days_unfolding

I ordered a martingale collar (recommended by the dog training folks) and a double-handled leash for Bella.

Woke up at 7:30 AM. Ordered groceries for delivery.

shadowcat said that A Complete Unknown is now on Hulu, so I want to make time to see it. Also, I want to see A Real Pain. Maybe on Sunday? Or maybe one of them tonight? I used to have a Friday night ritual where I watched movies. I liked it. Or maybe after raking on Saturday. I'll be too tired to do more stuff around here. No, the Mozart Requiem concert is on Saturday. I need to figure out what to wear.

Bella cracks me up when I feed the cats. She comes to me for petting as a distraction because otherwise, she might lose control and eat the cats' food. LOL.

The groceries were delivered earlier than I expected, so they sat out for a while. But now I have soda and food.

It’s warm out, and Bella didn’t want to come in, but she did so grudgingly.

Overslept my nap. I'm tired.

I'm definitely going to go to the Hands Off! rally on Saturday, 4/5, but there's also one for trans rights on Monday, 3/31. It's two hours during lunchtime, and I'll be working, so I'm not sure how that would work. I couldn't work late because I have choir. I need to get some poster board and markers. At Dollar Tree? Actually, Hands Off! has printable signs. The problem is that I agree with most of them. Hard to make a decision. Oh, there's one with everything. I think that I found my sign.

The cats knocked down my trackball and the ball part is missing. What did they do with it? I'm glad that Oliver is happy but sad that it took Mimi dying to make him happy. He just stole my pen!

Oh, it occurred to me the other day that I'll have to get someone to let Bella out at lunchtime on the days that I have my in-person staff meeting at the end of April. I'll look on Wag first.

Goofball Bella was rolling on her back outside. She clearly loves the weather.

I'm actually feeling warm with my hoodie upstairs, so I took it off.

Oh man, am I stiff. I definitely need to go to yoga tomorrow.

Lily's stomach clock is good. I feed the dog and cats after I take Bella out after work at 5:30 PM. Lily was on my lap, purring and head-butting me at 4:45. Lily has gotten so big that I do a doubletake, thinking that she's Mimi (although she still is smaller than Mimi).

Speaking of Mimi, I haven't gotten a call about her ashes. I'll need to call on Monday and find out what's going on.

I really want to learn Forex trading (don't worry; I won't risk money for a long time after paper trading), so I made a list of books to get. I asked ChatGPT how to learn it and it gave me some recommendations. I also asked about Web site building, but that might wait until retirement.

Hmm. Daily OM has an event that kind of interests me and it isn't too expensive: Expert-Led Fascia Stretches to Eliminate Sitting Damage

Hey! I can get a Senior Membership to the Urbana pool and gym. They have free Folk [Music] in the Park, and a beginner’s Pickleball League! And I think that choir will be over for the summer, so I will have more nights free. They have a rail trail ride if I get back up to speed on bicycling.

I think that I’m going to go to bed early to get up early and rake. I have yoga and the concert tomorrow too, so I need to get up really early. Crap, now they're saying rain tomorrow. I'm still getting up early.

Got most of the recycling out. Went and got Mimi’s carrier from the U of I vet; I saved around $70 doing that. And now I have three carriers for three cats.

Got up at 7 AM. It’s cold, wet, and miserable out. Even the dog was less than thrilled.

I need to get someone to clean the gutters.

Bella ate Lily's food. Twice. Aargh. Bella is running around with her squeaky ball. She loves that thing. The pup is tired though. Oliver and Lily got kitty racetrack out of their system, I hope. Oliver is in Mimi's window looking at the birds. Lily is sitting on the rocking chair in the front window. I deem that "Lily's chair". Now Oliver is tunneling under the blanket on the guest room bed. Lily digs her claws in my leg when she goes on my lap. Ouch. Points to Oliver; he doesn't do that. Now Lily is checking out the mattress in the guest room. LOL. Oliver is tunneling under the blanket in the guest room, and Lily is jumping on top of him. Those two keep me entertained. A guy came by with two dogs when I was in the yard with Bella, and she hid behind me. That makes me wonder how she's going to do in the dog training class. The Dynamic Duo managed to 1) knock my soda onto me and 2) unplug my work laptop. Now Lily is on top of the fish tank.

I told work to load me up with meetings, but it hasn't been too bad.

I'm freaking tired.

I need to close my purse right now. I need to have the house cleaned, but I can do it myself. I'm getting pretty good at picking up the kitchen before I go to bed. Though hmm. The U of I music venue is having the Mozart Requiem on the 29th. I love the Mozart Requiem. Okay, I bought a ticket.

I asked my dad how to keep my energy up, and he said, “Lose weight”. All right then.

I'm looking at flights to San Diego for the Mexico cruise. I might have to go on Christmas Eve because I think that the bus isn't scheduled on Christmas. Or I might have to take the train, but I think that my suitcase might be too big for it? Oh, I can check luggage to Chicago. It would take me about an hour to get to O'Hare from the train station. I need to figure out something to do in San Diego before the cruise. The zoo? They have a great zoo. San Diego city tour? I'll need to find a hotel too. Found a hotel that I like.

My shade garden has shipped. I’ll need to get after the garden that I will put it in this weekend.

Bella: Pet me! Pet me! Pet me! She found a piece of styrofoam somewhere and was shredding it. I guess that I need to get out the broom. Had some Girl Scout cookies. Bella: Aren’t you going to give me some? Me: Nope!

Headache. I’m going to lie down for a little while. But the doggo wanted a belly rub. I’m sharing my bed with a can of tuna that Bella brought in. I only live here :)

Slept until 10:30 PM. I must have needed it.

Oliver knocked over Mimi’s dry food again. Sigh. He and Bella are eating it in a moment of feline-canine cooperation. Oy. I think that I'm going to leave the kitchen a mess, put clothes in the dryer, and go back to bed. Oops, I need to order soda.

I put a date on my calendar to plant sunflowers, coneflowers, and zinnias. Probably wildflowers too.

Bella had the three-times-daily frustration called “The cats are eating!” I said, “Bella, that’s CAT food. It’s for CATS. You are not a CAT.” She thinks that she still should get their food.

Woke up around 10 AM. Measured my gardens with some help (not!) from Bella.

Got my grocery order. Lily was eating the crumbs from my turnover. Filled Mimi's fountain. Fed us all.

Ordered a boatload of seeds and plants. It's exciting!

I need to figure out what song to work on for singing lessons.

Amazon needs better UX people. When I set an alarm for my Echo Spot, there is a large button at the bottom to delete the alarm and a small link at the top right to save it. I press the damn delete button all the time. I wonder if they did usability studies.

Napped. It just occurred to me that I can’t plant flowers along the fence because I’m replacing the fence. I’ll have to do something else with them. I could plant the zinnias under the tree in the front yard.

I told Oliver that we have our own orange menace, and that would be him :) He did sit nicely on my lap for a couple of minutes, but then he started biting. He is now in the food box and Bella is whining because she can’t reach him.

Hmm. Now I’m wondering if I should board Oliver while I’m gone because he’ll try to get out.

I have to remember to sign Bella up for training. Ugh. Registration starts while I’m gone. I’ll put a reminder on my calendar and hope that I’ll check it. I’ll try a pop-up reminder too.

I have to check-in for my cruise, which means that I need to clear a credit card. I also need to book the bus to O’Hare and my Miami tour.

I have a boatload of things to do today, so I should get into the shower soon. I have my meeting with the life coach. And I need to work on the kitchen. And practice singing and piano. (Zara will like that.) And start packing.

I was wondering when to start shaving my legs for the trip when I remembered that I have a massage next Saturday. I’ll do it before the massage.

Oliver knocked over my donuts and turnovers. I’m now missing a turnover. Bella has it. Chaos central :)

I ordered more blue socks. I have a million black pairs, but the blue ones are MIA. I was looking for a pair of white jeans. I couldn’t find one in my size in Gloria Vanderbilt, but Woman Within has a pair that I’ll try.

I took a shower without “help”. It was very nice. Now I need to feed the critters.

I ordered the white jeans in two different sizes to see which fits better.

I'm now checked into the cruise. Paid my credit cards. Oh, I need to find the first hotel that I booked for Miami and cancel it (done). Booked the bus. I'm trying to book a hotel in Chicago on my trip back, but the Web site is being wonky. I tried another browser and it worked. Booked the Art Deco tour in South Beach.

