2.5 weeks to go!
Monday, February 27, 2006
This week's new home to-do list...
In between work, sleep, pager call, and another really bad sinus cold I feel sneaking up on me after a month-long headache, I need to remember to:
Call Hydro and explain how we'll be moving but have two residential service addresses for 6 weeks
Call insurance company, explain same
Make sure March's rent is paid (last month of paying rent! yay!)
Book my moving days off work
Hunt down coworkers who will be avoiding me to cover my cases while I'm off work
Re-record the answering machine to provide information on the Pennysaver ad I just placed
get my darned correspondence course assignment done before I have to buy another extension
Catch up with the Yoga teacher who found the insurance receipt I lost - file claim.
Submit donation receipt to employer for gift-matching program, before I forget or lose it in the move
Start listing the bazillion address changes I have to make
... and I'm sure a whole bunch more stuff I haven't thought of yet...
2.5 weeks to go!
2.5 weeks to go!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Hopeful Yoga
I am at times in awe of my dear friend, and her determined political activism even though she often finds herself facing those elements of society that make it its most miserable. I'm not that strong. I really haven't the emotional energy to take on city counsellors, chiefs of police, and the administrative bourgeoisie that think arresting squeegee kids will fix all the urban decay.
On the other hand, I also feel determined that one should do what they can. Despite my recent move to become an upscale urban condo dweller, I don't believe in shutting oneself off inside your tower and leaving the less fortunate to scavenge your dumpsters. So I give money. I try to support local organizations with my limited free time to volunteer. And every now and then I come across something that suits my craving for both inner and communal peace while making strides to make the world better for someone, if even in a small way.
Yesterday I spent a few hours, after doing a small amount of fundraising, at the second annual Yoga For Hope day. For lack of a less laughable way to describe it, it's a 12-hour "yoga-a-thon". If you can imagine a roomful of Yoga students all chanting "om" together as a "thon". It really is a lovely event.
Hopespring Cancer Support Centre is a community organization which runs two resource centre locations providing resources, counselling, support, and wellness programs to those living with cancer and their loved ones. It's a small organization. It doesn't get the airplay that THE Cancer Society or even cancer centres at hospitals do, but it works to make a difference. One of Hopespring's key wellness programs is Yoga classes, offered free of charge to their clients. Yoga For Hope invites Hopespring clients, staff, friends and family to come together, raise funds and awareness, and have a healing day of community. I'm fortunate to not be directly affected by cancer (so far!!) though I got involved through my Yoga teacher, who has been.
I don't have the final total yet, but Yoga for Hope last year raised thousands to support this community program. Judging by the attendance and activity, they probably did better this year. I managed to gather $250 this year, and will be able to double that to $500 as I found my employer's Donation Matching program will match my funds raised, just not my own donation.
I'm not really writing this to be smug about yesterday's accomplishments. I'm writing more to remind myself, and any of you reading, that even though some of the determined accomplishments of others may make us wonder what good we ourselves can do, that every time you reach out, someone may be touched, and for the better. That every little thing can help.
On the other hand, I also feel determined that one should do what they can. Despite my recent move to become an upscale urban condo dweller, I don't believe in shutting oneself off inside your tower and leaving the less fortunate to scavenge your dumpsters. So I give money. I try to support local organizations with my limited free time to volunteer. And every now and then I come across something that suits my craving for both inner and communal peace while making strides to make the world better for someone, if even in a small way.
Yesterday I spent a few hours, after doing a small amount of fundraising, at the second annual Yoga For Hope day. For lack of a less laughable way to describe it, it's a 12-hour "yoga-a-thon". If you can imagine a roomful of Yoga students all chanting "om" together as a "thon". It really is a lovely event.
Hopespring Cancer Support Centre is a community organization which runs two resource centre locations providing resources, counselling, support, and wellness programs to those living with cancer and their loved ones. It's a small organization. It doesn't get the airplay that THE Cancer Society or even cancer centres at hospitals do, but it works to make a difference. One of Hopespring's key wellness programs is Yoga classes, offered free of charge to their clients. Yoga For Hope invites Hopespring clients, staff, friends and family to come together, raise funds and awareness, and have a healing day of community. I'm fortunate to not be directly affected by cancer (so far!!) though I got involved through my Yoga teacher, who has been.
I don't have the final total yet, but Yoga for Hope last year raised thousands to support this community program. Judging by the attendance and activity, they probably did better this year. I managed to gather $250 this year, and will be able to double that to $500 as I found my employer's Donation Matching program will match my funds raised, just not my own donation.
I'm not really writing this to be smug about yesterday's accomplishments. I'm writing more to remind myself, and any of you reading, that even though some of the determined accomplishments of others may make us wonder what good we ourselves can do, that every time you reach out, someone may be touched, and for the better. That every little thing can help.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Minor maudlin home-buyer sentiments...
I should preface today with "I know I really have nothing to complain about".
My wonderful sweetie and I are 3 weeks away from taking possession of the Dream Loft. There's not alot that can go wrong. Sure, we'll have to work out some storage issues and fight over furniture arrangements. That's expected.
One thing I wasn't expecting was a strange little twinge of grief over the move. Maybe I can blame my current day-to-day stress or practically chronic shortness of sleep. But I'm finding lately I walk around our current rental, roomy and adequate but still a rental with everything BEIGE (ugh), and get a little choked up.
One thing I can put my finger on is the loss of my first 3 cats in recent years. This apartment I'll soon be leaving was the last "home" for Lenny, Lucy, and Panda. I think I still subconsciously look for them in the corners and on their favourite perches. Shortly those little habits will be gone forever as this place passes on to new tenants. I'm taking one more step away from something treasured that is lost.
More general and more vague is just the overall stress moving creates - always something you forget, always more work than you wanted. There's something good about every place I've lived. Many locations in Guelph were charming - across from the Farmers' Market, or downtown by the riverbank. Here its been my cute little balcony, and the annual Jazz Festival right under it (admittedly, I'll only be moving a block away).
All in all, its a good thing. For all the practical reasons - building equity, nice space, convenient locations - as well as the intangible and emotional ones - pride of ownership, all that. I'm happy to have a big silver lining and only a tiny smudge of gray. The current cats will probably love the loft and stairs and all the new perches they can find. I'm sure we'll have a fun few days trying to find out what nooks and crannies they've found to hide in. Maui the Bath Alarm will be even more excited with the whirlpool tub, I bet. I'll give Sprout a week before she falls off something high, and I have to remember to screen off the furnace closet air return so I don't lose Blue into the ductwork.
