Musings on a Small Life

Here's a better shot of the unneutered tabby who comes for food. I was in the hallway this afternoon, not long after getting home from all the running around (day off), and up he came. I grabbed my camera and it actually managed to auto focus on the cat this time, not the screen. (Okay, it was my third try. And just to clarify, I wasn't near the door at all, I was half-way down the hall, at full zoom on the camera.) I'm not sure if any stores around town sell traps--several years ago when a former co-worker was looking to buy one, she had to travel an hour east to a small community to find one large enough for cats. I know our "shelter" doesn't loan them out or involve itself in trapping ferals. Mind you, it took Toby a long time before he'd trust me too, so you never know with this guy. Maybe someday he'll let me stuff him in a carrier. LOL. Anyway, this has been day 1 of my few days off. Lots of errands, stocking up, etc. Lots more on t...

The last Monday of July already, can you believe it? I feel the inexorable slide to autumn. Sweater weather: good. Winter snow, ice, and freezing rain: bad. Won't go there yet! Boy, there was something seriously "off" with me last week, and I can't blame PMS. I know I posted I was grumpy, but "grumpy" was an understatement, frankly, and on Saturday I was in a rage all day, over nothing. For absolutely no reason whatsoever. The kind of anger I used to have before I crashed into depression the first time, and punctuated by serious "my life is crap" thoughts, and "All this and death too?" So I really had to wonder what the heck was going on. Peri-menopause and whacked hormones? Another imminent bout of depression? Too much sugar? (Sugar is a depressant for me--in spite of which, I consume copious quantities every day.) Well, it beats me, but I was fine on Sunday and am fine today. I guess if I feel like that every month now (goddes...

The best Olympic broadcasters, hands down, are "Jim and Bob," who are being channeled by the human behind Housecat Confidential . Because not only are the human Olympics on now, the Pet Blogging Olympics are too! Jim and Bob were the best, the wittiest commentators in cyber-space for the Cat Olympics in winter 2010, and no doubt will outdo themselves for the summer games. I only wish they could do the human Olympics too, as they really are far more entertaining than any of the "real" human broadcasters I've heard so far.  :-) And on the subject of the Olympics, of course I watched the opening ceremonies. And just about flipped out in that taped sequence with Daniel Craig and the Queen! OMC, he's so gorgeous. And that was the Queen ! I know she doesn't touch her "subjects," but in her shoes, elderly or not, I'd have wanted to put my hands on him. All over him. Photo snagged from a Google Image search--it's posted every...

I hope to take next Wednesday through Friday off (August 1 - 3), because we have a long holiday weekend and we're closed on Monday the 6th. Plus payday is July 31st and it would give me a few days to do errands and putter around. And I hope a few days off will un-grump me, because I'm generally cranky, crabby, irritable and just generally in a lousy mood. I'm not being miserable around co-workers, though! However, I do have a few little happys, to cheer myself: 1. Rain! We had rain the night before last, and rain off and on all day. Not a lot, maybe 10mm or so. Not enough to make a difference to drought conditions, but enough that my little garden was in raptures, I'm sure. 2. I have another Long Grove dark chocolate sea salt caramel. It's staring at me as I type. It will be eaten in short order, but I'm trying not to rush it, because it's only a couple of bites. 3. My new vacuum. I know, crazy to include that in a "happy" l...

We got our pay stubs--payday is the 31st. With the annual increase our staff association had negotiated (we're in year 2 of the agreement). Wow, I have a whopping net increase of $14 and change per month. Thanks to the mandatory increase in pension contributions. Come January 1st, my net paycheque will be going backward, with further mandatory increases in the pension contributions. Yes , I'm eternally grateful I have a decent job, I'm lucky and I realize it But forgive me if I don't get excited about $14 and a few cents. It doesn't exactly make a dent, any dent, in my debt load or help offset the increased costs of groceries, utilities, condo fees, property taxes, vet bills and the like. Gosh, I have the sudden urge to take the afternoon off, can't think why. Meanwhile, I found out yesterday that one of the top administrative offices here created a position out of thin air for a temp person and gave it to her, without going through the prop...

After so many years in this job, part of which involves the collection of teaching and salary data for a particular faculty group, you'd think nothing would boggle my mind. But today's business appointment (granted, the business school is another creature entirely, not like regular faculty, and they have to pay what the market demands), wherein one person* is making almost $50,000 per half-credit course , plus is being given $20,000 per year for additional expenses, begs the question: Where was I when career motivation and business savvy were being given out? You know where I was? I was in the freakin' Disney line, humming "la la la de dah" and looking at the flowers and cute animals. That's where I was. Bambi wallpaper copyright Disney I think it's too late to pick another line up now. Have a happy day in la-la land, everyone.   :-P *Note: This is the exception, even in the business school. Most stipends per half-credit...

Thank you to the woman who sits in the next office cubicle, who popped out in this heat to not only get herself something, but to bring me back this, a Long Grove chocolate (my favourite of all sampled chocolates to date): Image snagged from the internet It really was an "errand of mercy" of sorts, on this Monday work afternoon. And now that I've eaten it, I easily could eat about six more. I hope everyone has at least one small treat today.  :-)

I wasn't impressed yesterday when my cheap Eureka Maxima died shortly after I turned it on. Checked the belt, twice, just in case that was it, even though I recently had changed it. Nope. I can only assume the motor died, but hey, it was about $80 three of four years ago, so what can you expect? However, it remained a necessity to replace it ASAP, and oh, was I ever pissed off. Who has the savings for these kinds of things? I grumped the whole way to Canadian Tire this morning, really cranky about it, but on the up side I got the last one on the shelf, at store opening time of 8AM, btw , and got it for 50% off . I had checked out the on-line flyer and had seen it on sale. I also checked out the customer reviews, and they all were terrific, with the product scoring 4.6 out of 5.0. So Mr. Hoover came home with me on the bus and has settled himself into his new home. Nicki, too, settled himself on the box in short order, claiming it for his own. I don't think he realized...

Dear Mother Nature, I'd like to inform you that 43C with the humidex (109F) is too hot to bear. Really. True, I don't want -30C (-22F) either, but isn't there a happy medium in that 70+ degree range? Because you know I don't have ac in the house, right? And you know it was 30.5C (87F) downstairs yesterday evening. And 33C (91F) upstairs in my bedroom. Remember the bedroom? That spot I like to sleep in?  And you also know my bedroom has a crank window, right? So I couldn't put an ac unit in there even if I had the means, right? Therefore, I'd like to petition you for more moderate temps. Oh, and while you're at it, if we could get at least a few days of gentle rain to help alleviate the drought, it would be much appreciated. Thank you for your consideration. Signed, Sweltering in southeastern Ontario

If I weren't melting in the heat, I might be able to come up with a creative post. As it is, the humidex is 100F+ and the house 85F on the main level, so my remaining brain cells are fried. I know it's not that hot to many who live in more southerly climates, but it's hot for us. Typical of our summer weather, but uncomfortably hot nonetheless. White echinacea, I believe. However, I was happy for my big "strawberry": The next door neighbours headed to Toronto on Friday sometime, and they weren't home in the afternoon or evening, and weren't around at all yesterday. Yay! They got back around 10PM last night, apparently. (So said the mom when we spoke briefly today.) It's the son's turn to spend the week with his grandmother; the daughter is home now. I reveled in the peace and quiet, I assure you.  Anyone know what this is?   Looks rather strange, coming into bloom. Oh, and I had popped in to Value Village yesterday for someth...

I can't think of a witty post title, my brain cells are otherwise occupied with several work projects, one of which my director wants done early next week. I can do it...if I get the data I need from others. Keep calm and carry on, Kim. Close-up of cubicle-mate's flowers I've just been diagnosed with Morton's Neuroma , which is a benign but painful foot nerve condition. Mom had it, eventually had the nerve removed. Saw my family doctor today about it, as I wondered what was going on with the lump between my first and second toes and ball of my foot. Hurts like hell to even stand on it. I've booked an appointment with the physiotherapist about it, but can't get in to see her until August 23rd, six weeks from now. (It's vacation time.) In the meantime, I'll keep calm and carry on. Two days ago, when I got home from work, the neighbour mom and several other neighbours were congregated at her front step. No one looked at me or said anythi...

The little black girl was back this morning, with Toby, mewing softly for breakfast. No pics today. Toby wasn't inclined to give up his fish-flavoured canned, so she got the chicken. When I left for work Toby still was on my step, but she was long gone. One day at a time with her. There's nothing I can do for her right now, vet-wise, but if she keeps coming back, maybe I can get her into a carrier and get her the vet care she needs at the end of the summer or early fall, when the techs are not so booked up (at the clinic that did Toby's neutering for a discounted "barn cat" rate). Dad will be here sometime in September, with a rental car....I'm just throwing this out to the Universe, that I will be able to act for her Highest Good and the Highest Good of All Concerned. To reply to a comment Rian left: No, she's not feral. Neither is Toby. I don't know where she comes from, but I suspect she was abandoned. I also think the same of Toby...

The little black one came this morning, as Toby was starting to eat. So, being the gentleman that he is, he gave up his favourite chunks in gravy and ate the Fancy Feast paté instead. The pics are crappy, of course, as I didn't want to use a flash and possibly scare her. This is the fourth time she's been around when I've been out, the last being about a week and a  half ago. She's still terribly thin, but her fur is soft and she would be a stunning "panther" with some TLC. I guess I'll just "play it by ear" with her, take it one visit at a time. In other cat-related matters, Derry seems to be fine with Nicki again, touch wood and fingers crossed. At least I've not heard any hissing and growling since overnight Friday. Nicki, though, still seems a bit "off," not quite his usual self. And in non-cat matters, the little girl from next door came knocking on my door yesterday afternoon, asking about a knittin...

Cripes, I just spent the night listening to Derry hiss and growl at Nicki, every time he came too close.  There weren't any problems when Nicki got home, so I don't know what, if anything happened after I went to bed. This is the first time that I've ever had to deal post-vet scent (presumably) problems. Even when Annie was gone for 5 days and then came home, the boys were fine with her. Derry was fine with Nicki back in November 2009 when he had his first dental. But nope, not this time around. And of course hissing and growling at Nicki is like waving the proverbial red flag at a bull. All I can say is that this better sort itself about and abate, because I cannot live with the kind of cat dynamic we had to endure with the Annie-Nicki situation. I've put vanilla extract on them a couple of times, just a dab here and there, but that didn't help. I gave them both Zylkene with their breakfast a little while ago, though, and will continue to ...

The vet called about 30 minutes ago, the dental already complete. Nicki's fine , no infection or extractions. I posted an update on the Fuzzy Tales blog (same post, just an update at the end of it). He did need his anal glands expressed again (last time was 4 months ago), so I'm glad I had them do it while he was unconscious. And he can come home after work, so that's great. BTW, a public thank you to my awesome co-worker (the one who has supported me through so much over these past 11.5 years), for both picking us up this morning and for offering to take us home today too. It's really not more than a few minutes off her regular route, but it's greatly appreciated, especially since she's on vacation at the end of today and of course is anxious to head home. Thank you. And thanks to all of you, for your positive vibes! Pic snapped yesterday evening. I'm still keeping calm and carrying on .  :-)

Nicki goes for his dental tomorrow. I had toyed with the idea of dropping him off this evening, partly because I usually leave for work around 6AM or 6:30AM, and partly because it's going to be hair-pulling to fast him and keep him inside from 3:30AM-ish, when I get up, till 7:30AM-ish, when I call a taxi. It wouldn't be so bad if I got up at a "normal" time of oh, say 6AM or so. But then I thought that, goddess forbid, if anything happened to him and he died under the anesthetic, I wouldn't want his last night to be spent in a tiny cage at the vet's office, alone and scared. So now I think I'll get up per usual, lock them both in the basement for the duration, feed Toby, then go back to bed for a few hours. I'm sure I won't sleep, but I could read and listen to the radio. No doubt Nicki will carry on, but the sound of my floor fan might drown it out. I did warn the neighbour mother, the other evening when she came to my door, that I ha...

This handsome fellow lives in our complex. I've seen him before, but he's not come close enough for pats. Turns out that once he gets past his wariness, he's very friendly.  :-) Snapped early yesterday AM as I was heading to work. I really just wanted to post something that didn't involve neighbour drama and general whack-a-doodleness, etc. I'm keeping calm and carrying on .  :-)