I'm still achy, but not as bad. Or maybe it's because I took more ibuprofen. Either way, I'm really glad that today was Tony's day off so he took care of #5 while I dozed my day away. I feel bad about it because I know he hasn't been feeling well either (his is sinus issues, so it's not whatever I'm working on).
I have to remember to pick up some puzzle glue next time I'm in town so we can coat the puzzle and frame it. #1 liked the design and wants it on her wall. I hated how hard it was to put together and don't feel the need to assemble it again. Now we just need to find a frame of appropriate size.
We are officially on kitten watch with both Floki and Zombie due any day now. I'm guessing Floki will go first and have four, and then Zombie will have two. The kids are all mixed in their votes. We will just have to wait and see.
The other day I asked my husband if he'd bought my Christmas gift yet. He said no. I told him my top three requests are for a good digital camera, a subscription to Curiosity (think Netflix but all documentaries), and a gift certificate to Baker Creek. He said "So you don't want a puppy anymore?"
Quick back story, after Mazikeen passed away, I looked at puppies in ads. My heart was broken. Moose, having been an only-dog thus far, was suddenly thrown into single-dogdom again and wasn't happy. I told Tony that ever since I was a child I'd always wanted that stereotypical movie scene where I'm presented with a surprise puppy on Christmas morning... However, my parents, being the reasonable and respectable people they are, knew well that pets are not gifts and should never be given as a gift... Which is why I never got one. I told him I don't think he'd be able to pull off the surprise aspect of it, since he never leaves the house without a place to go, and I doubt he'd be able to track down a reasonably priced puppy anyway. We're still paying the bills for Mazikeen's last vet visit. Besides that, I know he wants another Saint Bernard and we will start looking for one in the spring when potty training will be easier. Getting me a Christmas puppy would mean we'd have three dogs in the house - when we really had only planned on having two. And winter potty training is awful.
Back to my story though - he asked if I no longer wanted a puppy. I replied with "I know you're not going to get me a puppy anyway, so why let it take up one of my top three spots? Let's be reasonable." I would love to get a puppy for Christmas. I would. But let's be honest here. I'm the one who's always told people not to do that. That if you want to give a pet for Christmas, buy the supplies or wrap a gift certificate for the pet store, and let the person pick their own pet. I've also gotten almost all of my pets as rescues. Usually unexpected, unwanted, and definitely not something we went to a shelter to look for... Ours have been those I took in as rescues to fix up and find homes for, those left on my doorstep, those picked up as strays who's owners never came for them, and those family and friends couldn't keep anymore. Only a few of our pets have ever been from actual breeders. It seems foreign to me to want to purchase a puppy for Christmas. Perhaps it's still the sadness in my heart for having been immersed in the love of two canine companions for a few months, and then losing one. I guess for now I'm trying to tell my heart that it's OK to wait until spring. Potty training will be easier, the kids will be home after school is out to better bond with a new pup, and then we can get the breed that Tony wants. On the flip side, if my some magical stroke of good fortune, my husband is able to find a surprise puppy for me, I would love it with all of my heart. I just don't want to get my hopes up and then feel disappointed on Christmas when there is no puppy for me.
For some reason tonight's blog has sunk me into a bit of an emotional quagmire. Maybe it's thinking of Maize, or thoughts of previous rough Christmas times. My beloved special needs cat, Nermal, passed right before Christmas several years ago, the old schoolmate of mine that committed suicide almost two years ago - his birthday was right before Christmas, and every Christmas has been a bit rough since my mother-in-law passed away). Whatever it is, I need to take a breather, get some more sleep, and hopefully tomorrow I will wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day.