Saturday night

I thought you might get a kick out of one of my few surviving baby pictures.  My primary abuser destroyed 99% of them in an attempt to "erase" me.  This was mailed to my grandmother and therefore saved. 

I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.  And aside from an annoying "attaboy" attitude towards Ron's drinking I love the culture. 

I never wear cowgirl hats, though.  I remember loving it when I was little, though. 

You'll notice I'm wearing glasses, I was wearing glasses as a baby.  I had a really cool pediatric eye doctor, he had the most amazing playroom in his waiting room.  I loved going to see him.  He was a nice Jewish man and very kind.  He had a puppet show and he would hold my head still and use a remote to make the puppets jump and clap, to track my eye movement.  I actually went from nearly blind to better than average (with correction) vision under his care. 

Then we moved and my Dad's crappy HMO did not pay for specialists, it was the regular eye doctor for me.  Which is fine, I am always happy to go to the eye doctor. 

Until the glaucoma exam, that's not much fun but it's a lot better than going blind like Ron did.  He was born with glaucoma.  I am good for a couple years, though, I just had an exam back in, what, July?  I think it was July, pretty sure it was before Mama and the kittens because all my money went to them after that. 

Not that I mind.  Cleo was playing with the cat toy, she likes the silver vine herb.  She also liked Ron's chicken nuggets.  That's what he wanted for dinner. 

It started with Baby Girl stealing and eating a nugget.  Yes, I feed Baby Girl cat food.  I even gave them some soup for cats, earlier, with a big scoop of probiotics in it.  So she ate about half a nugget.  Ron broke the other half up and Cleo ate some. 

I looked, it is OK for cats to eat a chicken nugget RARELY.  I am just glad I got 9 nuggets into Ron as he is terrible about eating protein. 

I'm not great, either, but I work at it.  For instance, I have a 30 gram protein shake in the fridge I will consume for dinner. 

My Dad just got back home and does not want to talk today, so I'm off the hook for that.  I sent them a text and they hit me back with that.  Which is fine.  My mood is not great. 

I am really trying to be the sort of person who is unaffected by what is going on around me.  Like some of Ron's care providers when he has been in a hospital setting, Ron was terrible to them and they just blew it off, didn't take it personally.  I so desperately WANT to be that person.  I am better on medication but I feel I am too reactive and let him dictate my moods.  DON'T want that. 

Yes, it would be "easier" to ditch him but I don't see that as the plan right now, for reasons I have already given. 

Things I need to do: I need a new computer desk.  I would like a new chair for watching TV but that is not urgent.  Of course Mama and the kittens stopped hanging out under the chair when I got rid of the old one.  But I almost got Spotty a couple of times and I couldn't have that.  Don't regret it but the plastic chair is surprisingly OK for now.  Mama cat likes to sleep in it. 

But I do need a new computer desk.  I was looking at Ikea.  They have a lot of options but I want something EASY to assemble and it didn't look like it.  I need to look at Walmart. 

Yeah, Walmart has a ton. 

Ron wanted a breakfast bowl in addition to his nuggets so he got pretty much a whole day of protein in one meal.  He even took some vitamins. 

I need to do Christmas presents.  Mainly 2.  My aunt and I discussed something years ago and I have a good idea what to get her.  I already know what I am getting my stepmother.  My Dad would love a puzzle or gift card for Starbucks.  Both are easily done. 

The cats are eating cat food for dinner.  Well, Biscuit is eating the wrong food so I need to go stop him.  He loves the Iams.  If Royal Canin ever stopped making the S/O formula I would get the Iams urinary formula for him.  He clearly loves what they're doing. 

I never had this problem with him getting into the Meow Mix. 

I decided to do a protein shake and a cup of noodles.  The noodles are still very hot so I'll let them cool for a while.  It is cheap sodium and I love noodles.  I actually do need to get "enough" salt every day or I will get sick, the lithium makes me lose salt. 

When I was toxic (from lithium) back in September I was drinking a ton of sports drinks for just that reason, I didn't want to get hypokalemic (low sodium).  My mood has been fine on 3 lithium a day so I'm happy.  I had never reduced my lithium dosage to that point.  It was very odd taking them out of my pill organizer.  Very odd.  But I got them for tonight. 

Ooh, I need to call the pharmacy and get my refill on the antipsychotic.  I see the dentist on Tuesday to install the permanent crown and then I am done for a while. 

I just walked past Cleo on the couch, she stayed there as I approached and let me pet her, closing her eyes as I did so (good body language).  I am so glad I got her safe, fixed, shots, microchip.  She is with her family and safe.  She has a good life and enjoys it. 

That is a lot better than doing a TNR on her and dumping her outside in the weather.  I get it, sometimes you have to do it, but I am glad I took a chance on her, 'feral" and all.   She's a good little cat. 

I find it endearing how she will come up on Ron in his wheelchair, in the kitchen, and lick his hand.  He knows it is her, pets her, and gives her treats.  She will lick my leg as I am preparing to feed her, sometimes.  It is adorable and original. 

Mama cat "killed" the toy rat and called the kittens over to show them how it's done,where to bite, etc.  I PITY the rodent that comes around here. 

The only problem I see with the cats right now: Mama and Cleo have longish nails which sometimes catch in things.  I would love to trim them but neither is up for it.  The old gang would let me trim their nails if it came to it but the new guys, not so much (maybe Spotty).  I am tired and going to bed early but not yet. 

I'm going to go check on my noodles.