Through The Mud Clearly

Where shall I start? I know....can you say "sleep deprived"? Let me tell you a story. Last night I put Sparky in her suite and went to bed. Marmalade too. Soon I heard Sparky begging to get out of her room. I mean it sounded like she had gotten some of Danny's tools and was attempting to dismantle the door. I tried to ignore the racket but I finally gave in and let her out. You see; I hadn't let both cats run around all night because I didn't want to have to referee. But, like I said, I gave in. Then I couldn't sleep because I was concerned for their well-being. Of course nothing happened. As a matter of fact Marms didn't even move from the bed all night! This morning they greeted each other by touching noses, then Marmalade tried to rub her head on Sparky's head and Sparky returned her kindness with a big hiss. (Thats hiss not kiss) This has become the norm! OK, so, I let Lady in and gave her the required amount of attention. She then laid down on the floor; seemingly content. A few minutes later she got up and immediately threw up....twice....on the carpet before I could get her outside. I cleaned the mess up while issuing myself a non-gag order. I then began a search for carpet stain remover/cleaner which I actually found. No worries..you can't even tell where the incident took place! I think I shall sleep well tonight.

Wow its day 3 already...only 42 more to go! This morning I didn't have to sit in the hall between two cats. I only had to stand, point fingers at both and say "be nice". Apparently they understood this because neither one chased the other one through the house. Progress! There was one incident where they tried to see who could be the expanding fur queen. I think Marmalade won that contest. Before I went to work I secured S. Dodah in her plush accommodations, coaxed Lady outside and left Marmalade sleeping on the couch. Of course Dusty was all snug in her cage behind a closed door. Of course I worried about the cats all day. I shouldn't have worried though. I came home to Marmalade lounging on the kitchen floor. When I let Sparky out; Marmalade tried to rub her head on S. Dodah. Sparky then voiced a loud opinion regarding this. Then a few minutes later they were both in the living room...NOT having a staring contest! As I write this, Dodah is sunning herself on the living room windowsill and Marmalade is...brace yourself...asleep on the dining room table. Lady seems to be relieved that all of Marm's attention is not on her! Dusty is sleeping peacefully.

Do you ever get the feeling like maybe you forgot to do something? Like turning off the iron before going to church? Well...it my case it wasn't the iron I was concerned about. I couldn't remember if I had secured S. Dodah in her quarters before I left. I was pretty sure I did but still had this nagging feeling that she was on the loose! As it turns out...she was safe and secure. Whew! I again had the middle of the hallway conversation this morning with both cats. There was a lot of screaming, yelling and raised hackles...and that was just me! They are doing better... kind of. There is still a massive staring contest going on but there has been no fur flying or claw swinging. I must admit it was pretty funny when Dodah snuck up on Marmalade! Right now they are all taking an afternoon nap. Marmalade on the couch, S. Dodah on Bethany's bed, Lady on the living room floor and Dusty-who sleeps all day anyway and runs around all night. I would take a nap too but evidently I drank too much coffee. It was good though..made it iced! Mmmmmmmm.

First of all let me just say it isn't my vacation! Actually what is being chronicled here is my stint as a house, dog, cat(s) and hamster sitter while their family is on an extended vacation. Only one cat is theirs; the other is mine. So, picture this: I am sitting on the floor in the middle of the hallway with my cat Marmalade blown up like a puffer fish and spitting like a camel. On the other side is S. Dodah who somehow has managed to puff out her face but nothing else. As loud caterwauling is going on, I am explaining to Marmalade that she is a guest in this house and she must be nice. I have to explain this several times and even threaten her with exile. Finally she wanders off and allows S. Dodah to move about the house. Lady (the dog) seems to be uncertain about my cat. It seems Marmalade is intent on befriending her. Lady just looks confused and even a bit nervous. On a brighter note; I successfully put Dusty (the hamster) in her exercise ball, cleaned the cage and fed her without incident. YAY!! More to come.

When I adopted my cat from the Humane Society 4 years ago she already had a name. It was Phoebe. No offense to the Phoebes out there; but that is just NOT a name for a cat. I immediately changed her name to Marmalade! Well, since then she has gained several names or should I say "nicknames". She is known by "big baby kitty", "the great furry hunter", "crazy cat", "the green hornet aka super hero", "no neck" and my new personal favorite "the talking paperweight". I don't think she really cares what I/we call her as long as she has food and a clean litter box!

OK so a while ago my doctor put me on a "statin" medication for high cholesterol. However, this particular pill's side effects made me quite ill! So another brand, was tried, then another, another, another...you get the picture. They all made me sick. Finally I told my doctor: "I'm not gonna take it anymore!" He somehow convinced me to try a "non statin". I agreed to this for 2 reasons. 1. He said this medication had little or no side effects and 2. he gave me a free 3 month supply. Guess what?? There are side effects! I should have known. However; just like when I was on the statins, I didn't attribute the symptoms to the meds. I thought I had some weird virus/flu or some unknown dreadful disease. Well....yesterday morning, after a very restless, painful and bizarre dream filled night, I realized it just might be from the new pill. After an Internet search it appears that I was right...side effects. So as of yesterday I have ceased takings the meds. I will be eating more oatmeal and Cheerios!