Monday, June 29, 2009

The Many Joys of Pet Ownership


Minutes after snuggling under the covers for a good night's sleep, I was alarmed by a prolonged and loud racket downstairs. I flung the covers from my tired body and ran downstairs to see what trouble CeCe had gotten herself into this time. You see, she is prone to extreme fits of energy when the rest of us see fit to call it a day.

The litter box is rather large and the privacy cover was lying several feet away, in the middle of the kitchen. I can only guess she spastically bolted from her litter box, the lid not secured down by the tabs and taking it with her while she desperately tried to escape. CeCe was nowhere in site.

After a quick search in the dark combined with quick reflexes, I was able to scoop her up and bring her upstairs, closing the bedroom door behind me and hoping she'd settle for the night. She was too traumatized to fight me on shutting her in. I slept... for a few hours.

This morning, after she'd been let loose at 5 am (thanks to Colby) I came down to find the lid removed once again and upside down, away from the box. Later, I noticed she was terrified to go near the box (the lid since secured to the box). She wasn't having anything to do with it. So, I removed the offending lid and placed it in the garage. Terror filled her eyes as I gently tried to coax her near her litter box. Nope... wants to be as far away as possible.

I'm not giving up. She's looking for a place to go... I can tell by her cry and I'm following her everywhere as she seeks out an appropriate place to relieve herself. Many attempts were made to put her gently in the box, cooing softly and comforting her as only her human mommy can... with great patience. Finally, I placed her and the litter box into the laundry room and closed the door. I was down on the floor, watching her little paws walking around hoping she'd go into the box. I did hear her jump down from the countertop. This is where I keep her food dish because the dogs are prone to getting at it. As I crouched on my cool floor, uncomfortable with my butt in the air and my face planted on the ceramic tiles, I thought I could smell cat poop. I know she hasn't been in the box. Could she have...? Would she have...? Bah! She did! She pooped right on the counter top. Big dump, too, but luckily it was firm. I had to go in and close the door behind me, with her and the box of litter and a pile of poop on the counter. GRRR... I can't get angry... she won't learn anything from that but I did pick her up and tell her that was BAD. She knows. She's a smart girl.

Need this little problem nipped in the bud real quick. I end up staying in there with her for a while. Cleaned up the mess and opened a window... not in that order. Held her in my arms and cuddled her, put her in the box and gently held her front paws, digging a hole with them. After releasing my tender grip, she continued to dig and had a pee. Whew!

Battle isn't over. I tried to play with her using her favorite toy - a wad of tin foil. She won't go within 10 feet of the "bad" place. She's still scared. I finally got her into a playful mood and she got closer to the bad place, stopping, staring, wonder if something would jump out at her. She was placed into the box a few more times and seemed more accepting that it's now possibly safe. Hubby isn't happy with her, doens't like her much. I think she's adorable with enough spunk to keep her from being deemed a wimpy cat.

I will continue to work with her. She's never been a scaredy cat, how could she with Colby running her down so often? I'm sure she'll get over it and things will settle as she 'forgets' the horror of the mean litter box lid. Meanwhile, I continue to exercise patient and reward her for going in or near her box.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

On Having Company for 2 Weeks...

I learned that having a guest in my home for two weeks was a bit of a unexpected chore. I know when I've travelled, my routine was out of whack but it works both ways. I found it rather challenging because I fell behind on so many things and I feel like I gained some weight and that makes me just want to eat more which doesn't make sense. I really need to make a date with my treadmill, make some serious changes and get my focus back to things that have been shelved as of late.

I know I can, I know I can, I know I can......

Monday, June 8, 2009

A Little Scare with my Blind Guy

We had a bit of a worry yesterday when our blind guy was squinting in the eye that we believe is totally blind. It clouded over last summer and a visit to an insensitive vet implied that it was not big deal to poke it out and sew the eye shut. Ummm... oh, yes it IS!

When I saw him squinting, I realized he may have run into a twig or the kitty may have given him a swat, catching his eye. My greatest fear was a more serious problem so I just said a little prayer and when I greeting him this morning it was a bit gunky and I had to clean it three times but he's not squinting anymore and looks good now. WHEW! Thank you, Lord.

The pupil pretty much fills the whole iris area but whatever irritant got in his eye caused the pupil to shrink down to a small dot. Strange. It's now back to 'normal', which isn't normal at all but normal for his condition, LOL. I'm quite relieved.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Vintage lighting makes me happy

I'm in love with vintage lighting and love finding a bargain even more. I hate spending top dollar for vintage items knowing full well that there are goodies out there to suit the 'practical budget'. Vintage lighting is one of my collections that I can't resist but must control. I was told to stop buying lamps at one time but I can't turn away a great deal when I find one. I do have more lighting fixtures and they're looking for a place to live in my home.


I just love the detail in the chrome of this lamp. It actually was purchased with a 100 watt light bulb. Wow!



This was a barter with a local antique dealer for a pair of funky 50's lamps (below) that I got from a yard sale for next to nothing. It was a mess and I spent meticulous hours making it just so. I believe it's a Schonbeck and it resides in my bedroom where I turn the dimmer switch down real low and stare at its sparkling beauty.





I just adore my TV Duck Lamp. I got it from the same yard sale as the 50's lamps and paid about $5 for it. Such a deal!



The base of this light fixture was a mess but the shade is in perfect condition. A bit of craft paint did the trick. It was an eBay purchase and very reasonable.



In a damp box with a $10 price tag at the back of a tacky antique store. It was ugly cheap brass but I had to have it and some elbow grease and ivory paint gave it back some of it's formal glory. I used to loathe those aurora borealis crystals but now I find them quite beautiful.



I found this cute tole chandelier in an antique store in Vancouver. It's perfect for my kitchen.



This is one of a pair that I found on eBay (and yes, a bargain price). I LOVE the glass star base. The only shades I could find suitable were from Wallmart. Who knew?



I must get a better shot of my brass bird of paradise lamp (another eBay deal). It didn't come with a shade but I managed to find this vintage pink fiberglass shade at a thrift store for just $5 and I think it works just fine.