Three weeks to go!
My wonderful sweetie and I are 3 weeks away from taking possession of the Dream Loft. There's not alot that can go wrong. Sure, we'll have to work out some storage issues and fight over furniture arrangements. That's expected.
One thing I wasn't expecting was a strange little twinge of grief over the move. Maybe I can blame my current day-to-day stress or practically chronic shortness of sleep. But I'm finding lately I walk around our current rental, roomy and adequate but still a rental with everything BEIGE (ugh), and get a little choked up.
One thing I can put my finger on is the loss of my first 3 cats in recent years. This apartment I'll soon be leaving was the last "home" for Lenny, Lucy, and Panda. I think I still subconsciously look for them in the corners and on their favourite perches. Shortly those little habits will be gone forever as this place passes on to new tenants. I'm taking one more step away from something treasured that is lost.
More general and more vague is just the overall stress moving creates - always something you forget, always more work than you wanted. There's something good about every place I've lived. Many locations in Guelph were charming - across from the Farmers' Market, or downtown by the riverbank. Here its been my cute little balcony, and the annual Jazz Festival right under it (admittedly, I'll only be moving a block away).
All in all, its a good thing. For all the practical reasons - building equity, nice space, convenient locations - as well as the intangible and emotional ones - pride of ownership, all that. I'm happy to have a big silver lining and only a tiny smudge of gray. The current cats will probably love the loft and stairs and all the new perches they can find. I'm sure we'll have a fun few days trying to find out what nooks and crannies they've found to hide in. Maui the Bath Alarm will be even more excited with the whirlpool tub, I bet. I'll give Sprout a week before she falls off something high, and I have to remember to screen off the furnace closet air return so I don't lose Blue into the ductwork.
Three weeks to go!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Good Coffee, and freedom from Timmy's
About a month or so back, folks on my Quilter's newsgroup were chatting about a new way they'd found to make coffee - turns out its a pretty old-fashioned new way. Called cold brewing.
Check it out at Toddy Cafe.
Now, I don't often jump on bandwagons or fall for advertising hype I haven't investigated. But the Quilters, many of whom are coffee fans of my calibre, were not wrong. This is a darned nice way to make coffee! I have not purchased a take-out cuppa, nor have I had a case of coffee-heartburn, in over 3 weeks.
It is, as the vendor of this product admits, more expensive per cup than a drip brewer. But it is less expensive than take-out, certainly, and more convenient to make at home on a rushed morning (the reason I would get take-out). And you don't end up pouring out half the pot, so overall it does seem to save some.
If any of you want to try out the coffee, let me know and I'll try to remember to bring some along next time we gather.
Check it out at Toddy Cafe.
Now, I don't often jump on bandwagons or fall for advertising hype I haven't investigated. But the Quilters, many of whom are coffee fans of my calibre, were not wrong. This is a darned nice way to make coffee! I have not purchased a take-out cuppa, nor have I had a case of coffee-heartburn, in over 3 weeks.
It is, as the vendor of this product admits, more expensive per cup than a drip brewer. But it is less expensive than take-out, certainly, and more convenient to make at home on a rushed morning (the reason I would get take-out). And you don't end up pouring out half the pot, so overall it does seem to save some.
If any of you want to try out the coffee, let me know and I'll try to remember to bring some along next time we gather.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Hey, Superwomen everywhere - you rock!
My sister's pretty damn on the ball, for all the crap she's dealing with.
Check out this very cool LJ entry.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/gomalley
And, THINK about it, really.
Check out this very cool LJ entry.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/gomalley
And, THINK about it, really.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Moving Sale!
So, if anyone is interested in or in the market for the following, leave a comment or get in touch. Willing to sell/barter/bargain/place on "indefinite loan".
Things which WILL need new homes, preferably before the move:
Sofa-bed
Veggie/rice steamer
electric grille
two microwaves
Two Ikea KIMME chairs (look it up at ikea.com)
A lot of Tupperware overstock.
A dome tent
Tri-fold "shoji" style screen/room divider
... more as we figure it out ...
Things which MAY be re-homed, provided we can work out replacements in some way:
Bedroom suite, blue-stained and maple-toned laminate MDF, 4-pcs incl. vanity dresser with mirror, 5-drawer chest, two nightstands. Minor cosmetic damage. Can be sold or bartered if/when we find alternates better suited to our new space.
Futon chair and ottman - folds out to a cot. Comes with two cover sets.
Rattan seashell papasan chair. Cushion is showing a bit of wear but comes with two covers.
... again, there will be more as we figure it out.
Things which WILL need new homes, preferably before the move:
Sofa-bed
Veggie/rice steamer
electric grille
two microwaves
Two Ikea KIMME chairs (look it up at ikea.com)
A lot of Tupperware overstock.
A dome tent
Tri-fold "shoji" style screen/room divider
... more as we figure it out ...
Things which MAY be re-homed, provided we can work out replacements in some way:
Bedroom suite, blue-stained and maple-toned laminate MDF, 4-pcs incl. vanity dresser with mirror, 5-drawer chest, two nightstands. Minor cosmetic damage. Can be sold or bartered if/when we find alternates better suited to our new space.
Futon chair and ottman - folds out to a cot. Comes with two cover sets.
Rattan seashell papasan chair. Cushion is showing a bit of wear but comes with two covers.
... again, there will be more as we figure it out.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Digressions...
Sissy said something about "tagging" me after the end of HER list of these topics on her LJ. I think that means I'm supposed to do the same list. So here goes:
Five jobs I have had in my life:
1. Page (job title for the kids who re-shelve library books)
2. Research Assistant/Laboratory Assistant
3. Environmental Assessments Analyst
4. Teacher
5. Computer Geek (encompases various jobs and job titles all in the same range, up to and including Global Support Specialist, currently).
Five movies I would (and do) watch over and over again (in no particular order):
1. Umm...
2. Err...
3. ..maybe... nah.
4. hmmm.
