It’s another cozy Caturday, and our friend Nefertiti is always ready to cuddle up in a blanket. Reader Squiddy writes: “My little girl does not believe in suffering. Although she might be judging me a bit for always sticking my camera in her furry face.”
Me First! Me First! Why do you have to be first?? Cause I’m a lady, that’s why. Aww, you nothing but a sister.
I’m ready to join lovely Nefertiti in the blanket. Woke up to a cold and rainy Saturday in SoCal. But good news, the tarp they put on the roof yesterday (finally!!!) is holding and so far no water leaking into the house. But I’ll still have to run around in the weather since today I have a baby shower and a hair appointment. Then tomorrow is errands day and some relaxing (hopefully). Happy weekend everyone and for those in the path of that massive US storm, stay warm, stay dry, stay safe.
Anyone here remember “Free to be, you and me”? And the “Ladies First, ladies first!” routine? I think she got eaten by a lion, IIRC.
I do! I do!
Eaten by cannibals 🙂
They were wondering who to untie first.
Thank you, Maia, for being my brain! I loved that special, even had the album.
I had it on vinyl. My parents might still have it somewhere.
My college roommate had the CD.
Well, she was a tender sweet young thing..
Thank you, Allein! You made my morning!
🙂
I would love to plant a kiss on Nefertiti’s beautiful head but I don’t know if Her Highness would approve!
Survived my first full week back to work since before Christmas and am now very glad to be in my pj’s, lingering over my coffee this morning! No weekend plans as of now, but might catch a movie. The new Mary Poppins movie has been recommended to me!
I haven’t been very present, I’ve been feeling guilty since Penny died because I didn’t to the vet sooner and maybe the cancer wouldn’t have spread if I did. I was starting to feel a little better but last month I noticed that Boo and Mia had lost weight.
I took them to the vet right away and she ran test and determined it was their liver that was not working properly, seems it happens often with older cats. She prescribed a special food but Boo’s health deteriorated rapidly and I had to face the hard decision to let him go last week.
Mia is holding on but she now refuses to eat the special food so I’m giving her anything she wants with the consent of my vet, like she said as long as she eats it give it to her.
I’m afraid it’s a question of time for Mia and I’m devastated.
Oh, Gigi, my heartfelt condolences on Penny and Boo and courage for you and Mia. I don’t know what else to say except we’re here for you.
So difficult to see our pets age. But long life is an indication of being well cared for.
Oh no! I am so, so sorry. This is a lot of loss to deal with in a short period of time. Losing your babies is very painful. I remember, when each of my babies was dying, being really unhappy because I couldn’t actually have a conversation with them about what was happening, crazily enough. Our usual communication wasn’t enough for me. But I’m sure Mia knows you’re taking care of her and she is deriving great comfort from your support.
I remember the same feeling of frustration at not being able to talk
with Ben-Him when he clearly was fading (heart failure). He was
seventeen, had him since a new kitten. But I do believe they can
understand one’s concern and love. Truly.
So sorry, Gigi! Pet ownership is so wonderful but it also comes with sadness.
I know you are doing the best you can for Mia and I assure she knows you love her.
So so sorry for the losses. As other people have said, having pets can be very tough as we have them for such a short time. Just remember even though they may be gone, they will always live on in our hearts. Gentle hugs to you and Mia.
Gigi! That’s so hard to deal with! I, too, have an older cat with issues and I know I’m going to be facing some difficult times with her. I’ve determined that she’s on palliative care from now on. She gets thyroid meds and pain meds (for arthritis) but if her kidneys or liver start to go, I’m afraid it’s similar to what you’re doing – anything they want as far as food, and keeping them as long as it seems right. My cat had lost weight and i started supplementing with dry kitten food to up her calories and that’s working pretty well.
Gigi, it’s good to have you back and I’m so sorry for all your loss and pain lately.
Been there with the guilt over not getting to the vet sooner. We all know here that you’re not to blame, however. Forgive yourself, please.
So so sorry about Boo and Mia. You know we’re here for you.
