Yesterday was so bad it was comical!

 I love my cell phone provider, but they always have issues with my autopay after I get a new phone, and the bill was due Sunday.  The phone worked fine on Sunday but they cut off my service yesterday for "overdue bill" of $13.  So I had no phone all day.  

Work was very hectic, enough that they asked me to stay late.  I was OK with that because they needed me, I was getting paid, and I figured God had evangelism assignments for me later that night.  And He did.  

I had one driver I had clearly never encountered.  He was completely shocked when I gave him the candy.  Drivers who know me are more blase.  

I gave out some stuff to other passengers as led by the Holy Spirit.  I got home, fixed the phone issue on my computer, and I'm back in business.  

I want to get some groceries later today but I feel moderately crappy from the allergies and I may give the Flonase a chance to kick in.  

The allergies were bad enough yesterday I was snorting Flonase at the bus stop waiting to go home!  I'm sure far worse has happened at that bus stop.  

Sunday

 Overall I love everyone I meet when I leave the house, my friends online, etc.  Good people.  For instance, someone mowed my yard and did some landscaping when I was at work the other day.  Thank you.  

However, there's a small percentage of absolutely vicious, entitled, demanding, customers.  Sometimes I have to say "No".  They don't like that; they turn it into a personal attack complete with screaming at me, vicious name-calling, following me around shouting at me, etc.  Apparently they have learned they can turn a no into a yes if they are abusive enough.  That is not the case.  When they realize that, they try to get me fired.  That does not work either.  

It is safe to say I am pretty well liked everywhere I go, I do my best to be a light.  So when management hears they're upset at me they literally laugh it off.  

One of the interesting interactions I had about a month ago.  I was zoning and a customer came up to me, said "I'm your neighbor".  She lives across the street, and down a house or two.  

She said "I'm worried about your cat, the black and white one" (Biscuit was a very dark gray and white, people often mistook him for a black and white "cow cat").  I asked her why.  "He always comes by for breakfast and I didn't see him today".  

A few days later he was gone.  I haven't seen her again to tell her.  She did ask me some questions about "who died in your house, and how" which I found interesting.  I had one human and three cats die inside the house (not at the same time) and two die outside, since I bought the house. I didn't get into that.  It doesn't faze me in the least.  

I'm going to take my shower.  

I went to the cell phone store.  There was a guy in front of me buying a new phone.  I was really impressed with the worker, he spoke 3 different languages in my presence.  It's a family store, I've met several different members.  They are all really compotent, kind, professional, the kind of people who deserve to get my money and get an excellent Google review.  They got both.  

I stayed *just* under budget.  I didn't play games, I told him "I have $170 and that's it" and he worked with that.  I got a very nice Moto G 2025 with several times the memory of my old phone.  Speaking of my old phone, I told him it had died last night.  He asked what it did, I took it out and showed him.  He took it, had a look, said "I've never seen that..." and when I said "I need a new one, right?' he said "Yes."  I explained how I used my phone and he got me the G.  It is very similar to my old phone in the layout and operation.  

I hate getting new things, unless it is perhaps a pair of jeans on clearance.  I have very old things in my home, all my appliances, etc.  I rate getting a new phone up there with going to the dentist.  But he made it pretty painless.  It took a while (the guy in front of me, and some people came in after me).  

I asked God I needed the fruits of the spirit and to have a good witness in all of this.  It was a very long process and setting up the Google account on the new phone was a real headache.  But I think I comported myself well.  

I had about $10 left after that.  I thought about what I had wanted to get at the grocery store, what I could get.  I got some pasta sauce - the generic brand Alfredo.  I want that.  I got myself a snack and something for the driver.  That all came to about $5.  I went home.  

On the way I saw the driver who saw me a few days after the accident, he was worried about me.  I wore my sling today because I had the handcart.  I was hoping I could get some more candy; that didn't work.  But I had the "buggy".  So I used the sling and it reminded me to only push with the left arm.  I'd do that again.  

I told him "It was a lot better but it's going to take some time".  He was happy with that.  

Some of my neighbors (older Black men) saw me and asked about the accident, I told them.  

My allergies have been extremely bad today.  I have done everything in my arsenal.  We'll see.  

I had some very nice cuddles with the cats.  Someone's puppy got out and jumped all over me when I went out to investigate.  Cute little thing seemed lonely.  But I don't have the bandwidth for a dog.  

