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Posts Tagged ‘home’

Yesterday, I gave my mother an appliance-related pep talk. Their fridge was making an ugly sound, but they managed to fix it, yay.)

Today, our dryer threw in the towel. Literally, as in, no matter how many times we ran the thing, the towels (and sheets, and shorts, and socks) refused to dry. Ruh-ro.

Enter Mr. Man. Trusty voltmeter in hand, he forged into the depths of the laundry room and after a valiant battle, emerged victorious. (For definitions of “victorious” that involve 3–5 day shipping of replacement parts.) The heating coil had snapped, so it was perhaps unsurprising that it could no longer perform its function.

So it was a no-writing day. Still, while the day was a bit of a wash (heh), it’s looking up!

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Also, don’t do this. Photo by Thomas Dumortier on Unsplash

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We bought the cat a little toy chicken with a fluffy feathered tail. Here’s what it looked like this morning:

Squawk!

I guess he liked it.

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Confession time: We did not celebrate Thanksgiving yesterday.

For scheduling and supply reasons, it’s often odd to celebrate the holidays of a country other than the one you are in. Mr Man was at the office all day yesterday, I was working too, and it all seemed like a bit much.

Today, however, it’s turkey time! Well, not actually turkey, because apparently it’s impossible to find fresh turkey outside of Canadian Thanksgiving (in October) and the frozen variety requires far too much planning. So, roast chicken. Also mashed potatoes and acorn squash and cranberry sauce and stuffing and other dishes that say Turkey Day to me.

Because I want to take time to be thankful, even if I can’t be thankful for turkey.

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The turkey is totally fine with this. Photo by Chris Henry on Unsplash

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Lots to Do!

Oh, hey there! I’m in the middle of baking a new recipe for Lemon Meringue Pie and working on a bunch of other fun things. Have a happy day!

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Photo by Ilana Grostern on Unsplash

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I’m at the start of a brief vacation from the day job, and it feels good. My plan for today included making bread, testing an experimental hazelnut chocolate pudding, working up a new soup recipe, and enjoying a cold glass of sangria in the warm afternoon sun.

I am happy to report that I have accomplished the most important thing on that list.

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Photo by Whitney Wright on Unsplash

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Cat Tale

This is a story about the cat. Also other things.

Lord Argyle suffered through his first trip (with us) to the vet today.

Like so many other vets these days, ours is extremely busy. Between pandemic restrictions, new pet owners, reduced hours and practitioners, vets are having to deal with a lot lately.

Why It’s So Hard to Find a Veterinarian These Days – The Atlantic

Our original meet and greet appointment was scheduled for mid-October, but when we noticed that our fellow was having some issues, they got us in right away. Our vet really is great. 

And yes, I made her brownies.

The final report was not bad. Not 100%, as he is having some allergic reactions, has a weird hole in his gums and oh yes, weighs sixteen pounds.

Sixteen! Big is fine, but we want to make sure he’s healthy too.

So while we think most of these issues will be relatively easy to resolve, we have a bit of work to do.

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Heading home, cat loudly protesting the recent indignities, I watched a thought fly by.

“I was hoping this time would be a little easier. What if he’s not ok?”

To which the rest of me responded, “Are you kidding? One, you are not bleeding, so this cat is definitely easier than Neko.”

Truth.

“Two, if our three-year old cat were instead a newly-rescued kitten, he would have other issues. Fun stuff like conjunctivitis, bad digestion, ticks, fleas and worms.”

Also true. Ew.

“And three, if you went for a check-up today you would have issues too. Are your teeth perfect, your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar ideal, your heart rate and joints and eyesight all functioning at peak levels? Do you exercise enough? Do you eat only what you should and not what you shouldn’t?”

Wellll… You may have a point.*

“And yet, your life is good. Not perfect, but good. Do your best and his will be too.”

Ok. You’re right. 

Here’s to a good life. 

Not perfect, but good.

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* Erm. See the previously mentioned brownies.

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Photo by Jonas Vincent on Unsplash

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My version of that one (super true) cat meme:

Super super true.

Also, kitty needs a new bed.

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In response to the top request of the week so far, I give you another kitty update.

When we first met Lord Argyle we noted that he was mostly white with a few grey-black splotches. We thought he would be a great fit and he was super cute, just had the bad fortune to be an adult cat who had been passed over too many times in favor of kittens. His coloring looked a little like Neko, our last cat, but not enough to be weird. 

Apparently, we didn’t look hard enough. 

In some positions and in certain lights, Argyle looks almost exactly like Neko. He is also long and sturdily built, a tad overweight, and enjoys the same spots she did, like the top of the stairs and the chair in the library. I sometimes catch a glimpse of him peering through the railing and do a double take.

Is it weird? A little, but as far as personalities go, that’s where the resemblance ends.

Argyle is still a little nervous but he’s also very cuddly, doesn’t mind being picked up or otherwise touched, and has yet to growl at a passing dog, lawn mower or delivery person. 

Our new overlord is sweet, and we’re having a great time getting to know him.

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Photo by Yerlin Matu on Unsplash

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The new cat is settling in. Despite the initial freak out and subsequent hiding marathon, today he came out from under his chair and decided that we would be allowed to pet him. We spent an hour demonstrating our kitty servant bonafides, and he graciously decided to give us a chance.

Progress, hooray!

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Photo by Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash

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Lord Argyle

Meet Lord Argyle!

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Will we change his name? How long will it take for him to get comfortable in his new home? Will he ever come out from inside that chair?

We’ll have to wait for answers to these and other questions, but for now we’re just happy to have him ensconced (as per the rescue’s recommendation) in a quiet room of his own. He’s a little freaked out (unsurprisingly) but was curious and active, both good signs!

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