Friday Updates

~ ~ ~

Just wanted to give you an update.

I'm home. Doing fine.

On lovely pain meds.

My surgery went fine.

I got option one which is what we all hoped for.

I did have trouble during surgery with my heart.

Woke up to a crazy whirl wind of nurses and Dr's.

Spent the night in the icu heart department.

My heart beats too fast or too slow.

Of course it does ...

I'm home.

With Jasmine and my dogs.

The boys, Riley, Ashton and Al sleep at the end of the bed.

Meredith Ann has been a great visitor to me.

Even though she doesn't sleep with me.

Remember, she has her own special room.

I have my second surgery at the end of the month.

That removes my stint.

All in all, my kidney surgery went as well as I could have hoped.

Now, to mend and figure out what's wrong with my heart.

Enjoy your weekend and pet those purr balls,

XO,

JC

Paint On Her Nose

~ PAINT ~

It's been a painting weekend.

Ladders in the entry hall.

Paint on the landings.

Blue tape on the edges of everything.

Me, I do the rolling.

Mr. Boatman does the edging.

That way the ceiling doesn't look like a mess.

The dogs have been helping.

Jodie got paint on her nose.

I tried to get it off.

This morning she has just a big dot left.

This old house in the woods,

will be almost totally painted

in a week or so.

We could have had someone else do it

but then I wouldn't have

a cute paint puppy,

would I ...

~ JC ~

Week Of Everything

~ ^ ..^ ~

This week has been really odd weather wise.

Snow .. three times and it's mid March.

Add in rain until my woods and yard are flooding.

Think mini pools everywhere.

Wind that blows branches off into my yard.

Hail that scared poor baby Jodie

 before I could get her in the house.

Now, it's sort of sunny. Not as cold as it was.

Was Spring just blowing in in a wild way ?

The cats have been napping by heater vents

or the occasional sun spot on the floor.

One time I left the windows open and had

to run to close them all in time.

Big Al wasn't happy with it at all.

Being my resident nap most the day cat.

He had to get up before his scheduled time.

Riley has been a love this week.

Asking for pets whenever he's not curled up napping.

Meredith Ann has been in heaven.

Her boy is home from college

and is spending lots of time with her.

She's one spoiled kitty this week.

Ashton has warmed up to Jodie.

No more constant growling when he sees her.

He is still pulling his furs out but it grows back in fast.

Jasmine has been napping a lot.

Maybe she's waiting for this weather to blow away.

Maddy Jean is a napper too.

In between playing with Jodie that is.

Me, I've been fighting my neck pain.

Nothing like a pinched nerve to remind one of their old age.

Add in my constant friend, Migraine

and well, this week has been lousy pain wise.

I've been drinking coffee like water.

Hoping it will do the trick.

Not yet but I'm still trying.

Been having trouble with my ability to keep my weight down.

Down .. let's go up is what my old body tells me.

Even joined an online group.

Will it help ? Cost enough. It better.

So, to all of you three or four who read my blog,

this is my Friday Update.

Not a bad week. Just an odd one.

So, here's to the nicer weather.

Hope the sun comes out.

The snow and hail don't return for a while.

The boy goes back to college and gets A's.

Hey, a Mom can hope can't she.

Spring brings Summer ...

I can't wait.

If I'm going to have daily headaches and

that lovely pain in the neck to keep me company,

I want it with a bit of that yellow stuff.

I know the Purr and Fur Gang would agree with me.

~ JC and napping Riley ~

Weird

Maddy Jean and Jodie playing in the snow

It snowed last night.

Then it froze.

The power went out.

What is with this weather ?

As I let Jodie and Maddy Jean out into the darkness,

I yelled at the weather clouds,

IT'S MARCH !!!

I have trees down .. again.

Here I was thinking it was almost Spring.

This is just weird weather for my part of the woods.

~ JC ~

As I type this, it is snowing.
Small but still not welcome.
Pretty but it better not freeze.
It's mid March, I want sunshine not snow.
It is pretty though.

Worn Out

~ * & * ~

I'm worn out in my soul. I don't know what it is about stress that does that to me. It's a silly thing really. I'm taking this class with Jodie to learn how to do the basic puppy things. Like sit, stay, walk with me, don't run out of the door into who knows what. Anyway, I found a great mid day class for us. It started about four weeks ago. Supposed to be up to seven puppies. Nope, just us. There was someone by her self.  For the first two weeks, she said her puppy was on the way. She even paid for the class. Nope, she's been gone the last two weeks.

Jodie loves going for her sort of private lessons. Today though I was told that there are two other night classes that the owner would like me to consider. Only consider wasn't quite the word. I explained to our nice trainer that I don't drive at night due to my coma. Bad eyes and all that stuff.  So, I am in a bit of a what to do situation here. The owner of the training company is supposed to call me. Not her fault no one signed up. Not her fault I don't do night driving. Not my fault my nice mid day class is sort of being cancelled. Will I get my money back, I don't know. It did cost a lot. Was supposed to be a twelve week class. Star Puppy I guess Jodie will not be.

