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      Tuesday, November 18, 2008

catstuff 10:43 AM - 11/18/2008 The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #115! ---------------------------------------------- click for a larger pic And today’s tummy belongs to little Rorylei.  Taken last week before it got so incredibly warm here, before the static electricity became so bad. Now she’s probably outside under bushes where the earth is nice and cool.  My official notice to the Mother Nature is “please, get back to normal, thank you”. ================================================ If you’ve got a Tummy Tuesday blog entry, feel free to post the link in the comment section or trackback to this entry. And if you put a link back to this page, then more kitties will get to show off their tummies!

      Monday, November 17, 2008

otherstuff 03:59 PM - 11/17/2008 The topic: Wii Fit ---------------------------------------------- Okay, so I got the Wii last week.  I got the Wii Fit the day before.  Got everything set up and made sure the Wii worked.  Skimmed through the Wii Fit book, read what it’s gonna do, so I thought “well, I’ll wait until Monday”.  I don’t throw out product boxes until I know the product works, so this afternoon I got all of the laundry that I had in the extra room off of the desk and chair and dumped it on the bed to fold and put away (it’s nice to have a room where the cats can’t go that clean laundry can stay clean until I get to it).  The laundry was mostly towels and bedding. Got that done and figured I’d throw out the Wii boxes, including the one for the Wii Fit. Which meant I needed to test the Wii Fit balance board. How much fun was that?  I found out I’m obese.  No surprise there.  But there are a couple of balance tests at the beginning and after I understood what I was supposed to do (third time is a charm; pretty simple, I was just supposed to stand still), my Wii age is 34.  Twenty one less than my actual age.  Nice! I did a couple of the execises.  The step aerobics, the hula hoop, a balance exercise, and a little running exercise.  It’s nice that they exercises are geared towards your age and fitness level.  As you complete them, you get points and these points are added up and as they add up, more exercises open up for you. One of the problems I found is that with the Wii Fit Balance Board, you are supposed to be barefoot.  Supposedly, socks or shoes cause slippage. Well, us older folk need shoes.  I did some research (various forums and blogs) and it seems that if you have one of the silicone sleeves for the Wii board, you should be okay. Luckily, I ordered one last weekend from Amazon, so it should be here this week.  As well as a mat. I think I’m going to like this.  I really want Brian to test it out, too.  I think he might enjoy it more than he thinks he will.

catstuff 11:09 AM - 11/17/2008 The topic: Opie’s got the runs ---------------------------------------------- He’s had them for a while, but last night when he got on Brian, Brian was all disgusted because Opie’s tail was gross. So, last night I started Opes on metronidazole (flagyl).  I’m glad I have so much of these meds on hand, it sure comes in handy.  Because this stuff is so bitter, I put the pill in a gel cap and slide it down his throat.

catstuff 11:07 AM - 11/17/2008 The topic: Rachel’s eyes ---------------------------------------------- Something’s going on with them.  I don’t know if it’s allergies or what. She’s acting fine, eating okay, coming up to my desk for attention and headbutts and rubs, but her eyes seems squinty.  Her left eye was kind of runny last weekend. It isn’t now, but they still seem a little sensitive.  I’m wondering if it’s the heat and the low low humidity we’ve got going now. She’s terribly hard to medicate.

otherstuff 10:33 AM - 11/17/2008 The topic: Growing old irritation ---------------------------------------------- I hate these stupid chin whiskers.  I pluck them out as I find them. And if I don’t pluck them out right away, I stinking sit here and play with them, thinking all the while “I hate these stupid chin whiskers.”