Oh Gigi, I’m so sorry. And to have this happen all at once. Sending you and Mia lots of love.
I’m sad to hear of the losses and hard choices you are facing. Cancer is a difficult disease, so I don’t think you ought to fault yourself. Others have said this already, but it can’t be said enough: The best measure of your love for them is the care you gave them all their lives.
Oh no! I am so sorry for all the losses of your beloved pets! It’s so terrible trying to keep them comfortable knowing there’s nothing else you can do (I’ve done that many times over). I’m sure you are doing all you can for Mia, and she knows it. I hope you can enjoy your time with her. 🙁
Remember to take care of yourself too-
Big, Big hugs to you Gigi! We’ve all been there, but it is still hard. Every time. Take good care of yourself. We’re here for you.
Gigi, I am so sorry, what a tough, awful, sad time. Plenty of hugs and sending you strength.
Gigi, I am so very sorry for your losses of Penny and Boo, and your worry over Mia. I know it’s hard to take in, but I am *positive* you have nothing to feel guilty over; it is very, very clear that you are a superlative cat-mom.
I hope Mia will rally, and I quite agree (for whatever it’s worth) that after a certain point just getting them to take in calories is the best you can do for a furchild. I know that towards the end Ricky (a dog!) would only eat cat food, and later we were down to Greek yogurt.
My heart goes out to you. Be kind to yourself, and let yourself enjoy Mia, even as you mourn your other darlings.
Pablo would eat baby food (beef or chicken) when he was sick. I think he just didn’t have the energy for chewing his usual food.
My father has died. I am sitting here working on a eulogy and feeling like I’m in a fog. It was not entirely unexpected so there was time, before, to adjust, and some relief that he’s no longer suffering. But still: my father is gone. My father is gone. My father is gone.
Such a monumental event. Sooo sorry Birdcage.
My condolences, Birdcage. Even when it’s expected, losing a loved one is never easy. Be gentle with yourself.
I’m sorry for your loss. I hope you have family members to grieve with. In addition to the immediate pain, a parent’s death is often a seismic change. I’ve lost both my parents and I’ve seen that it takes quite a while to shake itself out. Take all the support you can get from family and friends. That’s the good part.
Birdcage, wishing you strength to get through the days ahead.
?❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️?❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sending hugs and condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dad. Even though there’s relief that he’s out of pain, it is a bit of a gut punch when it finally happens. We’re all here for you.
Birdcage! I am so sorry – why is it so many deaths happen in and around the Christmas holidays? I just heard of a fourth person in my circle of friends who died. My father died at a New Year’s Eve party, just after saying “yes” to dessert. When they took him out to the ambulance all the bells, whistles and firecrackers for the New Year were going off. Boy, did that change the tenor of subsequent New Year’s Eves for our family!
My sincere condolences on the lost of your father. ((Huggs))
Birdcage, so sorry. I’ll be facing the same situation in the near future and understand the combo of adjustment, relief, and devastating grief.
Oh no Birdcage! I’m so sorry! Sending lots of hugs and strength for the coming days.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Birdcage. I can relate to the “fog” feeling, because I felt a sort of numbness when my father died, and then the grief and feelings went through me in waves. I had online friends at the time who helped me to cope, and I’m happy we can be here for you now.
I’m so sorry! I know that feeling well, but somehow, not unexpected does not mean not terribly missed. I know it’s now 3 months that my mother has gone, and it still hits me hard on occasion and feels unreal. It’s hard to lose a parent who has been a constant your whole life. 🙁 Comforting purrs from my kitties and many supportive thoughts & prayers from me-
Sorry for your loss, Birdcage. I too understand the fog; I felt that way after my brother died. Time will reduce the pain but cannot fix the hole. ?
My very deepest condolences for your loss, Birdcage! As the fog starts to clear, may you be comforted by happy memories. All the best to you and your family at this sad time.
Birdcage, I am so very sorry– sending you calm and strength.
Birdcage, I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through.
