Amount of weight lost since last vet visit on 12/26: 1/2 lb. (She's still in a good weight range, 9 lbs.)
Number of growls at veterinary staff (including Dr.) during last week's visit: 7
Compliment elicited from Dr. during examination: "Her fur is so soft." (Right after she had growled at him and he had told her he was almost done listening to her heart.) That's the irony--she looks like a super-healthy cat. She's just a mess internally.
She did get her new depo-shot of steroids (after which she thought she was SuperCat and climbed all over the kitchen), as well as a shot of fluids and something to help with nausea. I do wonder if she's still having nausea, as she is not quite back in the usual groove just yet. There was Barf-O-Rama Sunday night, with a litterbox incident between bouts (the last bout occurring at 1:30 a.m. Monday). She's still not completely compliant with taking her meds, although for the most part she's been agreeable as far as her thyroid pill). So we're in a readjustment pattern at the moment.
And at this particular moment, she's giving me the "Go get ready for bed so we can snuggle" behavior, so I'd better do as I'm told.
2/15/2012
Sorry So Scarce
I'll do a separate post for The Cat, so outside of that information, here's what else you need to know. I've been in Grading Hell (or at least Purgatory--but in any case, not the fun that Prof. Mondo makes it sound when he terms it "Gradeapalooza") for mid-semester, and I'm still holding my breath while I await the fallout (i.e. e-mails from parents on why little Perfection/Precious didn't get the good grade he/she needs to get into Honor Society or whatever).
We're at the point in the school year where I'm testing the students on the skills we've been working on, and many aren't putting much effort into it. After all, this is just a "special subject" that meets once a week. Never mind that I'm teaching skills these kids need now and for the rest of their academic careers and beyond. I'm sorry every minute of academic integrity can't be scintillating--and trust me, I also am itching to get into some creative ideas I have about online ethics and safety--but we've got to slog through the stuff they need to do their first big research project properly. I'm tied to someone else's curriculum and nobody seems to appreciate that.
Wednesday, I had a severe headache from the grading anxiety, and then when Friday came and I was forced to change zeroes (you know, for work students never bothered to hand in or make up) into less-failing grades (!!! Don't get me started!!!), I signed myself out to go pick up some books we ordered and cried in the car both ways.
With that finished, I thought I'd have the chance to catch up the blog on things over the weekend, but then Younger Sister came into town, and there was this get-together for my cousin's kids' birthday (oh yes, family follies galore), as well as a trivia night fundraiser thingy (which was a good way to keep from staying at the party long enough for some relative to say something super-traumatizing).
I promise to post a pic of the trophy ASAP. Team captain gets first rotation of trophy-keeping, y'know. Honestly, it was such a fun time that even if we hadn't won--and it was a narrow win--I wouldn't have minded. (I just wish all the couples on my team knew some nice single dude for me!)
O.K., now go read the other post about The Cat.
We're at the point in the school year where I'm testing the students on the skills we've been working on, and many aren't putting much effort into it. After all, this is just a "special subject" that meets once a week. Never mind that I'm teaching skills these kids need now and for the rest of their academic careers and beyond. I'm sorry every minute of academic integrity can't be scintillating--and trust me, I also am itching to get into some creative ideas I have about online ethics and safety--but we've got to slog through the stuff they need to do their first big research project properly. I'm tied to someone else's curriculum and nobody seems to appreciate that.
Wednesday, I had a severe headache from the grading anxiety, and then when Friday came and I was forced to change zeroes (you know, for work students never bothered to hand in or make up) into less-failing grades (!!! Don't get me started!!!), I signed myself out to go pick up some books we ordered and cried in the car both ways.
With that finished, I thought I'd have the chance to catch up the blog on things over the weekend, but then Younger Sister came into town, and there was this get-together for my cousin's kids' birthday (oh yes, family follies galore), as well as a trivia night fundraiser thingy (which was a good way to keep from staying at the party long enough for some relative to say something super-traumatizing).
