Good evening my dear friends. I wish to let you all know that I am indeed alive and well, though work sure tried me last week. I figure I put in probably 55 hours just Tuesday - Sunday, though I'll know for sure just how many hours I put in tomorrow. I am worn out and exhausted, but happy. I am hopeful that it'll be enough to cover the rent by itself, because I could really use that much right now - more would be better though! I didn't sleep well last night either, which didn't help. Is it just me or is this year flying by? Maybe it's because I'm quickly approaching 30 and it is starting to make me nervous. I doubt that though, as that's not been at the forefront of my mind. Maybe it's the insanity at work, though that would only explain half of the year, as I've only been with this company for 7 months. We still have 3 months to go, but I am nervous. Quick years never bode well for me. The brakes hit way too hard! A lot of people are scared right now with the economy the way it is, and rightfully so. Now is a time to re-evaluate everything, especially if you're thinking about retiring, buying or selling a house, or going on vacation. If you don't have a lot of job security, now's the time to switch if you can. In my profession, so long as I don't fk up, I will be fine, or so I hope at least. Usually when layoffs and firings start, the weakest links go first. Recently, especially last week, I proved that wasn't me. Not many people are willing to work consistently 10+ hour days. But one does what has to be done for their employer, especially if they intend on keeping their job! It wasn't even so much about the money as it was I was so needed! I may not be the fastest at anything, but I'm the most consistent. I'm there, don't require multiple smoke breaks, and don't demand full lunches most of the time. Rarely anymore do I even take a full 30. Last Saturday, I took 10 early in the morning (a little before my normal "lunch" time) and another 10 after my shift should've been over, both just to shovel some food in my face. I took 10-15 today for the simple fact what I'd eaten wasn't sitting well and I needed to put something more absorbent (namely a plain pretzel with just salt) into my stomach to balance things out. I didn't even eat all of it, I just needed something quick. Nimbus is doing good today, though we're still taking it day by day. I'm still not sure what's going on, and not sure if I'll have to find another vet. The thought of doing that upsets me as the woman is very nice, and seems to really know cats. I just am not sure she's on the right track, as I'm not sure what track we're supposed to be on. My next course of action, should another vet be needed, is a full blood work-up and/or x-rays. This will cost more money I am sure, but the answer should be more difinitive. I still haven't gotten him back on his heart medicine - the trauma from the anti-histamines going down his throat constantly was enough. I figure I'll let him rest a few more days, and even then I can sneak his heart pills easier as they're a LOT smaller. It's starting to thunder outside, and I'm surprised Curzon isn't under the bed hiding as he usually does during storms. Maybe it's because he's right next to me and his sister and so he feels safe so long as we're so relaxed. But it's 62 degrees outside - cool for this time of year - so severe weather isn't even in my mind right now. Jadzia likes storms, so she's cool. Of course just as I type this, Curzon is getting nervous. Laters!

Palin

I rarely link to these guys anymore as we see differently more often than not, but this time I have to agree. Palin is a nightmare.

General Update

Plum exhausted. That's what today is. We're a hand short (as some of you know) at work, so things are a little wacky. Plus there was an error in the schedule for the next shift so they needed someone to stay through and "fix" the error. So I stayed. 11 hour day... Oofah! Luckily my neighbor just happened to step in just a few minutes before I got off and was willing to wait for me, because I'm not sure I could've even walked the 3 blocks from the bus stop home. My legs hurt that much just from being on them nonstop for 6 hours. I didn't sit down at all except for an approximately 20 minute lunch. Yes, yes, I know, by law I'm required to be given 30 - I didn't feel that I could afford to take all 30. I do that quite often when we're busy or short-handed. And this entire week is bound to be like that. I can only hope that we get someone else in quickly - or at least I be allowed to work my favorite section and some overtime until all straightens out. For now my legs hurt, my feet hurt, and there's not an ounce in my body that has any energy, even to get up to eat. I had a bowl of cereal right after I got home from work and I think that's all the lifting I can do today lmao.
I had noticed, speaking of that bowl of cereal, how fast my gallon of milk had gone. Now granted, if it was regular milk, it would've long ago been rotten. But for me, even with special milk, it going so quickly is rare. It sure is nice to be able to enjoy milk for once. There is a slight difference in taste, but not one that affects much of anything and it doesn't affect any food I cook in either.
The cats are doing fine. Nimbus is starting to do better with taking his pills - and I'm doing better at forcing them down quicker, less stressfully, and farther so that it doesn't affect him as much nor does it come back up. Jadzia (I think) is having issues down *there* - and I think the cat grass is the reason, so it's in the trash. It needed to go anyway. Curzon has been my little magnet today, never too far away from me. I think he missed me most of all today, as he is used to me being home much earlier than I was today. I could take a lot more of this though if I stay up at my favorite place. I don't wear out nearly as quickly there, the time passes by quicker, and it's much more fun and entertaining. Plus I'm not stuck in my "hole" for the whole day.
Anyway, I am off for now to enjoy what's left of the day, though I might go to sleep soon - REAL soon!