It's just a silly class. No big deal. Only it was and is for me. It's the first time since my coma six years ago that I have ventured out into the real world. I don't interact with people much. This is the first time I've done anything like this. So, now I have to say no to this evening class. Not get my money back. And, find something else.

The thing is if I did do a night class I wouldn't have done one in the middle of no where in the dark. This is on a country one lane road with no lights at night. The other classes at night were much closer to me and have lights on their roads.

So, I'm worn out from the world not working for me. This having been in a coma is a bummer sometimes. Just saying. Not that big a deal with all that's going on in the world but it's just typical for me. Oh well, wasn't meant to be.

~ JC ~

( Things that are simple for other people aren't for me. Like going to a class at night. Big deal for me. Can I do it ? Even during the day, I deal with migraines and being dizzy but I manage because it's daylight and I make myself do it. Night is different. I'm a bit mad and sad at the same time. I wanted this for me and for Jodie. We were supposed to have three in the class and now I have to ask for my money back which I don't think they'll give to me. I just wish something would go right for me. It was just a puppy class. Not solving world peace. Couldn't it have gone right for Jodie and for me. Just saying. I feel better writing this out. I was thinking on the way home how silly this was. Nothing important at all. Only it was for me.)

Mondays

~ * * ~

Don't tell me it's that time again.

Crawling out into the cold.

Wait for me.

Walking those stairs to the dark.

Let me go first.

Turn the lights on.

Who got up this early ?

It's wet out.

When isn't it ?

Coffee .. where are you ?

~ JC ~

Today I write about getting

up so early with my

Dear Jodie Belle.

Thursday In The Woods

It's Thursday meowning

and I've had two cups of coffee so far.

The little darling, Jodie,

 is being very consistent on waking me up at four thirty.

Why can't she make it to five thirty or even better, six.

Oh, six would be so nice.

Anyway, I get up with her.

She looks at me with such excitement.

Seriously, you haven't lived til you see her face each meowning.

After they come in, Maddy Jean and Jodie,

back we go to bed.

Yes, I lift her up,

 and with this old back that's not an easy task.

She settles in between my pillow and Mr. Boatman's.

Snug as can be.

Ashton or Al, depending on who's on the bed at the time,

do a mean look at her, cause they're old and do that.

And, before long we are all cozy for a while.

Then, Mr. Boatman gets up and we get up

 and our meowning starts.

Thus, the need for lots and lots and lots of coffee.

As I mentioned, today is Thursday

and it's marked on my calender.

You guessed it, it's Puppy Class Day.

We tried to do our homework. Really we did.

Only it's hard to practice outside in the rain or snow.

So, I fear that we will not look good today at class.

Nope, not at all.

I think it's a certainty that we are flunking puppy class.

And, it's only the third class.

I need a stunt double.

So, as the meowning goes on and I look at the clock.

I am not happy to go to class.

Jodie did not learn to come or down.

Nope, she didn't.

I did though.

Enjoy your Thursday,

~ JC and Maddy Jean and Jodie and Riley ~

Mid Week Thoughts or The Best and The Worst

Wandering this thing called life.

What an adventure it can be.

I have the best and the worst.

My days are filled with the youthfulness

of my new love, Jodie Isabella.

I think of her and what she needs.

She has brought the joy back to our home.

We were sad as can be over here.

Darkness covered our days and nights.

She has opened our souls to the brightness that was hiding.

She brings the thoughts of possiblilities.

In doing this, she also reminds me of how old I am.

The what if's come to me.

I worry about the cats health.

They are getting older.

My other dog, Maddy Jean, is almost nine.

What would Jodie do without her.

What would Maddy Jean now do without Jodie.

Jodie has brought Maddy Jean back.

Not that she was gone but she was so sad.

Now, she plays all day inbetween naps.

Me, I'm trying to keep up.

Acting like I'm in my thirty's or forty's, only I'm not.

I finally had to go to the not so popular Dr.'s office.

Not the mini clinic like I normally do.

And, by normally I mean when I have to.

Nope, my old damage body had demanded that

I visit with the professionals who ask all sort of questions.

Always the shock of being in a coma and sepsis.

Question after question.

I quess they are surprized to have me just mention it like

it was a cold or a previous broken arm.

Not that big a deal.

Yes, it happened and now let's talk about what I came in for.

Do they ever want to run tests on me.

Oh, the joys of getting old.

So, there you have the best and the worst.

The possibilities are endless.

So, I will enjoy my freshness and

wait to hear what those professionals have in store for me.

Nothing like being tested on .. been there and done that.