I promise to post a pic of the trophy ASAP. Team captain gets first rotation of trophy-keeping, y'know. Honestly, it was such a fun time that even if we hadn't won--and it was a narrow win--I wouldn't have minded. (I just wish all the couples on my team knew some nice single dude for me!)
O.K., now go read the other post about The Cat.
2/08/2012
Kitty Update Forthcoming
The Cat had a (somewhat scheduled) trip to the vet last night. Oh, and her scratching post-thingy arrived. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.
I had a grading deadline today and am simultaneously annoyed with the students who didn't bother much with a major assignment and terrified their parents are going to flip out when they see their midterm grades. So I am super-tired. Too bad it's only Wednesday night!
I had a grading deadline today and am simultaneously annoyed with the students who didn't bother much with a major assignment and terrified their parents are going to flip out when they see their midterm grades. So I am super-tired. Too bad it's only Wednesday night!
1/31/2012
Probably a Useless Update
1. My team lost at trivia tonight, in spite of a perfect round on a bunch of Super Bowl-themed questions (none of which I knew, but how many times have I carried a theme round on cartoon voices or Disney or whatever?). Another team had two perfect rounds. . . and the music round was full of stumpers. Good but tough. I messed one up (got Massive Attack confused with Everything But the Girl because all I could think of was this gal who sang with both) but it made little difference.
2. I still suspect something's up with the comments--that or I'm boring you; don't you have anything to say about that?--so I've switched the comments to the full page (as opposed to the separate pop-up box) to see if that helps things.
3. Basically after one class on Wednesday I'm done for the week, teaching-wise. There's a lot going on because it's a special week in the archdiocese (well, across the nation) and classes get preempted left and right.
4. It's 11:55 and I'm not quite settled down, so I think I'll play a round of solitaire, put away some laundry, and then crash for the night. Special luncheon tomorrow. We'll see what I actually get to eat, allergy-wise.
2. I still suspect something's up with the comments--that or I'm boring you; don't you have anything to say about that?--so I've switched the comments to the full page (as opposed to the separate pop-up box) to see if that helps things.
3. Basically after one class on Wednesday I'm done for the week, teaching-wise. There's a lot going on because it's a special week in the archdiocese (well, across the nation) and classes get preempted left and right.
4. It's 11:55 and I'm not quite settled down, so I think I'll play a round of solitaire, put away some laundry, and then crash for the night. Special luncheon tomorrow. We'll see what I actually get to eat, allergy-wise.
1/29/2012
Trivia Might Break Your Heart
If you've been looking forward to a cat-free post, here you go. (However, if you enjoy The Cat's adventures, when the new scratching post arrives there will be details.)
Earlier this week, I got a last-minute invitation from the weekly trivia host to join his team for an annual fundraiser to benefit his former parochial school. I said yes before I had all the details, because I like having an excuse to go out on a Friday night.
Issue #1: It was fifty-some bucks to register (upped because I was signing up late).
Oh well, it's for a good cause.
So I get there on Friday night, and when I go to sign in, I'm told my team is at Table 1.
You know, because they're the returning champions. Oops! I mean five-time champions. Consecutively.
Issue #2: Pressure. Lots of it. I was filling in for someone who had helped them win!?
Well, at least three people from my regular team were there, so I didn't feel completely awkward. But before they arrived, I didn't know anyone else from the team besides the captain. . . and the guy I'd met at the last benefit trivia (see #3 in that post). And of course the captain sat me next to him because we were the "music people."
Now, I don't think I ever gave an update after the whole situation where I was beating myself up for not being available at the pub post-game for that guy. Let's just say that I did ask around, and he did not get very favorable comments when it came to the dating department. I was told that on the rare occasions when he came to the pub to play trivia, he would bring dates that didn't exactly give everyone the warm fuzzies. I definitely was not his type.
So I didn't really give it much stock when I was seated next to him. I thought, Cool, we can chat or whatever. Just have fun. And it was, in the beginning.
Until he leaned over and said, "Since we're the only single people on the team, you've been assigned to take care of me."