otherstuff 10:26 AM - 11/17/2008 The topic: Our street is in both Lakeside and El Cajon…. ---------------------------------------------- El Cajon is hot spot for nation UNION-TRIBUNE November 17, 2008 Where was the hottest spot in the nation yesterday? Palm Springs? Death Valley? No, it was El Cajon at 96 degrees. HOT STUFF: HIGH TEMPS YESTERDAY 95° Coronado 92° Imperial Beach 93° Santee 93° San Marcos 91° Kearny Mesa 91° Del Mar 90° Fallbrook Understandably, it also was a record for the date in the city, surpassing a high of 87 set in 2002. Two other records were set and one tied in the county yesterday: Oceanside Harbor hit 87, beating a record of 83 in 2002; the Wild Animal Park beat its highest minimum temperature record with a low of 68, which shattered the previous record of 51 in 1987; and San Diego tied a 1912 record with its high of 86. The hot conditions are forecast to continue today, although not as warm as yesterday. The National Weather Service warned of “elevated fire danger” throughout much of the county. El Cajon’s predicted of high for today is 88. The coast should see mid-70s today; inland valleys, high 80s; mountains, high 70s; and the desert, mid-80s. More cooling is forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday, and winds should diminish. For dinner, got a coupon off of the frig door, we got in the car (I wanted to go in the Mustang with the top down, but Brian said no, the car is too dirty to drive), went to Santee and got “Gotta Love It"s at Cold Stone, buy one get one free.  I wanted coffee and chocolate ice cream with a Heath bar mix in, but they didn’t have any coffee.  Got vanilla instead, not as good.  Brian got chocolate and mint with hot fudge.  I think a mix of peanut butter and chocolate ice cream with a Butterfinger mix in would be good. But anyway, it was hot here yesterday.  Hottest spot in the nation.  So much for that nasty winter I thought we’d have.

otherstuff 10:17 AM - 11/17/2008 The topic: Wow, that’s soft! ---------------------------------------------- So, the other day Kirby’s in my bathroom eating.  The door is shut.  There are three or four scavenger cats hanging around the outside of the door, I don’t dare open it until I have a good idea that Kirby is finished. I have to tinkle (God, that word cracks me up, my mother never peed, she always “tinkled").  Since I don’t dare open the door to my bathroom, I use Brian’s, the one off of the master bedroom. I notice how soft his toilet paper is.  Where did this stuff come from, why does he get the soft stuff?  We get our TP at CostCo, it’s cheap and functional, but it’s softness leaves much to be desired.  But, it’s better than the stuff at the hotels we’ve stayed at, so who knew? When he gets home, during the course of the evening I asked him where he got that tissue, that it was so SOFT! He laughs and said “it was the last of the rolls we brought home from your mom’s, it just sat up there on the shelf all by itself, I thought I might as well go ahead and use it”.  We both expressed how amazing soft it was.  It was a bizarre conversation, for sure. But we are going to find a new tissue.

      Friday, November 14, 2008

otherstuff 11:21 AM - 11/14/2008 The topic: The DVR ---------------------------------------------- How did I ever survive watching television without this?  What I’ve got set. Cold Case Big Bang Theory How I Met Your Mother Chuck Two and a Half Men Boston Legal House The New Adventures of the Old Christine Gary Unmarried Criminal Minds Life Law & Order My Name Is Earl CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Life on Mars Numb3rs And when Burn Notice, Psyche and Monk return, I’ll be DVRing them, too!

catstuff 10:59 AM - 11/14/2008 The topic: Some kitty peed ---------------------------------------------- in/on my coffee maker.  There was a lot of pee under it and I know some got inside.  Blech.  So far, I’ve run one cycle with vinegar and am on the second cycle with just water. Burning cat piss really stinks.  It’s a nasty, nasty, nasty, vile smell. Good thing it’s nice outside and all of the doors and windows are opened.

entertainmentstuff 10:34 AM - 11/14/2008 The topic: Movie reviews: Kung Fu Panda and Secrets of the Furious Five ---------------------------------------------- We watched both of these really cute movies this week and I checked out the extras. Let’s start with the second one first:  “The Secrets of the Furious Five”.  I’m doing this first because both Brian and I thought that this prequel is better watched first, to give insight into each of the Furious Five and how they became Kung Fu Masters.  The actual show was around twenty-two minutes.  The animations weren’t as detailed as in Kung Fu Panda, which was kind of a disappointment. The extras are awesome, though. You learn how to draw the characters, learn which animal ruled at the time of your birth (I’m a snake, don’t get along with pigs), take a little test to find out which of the Furious Five you most compare to (mine was Mantis).  And there are more games and interactivity, as well as playing games on the computer.  We liked it and it was a good addition to Kung Fu Panda. Now, on to the main feature. We LOVED it!  It was so cute and fun.  It seemed a little slow to me at first, but once it got going, it was really entertaining.  This would be a great movie for family night, no double entendres ("gee, mom, what did he mean by that?"), not a lot of things that were adult in nature.  I think kids would get it.  And it’s got a great message, but it’s not preachy at all.  And Dustin Hoffman rocks!  *lol* There were a few kind of sad parts, but not like in many Disney movies that have you reaching for tissues, more of the “geez, that’s sad, okay, next...” type of moments.  And some pretty funny parts, too.  One of things we like to do is place the voices, and let me tell you, we suck at it.  Maybe that’s why we like to do it.  The only voice I got was Dustin Hoffman (did I mention he rocks?). Now that I know who the other voices are, I’ll pay more attention when we watch it again.  And we will. Watch it again, that is. Anyway, I recommend the set for an easy afternoon viewing.

