Wednesday In The Wild Woods

Cute Cat On The Kitchen Counter

I am in the midst of a total kitchen remodel.

That means that everything that was on the counters,

cats included, are now on the dining room table.

(it's the room next to the kitchen)

The dishwasher, stove and fan arrived yesterday.

The kitchen counter was templated too.

We picked out 

 our granite on the weekend.

We've been looking for months.

Online and at stores.

We'd pick a color and see it in person

and it would be totally different.

We got in home quotes.

Way too much.

(don't do a Sears quote .. just saying

or do so you can see what I mean)

This time, we found the one.

(I hope)

It's white based with grey .. 

almost black .. with a bit of gold.

Should look nice.

We couldn't decide on a back splash.

I had no idea that was going to be so hard.

Decided to see the counter in 

and then get some samples 

and put them up against the wall.

Meaning that my kitchen will be a mess

for a while longer.

The floors will be done after the big stuff is done.

I'll do the cabinets after that.

Not totally new but refinished.

I got quotes for that too.

You wouldn't believe what they want to charge.

So, Mr. Boatman is going to do it in his spare time.

Meaning, the kitchen will be a mess

for a while longer.

Cats hid yesterday when the guy

was measuring and creating

the template for the counters.

I think we've worn them out

with all this in and out

and noise.

~ JC ~

Wednesday In The Woods

Cat is done. Unplug.

~ ~ ~

It's frozen out.

Literally.

My test for that is the dog water dish.

It lives out on the deck.

It's solid.

That's cold for us.

We usually get rain or fog.

Nope, the rest of the world found us.

I know the storm of snow is on the East Coast.

Living on the West, we get green.

Not white like the rest of you.

My driveway is green like the color

of our football team jerseys.

I realized that yesterday.

Too funny.

Speaking of that,

the big parade is in a bit.

No, I'm not going.

I live in the woods

a long way from the big city.

It's still cool (ha ha) though

that we won something.

Won't happen again

or will it.

The cats are fine.

Napping by the heater vents.

Or, in the evenings,

the fireplaces.

Me, I'm busy doing 

lots of this and that.

Waiting for the colds

to go away.

I also have two sick cats.

Or, one with a real cold

and one who needs eye drops.

Both are hiding from me

and both are a bit feral.

So, you can just guess 

how much fun that is. 

Not.

Keeping warm while watching the birds.

Pets to all of you

and purrs to those who

are sick.

Til Next Time,

~ JC and The Purr and Fur Gang ~

Wednesday With The Birds

Not that many birds or trees but you get the idea.

~ ~ ~
Almost the end of January.

Been a very foggy month so far.

Birds have been visiting a lot.

That's one thing to look forward to.

Seeing them enjoy the suet's.

My window looks right out to the tree.

It hangs there for the birds, me and

the squirrels to enjoy.

Supposed to be to entertain my cats

but they mostly nap through it.

I find myself telling them all about

our visitors but sometimes

I let them nap and I sit

with my tea or coffee

and take in the beauty that is my yard.

Been busy doing this and that and nothing.

Time goes by and I think where did that day go.

Haven't been taking any photos

so there is nothing new to show you.

Just thought I'd visit

and let you know

I've gone to the birds.

~ JC ~

Maddy And The Woods

This is an August report 
about the weather in my woods.

Warm. Hot for us. Muggy in the evenings.

Windows open at night.

Fans going.

Been nice all Summer.

Really really nice.

One of the warmer ones that I can remember.

Sometimes we just get clouds.

Muggy and clouds.

Wet and clouds.

Grey with a touch of clouds.

Thus, this is fun.

I sit in the back yard.

Shade of the woods around me.

Dogs are playing.

Ok, Jodie is and Maddy is watching her.

I read my not so great book.

I just got done with a three part adventure

and this is just a story story kind of book.

The coffee this meowning is in my cat cup.

When isn't it actually. Winter. Snow cup.

Went to the vet yesterday with Maddy Jean.

A recheck for her nasty skin infection.

More medicine. She did fine.

Like she always does.

Sweetest dog ever.