When I raised an eyebrow, he added, "Oh, don't worry, it's not like you'll have to carry me out or anything."
I tried to play it off with amusement, like, "So this is what they do to the new people on the team?" but it really did not thrill me. There was alcohol at this event; was there really so much confidence on this team that it was O.K. to get beyond buzzed?
And honestly, as the game went on, he did drink more, and the more he drank, the damper his personality got. He was a drag. He made off-color jokes that I wouldn't make in mixed company if I didn't know them that well. I seriously wondered if he was stoned at one point, because he seemed just spaced out.
That was the beginning of Issue #3: Disappointment. Because in the middle of all that, the game was not going well. Apparently, the strategy that had served the team well in past years was failing. I knew it wasn't my fault, but I felt like a jinx in a way. I also felt bad that my friend the captain would be really sad if we lost.
The final nail in the coffin was the piece-of-cake music round at the end. Then I really felt useless. Much later I would realize I had given several helpful answers that had helped the team achieve a slightly-less-heartbreaking third place, but in the moment, I felt sad and frustrated.
You-know-who, who had been asking me during the game if I was having fun, which I had been. . . until we lost (oh and let me tell you, there was much cheering from the other two dozen teams that the champs went down). So in the middle of all that cheering, he kept asking me, "But did you have fun?" First time, I said yeah. Second time, yeah, I had a lot of fun.
Either I wasn't convincing (full disclosure: I don't have a poker face), or he was just out of it, or he was trying to be a nice guy and console me, but he asked again.
Finally, I said, "I totally had fun, but I don't like to lose, so I feel a little sad, too. I'm a Libra; we're complicated inside."
So yeah, I'm a competitive person and I'm sad when I lose (and sad for my teammates).
At least it gave me a reason not to go back to the pub for a post-game drink with you-know-who.
It sounds weird, but I still have faith that by going out and doing things that I enjoy, I'm bound to meet people, for friends or dating or whatever. I'm meeting people from all different backgrounds, but I don't feel out of place, because finally I'm not being made fun of for knowing something. In fact, my intellect is celebrated--the team captain has told others that I am a "music savant" and I am totally flattered and blushing over that. And loving it.
Except maybe when we lose.
Earlier this week, I got a last-minute invitation from the weekly trivia host to join his team for an annual fundraiser to benefit his former parochial school. I said yes before I had all the details, because I like having an excuse to go out on a Friday night.
Issue #1: It was fifty-some bucks to register (upped because I was signing up late).
Oh well, it's for a good cause.
So I get there on Friday night, and when I go to sign in, I'm told my team is at Table 1.
You know, because they're the returning champions. Oops! I mean five-time champions. Consecutively.
Issue #2: Pressure. Lots of it. I was filling in for someone who had helped them win!?
Well, at least three people from my regular team were there, so I didn't feel completely awkward. But before they arrived, I didn't know anyone else from the team besides the captain. . . and the guy I'd met at the last benefit trivia (see #3 in that post). And of course the captain sat me next to him because we were the "music people."
Now, I don't think I ever gave an update after the whole situation where I was beating myself up for not being available at the pub post-game for that guy. Let's just say that I did ask around, and he did not get very favorable comments when it came to the dating department. I was told that on the rare occasions when he came to the pub to play trivia, he would bring dates that didn't exactly give everyone the warm fuzzies. I definitely was not his type.
So I didn't really give it much stock when I was seated next to him. I thought, Cool, we can chat or whatever. Just have fun. And it was, in the beginning.
Until he leaned over and said, "Since we're the only single people on the team, you've been assigned to take care of me."
When I raised an eyebrow, he added, "Oh, don't worry, it's not like you'll have to carry me out or anything."
I tried to play it off with amusement, like, "So this is what they do to the new people on the team?" but it really did not thrill me. There was alcohol at this event; was there really so much confidence on this team that it was O.K. to get beyond buzzed?
And honestly, as the game went on, he did drink more, and the more he drank, the damper his personality got. He was a drag. He made off-color jokes that I wouldn't make in mixed company if I didn't know them that well. I seriously wondered if he was stoned at one point, because he seemed just spaced out.