Had my session with the life coach. She thinks that I should get someone to help me move some of the stuff out of the living room to the storage shed and upstairs, so I'll post on NextDoor to ask if someone has a kid who would like to make some money. I also will put quiet time on my phone during the evenings to keep me from scrolling. (I could go upstairs to log onto the Web, but that takes more effort.)

Now I'll take Bella out, eat dinner, and do some cleaning and practice singing and piano before I go to sleep. Mimi is whining because she doesn't want to get off of my lap.

It’s miserable out—a mix of freezing rain and snow. Even Bella agrees. I’m thawing. I hope that the roads are okay for my errands tomorrow.

The food has knocked me out. I’ve started the nighttime feeding process, although I also soaked a litter box. It would be good to get up early to run errands earlier.

The fountain wasn’t working (wouldn’t turn on). I’ll figure it out in the morning. Got it working but no interest yet.

Woke up a little after 9 AM.

Now Lily is interested in the outside world. Hmm.

I can’t quite get rid of this cough. Kind of annoying.

Oliver was checking out the fountain but Bella bugged him. Got us all fed. I’m charging Mimi’s fountain.

Hmm. I need to run and pick up a prescription before my singing lesson. Napped. But I need to eat lunch, so I probably won’t make it to the pharmacy. Hmm. Maybe I could go over lunch tomorrow? Or maybe I should just have it delivered and wait. I have a vet appointment for Mimi tomorrow at 10 AM. I could drop Mimi off afterwards and run to the pharmacy.

I bought Oliver and Lily a cat toy with balls going around a track. They love it, but Bella is trying to get the balls out!

Bella is drinking from the cat fountain.

Managed to scramble to throw myself together for my singing lesson. And it went great! She had me sing an old song as well as new exercises, and my voice seemed brighter and stronger.

I signed up for life coaching every two weeks. I need to get unstuck.

Got the filter and heater working on the fish tank. I got my arm wet adjusting the sand so I had to change my hoodie.

I almost forgot to eat again. I guess that’s good?

Crap. I put a knee through my chair.

Had dinner. Filled Mimi's fountain. I need to get to bed early because I'm taking Mimi to the vet tomorrow morning. So I'll feed the critters and crash. Oh, and bring the cat carrier upstairs. And do laundry.

Tried to get the WaterPic working but it’s not working. I’ll mess with it tomorrow. My pajamas were ice cold, so I ran the dryer until they were nice and toasty.

Woke up at 7:30 AM. The critters are restless. Step 1: took Bella out. Step 2: put the cat dishes on to soak. Step 3: fed cats. Step 4: Fed me. Step 5: fed Bella. Step 6: filled the cats’ water dish. Then Bella decided that she wanted to go out again. I gave her her purple ball toy, and it’s a hit!

Hmm. If I got the puppy, I’d need a gate for overnight in the warm bathroom. And a puppy bed. Hmm, I wonder if they’d have a gate at Costco? Speaking of Costco, it’s kind of cold to go today.

And speaking of cold, feeling it. I’m thinking of huddling under the bedroom blanket after lunch. My heater is good, but it’s not quite keeping up.

Saw an airplane. I was wondering if it was coming from the local airport. I usually take the bus to O’Hare because it’s cheaper.

Hmm. I’m wondering if I should bring out my cashmere coat, but it doesn’t have a hood, but it’s long.

Oliver is dozing off, and peace reigned throughout the land. Oops, I knocked over my soda and swore, and it woke him up.

Napped. It was nice and cozy warm. The puppy is still asleep.

I’m trying to avoid any news of the inauguration. At least now I don’t have Mom to call me to tell me what Trump did, but that’s kind of sad.

Jealousy….Bella thinks that the cats can’t settle on my lap. This time, surprisingly, it’s Oliver. He starts off nice but then bites. Snot :)

Someone knocked over one of my plants. Oliver, I’m looking at you, but it could be Bella. Oh for god’s sake. Bella munched on the pot. Luckily, I had another one.

Took a shower. Damn, that bathroom is cold. Got the WaterPik working. Ugh, it feels too cold to do anything. I’d break out the electric blanket, but with Bella’s chewing habit, probably not a good idea.