      Thursday, November 13, 2008

otherstuff 08:44 AM - 11/13/2008 The topic: Naf, this should make you smile.. ---------------------------------------------- This morning, I just felt to make sure, my eyeballs are the same size.  One is not protruding farther than the other. I thought you’d appreciate knowing this. Now that I think of it, I think they’re deeper set than they should be.  They seem set farther back into my skull! Oh, noes!

otherstuff 08:42 AM - 11/13/2008 The topic: Found a cat tooth last night ---------------------------------------------- On the floor in the dining room. I went around to various cats and lifted their upper lips, checking teeth. Mickey has no upper canines.  He’d lost one years ago.  Now, it looks like he lost the other one. *sigh*

      Tuesday, November 11, 2008

otherstuff 09:45 AM - 11/11/2008 The topic: Busy day ahead ---------------------------------------------- I have to go shopping for cat food and a little bit of human food.  Have a standing 12:30 Tuesday appointment in Santee, so I was elected the shopper of the day, since the stores are all in Santee. I have to change the bed clothes, some black cat peed in Brian’s direction after I got out of bed.  Brian got out of bed early. *lol* I also have to empty the dishwasher and clean the litterboxes. I want to sit on the sofa wrapped in a blanket and watch movies.  That’s what I want to do.

otherstuff 09:40 AM - 11/11/2008 The topic: Thanksgiving ---------------------------------------------- After all these years, we were finally invited to my MILs for Thanksgiving.  We haven’t had anything special in quite some time.  I’m bringing pies (we’ll get them from CostCo, a pumpkin and probably pecan) and green bean casserole. And I think I’ll make a carrot cake, that last one I made was wonderful, but huge.  Yum!  Brian’s pretty excited about it and it’s nice to see him happy.  Way back when, the house would be full of people and Brian’s uncle Steve would bring videos over (they owned a video rental store, back before there were places like Blockbuster and Netflix and Hollywood video, when buying a video was a crazy amount of money) and after dinner and after dishes, we’d go watch a video or two. Good times.  It’s nice to be invited back into the loop.

catstuff 09:19 AM - 11/11/2008 The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #114! ---------------------------------------------- Sorry about last week. The election and all.... So, this week.  I got the new camera last Friday, took some pictures with it.  And some were tummy pictures.  I had two great models, Rory and Potter.  Last night, I’m on the sofa, Potter is on my lap.  He’s squirming around, wanting me to pet him and give him belly rubs. I look down at him and ask “so, Potter, do you want to be tomorrow’s tummy kitty?” I swear, from his reaction, that he understood exactly what I said.  He stretched his head up to me, did the “Ciara be cute” thing and put his paws up to my face.  While on his back.  Brian was even a little taken aback, he said “Potter!” So, today, we have Potter as our tummy kitty. click for a larger pic ================================================ If you’ve got a Tummy Tuesday blog entry, feel free to post the link in the comment section or trackback to this entry. And if you put a link back to this page, then more kitties will get to show off their tummies!