That was the beginning of Issue #3: Disappointment. Because in the middle of all that, the game was not going well. Apparently, the strategy that had served the team well in past years was failing. I knew it wasn't my fault, but I felt like a jinx in a way. I also felt bad that my friend the captain would be really sad if we lost.
The final nail in the coffin was the piece-of-cake music round at the end. Then I really felt useless. Much later I would realize I had given several helpful answers that had helped the team achieve a slightly-less-heartbreaking third place, but in the moment, I felt sad and frustrated.
You-know-who, who had been asking me during the game if I was having fun, which I had been. . . until we lost (oh and let me tell you, there was much cheering from the other two dozen teams that the champs went down). So in the middle of all that cheering, he kept asking me, "But did you have fun?" First time, I said yeah. Second time, yeah, I had a lot of fun.
Either I wasn't convincing (full disclosure: I don't have a poker face), or he was just out of it, or he was trying to be a nice guy and console me, but he asked again.
Finally, I said, "I totally had fun, but I don't like to lose, so I feel a little sad, too. I'm a Libra; we're complicated inside."
So yeah, I'm a competitive person and I'm sad when I lose (and sad for my teammates).
At least it gave me a reason not to go back to the pub for a post-game drink with you-know-who.
It sounds weird, but I still have faith that by going out and doing things that I enjoy, I'm bound to meet people, for friends or dating or whatever. I'm meeting people from all different backgrounds, but I don't feel out of place, because finally I'm not being made fun of for knowing something. In fact, my intellect is celebrated--the team captain has told others that I am a "music savant" and I am totally flattered and blushing over that. And loving it.
Except maybe when we lose.
1/26/2012
Operation Armchair Shield
The Cat has declared war on my beautiful armchair.
Early in the morning--you pet owners know, earlier than your alarm and earlier than their breakfast time--the "Pick! Pick! Pick!" of claws on upholstery tears me out of bed so I can shoo someone off back of the armchair.
And then there are those totally random moments where she just can't fight the compulsion to scratch on the side of the chair as she walks by. Or thinks I'm not giving her (perhaps her food bowl?) enough attention.
She's always been pretty good about where she scratches. She likes the sisal post part of her perch (a.k.a. "Scratchie"), and I praise her when she uses it, which is several times a day. Considering that Foster & Smith doesn't make it anymore, maybe it's getting a little old. (This is her second one, actually.) I've been a little lax about the carpet, because it was garbage when I moved in and should've been replaced. I know they're going to replace it when I move out. Those were the only places she scratched. On those rare moments of naughty behavior, I could say, "Show me what a good girl does," and she'd trot over to "Scratchie" and stretch up to it.
Until the armchair business started about a month ago.
I couldn't take it anymore. I'm starting to see some pulls in the upholstery. I've been looking around for a scratching post like "Scratchie," but they're all really pricey and seemingly not tall enough. You can see "Scratchie," as well as The Cat's height, in the photo for this post.
So, I have given up on sisal and am going to try this stand-up cardboard scratcher. She loves the catnip from that company--she gets a pinch of it every morning on her perch--so maybe it will attract her.
Attract her far away from the armchair.
Early in the morning--you pet owners know, earlier than your alarm and earlier than their breakfast time--the "Pick! Pick! Pick!" of claws on upholstery tears me out of bed so I can shoo someone off back of the armchair.
And then there are those totally random moments where she just can't fight the compulsion to scratch on the side of the chair as she walks by. Or thinks I'm not giving her (perhaps her food bowl?) enough attention.
She's always been pretty good about where she scratches. She likes the sisal post part of her perch (a.k.a. "Scratchie"), and I praise her when she uses it, which is several times a day. Considering that Foster & Smith doesn't make it anymore, maybe it's getting a little old. (This is her second one, actually.) I've been a little lax about the carpet, because it was garbage when I moved in and should've been replaced. I know they're going to replace it when I move out. Those were the only places she scratched. On those rare moments of naughty behavior, I could say, "Show me what a good girl does," and she'd trot over to "Scratchie" and stretch up to it.