5. Just gimme the damn book.
Five places I have lived:
1. Burlington, ON
2. St. Catharine's, ON
3. Ottawa, ON
4. Guelph, ON
5. Waterloo (and Kitchener), ON
Five TV shows I love to watch:
"Love" is way too strong a word for my relationship with TV. Have very little interest in that medium, except if there's NOTHING else going on in my life and I'm dead bored but not sleepy:
1. CSI
2. CSI NY
3. CSI Miami but that is by far the inferior of them
4. Cold Case if I stumble across it.
5. ER but only if Adam is watching it and I have nothing better to do - I actually quite hate it.
Five places I have been on vacation:
1. Algonquin
2. Maryland
3. Vancouver
4. Whistler
5. Niagara Falls
Five websites I visit daily: (or at least several times a week)
1. Google's Main page
2. Wikipedia
3. Blogger and LJ, to see what friends are up to
4. Agfa's Livelink instances, unfortunately.
5. President's choice financial.
Five of my favourite foods: (I only get five?)
1. Very, very GOOD dark belgian chocolate, in small but divine quantities.
2. Very, very GOOD steak. Mediocre beef might as well stay on the cow, it's less trouble for them and me.
3. Cheese (Sissy: remind me to take you to Vincenzo's!)
4. Dim Sum!
5. Most well-prepared Japanese food- which is unfortunately not most alleged-to-be Japanese food.
Five places I’d rather be right now:
1. In my new condo!
2. A treehouse in the rainforest
3. Sailboat on open water
4. An isolated stretch of South Pacific or maybe Caribbean beach.
5. A well stocked wilderness cabin accessible only by snowshoe this time of year
Five songs you like but are embarrassed to admit:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I'll have to fill that one in some other time - all that comes to mind is "whatever's on my Aerobics CDs".
Five jobs I have had in my life:
1. Page (job title for the kids who re-shelve library books)
2. Research Assistant/Laboratory Assistant
3. Environmental Assessments Analyst
4. Teacher
5. Computer Geek (encompases various jobs and job titles all in the same range, up to and including Global Support Specialist, currently).
Five movies I would (and do) watch over and over again (in no particular order):
1. Umm...
2. Err...
3. ..maybe... nah.
4. hmmm.
5. Just gimme the damn book.
Five places I have lived:
1. Burlington, ON
2. St. Catharine's, ON
3. Ottawa, ON
4. Guelph, ON
5. Waterloo (and Kitchener), ON
Five TV shows I love to watch:
"Love" is way too strong a word for my relationship with TV. Have very little interest in that medium, except if there's NOTHING else going on in my life and I'm dead bored but not sleepy:
1. CSI
2. CSI NY
3. CSI Miami but that is by far the inferior of them
4. Cold Case if I stumble across it.
5. ER but only if Adam is watching it and I have nothing better to do - I actually quite hate it.
Five places I have been on vacation:
1. Algonquin
2. Maryland
3. Vancouver
4. Whistler
5. Niagara Falls
Five websites I visit daily: (or at least several times a week)
1. Google's Main page
2. Wikipedia
3. Blogger and LJ, to see what friends are up to
4. Agfa's Livelink instances, unfortunately.
5. President's choice financial.
Five of my favourite foods: (I only get five?)
1. Very, very GOOD dark belgian chocolate, in small but divine quantities.
2. Very, very GOOD steak. Mediocre beef might as well stay on the cow, it's less trouble for them and me.
3. Cheese (Sissy: remind me to take you to Vincenzo's!)
4. Dim Sum!
5. Most well-prepared Japanese food- which is unfortunately not most alleged-to-be Japanese food.
Five places I’d rather be right now:
1. In my new condo!
2. A treehouse in the rainforest
3. Sailboat on open water
4. An isolated stretch of South Pacific or maybe Caribbean beach.
5. A well stocked wilderness cabin accessible only by snowshoe this time of year
Five songs you like but are embarrassed to admit:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I'll have to fill that one in some other time - all that comes to mind is "whatever's on my Aerobics CDs".
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Home Suite Condo, Cats included!
Yay! Past the speedbump. I have email from the Condo Board pres saying we have been granted an exception to the default 2-pet rule.
Signing off on the waiver tomorrow! Closing Date March 17! Moving in early April. WOW, that's only 2 months!
Now I need:
Furniture
Jacuzzi-safe bubble bath
Design Plans for a 20-foot cat tree.
and alot of cardboard boxes.
Signing off on the waiver tomorrow! Closing Date March 17! Moving in early April. WOW, that's only 2 months!
Now I need:
Furniture
Jacuzzi-safe bubble bath
Design Plans for a 20-foot cat tree.
and alot of cardboard boxes.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Still working on the speedbump
Well, I got an emailed response from the Condo Board president today, 3 days after I mailed him. Some of my anxiety was around "did he even get my mail?" - and then I discovered a typo in the phone number I gave him, (doh!) but used the excuse to mail him again and correct it, and he answered my second message.
He has told me, not having the "official" vote of the Board yet, that a) I have made a most reasonable and understandable request and b) we have his vote and c) 2 of the other 4 Board members are also pet-folks.
It seems the Board works on a best-3-of-5 simple majority princple. So unless one of those other pet-folks is say, a dogs-only type who thinks all cats are evil AND the two unknowns are hostile as opposed to just pet-free, we should be fine.
I'm feeling better at least that I've been acknowledged and that my first interaction with these folks has confirmed my agent's impression that they're generally reasonable about this stuff.
Will post the final outcome when I know it! Mr. Pres told me he would be polling the rest of the Board tonight and tomorrow.
He has told me, not having the "official" vote of the Board yet, that a) I have made a most reasonable and understandable request and b) we have his vote and c) 2 of the other 4 Board members are also pet-folks.
It seems the Board works on a best-3-of-5 simple majority princple. So unless one of those other pet-folks is say, a dogs-only type who thinks all cats are evil AND the two unknowns are hostile as opposed to just pet-free, we should be fine.
I'm feeling better at least that I've been acknowledged and that my first interaction with these folks has confirmed my agent's impression that they're generally reasonable about this stuff.
Will post the final outcome when I know it! Mr. Pres told me he would be polling the rest of the Board tonight and tomorrow.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Speedbump on the highway to new home - ouch!
So, well, after having all our condo-buying arrangements practically fall into our lap (well, with alot of well-organized support from me, and our hardworking agent), we've hit a small glitch at the LAST condition of offer.
The condo by-laws.
Now, this is a unit in a condo building I've looked at for years. The FIRST question I ask about residential arrangments, is "are there any restrictions on pets?". As you know, my family includes fur-bearing quadrupeds as well as a couple of humanoids.
A few years back when I chatted with a sales rep for the developer and asked my key question, she answered me along the lines of "No, not at all - many residents have pets". So, in this past couple of weeks with our agent, I just casually confirmed this. Our agent knows we have 3 cats - no mention of any issue.
I discovered last night that Article VII: Pets, Item 2 states that "Without prior written approval of the board, the only pets permitted in one Unit are up to two (2) cats....".
Sound of slamming brakes and screeching tires.
I admit to a moment of late-night panic. I mailed our agent and lawyer right away, then mailed our agent's assistant too just incase our agent was out. While we could still let the offer fall through without a legal consequence, well, I DON'T want to be in the position of trading my dream home for one of my fur-folk.
Now, in the light of morning, I've calmed a bit. I noted that the "Without prior written approval..." phrasing was a 2004 amendment to the original declaration that unconditionally stated "only two". I have also noted that despite an explicit prohibition on large dogs of certain breeds, I've seen someone with a Rottie there in the past. I am hoping that this means the change in phrasing was made specifically to acknowledge that exceptions may be requested by Unit Owners who are still responsible, upstanding citizens who just happen to count higher than two when it comes to sharing the fuzzy love.
It's not like I'd want to be breeding pitbull puppies by the dozen - I just have 3, not two, middle-aged housecats. Here's hoping.
The condo by-laws.
Now, this is a unit in a condo building I've looked at for years. The FIRST question I ask about residential arrangments, is "are there any restrictions on pets?". As you know, my family includes fur-bearing quadrupeds as well as a couple of humanoids.
A few years back when I chatted with a sales rep for the developer and asked my key question, she answered me along the lines of "No, not at all - many residents have pets". So, in this past couple of weeks with our agent, I just casually confirmed this. Our agent knows we have 3 cats - no mention of any issue.
I discovered last night that Article VII: Pets, Item 2 states that "Without prior written approval of the board, the only pets permitted in one Unit are up to two (2) cats....".
Sound of slamming brakes and screeching tires.
I admit to a moment of late-night panic. I mailed our agent and lawyer right away, then mailed our agent's assistant too just incase our agent was out. While we could still let the offer fall through without a legal consequence, well, I DON'T want to be in the position of trading my dream home for one of my fur-folk.
Now, in the light of morning, I've calmed a bit. I noted that the "Without prior written approval..." phrasing was a 2004 amendment to the original declaration that unconditionally stated "only two". I have also noted that despite an explicit prohibition on large dogs of certain breeds, I've seen someone with a Rottie there in the past. I am hoping that this means the change in phrasing was made specifically to acknowledge that exceptions may be requested by Unit Owners who are still responsible, upstanding citizens who just happen to count higher than two when it comes to sharing the fuzzy love.
It's not like I'd want to be breeding pitbull puppies by the dozen - I just have 3, not two, middle-aged housecats. Here's hoping.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Closer to Home Suite Condo...
Inspection was a cakewalk - this was expected. We put the money in against most professionals' better judgement, including the inspector's! Mainly we'll consider it a lesson in owning major home components like a furnace and a breaker panel, as he was very thorough in explaining and documenting this.
And financing is approved!!! Whee!
Only the lawyer's review of the status certificate remains. We're also expecting that to be a cakewalk, really, the building and condo corp have a fairly good reputation.
And financing is approved!!! Whee!
Only the lawyer's review of the status certificate remains. We're also expecting that to be a cakewalk, really, the building and condo corp have a fairly good reputation.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Home Suite Condo!
OK, gotta do this on the blog as I'm getting so many "how's it going" inquiries I can't keep up!
Adam and I made an offer on an amazing condo, conditional upon financing and inspection, and it's been accepted. THAT means, we've bought a condo as long as someone gives us the money, and our mortgage consultant thinks unless we're all very surprised by a credit report, we're fine. The inspection is likely a no-brainer - even the inspector we hired said he didn't really think we HAD to do one, but we felt better having a pro go through the place with us.
Closing will be March 17 as long as all the legal and finance gets done on time. It's a ground-floor corner unit, 3bdrm, 2-bath, in one of a pair of buildings known both as The Seagram Lofts and "Barrel Warehouse Park" though I think the latter name applies to the landscaped property and the former to the buildings. It's an urban reclamation rebuild of the old Seagram Distillery barrel warehouses. I've had one eye on it since it started in 2000, and any of you who have walked around my Uptown block with me will know the buildings.
It's only slightly more than I set out to pay, and if we get approved for our desired financing option we'll have a hugely flexible mortgage that between the two of us, we can probably get rid of in 10 years if we're determined, 15 if we're a bit lazier. And the unit is PERFECT, there's nothing else we could possibly want to do with it except furnish it. Hardwood, granite, stainless steel, designer lighting, window shades, and the seller, in concession to not really budging much on price, included a designer area rug - and a dinner gift certificate at a posh restaurant that shares the property (go figure). He wasn't wrong about the price being a good deal - it's a luxury property and going up - we just pitched low because we found out HE got it for a steal - but oh well, that's his luck. We bought it before he raised his asking another $20k, so if we look at it that way we split the difference between what we offered and what he really wanted.
We have the inspection scheduled for tomorrow and our finance guy says he'll have an answer by then - more news as it develops!
Adam and I made an offer on an amazing condo, conditional upon financing and inspection, and it's been accepted. THAT means, we've bought a condo as long as someone gives us the money, and our mortgage consultant thinks unless we're all very surprised by a credit report, we're fine. The inspection is likely a no-brainer - even the inspector we hired said he didn't really think we HAD to do one, but we felt better having a pro go through the place with us.
Closing will be March 17 as long as all the legal and finance gets done on time. It's a ground-floor corner unit, 3bdrm, 2-bath, in one of a pair of buildings known both as The Seagram Lofts and "Barrel Warehouse Park" though I think the latter name applies to the landscaped property and the former to the buildings. It's an urban reclamation rebuild of the old Seagram Distillery barrel warehouses. I've had one eye on it since it started in 2000, and any of you who have walked around my Uptown block with me will know the buildings.
It's only slightly more than I set out to pay, and if we get approved for our desired financing option we'll have a hugely flexible mortgage that between the two of us, we can probably get rid of in 10 years if we're determined, 15 if we're a bit lazier. And the unit is PERFECT, there's nothing else we could possibly want to do with it except furnish it. Hardwood, granite, stainless steel, designer lighting, window shades, and the seller, in concession to not really budging much on price, included a designer area rug - and a dinner gift certificate at a posh restaurant that shares the property (go figure). He wasn't wrong about the price being a good deal - it's a luxury property and going up - we just pitched low because we found out HE got it for a steal - but oh well, that's his luck. We bought it before he raised his asking another $20k, so if we look at it that way we split the difference between what we offered and what he really wanted.
We have the inspection scheduled for tomorrow and our finance guy says he'll have an answer by then - more news as it develops!
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Blog Soup II
Been meaning to post this for a week or so. So, if you look at my earlier entry on "Blog Soup", you can tell quantity cooking has alot of practical applications - for a single/couple, it lets you prepare a weeks worth of quick meals, or for a busy family or a house full of guests, you can feed alot fast.
The concept of "watering the soup" seems to have negative connotations. It implies low-quality cooking, a cheap host offering a substandard meal, or a way to try to get rid of unwanted diners by offending them with soup that tastes like dishwater. I never really looked at it that way. I think when I was a child I heard my grandmother, or someone around her, joke that something was "no problem, we'll just water the soup!" In that context, it was an offer of additional, spontaneous hospitality. I remember growing up with a large extended family who would always welcome children and grandchildren to bring a friend along, and there would always be enough to offer.
Now, a creative cook and host does not, literally, just pour extra water into a bowl of someone's soup, of course. But, many dishes, like the aforementioned Blog Soup, lend themselves well to extension as leftovers. A leftover soup will thicken when cold, as liquid is absorbed by solid ingredients like rice, barley, potatoes or beans. It becomes less soupy - and hence, when you add water and re-heat for half an hour or so, you can have an additional quantity of home-cooked soup.
Here's how Blog Soup went through a second incarnation (some of which is still in the freezer!).
Sautee two chopped cloves of garlic, one chopped celery stalk, and half a dozen or so sliced mushrooms in a pot with a bit of olive oil. Cook until mushrooms browned and celery a little translucent, but not soft.
Add 3-4 cups of water, salt and pepper to taste, any other seasonings complimentary to your original soup, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Add to existing pot of original, thickend leftover soup, and mix. At this point, add more water to appropriate consistency or volume needed.
Simmer for half an hour or so.
Still a darned good soup and you'll have a week of leftovers, or with a nice loaf of bread, a modest, hearty dinner for a group again.
The concept of "watering the soup" seems to have negative connotations. It implies low-quality cooking, a cheap host offering a substandard meal, or a way to try to get rid of unwanted diners by offending them with soup that tastes like dishwater. I never really looked at it that way. I think when I was a child I heard my grandmother, or someone around her, joke that something was "no problem, we'll just water the soup!" In that context, it was an offer of additional, spontaneous hospitality. I remember growing up with a large extended family who would always welcome children and grandchildren to bring a friend along, and there would always be enough to offer.
Now, a creative cook and host does not, literally, just pour extra water into a bowl of someone's soup, of course. But, many dishes, like the aforementioned Blog Soup, lend themselves well to extension as leftovers. A leftover soup will thicken when cold, as liquid is absorbed by solid ingredients like rice, barley, potatoes or beans. It becomes less soupy - and hence, when you add water and re-heat for half an hour or so, you can have an additional quantity of home-cooked soup.
Here's how Blog Soup went through a second incarnation (some of which is still in the freezer!).
Sautee two chopped cloves of garlic, one chopped celery stalk, and half a dozen or so sliced mushrooms in a pot with a bit of olive oil. Cook until mushrooms browned and celery a little translucent, but not soft.
Add 3-4 cups of water, salt and pepper to taste, any other seasonings complimentary to your original soup, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Add to existing pot of original, thickend leftover soup, and mix. At this point, add more water to appropriate consistency or volume needed.
Simmer for half an hour or so.
Still a darned good soup and you'll have a week of leftovers, or with a nice loaf of bread, a modest, hearty dinner for a group again.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Gallery added to my projects
So folks who know me, know I hate being photographed. I don't like taking photos, and I don't like looking at photos.
This, I have come to realize, is because most people take lousy photos. I've been scarred by too many years of perennial this-is-the-family-stuffing-their-faces dinner photos, people who insist that you pose for their quicksnaps in extremely inopportune moments, or pictures of the reputed most beautiful baby ever that are so poorly done you can't be sure it's not just a pale pork roast in a touque you're looking at.
I realized years ago that's about as good as MY photos got, so I rarely take any.
Adam is a GOOD photographer. He's got good equipment, yes, but he's got a good eye and a sense of composition. I still object to seeing my pudgy self in pixels, and I do get annoyed when there's a camera in my face when I have other things to do, but I gotta admit he's really good.
He's been good enough to let me have use of the photos of my cats and my quilting creations, and hopefully I can get one or two of the good ones of me (or, you can find the buried link to his gallery). The gallery is on a private server, so please don't re-post this link anywhere, but you can also find it now at the sidebar of my blog, under my profile.
Cheers.
This, I have come to realize, is because most people take lousy photos. I've been scarred by too many years of perennial this-is-the-family-stuffing-their-faces dinner photos, people who insist that you pose for their quicksnaps in extremely inopportune moments, or pictures of the reputed most beautiful baby ever that are so poorly done you can't be sure it's not just a pale pork roast in a touque you're looking at.
I realized years ago that's about as good as MY photos got, so I rarely take any.
Adam is a GOOD photographer. He's got good equipment, yes, but he's got a good eye and a sense of composition. I still object to seeing my pudgy self in pixels, and I do get annoyed when there's a camera in my face when I have other things to do, but I gotta admit he's really good.
He's been good enough to let me have use of the photos of my cats and my quilting creations, and hopefully I can get one or two of the good ones of me (or, you can find the buried link to his gallery). The gallery is on a private server, so please don't re-post this link anywhere, but you can also find it now at the sidebar of my blog, under my profile.
Cheers.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Blog Soup!
Okay, so my latest culinary adventure is not too bad. Except for being very late for dinner, because I got stuck at work late, and then the biggest supermarket in town has NO CHICKEN and I had to go to another....
