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Monday, June 8, 2015

Operation Cat-lift

This morning, I finally got our cat Spot into the carrier and off to the vet.  He was VERY VERY UNHAPPY, but so terrified in the vet office that he was compliant with all the horrible nasty things going on there.  On arrival home, he hissed and immediately went into hiding, refusing to fall for that opening of the cat food can trick.  Nobody is trustworthy any more.

Long gloves for rose gardening, nicely coated with cat fur from petting sessions -- that was the ticket.

The vet thinks he has hyperthyroidism, because he eats everything in sight and begs for more, but is all skin and bones now, somewhere under 6 lbs.  We'll get the results tomorrow.  If the vet's right, he'll need thyroid meds.

That's our big adventure.  What's yours?

49 comments:

esperanza said...

We are headed to the beach. Let's hear it for sunscreen!

W: Nothing makes me dislike my spouse more than packing for a trip.

kathy a. said...

Have fun! May the sunscreen win!

Sorry about the packing problems. Not sure if this is useful, but it has probably helped out marriage that we each pack ourselves, separately, and there's an unspoken rule that nobody gets to criticize the choices of the other. (Which works out well for me, because I almost always toss in twice as much as I need, because I don't know what I'll want. And also: rain, snow, heat wave, mystery medical maladies -- you never know!)

kathy a. said...

Oh, I forgot the Big W of the morning. So, I tricked the cat with bribery and sitting in the reading armchair, where Spot jumps up to sit in my lap, and I pet him with the special long gloves -- and then I grabbed him and stuck him in the carrier -- so far so good. And I was getting ready to depart, when my daughter said, "You have poop on the back of your dress." Which by dog, I did, because somebody POOPED IN MY SPECIAL READING CHAIR. And so I freaked the fireplace out and stripped right there in the kitchen and asked my daughter to clean up the various hazardous waste sites while I ran off to decontaminate and find other clothing. The end.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

!!! Poop on your reading chair?!

W: we had the one-two punch of simultaneous power outage and toddler violent puking this morning. And Pukey Toddler not only was thrashing around while vomiting, but also insisted that she could not puke into any kind of receptical. Only straight into her Mommy's lap. We're going to be doing laundry all day long.

AW: no pyrotechnics since before 8am. I strongly suspect this is the result of ALL the sour milk this child has apparently consumed over the last day and a half. (Apparently our milk went bad early, and neither Mr. Q nor I drank any, and I was so tired that I didn't stop to sniff what I was giving the kid.) She was so insecure about Beloved Daddy being gone that she just powered through and drank large quantities of bunk milk.

kathy a. said...

OMG, a puke machine sounds like a winner! So glad that E is better now!!! And presumably the power is back on, also, so yay for that.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

Ha! Yes, our power did come back on, about an hour and a half later.

AW: my city just announced that they've finally worked out our water supply issues, and they're gradually lifting our water ban over the next two weeks. This means that the outdoor public pools will start being filled (one per day) tomorrow, and we'll be allowed to use sprinklers and take baths in about two weeks. (Seriously, it got so bad that the city was considering temporally shutting down all the car washes.)

esperanza said...

QWP, glad E is better. Sorry for the milk trauma. Our Baboos drink it so quickly that I never even think of smelling it. Yikes.

Kathy a, the poop in the reading chair sounds personal. Daughter gets major points for cleaning it up.

We are here. Baboos are having fun. Grownups will, after we get some sleep. We pack separately, kathy a. My issue is that he packs himself, and I do every other damn thing to get us ready. We have discussed this. Repeatedly. I do not care to discuss it again, but it's still irritating.

kathy a. said...

Yy for fun!

Esperanza, I totally misunderstood the problem. The Posse might have an opinion about this particular division of labor involving Baboos and Necessary Equipment, that opinion involving cluesticks.

Sadly, the cat I suspect of being the poop perp is the one who does not let anyone touch her. And I think she actually might be sick -- this is a major faux paw for her. I'm thinking of getting some happy medicine for the Brave Boy, in the event of the need to visit the Evil Vet again, and sneaking it into food for the Cat Who Cannot Be Touched.

Yep, daughter is a good egg.

kathy a. said...

*yay

Sue said...

Sorry to hear about pooping in chairs, packing tension, sour milk, and all varieties of early-week whines.

AW: My appointment with the Magic Doctor Who Sparkles (well, not really, but you get the idea) went really well.

AW: I had dinner with my son and his new love last night. It was wonderful. They are very happy together.

W: Is it August yet? I'm tired to my bones. I guess I'm not a seasoned traveler - all these trips have tuckered me out.

kathy a. said...

Hooray for Magic Doctor! And for big kids in love!

My cat's bloodwork is all normal, so -- well, that means I have to be all about the poop now....

Queen of West Procrastination said...

That sounds like a wonderful trip, minus the exhaustion, Sue!

Esperanza: oh boy, do I ever understand.

AW: E has been feeling well today! I think we can safely say that it was the milk and not a virus. She's been slowly regaining her appetite through the day, and has been very happy.

W: okay, but sometimes touted and cantankerous, especially this morning. Healing takes time.

W: I'm so tired. I've been waking up at exactly 5:24am for the past three days, and can't get back to sleep. Morning comes EARLY here lately, and both with how far north we are, and with the prairie and treelessness allowing light to get here for more than an hour before sunrise, it's pretty bright in our room by 5:30. Even with blackout blinds!

kathy a. said...

Man Cold. I'ma just let the dog take care of this, since that is what he asked for.

Hugs to everyone who is tired.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

W: One hour of sleep, and no promise of more. Sick toddler, lots of puke, and Mr. Q discovered a woodtick in his leg while we were cleaning up E at 3am.

Liz Miller said...

OH NO!! (((QWP)))


esperanza said...

QWP, that is terrible. I'm so sorry E is sick after all, and ticks make me shudder. I hope today improves.

kathy a, I am not overlooking the Man Cold. 'Tis an ailment for the whole family.

Sue said...

(((QWP))) so many hugs and lots of coffee. I do hope everyone is feeling better soon.

I'm with esperanza re: the Man Cold. It's nature is to be shared.

kathy a. said...

QWP, hope lil E feels better and y'all get some sleep. ICK on the tick.

Guess who is staying home from work again?

kathy a. said...

Ticks are the most disgusting things. I'm sure you have thoroughly inspected E! My beloved is Mr. Nature, so we have had some tick encounters -- but no untoward complications after the tick was burned at stake or drowned in rubbing alcohol. (mama takes no chances with ticks.)

I need some crabby-B-gone. Beloved is a bad patient, absolutely miserable when sick. We had a fight last night, a pretty stupid one, and I'm partly guilty because some stressful stuff went on yesterday, too. Grumble grumble.

Sue said...

(((kathy))) Why is it that (as a rule) when women get sick, we forge ahead, but when males of the species are sick All The Things Must Stop?? It's a consistent and ultimately frustrating pattern of behaviour. Here's hoping you both feel more like yourselves soon...

kathy a. said...

It is with great relief that I report: my sweetie abandoned snorting, coughing, moaning, and wandering around looking for things that need doing, and ran off to the sporting goods store. Sign of improvement!

It rained some through the morning, which is really strange for here in June (not to mention the drought)! But I'm kind of hoping it clears up enough for a man and his dog to take a stroll later.

esperanza said...

W: We have Man Sunburn here. He is blaming the "crappy" sunscreen. Which worked just fine on the rest of us. My hypothesis? Application of said sunscreen.

AW: Visit to aquarium here. We all four had fun. Baboos have been watching way too many educational cartoons--they knew most of the names of the sea creatures before I could read the sign.

kathy a. said...

That is so COOL, Esperanza, about the Baboo knowledge of sea creatures!! Also, you know, aquariums are just cool.

The man and dog are finally off for a walk, after the 3d or 4th shower of the day and a nap. Earlier, on the way home from the sporting goods store, he stopped at the Plaza, also known as the Death Trap of Bad Design and Worse Drivers, and was pretty worked up about all the bad drivers. Some days I'm just grateful when I'm not in the car.

AW: It is udon night. Fresh udon; a little firm tofu; leftover spicy mushrooms and beans; leftover thin-sliced pork; and figured out a broth recipe that isn't strictly authentic but will contain miso and sake, so sue me.

esperanza said...

I envy your improvisational cooking skills, kathy a. I can only do that with Mexican(ish) food.

kathy a. said...

I cheat extensively, using the internet.

kathy a. said...

The cold is still with us. Assuming he is well enough for work tomorrow, I'll have two whole days this week without other people knocking around the house, which is where I supposedly work. Here's to improving health!

Relatedly, the dog is extremely happy with the good fortune of The Man being here so much, and all the naptime on the bed.

Hope everybody else is feeling better!

kathy a. said...

Send reinforcements. He's feeling better, so there was sanding and vacuuming and painting the trim in the next room. And now there is lawn mowing on the other side of my office, which will no doubt continue on the hill behind my office. And ARRRGGGHH. I am trying to get some work done.

AW: did get some work done, but further progress doesn't seem all that likely. He is marching out that door in the morning. (Yes, I do appreciate that he does a lot around the house. But seriously, he's wearing ear protection! And I'm not!)

esperanza said...

Seriously. Man in my space. I love you honey, but you need to go.

Baboos and I are back home. i am exhausted. They are not.

Liz Miller said...

"Sweetie, I appreciate all you do, but I'm trying to work here. Go take a pottery class, I need to concentrate"

Sue said...

Sorry to any and all lurking male pixies, but this appears to be "Dude, really??!!" Day in Pixie world.

Remember my colleague who called a meeting and didn't show up? And the people (women) who showed up did all the planning for the shared service we're having next week?

Right. Him.

Guess who now has plans for next Sunday that DON'T include being in town to lead said worship. AAAARRRGGGGHHHHH.

There is Reply All email panic in the land. I will NOT jump in and save the day. There are capable people on the job, they'll make sure it works. I will do my designated part of the service and let the rest play out.

esperanza said...

Does he not have a functioning calendar? Is he not otherwise a functioning adult?

Sue said...

He's a functioning adult who seems to have perfected the art of emitting an aura of "management" while people scurry around doing his work for him and make him look good.

Seriously, if I ever move from appropriate designation of tasks to tossing off ALL of my work, it will be time for me to quit.

AW: Our son is visiting this weekend (the one I just saw in the Big City). He's a guest dj for this weekend's Pride celebration. Yay!

kathy a. said...

Well, isn't that special. Call meeting; skip meeting; oh, and forget to mention out of town plans. Excellent.

Yay for out of town son visiting! Hope the celebration is joyous.

Apologies for whining so much. My beloved has recovered sufficiently to go to work!

Good luck with that, buster: the city where my SIL used to live is trying to collect a water bill from *after* she was evicted 2 years ago. They keep adding fees and stuff, so it is now close to $600. The collection agency warns of dire consequences if she doesn't pay up. I'm sure we've tried to straighten this out before. Sigh.

Sue said...

Glad hubby is feeling well enough to go to work. Good grief, these calls and demands re: SIL's bills must be so frustrating!

kathy a. said...

Not the big problems, for sure, and some of it is funny -- AAA and Martha Stewart Living Magazine want her back! Pre-approved credit card offers! I just know that after the threat letters come the phone calls, so a letter has been drafted.

The weather is absolutely gorgeous today! Sunny but not hot; and there is a stubborn fog bank across the bay, keeping us from being parbroiled.

Queen of West Procrastination said...

AW: two nights puke-free!

W: But we're still dealing with her constipation. I finally started her on the stuff that her pediatrician prescribed, and so hopefully that'll help. (I wanted to let her stomach heal a bit before starting her on something new.)

AW: for once, the toddler who misplaced something important also went and found it for me! The remote control disappeared a week ago, and I suspected the Household Small Person had hidden it. And then spent the week shrugging or saying nonsense, whenever I asked her about it. And then, last night while my parents were babysitting, she lost a toy, and went behind a piece of furniture that I didn't know she fit behind, and pulled out the remote! She was actually pretty pleased about finding it too! (Or she was waiting until I wasn't home to go back to her extra-secret hiding spot.)

esperanza said...

W: Mini woke up before 5 AM this morning and did not go back to sleep. (I did, fitfully). Let's just say that her attitude this afternoon is not-so-agreeable.

kathy a. said...

Yay for missing parts found, and for discovering new tricks of the young and sneaky.

So sorry, Esperanza.

AW: At my begging, beloved promised to bring home pizza from the best place on earth. (He drove instead of biking, due to his indisposition. No pizza on bike days.)

esperanza said...

W: and yet it was almost 9 PM before she fell asleep. Where does this child get her energy, and how can I tap into that?

AW: I sat her down and said, "Look, Mini. I have a lot of work to do tonight. If you leave me alone, I can get it done and I won't be grumpy tomorrow. If you come out and bother me 42 times, I won't be able to finish, and I'll be grumpy tomorrow. You understand?" She must have, because she only came out to tell me she was ready to be tucked in. And...I'm almost done with the sermon, before Saturday night (!)

Sue said...

I love it when negotiations work out, esperanza. Glad you got to work on the sermon!

W: Well, our son who is visiting this weekend paid a visit to my in-laws yesterday afternoon and came back to our place in tears. In the four months since he's been living away, both have deteriorated physically and my MIL is having cognition troubles. It was so hard for him to see such a dramatic change in them. Poor guy.

kathy a. said...

Sue, that is very sad. xoxo

As predicted by many here, the Man Cold has transformed into a Mom Cold. I shall be lounging here and there. No awards, but keep going if you like.

esperanza said...

Oh, Sue. Hugs for your son.

Kathy a, sorry that the cold got shared. I think you should lounge on the couch and demand bon bons.

kathy a. said...

Esperanza, I forgot to say yay on the successful talk with Mini!

Sue said...

Boo for Mom Cold! Feel better soon kathy.

kathy a. said...

Still have the plague. Son was supposed to come at 11:00 so dad could help him replace the radiator on his truck. He arrived at 3 p.m., and now there is an urgent need for additional auto parts. No expert here, but seems like this is a big job. yippee.

AW: pretty day outside. Lots of videos inside.

KLee said...

Sorry to all those dealing with Man Colds, cranky kids, poop in favorite chairs, and Meeting Shirkers.

All quiet on the Southern Front. No new news here. Mom is getting ready to start her last week of radiation, so we may have something to report soon. Not sure where we go from here, but I guess we'll see soon enough.

I suppose I should get off my ass and actually DO something, like clean my house, or look for a new job, and stop increasing the ass-divot in my mattress.

kathy a. said...

((( KLee ))) So far so good, fingers crossed about Mom!

I think the house looks just fine, and looking for a better job sounds like the ticket. Think forward! xoxoxo

esperanza said...

KLee, your "ass divot" made me crack up and then reminded me of an old story: I think I was in college and was out to eat with just my parents. Not sure where my brother was. We sat in a booth. Mom and Dad sat next to each other. I originally sat across from Dad, but then Mom and I decided to share a meal? an appetizer? I don't know. Anyway, I rather loudly said, "Oh, just let me scoot over to this other butthole." Meaning, of course, the other ass divot on the booth seat. It didn't exactly come out right :)

kathy a. said...

Esperanza wins the coveted Elevated Risk of Mullet Award for that story. :)