Oh, and the weather .. it's rainy wet out with snow arriving soon.

And, again I think .. the good and the bad.

Jodie will play in it and driving to puppy class will be hell.

Enjoy your Wet Wedneday

~ JC ~

Napping On A Friday Afternoon

The wind blew in.

Trees rustling around.

Noisy buggers they are.

Thought I better check on those two wild ones.

Golden furs playing in their yard.

Ok, one is Golden, the other beige and white.

The day is sunny in spots.

Meaning if you stand in it you feel it.

If you don't, you feel something else.

Was supposed to get my furs done.

Not today.

Sad am I.

Needed to have them fixed quite a bit.

That darn sun causes migraines.

Wouldn't that be an interesting mix of furs.

Oh, well next week perhaps.

(My furs specialist not me for a change)

My two have come inside.

Not due to the wind but being tired.

They ran and chewed and rolled around.

Funny how when you have plans for the day

and suddenly that changes that you think

wow now what.

I think the sunny day reminds me of Spring.

Of days that are coming.

Days that I so enjoy.

Only when those days do come,

I hope my furs are done.

~ JC ~

My thoughts on this Friday afternoon

after my hair stylist called to cancel

due to a migraine. I'm usually the one

who gets those but not today. And, I

really needed to get my roots and length

done. Have things to do this weekend.

Maybe I'll be wearing a hat and I'm not

a hat lady.

Thoughts On Thursday

I spend my early meowning hours

having freshly brewed coffee while

enjoying the sounds of life.

My new Keurig machine makes

the nicest smelling drinks.

I sit in the den sipping while I check

what the world was up to while I slept.

Always some sort of fighting going on somewhere.

Odd stories about odd things.

Sometimes a story about something grand.

While I'm updating myself, I hear my world.

The sounds of a puppy chewing on a box.

Why she still likes that I don't know
 but every morning she finds it.

It's an old file folder.
 Purrfect for her to carry around.

She even puts her long nose in it.

This meowning, I also heard

the flock of Canadian Geese

that seem to do fly byes over my woods.

I love their sound.

Brings absolute joy to my heart.

The other sounds are the washer humming in the other room.

That Rough Collie is still learning to wait til I get up.

Oh well, we are almost there.
She's a smart one this pup.

That's what my meownings are like.

I make breakfast for my girls while

they visit the darkness of their yard.

The little one is so excited to eat.

She's brought the youthfulness back to my older one.

Later, after they finish is when she visits with me.

She loves to be near me.

After she's tired of her toys, she asks to be held.

We do the Mom and Jodie love time.

For those few moments, my heart heals and melts.

She has brought me back.

She has healed my soul.

She has brought meaning to this old lady in the woods.

So, Maddy Jean and I will survive.

The cats aren't sure about her.

It will take more time.

Change always does.

And those are my thoughts on this

Thursday in the woods.

~ JC ~

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.

Blue Eyed Beauty

Jodie Belle

I'm having my second cup of coffee this meowning.

Jodie is playing with a catnip toy.

She was chewing an old Harbor Freight Tools paper.

She is keeping me busy, tired, and thrilled.

Maddy Jean is getting used to her.

She waits in the yard for me to get

Jodie down the stairs.

(She hasn't managed going down them yet)

They play together and Maddy Jean

gets Jodie Belle to come back up

on the deck to come inside.

Last night they slept together.

Which means, I slept through the night.

I now can think of what I need to be doing.

That 'List' of mine.

With the Holidays over.

One child back to college.

Another one leaving in a day.

I now will start the cleaning

of the house.

We still have all our Holiday decorations up.

Been too busy to have time to take them down.

That will be my 'List' for this week.

Jodie is gated off to the kitchen/hallway areas.

She has her own bed and toys.

Maddy Jean stays with her most of the time.

Maddy does get annoyed with Jodie chewing

and jumping on her.

I remind her to be kind.

I think things will work out.

Youth and Old Age,

Do they mix ?

Til Next Time,

~ JC ~

She's Here !!!

It Sleeps !!!

This is Jodie Isabella.

I got her on January 1st.

She barked most of the first night.

Meaning that I got no real sleep.

I slept a bit better last night.

I believe I am too old for this.

Oh well, too late.

She really likes Maddy Jean.

Maddy sort of likes her.

I have her almost trained to go outside.

She cries for me when she needs to

go venture in the back yard.

Only it's three times in the middle of the night.

I'm having my first cup of coffee.

Listening to the garbage trucks.

Wondering if I will ever feel rested again.

~ JC ~

(Jodie Isabella is a Rough Collie.

We made up her first name.

Jo is from a cat I had twenty years ago.

Die is from the name of my first Golden Retriever.

And, Isabella is after my Sweet Sabrina Isabella.

I think we will end up calling her

Jodie Belle.)