70 thoughts on “Weekend Open Thread

  1. Esther H January 20, 2018 / 8:16 am

    She or he is a Vulcan ๐Ÿ˜€

    • 6rabbits January 20, 2018 / 8:38 am

      ?

      • Laura January 20, 2018 / 12:56 pm

        Live long and prosper! ?

        • DC CINDY January 20, 2018 / 3:42 pm

          Donโ€™t you mean prospurr!!!

          • Laura January 20, 2018 / 4:54 pm

            ???

    • Faye January 20, 2018 / 11:32 am

      ?

    • Dana January 20, 2018 / 12:25 pm

      And a really cute one!!

    • fkaWaldenPond January 21, 2018 / 8:15 pm

      Mind-meld away little sweet heart!

  2. 6rabbits January 20, 2018 / 8:41 am

    That is one anerable kitten!! Many smooches on its little face and ears.? I definitely need some kitten love right now.

    • Kar January 20, 2018 / 4:00 pm

      Hope you get that kitten lovin’.

      Love to kiss white kitty chests with thick, gooey red lipstick. They get so offended!

  3. fkaWaldenPond January 20, 2018 / 8:45 am

    Very cute kitten, I needed this!

    Off to the dentist again, in 20 minutes to get my new fancy-schmancy crown put in. My dentist prescribes one ativan just before to help alleviate ‘dentist anxiety’ but I am solely taking the Ativan this time for when it comes time to pay the bill… *sigh*

    Have a wonderful day everyone! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Alice Shortcake January 20, 2018 / 8:46 am

    And you just know that even though the end of the tail isn’t visible it’s shaped like a carrot.

    I reached a watershed moment in my life today: I had to admit that I felt mildly excited about the prospect of buying a new pair of slippers and an ironing board. Tragic…

    Also, whilst scouring 1880’s editions of the theatrical paper ‘The Era’ I noticed some ads placed by one Fred. Tordoff, “pianist with many years’ experience”. Tordoff is a fairly unusual name of Scandinavian origin found mostly in Yorkshire, and my 5xgreat grandfather was John Tordoff (1741-1796). Fred (or Frederick) was almost certainly a very distant relative of mine.

  5. Dubravkamcvmd January 20, 2018 / 9:14 am

    Off to the NYC Wonenโ€™s March today followed by dinner with an old friend for my birthday, which was the 18th.

    • Amyliz January 20, 2018 / 9:27 am

      Hats off to you, Dubravkamcvmd!

      That kitten is like a tonic for my soul! ๐Ÿ™‚

      • Alice Shortcake January 20, 2018 / 10:09 am

        Likewise!

        *raises clenched fist in solidarity*

        • Maia January 20, 2018 / 12:45 pm

          Ditto!

    • Gigi The cat lady January 20, 2018 / 10:38 am

      Good for you!!!

    • Amyliz January 20, 2018 / 12:54 pm

      I ended up participating in a march, too! Didn’t it was happening, was just out and about and there was a huge crowd (women, girls, men, boys) so I joined in!

    • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 1:40 pm

      I was hoping to go to the Philadelphia Women’s March today but I’m still recovering from the plague I’ve had for more than a week. I have a singing event coming up in February and I really need to be in good shape – it can take so long to get over these respiratory illnesses. I’m also dizzy – I think it’s sinus related. IT’s ashamed because it’s really quite a beautiful day here in Philly.

      Love that little kitten – I want to dip those ears in some water color and paint with them!

    • Chase January 20, 2018 / 5:25 pm

      Please do carry me in your heart, & other disabled women who’d love to be out there (one is happening locally here for me) but aren’t physically able! โค๏ธ

      • Amyliz January 20, 2018 / 7:16 pm

        We’ve got your back, Chase!

    • fkaWaldenPond January 21, 2018 / 8:19 pm

      Happy Birthday and thank you and all the women out there who continue to represent. ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. AJ January 20, 2018 / 10:11 am

    Oh what a sweet little morsel. S/he can snuggle with me this morning. Still feeling under the weather but after 4 days I think the antibiotics are finally working. Or it’s like the dr. said yesterday, I might also have something viral and then there’s nothing to do but wait it out. And I have no time to wait it out, I’m very impatient and this forced rest period is making me a little stir crazy. I find I’m not very good at just sitting anymore but maybe if I had this little guy on my lap I wouldn’t want to go anywhere.

    Because of all this, not much planned this weekend – just grocery shopping and a few chores. Plus watching my new fav show on Netflix and I think all the animal lovers here will love it – Animal Airport. It’s all about the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow Airport and shows the animal officers doing their work and the animals they come into contact with. Besides the usual cats and dogs, it’s lions and cheetahs and lemurs, oh my. Each episode is short, about 25 minutes so not a big time commitment.