That's it for now!  

Battling some depression

 But I don't discuss that at work.  Chief snitch is here and in a very nasty mood.. basically I see the rest of the day as me ducking her daggers.  

I am thinking about the cats.  I bought an arm sling which I plan to wear on the way home.

Thats it for now 

Thursday morning

 I didn't do half of what I needed to do yesterday.  

I did get the garbage out, did my shopping, changed 2 litter boxes out completely.  

I need to get my shower, do my God Time, get dressed, make my breakfast protein shake, make another one for work, make my lunch, do up some candy.  

I need to take my supplements and my Naproxen, which has the unfortunate side effect of making me sleepy.  I didn't sleep better last night though.  

I lost my earbuds, if I'm going to speak to someone I take them out.  I have just been putting them in the pocket, no case. That's a mistake, I have the case bud no earbuds.  

The earbuds cost me about $7 so not a huge crisis.  I'm already tired.  I'm dreading the Naproxen.  

I need it, though, I'm pretty sure today.  Apparently more rain's coming.  

I have a very bad problem with putting on the happy face; but it hurts.  A month out, it still hurts.  It hurts to shower, to fill the cats' water bowl.  To put on my vest at work.  I don't see how I made it through the first couple of weeks.  

It's getting better - I had a huge knot about 5 inches across, it's vastly reduced.  It's still tender to the touch but it's improving.  The key thing with that was getting serious about supplements, whey protein, collagen, creatine, antioxidants (large dose antioxidants), ginger root for inflammation and stomach protection.  

Ron would say I know what to do, he'd be right.  So I'm doing it.  

Wednesday, a day off at home.

 I had a headache the last couple days, weather systems.  

Interestingly enough I don't really get a headache when there's a hurricane coming. 

Spotty's been in my lap a lot, it's hard to pick him up with one arm.  My arm is not happy right now I am considering buying a sling to wear at home.  

Honestly, I probably should have been wearing one but I was worried about my job.  

I accidentally ordered 3 cases of cat litter instead of 2.  That was very unpleasant.  The nice man left them in the doorway.  I had to unpack them.  The Scoop Away I buy has four, 9 pound bags per case.  So I took out each bag and put it up.  That took forever and my arm is still angry about it even though I didn't use it for the job.  

Hopefully I have some candy inbound next.  That's a 9 pound bag.  I wouldn't lift that with the right arm.  It could be a couple more months I have learned, before the arm's 100%.  But doc did say I'd recover.  It's a process.

Ay yi yi I hope someone got saved out of this, or at least took a hard look at the Gospel.  

We had pretty heavy rain all day but the cats are in, and it's drying up now.  That's the nice thing about most rain in Houston, it's heavy for an hour or two and then clear and sunny.  

That's it for now!  

I didn't mind working Easter

 I forget if I worked other Easters but it was exceptionally busy.  Again, I didn't mind that.  

I had some wonderful customers and a lot of OK customers.  I also had a few difficult customers.  

I was pretty taxed by the time I took my lunch and could not face the thought of my mystery leftover I had brought from the freezer at home.  So I went to the deli and got a 2 piece fried chicken meal, which was pretty good.  

A couple of hours after I ate it I vaguely recalled the deli fried chicken was a headache trigger.  Yes, it is, today has not been fun but I did not have to work with this.  

I had a nice nap with Spotty, Cleo got in my lap a few times, good times.  

That's it for now.  

My drivers take care of me

 For whatever reason they had me work a 4 hour shift on Good Friday.  It was insane.  I literally fled the store when it was time to clock out.  

My first driver picked me up, went out of his way to make sure I got my second bus easily.  He did not have to do that; but he did.  I'm glad he did.  He didn't have to do that.  

For days I was in denial about the severity of my injury.  I wondered if it would ever get better.  I am not stressing it, which isn't easy, but I'm getting more left handed which helps.  My bosses have been very understanding.  I think they're just glad I kept working rather than getting a leave of absence.  I have the kind of job; when I'm out someone has to cover.  That takes them away from doing something else.  

But I kept working with my arm looking like something out of a domestic violence awareness video.  The bruising is mostly gone, I'm glad about that.  It hurt and sickened me to look at it, it hurt and sickened my friends to look at it, too.  I couldn't cover it, because, God love them, I have a lot of friends at work with touch as their love language and they keeep thumping me on the arm!  I love them, it's not malicious.  

