days_unfolding

Spent some quality time with Zara and Mimi. I want to reassure them.

I bought some pooper scoopers.

Zara’s schooling Oliver! He ran after her and she was swiping at him.

Lily really wants to be let out. I’ll do so after my nap this morning.

Fed the catlings and myself.

I’m staying home today and will work on the house.

I need to get a “Please close the gate—dogs live here” sign on Etsy (done).

Started laundry. Had a nice long nap, but I feel like going back to bed. Oh well, it’s a holiday, so I’ll take another nap. Couldn’t sleep. It didn't help that Oliver was rolling around on my head and then did a pungent poop in the litter box.

Ugh. Zara was in here, but Oliver came in here, and she ran into the library room. Oliver followed her in there, so I forcibly removed him. At least, he’s easy to distract. Oliver gets into faces, whether they’re human or feline. He needs to stop that. Hmm, I’m wondering how I can work on the library room if Zara is in there and Oliver follows me around.

I’m looking for a dog boarding place for during my cruise in March. That’s a long time for Angel (Bella?) to be mostly alone. I found a place that also does dog training. Excellent. There's another place called "Dog House on the Prairie".

Hmm. Working is going to be interesting later this week because Oliver likes to walk on and lie on computers. I might have to put him in kitty jail. Maybe I should bring the gate upstairs and put him in the guest room.

I’m trying to decide what to do, let Lily out or work on the aquarium. I think that I want to work on the aquarium. Oliver wanted to be involved with decorating the aquarium. I told him that a cat does not add. I think that I want a board to put over the top of it. Oliver has already fallen in. (There’s no water in it yet.)

Crud. They’re predicting snow on Thursday, but only about an inch.

I think that I’ll let Lily out when I’m making my Green Chef dinner. I’ll be able to keep an eye on her. No, I let her out now. She told Oliver off. She’s tiny, but feisty. She seems to be doing okay. Oliver runs after her, and she turns and growls, and he slams on the brakes. It’s pretty funny. He’s still trying to bother Lily. I’m kind of glad that she likes to climb and he doesn’t. I have to admit that it’s easier for the rest of us when he’s distracted by Lily.

Lily’s still scared of me, although she did sniff my hand. That’s okay; she’ll get used to me.

I’ve decided that I’ll make the Creamy Garlic-Herb Chicken Skillet tonight. It seems fairly easy.

I ordered “Muddy Mats” for the front and back doors and they’ve arrived. Perfect timing with the dog coming later this week. I’ll have to remember to put a rag by the door to wipe muddy paws.

Napped. I’m not sure exactly when I went to sleep but I think that it was three or four hours. Oliver and Lily are okay. She’s advanced to smacking Oliver if he gets too close. I’ve got their dishes soaking. Fed the hordes. I’m starting to really like Lily. She asks for what she wants (in this case, food). She isn’t a pushover.

Oliver knocked his food off of the counter (I have to feed him first because he tries to eat everyone else’s food) and started to eat Lily’s food. I rescued it and gave it to her in the bathroom.

Hmm. It just occurred to me that cooking might be difficult with Oliver around. And I’m hungry now. I’m thinking of having a cooking day tomorrow when I make the food and freeze it. Maybe I’ll start prepping tonight. Maybe I should shut Oliver in the bathroom while I cook.

Now I’m wondering if I should call the dog Bella because she is beautiful. I found a site on Etsy that has a collar personalized with the dog’s name and the person’s phone number and address.

There’s a fly in here that Lily is stalking. Oliver is licking up my Louisiana Crunch Cake crumbs. Strange kitty. Lily is licking the fork that Oliver knocked down.

I shut Oliver in the bathroom and made the food. It looks good. I’m letting it cool off. I’ll try a little and freeze the rest. It’s pretty good. And it’s healthy; it has chicken, kale, cauliflower, and peas, plus some cheese and sauce. I enjoyed the cooking. Put it in the freezer but realized that I don’t have freezer tape. I need to get some. Loaded the dishwasher and started it and let Oliver out.

Oh good. I was wondering where I could walk Bella before driving back from Bloomington to Champaign (a little over an hour). The TA Travel Center (a truck stop) has a dog run. I’ll buy a soda there and walk her. I’m also going to stop at a rest stop on the way.

Now I’m thinking that I’ll stay up for the New York City countdown (it’s almost 11:30 there), feed the cats, start another load of laundry, and go to bed.

I missed the New York countdown because Oliver was rolling around on my laptop and shut off my WiFi. Somehow, that's appropriate. I'm going to post while he's running around and go feed them and do the nightly routine. Happy furry New Year, everyone!