I decided to cuddle under the blanket in the bedroom. Bella approves. It’s supposed to be cold through tomorrow and then warm up to more usual temperatures. Ooh, standing on the heat vent is nice.

Zara was very happy that I’m in the library room and is being cuddly. She misses me! I need to spend more time in here.

Had a good piano lesson. Zara showed up and my teacher took a picture of her :)

Ate dinner. Ouch, my left wrist is hurting. Did I do something wacky to it playing piano?

I have a lot of work to do picking up the stuff that Bella shredded. But I think that I’ll do it in the morning.

I was thinking that Bella was jerking my chain because I’ll take her out if she goes into the bathroom and whines. But she did need to pee. I’m reversing the morning routine. Bella is fed and so am I. I’m working on the cats.

I keep calling Lily “Bella”. She could be a Bella. She’s a very pretty little cat.

Everyone’s fed. Scooped litter boxes. Soaked Zara’s box. I’m getting a headache. Figured out how the shower works in the warm bathroom. Took meds.

Oliver was licking out one of the cat food cans. It fell in Lily’s dish. Bella swooped in and grabbed the can. I just about died laughing.

Now I’ll post and go to bed.

Bella brought her bone into bed with her, so I guess that I’m sleeping with a bone :) I didn’t want her chewing it while I slept, so I took it away for the night. I’ll give it back in the morning.

Woke up at 6:30 AM. The puppy is still asleep.

Bella chased the rabbit that lives here out of the yard.

The critters are being manic. I haven’t fed the cats yet. Now we’re all fed. Oliver was chasing Zara, so I kicked him out and closed the door to her room. The puppy thinks that nap time after breakfast is a great tradition.

They’re predicting snow showers for the next hour.

Napped. Bella doesn’t like it when I cough. Can’t help it, sweetie. Spent some quality time with a purring Lily. She is such a sweetheart.

Bella came into the kitchen with one of the boots that I wore outside in her mouth. I hastily rescued it.

Hmm. I’m thinking of putting Hospice Hearts, a rescue for pets whose owners are ill or have passed away, in my will, with the stipulation that whatever pets that I have go there. I also wonder if I could donate the Kia to them when I’m ready to get rid of it. Okay, it looks like they don’t take car donations but the Humane Society does.

It occurred to me that if I got solar and an electric car, I could drive around town for free. Electric cars are so expensive though. Maybe a hybrid. I was looking at cars online while my hair dries, and I like the Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid. (Actually, I really liked the Toyota Venza, but that's more car than I need.) However, Subaru is coming out with a Forester hybrid mid-year. I also like the 2025 Mazda CX-70 plug-in hybrid. Also the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid, although it might be more car than I need. No, Consumer Reports has panned it. I have some test driving to do.

I bought a dog-training app. I still want to do the training class too if I get my money in time.

Bella got into the leftover linguini that I left on the counter. Pasta dog. I guess the moral of the story is to put stuff away. Though I’m not sure what to do with half a package of linguine.

Oliver and Bella were playing! Awesome!

Bella ate Lily’s food again. I need to find a better spot to feed her, away from the canine garbage disposal.

Used the power snow shovel to clear the sidewalks. I’m inside to thaw and rest. Then I’ll shovel (old-school) by the gate and move my recycling and garbage bins by the house (done).

There’s a gap in the fence that Bella might be able to squeeze through. I always go outside with her, but I should get some chicken wire to fix it. Or a post.

Bella was playing with my shoe. I guess that my shoes go in the closet.

I want to go to bed early, but I also want clean pajamas, which I just put in the washer. I guess that I’ll get to bed around 10 PM. I’m making some dinner now.

Bella is not telling me when she needs to poop. She was next to me during dinner, and then I went to put clothes in the dryer, and she pooped in the bathroom.

I mostly cleaned up the gravel that Bella scattered in the living room. It’s not perfect, but the bulk of it is gone. Oliver “helped” by lying in the bag that I was collecting the litter in.

I figured out which company that I want for home insurance. Now I just need the check from the trust.

I need to feed the beasties and go to bed. Oh, and collect my shoes from the bathroom.