    Stay warm, stay dry and have a good weekend everyone.

    • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 1:42 pm

      Oh, that sounds great, AJ – I will have to look for that. I hope you feel better soon. I’m having the same issue with being confined for so long. Arghh!

      • Laura January 20, 2018 / 4:57 pm

        Learn to knit or crochet, guys. You’ll never be bored again!

        • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 5:01 pm

          I do lots of stuff but had no ambition. I was learning a bunch of songs for an upcoming concert I’m doing with a friend, but my brain was – and is still to some extent – so addled that it’s hard to concentrate on anything. I feel like my head is inside an aquarium.

  7. allein ? January 20, 2018 / 10:17 am

    Perfect! Kitty can keep me company while I wait for my car at the dealer.

  8. Gigi The cat lady January 20, 2018 / 10:40 am

    Taking first step this weekend on a big plan that will come to fruition this year in May, I’m feeling anxious for various reasons but I’m also very exited!

    • Maia January 20, 2018 / 12:46 pm

      Wishing you the very best for success, Gigi!

      • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 1:42 pm

        YEs, GiGi – do we get to hear eventually???

        • Gigi The cat lady January 20, 2018 / 4:48 pm

          I am now poorer but happy, the plane tickets are bought and a rental car will be waiting for us on May 1st at Charles de Gaules Airport.
          More details to come …

          • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 4:56 pm

            How fabulous – that sounds dreamy.

  9. Noodle January 20, 2018 / 10:44 am

    Oh, how adorable!
    Have a lovely weekend…

    Noodle and crew

  10. Duckie ? January 20, 2018 / 12:17 pm

    I can just imagine this tiny scrap standing in front of me, demanding that I pick it up.
    And I would.

    I’m not quite sure how I feel today. It’s been a rather odd week.
    -Just as I was getting over one cold in my ear, another one started in my nose.
    -Hubby did a complete shift change this week, and suddenly has twelve days of work in a row, helping to close out a contract.
    -Hubby discovered that turning 55 last Wednesday gets him seniors’ discount at McDonald’s.
    -I wrote a letter to the Canadian Disability Association asking for help, and heard back that there’s nothing they can do for me.
    -We were given over two hundred dollars’ worth of thread that the previous owner didn’t want.
    -Grampa’s condo has been sold.
    -My crocuses, daffodils, snowdrops, hyacinths and tulips are starting to come up.
    -The blue budgie I look after is sick. The owner is sad.

    I don’t know how to feel.
    I hope everyone else is doing well. Have a great week, all.

    • Maia January 20, 2018 / 12:35 pm

      That all sounds stressful, Duckie! Even good stress can be draining.
      Try to be kind to yourself.

      (and yay! my flower bulbs are sprouting, too. I can’t wait for spring!)

      Hugs, maia

      • allein ? January 20, 2018 / 2:02 pm

        It’s spring here today! Don’t know how long it’s supposed to last.

        And I got out of the car dealer without spending any money!

    • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 1:47 pm

      Duckie, I hope things get better/resolve soon. I hope the poor bird gets better! I can imagine the sale of your Grampa’s condo might cause some mixed feelings. Hopefully signs of spring will cheer your heart.

      • Duckie ? January 20, 2018 / 2:03 pm

        Just heard. Blue Budgie is back to eating and talking to his new cage mate. Yay!

        • Amyliz January 20, 2018 / 7:17 pm

          ?

        • Faye January 20, 2018 / 8:39 pm

          One small positive.

        • Murray C January 21, 2018 / 12:29 pm

          That’s very good news.

  11. Patty January 20, 2018 / 12:36 pm

    It’s supposed to be warm (for January in KS) today, but more cold weather tomorrow. I have to take my brother to the vision center at Walmart to get his glasses adjusted. I hate going to Walmart, and am hoping he won’t need to go into the store itself and I can get away without fighting the Saturday crowds.

    My husband spent the week doing unpaid work, a friend of his lost his garage to a fire, along with his vehicle, tools, and other things he had stored in there. His house was spared because he spotted the flames, and went out with the hose to keep the fire away from the house while he waited for the rural fire department to arrive. He owns a farm, and it’s likely the fire started because of the heat lamp he had for his outdoor cats. They found a blanket near the heat lamp, the cats must have dragged it too close. The cats are fine, and the first thing the owner did was buy an insulated dog house for them. The garage collapsed, and there was not much left in it. Now he just has to wait for the insurance company to cut a check to rebuild.

    • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 1:49 pm

      Wow, that fellow was fortunate – and so were the cats! Shame about his garage!

  12. N. Fritz January 20, 2018 / 12:47 pm

    About to get ready for the Senior Ball! My students have chosen a Game of Thrones (Game of Engineers) theme. They will dance a Polonaise at 8 pm, then there is a midnight revue. Opening the champagne now! Should be an interesting evening!

    • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 1:48 pm

      Wow, that sounds like fun! Have a great time.

  13. Laura January 20, 2018 / 1:17 pm

    Hi, all. We’ve had a bit of a tough week with Melody accidentally getting the skin on her behind torn open in 3 spots, down to the muscle in 2. (We know the dog so we know it was an accident. ) It wouldn’t stop bleeding, so the vet had to anesthetize her to put in a drain (and clean her teeth while she was under). Then after a day of her leaving it alone, Melody started chewing the stitches around the drain, so she had to be put in a Cone of Shame.

    At that point she went on a do-anything strike — no eating, taking her meds, even *walking* unless I held rhe edge of the Cone and escorted her! It was really fun to escort her to the yard so she could do her business at 5 am when it was 35ยฐ out. ? Especially when she miraculously could walk around the yard just fine — but still required me to escort her back into the house! I was ready to tear my hair out, she was being such a diva! And I had to shove her meds down her throat; she wouldn’t even eat them in a chunk of cheese!

    Anyway, I could go on and on and on about it, but suffice it to say that today she got the drain out and she’s no longer on strike. We nearly had heart attacks at the vet bills, though — $800! And the vet wants us to spend another $1200 to fill cavities in her teeth! A dog getting FILLINGS??? Hahahahaha! I have never heard of such a thing!!

    So weve had a fun week. But she’s on the mend, and that’s what counts. Everybody have a great week!

    • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 1:55 pm

      Wow, Laura – another Cutetropolitan having a difficulty! So sorry. I hope this is a short-lived trend. Stay well, all!

    • Kar January 20, 2018 / 4:12 pm

      that’s when you ponder pet insurance, will probably get it for my senior citizen next year as I figure she’ll start having more issues or at least cover basic vet bills.

      can they discuss pulling the teeth (& not get dentures?)

      • Laura January 20, 2018 / 5:16 pm

        They also want to charge “$1200 and up” for pulling teeth instead! We are definitely going to get another opinion. Melody is almost 5, so you don’t expect expensive health problems at this age — although I will admit that her tooth problems have definitely been exacerbated by my husband thinking vets wanting to clean dogs’ teeth is a new ripoff so they can make more money — at least until now.

        I’ve been suggesting ever since we adopted her at age 2. The tech who spent all that time scraping the gunk off her teeth took before and after pictures, bless their heart! So I think he’s finally convinced. Her teeth were AWFUL, and her breath was just foul (and it’s not any more). Even patients she visits at the VA started commenting about her breath — it could gag a maggot!

        So now he knows his baby girl really *needs* regular tooth cleaning. I think, after getting a few of her teeth pulled because he’d refused the cleaning before this, he’ll be more open to it in the future. Nothing but the best for his baby!

        Can you tell his attitude made me really angry for the last few years? ? If he’d been less stubborn, we wouldn’t be facing this whopping bill now!

        • Kar January 20, 2018 / 6:00 pm

          tried that with one of my other cats.

          Fairly hard with feline toothpaste but at least i could rub her teeth and gums occasionally with a eye shadow brush (clean, just for that purpose)

          • Laura January 20, 2018 / 9:56 pm

            We’ve both tried brushing Melody’s teeth, but she is extremely uncooperative. And I thought *cats* were stubborn!!

  14. Elaine Williamson January 20, 2018 / 1:20 pm

    Hard to believe, but since I had a 16 lb Maine Coon I know he will grow to those ears. (With that head the kitten MUST be male.)

  15. debg January 20, 2018 / 4:00 pm

    That kitten is beyond cute.

    Congrats to all who are marching, enjoying special occasions, and otherwise find some joy in life. Hugs and healthy vibes for everyone under the weather–may you return to full health very soon. And for those of you caring for others, don’t forget to take care of yourself too!

    I’ve been AWOL from commenting this week because it was crazy busy. The new job is going really well, but it’s still a major adjustment. And I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers by hopping on to Cutetropolis at work! They don’t even like people to check personal email at work. This week, my hours + commute meant that I left home and returned in darkness. Fortunately, things will change starting Monday so that I return home a little earlier and work from home on Friday.