It is improving but I plan to baby it for a while.  The worst thing, I think, I can do is say "It's better now" and then go pick up something heavy or whatever.  I had a bad muscle tear.  That takes time.  I'm not young, either.  

I did get a lot of improvement when I cranked up the supplements and protein intake.  I would definitely advise (homemade: whey and collagen in milk) protein shakes and antioxidant (A, C, E) supplementation along with probiotics (I was doing that mainly for ongoing allergy issues but it's a good idea every day).  I am not asking Metro to pay for the protein powders, supplements, etc. because that's something I think I need to be doing every day, ongoing, for just general health.  I am asking them to pick up the tab on driver tips and delivery fees because I couldn't get my groceries home.  

I thought it was funny, Chief Snitch at work thought I was a real bad azz for taking the bus home at 9.  It was actually pretty quiet.  Yes, there was the group of young men looking for trouble but they were very quiet and intent, didn't affect my ride home.  The drivers were so delighted with the candy it made my whole day worth it.  

I had another recipient on the way home.  That was fun.  

And, praise God, the very cold Powerade and the Excedrin are working on the "It's going to rain" headache.  

Thursday

 I made a Walmart order; more electrolyte drinks (helped a lot with the headache), some work snacks, canned cat food, large (28 ounce) bottles of Suave shampoo and conditioner that would be hard to bring home myself.  Some bottled water, I'm almost out and I need to bring up my stash.  

Spotty has been in and out of my lap all day.  He likes it if I pick him up.  It's still fairly hard to do that.  

Reaching in particular is unpleasant, as is picking things up.  I didn't ask Doc what muscle exactly was torn but I believe it was the bicep.  If I have my arm down by my side, raising it anywhere above 45 degrees is painful.  

I plan to drag the water, one-armed, into the house when it arrives.  My left arm has been getting a lot of activity the last couple weeks.  

And I'm hearing rumors online the "order picking" system for in home delivery is down "in a lot of stores".  I don't normally pass gossip but they generally bring my stuff pretty quick.  

The headache is still around, not too bad but persistent.  I checked my blood pressure it's OK.  

The cats are good.  

Heather's home for the Aged

 That's what Ron called it.  He was older, and I've always had at least one senior cat running around.  

I do love older cats; but I've lost too many to time.  I miss them.  

I had, and lost, many over the years.  

That's why I try, now, to have a range of ages in my home, for instance, a half grown kitten along with the original gangsters (6 years old) now.  

My experience with Torbie and Baby Girl; they were frenemies, but very bonded to Ron.  He died, Torbie died (she was 17), and Baby Girl died a few weeks later.  That was horrible, only made better by the fact I did still have Biscuit and the Original Gangsters.  

My vet said I would lose Biscuit in 2017, but he made it another 8 years after that, I did worry constantly though, particularly about what neighbors might be feeding him.  But he didn't get blocked he had a very peaceful (well deserved) transition.  

I had to feed certain foods to Biscuit or he'd get sick.  I don't ever plan to feed fish to any cat again but I did add some new foods that everyone likes.  

My arm is healing but not better by a long shot.  My aunt is working on that.  She also did my taxes and I get a small refund.  

I woke up with a pretty brutal headache but the Original Gangsters have been very cuddly with me.  I have been taking Excedrin for the head; I can't take the Naproxen with that so the arm is just getting the short end of it today.  

After some thought I decided to put it here

 The books all say you shouldn't ever reference a stalker because they get off on the fact that you thought about them for a minute.  But I do pause before I begin typing and try to figure out if what I'm writing can be used against me or my loved ones in any way.  

How do you term someone at work who's a snitch?  Friendly, nice enough person, that's the angle, but a snitch.  I have seen this person literally go running to tattle personal information told in confidence, to management.  Anyway, she told me it's probably a bad idea to refer to the cats in anyway online given my issues.  

It's a shame, I have adorable photos but she had a point.  

So.  I have had a big uptick in spiritual attacks recently.  I have responded by amping up the evangelism as much as possible, but there has been fallout.  I almost broke my arm, I was sick before that, my cat died (not in order), depressions, etc.  When Ron was alive he would go off and attack me verbally, keep me up all night, etc. if I was doing a lot of evangelism.  He was always very threatened by my relationship with Jesus to the point he would roll himself into my room and do tirades against God during my Bible study time.  That's why I got in the habit of getting up early to read my Bible (he was still asleep).  