PARDON THE LANGUAGE

G*****N CHINESE!
First it was melamine in pet food.
Now it's melamine in BABY FORMULA.
Time to call for an EVERYTHING chinese recall.

Nimbus

I'm not sure what's up with my boocat. It seems his breathing issue is brought on by stress, but not always. Sometimes he seems lethargic, sometimes not. So I'm not sure the antihistamine is working, nor am I sure it's seasonal allergies. I'm not sure what's going on at all. He's been quiet today, even after getting his pill. That's totally opposite to the last time. I'm wondering if maybe Mic is right and the half-pill twice a day was too much and maybe a half-pill a day is better. But that doesn't explain the stress issue. We'll see.
I just want my Boo to be a healthy Boo, not one struggling to breathe. Sure as hell not one that stops breathing during coughing fits! Luckily he hasn't done that in a week. It still scares me though - as much as it scared me to death when they told me he had a murmur two years ago. Not like the blockage wasn't scary enough, because it was. *sigh* too much!

Following...

Hey guys trying to manage my "following" blogs... a lot of crap got in there that shouldn't have... and it makes Reader so messy. So be patient with me lol.
And Andrew, thanks ;-)
And what a day... *sigh*
Back to work tomorrow, yuck.

A Note (or two, or more lol)

Hello friends, what a week, eh? I still have two more days to go on my week, but that's ok.
I got the cats some of that cat grass that you grow inside, that comes in its own (usually plastic) container... I tried this on them before, but I guess they were just too young for it (though it was only a couple years ago or so). Now Jadzia and Curzon are just loving it (Nimbus STILL couldn't care less, but that is typical LMAO). They each have their own styles too. Curzon just chews until a piece comes off, Jadzia rips, even if it means the whole blade, root and seed included! Such a silly cat.
Nimbus is doing good, his breathing (*hold breath*) sounds better. He was able to take cuddles without getting that sound in his breath. So I guess that is progress. I am holding out hope that the antihistamines is what he needed after all. I'm still grateful that the vet didn't find the murmur this time either. I think she doesn't like me being so worried about the cat, but geez, when a cat faints from lack of oxygen, what else is one to do? A part of me has concerns about this vet, but she is open to discussions about the animal's care and that's more than I get out of most vets. Most are determined to just make a diagnosis, hand you a big bill, and send you on your way.
Work was work, bleh, lol. Not exciting like Tuesday...
Oh sht that's right, I didn't get to tell you guys! I finally made my first step into my coveted Station 4 (or whatever number I gave it, I forgot now lol). I got to be up there all day on Tuesday! Oh and add on, I got 3 extra hours in 'cause someone else wanted to go home, and because I said I'd take over, they let her. I was so happy Tuesday, that 11 hours didn't seem like much. See, guys, I told you, put me where I WANT to be and I'll be happy. Now lets see of the bosses get the drift... I don't hold out too much hope. But I was there so long I drank a whole half gallon of my beloved peach tea while I was there! I think I had like half of my 20oz bottle left when I got home and the half gallon jug was empty. LMAO. I don't do that often, heck that's only the 2nd or 3rd time I think... Happiness (or just sheer busyness) will do that to me.
This anniversary of 9/11 has passed quietly, like the others, thank God. Whew. I wasn't so much worried about this one though. Other coworkers of mine were though, but we proceeded through the day as if it was any other day. What choice was there? Work had to be done.
Well folks I'm off for now, as (though you can't see it - thank God for backspace) my fingers have gone dyslexic on me! lol... In all seriousness, it just shows I need to rest!