I’m losing my voice and am wondering if I should call in sick. Yeah, I did. It feels like someone rubbed my throat with steel wool.

The puppy is licking everything that she can reach :) Oliver (I’m assuming) knocked over the orchids. I gave Bella her ball. I’m not sure what she did with it. Fed the beasties. Bella is a “half-a-lap” dog.

I’m getting more money from the sale of Mom’s house than I thought, so I’m wondering if I should go solar. I found a solar calculator, but I need to find out how much energy I’m using. Okay, solar costs less than I thought. I might do it. It would cost me the equivalent of $1000 a year while I'm in the house. I'll have to check, but I think that's cheaper than my current energy bill. Yeah, it is. I also requested a quote on a heat pump. Why can't places email me quotes? Why do they have to call me? I'm not answering my phone. I DON'T LIKE PHONE CALLS!

Watched President Carter’s funeral until CNN’s feed started flaking out. Slept until 1 PM. Freaked out when I woke up because I forgot that I called in sick.

I need to remember to take the ball when I take Bella outside to play fetch with her.

The shelter from which I adopted Bella has a labradoodle who is deaf. He interests me, but I wonder how hard it would be to work with his deafness. And I have to wait until I get more money before adopting another pup. Actually, I did find an Australian cattle dog/blue heeler dog that sounds great, but the same applies. And they want a “family reference”. My dad is not going to help me get a dog, so I don’t know whom I would use.

Bella was ripping up the paper towels. In front of me! I rescued them.

Ack! They’re predicting more snow tonight. 3 to 4 inches. Must remember to charge the snow blower.

Bella and I played outside with the ball. She was having a blast. She was trotting around with it in her mouth. A passerby with a dog said that she was a pretty dog :) Bella was shy with the dog. She now has the ball with her in bed.

I looked up dog daycare per one_raido’s comment and also dog groomers because I could picture Bella getting muddy in the Spring.

Oh lord, she is squeaking the ball.

I was petting Bella and I stopped, so she got up off the bed and flumped into the dog bed. My little drama queen :)

Tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t sleep.

It occurred to me that I should get the TV in the bedroom set up after Bella wakes up. And I should move the pictures.

Cool. Bella’s collar shipped.

The puppy was whining because she wanted on my lap, but Lily is there. Life is tough.

Bella pooped in the bathroom while I was upstairs. I got it cleaned up and put the bag outside so that it doesn’t stink up the place. Then I took her outside, but she didn’t need to do anything. I gave her her ball, and she’s currently squeaking it. She really wants to eat the dry cat food. I told her that she has her own food, but it isn’t as tasty as forbidden fruit. Well, she had finished her food so mea culpa. I fed her.

I want to make some Ramen to soothe my throat (done and eaten). Had frozen yogurt for dessert and Lily wanted it.

I've got the cat dishes soaking. Zara and Oliver went nose to nose. Then Zara hissed, but still, progress. Oliver got upstairs in Mimi's lair, and that didn't go so well. I've since dumped him out. He's getting smarter about how I was keeping him out, using the gate itself to corral him.

I think that I want to go back to bed soon.

Oliver has to “help” me scoop the litter boxes. Yeah, he’s a big help. Not. I’ve fed the cats and peace is reigning across the land.

It just occurred to me that I could bring a litter box upstairs for Mimi and put the gate at the top of the stairs to keep Oliver out while I’m working. I also could get another gate for the library room (or move the upstairs gate) to keep Oliver out.

Got laundry in the dryer and washer. Started charging my new electric toothbrush (which I got a while ago, but I’ve been busy). I need to order more toothbrush heads for it (done).

Got up at 7:30 AM after staying up late. Put the cat dishes on to soak. Lily and Oliver are squabbling. Fed all of them, and there is peace.

Napped until 12:30. Dreamed that I was lost on a cruise ship and had lost my card key. I’m trying to wake up enough to take a shower and get dressed. I should probably eat lunch.

The little cat toy balls are apparently in the mailbox. I’ll have to go get them for Lily and Oliver.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since the turn of the century. Woah. And people being born now might see the next one!

Oliver is looking for trouble to get into. No, now he’s snoozing on the table. I don’t know where Lily is. It’s nice and quiet.

