Post Christmas

I know, I disappeared.  Just busy and gone for Christmas.

Went to my family on Dec 24 for dinner.  Apparently no presents means presents for everyone!  Not that I got anyone anything.  We did get some nice things.  Cousin and sis gave me stamp markers.  Figured out based on what they gave that it would cost us about $500 for presents for everyone.  Can't wait for that big winning lotto ticket to come in!  Other then the present issue it was a nice time there.  Cousin always cooks well.  And I do like my family.  Best was I had at the last minute decided to bring a Christmas danish - and my sister forgot to bring the cake she was suppose to bring - so at least there was a bit more dessert!  I was so glad I had thought to bring it, it helped out.

We stayed at a hotel in Scarborough that was nice overnight.  

Then went to Bruce and Nancy (AJ's friends) in Stouffville area for lunch on Dec 25.  Again nice time.

Off to the Monty Carlo Inn in Oakville to book in.  That hotel wasn't as nice as the one in Scarborough.  Bed was too hard, and the bathroom fan too loud.  Dinner at AJ's family (total of 48 this year) was enjoyable.  I did have a good time there too.  And the family cooks very well also.   Like the potluck foods there always.  Mostly chatted with my sister in laws.  We got there semi-late, everyone was there already, and left around 9pm.  I was wiped and the noise was loud.  Had fun.

Most stressful and upsetting was worrying about the cats.  Never left Milo and Star - them being new, especially Star, alone for so long (two nights)  Princess, I was concerned about too.  And sure enough when we got home Princess had a swollen eye.  Gave her medicine and it's better this morning.  I was super stressed more because I had arranged with Michelle for her to come over.  She TOLD me she would come over ALL 3 DAYS.  We have a camera.  She never showed on the Dec 24th.  I had put out enough food basically for that day and a bit.  I didn't know how much they would all eat.  By 10am the next morning I was ready to skip the friends and go home.  But I called her (twice)  Second time she answered and I explained I was concerned as I had only left one's days food.  She went over earlier then she planned.  Was going to go around 12.  The litter was super full.  The food had a bit of crunchies left but not much.

I cried and cried as I was so stressed.  Had to wash off the make up and reapply it.  Sent her a message to make sure they had enough food for the day/night/day and that we would be home the next day around 12.  She never did go back over to check on them that day or Dec 26.  I was better tho, so the stress was down.  

What upset me most wasn't that she didn't go Dec 24 - but that she said she would, I believed/trusted her, and fed them just that much.  The litter was one thing that didn't worry me as either they would go in or not.  I have now 3.5 boxes!  Maybe I'll get a spare for when we are gone. 

If she would have said she was only coming Dec 25, I would have accepted that.  I had even texted with her twice to confirm she was going to come, that she was ok with still coming.  It was her telling me, and me believing/trusting her that caused me to stress.  I just can't trust her anymore.  She went on later to say she's not feeling well.  But then she had told me once when I said just let me know if you aren't well and I'll figure something out, that she would follow thru by getting her husband or child to go over - that she wouldn't just not leave the cats.  Well, I know now that's not true either!

AJ said we would buy a feeder for them to know that they would have food continuous next time.  I didn't know if Star would eat everything at once or if there would be food left, so at least a feeder would dole it out per scheduled time. 

Jax was fine.  He was at the ranch and had a good time.  Gets to go again next week when we have to go to Sarnia for AJ's appointment. 

We celebrated when we got home on Dec 26.  Cats liked all the toys, Jax wanted the cat toys instead of his two.  AJ liked his presents, and I liked mine.  AJ got me a calendar with the pets on it.  Missing Star but the others were on it.  Have to figure out where to hang it now.  Other stuff was general, but nice - especially that he's paying for Joan sessions for a while.  That was a super gift.  I got him tops, cookies, general things.  We didn't spend much (not counting Joan sessions). Both got lotto tickets in hopes.....still hoping.

Hope Christmas was filled with blessings for everyone.