Thread Drift

[Kitsune06]

My cats were my babies... I had two. Had to leave them behind when I moved (XH has and loves them now) because DG is allergic, but I'm always plotting and schemeing about some way I can get them back and have them in my life... If I can't find a way... y'know...

Tsukiko "little moon" for her huge-pupiled eyes, was called 'squeaker' as a kitten because she was always very, very talkative (I was home all the time thru her kittenhood and talked to her, so it was normal for her to 'answer') sometimes "spook" too, because she'd get a kick out of raising every hair on her little body (full back ruff and bottlebrush tail) and tear*** through the house, bouncing off the walls. Balanced? No. Fun? Yes. I love that little girl. I think I cried more over leaving them than I did about leaving my ex.

[Lise]

Salsa, my heart goes out to you and DH and little Beeper. I'm glad to hear she's doing better. My cats are my littlest hearts. They're 16 & 17 years old, and seemingly in good health, although I suspect diabetes in Ariel, as she seems to be drinking a lot more water lately. I need to get them in for a check up. I know they can't last forever, or even that many years longer, but losing them will break my heart. They've been through everything with me for nearly two decades. They've been the steady, stable ones.

J. passed an important test on Friday, when he first met the cats. He went right to them, and talked to and petted them. What most impressed me is that Ariel didn't run away or hiss, as she usually does with new people. She let him pet her several times, even turning her head so he could scritch her jawline. She, more than Isaac, really reflects my state of mind/spirit. I took a picture of them with my cell phone the other day. They often sleep on top of the living room radiator, where I have a long bench cushion, and a bowl of water on the window sill for them. This particular morning I found Ariel sleeping with her head resting on Isaac's butt. She's usually pretty particular about maintaining her own space. It was so uncharacteristic that I snuck up and got a picture without waking them. It reflects how relaxed and happy I'm feeling.

Now J. and I are talking about going to Italy instead of Paris, as it occurred to us that Paris might well be as cold and rainy as Chicago in mid-March! Ah, this is very nice.

Dar, I'd be happy to look at your profile, and to send you mine. PM me, OK?

Nanci, have a GREAT TIME at IMFL! We'll all be rooting for your BF and for Melissa. It occurs to me, though, that I will be away from a computer most of the weekend. I get to spend most of Sat and Sun with J! This is the first time we've had more than just a couple of hours at a time to spend together. We're both looking forward to just hanging out with each other. Then on Sunday, my sister's giving a talk at the Chicago Humanities Festival, and J. gets to meet my mom and sister. I would say " ", but I'm really not scared about it. Isn't that nice. L.

[salsabike]

Salsa, my heart goes out to you and DH and little Beeper. I'm glad to hear she's doing better. My cats are my littlest hearts. They're 16 & 17 years old, and seemingly in good health, although I suspect diabetes in Ariel, as she seems to be drinking a lot more water lately. I need to get them in for a check up. I know they can't last forever, or even that many years longer, but losing them will break my heart. They've been through everything with me for nearly two decades. They've been the steady, stable ones.

I so understand what you say. And by the way, our other cat, 15-year-old half-Abby Nina, has had diabetes and IBS for four or five years. The insulin injections are not hard at all and don't bother her a bit. So it's perfectly livable. The IBS, when it flares up, complicates the diabetes, but that's a different issue. And that's how Nina got diagnosed, by the way---that summer, she was following me as I watered flower beds and frantically drinking from all the puddles.

I do believe that we hand our whole hearts over to our animals in a way that we never do to even our most loved human companions. With people, there are certain defenses that are good and healthy, or at least in our nature, to keep up; with animals, none of that exists and you just love them without reserve, which is the delight of it all. I wouldn't miss it. But it's damn painful sometimes. We lost the first Abby, Sara, when she was a year and a half old (Car. Now we have Invisible Fence, since we could never deal with that guilt again. And for those who want to know, it works just fine with cats). Sara was the love of Mr. Salsa's life--he really did hand his heart over to her--and he sobbed his heart out when we had to put her to sleep. I don't ever want to see that happen to him again. He got his heart broke.

Geez, guys, I don't mean to be morbid. I think I need Xrayted's Calvin and Hobbes pumpkin. Not to mention the Three Stooges, who still make me laugh, sick though that may be.

Kit, Tsukiko sounds like a blast. Got any pics, or was that too hard to do?
Boy, I would have a hard time living without cats. I hear there are some that people with allergies are NOT reactive to...just a thought.

My, Lise, Italy is wonderful too. Wonder what the weather is like on the Amalfi Coast in March? Good for you, babe. Love that you're having this much fun.

Nanci, you'll be on our minds. I have the utmost faith that you'll have a blast.

[Lise]

IMy, Lise, Italy is wonderful too. Wonder what the weather is like on the Amalfi Coast in March? Good for you, babe. Love that you're having this much fun.

Amalfi coast! That's exactly what he sent me a link about today! We were talking tonight as I pulled into the hospital parking garage. He told me he'd found some cheap tickets on Alitalia. Just then my phone cut out, and I called him back. He said, "Did you hang up when I said, 'cheap tickets'?" I said, "Are you kidding? I'm 1/4 Scots! I love the words 'cheap tickets'!" It *is* good to have such fun. Off to try to sleep here in the call room. Sleep tight, TD. Except for CC and Dirt Diva. You guys get up! It's the middle of the morning!

[salsabike]

Attachment 1979

Here's something to fuel your dreams with...

[Kitsune06]

Kit, Tsukiko sounds like a blast. Got any pics, or was that too hard to do?
Boy, I would have a hard time living without cats. I hear there are some that people with allergies are NOT reactive to...just a thought.

