Post by Honeylioness on Nov 21, 2008 13:22:24 GMT -5
01 September 2008
I'm having trouble posting today so I hope this works.
There is a crew replacing the shingles from the storm 15 mos ago and another team residing and fixing up the shed today. TJ is, of course, cowering under the deck. What a lousy way to spend your birthday. Maybe real tuna, not cat food tuna, will cheer him up.
I'm finding the day depressing just thinking about writing out the big checks for the guys working outside. This is all planned for pre-retirement expenses, as is the replacement of 4 old energy inefficient windows and one exterior door and the 19 yo garage door opener motor. If these projects are stirring up my spending urges what will the kitchen renovation do to me.
Sharing you are absolutely right. Onyx already KNOWS she is boss. TJ won't even come inside if he sees her. I think the big dog kennel in the middle of the floor kind of spooks him, too. I keep telling myself this is a process and they will eventually learn to share. KIDS!
***********
I try to use local businesses whenever I can which can mean I am on their timetable rather than mine. Right now the noise is about to drive me nuts. And of course, the outside cat (TJ) is cowering from the noise and the strangers and wants me to be outside and holding him - especially when the air compressor comes on, then the inside cat (Onyx) wants me inside to hold her in my lap beside the window so she can flip over on her back and sun her shaved belly and squawk if I even move or if I am not worshipping her enough. I will admit TJ is very forgiving as long as the apologies are accompanied by a tuna kitty treat.
Needless to say, the pantry I am supposed to be emptying and moving to another room is still half full. Thank goodness I have a couple of weeks before the next phase, maybe I can catch up.
03 September 2008
Beej, LOL as I came home TJ was stretched out on the deck supervising the roofing crew. They even ran the hoses from the air compressor over the other side of the roof so as not to disturb him. Onyx spent the day in her "private room" aka dog travel kennel. And had to ignore me for about an hour before she forgave me and deigned to sit and purr on my shoulder. As she is getting good nutrition and has discovered carpets and pillows are soft I don't know if she will ever go out again. I used to describe her fur as velvet but with better nutrition I may have to change the descriptor to ebony satin with glossy highlights. With big bat ears.
Last night John stopped at the back door to check about some silicon caulk and Onyx saw him standing in the door and growled really loud, jumped off my lap and dashed for the basement, where she was cowering and trembling behind some paint cans. My BFF and I coaxed her out and she still just trembled eventually she hid under the bed for about three hours. We wonder if she may have been abused or kicked by someone and something about John reminds her of that.
Last night she slept on the pillow beside me for about three hours until I put her back into the kennel. Until the sutures are removed I keep her in the kennel when I am not in the house, I'd hate to have her hurt herself when I am gone.
TJ has come in a few times but runs away from her if he sees her. It is hilarious to see this little cat chase off a cat twice her size. They sit and look at each other through the screen door but each stays in his/her own place. I hope they get to the point they can share soon. It is supposed to get down to about 39-40*F tonight and TJ does like his creature comforts when it gets colder. Time will tell.
I am getting blinked at, evidently it is time to get off the computer and come to bed and pet her some more.
***************
SES_, your posts are just hilarious! Hopefully TJ will settle into the new household dynamics as the cooler evenings prompt him inside. Miss Onyx shows every sign of having been abused. This is a 100% certainty. Thank god you were there for her, and that TJ, whose compassion shows in his wise eyes, was there for her too. A chubby orange guy has decided to fall asleep on my forearm as I type, so perhaps I'll close and gently pry him off. He's sent many a message into cyberspace before it was meant to be sent.
****************
I must admit having to come straight home to let Onyx out of her "private room" is a very good deterrent to even wanting to spend. The more i get to know her personality the more I realize she is a very vain, demanding and bossy princess. I will admit she has really good instincts on how to display herself and her good looks. After a bit of preening and primping she settled into the classic cat pose paws tucked under her chest and enigmatically gazing and blinking at her "subjects" whose gaze might fall on her, right in the middle of the cream colored damask seat of one of the dining chairs. I hated to say anything for fear of disrupting the moment of harmony between Onyx and TJ. They were curled up with about five feet between them and studiously ignoring each other.