Anyway. To give credit where it is due, I typed "black bean barley recipe" into Google, as I found dried black beans and barley on my counter and didn't know what to do. I reached this recipe which sounded interesting. As usual, I never manage to work entirely "by the book", nor am I precise, so here's tonights dinner soup:
4 chicken thighs, skin ON, bone IN (you can go cheap this way)
1 large carrot
4 stalks celery
1 large onion - I used a red one, probably not that important
3-4 cloves garlic (I think - I used the top 1/3 of two whole garlics, as I baked the rest)
1 cup dried beans - black, navy, pinto, whatever
1/2 cup or so dried pearl barley
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 tbsp, or to taste, dried parsley
1 tbsp, or to taste, rosemary
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp or to taste, dried mustard powder
pinch to 1/8 tsp cayenne, or a few drops hot pepper sauce (tabasco)
In advance:
Pick over dried beans, wash and drain, and soak them. Pour into pot/container and cover with fresh, cold water to a depth at least twice as deep as the dried beans or more - they expand. I prefer to soak for 24 hrs - I have heard refrigerating is recommended so they don't ferment. If only soaking overnight, don't refrigerate.
Preparation: Reasonably, it takes a couple of hours before "soups on" so this isn't a 20 minute weeknight job, but you can make lots and store it.
You need at least two large pots. One for the beans, one for the rest. You also need a strainer that won't melt in boiling water, or a collander and cheese cloth.
BEANS: Drain beans from soaking water, place in pot, fill pot to 2x depth of beans with fresh, cold water. Bring to a boil - WATCH OUT they are starchy and boil over easily. When it hits roaring boil turn down to simmer. Cook about 30 mins on their own.
BROTH: At same time as beans, fill a large stock pot with fresh water. Put in half the celery stalks, half the carrot, about 3/4 of the onion and all the garlic. Leave whole or in large pieces, eg, quarter the onion and throw 3/4 in, cut the carrot and celery at most in half. I always crush my garlic slightly to let the juice out but don't chop. Add chicken, just throw it in. Add parsley, rosemary, bay leaf, salt and pepper to taste.
Bring soup to a boil, again making sure it doesn't boil over but that's not as much a problem as with the beans. Keep it medium-high, at a rolling boil, until you have a broth. I don't have an exact time for this, I judge it by the chicken being cooked through, and the celery and garlic getting mushy. Say about 45 min. DON'T let the vegetables actually cook to mush, or you won't get broth, you'll have something more like pea soup.
LOGISTICS of Soup Assembly:
Begin fishing out veggie chunks when celery is mushy to touch. I take out mushy ones (celery, onion and garlic) first, then the carrots as they're harder, while still boiling. Boiled veggies are discarded (compost if you can). Last fish out the chicken and set aside.
Remove beans from heat, and pour water off. At this point you will need a third pot, or you can pour the drained beans into another dish and use the bean pot. Take the broth pot, large chunks all removed, and strain soup through a strainer/collander into another pot. Discard small mushy veggie bits and scum. Give broth pot a quick rinse, return broth to the pot and return pot to stove. This is now your remaining Soup Pot. Bring broth to moderate boil.
Add drained beans to broth, and add the barley. While that is starting up, shred up chicken meat, making sure to remove all fat, bone, etc. Not that it'll hurt you, its just less aesthetically pleasing to get a blob of chicken fat or gristle in soup. Add the shredded chicken back to the simmering pot.
Take the remaining carrot, celery, and onion, and chop as you like - approximately diced, larger pieces if you prefer. Toss it in the soup. Sprinkle in mustard powder, cayenne/tobasco, and additional salt and pepper if you like.
Simmer - again, timing until "done" is somewhat subjective. You want the beans medium-cooked, not mushy, or you get starchy soup. I usually judge by the onion pieces are translucent and the carrots just softening.
Take off the boil - serve right there with nice bread and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top, or divide into Tupperware and store for quick meals and brown-bag lunches!
Anyway. To give credit where it is due, I typed "black bean barley recipe" into Google, as I found dried black beans and barley on my counter and didn't know what to do. I reached this recipe which sounded interesting. As usual, I never manage to work entirely "by the book", nor am I precise, so here's tonights dinner soup:
4 chicken thighs, skin ON, bone IN (you can go cheap this way)
1 large carrot
4 stalks celery
1 large onion - I used a red one, probably not that important
3-4 cloves garlic (I think - I used the top 1/3 of two whole garlics, as I baked the rest)
1 cup dried beans - black, navy, pinto, whatever
1/2 cup or so dried pearl barley
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 tbsp, or to taste, dried parsley
1 tbsp, or to taste, rosemary
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp or to taste, dried mustard powder
pinch to 1/8 tsp cayenne, or a few drops hot pepper sauce (tabasco)
In advance:
Pick over dried beans, wash and drain, and soak them. Pour into pot/container and cover with fresh, cold water to a depth at least twice as deep as the dried beans or more - they expand. I prefer to soak for 24 hrs - I have heard refrigerating is recommended so they don't ferment. If only soaking overnight, don't refrigerate.
Preparation: Reasonably, it takes a couple of hours before "soups on" so this isn't a 20 minute weeknight job, but you can make lots and store it.
You need at least two large pots. One for the beans, one for the rest. You also need a strainer that won't melt in boiling water, or a collander and cheese cloth.
BEANS: Drain beans from soaking water, place in pot, fill pot to 2x depth of beans with fresh, cold water. Bring to a boil - WATCH OUT they are starchy and boil over easily. When it hits roaring boil turn down to simmer. Cook about 30 mins on their own.
BROTH: At same time as beans, fill a large stock pot with fresh water. Put in half the celery stalks, half the carrot, about 3/4 of the onion and all the garlic. Leave whole or in large pieces, eg, quarter the onion and throw 3/4 in, cut the carrot and celery at most in half. I always crush my garlic slightly to let the juice out but don't chop. Add chicken, just throw it in. Add parsley, rosemary, bay leaf, salt and pepper to taste.
Bring soup to a boil, again making sure it doesn't boil over but that's not as much a problem as with the beans. Keep it medium-high, at a rolling boil, until you have a broth. I don't have an exact time for this, I judge it by the chicken being cooked through, and the celery and garlic getting mushy. Say about 45 min. DON'T let the vegetables actually cook to mush, or you won't get broth, you'll have something more like pea soup.
