Goodbye Mystic

Tonight was pretty tough at the Green household.  Sixteen months ago, Bubsy died of extreme kidney failure.  He spent 3 days suffering on an IV that didn't help his condition at all.  About a month later, we took Mystic in for a check up because they were both 17 - which is just plain old for a cat.  She had the same kidney disease, just not as far advanced.  The vet guessed that she would have another 6-12 months with us.

Fourteen months later, we could tell that Mystic was getting worse.  She had to be confined to the bathroom when we weren't home because she would throw up on the carpet and couldn't make it to the litter box in time.  She was still happy as could be, but we saw her slowly running out of energy.  Early on, we sort of "knew" that we would be able to tell when it was Mystic's time because we knew she would stop purring.  You see, Mystic spent all day, every day, purring.  It's like her voice box was broken and she just purred as she breathed.

Tonight, Mystic was having trouble walking and breathing.  Eric and I talked about taking her in to the vet on Saturday morning to end it before she had the chance to suffer like Bubsy had to.  Within an hour of that conversation, it started to look like she wouldn't make it through the night.  So we called the Eudora Vet emergency number and set up an appointment for 11:30pm.  

Before we got in the car, I let Mystic lay in the grass where she so loves to roll around.  When we got across the bridge to the vet's office, Mystic was trying to stand up and was meowing loudly.  I started worrying that we were making the wrong decision, and then Eric pointed out that she was still struggling to breathe and she wasn't purring anymore.  So as sad as the night was, we knew it was the right decision and that Mystic and Bubsy were finally together again.

Our last family picture of four.

Mystic and Bubsy cuddling together.

This brother-sister duo was inseparable.

Mystic and Bubsy in their fatty days, haha.  

Mystic and Addy cuddling together - they had their moments when they would tolerate one another.

The three of our babes.

Work is Hard!

This school year has started off great.  I am working with an awesome set of teachers, paras, other staff members, and kids.  I haven't had a hard time fitting in with this crowd, and I feel like my work is truly appreciated.  My caseload is pretty interesting this year - only 5 kids, plus 4 general education kiddos that I am helping with.  With each of these kids, I am really excited to see where they can grow to this year.  I see a LOT of potential in these little ones!

This is the handiwork of one of my students... and I'm actually loving problem solving with the kiddo.

5th Annual Ren Fest!

Off the main topic, but important to the start of our day!  At church, Gar let a parishioner, who worked in a building 1000 feet away from the World Trade Center ten year ago, deliver the sermon.  He gave a detailed account of his experience, and how it has impacted his faith.  I brought tissues in because I figured the sermon would relate to the anniversary, and I would cry.  I thought I was going to make it, until he listed off the names of the 4 people that he knew personally who died in that attack.  It was very touching to hear.

After church, I made us pick up some to-go food from IHOP because I was feeling miserable.  The blueberry waffle really helped, the plain hashbrowns did not!  Then we were on our way to meet Steven in Bonner Springs!!!
  
For the past 5 years, Eric and I have gone to the KC Ren Fest every year.  The first time - we got matching puzzle rings, the third time - he proposed with a beautiful puzzle ring that he had custom made, and our fifth time - we bought a teeny tiny puzzle ring for our baby!

I was also (insert slew of emotions here) to find out that the ring I wanted from Grammys jewelry box was from the Ren Fest.  She must have bought it when she was there with us and Papa last year.  Happy, sad, surprised, excited - it just makes the ring a lot more special to me.  And now Ive got 3 generations of puzzle rings on my hands!  Grammys, mine, and babys.

Steven came with us and it was an awesome day.  This was the first time that Eric and I came prepared with money to actually do whatever we wanted!  First stop was to buy the puzzle ring, then we went looking for a Hypnotist show - Steven and I went on stage, but the guy only made us feel sleepy.  I had a root beer float for breakfast.  Steven and I bought $1 pickles, and Eric got a bag of peanuts that lasted all day.  We watched multiple shows that had fire jugglers, and went hunting for the hard to find faeries.  We went to the honey store and Steven bought a brick of honeycomb.  For lunch I had a hot dog, Eric had a steak sandwich, and Steven had a veggie burger and Dr. Pepper.  Steven brought us to the Gnarlies shop to hear about their stories.  I tried to talk Steven into getting a $50 shoulder puppet.  Steven bought the tiniest hat ever - well, not ever.  But people commented on it all day (Did your head grow or your hat shrink?).

Eric and I at the proposal spot.

Steven feeding medieval Steven Colbert a pickle.

Me with two pickles!

Steven with a tiny hat! 

 Itty bitty puzzle ring for baby.

The ring from Grammy’s jewelry box came from the Ren Fest last year!

Steven is a happy kitty :)

Eric put all of his peanut shells on Steven.

  

Fire play!

He was throwing the sticks around, but this shot was really funny.

This lady curls and dyes her dogs hair for the fest.  Poor pup.