That's also a huge reason I am not looking to date again.  I am free of the abuse and can't go through that again.  

But my loved ones suffer on occasion.  It makes me wonder if it is right to even have people close to me.  Pets.  

I am going to think about that for a while.  Should I be a good soldier going through life alone?  I don't think God wants that.  

Are my loved ones signing up for this?  That's what keeps me up at night.  

Yes, I got help

 It's been a bad year.  I mentioned last year I was thinking about getting help.  I did.  She's very happy how I'm coping.  But I am talking.  

Every awful occurrence drives me closer to God and drives me to share my faith.  I have often said if the devil wants me to slow down he should put me on easy street!  

I am quite upset I don't get to do the Easter Bible Handout.  But God has a reason for it.  I will say, on average, I am handing out 10 items or more a day.  So, since the accident, that's 170, which outpaces my best record of 120 on a Handout.  

Work is going well today.  

I made myself into an action figure.

 Some of my friends are using Chat GPT to make cute images/action figures/dolls of them at work.  They are cute but I don't need the pest knowing my job.  

So I made this, it's what they call me anyway.  

I had a lot of fun making her; bus pass, bag of candy, free Bibles sign, Bible of course...and my usual Handout attire.  It didn't know what to do with my cell phone holder and made it a necklace but that's fine.  

I have some business to conduct at work before I start.  I'm going to leave early.  

I start pretty late, it's a short shift, so it will be interesting to see how the day goes.  

That's it for now!  

Thursday

 I slept OK but woke up at 4 with a headache.  I got up, placed a Walmart delivery order.  I have free Walmart "Plus" (like Amazon prime) as part of my employment package.  That means I get free delivery and my 10% on things that qualify.  

It's also been my observation I get really quick delivery, too.  I made my order around 6 and got it at 10:30, didn't pay anything but the tip.  I am asking Metro to pick up the tip as I wouldn't need delivery if I was uninjured.  I also paid for the items, of course.  

I think it's important to keep up with the probiotics so I got those, I also got ginger root capsules as I'm almost out.  Ginger root is an antiinflammatory and helps my stomach (pain pills are brutal!).  I got some bread (came in beautiful condition) and lunch meat, frozen fruit for my protein shakes.  That was really good - I got the single fruits frozen, a bag of blueberries, etc.  I got 3 kinds of fruit, put 1/4 cup each in the shake and it was very good.  

I do have some expectations from Metro: I would like them to pay for my doctor visit (most expensive to least), remedies/medication (pain rubs and such but not the vitamins), tips on the things I get delivered like groceries (because it is problematic getting them home with the arm), pain and suffering whatever that is worth.  

I do love my bus drivers and I'm not going anywhere but that first night was very hard getting back on the bus.  The Bible says a couple of interesting things about injury: 

"injured... he will surely make it good"

Old Testament personal injury law; you hurt someone, you pay up

"Do not touch my anointed ones" (I guess I am, as an evangelist?)

"Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves"

I think we can keep this classy and handle it like adults.  My aunt has always been my tireless advocate and I have great faith in God working through her.  

The cats have been good.  I am getting lots of lap time which makes me happy.  

That's it for now!  

Wednesday

 I thought I could wait on the pain pill yesterday.  I was wrong.  That was really unpleasant.  This definitely ranks up there on my top 5 illness/injuries.  

It's colder so I'm wearing my coat and the drivers can't see my arm, but they still act very surprised when I hand out the candy.  I am not going to let injury derail my ministry.  I have forgiven the guy (doesn't mean I want to get on a bus he drives, ever), and will pray for him every day.  

Work has been going OK.  The spicy boss hates the smell of my "Pain Relief Balm" so I think she's been avoiding me.  I've been working my butt off in spite of things.  

Personnel came by "to see how I'm doing".  I guess they have a protocol.  Anyway I told them my team lead has been very understanding and accommodating.  Accommodation is a very loaded word in HR, what people with disabilities require.  The last thing HR wants is me calling corporate saying they are mean.  

[I went to work, worked my butt off, came home]

So I thought I might share what worked, and what didn't, after the accident, along with some suggestions on things to put in your first aid kit.  