LOGISTICS of Soup Assembly:
Begin fishing out veggie chunks when celery is mushy to touch. I take out mushy ones (celery, onion and garlic) first, then the carrots as they're harder, while still boiling. Boiled veggies are discarded (compost if you can). Last fish out the chicken and set aside.
Remove beans from heat, and pour water off. At this point you will need a third pot, or you can pour the drained beans into another dish and use the bean pot. Take the broth pot, large chunks all removed, and strain soup through a strainer/collander into another pot. Discard small mushy veggie bits and scum. Give broth pot a quick rinse, return broth to the pot and return pot to stove. This is now your remaining Soup Pot. Bring broth to moderate boil.
Add drained beans to broth, and add the barley. While that is starting up, shred up chicken meat, making sure to remove all fat, bone, etc. Not that it'll hurt you, its just less aesthetically pleasing to get a blob of chicken fat or gristle in soup. Add the shredded chicken back to the simmering pot.
Take the remaining carrot, celery, and onion, and chop as you like - approximately diced, larger pieces if you prefer. Toss it in the soup. Sprinkle in mustard powder, cayenne/tobasco, and additional salt and pepper if you like.
Simmer - again, timing until "done" is somewhat subjective. You want the beans medium-cooked, not mushy, or you get starchy soup. I usually judge by the onion pieces are translucent and the carrots just softening.
Take off the boil - serve right there with nice bread and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top, or divide into Tupperware and store for quick meals and brown-bag lunches!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
A little urn for New Year's... *sniffle*
Well, so, on Thursday I picked up Panda's ashes from my vet, who will handle cremations through a private crematory in the area.
All that she was, my cobby barn moggy, fits into less than a coffee cup. I have to write names on the urns now, because they all look the same and the ribbon tying the inside bag on Panda's is the same colour as Lenny's. There are 3 of them here now... and I really don't know what to do.
My vet and I have both commented that we're not particularly sentimental, except when it comes to cats. Me, I don't truly have a belief in an afterlife, nor in religion, nor the idea that cemeteries are particularly "holy ground" - no more so than the rest of the Good Earth is, anyway. I don't visit graves, except random ones if I decide to walk through some of the lovely lands where the local departed are interred. I don't relish buying a vault for my cat-friends and leaving their ashes somewhere far away. I also can't think of anywhere I'd want them scattered - we've always been rental apartment dwellers and they have always been indoor cats. There's no yard or garden they loved to be in. And I can't even keep a potted plant alive to put them in that. If I did scatter them, and then changed my mind, I could not have them back, either.
Having a collection of tiny funeral urns as decor is not appealing in itself, but I have them for now. It seems just a bit too callous to have them sent off to mass cremation and landfill. I know they're gone. There's no mysticism to keeping the dust that remains near me, other than as a reminder of the sweet memories, along with their collars, favourite toys, and photos.
I think that's why the diamonds idea is the only thing that really appeals to me. It's not about thinking there's something of their essence left, it's about giving me a touchstone to keep me level through the grief. Something beautiful to reattach me to the beautiful creatures I've been fortunate enough to share some time with, even though they have gone now.
Oh well. Like I said before, if I'm ever stupidly rich...
For now, my dear Panda ov Toes is sitting with her mentors and good friends, Lenny and Lucy, quietly and unobtrusively on a shelf here. And we who are here, are looking forward now, to another New Year.
All that she was, my cobby barn moggy, fits into less than a coffee cup. I have to write names on the urns now, because they all look the same and the ribbon tying the inside bag on Panda's is the same colour as Lenny's. There are 3 of them here now... and I really don't know what to do.
My vet and I have both commented that we're not particularly sentimental, except when it comes to cats. Me, I don't truly have a belief in an afterlife, nor in religion, nor the idea that cemeteries are particularly "holy ground" - no more so than the rest of the Good Earth is, anyway. I don't visit graves, except random ones if I decide to walk through some of the lovely lands where the local departed are interred. I don't relish buying a vault for my cat-friends and leaving their ashes somewhere far away. I also can't think of anywhere I'd want them scattered - we've always been rental apartment dwellers and they have always been indoor cats. There's no yard or garden they loved to be in. And I can't even keep a potted plant alive to put them in that. If I did scatter them, and then changed my mind, I could not have them back, either.
Having a collection of tiny funeral urns as decor is not appealing in itself, but I have them for now. It seems just a bit too callous to have them sent off to mass cremation and landfill. I know they're gone. There's no mysticism to keeping the dust that remains near me, other than as a reminder of the sweet memories, along with their collars, favourite toys, and photos.
I think that's why the diamonds idea is the only thing that really appeals to me. It's not about thinking there's something of their essence left, it's about giving me a touchstone to keep me level through the grief. Something beautiful to reattach me to the beautiful creatures I've been fortunate enough to share some time with, even though they have gone now.
Oh well. Like I said before, if I'm ever stupidly rich...
For now, my dear Panda ov Toes is sitting with her mentors and good friends, Lenny and Lucy, quietly and unobtrusively on a shelf here. And we who are here, are looking forward now, to another New Year.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Random Acts of Kindness, and renewed faith in the Internet...
One of the few online recreational things I still pursue, sporadically, is participation in a couple of Usenet NewsGroups. Most newsgroups about 10 years ago began degenerating badly as spammers discovered ways to flood them with drivel and the average intelligence of the Internet user began to drop as the WWW made it more accessible. However, some of these early virtual communities have held it together, and thanks to recent integrations with systems like Google Groups, are surviving well.
My two groups that I chat with regularly are a silly group of cat impersonators (don't get me wrong, I love 'em) and a very large, very busy group of quilters. Both of my "communities" have offered virtual tea and much sympathy over the recent loss of Panda ov Toes, more so than pet lovers often find in the "real" world.
One of the Quilters, someone I don't even know that well, just made my week yesterday. The quilters refer to their furry (or feathered or scaly) family members as the "QIs", or "Quilt Inspectors", referring to the apparent inability of any housepet to stay out of a snuggly blankie, whether it's a work-in-progress or not. Many in that group can empathise with the loss of a devoted QI. This wonderful lady read one of my first posts on Panda's illness, before she had left us but when I knew the diagnosis was final and things would end soon. She didn't respond on the newsgroup as so many wonderful folks did. She actually mailed me a letter (we have a private directory of participants), including a little sheet of kitty-cat stickers, and a square of a beautiful batik cotton fabric, with a cat silhouette overlay.