      Monday, November 10, 2008

otherstuff 01:36 PM - 11/10/2008 The topic: Remember when our big dish went out? ---------------------------------------------- Well, the Wii system was finally in stock and I think they only had one.  I ended up ordering it and since the Wii Fit wasn’t in, I got a camera, just a small one, a Panasonic Lumix.  I don’t know when the Wii will be here, but the camera got here last week. Here are some pictures I’ve taken with it. Lorelei in a cat house - click for a larger pic Charlie through the kitchen window - click for a larger pic Ron and Marco on the catcam cover (notice the vise grips holding it in place) - click for a larger pic For a little camera, I’m pretty happy with it.  Didn’t think I’d ever like a camera without a viewfinder, but this one’s not so bad.  I did order another battery for it and an additional memory card (got an 8gb SD card for under twenty bucks on sale).  I’d like to find a silicone cover to fit it, those are fun.

      Friday, November 07, 2008

entertainmentstuff 06:07 PM - 11/07/2008 The topic: Got some new movies to review ---------------------------------------------- I’ve got The Godfather box set (the Coppola restoration) and Kung Fu Panda, Secrets of the Curious Five (yeah, the one that will be in stored starting Sunday) and Ironman, which we’re going to watch tonight.  I’ll be busy this weekend.

      Wednesday, November 05, 2008

otherstuff 04:33 PM - 11/05/2008 The topic: One of the nicest things anybody has ever said to me ---------------------------------------------- ”Thanks to LV I voted this year...msg “She posted somewhere that if you don’t vote, you can’t complain. In most cases I really feel it didn’t matter because I mistrust all political figures or am very unimpressed by what they have gto say. But this year there was such a difference in the candidates I felt LV is right. If I didn’t vote on this one I would lose my right to complain because I was impressed with Obama and I really hated McCain and especially Palin. LV, if you’re reading this, thanks for the kick in the unintentional kick in the butt...just what I needed, and I will definitely be voting again. “ Blush.....

catstuff 01:41 PM - 11/05/2008 The topic: Chandler update ---------------------------------------------- Chand went to the vet Monday for a retest of the crypto titer.  The vet showed me the results from the first test, 1:16438.  Not a very good one.  Well, he just called with Monday’s results and Chandler’s crypt titer has dropped considerably.  1:4000.  And he said he’d like to retest him in the middle of January and if the value is under 1:400, we can start lowering the amount of medication Chandler is getting. Yay!

      Tuesday, October 28, 2008

catstuff 08:48 AM - 10/28/2008 The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #113! ---------------------------------------------- And today, I have some tummies to show. Marco in the bedroom window.  He didn’t see me outside with the camera. click for a larger pic Pancho in one of the many catbeds in the living room. click for a larger pic Oliver on the loveseat, deep in sleep. click for a larger pic And one tummy not to show, Katie decided to hide hers. click for a larger pic ================================================ If you’ve got a Tummy Tuesday blog entry, feel free to post the link in the comment section or trackback to this entry. And if you put a link back to this page, then more kitties will get to show off their tummies!

catstuff 08:44 AM - 10/28/2008 The topic: I think it’s cute ---------------------------------------------- when cats sleep like this, with their paws over their faces.  This is Oliver last month. click for a larger pic

catstuff 08:41 AM - 10/28/2008 The topic: I took this last August ---------------------------------------------- I have absolutely no idea what was going on with them.  Why these cats were on this little throw rug.  I never saw it before and I’ve not seen it since. click for a larger pic

      Saturday, October 25, 2008

otherstuff 02:49 PM - 10/25/2008 The topic: The catcam ---------------------------------------------- Brian’s computer, the same computer that runs the catcam, had that annoying little box in the systray for a while now, the one that lets you know you’ve got some upgrades that need to be installed.  He was tired of the thing, so I said “go ahead and install, but it will take a while, no use sitting there for it to happen”.  He had some errands to run and I got the weather station and catcam back up and running. But when I loaded the catcam, I also enabled the “follow face” option in the camera software.  It will be interesting to see how that goes.  If the cat is moving and you’re on the live page, you can watch the camera zoom in and out, looking for the best picture of kitty. This should be interesting.