Now they suggest ice and compression after a muscle tear.  Nothing sounded worse.  I couldn't wrap the arm by myself, and I found the icepack unpleasantly painful.  I have been resting it as much as possible (reaching, and shaking my hands when I dry them off, or trying to shake wet cat food out of the can - all very painful still).  But it wouldn't hurt to have a bag of peas in your freezer.  Maybe 2 and then you could rotate them.  

Arnica.  I've used this in the past and really liked it.  The nice thing, the homeopathic arnica preparations are generally unscented.  

Speaking of scent, how about a nice stinky jar of "old man" cream?  I've used two and a half jars of it so far.  Generic Tiger Balm Ultra  Downside: it does smell and it leaves my arm greasy, but it works.  

Aleve or prescription strength: Naproxen 500 mg.  

A few days ago I decided to get serious and added antioxidant vitamins.  If you want to take one pill do this.  Ideally I would also add this.  I didn't take the second one but that's something I'd like to add to my daily routine.  

I keep forgetting Epsom salts but I plan to put some in a bucket, soak a washcloth, and apply that to my arm.  That worked very well a few years ago when I fell doing the Bible Handout.  

Protein.  I went cheap.  I can't do the commercial premade shakes, I get terrible headaches.  So I make my own, a tried and true recipe I've been using since 2003.  One scoop of this in a couple of cups of whole milk, in a blender  You can use a different flavor if you like.  Add about a half (small) carton, or a half cup, yogurt, some fruit (I like half a banana, sliced, you could do frozen peaches, mango, whatever), blend it up.  That bad boy has a whole day's worth of protein.  Have one of those a day, two if you want some serious healing.  Take your antioxidant with it.  Ron went back to the hospital after about a month home with me, drinking one every day.  He kept asking for "Heather's shake" to the point the dietician tracked me down and asked me "What is in this shake?"  I told her and she said "Oh I wish we could do that".  We were told his badly broken (in 3 pieces) tibia (the big lower leg bone) would take "a long time" to heal, it was ready to go about two and a half months after his operation.  In part because he had adequate protein.  

I wish I had been doing this from day one but I am now, and I see progress.  I still have a hard, palm-sized, knot on my arm, the bruising is fading but I think that knot's going to be there a while.  Plus I was pretty sick last month; my body can use all the help I can give it.  

I am also a big fan of Ginger root.  It helps with inflammation and it also prevents upset stomach from the pain pills (a very real threat).  You'll notice none of this is very expensive, either.  

That's it for now!  

About as bad as a migraine

 I'll go chronologically today.  

Got up, did my God Time with Cleo.  Did laundry.  The washer was a good boy and didn't jump all over.  It has issues.  

I took a nap and had a horrendous nightmare.  I got up.  

I cleaned the kitchen.  It was pretty bad - sick most of last month, then injured.  And let me tell you, it was hideous just doing basic things like wiping a counter.  Very painful.  

I didn't realize how bad until I started on the curry.  I do various things.  I get out my spices, measuring cups, I had the lentils soaking all day.  I used onions, 1 clove garlic (I can get away with that, although too much garlic provokes a migraine), tomato paste, Madras curry powder, 2 kinds of chili powder, some salt, etc.  

I diced up the onions.  The smell "got into me" and set off a migraine.  I put up the vegetables, washed my hands, and laid down for a while with the cat.  I figured I had pretty good odds of vomiting so I got my bucket.  

I laid down with the cat, who laid down on my bad arm, purring.  He's been doing that lately.  I think it's his way of trying to heal me.  I laid there, my arm throbbing (not because of the cat), my head throbbing, and I realized the pain was about the same for both.  

So the arm's as bad as a migraine.  

Saturday morning

 Recently someone was worried I had posted something that had my name on it.  

I have a pest.  I don't think I have high odds of picking up another one.  

That said, I have been listening to this on repeat the last month or so.  

Metal Hymns playlist

Cats are good.  When I had Biscuit I had to be very careful what they ate as the wrong thing could kill him (he died of old age/obesity).  They weren't eating after Biscuit died so I got some wet food to tempt them; they love it and that is a part of the daily routine.  

What's nice for me - with gutter rat rescue cats - they are happy with pretty much any wet food, except Special Kitty "Super Supper".  I am not feeding anything fish based as I have 2 boys.  But "we" are trying all kinds and finding new favorites.  I also have dry food always but they prefer the wet.  