Couple Things.

Added the new "Followers" widget... and if I read your blog, you've got yourself a follower. If you know I read your blog, and when you add this widget (if you do) and you don't see me, let me know. I don't know if it works.
Nimbus is doing better - it seems. He gave us a scare Monday night, but he hasn't since. I'm not sure yet if it's seasonal allergies or not, but I'm hoping we have it nipped, whatever it is. There is NOTHING scarier than seeing your pet stop breathing out of nowhere and needing a breath of YOUR air to get back to normal. I have no problem doing that though. Then again, what pet lover wouldn't do that for one of their beloved animals, eh? Heck, I'd do it for any cat, even if I had to rip off a sweater or shirt to put around a stray's head 'cause of the dirt.
Work sucks, but when doesn't it? I'm managing though. Paycheck took a hit, but I was expecting it.
Trying to get lost in the music etc, but that's hard right now. I can't seem to get lost in ANYTHING right now.
So I am off to try to at least relax before going through my evening ritual. Hope everyone is well.

Nimbus Update

Just got home from the vet not too long ago. It was a longer visit than last time, as we had a lot of troubleshooting to do. It was quite the puzzle. But we were able to put the pieces together and come up with a PROBABLE diagnosis - seasonal allergies. He didn't present with anything beyond his "noisy breathing" - but at least she got to hear a little bit of what I've been hearing. She was leaning towards an upper respiratory infection, but that should've passed, and obviously hasn't. But the AC was the giveaway, I just hadn't put the two together - thinking it was temperature related and not the air itself. Stupid me but sometimes obviousness eludes me. So the plan is to give him 2 weeks' worth of antihistamine and go from there. If we see improvement we'll know we were right and can just continue the medication until winter hits and the pollen is out of the air. If not, I don't know what we will do. Next on the vet list - Jadzia. But not anytime soon, because with my work situation, I can't keep dropping money every couple weeks at the vet. But I thought everyone would like to know that Nimbus is ok - and once again, NO MURMUR! Whew.

Politics and Felines

Well it's official - I don't just dislike Palin, I hate her. Yes I know that's a strong word, but hey, honesty IS the best policy, right? She lies worse than McCain, and her lies are even bigger! Now comes word of yet ANOTHER scandal in waiting. I am almost afraid of what's next. So she's speaking finally to the press next week - but Mrs. Palin, ABC doesn't count. We all know they're in bed with McCain, like FOX. Nice try. Onto other news. Nimbus goes back to the vet in a couple hours. His coughing, wheezing, hacking, congested breathing issue, whatever it is, is back. I'm hoping it's only a cold or something like that. Hopefully it's nothing serious. But above all, hopefully they find WHATEVER it is this time. I can't afford to take him to the vet every other week, no matter how inexpensive. I just can't do it. Anyone celebrating oil prices going "down" recently? I didn't think so. I am STILL using mass transit, passing even on combining trips with neighbors unless necessary (like cat food and litter). I'm cutting back on stuff a little bit. I just know things are going to get worse before they get better, and even those of us who don't drive are going to feel it harder and harder as we tick closer and closer to November. Now comes word that OPEC will probably cut production. Let them. Watch demand go down again as prices jump. We showed them once already that we won't take their bullsht. We cut back a lot because we had to, not because we wanted to. It's not like we're guzzling again, but I bet if gas prices jump back over $4 again and stay as long as they did the last time, they'll feel it too - as we quit giving them our hard-earned money even more. It's not like we can escape it altogether, heck, flea medication prices have nearly DOUBLED in the last couple years, if not more. I had a cheap connection that was less than 50 for 2 months' worth that now costs at least over 90. Wtf is up with that? It's not the vet's fault, the MANUFACTURER jacked up the cost. Just another reason for indoor cats. So off I go for now, to try to rest (I'm not feeling well, but don't worry, I know why this time) before Nimbus goes to the vet. I have to get the carrier out again but I'll do that closer to his appointment time. I hope all of you are doing well. And by the way, welcome to my corner of the blogosphere AP. Wave to Tom for me when you talk to him next.