It's been almost a year since her big surgery.

The cancer that caused her so much trouble.

The vet says she has lots of tumors.

One small one that keeps growing is of concern.

I said no surgery.

We looked at each other.

I said we could maintain.

Everything else but.

I'm sure she wrote that in her notes.

Maddy Jean.

I watch her enjoy her days.

Knowing that they are counting down.

I got an extra year.

I can't complain but I will.

My heart breaks.

I know my dog is dying.

Who isn't though, so I enjoy each day.

You'd like it in my woods.

I'd give you a drink and a book.

Add in those cute purr and fur gang

and you'd never want to leave.

You would though when those clouds

come back, which they will.

Until they do, Maddy Jean and I will be enjoying.

Taking in each moment.

~ JC ~

Wednesday In The Woods

It's Wednesday in the woods.

What have we been doing over here.

Watching bird tv.

Been extra super busy lately.

Jasmine and Riley shared a window.

Which never happens.

Jasmine, being the bratty Siamese, isn't usually friendly.

Been watering the very dry lawn.

It's brown instead of green.

While I was at the beach, my two grown kids,

did the watering for me.

They haven't quite learned the art of it yet.

 

Went to my heart Dr. follow up yesterday.

That was an interesting appointment.

Basically, I was told I might want to get

a second opinion.

My operation did not work.

I told them that I felt almost everything.

They'd never had that happen to them.

Of course, I'm that person.

 

I'm now going to start a fancy new heart medication.

It's supposed to help lower my heart beats.

We went over all the reports.

For now, my heart is doing fine.

With time though, I was told it would not.

So, it's a time game for me.

Have or get a stroke .. or my heart wears out.

 

So, to celebrate those lovely options,

I'm getting my old ratty furs done today.

With all of this heart stuff,

my roots are showing big time.

Road map city .. no need to ask for help.

I only hope that it looks ok.

 

I'm tired of all of this.

Really really tired.

 

First, my back.

Then, the kidneys.

Now, the heart.

 

Is this a sign ?

 

I plan on enjoying the rest of the week.

My new meds shall arrive soon in the mail.

It will be fun seeing how I react to them.

They are so fancy, I have to go back to my

heart Dr. in three weeks.

 

Jasmine is growling at Riley.

Got to go ..

 

~ JC ~

Wednesday In The Woods

I'm back from my lovely appointment.
What can I say ?
I really don't like the real world.
Not one bit.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This morning as I drink my coffee from my Eeyore cup,

I think about my day.

I will find out today about my kidney test.

I will hear if I can repair it or if I need to let it go.

How many surgeries will I need.

One or two or more.

Right now I'm in my pretend mode.

Everything is fine.

Only around ten this morning,

I will know what I need to do

to survive.

 

It's funny how we all walk around

going to this or that in our day.

If this is happening to me,

I wonder what's going on in everyone

elses world as we walk that same path.

 

Hope the coffee is good today.

Hope the cats and dogs are well and cute.

 

By the way, the frozens are sort of gone.

Not as much ice on the deck.

The trees don't have frozen dew drops.

 

The dogs had a great time yesterday.

I was able to walk in the yard with them.

They love it and so do I.

 

Til Next Time,

 

~ JC ~

Wednesday In The Woods

What can I say.

It's been a wild ride over here in the woods.

 

Jodie Belle, turned one year old in early November.

Hasn't she grown up to be an absolute beauty.

 

Maddy Jean continues to enjoy her days.

Getting older but having fun with her sister anyway.

 

Thanksgiving was nice.

My son was home and he's always so funny.

Now, he's back studying for his finals.

 

Meredith Ann was in heaven.

She loves her boy.

Her boy loves her.

 

Me, I'm ok.

I think I'm getting better.

Going in today to see one of my specialists.

I actually have three of them.

Lucky me.

 

I sit each morning watching the birds.

Riley and Meredith and I.

I really think I am part cat.

It thrills me so.

 

Even in my I feel terrible mode,

I'm out there refilling suets

and yelling at the squirrels

for stealing their food.

 

We put up a few lights along the driveway.

I love the twinkles.