I woke up with a pretty nasty headache that even the Excedrin didn't touch.  It wasn't much fun dishing up that wet food but I had 3 little faces looking up at me, expectantly.  

It's going to rain today but hopefully not on my way to the bus stop.  My arm is throbbing.  I'm going to make it but I think today's going to be a little rough.  

Friday night

 My arm has bothered me a lot today.  Moderately depressed.  

Tired.  

Severe weather coming tomorrow.  That should make for an interesting commute.  

Friday morning

 I'm not typical and I'm OK with that. People I loved used to hold me up to what I call "The normal stick" and I didn't measure up, they would get upset.  

I have neurological differences and I am OK with that.  My boss values me, my coworkers love to hear I'm working, I like going to work, I have a ministry that is job #1 in my life.  I am loved.  

The last couple years ministry has come with accidents that have caused me some damage.  I think a man who loved me would have problems with that but I'm doing whatever it takes to share Jesus.  

And if this 

Means a door opened and someone got the Gospel I can accept that.  It has been awful, the last week and a half, but I look at the big picture.  

I have been doing insane distribution lately which is wonderful.  For instance, yesterday on the bus.  I had one of those cheap reusable tote bags full of yarn for my projects.  It fell over and a ball of yarn rolled out toward the back of the bus, behind me.  I was sitting in a forward facing seat and didn't see it.  

A young woman wearing a work uniform and some facial piercings got up and gave it to me.  I smiled, thanked her, and gave her a bag of candy.  She said thank you and put it in her bag.  

I printed up some photos of the accident.  

These are going to Metro because they need to see what they did to me.  I made a couple copies of each photo.  

God laid it on me I needed to make a bag for the driver who hurt me.  So I included one each of the photos, a New Testament with a  tract, a couple handfuls of candy, a Bible study/Scripture booklet, and a personal handwritten note.  

Side note I always try to put a handwritten note in the bags, letting the recipient know I am praying for them.  I sign it.  

I did something a little different.  I wrote "I forgive you and I am praying for you daily!" and signed it, wrote a couple of Bible verses on forgiveness on it as well, put it in the baggie along with a couple handfuls of "good" candy.   

So, yesterday, going to work I "happened" (Metro knows my routine as my bus card has RFID and is "registered" in my name) to encounter a supervisor.  There is no hiding this arm unless I wear long sleeves and it has been almost 90 degrees every day, I'm not doing that.  

I also feel like I don't need to hide it as I did nothing wrong!  

So he saw the arm and asked about it.  I said "You know what happened".  He said yes he did.  I asked him if he could get the package to the driver.  He wasn't sure until I explained the contents.  

He said he could do that.  I gave the supervisor his own bag as well and went off to catch my bus.  I am sure it is going to be examined by management but that is OK.  

I don't exactly hide my faith, and if I can't forgive people who hurt me I don't deserve to say I follow Jesus.  And, at the end of it, Doc says no permanent damage.  

Since the accident I am averaging over 10 bags a day, that's significant.  And, like I've said, I am 100% down with sharing the Gospel.  If it means this is my gate fee I'll pay it.  I won't like it but I'll pay it.  

The naproxyn and the pain cream have done a decent job.  The best $4 you will ever spend!

That's it for now!  

One week update

 

I mean what I say, I'm down with this if it means the Gospel got shared somewhere I couldn't go otherwise.  

I did have a hard time yesterday going to the doctor - actually going.  I guess PTSD from Ron.  I have PTSD from my marriage, my "haircut" last year, but not from a brutal accident.  

Someone at work said I should amplify my injuries to get more money out of the bus company.  That's not who I am.  I'm not doing that.  

But it was hard to actually get myself to the doctor.  I was OK once I got in there especially when I started handing out my "candy" but just walking in was hard.  

But I loved the NP and would love to see her again, have her as my primary.  She is very practical.  I just like her a lot.  I haven't felt that way about one of my own medical providers in a very long time.  

The very sweet and efficient desk clerk basically told me I had a terrible medical plan and I was on the hook for the first $3K of medical expenses this year.  That's exactly what I expected.  

Today I work 12-9.  I plan to call Ace and get a ride home as I have to work pretty early tomorrow morning.  

The cats are good; I've decided I will talk about them in general terms only and I'm not putting any pictures.  My friend was right: when I put up pictures and talk about them I am making them targets.  

That's it for now.