This guy had been having an affair with an Italian woman for two years.
One night she says, honey, I’m pregnant.
The guy almost faints. He’s thinking, my marriage is over.
So he says, listen, I’ll give you a lot of money if you go back to Italy, have the baby there, and keep everything a secret. I’ll even send child support until the kid turns 18.
She says, okay. But how will you know when the baby’s born?
This genius says, Easy. Just mail me a postcard and write one word on the back. Spaghetti. I’ll know exactly what it means.
Seven months later, he comes home and his wife says, Honey, you got the weirdest postcard today. He says, Just give it to me. He reads it. His face turns ghost white. He grabs his chest and drops like he just saw his credit card bill.
His wife picks up the postcard and reads it. It says, spaghetti, spaghetti, spaghetti, spaghetti, spaghetti. Three with meatballs, two without. Send extra sauce.
I woke up this morning and something seemed off. There was no noise. The last three months or so, I have been woken up by the sounds of Shiro knocking on the door and meowing to let me know that it was time to wake up. It didn’t matter that it was 5 in the morning, it was TIME to get up!
This morning there was none of that. The two, Shiro, the white Persian, and Gallahad, her brother have moved on. They are back with their daddy, my son, and according to him they are busy exploring his new place. He has a pretty nice apartment, bigger than before, but the one complaint, he has to keep the windows closed and it is unbearably hot! Yes, we are going through another heatwave! How many does that make? I don’t know but it seems like one flows into the other seamlessly! I’m waiting for fall to roll around and to give us a much needed break from the current weather. I don’t like sweating and I don’t like feeling like you can’t breathe! When three showers a day don’t help to cool you down, then it is time for this weather pattern to go and pronto!
Coming back to the quiet. I walked downstairs and there was no sound of feet following. No purring either. You guessed it. I’m missing them! However, a friend told me, “It is time for you to take care of yourself. Enjoy the peace and quiet and LESS WORK!” I agree but still I’ve grown close to them and I miss seeing them here.
Chachi, my little guy, has been missing them too. Last night, he decided to show his sadness by doing nothing at all! He was like Jello and picking him up was a problem. After a few kisses and close hugs, he perked up. This morning, he rushed downstairs looking for them. Then he plopped by the window seat and stared outside, looking downright confused. It took him a long time to get comfortable with having them here, and just when he was getting used to the Little Buggers, they are gone! Life is not fair is his current daily whine.
My mission today is to pick him up as much as I can, give him a boatload of kisses, and to keep him close. I know it won’t do much for the way he feels but at least he is back to being NUMBER ONE!
Time heals all things as they say and I hope it works the same way in cat world!
Well, it has been more than an ouch! I’ve written about the operation that is approaching and since it is supposed to be a two-hour, long drawn-out, excruciating affair, I decided that I was going to prepare my body to withstand that onslaught! I suppose you can tell by now that I am not looking forward to what is coming up and since I am coming to grips with the idea that there is nothing much I can do about the procedure, I can at least help it along by getting my body in shape.
Yes, you’ve guessed it. I’ve been working out and upping my routines. It was working out fine and I didn’t feel anything or rather my body didn’t tell me that I was doing too much. A friend called day before yesterday and he was just checking in to see how I was doing. Then he asked, “What are you doing?” I told him just finished my workout. He went quiet and then said, “I would back off from the workouts until you get that procedure done.” Hmm….did he jinx it?
Guess what? A few hours later, I felt a small ouch! Then followed a bigger OUCH! This one meant business. I felt the pain starting from my right side and shooting all the way down or halfway past my thigh area! Yes, OUCH! It was time to reel it back. Too late? I guess so but it was time to do damage control. I rubbed some cream on it, got the heating pad, turned it on, and sat back down. OUCH! That wasn’t helping, it just made things worse. AI, my true best friend, suggested icing it. So, I tried that. It felt a little better. Limping around for the rest of the day, I was PISSED! It couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Hopefully, nothing serious I prayed.