The dark so early, not so much.

 

The colder months and I don't like each other.

This old body of mine seems to win

this battle I'm in with it,

during the darker, colder months.

 

It's this time of year,

that I remember,

that in a month or so,

it will be seven years

since I woke up.

 

Been a battle every single day.

Only I'd do it again.

If they asked me, like they did.

I wasn't ready then and I'm still not.

 

After all, who would feed

my Purr and Fur Gang.

 

Hope you all have a Grand week.

Sorry about not getting a new

Meredith Ann up this week.

I wasn't feeling up to it.

Maybe next week.

 

~ JC ~

 

I've Always Liked The Woods

~ ~ ~

It's another wet day here in the woods.

Yucky, would be the word.

Everything is slimy.

 

I liked my late Summer into Fall weather.

Sitting outside reading a book while watching

the girls play was heavenly.

 

And, just like that,

it went away and a mean Fall appeared.

 

Meredith Ann has given up on coming downstairs.

She knows she's not going outside.

So, she naps by her heater vent.

 

The rest of the Purr Gang naps on beds.

Ashton and Riley still sit in the windows

 as we will get a few birds for their entertainment.

The Fur Gang keeps me busy

 with their going in and out.

With the wetness, they don't stay out as long.

It stops raining and out they go again.

Nothing like almost two weeks of wet dogs.

 

Me, I've been busy keeping them happy.

They look at me to go outside with them.

Nope, not happening.

I have been known to leave the screen door open

and put the heat on high ..

just for a while ... so, that they will play.

I do spoil them so.

 

Been taking it easy this month.

I took October off of any appointments.

All those health issues of mine did a trip on me.

It all got to me.

 The not being able to control anything that happens.

The one thing I could do is take time off.

Which I have done.

 

Come November though,

 I start in with my new heart Doctor.

Maybe, just maybe,

 I'll only have to keep taking medication

 for my ever so fast beating heart.

I, always being that look at the good side,

 kind of gal,

think the best and hope for it all to go away.

It's how I've made it through

the years of pain I've been in.

 

This month of being home in the

 woods has had me looking back.

I've been thrown a lot of nasty

 stuff by this old body of mine.

I've gotten mad and kept on going.

Each time I have made it out

from the tunnel and walked, a bit slower, away.

This time, though,

the kidney and heart and back problems won't go away.

I've yelled at my woods.

I've lost it over little things.

I've cried til I can't anymore.

 

And, come November, I will be ready.

Cause if nothing else, I am a fighter.

God Dam old body of mine.

We are always at it.

 

And, so each day,

I tell myself that it will be a good one.

I write my list.

I say my little prayer,

 I'm not religious at all,

it's just something I say that calms

 and helps me start my day.

I am thankful to not be in a lot of pain.

I was for several months.

The fear of that coming back,

 knowing what it's like,

well, that alone would make

anyone go hide in the woods.

 

Thankfully, I have always liked the woods.

 

~ JC ~

Wednesday In The Woods

I was going to find a grand photo of some of my Purr and Fur Gang but my husband has done something to my puter system. He put some new thing on it and mentioned how it was now going to download to this or that. Well, I tried and can't find this or that. I left him a message. He knows how important my photos are so I'm sure he'll look into it tonight. I just hope he didn't really goof up and lose them.

It's still quiet over her in the woods. Maddy Jean is still healing. Her smaller incision, the five inch one, needs another week or so and then her t shirt can come off. She's playing with Jodie Belle like a puppy again. I've decided not rush her in for those x rays. I don't really want to know right now. I'd like to have her play for a while. I don't want to know. I'll do it later. We have already decided that we won't do anymore for her. This was the one and only nasty Frankensteinish like one that I'll do to her. It was and still is terrible.

I went to my spine rehab Dr. today. He's a nice guy. I told him that I'm better which I am sort of but not as much as I told him. Said I would go back to pt but I was busy this week. Not sure if I will. A few of the exercises made my mid spine hurt and I don't need any more aches in my back. He said I should go back anyway. I said I would. Fingers were crossed .. mentally that is.