Showered and dressed. The new electric toothbrush is great. My teeth and gums have never felt so clean. I need to get the WaterPik set up too. And the Gold Bond is doing a good job healing my hands.

Lily knocked down the lid to the toilet and ran away. I forgot to tuck in the string to my hoodie, and Oliver grabbed it. (I got it away from him and tucked it in.) Oliver gave me a little kiss. Aww.

Crap. It’s supposed to get really cold. I’ll order the coat and boots for Bella as soon as I get her, but it probably will take a couple of days to get here. I’ll delay taking her for a long walk until they get here.

Lunchtime. I had a broccoli-and-cheese potato for lunch. Lily really wanted it. I felt like a big meany telling her no. She has me wrapped around her tiny paws.

I feel like taking a short nap, but I’ll feed the cats and get the cat toy balls for them to play with first.

I’ve got to get the new heater set up upstairs.

Hmm. I was going to make the Barramundi with Lemon Chive Butter, but it comes with a salad, so I can’t freeze it. I’ll make it tomorrow night and eat the leftovers on Friday before I leave to go get Bella. I think that I’ll make Sage Brown Butter Chicken Piccata today. Hmm, I need to wait to take out the garbage until after I cook.

Lily told me that she wanted to eat. I started to soak their dishes, but I gave Oliver and her some dry food. Oliver kept on going after her food, but I finally got it sorted. (It’s going to be tough to get her in the carrier on Tuesday because she’s still leery of me. I need to find out what Churus she likes.) Zara and Mimi are used to eating later, so I’m going to nap first. I’m getting a headache.

I got the balls for Lily and Oliver. The first one that I dropped on the floor split in half. I put them down more carefully after that. Oliver is a little shit. Lily wants to play, but when she plays with a ball, Oliver drops the one that he’s playing with and grabs hers. I have no way to fix that. (He has a new nickname: FOMO-cat.) Maybe he’ll get bored with them. I want to get more, but I think that little rubber balls would last longer. Well, Amazon has foam ones (ordered).

Had a little quality time with Zara. Lily came in the bedroom! (Probably to get away from the Orange Menace.) Crud, Oliver just came in too. I want to nap!

Zara wanted food, so I fed them. I had to stand guard while Zara was eating, and then when Lily and Oliver were eating.

Napped for an hour. Lily jumped up on the bed! I lay very still so as to not spook her.

Hmm. I’m hungry now. Maybe I’ll have some frozen food.

I gave Lily a Tuna-and-Chicken Churu. She loved it. Oliver licked up the drips.

Ack! Lots of snow coming Sunday. I’ll get to try the snow blower. I have to charge it up on Saturday.

Ate. Lily ignored my Chicken-and-Shrimp Quinoa, but wanted my Louisiana Crunch Cake. (I didn’t give it to her.)

Started washing a litter box for Mimi. Oliver had to be involved. I thought that he was going to jump in the water, but he didn’t.

Put Oliver in the bathroom. Got the garbage and recycling out. I’m not sure when they’ll pick up because of the holiday, but it’s out there. Now I’m resting for a few minutes. Put clothes in the dryer and washer.

I was doing the dishes, and the cats, including Zara, thought that they were going to get fed. So I’m soaking their dishes.

Hmm. I’m thinking of getting up really early to set things up upstairs, and going to bed after I feed the beasties and scoop their litter boxes.

Lily sniffed my nose! And she’s showing me her belly.

I'm going to bed.

Oliver jumped on me a couple of times when I was trying to sleep. Sigh. He and Zara had words. Nonetheless, I woke up at 4 AM. Mimi was downstairs. Oliver seems to be asleep somewhere. It’s kind of nice being in the quiet.

Walmart has a ten-gallon fish tank for only $44.98. And I can have it delivered! Ordered and delivered.

Oops. Oliver is up. He’s following me around again. He was rolling on the table, knocked my soda over and my glasses, and I stepped on my glasses. Sigh. I’m down to one pair of glasses, so I need to order another pair. I’m also nicknaming him “Dennis the Menace “.

He ran under my feet and I stepped on him. He’s in the bedroom, and Zara ran away. He dug his claws in my arm. He needs to settle down. He burrowed under the covers at my feet and let me sleep.