This thoughtful little packet arrived not quite a week after Panda's passing. I got choked up all over, not only thinking of Panda but of how much love there truly is in the world, for a stranger to do such a kind thing knowing me only enough to empathise with the loss of a treasured pet.
I have a daydream in mind right now to create a Panda portrait in a quilt. It will be challenging, I may have a few years to go before I get to that level of skill. You can probably guess what I'll be saving that sweet little piece of fabric for.
Go give your "QIs" another hug, everyone. And share the small acts of kindness that remind us what a community we truly are.
My two groups that I chat with regularly are a silly group of cat impersonators (don't get me wrong, I love 'em) and a very large, very busy group of quilters. Both of my "communities" have offered virtual tea and much sympathy over the recent loss of Panda ov Toes, more so than pet lovers often find in the "real" world.
One of the Quilters, someone I don't even know that well, just made my week yesterday. The quilters refer to their furry (or feathered or scaly) family members as the "QIs", or "Quilt Inspectors", referring to the apparent inability of any housepet to stay out of a snuggly blankie, whether it's a work-in-progress or not. Many in that group can empathise with the loss of a devoted QI. This wonderful lady read one of my first posts on Panda's illness, before she had left us but when I knew the diagnosis was final and things would end soon. She didn't respond on the newsgroup as so many wonderful folks did. She actually mailed me a letter (we have a private directory of participants), including a little sheet of kitty-cat stickers, and a square of a beautiful batik cotton fabric, with a cat silhouette overlay.
This thoughtful little packet arrived not quite a week after Panda's passing. I got choked up all over, not only thinking of Panda but of how much love there truly is in the world, for a stranger to do such a kind thing knowing me only enough to empathise with the loss of a treasured pet.
I have a daydream in mind right now to create a Panda portrait in a quilt. It will be challenging, I may have a few years to go before I get to that level of skill. You can probably guess what I'll be saving that sweet little piece of fabric for.
Go give your "QIs" another hug, everyone. And share the small acts of kindness that remind us what a community we truly are.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
And a few days later, it was over...
It's been about 5 days since Panda was put to sleep.
This was the hardest ever. The other animals I've had to make this choice for were older, fading, "tired" of it. Panda was still so strong, but could no longer eat. A couple of the last times she tried, her teeth began just falling out. She would mutter in pain despite having pain patches on her sides, but she still wanted to cuddle and purr.
The sedative usually given before the final injection made her feel sick, which was upsetting. She didn't want to make a mess, so she ran to her litter box to throw up - a good girl right to the last. She was such a clean cat all the time. A black-and-white moggy, her white parts were always absolutely glowing, never dirty. I tried to help her groom her last few days when she couldn't, as she kept drooling as the condition of her mouth deteriorated.
Panda's passing adds a third tiny urn to a collection I'm increasingly at a loss for something to do with. I'm not usually sentimental about mortal remains - I don't visit graves of the departed, cremation seems sensible, but it just seems a bit too callous to say "make them disappear", so I have Lenny's, Lucy's, and soon Panda's ashes to tuck away somewhere.
Something that freaks others out, but seems appealing to me, is the LifeGem memorials - turning the carbon of remains into diamonds. It's so expensive though, it would be $10,000 or more to have one small stone for each of them. But the stones turn out blue or yellow - like Siamese blue eyes, and like Panda's bright yellow eyes. I guess I'll just keep my little urn collection until I'm stupidly rich, or can let them go, scattering them somewhere appealing if I ever find that place.
Good bye, sweet Toesey-girl. It seems like too short a time you were here.
This was the hardest ever. The other animals I've had to make this choice for were older, fading, "tired" of it. Panda was still so strong, but could no longer eat. A couple of the last times she tried, her teeth began just falling out. She would mutter in pain despite having pain patches on her sides, but she still wanted to cuddle and purr.
The sedative usually given before the final injection made her feel sick, which was upsetting. She didn't want to make a mess, so she ran to her litter box to throw up - a good girl right to the last. She was such a clean cat all the time. A black-and-white moggy, her white parts were always absolutely glowing, never dirty. I tried to help her groom her last few days when she couldn't, as she kept drooling as the condition of her mouth deteriorated.
Panda's passing adds a third tiny urn to a collection I'm increasingly at a loss for something to do with. I'm not usually sentimental about mortal remains - I don't visit graves of the departed, cremation seems sensible, but it just seems a bit too callous to say "make them disappear", so I have Lenny's, Lucy's, and soon Panda's ashes to tuck away somewhere.
Something that freaks others out, but seems appealing to me, is the LifeGem memorials - turning the carbon of remains into diamonds. It's so expensive though, it would be $10,000 or more to have one small stone for each of them. But the stones turn out blue or yellow - like Siamese blue eyes, and like Panda's bright yellow eyes. I guess I'll just keep my little urn collection until I'm stupidly rich, or can let them go, scattering them somewhere appealing if I ever find that place.
Good bye, sweet Toesey-girl. It seems like too short a time you were here.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Holiday Blah news....
Not much of any cheer to post.
My senior cat is dying. We went from routine dental work, to "hmm, seems to be an infection from the tooth extraction" to squamous cell carcinoma of the mandible in about a month. There is nothing to be done. Surgical options are drastic and would likely buy very little time with an invasive cancer like this. It's a cancer not known to be responsive to radiation or chemo. And any option would really have to have been exercised almost immediately upon this developing - but her dental work kind of hid things for a while.
Panda of Toes, Honourary Meezer, Wicked-smart Barn Cat, Polydactyl Extraordinaire, is presently being spoiled rotten, fed all kinds of bad-for-kitties treats, given pain medication, and loved to bits for whatever probably short time she has left with me.
*sniffle*
My senior cat is dying. We went from routine dental work, to "hmm, seems to be an infection from the tooth extraction" to squamous cell carcinoma of the mandible in about a month. There is nothing to be done. Surgical options are drastic and would likely buy very little time with an invasive cancer like this. It's a cancer not known to be responsive to radiation or chemo. And any option would really have to have been exercised almost immediately upon this developing - but her dental work kind of hid things for a while.
Panda of Toes, Honourary Meezer, Wicked-smart Barn Cat, Polydactyl Extraordinaire, is presently being spoiled rotten, fed all kinds of bad-for-kitties treats, given pain medication, and loved to bits for whatever probably short time she has left with me.
*sniffle*
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Free time sucked into a black hole....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
