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There must have been some sort of a mistake… My invitation to the Warren Buffett speaking engagement this past weekend at Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum was most assuredly lost in the mail.

Yeah, that’s it.

As reported by both the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star, Mr. Buffett shared some interesting thoughts on Canada at the charity event.

• Buffett believes that the loonie will remain strong and above US parity for the next five years.
• Buffett lingered on the weakness of the American dollar and their trade deficit
• Buffett is interested in the Alberta oil sands.

I find this fascinating due to the fact that Buffett has been paring down his stake in PetroChina. Perhaps he’s looking for another resource that is more palatable due to PetroChina’s controversial involvement in Sudan? Or maybe he’s just taking his profits off the table. Here’s an article in CNN explaining the PetroChina situation.

In his own backyard, Buffett refused to divulge whether he’s buying into US bank Bear Stearns. For the fee of $25,000 for 40 minutes, I’d expect him to list his butcher, baker and candlestick maker. Oh well, the filthy rich can have their glory rubbing elbows at this charity event and I’ll content myself by reading about it online.

In the news, Warren Buffett :: 3 Comments »

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I went to the vet on Friday and it doesn’t look good for 19 year old my cat. It was wishful thinking on my part that it might be a tooth problem or an abscess but she’s got masses on her mouth and neck. That’s why I was reluctant to take my cat to the vet. I didn’t think anything could be done so why tick her off? I admit she rules the house and we are afraid of her She’s feisty and will bite and hiss a big stink. Our modus operandi is just let her be. That has always been her nature since she was a kitten. Seriously not one to be fussed over.

It was hard to get her into the cat carrier as she put her hind legs on the door refusing to get in. In the car, she was sliding inside her carrier whenever we made a turn. She also meowed pitifully when we got into the vet building. She was okay when she got onto the vet table - didn’t put too much of a struggle during the examination of her mouth and the listening of her heart. That was the extent of the visit.

Basically, the vet said it was probably one of 2 kinds of tumors. I can’t remember the scientific names but one of them had “carcinoma” in it. Not good. We asked if she was suffering and he said yes. That I didn’t want to hear. But honestly, how would he know? In fact, she was purring on the table while we were discussing her grim fate. I know her time is winding down but I think there’s still joy in her life. The vet was clearly steering us to the road of euthanasia and I understand it but I need to get my head in that mindset. I always equate putting an animal down when the pet has just given up. My cat still shows interest in food, drinks, still suns herself without proper sunscreen, and sometimes even graces us with her presence (she’s next to me in bed as I type this). I know my cat, and neither of us think it’s time yet.

After shedding lots of tears and lying down with my cat, I’ve had time to think things over and evaluate the situation. We are going to do our due diligence and we are having blood work done to see if there is anything else wrong with her. After that, we might proceed with a biopsy. That will cost 400-500 dollars. I’m not worried about the money but whether or not my cat will tolerate it. I think she would need to be in the hospital for a couple of days and I don’t want her to go through that. She was growling and hissing for ten minutes when they shaved around her tumor and also on her back to apply a pain patch. We could hear it out front when they were in the back. She did not like that at all… Seriously, how can you put her down when she has that much fight in her?

In any case, to keep the post vaguely related to finances, here’s the breakdown of what has been spent so far:

Office Consultation - 59.00
Blood Collection Fee - 24.00
Geriatric Profile - 81.00
Duragesic 25 - 20.18
3 A/D Canine/Feline Diet - 6.78
Subtotal - 190.96
Provincial Sales Tax - .54
GST (Registration) - 11.46
Total - 202.96

I’m not begrudging the money since I hadn’t spent any money on vet bills save for getting my cat spayed in 19 years. I mean, my cat has done all right. But $81 for a geriatric profile? Thanks, doc. I didn’t know my cat was old. I don’t know how long the Duragesic pain patch lasts as I was too emotional to ask. I am still not convinced that she’s in pain (other than when she was manhandled to get a shave) but I’m willing to buy one every week to err on the side of caution. I will take lots of pictures and buy her favorite foods just to make sure her remaining days are happy. We will just take it one day at a time.