He and Zara had words again. He’s now dozing on the bed. He definitely needs an “off” button. I fed Zara and Mimi, and he was interested in the food, so I gave him some, and he didn’t eat it. Not surprised because he ate so much yesterday.

Zara and Mimi got into a squabble because they’re stressed.

I shut Oliver in the bathroom when I got my groceries in. Oliver fell behind the dryer. I think that I’ll also shut him in the bathroom while I get the garbage and recycling out.

I’m going to try to take a short nap. I’m tired! Oliver is clearly asleep somewhere, and peace reigned throughout the land.

Oliver has to do EVERYTHING that I do. I stepped out of the shower, and he stepped in, shaking his paws because it was wet. I TOLD him that it was wet!

I went to the Humane Society to meet Aldi, who will be known as Lily. (Oliver’s shelter name was Walmart.) She seemed more interested in the toy than in me, but she was cute, and I told them that I would adopt her. They said that I could pick her up tomorrow. Just as well because I wanted to stop and get BandAids and return my library books.

Oliver has taken over my chair in the kitchen. He was resting his head on me and purring. He’s lucky that he’s cute.

Uh-oh. Zara was on my lap, but Oliver came in. Zara started hissing and growling and then left. Now she came back and they’re both on the bed. Much kitty drama….I’m glad to see Zara on the bed though.

Oh dear. President Carter died. Well, he had a good, long life.

Zara and Oliver both were snoozing on the bed.

Later, Zara woke up, realized that she was on the bed with Oliver, and ran away.

Holy. Cow.

I’m getting the dog that I applied for. It’s going to be a full house! I’ll be picking her up on Friday. They said that she's a really laid-back dog, which is what we need. No high-energy dogs here!

My mind is blown!

I just texted the person from whom I'm adopting her to find out what food she's been eating.

Oliver needs to learn not to jump on the computer. I picked him up and put him on the ground, which seems to help. I need a squirt bottle.

I ordered a new pair of glasses from Zenni. I chose a similar one to the ones that I ordered from Target and really love.

I think that I'll go to bed early--although I need to work on the aquarium--and get up early to go to PetSmart before I pick up Lily.

Woke up at 5:30 AM. Why am I doing this? Fed the girls and myself. Oops, my alarm went off, and Zara didn’t like it. Napped. Got up and my back hurts.

Mimi has opinions. Lots of opinions. Woe is Mimi :)

Put another litter box on to soak.

It’s supposed to rain in a few minutes. Sigh.

On the docket for today: work on the library room, go to the Humane Society to meet the cat, go to the pet shop to discuss fish, and work on the library room. But I’m wondering if I should lie down to stretch my back out. My hands are aching too. I’m a mess. Took acetaminophen. My nap was good. My back feels better.

Crud, I forgot to put the garbage out. Oh well.

Hmm, a bidet is FSA (Flexible Spending Account) eligible. I really would like one. I need to check my balance. $748.92. I could get a nice one.

Soooo, cats. I went to the Humane Society. Someone had already put in an application for the cat that I was interested in. Drat. I did spend some time with that cat though, and he jumped on my lap and showed me his belly. Another cat (the one female in that set) also had an application. However, the ginger cat had no applications, so I spent time with him. He was a total goofball. He likes to stand on your shoulders (a lot like the ginger cat Dizzy that Erik and I had). He was even more playful than the other cat. They’ll let me know tomorrow about what’s going on.

Then I went to the pet store, and they gave me some “good” bacteria to put in my fish tank. They said to get it set up, wait a week, and bring the water in for testing. Then I can add fish if the water tests okay.

I spent some time looking at the fish, and I really want pearl gouramis for the library tank-to-be. I also saw a gorgeous betta, but it was the most expensive one of course.

I got some plants for the fish tank in the mail. I need the substrate though. It should arrive tomorrow. Hmm, I have a couple of kind of jagged rocks, but they say that isn't good for bettas. Maybe I could save them for another tank.

Mimi wants food. So does Zara. I want a nap. Well, it's gotten late, so maybe I should just go to sleep for the night.

I received the new-to-me stick vacuum cleaner.

Maybe I’ll go see A Complete Unknown after I get the car serviced tomorrow.