The adventures of cat shaving

So Liam is getting old(er) and I'm having to admit it because no matter how much I brush him he's getting way more mats this year. So I've been tossing around the idea to get him shaved (yes I know it's August). I checked what the price was and slightly balked (I mean really!?! I just want you to shave the hair off my cat) and put it off. I then called back this week and was informed that I need to give them proof of up to date rabies shots. Well I can't find those and going to the vet to get him a new one drastically raises the price of this little venture from slightly annoying to ridiculous.
So I'm guess you've gathered from this I've decided to do it myself. I shave Isaac's hair when it gets too long so he can shave the rest. How hard could it be? I just need to get him to sit still and he's a pretty agreeable cat. Add on that he loves me a whole lot. So I now have half his back shaved and I know I have to do it all at the very least so perhaps I'll do more tonight. I haven't hurt him or drawn blood so he's still mostly okay with the process. Everyone just has to be sitting down while I do it because movement kinda freaks him out when he has to sit still and can't see what's going on.
I'm not including pictures because that might lower Liam's self esteem. ;)

One little, Two little, Three little kittens.

So I've been stressed lately. And spending a good amount of money, not on myself though. My kitten Liam (yes I know none of them are even close to being kittens) has been peeing every where. Well not every where just on clothing and blankets and then on Sunday night he went ALL OVER MY SIDE OF THE BED. Right before bed too mind you. Now Liam isn't normally like this, he's normally a total sweetheart. I already knew something was wrong so he went to the vet a week ago since I thought he had a UTI. Nope not that. He's apparently fat and has a higher level of protein in his kidney's. So I'm taking him in tomorrow to check his blood pressure because he could have high blood pressure, it's that or clean his teeth. I got some more pain medication from the vet because I can tell he's in pain and it's not just the peeing. He's not his usual mischievous and playful self. And when he's taking his pain medication he's back to himself and not peeing all over everything. So I've also been cleaning like a mad man and changing their food, litter, etc. All three are also on a diet although I'm still worried about Finn getting too thin. It's been very stressful and I hope the vet keeps giving me pain medication for Liam until we get this thing figured out. I really hate to see him in pain although I've become a pro at getting the smell of cat pee out of fabric. Wish me luck. :)