otherstuff 09:56 AM - 10/25/2008 The topic: I like cable! ---------------------------------------------- Oh, my gosh, I really like it! I like being able to record two shows at once. I like being able to set the recorder to record at the same time every week.  Sure saves missing a show.  I like having so many channels to choose from, it’s great. I like the movie channels “On Demand” service.  It’s a bummer that HBO doesn’t have On Demand High Def, neither does The Movie Channel (an HBO company, I believe), but the other ones are great! I’ve set up a switchbox so that in the other rooms, you can watch straight cable (up to channel 99) or watch what’s on the cable box (even HD, but if the television isn’t HD, there’ll be no picture; this is how the set up was with the big dish) or watch what’s on one of the DVD players (we’ve got three, all have different functions, two I got on eBay for really cheap). My only dislike is the guide.  I can block channels, but they still appear on the guide.  The 4DTV didn’t do that, if I blocked a channel, it no longer appeared on the guide.  I really have no use for the religious channels, the Mexican channels, the sports channels, the porn channels, or the Asian channels and it would be nice not to have to scroll past them on the guide. In other news, remember me mentioning that we’re losing the money we prepaid for programming with the big dish?  Over $600.00?  Well, I called the company and was told that they officially cancelled service and we have a credit balance.  They will not send me any money, but I can buy stuff from their store.  I checked out the store and they have a Wii gaming system and a Wii fit application for it.  When they get them in, that’s what I’m getting.  And there will be some money left over.  I checked yesterday and they’ve got a brand new Blu-Ray player for $149.00.....hmmmm..... I wish the Wii systems would come in.  I’ve got five and a half months left to choose before I lose the credit.

otherstuff 09:49 AM - 10/25/2008 The topic: Remember ---------------------------------------------- this entry?  Where I wonder about a hard winter?  And I mention that the leaves on the plum tree were turning brown and dropping?  Look at these pictures I took yesterday. click for a larger pic click for a larger pic click for a larger pic Yeppers, we’ve got new green leaves and a fair amount of new blossoms.  I think the plum tree is confused.

      Tuesday, October 21, 2008

catstuff 05:23 PM - 10/21/2008 The topic: Been so busy with life stuff ---------------------------------------------- That the date totally slipped my mind, until Mary reminded me. It was a year ago today that we had Lisa put to sleep.  And a year ago yesterday that Wally died at the vet’s office. We miss them both very much.  I hope they’re both doing well at the bridge.

catstuff 11:53 AM - 10/21/2008 The topic: The petsitter ---------------------------------------------- The petsitter came over last night to pick up her money.  We also got her a little something at Disneyland, some Eeyore stuff (her favorite character).  She told us that she’d slept in the extra room (the only room the cats are not allowed in), on the floor.  I guess she doesn’t sleep with pets, even at home. And she said she slept a lot better without them bugging her.  I hear that. She said “it’s a lot of work, I don’t know how you do it.  You guys are special.” I kind of laughed at that and made air quotes when I repeated “special”.  Then I told her there are two of us cleaning up after them and they also get to go outside during the day, which is a huge help.  And I said “we didn’t start out this way.” She ate nothing while she was here, she didn’t shower here, she didn’t sleep in our bed...the only cleanup I had (thinking back to the other sitter, the one who killed Wally) was our clothes and a few places of cat pee.  No laundry, cat boxes were clean, no dishes, didn’t have to change the sheets.  It was lovely.

disneystuff 10:18 AM - 10/21/2008 The topic: Stuff I learned ---------------------------------------------- at Disneyland. click for a larger pic I learned when Brian tells me he’s not going to carry my big camera for me, he means it (that sucker got heavy after a while). I learned that I can’t take off fifty pounds in two weeks, I need to start much earlier than that. I learned that I get very annoyed when people (with good intentions, mind you) speak for me and in the process misquote me, completely misinterpreting what I said/meant.

catstuff 09:01 AM - 10/21/2008 The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #112! ---------------------------------------------- And I don’t have a TT picture!  Yet!  Being gone for almost a week makes a difference.  Cats did NOT like being kept in, so are pretty much outside hiding away from me.  *lol* Will keep trying to get one.

      Wednesday, October 15, 2008

disneystuff 11:07 AM - 10/15/2008 The topic: Well, it’s that time of year again ---------------------------------------------- That we pack up and move up to the Anabella Hotel for five days and four nights.  This trip, I’ll be leaving the catcam on, but not the others, since I start those up in the morning and shut them down at night.  And being that I won’t be here, well, that would be kind of hard to do. If you’re in the area on Friday and you see a bunch of people with matching white teeshirts and pinwheel headbands, stop by and say “hello”.  I’ll be the short one with the big ass camera.

