much for me!

I feel like a domestic queen. I got my nap, woke up around 7. Watched part of an absolutely horrible British horror movie. They just cannot do good sci-fi or horror!

I thawed out a cooked cube steak (I try to only have cooked meats in the freezer) and cut it up for Bubba - it was nicely room temp. He meowed his head off while I was prepping it and I told him repeatedly, this is for being such a GOODBOY. He scent-marked me repeatedly afterwards, rubbing his face against my hands, brace, legs, and feet! I'm his property, and happy about it!

I wasn't super hungry so I heated up a few hot dogs and got out some cut up cheese. It was low carb.

I deboned the chicken and froze it. I disassembled the potroast and froze most, got a few cooked pork chops and cube steaks out of the freezer (I like to eat things within a few months), washed out my crockpot, and stuck the chicken bones, skin, leftover juices, and fat into it. I added my usual stock fixings, but added some poultry seasoning. I'm glad I found some. I loved the stuff.

When we had the deli I would make 5 gallon batches of chicken soup. The first night I'd make stock. Ron would skin and debone. Second night I added the veggies, meat, and noodles. It was a huge hit. I also made rotisserie chicken - about 80 pounds every Friday. People would line up to buy it hours early. Poultry seasoning, garlic, and black pepper were VITAL to the process. I had a different specialty for every night of the week. One night was nachos... another night was spaghetti with homemade meat sauce (I had no stove, just a microwave and a hot plate) - I still have a fan who fondly remembers the spaghetti. I already told you about chicken nights, and then the last night I'd make "Ham-bean soup". We had these weird little ham ends leftover from slicing it on our meatslicer. One of the girls suggested making a soup, so I did. It was very good, but not as popular. Even though I presoaked them and threw out the water, everyone was scared of getting gassy. I always sold it all though so they must have liked it.

I'm happy cooking. So, I have good meats in the fridge and freezer, easy to prep-just heat up. Tomorrow is just work and home so easy to cook myself something tasty.

Have a good night!

[Zer]

Now that you are ordering bibles by the case, maybe they can ship direct to you at home? Just wondering if that would make your missionary work easier.

So glad Bubba finally "got it" - that you value dead gifts more than live ones!

[Houston Heather]

I want to be positive today... but I can't.

Ron just cursed at me when I asked for clarification on something, and he also did it at work.

I'm already battling a nasty depression, nightmares all night... took an extra lithium.

I think the only positive thing I have heard from him was that he liked the salad he got for lunch.

I really need to have a talk with him about his negativity and hostility, but I can barely think as it is.. I took an extra lithium so I'll need a nap...

Right now I do NOT want to wake up. Ugh.

Today is not a good day - now Ron is apologizing to THE CAT. But not to me?

I attempted to talk to him... it didn't go well. One message board had a smilie with an aggravated head beating itself against a wall. It was called "frusty". I would be using "Frusty" a lot today.

I feel like no one will take care of Heather, but Heather. I feel like I can't depend on the man who swore to stand by me. Very discouraging and depressing ON TOP of the depression.

He has this thing, when I am up or down or sick or in any kind of physical pain where I tell him and he gets angry and starts cursing. So I hide it as much as I can.

If asked, he will say he is not mad at me... but why did God have to give him such a "defect" - or something along the lines. Repeat statements to the effect of that only makes me feel worse, on top of the worse when you started cursing... fall on deaf ears and probably merit more cursing.

If he didn't have the head injury, I would leave him. To some extent, he can't help what he does but he could do a lot better. I know THAT MUCH.

[Houston Heather]

I'm still pretty down but not as hopeless. I took a LONG nap today, it was very, very hot.

I had a dream right before I woke up, where I was explaining to a group of people that I was feeling very abused and unappreciated, but that I knew God would convict Ron. I couldn't do anything to change him (boy is that evident!), but I can leave him in God's hands and focus on my old, Gold standard, pleasing God.

It doesn't mean I can't call him on his behavior when he does it, but God has a funny way of sending "Strangers" to Ron who tell him what he's doing isn't cool.

I remember one day I had forgotten the checkbook or something, and we'd gone into work to get a delivery. I told Ron I had to run back to the house (with the ride, I was only gone about 10 minutes). Ron was furious. It started with "Stupid" and went downhill from there.

When I got back the Dr Pepper deliveryman forced my husband to apologize to me! Apparently, after I left he read Ron the RIOT act! He was good for quite a while after that.

