A May 30 MMP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
41

All y’all worrying about your animal stories causing us recently bereft pain, don’t worry about me at least. I want to hear about your furry, (and scaley) friends. It makes me happy.

I’ll tell you something that’ll make you sad. We were in the valley over the weekend and I took Gibbs in to Critter Cabana to get a grooming session yesterday and they had a Mini Schnauzer puppy in there for sale. When I walked over to his pen he jumped up on the wall and ‘talked’ to me. Not barked. Talked. (rur rur rur)
And he looked so much like Vinnie when he was a puppy my eyes started to leak.
But they wanted $1899.00 for him, and Wifey and I had talked about it before and decided we couldn’t handle another puppy.
But if I believed in reincarnation, I would have whipped my wallet out on the spot.
I miss Vinnie so much. :sob:

Nothing much else to report from here. I mowed the lawn today. Took about half an hour. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

In a little bit we’re gonna have salmon burgers and roasted asparagus. Somebody told Wifey to put Montreal steak seasoning on it, with olive oil and salt & pepper and Great Og is it good! We’ve also got a watermelon.

Y’all be careful out there.

42

You have never overstayed your welcome here, according to all us Dopers who always welcome your posts!

On a different topic, I try to avoid running my A/C except when it really gets obnoxiously hot. We had an unusually cool May but today was finally getting unbearably hot and sticky. My A/C is as old as the house – over ten years now – and a fairly cheap unit installed by the original builder. It’s starting to get rusty and last winter I never even got around to covering it up, so it got snowed on and iced over and everything else. Just turned it on today for the first time this season and ice-cold air is pouring out of the vents! Yay!!! :kissing_heart:

43

I finally sprayed the neighbor’s bird hunting cat with the hose! Victory is mine, damnit!!!

He was in the clover, peeking out at the birds having dinner and I turned the water on with my phone. Of course kitty knows the sound of the relay clicking so just sat there watching the rainbird to see if he had to bother moving.

I ran out the back door, grabbed the porch hose and sprayed him in the butt while he was looking the other way! I can fool an animal who has a brain the size of a peanut. Go me, LOL!

44

In between getting odds and ends done around the house, going to the gym, and walking to the store, I did manage to spend a few minutes thinking about our war dead. I count among them those who came back and took their own lives. I also gave a mental hug to my own dear departed.

I have buds on my fuchsia! I’m surprised because we’ve had such a cool spring, and last year there were no buds until well into June. So, yay! I’ll take it as a good omen.

Cookie, I’m sorry. I hope there was some sweet along with the sad today.

Bumba, I’d have been tempted to get that puppy, too, but $1,900 for a puppy is :astonished:. Also, I have Montreal steak seasoning AND salmon burgers. I’m definitely going to try that combo.

swampy, that sounds like a perfect day.

JtC, fingers crossed for Tony and the group home…and for a good home for his kitty.

WetOne, Happy Birthday Eve!

45

Happy Moonday!

It was nice at the park this morning, but by the time I got home it was time to close the windows and put on the AC.

I wanted to get to the park really early this morning because of the holiday and I knew it would get crowded. We had a good group, but nobody from outside our group joined us, they went onto the small dog side. Coco came this morning even though her dad has to use a walker to get around. He’s supposed to have back surgery in 4 weeks. From what I understand it is a fairly simple surgery and he will be up and around the same day.
Chuckie came. He is an unneutered male pittie and he usually goes on the small dog side. Same dog that pulled his owner down the hill and the owner landed on his ass. One day he came over with us and he drove Barky crazy. He wants to hump her all the time and she wants no part of being humped.

This gets Barky mom all upset that Chuckie won’t leave her dog alone, and I don’t care because Barky won’t leave my dogs alone. Barky mom also bitches that people don’t read the sign that very plainly says no unneutered males, but she ignores the part about no excessive barking.

Chuckie didn’t join us though, because our lovely Urban the Airedale was there and even though Urban is neutered, he will attack unneutered males. Urban will win. He’s been attacked a few times by unneutered males, so that is probably why he goes after them now.