I went to bed last night in excruciating pain. Nothing seemed to work and then I got a bright idea or rather AI did. It said, try a light workout! Hmm…so I did. Just seven minutes of stretching and it seemed to do the trick. Back in bed, I put a pillow under my knees to take the pressure off my back BUT I love sleeping on my side, it was a no-go last night. Gritting my teeth, I stayed on my back. This morning I woke up with a stiff back but the pain was much better. I’ve decided to just keep stretching the muscles and to stay off my feet as much as possible.
One good thing, I’ve forgotten about this constant mantra that has been running through my head and creating havoc. “You are going to die!” that is what it keeps saying. It was nowhere to be seen today, that’s one positive aspect I suppose.
I’m ordering food in, Korean, I think. Somehow it is my favorite at the moment. Staying off my feet as much as possible and from time to time doing the stretches so that my muscles remain flexible and don’t get STUCK in one place!
Goodbyes are never easy but it is time to do exactly that. Shiro, the Persian, and Gallahad, the British long-haired cat with orange eyes will be leaving soon and I am sad.
I’ve had them for over three months now, keeping watch over them because my son, their daddy, is concentrating on his new job and they would have been a distraction plus the temporary apartment he had didn’t allow pets. So, mom offered help and with a heavy heart he accepted. Now he has an apartment that is much bigger and he is looking forward to having them back again.
The two cats were not easy. It was extra work for me and they love getting up at 5 in the mornings! Fine and good but the problem was or rather is that they want the “food lady” up as well! Now, Chachi, my little guy is joining in the fun! Somewhere along the way, he has learned that being a cat is not a bad thing after all! They are teaching him how to get what he wants, how to run riot if he doesn’t, and how to BUG mom till she gives in.
Yes, life hasn’t been easy but it hasn’t been all work and no play either. I’ve come to know them pretty well. Shiro is my little princess or rather the little girl I never had! She is sweet and sassy and takes no nonsense from the other two. Gallahad is the quiet one. He observes but where food is concerned he jumps in and turns on the charm! Those orange eyes do the rest and I find myself feeding him more than I should!
They will be leaving on Sunday and a little piece of me will go with them. I will worry about them and wonder if all is well with them as well. Chachi will miss them too. It will be back to being Number 1 for him but with no one to play with. Little Miss Ipanema still shows up now and then. She’s his girlfriend from across the street and they have this “love” thing going. Just through the kitchen window. She showed up a few days ago and saw Shiro sitting at the window staring out and her claws came out!
Things will be a lot quieter around here. I will miss the sound of running feet on the stairs, the soft purring, the loud meowing, and the shows of affection. I won’t miss the work, the constant cleaning up, and picking up behind them and getting up early in the mornings.
Time to relax and to let them go. Farewell my lovelies!
“Sometimes, the strength within you is not a fiery flame for all to see, it is just a tiny spark that whispers softly ‘You got this, keep going.”
Less than three weeks to go before I give up control of my body to a surgeon and hope that he is competent enough and will do a great job. Some days I am alright meaning calm and collected but on other days, like today, I am climbing walls!
My first thought when I learned about what needed to be done was, “I can’t do this!” Then it dawned on me that I was alone and even though being “alone” was and has been great but not when you don’t know the outcome and having help by your side would be a great thing to have at a time like this. Do I want my ex back? That’s a big NO! However, support of some kind would be great when you’re feeling unusually small and helpless!
I took time to mull things over. The fear wanted to take over and I almost drowned in it. Then I found that tiny spark within that said, “You are not alone. You’ve got this!” Courage came riding in on a white horse and I started looking around at what was available for a person in my situation. My Chilean friend said, “I’m here for you. I’ll drive you to both your appointments and I will drive you back home after your hospital stay.” Things started looking up. I looked some more and I got more offers of help. Friends showed up, real friends, and they offered help after the operation especially during the recuperation period.