He says things like "I don't care about your feelings" and "You don't get sympathy, I don't get sympathy" It's always about HIM. The one that bugs me the most "You're not mad at me, you're mad at God, he STUCK us together."

Just once I would like to feel like he values me, that I'm not some kind of broken baggage he feels he has to carry around. WE know better, bur hearing it on a regular basis is painful!

It's a good thing I am a Christian or I would have been long, long gone. Sad to think I wouldn't leave him when everyone thought I should, but his own ensuing behavior is enough to make me want to chew my way out of this relationship if need be.

[Houston Heather]

Well, I did all my pills for the next week, and called in my refills. $64 is a lot better than the $240 I was paying. Thank God the antipsychotic went generic.

Ron's asleep, so he isn't bugging me.

I decided to make myself pumpkin pudding for dinner.

[Snowman]

Stopping by for a quick

Take care!

[Houston Heather]

I blew up at Ron and let him know I was carrying a pretty heavy load and he wasn't helping. He seemed to get it, he wants to help "repair our relationship" now.

I'm skeptical, but it's not for me to judge.

Horrible day for depression, very overmedicated to get to a decent level. Miserably hot, too.

[Houston Heather]

Feeling better today.

Bubba brought us a live dove, the symbol of peace. Ron woke me up shrieking my name. I walked over, shoved kitty out of the way, and picked up the dove (hands around the wings and under the belly). Then I released the dove outside! Flap flap flap... then ran in and locked the cat door.

Daddy was holding kitty. Then I went back to bed (it was about 6), but Mr Bubs kept meowing to go out. No. Bad kitty.

Got up, weighed, and ONE SIXTY FIVE! Awesome.

Now we have a hot date at Burger King.

[skeopple]

Hi, my name is Sharon. I'm an addict. My sin is FaceBook. I play Farkle and FarmTown.

Sorry for being "missing". I'm still low carb, in fact I will be for life.

We've been coming and going around here for the last two weeks. Our son and his family had rented a cabin at the Hayward, WI KOA Campgrounds. It was in a beautiful pine forest. Perfect place for vacation. DH and I kind of just came and went. Mom's had a few doctor appointments and we have two dogs to care for. It was two hours away but we enjoyed the rides back and forth too. Everybody is home now and trying to get back to normal living. I should be online more often now. I've not forgotten any of you.

This campgrounds had a beautiful outdoors swimming pool, as well as mini-golf. And it had this huge air pillow surrounded by sand. Like a big trampoline. It was awesome! Certain times, they ring a bell and the ice cream shop opened. Other times, they blow a horn and give a wagon ride behind a tractor. They also served and sold breakfast each morning. Then there were these low riding 3 wheel "bikes". Kind of like a go-cart, but you peddle. My camera is broken but the kids got some cute pictures. Also went to Lumberjack Bowl and the Wilderness Walk. DH and I hadn't been in that area for a couple of decades so it was nice to see all the sites again! Glad to know some things continue and even improve.

One night, this guy came around in a golfcart giving away the new BOLD Johnsonville brats. and coupons. So that was a free meal. We liked the jalepeno/cheese. The chili/cheese....not so much.

The only meals we cooked were hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, and sweet corn. It was great. Our site had a picnic table and fire ring. Double bed and bunks.

If you ever have the chance, go to KOA Campgrounds at Hayward, Wisconsin. You'll not regret the choice! It's a wonderful place to refresh and renew!

That's it for now. Thought I'd better post or you'd start looking for me?

Laundry and housecleaning to catch up with. I think it gets messier when you're coming and going. More than if you were actually home!

I'll be around tomorrow or later today. Love ya all!!!

[Houston Heather]

I'm in Facebook too, my siblings and sibs-in-law insisted I join. Do you already have me in Facebook? PM me and I'll tell you my last name, that goes for anyone here.

I just had 2.5 hours of fun in the garden. I'm getting a little manic THANK GOD for gardening, so I fixed up the garden beds and spoiled the plants that survived my neglect. Out of 5 beds, 1 is perfect, and the others are about 75%. The've been weeded, mulched and a tiny bit of "barnyard fertilizer" applied.

I think I'm going to cut up a little cheese for a snack, shower, and take a nap. Later on I'll mow the yard before it becomes something out of a horror movie. Very fertile soil is a good thing, unless most of your yard is bermuda-weed!

[Houston Heather]

After my nap, I got up and mowed the yard. It took me about an hour and a half, we have a pretty good sized lot.

I saved the grass clippings to use as mulch in the garden beds after I finish fixing them up. I also did Frosty's garden in the front, he needs some new flowers though!