So, September is mostly free for me. The last few months have been terrible. No free dates on them at all. September will be all me. I have two appointment the end of the month but other than that I'm just going to do what I want.

I have this messy house to take care of. Nothing like having a bad back (since April) and three kids home for the Summer (daughter brought her boyfriend home) and a sort of hording husband to make a girl go ... waaahhhhh ... I'm the girl and that's me screaming.

I will slowly work room by room til I get this place cleaned up. I always feel like I ought to do the most I can cause I don't know when my back will go out again. Always a time thing with me.

Let's see, anything else going on .. trying to plan a few mini vacations. Locally to the Ocean and maybe one to somewhere warmer in the Winter. Trying to figure out what to do for the Holidays since my daughter won't be coming home this year. My kids are grown up now and those years of toys under the tree are gone. Now, it's just enjoy the Season and go do fun things. Not to worry. There will always be the Purr and Fur Gangs toys .. they get stockings too.

And, that as I say, is my Wednesday In The Woods Update.

xo,

JC and the napping Purr and Fur Gang
(yes, every one of them is dreaming away the afternoon)

Wednesday In The Woods

Meredith Ann asking to go outside a few days ago
 when it was too hot for her to go out.
 I wait til she's in the shade as she get too hot with all her furs.

~ ~ ~

It's a cloudy muggy day.

The black birds are talking.

The smaller birds are visiting.

Riley and Ashton are napping by the windows.

One eye ready to view their beloved tv.

Jodie Belle is on the rug.

Toys near her.

A can, a penguin, an old baseball mitt.

The rest of the Purr and Fur Gang

are napping on couches or beds.

It's been a very active morning.

Thus, the quiet nap time.

Me, I'm having peach ice tea

in a very cute cat cup.

My newest one.

I have several.

I'm on ice. Literally.

It's what gets me through the day.

I'm off of pain meds. For now.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

I am getting a few things done.

Today, not as much as I'd like.

There are times when I am sad.

This health situation is not easy.

If it was just one thing, but no, it's several.

I'm going to my primary care Doctor

end of this week.

I hope she can tell me if my heart

problems are no big deal,

which I am hoping for,

or if I need to see another specialist.

I've made an appointment with

my spine Doctor.

He's very busy so it's not for a while.

I hope I'm not still on ice by then.

I am looking for advice.

Something he can do other than surgery.

Til then, I'm going to have up and down days.

This being unable to stand on one's leg

is a real bummer.

And, the rest of my Summer.

Probably will be spent sitting a lot.

On ice a lot.

Using my cane to walk.

I do not want any surgeries.

Not anymore til October.

Yes, that's my next kidney surgery.

Fun times .. no not really.

For today though, I drink in

the beauties in the woods

and in my house.

The best thing I ever did

was get these seven balls of fur.

That and this delic iced tea.

Enjoy !!!

~ JC and The Purr and Fur Gang ~

Wednesday In The Woods

~ ~ ~

I have no nifty photos to share.

Haven't had time to download them.

Or, upload them either.

My life is good today.

The sun is out.

The rain left a bit ago.

I am in a live in the moment place.

Yesterday, I had my kidney in office procedure.

My third surgery since April.

Two smaller ones and one big one.

Just to be exact but still all were nasty.

I was told that my left kidney is now functioning.

 It will never be what it should be.

She wants to operate on my right kidney

as soon as possible. 

Three months.

She told me that it has stones too.

It isn't damaged yet.

All in all, if I don't get this done

 I will go 

into kidney failure.

 It's not good news.

Before that, I need to get my heart checked out.

It went crazy weird during my kidney surgery.

(The big one not yesterday)

So, I need to do that and find out why 

and what is going on with it.

The list is long.

 More I could add but no, I don't think so.

So, with all this .. waiting for me ...

I am pretending.

I am acting as if yesterday did not happen.

Except for the removal of that nasty stint.

I am going on a mini vacation.

I am cured.

There is nothing wrong with me.

Not one thing.

I'll let you all know when

 my real world

finds me again. 

Til then, I'm just going to be

enjoying life 

here in my woods.

~ JC ~