Bleh!

YUCK YUCK YUCK. I HATE this weather. It's therapeutic in the sense of
the sound of the rain, but it's nasty out. It's humid as AZ during
monsoon season (or FL - but I've only been to AZ), dark as it should
be in 5 hours or so (and it's been this dark all day), and though it's
been raining steady for a while now, it's still warm outside compared
to what it SHOULD be after all this rain. The creek is up, but not
anywhere near flooding yet. (And I am so tired of the yanks up here
mispronouncing creek. If it was MEANT to sound like "crick" it would
be spelled that way. Maybe that's the midwestern side of me, insisting
on pronouncing words as they're spelled whenever possible.) It was
warm and humid this morning as well. It was in the low 70s but 100%
humidity, so it FELT more like a miserable 80something. The walk took
an extra 5-10 minutes, not because of me lollygagging around, but
because I had to stop so many times to catch my breath! I had to even
stop once to get my bottle out so I could get a drink of tea - I
normally only have to do that when I'm out walking in the hot sun! But
trust me there was NO sun at 4am. I wish there was sunlight out this
morning, it would've meant it was later than 6am! Ahhh to sleep, wait
what is that? LOL at least I have some time off... I need it.
The cats are doing well, pigs as always (well, except for Curzon, the
not-so-piggy furball). They got canned food yesterday, their very
favorite one too. I decided that, though I don't like one of the
ingredients, the cats don't seem to be having any problem digesting
it, and with all the water Nimbus has been drinking lately, I don't
think he could POSSIBLY get blocked ROFL. Jadzia got fed by fork, as
the boys were eating out of the bowls. I swear to you she looked like
she was a mini lion ripping meat off of a fresh kill the way she was
taking the food off of the fork! Nimbus is doing ok too, though I'm
starting to think he has a case of congestion, and I'm not sure what
to do about it. I may call the vet Monday and see what she says,
though I'm sure if we decide to take him in, he'll promptly get rid of
any congestion like he did last time!
I want everyone to know that I have been reading your blogs, and I
know some of you disagree with me politically. But I want everyone to
know how much I appreciate the civility that has been shown between
all of us during what can easily become a high-stress, high-friction
time. I have seen more civility amongst my blog friends over some very
serious stuff than I ever saw over the smallest crap in any chat room!
So I am off for now, to rest and enjoy my day off. With the weather as
gloomy as it is, it might just be an early night for me because this
weather has made me even more sleepy! And pray that they fix the
busted water line before I go back to work on Tuesday - that was NOT
fun! Thank goodness I didn't have to be the one to mop all of the
water up - but at the same time I'm glad I caught it when I did,
before it had the chance to cause much damage. And all my thoughts to
those of you affected by Gustav and Hanna, and those preparing for
Ike. Here's to hoping Josephine dies off, because 3 hurricanes or
near-hurricanes in a week or two is just too many as it is! We don't
need a 4th! Too bad we can't bottle up a storm and send it where they
NEED the rain. I'm sure we've had enough today to last a while. They
say in today's paper that we could get a MONTH'S worth of rain TODAY.
Yuck. So cy'all later.

Quote of the Day

"Sausage will wait."

Take it as you wish.

Comments?!?

McCain is SICK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5KkFvGsgQk

Please be warned, graphic images of 9/11/01. View with caution.

Maybe we need to start a petition condemning McCain for politicizing a national tragedy?!?

OOooo Dear

Rule #1 - don't fk with my Mondays.
Rule #2 - don't fk with my laundry on my Mondays.
Rule #2 was just broken... Dryer don't work. Of course I HAVE to go to work tomorrow and I HAD to wash my work clothes. So Nature's drying for me, and my apt manager WILL give me my $2 back, one way or another.
Too many people have been fkn with me lately. Soon there will be consequences to fkn with me.