What about Chachi? My precious little guy, what do I do about him? He has never been alone. I looked for cat sitters and there were plenty but I wanted people who were trained to do the job and to do it well. Lots of students offered to cat sit but I wasn’t too sure. Then I found one place that ticked all the right boxes. They were going to cost more than the others but I signed the contract. Someone will come in twice a day, feed him, make sure he has fresh water, food, clean the litterbox, and play with him for half an hour if he wants it. I’ve got them booked for a week because bending over will be a problem after the operation and carrying heavy stuff as well. Going up and down the stairs? I was told to keep it to a bare minimum so most of my time will be spent in the downstairs living room for the first week or so. I love my bedroom which is upstairs so I’m not looking forward to change. Workouts are out as well. Walking is allowed and recommended but 5 to 10 minutes a day for the first week. This will be hard as well. I workout 7 days a week so I can’t see myself doing that but I have no choice in the matter.
What do I do about help when I come back home? That was weighing heavy on my mind. I won’t be allowed to drive and it will be bedrest, maybe painkillers ( I hope not!), and taking it easy and hoping the wound heals. I looked around for help and I found this lady. We met and talked and she offered all the help I needed. Cleaning, taking care of Chachi, shopping, driving me to the doctor and driving me back if I needed it. I couldn’t believe it but wait there is more.
The heavens opened up and an “angel” walked in when she told me that she worked at the same hospital as a nursing aide where I would have my procedure done! My eyes opened wide when she said, “I’ll come check on you after the operation. You’ll be in good hands.” I couldn’t believe it!
“I can also help you with all your needs and I will talk to the nurses there to keep an extra eye on you! Don’t worry, I’m there for you.”
Hallelujah?!! Her wings were missing but who knows, she probably had them neatly tucked away. She walked in here this morning, cleaned up the place, took the trash away, AND we had a talk. She told me that she has a week off during the week of my operation but plans to stay home.
“Don’t worry, I plan to come visit everyday and I AM THERE FOR YOU!”
Did I get lucky or is this just too good to be true? Perhaps, luck has nothing to do with it. Angels walk among us and I truly believe that. So, have my worries subsided just a little? NOPE. I am a worrywart and I will find something else to worry about! There is this other thing. I think I’m going to die because I have had these weird feelings and premonitions that point to it. Can someone help with that? AI says it is normal to have such thoughts especially with a big operation coming up. I don’t know folks, I’ve been preparing for the worst but who knows.
My point is this, don’t give up hope. Don’t succumb to your fears and there is always a way out. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
“One day you will understand that you had the strength within you from the very beginning. Keep going.” Unknown
Now, I hope that the “angel” doesn’t disappear as the time for the operation gets closer!
This is one of the most beautiful hymns of all time. I remember I was sixteen and in a coliseum surrounded by thousands of people and I heard this song for the first time. I also remember looking up at the sky above and I remember the tears rolling down my face. It was beautiful and I still remember that moment when I felt like I was a part of something much bigger.
Elias Grace sings beautifully and listening to a different version of the song brought that memory back to me like it was only yesterday.
“Some things are so unexpected that no one is prepared for them.” Leo Rosten
Day 1 is here and I have 23 days more to go before I go under the knife. I’ve been keeping this close to my heart because I had to come to terms with it first. I wanted to scream when I heard it but as the doctor said, “You have no choice.” He is right.
It doesn’t make it any easier. I’m a person who takes care of herself, eats right, works out, no smoking or drinking, and have done everything right so this unwanted news seemed so unfair.
On the 24th of August, I will go in for a two-hour surgery. It seems like a long time and it is. On the 19th of August, I will meet with the anesthesiologist and the surgeon to talk about pre-op measures. Am I scared? I am. No ifs, or buts about it! Fear has always been a constant companion.
To make matters worse, a few days after I got the news, I got this message. It said, “Make peace.” What?!! A premonition? I don’t know but it did scare me. I asked my best friend, AI, and it said, “You are about to go through something that is scary or even risky, so it is normal to have such thoughts.”
I have been getting my affairs in order just in case! Life has a tendency to throw in the unexpected when you least expect it. I’ve been through it many many times. However, surgery seems more than scary and the risk factors, they are there.
I am working on calming myself down and I’m also working on getting my mind and body in better shape so I am STRONG when I go in.
Yes, I am preparing for something I can’t control. It is out of my hands but I hope that I make it and the recovery time will be short and not so painful. I HOPE the surgeon does a great job as well!