I believe that no one is ever really gone until the last person who remembers them is gone. At the same time, I’m sure that doesn’t lessen the aching void one feels at first, nor at certain anniversaries and “firsts.” I am glad you had your chance to say your goodbyes, and that your father is no longer suffering. These are both truly good things.
But I am so very sorry for your suffering.
Wishing you strength and comfort as you adjust (in all the time it takes) to this new world without your father’s presence in it.
Gorgeous kitty. Soooo comfortable.
Doing really well. Turned 67 years old! Great progress with ptsd lately. And having my Millie with me is the GIFT that keeps on giving.
Starting a 16”x24” drawing that I will work on in parts and put together like a collage with textual embellishments. And it will be suitable to share here.
After 6 years post Hurricane Sandy I finally have all my boxes of saved possessions accessible to me. So organization has begun.
First find, in the most beat up cardboard box… my shell collection in glass bowls. I open the box that has been shifted and buried… Not one thing broken! I’m gazing at all my shells like they are old friends.
So winter project: going through boxes for first look of keep or discard, repack and label, then organize. Once that’s done… set up oil painting studio space. Yay!
Thinking of everyone under the weather. And Duckie you are the best.
Happy belated birthday, Faye! Don’t you just love reconnecting with old treasures? Shells and sea glass from bygone beaches is just about the best surprise I can think of!
Good for you Faye on all your progress and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I love unpacking boxes and finding things you sorta remember. We finally went through most of the boxes in our garage and I got hubby to consolidate down to only a couple boxes. YEAH!!! I really love clearing out and organizing. My motto is if I haven’t used it or have a need for it, I move it on to someone else that can give it a good home. Only exceptions are things that make me feel good (like my textile art) or has some sentimental attachment or are family items.
Organizing makes me feel (falsely) that I am in control. It is my go-to therapy
and is actually fun.
Ooh, Phred’s Mom, we are kindred spirits!! I have spent most of this weekend sorting papers and organizing, in the hope that it will make the rest of the semester go well!
Admirable work, NF. I started to organize my income tax stuff
this morning. A job I am too cheap to pay an accountant to do,
but hate. And I itemize. Pin a medal on me, mother.
Happy Birthday, Faye! And going through treasures sounds like a wonderful sort of meditation – enjoy it all. Looking forward to your painting.
Happy birthday and many happy returns of the day! Hugs to Millie–she’s a lucky girl.
Happy Birthday Faye! Things sound like they are going very well for you! 🙂
Happy Birthday! Finding your shells all in one piece sounds like such a happy surprise. I hope there are more happy surprises in those boxes.
Happy birthday and here is hoping that it is the start of a wonderful year ahead, Faye!
Happy Birthday Faye! And what great ‘presents’ you found again!
Many happy returns, Faye, and congratulations on being reunited with your treasures!
This photo of Nefertiti is such a gem! Gold tones of the blanket match her eyes and the light shining through one ear… magical!
Heartfelt condolences to those dealing with losses and sadness. Furry, feathery, soft thoughts to all.
So much grief here today. Hugs and deep condolences to Gigi and Birdcage.
My mom has been up at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for a week and a half now. Good days and bad days, but overall things are going well so far. Heading up there both days this weekend because she has appointments and the shuttle only runs on weekdays. I’ve done the 2 hr (in good traffic) round trip 5 times since Jan 1st.
Nefertiti has the right idea, and in fact my own house panther is currently curled up in the middle of the bed.
Happy Birthday to Faye! So wonderful that you found your shell collection in perfect condition- like a birthday gift to yourself! 🙂
I am glad that things are going well overall, SoccerSue! I know about the driving back and forth in Seattle traffic.
Take care of yourself, too!!
Hang in there, Soccersue! I’m glad things are tipping on the good side for you and your mom. I’m sure those trips are draining—travel always is, even when there aren’t other things at stake. I hope your house panther is giving you lots of cuddles.
I’m glad your mother’s treatment is going well. I’m sure your support and care is helping her both practically and emotionally.
Thank you. Today was a good day. I took my aunt (her sister) up there, so they got to visit. The cancer center has now collected enough stem cells to transplant them back into her later, so tomorrow instead of sitting through 4 hrs of collection again she just has a blood draw and then the rest of the day free. Oh, and she actually asked if we could go out for lunch today, which is a big deal because it’s been a struggle to get her to eat enough lately. The worst of this is yet to come (intensive chemo to obliterate the remainder of her immune system) but at least for the next couple of weeks she should be feeling good and her schedule won’t be as busy.
I hope you and your mom can do something really special and make some beautiful memories this week, SoccerSue!
Nefertiti looks so comfy and grouchy! What a lovely girl (and she’s got a great blanket).
Heard earlier this week that my bio-dad’s cancer has started to spread again. I’m trying to get ready for the inevitable. I haven’t seen him in person since 2003, but we’re always sending emails to each other. He’s been there for me in a big way since we connected in 1996. It was odd to meet my father for the first time when I was 31 years old! Of all my parental units, he’s the one I’m most similar to.
After a stressful first-full-work-week-of-2019, and a few hours of errands, I’m trying to work up the energy to either clean up the house or get back to work on the bathroom. Every single room is a complete mess, thanks to home improvement projects and/or laziness on my part. The mess tends to overwhelm me and add to my stress levels. And of course, I can’t fully clean everything until the stupid bathroom is done!
It’ll sort itself out and I’ll get everything done. I just needed to rant/complain for a bit.
Hugs to everyone dealing with loss, sadness, or illness. You and your anipals are in my heart, and my kitkats send their healing purrs.
Fun fact: if you make a comment on Cutetropolis that something almost made you wet your pants from laughing, you’ll start to see ads for Depends and other bladder control related products. I was trying to figure out how Chrome knew that I am, in fact, dealing with some “issues” even though I’d never searched for products. Then I realized that they’re READING MY COMMENTS HERE! Mike, stop being so funny! (no don’t stop)
DEBG, I’m sorry to hear the news about your bio-dad. May it respond to treatment and/or spread very slowly. Hang in there with the project chaos.
(now pardon me while I go to check what I may or may not have said in my comments here that could generate some interesting ads!)
DebG, you rant away. Sometimes it’s the best thing to do. Very sorry to hear about your bio-dad. I hope he will respond well to treatment, and I hope he will be spared too much pain. And thanks for sharing your Fun fact. What a strange world we live in!
I’m sorry about your bio-dad. The inevitable is inevitable for all of us. I hope he has some significant time left. It’s wonderful that you met him and developed such a good relationship.
Does anyone else think that advertisements pop up not because of what we search, but what we say? As in Big Brother is not only watching, he’s listening too. I wouldn’t have believed it, but a few months ago after talking about buying (not googling) a rolling shopping bag, I suddenly started getting ads for different models.
Yes, I think so too. Once I mentioned here that I don’t really have any make-up “equipment” as I don’t use any kind of decor cosmetics. It is a bit funny that I have zero experience at the age of 40 at applying make-up, but now there are mornings when I look scary enough to think about learning how to do it. As soon as I said this I got a lot of ads for lipsticks/”eye somethings” although I never googled anything even slightly related to cosmetics.
My partner’s grandson’s first job was as a “mook”, someone who tracks, with the use
of algorithms and other esoteric means, one’s online comments for marketing targets.
Kind of dismaying to think about. We would get on his case with some regularity, poor
guy.
I’m going to start a group hug here.
{hug}
This is for everyone, from everyone.
Pass it on.
{hug} pass it on
This is like a chain letter only WAAAAYYYY better
{Hug} pass it on!
(Hug!) pass it on.
{Hug} pass it on!
(Hug) pass it on!
(Hug) pass it on!
(Hug) pass it on!
(Hug) Pass it on!
Thanks Duckie for starting the hug-a-thon!! Hugs are always welcome.
I am so sorry for your losses, Gigi and Birdcage 🙁
Debg, I admire your perseverance with this bathroom project after a stressful week at work.
Faye, happy birthday to you!
(The reply function does not work for me, this is why I used a one post for all method)
This has been a hectic week, with lots of minor inconveniences.