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I’m taking my cat to the vet today and I’m very nervous for what will happen. My cat is 19 years old and this will be the first time I’ve taken her to the vet since she was a kitten to be spayed. She’s an indoor cat and really low maintenance as she doesn’t even allow you to brush her fur. Not exactly the touchy feely type. She’ll be marginally nicer when she wants to eat your food; then she’s your BFF - until she dumps your ass.

I discovered this mass on her lower jaw a few weeks ago. I didn’t think much of it since my cat is pretty invincible. Maybe I was in denial; she’s always just been “there” for me to trip on. But now the growth has gotten bigger and it’s filled with fluid. It popped and it started to bleed. This has totally freaked me out. I also noticed that on the side of her mouth she has a puffy lip. I’m wondering if this is an ominous sign? Is this cancer?

I am worried for my cat. She’s still her anti-social self so it’s hard to gauge her mood from all the other times that she ignores me… But I did notice that she didn’t eat a lot this week. Maybe her mouth is bothering her.

And obviously, there’s the question of vet bills. I always swore that when the time came, I would spend whatever was necessary provided my cat didn’t suffer. But now that I factor her age, does that also enter into my decision? I made a commitment to my cat that I will take care of her and I’ll see it through. I just hope she’s all right… the ungrateful little brat.

P.S. I love you.

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I recently participated in the Carnival of Personal Finance #121 - Columbus Day Edition hosted by Mr. Credit Card. He did a wonderfully creative job by linking all the posts in the form of a Q&A session for the US presidential candidates. My submitted post, The Tortured Lives of Mr and Mrs Jones, was named a favorite of “Ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani”. Poor Mr. Credit Card just probably had a hard time fitting the title in

As with other carnivals in which I participate, I like to give out link love for what tickled my fancy. In no particular order:

Buying is for suckers and why renting is the way to go from 4EvaYoung.com. I’m at the age where conventional wisdom tells me I should invest in a home of my own. My immediate family owns rental properties and from occasionally helping out with management, I know home ownership is not for my temperament.

Selling and sucking your soul by Mrs Micah. Aside from the catchy title, I like this post because it gives me something to think about. I have never given much thought in being socially responsible while making investment decisions.

Why everybody should think like a CEO from Money Under 30. The title says it all and explains how to equate your personal finances with running a business.

Looking at life from a stock market perspective from Money, Matter, and More Musings. Again, this takes a unique look comparing your life to the stock market. I dig the pictures too.

Is this really what we want to teach our kid from the Good Life on a Budget takes a look at modern day Monopoly. Geez, I had no idea Monopoly had changed so much!

These are all good reads so check them out!

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I got tagged by Nancy Zimmerman, the Canadian Money Coach, for 5 courses I’d take if only they were offered. Frankly, I think all these courses are offered at the School of Attitude Adjustment - the only requirement being that I’m in a good enough mood to enroll.

Once the hurdle of enrollment passed, and if I am motivated enough to go, I’d attend a motivation class. I believe that these classes are good for a quick pick me up; but just like New Years resolutions, the momentum quickly fades. I would need the skills to sustain all that I will learn.

Along the same vein, I’d sign up for a class in cheer-leading. We are often our own saboteurs to success, listing our inadequacies which leads to the self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. This class would slap you upside the head to make you celebrate all you have going for yourself.

After a busy morning, I’d attend lunch. I’d mosey into the cafeteria with my sushi combo box (I’m a realist, I don’t brown bag) to sit with the other participants. I would try very hard to be genuine and be open to the growth process and surround myself with like-minded individuals for a support network.

My first class after lunch would be a lab where I would download my brain: from moments of utter brilliance to cerebral farts. I don’t think this will take long so it’s onto my next course.

After my brain and personality transplant, I’d put all that I’ve learned to good use and attend a class on how to set up a small business. This is where my brain comes in. I’d rummage it for ideas. Despite my blog being about money, I measure success by my happiness so my business doesn’t have to be anything fancy but another fun, sideline hobby.

Okay, so does anyone want to join me in my School of Attitude Adjustment or are there other courses more interesting? I tag the Lazy Investor, Growth in Value, Graceful Retirement, Give Me Back My Five Bucks, and Clawing our Way to Financial Health.

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