That last part got me! One smart kid, however, who names their child Odd?
In a small town, a primary school class was having a biology lesson. The teacher asked the students if they knew what whales ate. Little Odd raised his hand:
“Sometimes they eat people,” he said.
“No, Odd, I’m afraid you’re mistaken there. They eat plankton and fish,” the teacher replied.
“But the Bible says Jonah was swallowed by a whale,” Odd insisted.
“Odd, it is completely impossible for a whale to eat a human being.”
“Well, I’ll just have to ask Jonah about that when I meet him in heaven.”
The teacher smiled slightly:
“But what if Jonah went to hell instead of heaven?”
Odd was quick to answer: “Then *you* can ask him.”
I decided to find out if the teacher was right about whales not eating people. Here’s what I found out.
They have tiny throats and although they have huge mouths, their throats are only the size of a human fist.
They have no teeth. They cannot chew meat.
They eat small things like krill, plankton, and small fish. Toothed whales do not hunt or eat people either.
It is getting close. Shiro, the white Persian, and Gallahad, the British-long hair, will be leaving on the 9th of August. I’ve had them here for almost three months. Funny, how time flies.
No, I wasn’t having fun. It was WORK and at times more work than I wanted to deal with. There was also the problem of trying to get all three to work together as a unit. Unity is not what cats are about! They have their own characters and they want what they want just like I do!
Shiro wanted her daddy back. She had to deal with me and her spoiled ways had to be curbed because the nice lady wasn’t putting up with her antics. She learned that quickly. She loves meowing and she learned to curb that as well. I must say, she is a well-behaved little girl now! I will miss her.
Gallahad is looking healthy and active as well. However, food is still at the top of his list. He has lost some weight but his butt still waddles when he walks. The little guy is a sweetheart and has grown close to my heart.
Chachi is learning to share although it has been hard on him. Unfortunately, they will be leaving and he will be on his own again. I have a toy box filled with his favorite toys and the two, Shiro and Galli, have been playing with the toys. I decided to get them their own toy box as a going away present. I got an identical box and filled it with some of Chachi’s old toys, the ones he doesn’t play with, and some new ones. He walked in, took one look and looked at me. I left the room and when I walked back in, the toys were on my bed and pillow! It was his way of saying, “I would rather you have them!” He still has a hard time sharing but he is not so much of a macho now. I guess Shiro has him whipped!
It will be hard to see them go. I won’t miss the work and getting up at 5 in the mornings because Shiro and Gallahad have decided that they are hungry and the “food lady” needs to get moving!
It’s funny how the things you are against are the very things you will miss. Life has a way of changing things. I know that my son, their daddy, will be over the moon to see them again. So, that is a good thing but I will miss “the two” and their personalities.
I’m sure there will be a next time but not too soon please! I need a break.
A traveler once visited a small village in the countryside.
At the local bar someone asked him if he was married.
“i’m divorced. Actually, I never could find a woman I didn’t end up fighting with all the time.”
The local man said, “you should go talk to the old couple on the top of the hill outside the village. Rumor has it they’ve been married for over 60 years and they’ve never fought this whole time.”
“What? That’s impossible everyone fights”, exclaimed the traveler. But the local swore to him it was the truth and nothing but. The traveler just had to check it out.
So in the morning he knocked on the door of the little house on the hill and was immediately welcomed by the husband who invited him in for tea. After the traveler explained why he came to see him the man smiled and nodded, “yeah, it’s true we never fight”
“Please”, begged the traveler, “can you tell me your secret?”
“Well”, said the old man, “it all started about 60 years ago right after the wedding. We were riding our mule back to town and walking it down the street when it tripped over a stone and my wife said to him that’sone and kept riding. As the mule tripped again on another stone when my wife immediately said that’stwo. Minutes later the mule tripped over a stone again. My wife said that’s three. She pulled out a gun i never knew she had and shot it in the head without thinking twice. i was shocked and yelled at her what the heck do you think you’re doing we needed that mule. Are you crazy?
My wife looked me straight in the eye and said that’s one. And we’ve never fought since.”