    The job itself is pretty cool. My coworkers have been extremely helpful, supportive, and friendly. My boss allowed me to adjust my schedule and seems impressed already with the speed of my project. I think I’ve already made some contributions there, and that feels terrific.

    Miss Ursula continues to heal. She’s off her antibiotics (and fortunately didn’t go as divaesque as Laura’s dog!!!) and her head is normal-sized. Unfortunately, she’s now scratching the scabs where pus came out from under her skin, so I have to monitor carefully. We don’t want to go back onto antiobiotics! It’s a good thing she’s no longer a spokesmodel for my former employer, because she’s got unsightly bald patches. But she’s super-cuddly and as sweet as ever.

    I’ve missed you all this week: when I did cruise over here to read comments, your silliness and sweetness reminded me of what I was missing. Once a Cutetropolitan, always a Cutetropolitan!

    Get well, stay safe, and be happy.

    • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 5:03 pm

      How wonderful for you, DEBG – everything seems to have come together quickly for you – and your dear cat is along for the ride. Very good.

    • Laura January 20, 2018 / 9:59 pm

      Yay for the new job going well! That’s always the scariest part of a new job, I’ve always thought. Sounds like your new employer will be very happy with you, too.

      Can’t you at least check email and Cutetropolis over your lunch break, though?

      • Debg January 20, 2018 / 10:16 pm

        I do check email, but we only get 40 minutes, and Iโ€™ve been trying to socialize with new coworkers. Next week, Iโ€™ll make a point of dropping in here!

    • dubravkamcvmd January 21, 2018 / 8:11 am

      What a relief that the new job is going well! That’s wonderful.

  16. Kar January 20, 2018 / 4:03 pm

    Wow having a relatively easier day than a lot of folks.

    Went out to a fancy lunch at the local museum as a shoppers audit and now have to turn in the report.

    Don’t always get the full amount reimbursed but still, nice to eat out on someone else’s dime occasionally. Especially if its a place that I wouldn’t ordinarily go.

  17. allein ? January 20, 2018 / 4:28 pm

    A Caturday quiz:

    What Kind of Cat are You?

    I’m a Maine Coon.
    Underneath your luxurious look is a balanced, even temper. You enjoy indulging in rich treats and lazy days as much as the next person, but when you have work to do, you stay on top of it! Your friends appreciate your calm disposition and reliable support!

    (I don’t know about all that….)

    • Duckie ? January 20, 2018 / 4:48 pm

      I’m a Himalayan, but I’m not sure I spelled that correctly. iPad didn’t recognize it.

      I agree with the comfortable around few people, likes peace and quiet part, but beautiful? Aloof? Gonna do it again.

    • Murray C January 20, 2018 / 4:49 pm

      I was a Siamese. I wish they’d had some other answers for certain questions, but that’s the way with these questionnaires – fun tho’.

    • Duckie ? January 20, 2018 / 4:54 pm

      Now I’m a Maine Coon. In my first round, I waffled between two choices on some questions. I went back and chose the other answer for those questions, but kept the rest the same. I think I prefer the Maine Coon.
      Mike, what cat are you?

    • Debg January 20, 2018 / 5:08 pm

      Himalayan.

      • Laura January 20, 2018 / 5:46 pm

        I’m a Japanese bobtail.

        Inside your cute exterior is a vast reservoir of energy. You are highly creative, and you can’t help chasing after your imagination, even when it leads you into mischief. You make sure that you carve playtime into your schedule every day. Without it, you would probably go crazy!

        That is a surprisingly accurate description of me!

    • Chase January 20, 2018 / 5:33 pm

      You are a:

      Sphynx!

      At first glance, you are quite an eccentric–and you only get more eccentric as people get to know you. An open book, you aren’t afraid of other people’s judgment. You pursue your own antics and keep your heart wide open to the world for inspiration!

      (Eerily accurate…)

    • Gigi The cat lady January 20, 2018 / 6:41 pm

      Sphynx!

      At first glance, you are quite an eccentric–and you only get more eccentric as people get to know you. An open book, you aren’t afraid of other people’s judgment. You pursue your own antics and keep your heart wide open to the world for inspiration!

    • Boo'sMom January 21, 2018 / 7:52 pm

      Maine Coon
      Perfect fit!

  18. Chase January 20, 2018 / 5:28 pm

    I’m laying in bed today (& let’s be honest, probably the whole weekend) nursing my various aches & pains and dealing with major symptom flare-ups. Drinking tea & reading “Fire & Fury” – anyone else read yet??

    • fkaWaldenPond January 21, 2018 / 8:18 pm

      Hope you are feeling better but I am not sure if the reading material may make sick feelings worse?! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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