Hot Fire...yeah, yeah, yeah

With all the craziness of Cooter behind us (I hope), I finally get to blog about something else. Not that I don't love my Cooter and want to share his sweetness with everyone, but I know you must want more excitement than that.
Fire is not an uncommon thing at the Hughes house. I grew up with a family full of pyro's, so it was only appropriate that I would marry one right? I knew I was in for some interesting days when someone asked him if he had notified the fire department that he had moved. We have had many bon fire's at our house and our previous method of lighting the fire involved no less than 5 gallons of gas. For Matthew's birthday, Andrew decided that buying him a flame thrower was a good idea. All I can say is that I will always be certain our home owner's policy is up to date.

Last weekend we had two fires at our house. One that was intentional, and one that was well...not so intentional. Andrew brought some friends home from school and asked if we would have a bonfire at the house so they would have something to do. It was a great time. Even with Cooter home and recovering it was still nice to relax and just was the fire. We got to share our home with friends and family. It was wonderful.

No fire is ever small at our house. We don't do those whimpy little fires that you can't sit more than five feet from. It must be big. Matthew spent all day scrounging up some wood, which was good because I spent the day cleaning the house. (which was pointless by Sunday morning)
Matthew loves having fires! Scarey huh?

Now back to that second fire that I was speaking of. Our washer has been trying to kick the bucket for months now. We had nursed it along for quite some time, but hey I can't complain it was given to us for a whopping $30 from Matthews mom. Saturday as I was cleaning and I was on my next to last load it started to make this terrible electrical burning smell. And then on came the smoke. Yep it was done. We unplugged it and said good ridance. Until, my brother came along plugged it back it back in and did a load of laundry. While his load of laundry was going he went to take a shower. In the mean time, Matthew and I came home to a house full of smoke. You could see the smoke from the outside. So, on the 40degree night we opened all the windows and turned on all the fans and put the following sign up.

Just another day in the Hughes House!!

Cooter's Big Adventure

As I have previously blogged you know that my sweet and precious Cooter fell and broke his leg. It has been one of the most exhausting two weeks of my life. (Yeah, can you believe that a kitty can cause that much grief??!!) So let me give you and update on Cooter’s big unfortunate adventure.


On Thursday, November 12, Cooter had a metal pin and five stainless steel clamps put in his hind leg. No big deal, right? WRONG…big WRONG! We picked Cooter up from the hospital on November 13. Yep, Friday the 13th. Never have I really been a believer of superstitions, but I may have actually changed my mind. I joked that it might have been a bad idea that we were picking our black cat up from the vet on Friday the 13th, but never did we ever think we were in store for this.

This is Cooter coming home from the vet for the first time.

Friday night me and the boys (Luke and Cooter) settled in at home while daddy went out with Andrew, because he was home from school. Friday night was great! Cooter seemed to be making significant improvement. Saturday was another great day as well as Sunday. Monday Cooter ran out of pain medicine. He didn’t seem to be hurting too bad, so we took him to spend the day with Great Grandmom Hughes. (Mainly so she could make sure he was staying on his exercise restriction.) Tuesday was the beginning of what was the longest week of our lives with Cooter. We woke up and got ready to go to Great Grandmom Hughes’ house and I was going to work. Cooter was not having any interaction with anyone, including his best friend Luke. I knew he was hurting. I took him to Grandmom’s anyways and called the doctor. He wanted to see him, so back to Memphis we went. Cooter ended up staying for two nights, because he was in so much pain because the pin in his leg was putting major pressure on his sciatic nerve. I was not happy. Two days later he was better and ready to come home. The night he came home he was fine. We stayed strict on his medicine, but still the next morning he was not doing well at all. Cooter was even dragging his leg like it was limp. Back to Memphis he went with Nana (That’s Nancy…lol) Sure enough my instincts were right. It was worse. So much worse that they took Cooter back into surgery the same day. That was yesterday at 5:00 p.m. They cut the pin down so it would take the pressure off of his nerve because they were concerned about permanent damage.

Which leads us into today…the first morning of our marriage that we woke up before 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning. But we had to go get our baby from the hospital. I was nervous. I just wanted my sweet and loving kitty back, not the crazy cat that wouldn’t even let me touch him. We got there and I knew immediately that he was better. When they brought him to us he just purred and was bright eyed and attentive. Ahh…we immediately let out a sigh of relief. I think we are on the right track now. Cooter is happy to be back at home, and we are ready for the next hurdle of our life.

Cooter and Luke settled in at home. (Hopefully for good)

Daddy, Cooter, and Luke doing what they do best.

Cooter is Coming Home!

Yesterday, Cooter had surgery to repair his leg. Thankfully they were able to put a pin in his leg to correct the fracture. He may have to later have the pin removed, but for now it looks like he is going to be okay. Yay!
Which is good for Luke because he is lonely and about to drive his mommy INSANE!! He has slept on my pillow all week! Demanding of some major attention and he got some major attention this morning by getting his fat belly caught in a pair of my pants. Oh what fun.

On a more thankful note... The crew at the Shelby Center for Animals has been wonderful not only to Cooter, but to Matthew and I as well. I couldn't be happier with the way they handle business there. They treat the animals just like I do, like my sons. I think it is wonderful and they even call me mommy. Matthew stopped by last night on his way home fro work to visit him and I am so thankful that he did because who wants to be in a hospital anyways. I'm certain Cooter enjoyed his company.

Our cats are just as much a part of our family as any other family member and as many of you call me crazy and cat lady, until you have a pet of your own that you share your deepest, darkest secrets with don't poke fun at me. I love my cats and my cats love me.

Our Poor 'Lil Cooter

Last night was a rough night at the Hughes Residence. Monday’s are rough enough, but this particular Monday took the cake! Work is slowing down for Matthew since the weather is turning cooler and less people are buying car wash, so he had the opportunity to take some time and go to dinner with his bosses and a gentleman from the company that he is contracted through. However, my work is starting to rev up since the economy is starting to turn around. Saying this, I have been more and more exhausted lately making it a “puurrfect” night to be home alone with my two wonderful children, A.K.A Luke and Cooter my two precious kitties.

I had my night all planned out! Clean the kitchen…check. Do laundry…check. Vacuum the floors…check. Snuggle up on the couch and watch my planned TV shows (which I might add that I started watching this week’s CSI  trilogy) with my wonderful kitties. All went well and sure enough once I was ready to watch some TV Luke was right there ready to snuggle. Where’s Cooter you ask? He was locked upstairs after my cleaning spree.

Once Matthew called to let me know he was on his way home I found Cooter and let him and Luke outside to go potty and get their last energies out before bedtime. It was WAY past the Hughes’ bedtime so I didn’t figure this would be a problem, but as I have learned many of times since joining this family, never EVER assume anything!

Luke was ready for our bedtime ritual once Matthew came home, but once again Cooter was nowhere to be found. I called for him; I was shaking his treats, and looking all over for him outside. This is not a good sign for a cat that is usually on our front porch chasing bugs. Matthew finished his shower and came outside to help me look. After quite a bit of searching we heard a tumble and then a splash. Nothing appeared for quite some time, but when it did it wasn’t good.

There he was. There was Cooter. He was drenched in water from head to paw, and speaking of paw he was dragging is rear one. I just lost it. Matthew retained his composure as I lost mine grabbed some towels and dried him off. Yep it is broke. Broke bad.

I knew as a mommy I was going to have a long night. Sure enough it was longer than I had originally anticipated. I slept with Cooter on the bathroom floor. I had my blankie he had his. By the morning he had my blankie and pillow and I had his. His blankie consisting of only a towel, but I made due. He moaned and groaned and I did to. This morning after Matthew had gone to work Cooter and I finally got a good piece of shut eye with Luke outside and the bed all to ourselves.

So this morning I wrapped up my ‘lil Cooter and took him to our most trustworthy vet, Dr. Clay. He knew immediately that it was broke and gave him a sedative so he could go to work on my baby. He is supposed to let me know by the end of the day how he is doing. I know he is in good hands. Dr. Clay is so great with my kids and I know that He is taking care of him as well. I honestly think that I am hurting more than my “lil Cooter, but I will be missing him and praying for him. I will update as soon as I get updated. Until then, my house will be a little empty.