      Tuesday, October 14, 2008

catstuff 11:54 AM - 10/14/2008 The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #111! ---------------------------------------------- Well, better late than never.  I’ve been really busy getting ready for the annual big Disney trip (leaving tomorrow, be back Sunday), that I forgot all about it being a Tuesday.  Cleaning off the memory card and finding some pictures of Richie I took on September 30th reminded me.  And here we are, today’s Tummy Tuesday picture. click for a larger pic ================================================ If you’ve got a Tummy Tuesday blog entry, feel free to post the link in the comment section or trackback to this entry. And if you put a link back to this page, then more kitties will get to show off their tummies!

      Tuesday, October 07, 2008

otherstuff 09:16 AM - 10/07/2008 The topic: The BUD died ---------------------------------------------- Yep, it finally croaked.  What’s the BUD you ask?  It’s the Big Ugly Dish that we’ve depended on for satellite television service for the past fifteen or so years. Right now, I’m waiting for the cable installer. We’d already decided to not renew the subscription to NPS next year, since the pole that holds the dish on is rotting out.  I paid by the year to get a nice discount on cost.  Well, we won’t be getting a credit, so there’s $600.00 gone.  Like Brian said “why pay money to get this thing fixed when we’re getting rid of it anyway?” Since we’ve got high speed internet and phone service with the cable provider already, we’re able to get a decent price on digital television service.  Plus we’ll be getting a high def DVR.  So, we can watch one channel while recording two others.  Initially, we weren’t going to do that, but last night Brian said he’ll miss being done watching tv by nine.  Since we could get the Denver channels, two hours earlier than here.  And I explained with the DVR would do and that we could watch the shows the next evening.  I mean, it’s not like he has a job where people hang out around the water cooler and talk about what was on last night, you know? And we’ll also get a bunch of “On Demand” stations for free.  Which is pretty nice, I think. Anyway, waiting for the cable guy.

catstuff 08:59 AM - 10/07/2008 The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #110! ---------------------------------------------- click for a larger pic Today’s tummy is brought to you by the lovely and talented three legged kitty cat, Potter Pot Pie. Caught on the sofa, snoozing on his back in the early autumn, late afternoon sun.  Such a nice loving kitty cat he is. ================================================ If you’ve got a Tummy Tuesday blog entry, feel free to post the link in the comment section or trackback to this entry. And if you put a link back to this page, then more kitties will get to show off their tummies!

      Friday, October 03, 2008

otherstuff 07:28 AM - 10/03/2008 The topic: It’s noo-clee-ur! ---------------------------------------------- Say it the way it’s spelled...nuclear. nu cle ar It is NOT noo que lur.  Look at it, look at the word.  Is it spelled nucular?  No, it’s not.  And if your daddy’s a teacher and your brother is a teacher, then for Pete’s sake, gosh darn it, whyncha let them tell ya the proper pronounciation *wink wink* (folksy enough for ya?)? It’s not funny when Dubya (the worst president ever) says it wrong and it was like fingernails on a chalkboard to hear Palin say it at least three times last night. No one, NObody who is obviously incapable of saying the damned word, a very important word, in this day and age, the way it should be said, will EVER get a vote from me.

      Tuesday, September 30, 2008

catstuff 08:01 AM - 09/30/2008 We found a dime, two nickels and two pennies on our walk this morning The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #109! ---------------------------------------------- click for a larger pic Today’s tummy is compliments of Benjamin.  Benny.  Bennybennybuttcat.  Stretched out on the coffee table last night because it was still incredibly warm here.  I think I speak for the entire clowder when I say that cooler weather can’t get here soon enough. ================================================ If you’ve got a Tummy Tuesday blog entry, feel free to post the link in the comment section or trackback to this entry. And if you put a link back to this page, then more kitties will get to show off their tummies!

otherstuff 07:30 AM - 09/30/2008 The topic: If my father ---------------------------------------------- Had taken better care of himself, eating right, exercising....you know the drill… He would have turned 80 today.  But no, he oversalted his food, ate way too much red meat, didn’t visit a doctor regularly, took prescription pills meant for other people (real smart; and keep in mind my dad worked in the medical profession, he was an x-ray technician) and in May 1987, he passed out at work.  Testing found out he had heart problems and diabetes (which is why he’d lost weight, without dieting), his place of employment, UCSD Medical Center, had to send him over to Kaiser Permanente (which I still think is odd, but that was his medical insurance provider), they put him in ICU and the first morning after the first night his heart didn’t stop during his sleep, they did a stress test and sent him home. He died the next night.  The day before Mother’s Day, 1987.  I found the Mother’s Day card he had for mom in her effects.  He’d never had a chance to sign it. He was 58 years old.  Well, anyway, happy birthday Dad!  Hope you’re having a hell of a party now that mom’s back with ya.

      Sunday, September 28, 2008

catstuff 10:40 AM - 09/28/2008 The topic: When was the last time you did this? ---------------------------------------------- I put Advantage on thirty cats Friday. It was lots of fun.  Oh, yeah, lots and lots.

otherstuff 10:34 AM - 09/28/2008 The topic: Woohoo! ---------------------------------------------- The backyard cam is back up and running!  I don’t know what the problem was, but Brian got on the roof this morning, just to adjust where it pointed, and the remote started working again. I’m wondering if there was a loose connection somewhere.  He swears he didn’t touch any wires, but something changed. He’d made a cover for the glass globe when we changed the camera out earlier this year and he put that up this morning. So, I’m thinking there won’t be as much glare from the sun in the afternoon and there won’t be as much moisture on it in the morning when I first start it up. Way cool!

      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

catstuff 09:14 AM - 09/23/2008 The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #108! ---------------------------------------------- click for a larger pic Caught Bobby taking a bath yesterday, grabbed the camera and grabbed a photo.  He didn’t mind. ================================================ If you’ve got a Tummy Tuesday blog entry, feel free to post the link in the comment section or trackback to this entry. And if you put a link back to this page, then more kitties will get to show off their tummies!

      Friday, September 19, 2008

otherstuff 09:43 AM - 09/19/2008 We found a penny on our walk this morning The topic: National talk like a pirate day ---------------------------------------------- Today is National Talk Like A Pirate Day. If you post online or email folks, check out the translator above.  It’s fun and it’s free!

      Wednesday, September 17, 2008

disneystuff 10:47 AM - 09/17/2008 The topic: We went to Disneyland last Saturday ---------------------------------------------- and spent the night at the Anabella Hotel.  We’d talked about going up late one Saturday afternoon, going over to Tortilla Joe’s and knocking back a few margaritas, then heading over to Disneyland.  Then just come home in the morning, not go to the parks or breakfast, just come home. Like we used to do.  Well, we did that Saturday.  After checking into the hotel, we had to wait at the stoplight and I noticed how cool the sun looked.  It was low in the sky and I could actually glance at it without frying my eyes.  And I fumbled with my camera, got it out and shot a few pictures.  I was surprised how nice this one came out.

      Tuesday, September 16, 2008

catstuff 09:43 AM - 09/16/2008 The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #107! ---------------------------------------------- Well, got too busy last week and totally lost track of Tuesday.  Before I knew it, it was already Saturday and little late for a Tuesday tummy.  But I’ve got one today, little Richie Cunningham. If you click on over to the larger image, you can see where his bottom lip is a little swollen.  Yep, that allergy wasn’t completely cleared up on him and he’s back on prednisone.  *sigh* click for a larger pic ================================================ If you’ve got a Tummy Tuesday blog entry, feel free to post the link in the comment section or trackback to this entry. And if you put a link back to this page, then more kitties will get to show off their tummies!

      Friday, September 12, 2008

otherstuff 11:32 AM - 09/12/2008 The topic: The upcoming elections ---------------------------------------------- I used to like McCain, but he flip-flopped on his views to get elected.  I don’t like that.  And when he chose his running mate and I read more about her, I got really scared. http://womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com/ and this http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/sarahpalin.asp http://www.defendersactionfund.org/newsroom/sarah_palin.html Nope, no way, no how would I vote for that woman even for street cleaner.

      Monday, September 08, 2008

otherstuff 10:18 AM - 09/08/2008 The topic: Where did the forks go? ---------------------------------------------- It’s a serious question.  When we got married, I had a nice set of flatware my parents had given me.  Setting for eight.  I think over the years, I’d lost one fork.  We bought another set after we moved into this house.  Another setting for eight.  We should have at least fifteen forks. We’ve got lots of spoons and knives.  Fair amount of salad forks. But the dinner forks?  Maybe ten.  Or eleven.  Not sure, but I do know when all the flatware is cleaned and put away, there aren’t very many. Where did they go?  I can only think through the years we inadvertantly dropped them into the trash when scraping off our plates. Someday, we’ll get a couple of brand new sets and donate the old ones to a place that can sell them.  Or make windchimes and sell them in my store. That doesn’t sell very much at all. *lol*

      Saturday, September 06, 2008

otherstuff 05:23 PM - 09/06/2008 The topic: Laughing here ---------------------------------------------- Brian and I joke that we’re the same person.  It happens so often that one of us will say out loud what the other one is thinking.  Sometimes it’s downright spooky. So, we’re sitting in the office.  I’m working on the video of last year’s Disney meet (still...found out I used the wrong setting for the pictures and I’m having to redo all of them and there are a lot of them I have to redo...it’s hot and I’m cranky), Brian came home from working on a piece of his equipment that’s over at his brother’s house.  He tells me he’s hungry.  Now, I don’t really feel like cooking a big meal.  Like I said, it’s hot, I’m cranky and I’m busy.  I open a couple of cans of chili, heat ‘em up, and dish it up and put chopped onions and shredded cheese on his and just cheese on mine. I gave him twice as much chili as I put in my bowl, thinking that should fill him up.  He wasn’t thrilled with the idea of chili, but once he started eating, he was okay with it. I’m watching the House marathon on the USA network.  Brian says “you know that girl’s mother?” And I said “yeah, she was in Carnivale”.  He laughed and I said “yeah, I can read your mind”.  So then he asks “what am I thinking now?” I replied “about how very much you love me. And that you want ice cream.” He just bust out laughing.  “How did you know?” I repeated “I told you, I can read your mind.” Then he says “what am I thinking now?” “That I’m full of crap.” I’m eating ice cream right now.

      Tuesday, September 02, 2008

catstuff 05:08 PM - 09/02/2008 The topic: $284 poorer ---------------------------------------------- Took Bart to the vet this afternoon.  He threw up this morning and has been lethargic all afternoon.  Bart does not puke.  The past week he’s had a runny nose with some sneezing. He’d lost a little over a pound in less than a year, which is always a concern, especially at his age.  So, the vet took blood.  Also running a thyroid test since Bart’s heart rate was rapid.  And Bart got a bunch of subQ fluids, since he was dehydrated.  The vet asked if any of the other cats are puking, and yes, they are.  So, we’re hoping that Bart just has a bug and nothing bad chronic going on. The past couple of weeks, I’ll find that the cats ate very little during their dinner meal, which I kind of just pushed off to the heat.  Never considered we might have something going round. *sigh* The vet will call this evening with the results. UPDATE All of Bart’s organ values are well within normal range, even his thyroid.  Yay! But his WBC is over 33,000.  Which indicates an infection somewhere.  So, I’m to keep him on amoxicillan and watch to see where the problem might be, gastrointestinal or upper respiratory.  Which I’ll be doing. He did eat a little last night and this morning.  I think the fluids really helped him out.

catstuff 08:15 AM - 09/02/2008 The topic: It’s been a year ---------------------------------------------- today since Red went to the bridge. What’s odd is when I call Bobby, I find myself wanting to say “Reddy”.  This has happened quite a bit and I have no idea why.  Maybe Bob reminds me of Red. I sure miss that guy.

catstuff 08:13 AM - 09/02/2008 The topic: It’s TUMMY TUESDAY #106! ---------------------------------------------- Today, Lorelei presents her tummy for all to see. click for a larger pic And she’s not the least bit shy about it. ================================================ If you’ve got a Tummy Tuesday blog entry, feel free to post the link in the comment section or trackback to this entry. And if you put a link back to this page, then more kitties will get to show off their tummies!

      Friday, August 29, 2008

otherstuff 12:49 PM - 08/29/2008 The topic: Autumn and winter weather ---------------------------------------------- I’ve been noticing things this past month that don’