Lucy enjoys a not-so-common sunbeam yesterday.
My mom spent a week in the hospital but is home again. The oncologist will be changing some elements of her treatment to prevent this. Clearly, her body can't handle the same treatment again.
I've been busy with some work-related things (can't reveal them yet, but let's just say they were a surprise and will keep everyone busy for a while). Very glad there are kitties to keep us entertained!
Lucy: Mom and dad had some crummy holidays. Dad got sick just before Christmas, so they didn't travel to see his mom. Turns out, they said that was a good thing, because both Mom and Dad got COVID.
Mom is starting to feel better, but Dad is still sick. They both have been resting and I'm taking over lap duties from Sadie for now. Don't tell Sadie, but I think I do it better!
Lucy doesn't often sit in my lap, so when she did this week I had to take some photos.
What? Just a cat in a lap here.
This is Lucy and Ringo. Mom can finally share her good news with everyone.
She's been promoted to editor of a magazine! This is something she'd always dreamed of, but didn't think would actually happen. The magazine is called Classic Toy Trains, and it deals with Lionel and American Flyer sized model trains (and other brands too), both old and new. There's both a print and online component. To see more, visit the website at Trains.com
Of course, she'll continue to do other parts of her previous job (Senior Production Editor) and work on other brands too. So she'll be very busy! But she's excited about the challenge and is jumping right in.
We don't know what any of this means, and we hope she'll still have time to cuddle all of us. We think she will. We know us kitties are very important to her.
This is Sadie. Mom hasn't been very good about updating the blog lately. But she has a good reason. She has some good news, but she can't post it right now. NO, we are not getting another kitty, and I'm sure glad for that! But, she's been very busy and away from home a little more often lately. I have to get in my cuddles when I can.
When we get the ok, we will share the news with you all.
Ringo: Mom, you were gone a lot last week, and I get lonely.
I think I'll sit on your shoulders for a while to make sure you stay home today. Ok?
This is Ringo (left). Mom keeps taking photos of Lucy and I cuddling, squeeing all the while. I don't know why she keeps doing this. We've been cuddling for years.
Mom and Dad went to a specialty pet store last week and Dad really, really, really wanted to adopt a kitten from a rescue group, but Mom said no. Dad was upset about this at first, but he eventually understood. Mom says caring for us kitties has gotten more expensive, and Dad may need knee surgery later this year, so it's just not a good time right now. Mom also says a kitten may stress out Sadie too. We don't want that! She's already a little crabby, but don't tell her I said that.
That's all of the news for now. Back to my nap!
Ringo: I love it when Mom picks me up and throws me over her shoulder (Ok, she doesn't really throw me.) I purr and cuddle her. Sometimes she'll sit down at her computer chair. I learned that I can sit with her on the back of the chair! It's pretty fun.
Sadie had a four-week checkup to see how her thyroid levels were doing. I'm pleased to say that her numbers are much improved. She even gained 4 ounces! We can reduce the medication a bit. She'll get rechecked in three months.
An interesting note: I asked the vet to check her ears, because she had been scratching them a lot. She tends to get semi-regular yeast infections in her ears, so I'd started some ointment she'd been given before. Turns out, the scratching is a side effect of the medication. I'm hoping the reduced dosage, in addition to time, will help with that.
Here's a selfie I took of her on Friday night. Despite her looking grumpy, she was quite happy at the time.
With the cold weather here, Lucy takes every opportunity to sit on laps to stay warm.
Ringo wrapped himself around my shoulders and wouldn't leave one morning as I worked on the computer. He was such a happy kitty.
This is Sadie. Mom says she's happy that I'm playing more after having those bad teeth removed. I jumped into this laundry basket and wanted to play.
She stuck her foot out, and I played with it!* Fun!
*Mom did give me a real toy afterward to play with. One of those fun crocheted toys I got from the Tooth Fairy!
The Tooth Fairy sent a package for Sadie this week. Ringo decided to hog all of the toys for now.
The Tooth Fairy also included a little gift for me, a Christmas cat pin! I'm so excited because I don't have this one. Thank you!
It's not really a tree branch--it's my leg! Lucy doesn't really sit on laps. She prefers to sit on your leg and grips it tightly. We joke that she's pretending we are trees and our legs are the branches.
It's not much of a stretch. She does enjoy being up high in the cat trees, and before she came inside she spent hours up in our backyard tree house. We do need to keep her nails trimmed regularly, because it can get pokey!
Lucy: My person has been leaving home for long periods during the day. I get lonely, so when she sits on the couch, I have to hold her down so she doesn't leave again!
PS Her surgical boot makes a nice head rest.
Sadie was sitting on my lap, and Lucy came by. Though Sadie wasn't happy about the situation, she did stay where she was.
It's been a sad week here. A longtime coworker who was battling pancreatic cancer died on Wednesday morning. I was grateful to have the opportunity to visit him on Tuesday afternoon at his home.
We used to talk cats often. (He had a cat, who has since died of old age, but now he and his wife have a dog.) While I was talking to him, I mentioned something about the cats and how they are a comfort. He'd had a massive stroke on Sunday and could no longer speak or open his eyes, but he lifted his hand, reaching for my hand. It was a heart-wrenching moment. I held his hand until I left and was choked up for the rest of the day.
I also learned some upsetting news about another friend's health, on the same day I visited this coworker.
I hope the weekend brings kitty cuddles, books, and movie watching. I plan to take it easy.
Treasure your loved ones. Time is precious.
We had a couple of nice days this week, with highs in the 60s. I'm not allowed to take walks for exercise just yet, so instead I sat outside to get some sun. I brought Ringo outside to sit with me. We played with some sticks, and he was so excited!
Sadie only cuddles on her own terms. Sometimes she'll cuddle for a few minutes; rarely does she stay for an hour or more. Last night she stayed for 90 minutes!
Lucy loves that I'm working on the couch. She'll sit on my leg, nearby, or between my legs. She's made several Teams meeting appearances too.
On Monday I have a followup appointment with the surgeon. I will return to work full time, assuming all is well. I still have a long way to go, but I'll get there.
