Week 33, August 7, 2016

Thoughts and Quotes:  A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

                                                      From “This Could Be Your Day” published by

                                                                       Christophers (whoever they are)

This is what I was trying to explain in my last post.  And I told you that Pepper had only one accident.  Scratch that.  The first complete day, he tinkled in three rooms, poopied in two rooms, and threw up in one room.  I was in tears.  I was beginning to wonder what I'd gotten myself into.  But he was just traumatized.  Now he's using his potty box.  Thank you for your prayers, as his legs are getting better.  He still spends most of the day in his little "apartment" aka my walk-in closet.  However, he ventures out at night when he has the house all to himself.  He even lets me pet him, if I approach from the proper angle, and he's in the right mood.

Aunt Joey brought him a toy which Tuxie doesn't use anymore and Pepper loves it.  It's round, about a foot in diameter, sits flat on the floor and has a ball in a track.  I showed Pepper how to use it, and he caught on right away.  I, however, do not love it in the wee hours of the morning, when that ball wakes me, going round and round, and will be happy when we can move it to the family room when Pepper moves out of his apartment.

Neighbor Barb said they once moved and their kitty went into the closet and stayed for a month.  We'll just wait for Pepper to decide when it's time.  By then, my clothes on the bottom rail will be decorated with black fur trim where Pepper rubs them when trying to escape the doctoring of his wounds.  And they might all smell of cat food, as he eats in there most of the time.

We visited Dr. Hardy on Wednesday, who was very pleased with his wounds, and said that Pepper will be ready to lose his manhood in a week or two, so we have an appointment for Monday, August 15.  Hopefully, this will reduce the odor of his urine, which permeates all corners of the house when he uses his potty box.  One of the accidents occured in the little half bath off the laundry which was Tiki's bathroom.  As you can guess, I've been - 

Tidying: What would we do without the internet?  My search for a method to remove pet urine odor and stains turned up this:  

Make a solution of half water and half vinegar.  Vinegar won't fade your carpet.  It didn't say what kind of vinegar, but I used white - one of my favorite household cleaners.

Pour the solution over the stained area.  Let it set for ten minutes.

Use paper towels to soak up the solution.

Once the carpet is almost dry (emphasis on ALMOST), sprinkle a little (emphasis on LITTLE), baking soda over the area.  

Let it set for about fifteen minutes.

Vacuum the area.

What not to do (which I did):  Do not sprinkle the baking soda on too soon. Do not use too much baking soda.  I ended up with clumped damp baking soda clogging my vacuum.  

I don't know if laundry soda works.  It is a bit different, so I went back to the store and got a big box of baking soda.  I can always use it in my trash can to reduce odors in the garage.

One last thing about Pepper.  My son is coming to visit next month, and I'm not sure whether it's to see me or Kid Pepper.  I suspect it is the latter. 

Tasting:  I meant to post this last week and ran out of time.  It's a recipe I've had since - ready for this - the early 60's.  I was a mere child.  Someone at work gave it to me, and I made it often.  You can make it ahead if you wish, refrigerate, and just bake a little longer.

HAMBURGER CASSEROLE

Sauce:

2 Tbs butter

1 lb. ground beef

2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Garlic powder

Cream Layer:

3 or 4 oz cream cheese

1 cup sour cream, softened

6 green onions, sliced

8 oz pkg noodles, cooked

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350°

Brown hamburger in butter. Add sugar and spices. Stir in tomato sauce; simmer 10 minutes.

Cook noodles according to package directions and drain.

Mix cream cheese, sour cream and green onions and set aside.

In 2-1/2 qt casserole, layer a third of each:  noodles, Cream Layer, Sauce. Repeat twice. Top with Cheddar.

Bake covered for 20 minutes; remove cover and bake another 10 minutes.

Thank you:  So that I wouldn't have to cook while bonding with Pepper, Friend Joey brought me a big bowl of pulled pork, buns, potato chips -

And home-grown tomatoes and lots of pre-cooked bacon for BLT's -

Tidbits:  When I dropped my library book at the drive-up box at our Nixa Community Center, I decided to show you our tribute to the vets.  We should have these all over our country, as reminders of the service rendered by our men and women in our Armed Forces who continue to keep us free.

Thrifting:  Friend Katie Sue and I went to the DAV sale yesterday, where everything was half off.  I bought lots of bowls and saucers for Pepper and lots of tops for me.  Did I really need more clothes?

Of course I do, especially when they cost $1.24 or $1.74 each. And especially when I have more brown pants which need tops.

And I finally found a top to match this jacket.  

We stopped at a little local thrift store and I found this little teapot with the sticker from Kirklands - $19.95.  I paid $1.

I had these already -

so one more, and I can have a Garden Party lunch for four with inidividual teapots for each. They're all on the small size so I can't use my lettuce teapot - too big.  I'll find one.  I have a lemon and a strawberry and a pumpkin, but I need a vegetable, not a fruit.  Guess the pumpkin qualifies as it's really a squash, but if I continue looking, I still have a reason to thrift, right?

Togs:  Sorry, more brown.

Day 71

Day 72

Day 73

Day 74

Day 75

Day 76

Day 77

This week was spent mostly on Pepper, carpets and bonding.  Now I just let him do his own thing.  I slipped in and took a peek this afternoon and he was out like a light, so I know he's starting to feel secure.  First time I've been able to sneak up on him.  Next week should be more interesting, as I feel okay with letting Pepper do his own thing.  If he wants to sleep all day and prowl all night, so be it.  This is his home now, so he can do whatever makes him happy.  And I'll feel free to do whatever I wish during the day.  Hopefully, I'll be able to show you all my accomplishments next week.  I might even get Pepper to pose for close-up.

Tidbits:  Happy Sister Day to my Blog Sisters, my Cooking Club Sisters, my Pen Pal Sister, my Chosen Sisters, my Lil' Sis' and all the Sisters of the World.

GO TO THE LAKE

HAVE A PICNIC

SUMMER WILL BE GONE SOON

TAKE A LITTLE TRIP

HUG YOUR SPECIAL PEOPLE

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE