So I have this horrible cold. The first one of the season. Rye and Garin have it too, and Tristan a bit, but mine went straight down into my lungs. I am coughing like a maniac. And sneezing. And a stuffy nose. I feel terrible. So tired.

Plus I am taking my beloved Advil cold and sinus, plus Robo for the cough, and my nasal spray, because I cannot stand not to be able to breath. We had no meds in the house so I went to Walgreens and stocked up for the season. Ninety-one dollars later, I hope it keeps us until January. I got I.D.’d to buy the huge bottle of Robotussen. LOL.

I had to go take Garin to get a new winter coat today. Kid didn’t have one that fit and it’s cold outside now, so I couldn’t put it off. I realized that due to all the cold meds, my driving skills were not up to par. Kinda scary..almost rear ended a few. We started out at TSX, the skatestore, but I could not see spending 200$ for a snow boarding jacket just because they are cool. They are just not warm enough. Course Garin had to argue with me there, like I had no idea what I was talking about as the two little beasts ran around like nut jobs. But I do know what O am talking about. These jackets are made to resist snow and break the wind. You are supposed to be all layered underneath and getting sweaty for activity, not walking home from school in a T shirt.

Anyway, as we are bickering, one of the kids that works there comes over and we get him involved in the conversation. Even he agreed that we should just go get a Columbia jacket. I think, though, my high point of the day was when they were talking about other skateparks and mentioned the new one in Accord…Skatetime 209. We all mock the name of that place. What were they thinking? Anyway, I said something along the lines of, “Ghayest name in the whole universe.” And the other kid laughed and said that I was a “cool mom” to which of course Garin rolled his eyes. I don’t care about his darn rolls. I AM a cool mom. It’s good to know that others can see it.

I still have laundry to fold. Story of my life. I just didn’t feel like it. If I get up early enough tomorrow, then I will fold during TNT’s Drama in the Daytime..aka two hours of ER repeats.

Pudding, the dead kitten, is still on the front porch, frozen, in a box. I don’t know what we are going to do with him. I don’t think we can bury him as the ground is already frozen. I am not spending money to get him cremated..even if he was a very good cat. It’s really nasty to throw him in the garbage, but it might be the only option. Can’t let the kids know that though.

I informed Scarlett’s teacher since I knew that she would mention it. She offered to let us borrow “Ten Good Things about Barney” and I told her that we already have read it like three times now. I am still pretty weepy. He was soooo beautiful. Really an amazing cat. His coloring was incredible. Pure white with those flame points on just his tail, ears and face. And blue eyes like nobodies business. Shocking really.

Anyway, Rye brought home a replacement already. Got to love the man. He hated me for getting Pudding, but he knows what good cat he was and how much the children loved him. Being trapped at work while we were crying messes yesterday, he did the typical male role of “fixing” the problem. Put’s out the calls and comes home with a cat.

I think he is Pumpkin. He is an orange tiger about the same age as Puddie, but totally different. Cats are so amazing and unique, if they didn’t stink so bad I would collect them. He’s rounder and has a short tail, where Puddie was so sleek and long. Anyway, he is kinda freaked out. He spent the night in our room and was ok. He purred and slept on my belly and didn’t mind it when Lily got all in his face, but then today he totally hid out in the basement all day. I had brought him down there for the cat box orientation and food, and then he was the slinky scared escape artist. Scarlett kept going down to see if she could get him out and he would have none of it. I was beginning to think that I was just going to have a cat that lived in the basement.

Finally after the kids were in bed, Garin and I went down and got him. And he was ok again. Ate some food, had some water, walked around a bit, even played with a curtain. Then sat on my lap and purred while I watched TV with Garin. Lily wants so bad to play with him, but she freaks him out and he hisses at her now. He is up in the attic with me now, just checking things out. He’s so odd. He cries all the time, but runs away if you get close to him. Then if you get him, he is happy. I don’t think he knows what he wants. All he needs to do is allow the kids to love him and play with the dog. I hope he gets it..soon.

He’s a nice enough cat, but he is no Pudding. And I feel so bad for Lily. God, they were just so damn close. Can a dog get depressed? She actually took her big white stuffed dog out of her coop tonight and played with it like she would play with Puddie. I think she was so frustrated because Pumpkin wouldn’t let her get to him, and she really wanted to play. She is so happy to see the new guy, but..it’s slow going.

Damn, he was such a great cat.