We usually have crappy weather, we get lots of rain, but this year it is beyond ridiculous. We are getting 4 or 5 days in a row with no let up in the rain and big storms, than a crappy day and then more stormy days. It feels like the house is going to lift off its foundations and that I am going to be off to kansas to see the wizard. I forget what the sun looks like! It has been above average temperatures (17c yesterday) one day then freezing the next. We will get 4-5 inches of snow that turns to rain and then gets washed away. I forget what the sun looks like! The dogs and I are getting fat as we have not been doing anything and it has been tuff to even get out for a decent walk. My poor better half is working in the middle east this week and the weather has totally delayed her travel plans forcing her to have to overnight in a hotel at London's Heathrow airport at a cost of 185 british pounds which is close to $400 for a stinking night. The rain took a pause today and I figured I would go out and check out the garden. First thing I notice was that the neighbour's fence had blown down. The moose was though the hill garden recently: Here is the square foot garden beside the cabin today: I think I was talking with EG about swiss chard a while back and here it is after several frosts. I cut this chard to the ground in the fenced square foot garden a couple weeks back and you notice even in this weather it has grown a bit. Amazing stuff and so good with garlic and a little chicken broth. The creek is eroding away beside the creek square foot garden. I hope it stops there, Next year I am going to have to put rocks on the side of the bank here. Here is the strawberry patch where the creek overflowed. The two new areas that I planted square foot style have a bit of sand and silt but I hope will be ok. The creek has really suffered some erosion this last month. ...

Since I have worked like crazy from day 1, and havent had much time to post, I guess I should fill in what I didnt on my post Monday morning-- I was hired on November 8 to fill a newly created position in the accounting department. It was the position of Accountant/Supervisor, and I was told that a 4-year degree was needed for this position. I was also told that I would learn the 5 audits that the department performs, as well as any other additional accounting functions that were needed. I was not given a deadline in which to have finished my training. During the last 2 weeks of November, I was taught one audit, and in December, I was sent to supervisor training, and then my direct supervisor, "H" re-certified as a supervisor me on December 28th and wrote on my evaluation "Good Job!!". I also started learning the slot audit about during the first/second week in Dec. And that is where I stayed until. On or about January 4, "H" called me into her office to say that from the reports she was hearing, that I was "burnt-out" (wtf???) on the slot machine audit, and that I was being put on another audit on January 8. When I asked what the problem was, she replied that she had received reports that I was stressed out. The only slot auditor for the week in question (December 25 to December 29; that supposedly burnt me out; it was also the busiest week at the property) was "R", who at one point told me to "stop f*cking things up", among other various job-misleading "help" she gave me while she was "training" me. I was told previously that she ("R) was very angry with me coming on board as she thought she should get the new position, even though she does not have the required degree. She ("R") was hostile to me while training, uncooperative and very demeaning to me and my background. She refused to help me on more than one occasion when I had problems with the audit, and would have a negative attitude when I asked for advice. And no, she wasnt too busy with her work to help-- I went to the other audit, and have been there ever since. "H" called me into her office on Sunday, January 22, told me that my position was eliminated because I wasnt trained enough to supervise the office for the week of January 23 27 (since the other supervisors were in training that week), and that I had had problems with that week in the slot audit. (Seems to be a re-occurring theme.) At this point, told her that I had never been given any specific guidelines as to when my training was to be finished, and this was the first I had heard that the other supervisors were to gone from the office that week. Then, I spoke up, and finally told her the conflicts with "R", and some of the things she said to me, and that she deliberately tried to teach me wrong procedures concerning the slot audit. (I learned about the wrong procedure from the other slot auditor when she came back to work, and I asked the correct procedures.) I also pointed out that I was never given a timeline that I was to know the whole department, and that she, "H", was my supervisor, and had failed to inform me of this. "H"then kept repeating that that week in the slots was bad (see, keeps re-occurring), and that I was being demoted to this other position, with a 50% reduction on pay (and I now became hourly; I was salaried before) and that my off days would be changed to reflect my new status. She also asked me not to say anything to the rest of the department until next week. (I assume the week starting January 29.) On Tuesday, January 23, I was sorting paperwork at the printer, and "H" apparently did not see me standing there, and I over-heard her, speaking in a low voice, tell "R"that my supervisor position was open, and she should go apply for it. No one else in the accounting department knew, as they might have a degree and be qualified for the position, but "H" did not choose to share that information with anyone other then "R", who has been sabotaging me since she had the chance in December. So, at this point, I figured that since it was, ahem.. public knowledge at this pointhey"H" told "R"and I let it slip at lunch to the others. Everyone was shocked, as I get along with them, and have helped out with their problems before. And, I figured that it was best to hear it from me, so that I dont look like a whipped pup. One of the guys that reported to me went back to the department and let it slip that he found out, and "R"s face was pricelessshe got defensive and her voice got high. It was funny to see and hear. He said that he overheard "H" tell "R", and she immediately started to backpedal. I did go to HR, and register my complaints, and the rep asked what I thought the repercussions would be, and I told her that I figured Id be fired, and she said "Well see about that", and smiled. Throughout all of this, I have kept my composure, and have smiled and not acted any different. I still talk and laugh and cut up, and I have kept the same level of work standards that I have from the first day. I finished one audit by 10am yesterday, the second by 4, and still and time to deal with other peoples problems with their work. So, I am still employed, but I think things will change on Sunday. And probably not for the better. Oh well. Its just a job that paid very well; its not my life and it does not define me. I did tell Rog on Monday, after I took a good assessment of things, and he is OK with things, no matter what happens. I told him everything, and I told him the reason that I could not tell him Sunday was that I couldnt bear the look of disappointment in his eyes, he told me I was silly, and that I couldnt disappoint him, ever. BJI love you, my sisnothing you can say to me would ever hurt me, b/c I know you speak from your heart. If I were hourly, I would say you are right, but I was salaried, and all supervisors must stay until all the work is finished, even if they themselves have been done for hours. And I was told that everyone must help the others out to finish up, which is fine with meso, thats why I would always ask, when I was finished, if I could help with someone elses work. (Although, in retrospect, I never did see any of the other supervisors do thatever. ???) My insurance will not kick in until Marcha long way to go--, and I was not given any type of review until this past Sunday. Nor any sense of unfilled expectations on anyones partI was told by one of me peers that I was going a very good job And as for the "down with" statement, I merely meant that I was now down in the pit with themnot a put down (LOL!) in anywaythey are great people! J The coatit is a Burberry, and it came form a consignment store with a no-return policy. (I rarely buy anything from a mall.) Still, even for that price, I wouldnt have bought it now. Its so gorgeousI feel like a million bucks with it onJJJ And---about the attitudeyoure right, and thats exactly what Ive been doing all week. Im still the same person I was this time last week, and Ill be that same person this time next week. While I hate being in this position, it is just a job, and it does not define me anymore than my MIL does. So, Im disappointed, but Ill liveits OK, and Ill just start over again Enough of me Patti(((((hugs))))) to you and your friendI can not imagine that pain NHSuzannegreat pics! JJ Marcithanks for the birthday exchange! Gotta goRog will be home in a bit Love and hugs to all Maddie

For those of you who have been following this story, or for those who are just picking it up now, thank you for reading. Gizmo left this world on September 3, around 6:15pm. Two weeks ago, he began acting funny again, and losing weight. We began putting him on antibiotics again, and he seemed to not get any worse, but not get any better either. We discontinued the medicine the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, knowing that if he did not improve, he would have to see a doctor again. Sunday he joined his mommy and daddy out in the backyard for a barbeque and loved it. He enjoyed sniffing and playing with the chives growing there, and nibble on a grape leaf from the vine He also swung on the swing for a while, and wandered around in the grass. The next morning, he nose-dived. We took him to a different vet on Tuesday, and he took X-rays, bloodwork, and gave him different antibiotic and IV fluids. The X-rays showed a smaller than normal heart (probably due to dehydration), healthy lungs, healthy intestines, but one slightly deformed kidney. Whether or not this was part of the problem, we did not know. He did not perk up from the medicine. Wednesday morning, the vet called and said the blood work is not good at all. His liver and kidneys were failing, he had a high white blood count, and he also had the opinion that Gizmo was diabetic. If we wanted him to have any chance at all, he needed to be hospitalized immediately, which we did. When he arrived, he was very much out of it, but still somewhat alert to his surroundings. He knew we were with him, and he knew he was in the car going on a trip. My wife held him the whole way. The vet said in addition to everything else, his temp, heart rate, and pulse were all low. It would therefore be necessary to bring these levels back up before they could even begin testing & treating the other problems. Even after being told that it might be a week's stay and $4,000 later, we still handed him over. Fortunately, Gizmo relieved us of any guilt from making a decision, and went peacefully within 5 hours of dropping him off. We had him cremated today at an establishment that allows you to view the whole process, so that you can make sure your wishes are respected, and he is back home with us; unfortunately, not in the way we wanted. Thank you once again for all your kind thoughts. We are now left to pick up the pieces. Of course, the other cats seem to be dealing with it better than we are, but we can tell they are missing him as well. I've put the link for the memorial park's website down below. I highly recommend them for anyone in the PA/NJ/NY area. Here is a link that might be useful: Abbey Glen

My guess would be they're both from quarreling with your other cat. Lucky neither wound abscessed, those can turn nasty fast. The one by his ear looks nice & dry, the chin I'd keep an eye on, if it gets yucky you can put a warm compress on it & hit it with some neosporin or triple antibiotic cream (only once or twice a day, you don't want him licking/ingesting it). Now we need to talk about his honey mustard eating. Shouldn't he be trying to steal meat or something? I hope he's fine in the end.