Maia showed up today, we haven’t seen her in over a year. Her mom brought her baby with her. She didn’t get very far in before Urban grabbed a bib from the stroller and took off with it, Echo hot on his heels. They had a nice tug-o-war with it. I got Urban to drop it, then Echo ran off with it. Somebody else managed to get the bib from her.
You’re not supposed to bring babies into the dog park either.
I was surprised to see Maia mom there. We had a huge falling out last year, and it is the first and only time I have ever blocked somebody on FB and my phone. We had had a slight disagreement, but I thought it was resolved, then she posted some shit on FB. Then a little while later she called and asked to meet at the park. She wanted my advice on running her business, and to tell me she was pregnant. We talked a little about the previous incident and I thought everything was cool. Then damn if she didn’t post something nasty on FB again.
She had to know I would see it, and she had to know that other people from the park would see it too.
Not the best way to win friends and influence people.

For whatever reason though, Ripple, who doesn’t like kids, babies, or strollers, stayed glued to Maia mom the whole time she was there. Like he was guarding her and the baby. Maia remembered me, she came and snuggled up against me and growled at any other dog that came near me. Funny Maia, for a long time she and Ripple were best buds. So totally mismatched, as Maia is a leggy husky who loves to run, and Ripple was more into body slamming.

So, I ended up talking with Maia mom, although it was tense.

Sorry about your friend Unknown.
One thing I have learned in life is that you can’t save people from themselves.

I think my brain is broken.
I went upstairs to get some stuff done up there, and fell asleep. I woke up drenched with sweat, because to get a comfortable temperature up there, it is freezing down here.
I put the dogs out and sat down.
I am thirsty.
I have to pee.
The dogs need food.
I need to put the plate on the table in the sink.
I need to put the pot on the stove in the sink.
I need to unload the dishwasher so I can put them in the dishwasher.
I need to take clothes out of the dryer.
I need to put the next load in the dryer.
I need to move my plants from the kitchen back to the living room.
I need to water the pots on my porch.
And so, I sit there, not knowing what to do first.
Like it matters.
My brain is broken.

46

{{{{{@Sahirrnee }}}}}

47

You are so right.

While Dogs of our Lives is an interesting soap opera, I have to ask why anyone thinks having babies around playing dogs is a good idea. I used to volunteer at adoptions and people were always wanting to put their toddlers in the puppy corral. Puppies have sharp claws and teeth and chew on everything, tender skinned young children and babies don’t think being a chew toy is a whole lot of fun.

Pee, get a drink, deal with the dishes, drink some more water and move clothes around. Feed the dogs and go outside to water your plants and breathe a little while. Drink some more water then move the plants back to their spots. Eat something and then take a shower.

You matter.

48

Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Off to heave.

{{{{sari}}}}

49

I was thinking the same thing - Sari at the Dog Park is prime reality show fodder! I am so selfishly glad I can open the back door and throw Higgs out into the yard. Still, {{{sari}}}.

I knew I jinxed it - two nights of idiot cat waking us repeatedly. I dropped off fairly early last night, then was wakened by a text, dammit. Since today is a Toby day, I needed my alarm so my phone was on the night stand. Dammit. I’d apparently had just enough sleep to take the edge off, and it was well after midnight before I fell asleep again. That’s when Taz started jumping on the door. Not happy.

I know I’ve bitched about FCD’s brother - the one who refused to do anything about his diabetes, etc. Anyway, he’s not only on dialysis, but he’s got Parkinson’s and apparently dementia also. And like FIL, he’s fallen several times and hit his head because he refuses to use his walker. And there are a bunch of other health issues that I’m not going into. Bottom line: sounds like he’s dying. He’s in the hospital the second time in a week.

FIL has decided that he’s going to drive himself and MIL from Ocala to a town near Austin, TX - something like 1100 miles - so they can see their second son. Yeah. FCD told them he’d take them (even tho I think it’s a terrible idea for them to make the trek, but it is their son) but MIL apparently thinks they’ll be OK alone. Which makes me think she’s getting dementia or insanity or something.

And with all of this going on, FCD worries that he’ll get dementia also, a fear that’s magnified every time he forgets any little thing.

