Friday, May 28, 2004

Apparently
what kind of social software are you?

I think that means I should post more frequently.

Thursday, May 27, 2004

OK...I haven't posted in a LONG time...and now I'm going to hit you up for money...so shoot me.



This is Beau. Beau was in the Memphis Animal Shelter and was scheduled to be put to sleep when I found a no-kill shelter to take him. As he was being discharged, the MAS revealed that Beau is heartworm positive. The shelter I had arranged did not have the facilities to care for Beau during his treatment and refused to accept him. Through a series of miracles, Beau was transported to Columbus, Ohio where he was to receive discount price HW treatment through the Dalmatian rescue there. Following treatment, he was going to find a foster or forever home.

Last weekend, Beau was admitted to the ICU at Ohio State Veterinary Hospital with a high fever...apparently a negative reaction to the heartworm treatment. He responded very well to the oxygen tank and the steroids. He will be on meds for the next 10 days and will need to be rechecked after that. He is allowed NO MOVEMENT ... so he gets to go out to do his business and then it's right back into his crate. His appetite is back, so that’s a good sign. All the doctors loved him, he such a darling. We thought he was going to be all right.

The total bill for the emergency room came to $507 ... which is high, but better than expected. Thank doG for small things, right?

Today's development...Beau has blood in his stool. It is not a small amount. The rescue has spoken to both OSU and his regular doctor, and they have given the option to bring him back to emergency, or take a 6:10pm appointment with the reg, vet. Both agree to pull him off the steroid (but he had his pill already this morning), which may have upset the mucus lining in his stomach, and *possibly* caused a secondary infection.

Since he is not "dripping" blood, the rescue plans to take him for this evenings' (3:40pm) appointment. OSU will want to do many, many tests, and it is very expensive there. The regular vet will be thorough and will do what is necessary, but is also more conservative with rescue funds. But the rescue still must send out an emergency plea for funds.

We REALLY need sponsors for Beau. He has come so far...don't you think he's earned it? Can you help give him a better life? Please SPONSOR Beau by visiting Saveadal.com to make your donation.

Beau is a wonderfully gentle and sweet boy and I REFUSE to believe that he has come this far for nothing. Please, if you can find it in your heart to help in ANY way, no matter how small, please email me or drop me a private message. We will be setting up an eBay fundraiser for Beau's care and I will post the link as soon as I have it.

Thank you!

Saturday, May 22, 2004

Feeling Happy at Bedtime

For the longest time, our bedtime ritual included "What Shall We Do With the Boo-Hoo Baby," which I've mentioned elsewhere, and "I Feel Happy." I bought it on an impulse when the Border's Outlet near me was closing. I thought, "She'll never like it, but the pictures are cool." How was I to know that she would demand this story so much that Hubby and I would memorize the poem in a very short time. Even more encouraging, when reached the line "So I'll rest my little head," our daughter would consistently pat her own head. The book has a simple enjoyable poem and not-your-usual-baby-book illustrations.

I guess this means I'll need to find more Flavia books for my daughter.

Like I need an excuse to buy books.

Friday, May 21, 2004

Reading with Your Child

I can't rave often enough about Chinaberry. They have a wonderful selection of books and you can tell by reading their catalogue that they truly love everything they sell.

Included in the catalogues is also this bit of advice aboutway to read with children who aren't able to read yet. Fortunately they post it on their site as well. They also have thoughts about the importance of reading for the parents of older readers.

Chinaberry is a wonderful place to visit on the web. It's good for the economy when I visit it because I always want to spend money on something there. I'm sure you'll find a book to love if you go.

Thursday, May 20, 2004

Good News: More Books

Today we received an order from Chinaberry! This happy event has pre-empted my original plan for tonight's post because as I skimmed some of the books, I immediately fell in love with one in particular: Bunny's Noisy Book.

The Bunny experiences his day through sound after sound from the rustling of birds, his own yawn, to the buzzing of bees, to the thumping of his mother's foot calling him home again. The pictures are lucious and the bunny sometimes seems so real that he could jump off the page. I think I prefer it to Good Night Moon, of course it could just be that Bunny is new to me while I can now recite Moon from memory. Here's a review from a Third Grader--it comes highly recommended.

I found some brief biographical and autobiographical sketches of Margaret Wise Brown. Here is an unofficial site (the official site seems to have disappeared).

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Feeling Bookish

A very popular book in our house is "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon," from the Sesame Street song performed by Ernie. The board book has beautiful illustrations covering Ernie's adventurous side and his return home. Ignore the professional review at Amazon, my daughter's face lights up when I read/sing it to her.

You can hear the midi here and the guitar bits here.

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Alphabetically Speaking
I just wanted to recommend two sweet alphabet board books.

"A You're Adorable" is based on a song from the 1940's and has lovely watercolor images of kids playing. I don't know the song, but you can hear a midi here, read a muppet script here and read about Perry Como's version here.

So Many Bunnies tells the story of old Mother Rabbit who lived in a shoe with her 26 children. Each childs name starts with a diffent letter as she counts them one through 26 while sending them to sleep in unique locations. My daughter would snuggle with me as I read the simple rhymes.

Monday, May 17, 2004

More Book Stuff in Honor of Reading is Fun Week

Thanks to Darkmark, I've just spent a decent chunk of time fiddling around J.K. Rowling's website. Harry Potter fans can amuse themselves endlessly there with games and background information on the books.

I'm sure I haven't solved all the current riddles, but I have proudly placed three pages of special content in my scrapbook!

Sunday, May 16, 2004

Revived Book Club

If you want something a little different from the typical babies board book, try the artist series by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober. The rhymes are fun and the art is beautiful. The books won't make your child a prodigy, but they are entertaining poems set to beautiful pictures, which is what any good children's book should contain.

Based on this excerpt, I may have to buy Not So True Stories.

While tooling around the Chronicle site, I found a parenting book my husband might appreciate.
Reading is Fun Week

Today kicks off Reading is Fun Week! If you are looking for inspiration, hit the Chinaberry link at the side. Go to the RIF site for inspiration to celebrate reading. I loved getting books through RIF as a kid.


Sunday, May 09, 2004

Happy Mother's Day

Hope it was wonderful. Did you talk to your Mommy today?