When I left, I didn't want any pictures of either of them... it was way too hard to have pics of the babies I couldn't see... now I want some and have realized I don't have a single one, so I asked my ex to see if he could email me some, so we'll see...

I have *such* a hard time living without cats. DG tries, because she's always been allergic (and her dad, too) she's always had gerbils and rodenty things... so we got rats... and as genuinely bright and affectionate as rats are, they're sooo not cats or even close to being a replacement for them. *sigh* I try not to think about it. I try really hard. I never felt anything but venom for the people who would give up their fur babies for people... but... I went and did it myself.

[Xrayted]

WOW ladies! Pretty gabby today, eh? Lets see how long I can get, shall we? I see one of our newest isn't such a little ray o' sunshine afterall. PITA. That's all I gotta say on that subject. Next!
It was just gorgeous here today. 63 degrees and sunny. I rode in town to my former hospital early this a.m. to say howdy to all the folks who taught me everything I know about xrays. (Yeah, boss, it's all their fault. **points at the competing hospital** ) OMG, the ribbing I got for walking in in bike shorts. I got hazed pretty good. I can take it as well as I can dish it out tho so it's all groovy. Then I took a spin around the countryside just in case this is the last nice day for a while. (Oh please don't let it be the last good day!)
Was in the OR a lot today and learned something very interesting... When changing into OR scrubs, I realized I now fit into a size small!!! Yea!!! When I started there 2 months ago, size medium was a tad snug. I came home tonight and celebrated by - what else? - getting on the trainer for an hour.
Mimi - So happy about the vacation. So sorry about the back. I hope it doesn't give you trouble on the trip. How many hours is that plane ride?

Snap - Geez, I hope you get to see the Stones. Mick will be fine. They'll put a little spackling and duct tape on him and he'll be right as rain.
As for calling in dead, here's one just for you... enjoy.

"The Lost Dr. Suess Poem"
I love my job, I love the pay! I love it more and more each day!
I love my boss, he is the best! I love his boss and all the rest!
I love my office and it's location. I hate to have to go on vacation.
I love my furniture, drab and gray, and piles of paper that grow each day.
I think my job is really swell, there's nothing else I love so well.
I love to work among my peers. I love their leers, and jeers and sneers.
I love my computer and it's software. I hug it often though it won't care.
I love each program and every file. I'd love them more if they worked for a while.
I'm happy to be here. Iam. I am. I'm the happiest slave of the firm, I am.
I love this work, I love these chores. I love the meetings with deadly bores.
I love my job - I'll say it again - I even love those friendly men.
Those friendly men who've come today. In clean white coats to take me away!!!


<<<Oh my gosh, my fingers are about to fall off. Onward!! >>>


CWR - Gimme time. I'm still looking for a viable candidate pic for the pinning of the coconuts. (Just kidding Knot! Really. )

Kitsune - You're just an adorable old (young) softy for the kitties, ya know that? (((Kit)))

Nanci - Have lots of fun! Be safe! BTW - did I tell you that when I was in clinicals, my nickname was Nanci? I had no name on my tag for over 6 months so they gave me one and it stuck.

Lise - Cats like him, huh? How cool is that? Meetin' the folks too? One would say this is getting quite serious.
(Oh, and one more thing.) Pleeeeease take me to Italy with ya! I'll be good.


<<<Are we there yet? Not quite. (Sh*t.)>>>


CrazyCanuck- Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!

Salsa - Sorry about Beeper not feeling well. Hope she continues to improve. She's a beauty. Nothing wrong with liking the 3 Stooges in my book. Curly just kills me. As a matter of fact, I happen to have 3 Stooges bird houses that I made hanging in my back yard under my white pines. They currently need a touchup. Kinda fading. Here's what they looked like before the weather and sun got to them.

Ok, NOW I'm done. (I think I'll go stick my hands in some ice now.) 'Night TD!!!

[Nanci]

And mine's a TDer...

[crazycanuck]

BMO3....Sure hope customs isn't hungry when they scan your package...At least we'll have a half healthy officer...

CrazyCanuck- Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!

OI OI OI...
xray-ummm do you know the words to Waltzing Matilda???


Nanci...I've no clue what to get my SS...NOt a TD person...Perhaps an australian care package.,..AHA..I know my duty now is to make all my SS"s fat!!!!..

All the best to your dear at IMFL..give him a big hug & wish him luck from the crazycanuck down under...

I think you ladies will be awake soon..What a boooooteful day it was here in Perth..Not a cloud in the sky...ahhh...31c forecasted for sat & sun/.


Must go make dinnneerrrr..

c

[Bikingmomof3]

Nanci, All my best for you, your BF, and Melissa at IMFL!!!!! You will have a blast and we will be here cheering you on!!!

[KnottedYet]

And mine's a TDer...

(Uh oh! Now you can't talk about it!)

Have fun!

<knot shakes pompoms and does best Butch Island Girl cheering section impersonation>

[Xrayted]

CrazyCanuck - ya mean this one? BTW, did they officially adopt it yet as your anthem? May as well. Your version is the best by far.

Waltzing Matilda

by Marie Cowan

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he watched and waited til his billy boiled
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he watched and waited til his billy boiled
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

Up rode the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred
Down came troopers one two three
Whose that jumbuck you've got in the tuckerbag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he watched and waited til his billy boiled
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong
You'll never catch me alive said he
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.


Now, I gotta get off the bike and in the shower. (Yep, on the trainer while surfing. I love wireless!)

[KnottedYet]

I need to shower, too. No trainer ride though.

Unlike SOME people (Trek...... ) *I* have to go to work today!

man, I hate trying to pick out work clothes. Can I just go in my jeans and Ibex shirt? (Or my coconuts and grass skirt?)

How do you surf and ride at the same time? Is the computer balanced on the handlebars?