Plus Ziva is starting to use my recliner as a scratching post… :angry:

< deep cleansing breaths… >

So Happy Tuesday, folks.

50

Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 66 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 93 and mostly N.O.S. Cleanin’ lady is comin’ this mornin’ and laundry needs doin’, so that will be the big excitatement of the day. Sup shall be grilled ham steaks, green beans, scalloped N.O.T. from a box (don’t judge!), and rolls. I shall try to work in some sloth, nappage, etc. but it might be tough today.

sari it will all get done. Heck, maybe it is all done by now. Just don’t worry about all of it. One thing at a time is all you need to do. Also, I too enjoy the dawg park soap opera/reality show. Who knew a dawg park could be so fraught with drama and intrigue!

MOOOOOOM PITA tho’ he has been, I’m sorry about the news of FCD’s brother. I hope his folks come to their senses and realize they cannot make the trip alone. It would be hard on FCD to take ‘em but I know he would bein’ as he is the dutiful son, but that would be a so much better option if they are determined to go. I worry about gettin’ dementia as well. My father, his sister, his brother and my uncle on my mom’s side all had AD.

And now this…

< AHEM > CLEARIN’ THROAT < AHEM >

HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY DEEEAAARRR WWWEEETTTOOONNNEEE!!!
HAAAPPPYYY BIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TOOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!

Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then I suppose I should make myself presentable before cleanin’ lady shows up. Life is so hard!

Happy Tuesday Y’all!

51

Happy birthday, WetOne…now I want an Eccles cake!

52

I would have loved to have seen that! Coulda been a great YouTube video! :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

I know you’re a cat lover but it’s good to know you’re also a noble Protector of Birds. Apparently cats are a significant contributor to declining bird populations in some urban areas.

53

That’s brilliant. I need to remember to use that.

{{Sari}} and {{FCM}}. Hope order comes to your life and the parents listen to FCD respectively.

JtC, congrats on getting the cat wet. Hopefully he remembers that and stays away.

wolfie, glad the AC is working, I usually set mine at a high temp and leave it on and get it serviced every year. So far, so good.

{Bumba}, our memories can do that to us. But with such a personality I imagine that pup won’t have any trouble being sold.

Didn’t post last night, got to reading the archives of a webcomic I’m fond of and ended up spending 3 hours at it. Need to get to the bank and do the June shopping later today, along with the gym. Outside of that just another quite day in N. Ali-bama.

Take care all.

54

Happy Birthday, wet one!!! I hope your day is delightful as the Queen’s Jubilee - moreso if possible.

Got up early this morning. Waddled. I’m so darned sleepy though. Every magazine I read tells me, “Oh, you’ll feel so energetic from exercise!” Damn, dirty lies. I mean, I sleep really well, but getting up and doing things just ain’t my style. Glad I did it, though.

I got an exposure notice from the courthouse late last week telling me that several people tested positive for covid, so I’ve been stuffing things up my nose for the past few days with no positive results thus far (again, I was the nerd in the corner with the mask) and apparently there was also an outbreak at work last week. This is like the board game pandemic only less fun 'cause it’s real.

I’m hoping for a quiet workday - so far all I’ve got is a meeting in front of the higher ups where I’ll be expected to talk about things I’m not familiar with, so off to get familiar before I stuff a foot in my mouth. I’ve found that the more overprepared I am for these things the less likely they are to need me to say, well, anything. But if I don’t prepare, it’ll be the overly show. Either way, it’s good to know something about everything.

55

Moooom, sorry to hear about FCD’s brother. If he is in fact dying, I hope he doesn’t suffer.
I worry about FCD driving all that way, especially given his propensity to push himself. Can/Will the in-laws fly to Texas?

Happiest of happy birthdays, WetOne!!!

I survived yet another holiday weekend at the Zoo. For comparison purposes, on a normal busy-ish weekend day we’ll have an attendance of anywhere between 3000 and 4000.
This Saturday was just over 4000, Sunday was around 5000, and Monday topped 6000. I is beat.
Two more (hopefully quiet) days until my weekend.

56

I have some anxiety of my own on that. Only known case in my family was my maternal grandfather’s sister, but as bad as communication gets in my family (both sides)… Then throw in my own recent medical history and attendant worries about blood flow to the brain…

Buddy’s latest war wound is basically healed (still a small scab, but otherwise fine). He’s taken to trying to use the sofa upholstery or the carpet to sharpen his claws (which are quite sharp enough already!), so gotta teach him about the approved scratcher. Reminds me, should replace that soon, it’s due.

57

Happy Birthday Wet One!!!

Huzzah!

This is one of my pet peeves/big worries. We had someone bring their toddlers in and the toddlers were eating. The dogs didn’t mean any harm, but small humans carrying treats will get mobbed. It’s just asking for trouble.

{{{sarri}}}

{{{Moommm}}}

I am officially COVID negative and my end-to-end scoping shall proceed. Whee! I didn’t sleep well last night. I finally fell asleep around 3am, and I’m dragging today. It’s humid and heading for hot. Yuck.

Dinner, dinner, dinner - I’m not sure what we’ll do. I guess I have the rest of the day to figure it out.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

58

Flying is problematic. They don’t live near an airport, and last time FIL drove there, he got hopelessly lost - and he wasn’t dealing with dementia then. Then at the destination, because of car rental (as in I doubt FIL could manage that) - BIL’s wife would have to drive to pick them up, and they kinda live in the boonies. BIL can’t be left alone very long. Overall it’s a messy situation. If FCD ends up going, he already knows it’s a 2-day drive. Possiibly 3…

On the plus side, our new credit cards have arrived. I just finished updating all my accounts, except for Sirius because their website is hosed! After I send Toby home, I’ll try to connect with an agent there.

FCD got the a/c working on the boat - he said all 3 units are doing great, so there’s that. Now that they’re running, he’ll have a pro go over all of them (to be paid by the boatyard that was supposed to have serviced them in Oxford.) He’s cleaning up and he’ll be home soon.

He’s also got an appt with his orthopedic surgeon - his right knee, which was replaced Jan 3, has been giving him all kinds of pain and problems. The left knee, replaced in Sept, is doing fine. I’m glad he’s going to see a pro.

Toby has been fighting naps, but he’s snoozing again. I’ll be returning him to his mom in about an hour.

59

Happy Birthday WetOne!

{{sari}}

The weather people lied. It drizzled all afternoon, which wasn’t on the forecast. At least I don’t have to water the tomatoes.

TV app is being stupid. I can watch the show I want to watch on the device from the telecommunication company, and watch it on my iPad, but I can’t watch it on the AppleTV device. No clue.

And why do I have two devices? Because device A doesn’t want to play AppleTV, which is needed for AppleTV.

Technology. Grumble.

60

Happy birthday, Wet One! :tada: :slight_smile:

I join FCM in having a grumbly Tuesday: I got a surprise bill for the hernia repair that was done at the same time as my gastric bypass (in November). A pretty big bill, too. There’s a letter on the way from the insurance company explaining why it wasn’t covered; once that arrives (hopefully this week), I’ll call the hospital’s billing department and ask WTF. I get where the insurance company is coming from, because I had a high-deductible plan that required pre-approval for everything and apparently they only approved the bypass. I’m inclined to be annoyed with the hospital, because I don’t remember anyone warning me that if hernia repair was needed it might not be covered. And the charge for it was the same amount as the bypass, which doesn’t immediately make sense.

Also, Bailey is still sick. :frowning: She was OK yesterday, including while I was out last night, but today a couple of her symptoms have returned. Both the emergency clinic and my regular vet are slammed today, but I’m going to try to get her to my vet tomorrow: they said I could call at 7:30am and ask for a same-day/urgent care appointment. I have two medical appointments in the morning, myself (back to back), and I’m worried that will be the only time they can take her. We’ll see. If it doesn’t work out, and if the place from this weekend is at capacity again tomorrow, I’ll start calling other emergency clinics. In the meantime, I’ve started giving Bailey one of the meds she was discharged with that they said was “as needed”; I’m hoping it will kick in quickly. I’m a little more worried about her now than I was this weekend…less than 48 hours off the IV meds, and the symptoms are back. My poor girl! :dog: