Gone

It's June. Where did the time go ?

Mere is at the beach place.

Enjoying the flowers.

The sun has been out.

Too hot for us.

Why does it do that ?

Rains, clouds or too hot.

Mere has enjoyed a nap in the shade.

At this place, we have a secure deck area.

Mere naps away the days.

Not always though.

She's napping next to me.

Dreaming of her next adventures.

We get hummingbirds here.

Oh, what a delight they are to her.

That and the big black birds.

I tell her she can't get any of them.

Jodie has been having fun.

She can see all sorts of things here.

(our other house in the woods)

Here she can see people walking,

(over the fence line .. a bit of a hill)

boats, people walking the beach,

you name it and she barks at it.

At our other place, she just barks at

noises she hears in the woods.

Me, I'm relaxing.

Thinking, like I always do.

Life, keeps throwing things at me.

When doesn't it though.

I plan on taking this time off from reality.

Life can call on me in September.

Til then, I am not available.

I should put out a sign

Gone To The Beach

~ JC and The Purr and Fur Gang ~

( and, I don't have any photo processing thingy

here, thought I did, so, the photos are

big and the way they were taken, yikes,

I'm so used to help, that it's odd)

Schmickaleedoo

This cat looks so much like my Jasmine Marie.

Except the feet.

 Jazzy is darker and her white feet pop out at you.

Anyway, this reminds me of her.

My Silly Snowshoe Siamese.

We call her Schmickaleedoo.

That's Sch Mick A Lee Doo.

How was your week ?

I moved back to the woods.

It's better for Maddy Jean.

The remodel of the kitchen is done.

New counters, back splash and 

the floors were refinished.

Some of the appliances are new.

Some aren't.

Still things to do but for this Summer,

we are done.

So, it was time to come home.

I had gotten used to living at the beach.

It's an easy life.

Nothing to do but read and enjoy

the birds that fly bye.

Here in the woods,

I was welcomed by a lovely

coyote family enjoying

their evening.

That I do not like about nature.

The heat is still here.

Warm as can be.

The lawn isn't doing well.

I had two men here.

They forgot to water.

Who does that ?

My flowers sort of survived.

I've fertilized and am hoping.

I can't complain though.

It's been a very nice Summer.

Except for Maddy Jean.

Each day she gets worse.

I up the pain meds.

It's a nasty time in her life.

I told her that the only thing

she's ever done wrong

is get old.

And, that is my update.

Hope you all enjoy the weekend.

Not there yet, but soon.

Oh, and remember to dance

even to the music

at the local gardening store.

I did.

~ JC ~

Young, Tired, Crazy and Old

I am having a blueberry muffin and coffee.

This is a yum kind of start to my morning.

Normally, I don't eat breakfast

but I am trying to boost

my ever slow metabolism.

It seems to have stopped

and that's not good.

I have heart troubles.

Have been on meds for almost two years.

The second med which I started last July

has done a real number on me.

I've gained more than thirty pounds

 and basically my mean 

old metabolism went away.

I tried to stop taking it.

My heart let me know that I could not.

Thus, I started it again.

No more headaches.

No more dizzyness.

I can drive.

I can stand up without passing out.

(fun times)

Only the med makes me all bloated.

You know that feeling.

Yuck.

I'm still trying to figure something out.

Til I do, it's two pills

for the ever mean heart.

The Purr and Fur Gang

is with me at our beach place.

No, they don't get to relax

outside like this.

Our beach is a rocky one.

Sand dollars and oysters.

On an inlet.

The tide is either out or

it's a big lake.

They do get to go out on the deck though.

Which is purrfect for them.

They can't get off of it.

They nap and relax

but because they are indoor cats

they tend to come in after a while.

This is a photo of Maddy Jean and Jodie.

Was taken two years ago when Jodie was a baby.

Maddy is doing ok.

She isn't in a hurry.

She naps a lot.

We are taking it day by day.

Normal life over here.

A young dog, a very tired old dog,

five crazy cats and a very old cat lady.

That's our update.

Never a dull moment.

That is for sure.

Enjoy your weekend.

Remember to dance.

~ JC ~

Just Call Me Sandy

We are at the beach.
Mom hasn't taken photos of us in furever.
Thus, she found this one and posted it.
Our beach looks a bit like this
only we are all inside
looking out.

Something about the Eagles and Seagulls
coming to get us
and that Mom doesn't let us
out anyway.

The sun came out for a while.
That was a thrill for us and Mom.
The dogs went out and played.
Came back in and they weren't wet.
That hasn't happened in a while.

Not much going on except to get here
we were in our cages
for what seemed like furever.

Mom said something about 
the kitchen being a total mess
due to the remodel next week.
Boxes with dishes everywhere.

We did wonder what happened
to our nap stations.

So, that's the latest.

~ Mom and The Purr and Fur Gang ~

Mid Late Thoughts

 

~ Many things ~

 

I'm still at the beach. It's very quiet here. Just me and the Purr and Fur Gang. Jodie has been having too much fun barking at the Deer, Seagulls, Eagles, dogs, people walking on the beach, boats in the water. You name it and she's barked at it. I remind her not to do it by showing her the bird house or the spray bottle. My girl will always be a talker. She's like me. Maddy Jean is just enjoying the Summer. Relaxing like an old Golden should while watching her sister be silly.

 

My days are spent reading and taking the girls outside. This place was kind of built weird. From what we heard, there was a big nasty divorce in the middle of building this home. It's a grand place but has so many odd things about it. One being that there is no stairs to the back yard. The owners had the steps riped off the deck. We even have boards hanging off into the unknown. Anyway, this means that I have to go down two flights of steps and go through the basement, to let the girls go outside. I don't mind a few steps but every time I let them out it's an ordeal. So, many times we make an afternoon of it. I get a bag ready with my book, reading glasses, something to drink, bottle opener, chap stick, a few dog bones and whatever else I've thought of.

 

I sit by the water and read my book. Sometimes we are down there for hours and other times just twenty minutes. Either way, the girls get to play. Lately, with the hot days we've been having, we go back up the lawn and I sit on this big rock. How or why it's there I don't know but it makes a good seat. I can still see the water and sunsets but usually it's in the shade. I watch the girls play or rather I watch Maddy Jean bark at Jodie and Jodie does her herding routine. It's quite entertaining. After a while, I go into the basement and ask if they are ready. Most times, Maddy Jean is and Jodie will come in too. Then up those stairs we go. Maddy Jean and I are the ones who stop and look at them before we go up. She and I are getting older and wish it was two or three steps instead of what it is.

 

On Monday, I'm going back into town. Leaving the Purr Gang here in the air conditioning. I have my heart surgery done on Tuesday. It's supposed to be a day surgery. I wish. I hope. My surgeries with my kidney were supposed to be day too but with my ever fast and low beating heart, I went up to the cardiac care unit. Maybe this time, they will fix me and I'll go home like I should. I am having an ablation and I'm told I will be a wake. They want to talk to me off and on. Supposed to take two to three hours depending. Oh, do I know how to have fun or what.

 

When I'm done, I hope to be able to get back to the beach to be with the Purr Gang. I don't like to leave them for longer than a few days. Kind of like when you go camping on a weekend. My Purr Gang won't even miss me. Jasmine will but the boys just nap in the sun and cool off with the air conditioning. Yes, I am spoiling them.

 

I'm also in a mid later life crisis. I know I'm a bit late on this but I was busy raising kids and being sick. I wanted so much when I was young. Now, that I'm old I have all that I wanted. (I grew up very poor and wanted a small house with flowers and cats and dogs.) It's the emotional things that I didn't get right. I still don't have that figured out. I try. Oh, you can't say that I don't try. I'm just a bit sad right now. This will pass. I know that next week or after, I will be happy as can be. It's just that I'm so tired of the constant struggles I have. One being with my daughter. The fact that I've done all I can and still it won't get better. I have let her go. Only she still lives with me. At my other house. She's looking for work but until then she'll be with me. Thus, I can't move on til she has. All emotional stuff. I can't fight anymore. I just don't have it in me. So, until she is gone and on her own, I will have this going on. I'm too old for this.

 

So, On Tuesday my heart gets fixed. I hope for great things. Like enjoying the rest of the Summer. I have a camping trip to Kalaloch planned. With this nice weather, I've imagined being there. Only it will probably rain, like it always does when I go camping. Oh well, at least it will be on the Ocean.

 

And, there you go.

My thoughts on Thursday.

 

~ JC ~

 



Friday Updates or So Glad This Wild Week Is Over

 

Riley and I survived this wild week.

He is now home.

Playing in a box.

He spent two days in the animal ER.

(Don't even ask me how much that cost ..
priceless .. think that commercial)

The tests showed that he has no obstructions or tumors.

Blood work was so so.

Conclusion is that he probably has pancretitis.

He is eating .. a tiny bit.

His furs look a bit better.

Not out of the woods yet but so much better than he was.

I'll take it .. and hope he improves.

 

I had a nice talk with my heart surgeons scheduler.

He'd put a note that he wanted me in right away.

So, July 16th is my surgery.

My visit with him last Tuesday

was as nice as it could have been.

Nice guy. Knows what he's doing.

If every thing goes well, I'll go home the next day.

If not, I'll stay and have a pace maker put in.

I'm on a new med.

That makes three so far for my heart.

 

I went to a party last weekend.

Graduation celebration.

The Grandmother was there.

In her wheelchair due to a stroke.

I won't go into any other details except

to say that what I have can cause one.

I am a big girl now.

Thus, I made my appointment.

 

So, this wild week can end.

I want to pretend like I so like to do.

Baby Cat Riley (I know he's eight but he's still my baby)

will be good as new.

My surgery will work.

I will be almost as good as new.

As new as an almost 57 year old can be.

 

I'm at the beach place with Riley and the girls.

(Maddy Jean and Jodie Isabella)

Meredith Ann didn't want to come this time.

Meaning that she was behind the cabinet

and wanted to relax at home.

She is really too cute.

 

Hope you all have a fun, nice, relaxing weekend.

I plan on it.

 

Oh, and remember to dance

even if it's in your chair

or the kitchen.

Turn the music on and remember

when you were 16 or 25.

Whatever .. just do it.

 

Just saying ...

~ JC ~

Mondays With Meredith Ann

 

The Mom took me with her to the beach place.

I protested, as my boy had just gotten home

but off I went with her.

It was very warm. 84.

Which is August weather for us.

(remember we live in rainy ville)

 

I walked the deck and napped in the shade.

The water was nice.

(Mom's words)

 

Mom, she sat in her rocking chair.

 

We all had fun.

 

Mom said it was like she was young again.

(Mom grew up with a pool .. long story.)

 

We are here today due to the hots.

Mr. Boatman is working from home.

(He really wanted to nap in the suns.)

 

Til Next week,

 

~ Meredith Ann ~

Mondays With Meredith Ann

This is a photo of my Mom's foot.
She is at her beach.
Sitting and relaxing.
The tide was out.
She'd just walked along the shoreline.
Looking for shells.
She found two small scallops
and one mini sand dollar.

Maddy Jean and Jodie Belle

were just to the left of Mom.

This is our beach area.

We own up to that thingy in the sand.

Most of the time it's a big lake.

This last weekend, it was a beach.

This is the view to the right of Mom.

The stairs to the beach are sort of old.

Jodie Belle isn't.

Me, I was up on the deck.

Looking down at Mom.

She told me it was too cold

for me to visit them.

I agreed.

(Mom said she wanted to show

all of you her beach.)

Til next week,

this is 

Meredith Ann

Friday In The Woods

Jodie Belle has been with us for a whole year as of January 1st.

~  ~ ~

It's another Friday in the woods.
The week was busy for me.
Appointments, phone calls and paperwork.
A few minor mini break downs
but I made it through
like I always do.

The sun peaked out a bit.
The Purr Gang loved it.
Sat in whatever spot they could find.
The Fur Gang played out back.
Rolling and smiling at me.
Yes, my rule is 40 degrees
and my girls know it.
So, out I go,
standing in that one sunny spot
with my blue sweater
and my coffee or tea in hand.
I do check to make sure it is 40
though and when they are
playing and not looking,
I go inside.
Soon there will be two faces at my door
reminding me that I went in.
Those two keep me busy.

Weekend plans are to go to the beach.
Mr. Boatman has to check on things.
Me, I'll just enjoy the views.
Maybe I'll go for a walk.
That is if the tide is out.
Sometimes I go there and it's a big lake.
Other times, I can enjoy looking for shells.

Next week is quite busy with
appointments and tests
and do this and that before my surgery.

It's not til the week after that
but they sure want to remind me
and take every test they can think of.

A weekend of no rain.
A maybe walk on the beach.
With two dogs sniffing everything.
Tea or coffee with a view.
No one reminding me of my nasty stupid kidney.
Not a bad weekend at all.

I hope you enjoy
dance, sing,
and most of all
have the time of your life.

~ JC and The Purr and Fur Gang ~

Beach Sunday

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I've been sort of relaxing here at the

beach place for almost two weeks.

It's not really an Ocean beach

more an oyster, sand, inlet beach.

Sometimes when the tide is up,

it's what I call the big lake.

Other times you can walk the

shoreline and look at shells and crabs.

If the tide is way out, you can find

rows of sand dollars hidden in the mud.

It's a bit odd but still fun.

All of this is of course assuming one can walk

which I can sort of but not well enough

to get to the beach area.

So, no sea shells searching for me.

Sad face.

The cats have enjoyed being on the deck.

They sit in the sun or shade for hours.

Riley Andrew is the only one that can't

be outside as he always finds a way to

jump off and land on the yard below.

We tried yesterday with him but it's

a constant watching, walking back and

forth project with him always trying to

jump off and me having to spray him with

water til I get him to go back inside.

The dogs have had too much fun.

Out on the deck playing with their toys.

Down on the back lawn playing and

going to the lower yard to watch

people and boats and deer.

There's also the barking adventures

with the neighbor dogs down the road.

They don't get that kind of action

at our house in the woods.

I'd like to say that all is well.

I can't really.

My leg is better.

I can walk longer.

I can stand on it longer.

Can I go to the grocery store by myself ?

No not yet.

I am still hopeful.

I'm not as upset.

Being at a peaceful place helps.

And, back to the city or woods, I go.

The cats will be indoor again

except for Meredith Ann.

The dogs will be in the back yard woods.

Me, I'll be trying to drive.

I'll be starting up on new Dr. appts.

I'll be thinking of my quiet times.

All the while hoping,

always hoping,

that this old cat lady body heals.

Enjoy your Sunday,

Stay cool,

~ JC and The Purr and Fur Gang ~

Heart On The Mend

Maddy Jean & Jodie Isabella looking out at the water

Last weekend, we went to our beach place.

First time since the big snow ice storm.

That area got eight to twenty inches of snow.

Yes, I said twenty.

(My area which is an hour away got six to ten)

No real damage except for the gate falling off

but that can be fixed.

This also was the first time we'd taken Jodie

to the beach since the first day we got her.

(She was on the state line which is

 about three hours away from the beach.

We picked her up and spent the night

and took her home the next day.)

She loved running around the yard with Maddy Jean.

At almost three months,

 she has taken to her new life well.

She loves Maddy Jean and her tail.

Maddy likes playing with her.

I can imagine the warmer days with them.

My Maddy Jean is better now.

She has a friend.

It wears her out but still

she has a friend.

~ ~ ~

JC

and Jodie Isabella

who has her head on a blue elephant

that is near my den chair.

And, who doesn't have a

blue stuffed elephant

to play with ?

Go get one if you don't

seriously

go out and get one.

Mondays With Meredith Ann

It's Monday !!!

We went to the beach place for the weekend.

Maddy Jean sat in the back with her head

near Ashton's carrier.

He complained of dog drool.

Me, I sat up front on Mom's lap.

I'm the only kitty who gets to have their top open.

I sit so nice, most of the time.

Mom took a photo of Mr. Rainier.

It ended up being a sort of warm

sunny weekend.

When it was chilly in the meownings,

I would be sitting on my scratching bed.

Don't I look cute ?

Today Mom took Maddy Jean

into the vet for a minor surgery.

She hopes the results are ok.

With Maddy Jean being eight,

Mom worries about any minor things.

She'll know more later this afternoon.

Til Next Week,

This is,

~ Meredith Ann ~

Orange Boy Woes

This is where my Orange boy likes to sit.

It's his world.

No one disturbs him there.

Not that they would anyway

but you know what I mean.

My Orange boy is a trouble maker.

He's the one who makes his sister scream.

He flew off the deck

that is cat proof.

He now stays inside while the

rest of the Purr Gang gets to enjoy

the loveliness that is the deck.

Only at this place, the beach,

that they get to do this.

Not Riley Andrew.

Nope he gets to stay in his special place.

I keep telling him that if he'd

just stayed on the deck.

He cries and tells me his woes.

I listen but I'm not changing my mind.

There's nothing like getting a baby orange boy

to get back in the house.

It takes a lot of sweet talking

and I'm getting old

and I've had enough of

his orange boy antics.

So, do you feel sorry for him ?

Just asking ...

~ JC ~

* I'm still at our vacation home.

The roof just got done yesterday at my house,

that's why we were staying here so long.

Too late for me to take the

Purr and Fur Gang home though.

This gives them a few more

days of going outside.

At home, they don't get to go outside.

That's why it's so special for them here.*

Mondays With Meredith Ann

Here I am in the hallway.

Thinking.

What's going on ?

Mom has moved us to the beach place.

She said she was going to.

I didn't believe her.

I left behind my shelf that I lounged on.

My own private eating area.

Ashton

Now I have to share with the other cats.

I still have my own dish and water but

do I look like a sharing kind of Purr Queen ?

So far things are going ok.

A bit of hissing but no big fights.

I'm kind of shy and Mom protects me.

Maybe this new place will bring

out the brave in me.

Riley

I'm even getting along with him.

I'm sure I'll have lots to report next week.

~ Meredith Ann ~

(The photos are a bit off due to my fancy

photoshop being on the other puter.

For now I'm using my old one

 and it seems like the dark ages compared.

 I have a list of things to do and get.
The move of the cats and dogs
and last minute things happened on Saturday.
 After my trip to Arizona, I was on 'Anytime' zone.
 And, Anytime was last Saturday.
 I'll be going back and forth when needed 
but for now this will be my home.
 My new life begins.)

Me and my Girls

I went to the beach place last weekend.

The girls and I had some relaxing times.

I spent some warm moments with them.

Meredith Ann and I hugged for quite a while.

As you can see, her furs are still growing in.

What a lovely lady she is.

Bella loves to sit in her chair in the sun.

Meredith and I were sitting next to her.

Who wouldn't want to ...

Jasmine Marie was doing her cute curl pose

 while taking a sun nap.

This girl still amazes me.

I'm so glad I brought her with us.

She doesn't enjoy the long car ride but

the being outside is what it's all about.

Warm Your Soul ...

Sometimes it's hard to remember that I actually went to Maui. The waters were amazing. The few days we spent were a thrill and a blur. Time went too fast. We were flying home and it was over. The plans took forever to make. Which hotels ? Where would we go ? What would we see ? Who had the best pools and beach ? I think we picked well. Some things we won't do again. A few hotels won't be on the list but the locations will.

 I've been home now for weeks. The weather has been too hot or too muggy or just plain yucky. I wish I lived with a beach that rolled in. So, for today I will remind myself and you of what it was like when I pretended for a week to be young and living by the beach. May you all get the chance. It will warm your soul !!!

~ JC ~

Bandanas, No not bananas

Maddy Jean in her bandana

They get bubble baths at their kennel

She came home and rolled in the dirt she has in her den

What used to be a flower bed of mine

Where she has toys and dirt

Bella in her bandana
She doesn't roll in dirt
She sits on top of the hot tub
Looking at her yard
She looks so cute
Doesn't she

The beach at Maui
The best part of my vacation
This in the evening

More to come ....

~ JC ~

Maui Beach

The view from my deck in Maui

We stayed three nights in Maui at the Hyatt

A garden below had swans and flamingos

The walkway near the beach went along several hotels

Letting me enjoy the beauty of the waves

While looking at the other hotels & pools

Was a bit too hot for me

I always brought my fan

Now I'm back to my muggy cloudy days

What a vacation I had

Breakfast out every morning

A view with waves and a beach

Swans swimming

Palm trees swaying

No cats or dogs though

So, I'm glad to be home ...