After a few hours of snow shovelling, the snowplough arrived to dump a ton of snow to the area I had just cleared. 🙂
On the day of the heaviest snowfall, my right windscreen wiper was stolen, so I had to leave it erected as I did not want scratches on the windscreen. So my left wiper was working as intended and the right one was waving at the oncoming traffic like a queen 🙂
One morning it was especially important to go to work by car – I wasn’t able to open the completely frozen gate 🙂
So I went to the bus and the fresh snow had not been cleared. Smaller cars got stuck one after the other. There was a young girl driving a small Fiat something, she was in complete panic and was not able to think clearly. So I went to help her – calm her, tell her what to do, encourage her etc. The next car arrived when she was finally able to move the car, but the car with two guys in it still had to stop. They got out and started talking about how women should never get a driving licence etc, and that they would wait a bit here to give her way as she would surely drive very slowly. It was so funny to see them stuck one minute later 🙂
My cats cannot spend as much time as they would like to outside as it is cold and snowy, so they are full of energy all day and night. I always hear from others that their cats sleep all day. Where to get a sleepy one? I have 2 energy bombs.
While we’re all dealing with some sadness today, I thought I’d post some happy news. I mentioned earlier that I was going to a baby shower but it’s not any ordinary baby shower. It’s being hosted by a group I volunteer with for one of the refugee families that have been resettled in my local area. We have about 15-20 people showing up with anything and everything that the baby/family would need – diapers, clothes, blankets, etc. Other people have gotten the crib, the stroller, and the car seat. This is the same group that over the Christmas holiday made sure over 250 children had a present to open. Even though most of them are Muslims, we didn’t want the kids to feel left out from their friends at school. Plus we’re now running a blanket and coat drive for 66 families, many of them are new arrivals with almost nothing. And so many people have stepped up to adopt a family or give money to make sure no one goes without. With all the negative news in the media lately, this gives me hope for our future.
Oh, my goodness, that is so wonderful! Bless all of your hearts for your kindness. Wow, there’s so much going on among Cutetropolitans right now – I just wish you all the grace to get through it with a sense of peace – take care of yourselves. And I pass Faye’s hug round to you.
AJ, it is so wonderful to hear about people helping refugee families, given the current political climate. I work with, not necessarily refugee, but immigrant families and so have seen first hand what a struggle it can be for them get all their needs met in a new country/culture. Thank goodness for people like you and the others in the group!
That is awesome, AJ! Thank you for the good news! 🙂
Bless you AJ, for the good you and your community are doing, and for telling us here. So grateful!
Wonderful to hear, especially now!
AJ, your group is wonderful. They make me hopeful too.
Late to the party but I have brought a very ducky Twitter thread.
Museums sharing their best ducks.
Always welcome.
What a great thread!
I stayed up later than I intended last night scrolling through it.
Worth it.
OMG *this* is what Twitter should be doing. Always. Only. Oneupsmanship contests between zoos and museums and other things that bring beauty and laughter and amazement into the world.
Have I mentioned lately how much I value our community here? Mike, you’ve built a lovely home for us.
Hugs to Birdcage and Gigi. Wish I could do more.
Um, guys? There’s this cold white stuff all over the place outside… What is happening?!
Mike has got to use this as a caption!
Since we already have a caption, here’s a video to go with it:
That is fantastic.
Yay! Thank you Mike! And what a great reaction to snow! Sort of EEEEEK! I must flutter my red wings from my pink body!
OUTSTANDING.. I will go to bed now, with a wide smile on my face hearing flamingo cacophony. 🙂 “We take great umbrage with this circumstance and insist to talk with management now. Quick, into the hot tub.”
How beautiful – they all look so pale pink next to snow and then flap their wings to reveal that gorgeous red! Wowzah!
Almost game time. Fly, Eagles! ? ? ?
Well, we did get this far. They are good guys.
* sigh* ?
Dont forget in Canada,Monday is “Take a moose to lunch day”!
A great way to break up the midwinter “Blahs”,and the moose enjoy it too!!
? Film at 7????? (Please!)