Until the armchair business started about a month ago.
I couldn't take it anymore. I'm starting to see some pulls in the upholstery. I've been looking around for a scratching post like "Scratchie," but they're all really pricey and seemingly not tall enough. You can see "Scratchie," as well as The Cat's height, in the photo for this post.
So, I have given up on sisal and am going to try this stand-up cardboard scratcher. She loves the catnip from that company--she gets a pinch of it every morning on her perch--so maybe it will attract her.
Attract her far away from the armchair.
1/22/2012
Greetings from Her Royal Squeakiness
Dang it, I lost my voice yesterday.
Most likely it was inevitable, because I had been dealing with the sniffles all week. And then I went to a trivia event Friday night (we kicked butt!), after which I noticed my throat hurt a little. Woke up with no voice Saturday morning, not to mention I was really dragging and had more sniffles than before.
I did use the remedy Amy G suggested ages ago, and I squeaked my way through Mass this morning (pretty bad but everyone was kind and said I sounded all right). But I'm taking the honey-lemon-booze combo again tonight to see if I can break it up for good.
Already took a personal day for tomorrow (day trip with family) so it's just as well I don't have to be at school without a voice!
1/14/2012
Aaaah. . . Friday. . .
First full week at school since before Christmas, and boy, am I tired. I also had some sort of stomach bug or something from last night on, and it did not make for an easy morning to get out the door. I honestly would've bailed if I hadn't needed to give a presentation to an English class. (And naturally they were nuts because they have the day off from school on Monday.)
But hey, I was helpful today. My co-librarian wanted to show different kinds of cheese to go along with the book she was reading to the kindergarten classes, but she wasn't impressed with what was online in terms of both good images and kid-appealing. So I suggested this video gem. Crank the volume. (As a matter of fact, I found the full set of videos at one of the county library branches and put in a request so maybe some of the classes will have a better quality video.)
Still haven't written my thank-you notes for my Christmas gifts, so I'm hoping to knock those out tomorrow. I did manage to convince my friend that she had too much going on tomorrow to go to the movies--her dad had a stroke about a week ago and was moved to the rehab facility today, and then the dryer gave out on her last weekend so she has to wait for the repair people to show up.
Seriously, let's call a time out, get done what needs to get done, and if she's up for the movies Sunday afternoon, we'll go. Her dad's doing all right considering the circumstances, and I know she really has been looking forward to one particular movie. Bless her heart, I talked to her for about an hour tonight and she talked pretty much non-stop about her dad, and I'm not sure if she's done anything for herself really.
Well, it appears Friday is pretty much done. I'm off to get ready for bedtime with The Cat. She probably is already in her little cat bed and I haven't taken the hint!
But hey, I was helpful today. My co-librarian wanted to show different kinds of cheese to go along with the book she was reading to the kindergarten classes, but she wasn't impressed with what was online in terms of both good images and kid-appealing. So I suggested this video gem. Crank the volume. (As a matter of fact, I found the full set of videos at one of the county library branches and put in a request so maybe some of the classes will have a better quality video.)
Still haven't written my thank-you notes for my Christmas gifts, so I'm hoping to knock those out tomorrow. I did manage to convince my friend that she had too much going on tomorrow to go to the movies--her dad had a stroke about a week ago and was moved to the rehab facility today, and then the dryer gave out on her last weekend so she has to wait for the repair people to show up.
Seriously, let's call a time out, get done what needs to get done, and if she's up for the movies Sunday afternoon, we'll go. Her dad's doing all right considering the circumstances, and I know she really has been looking forward to one particular movie. Bless her heart, I talked to her for about an hour tonight and she talked pretty much non-stop about her dad, and I'm not sure if she's done anything for herself really.
Well, it appears Friday is pretty much done. I'm off to get ready for bedtime with The Cat. She probably is already in her little cat bed and I haven't taken the hint!
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