I am going to bite the bullet and let her out of her room overnight. i feel bad making her stay in there all day and night too. It is getting cool at night now, and as soon as I can after her sutures are removed I am going to let them both stay inside at night and see what happens.
05 September 2008
Anyone here have any experience with one of those automated kitty litter boxes that rake things clean after the cat visits and deposits everything in a disposable compartment. If Onyx is going to be an inside cat I will really need one of those. She digs a hole so vigorously I think there is litter falling two counties away and things really smell rank when she is done. But on the POSITIVE side she is litter trained. The sutures come out tomorrow, yea! She and TJ are starting to tolerate one another. I hope it happens sooner than later. My grrrs are starting to be the loudest and I am afraid I'm going to start to grrr at my students.
06 September 2008
Just woke up because my hip hurt and decided to take a tylenol and realized I was in the middle of a cat sandwich. Maybe they finished their fussing with each other or have a truce til tomorrow. Being in a cat sandwich isn't too bad except one is sleeping north to south and the other east to west. I guess we still have some negotiating to do. But at least neither has killed the other and there is no blood. At school I have learned not to fuss until there is blood, sounds like a good policy here as well. I'm tired so I think we will try this sharing the bed again.
**************
For those following the Onyx saga she had her sutures removed today. Everything seems fine. The vet had trouble listening to her heart because she was puring so loud during the exam! Antibiotics for the rest of the week to help reduce the swelling- could be residual effects of the pregnancy.
Now I have to stop procrastinating and do some productive housework. Ugh!
07 September 2008
I continued emptying the pantry today about 80% done. Slow going because I'm doing a deep clean as I go. Got a new litter box for Onyx with higher sides since she loves to fling the litter so vigorously. Baking soda in the litter might help the fragrance.
Can someone using S'wheat tell me if it is flushable?
Soon as the laundry can be switched to the dryer I am going to take a hot shower and join the cats in bed -under the comforter not on it. One of them is going to have to share. Beej, I am allowed to use the pillow at night as long as she can curl up on the other side of it.
08 September 2008
Got home from work just pooped and decided to just sit for a few minutes before starting my evening to do list and headed for my favorite chair and saw a little black head pop up just in time to not sit on her. That is one way to get your share of attention first. Once we snuggled for about 20 minutes she hopped up on the bed where she is now snoring away (yes, beej, on MY pillow).
***************
Red2Black TJ and Onyx are still deciding if they want to be in the same family. I am learning all kinds of new behaviors. I have learned to look behind me when I sit on the edge of the bed to dress or undress, I have been tackled from the back with two strong front legs wrapped around my neck from behind (with claws retracted) several times. An eye opening event early in the morning! Kind of surprising considering her mobility problems. I will admit neither TJ nor I are really thrilled with the 1:30a.m. play sessions.
10 September 2008
I got home to find the kitchen trash can tipped over and all the little Fancy Feast cans on the floor licked spotlessly clean. I had a little chat with Onyx about inside manners. Of course. TJ sat on the other side of the screen door and I'm sure he was laughing at her being chewed out. A few minutes later I was sitting in my desk chair on the phone with a friend who suggested I rinse the cans and leave them in the sink where Onyx can't get to them. Just as she said this Onyx jumped from a sitting position to the top of the back of my desk chair and around my neck. Mobility impaired my ass!
Now I think I might have to place a couple of garden bricks in the trash can so she can't tip it over.
Just tried flushing some of her "flushable" litter--didn't work too well with a low flow toilet. Adding this new member to our household is very definitely a learning experience!
11 September 2008
Gotta go referee a cat fight. Even when Onyx is all arched and puffed up, TJ is still twice her size. He could squash her with three paws tied behind his back if he would ever think of it. But no, he just takes his 18 y.o. bones and cowers under the chair. I, however, am tired of the howling and huffing and puffing. Is this the same little girl who wants to have a piggy back ride whenever i sit on the bed and she thinks I am ignoring her?
12 September 2008
As to refereeing cat fights, I stand there yelling "NO" and waiting to grab the first cat I have a clear shot at pulling away. I now hear a few shrieks and howl at the other end of the house and I am ignoring it-they have to figure things out sooner or later. Actually (in your honor, Beej) the cat fights here at home are much easier to deal with than the cat fights that happen at work. At least the guys "posture and taunt" a bit before anything really happens--the girls never, they just explode!
Tomorrow I think I'll finish up the "clean the pantry" project. The new energy efficient door will be installed in a couple of weeks. I can hardly wait for them to get started and finished so I can see my bills get lower, or at least not rise.
I think I'll put my jammies on, start the laundry and read in bed with whatever cat is still sleeping with me.
14 September 2008
This is a very stressful day. Onyx went outside for the first time since her surgery 18 days ago. She comes to the door and checks on me every so often so I know she is sticking around. It hard letting her have an unsupervised "play date". She just came in after about three hours in the backyard and headed for the bed. I think she was asleep before she even patted her nest into shape. I can stop worrying now.
*********************8
I'm on my way to bed to watch Matlock, but I had to share. Whenever I take a shower Onyx waits outside the bathroom door for me. Tonight she slipped in before I shut the door and hid until I was in the shower with the water running. Such a ruckus from such a tiny body, when I shut off the water to shampoo - she shut up. Turned the water on to rinse and she started singing again. I got such a lecture for getting myself wet all over on purpose. I guess the rest of the world knows better than to do this. Or at least the world she inhabits. I need to double check where she is when I shower or get used to a lecture--or go dirty. I think I'll take the first option.
16 September 2008
It is quite a challenge getting out the door without Onyx trying to sneak out-which she did yesterday. She came running home after work as soon as she heard me on the deck. Later my neighbor came to tell me she had seen some of the college kids living across the street throwing rocks at her. The same kids who were reported to the police for shooting cats earlier in the month. So the police gave them traps to trap the neighborhood pets. Then shoot them. I don't think this is what the police had in mind. Anywhoo, Onyx is going to be shut in the bathroom until just before I leave and not going outside again. anyone know anything about training cats to the leash?
17 September 2008
Disclaimer: Any typing errors are due to Onyx's assistance and my tired proofreading. She had to stay in today due to the rock throwing Tuesday. Whenever she stays in she thinks she is due to my total attention the minute I get home. She may not walk very well, she may not run very well, she may not "make nice" with TJ very well but she loves and snuggles VERY well!
18 September 2008
go to page 10, message#110. This is a picture of TJ on his 18th birthday. I don't have a photo of Onyx yet, I am waiting for the incision to heal and the fur to grow back before she "sits for a portrait". I suppose I should start getting her used to the camera. Thanks for making me think of this.
19 September 2008
I am getting sooo much entertainment from Onyx. I hadn't realized how dull TJ and I had become. The hallway from the den to my bedroom is highly polished hardwood and can be kind of slippery for Onyx, but that never slows her down. This evening i was leaving the den and heading to the bedroom and looked back at her and asked is she was coming or not, evidently not. I was down the hall and flipping back the comforter preparing to read in bed for a while when I heard a thundering herd of drunken elephants scampering down the hall and as I turned I saw Onyx take a flying leap halfway across the room to land smack in the middle of the comforter. She has recently discovered the joy of shoving the folds of the comforter around and hiding in the nooks she has created then pouncing out at me. You can tell by her expression that she is so proud of herself. Kind of like a six year old showing off his/her newly honed two wheel bicycle skills. Hey world, look at me.
I am so glad people here appreciate and enjoy furbabies. I don't know who else I could share with.
21 September 2008
I didn't get much done this weekend other than the laundry. Of course I spent twice as long getting things folded. I had help. For every item I folded I had to pet her. If I forgot and folded two things Onyx would be pushing her head under my hand to remind me of what I had forgotten. Last night was a major milestone, both cats stayed in overnight and I heard no fights. Of course TJ probably hid under the dining room chair most of the night. He came in once to complain about Onyx, I'm sure, but I ignored him so he hid under the bed. He has learned to be under something since she has to pounce to start anything due to her disabilities. I'm getting tired since it gets dark so early. The one major disadvantage of winter.
29 September 2008
We had a frost last night (thank God for garages) and may have a few more this week so TJ is coming in at night, so far no major fights just a lot of growling.
I'm having trouble posting today so I hope this works.
There is a crew replacing the shingles from the storm 15 mos ago and another team residing and fixing up the shed today. TJ is, of course, cowering under the deck. What a lousy way to spend your birthday. Maybe real tuna, not cat food tuna, will cheer him up.
I'm finding the day depressing just thinking about writing out the big checks for the guys working outside. This is all planned for pre-retirement expenses, as is the replacement of 4 old energy inefficient windows and one exterior door and the 19 yo garage door opener motor. If these projects are stirring up my spending urges what will the kitchen renovation do to me.
Sharing you are absolutely right. Onyx already KNOWS she is boss. TJ won't even come inside if he sees her. I think the big dog kennel in the middle of the floor kind of spooks him, too. I keep telling myself this is a process and they will eventually learn to share. KIDS!
***********
I try to use local businesses whenever I can which can mean I am on their timetable rather than mine. Right now the noise is about to drive me nuts. And of course, the outside cat (TJ) is cowering from the noise and the strangers and wants me to be outside and holding him - especially when the air compressor comes on, then the inside cat (Onyx) wants me inside to hold her in my lap beside the window so she can flip over on her back and sun her shaved belly and squawk if I even move or if I am not worshipping her enough. I will admit TJ is very forgiving as long as the apologies are accompanied by a tuna kitty treat.
Needless to say, the pantry I am supposed to be emptying and moving to another room is still half full. Thank goodness I have a couple of weeks before the next phase, maybe I can catch up.
03 September 2008
Beej, LOL as I came home TJ was stretched out on the deck supervising the roofing crew. They even ran the hoses from the air compressor over the other side of the roof so as not to disturb him. Onyx spent the day in her "private room" aka dog travel kennel. And had to ignore me for about an hour before she forgave me and deigned to sit and purr on my shoulder. As she is getting good nutrition and has discovered carpets and pillows are soft I don't know if she will ever go out again. I used to describe her fur as velvet but with better nutrition I may have to change the descriptor to ebony satin with glossy highlights. With big bat ears.
Last night John stopped at the back door to check about some silicon caulk and Onyx saw him standing in the door and growled really loud, jumped off my lap and dashed for the basement, where she was cowering and trembling behind some paint cans. My BFF and I coaxed her out and she still just trembled eventually she hid under the bed for about three hours. We wonder if she may have been abused or kicked by someone and something about John reminds her of that.
Last night she slept on the pillow beside me for about three hours until I put her back into the kennel. Until the sutures are removed I keep her in the kennel when I am not in the house, I'd hate to have her hurt herself when I am gone.
TJ has come in a few times but runs away from her if he sees her. It is hilarious to see this little cat chase off a cat twice her size. They sit and look at each other through the screen door but each stays in his/her own place. I hope they get to the point they can share soon. It is supposed to get down to about 39-40*F tonight and TJ does like his creature comforts when it gets colder. Time will tell.
I am getting blinked at, evidently it is time to get off the computer and come to bed and pet her some more.
***************
SES_, your posts are just hilarious! Hopefully TJ will settle into the new household dynamics as the cooler evenings prompt him inside. Miss Onyx shows every sign of having been abused. This is a 100% certainty. Thank god you were there for her, and that TJ, whose compassion shows in his wise eyes, was there for her too. A chubby orange guy has decided to fall asleep on my forearm as I type, so perhaps I'll close and gently pry him off. He's sent many a message into cyberspace before it was meant to be sent.
****************
I must admit having to come straight home to let Onyx out of her "private room" is a very good deterrent to even wanting to spend. The more i get to know her personality the more I realize she is a very vain, demanding and bossy princess. I will admit she has really good instincts on how to display herself and her good looks. After a bit of preening and primping she settled into the classic cat pose paws tucked under her chest and enigmatically gazing and blinking at her "subjects" whose gaze might fall on her, right in the middle of the cream colored damask seat of one of the dining chairs. I hated to say anything for fear of disrupting the moment of harmony between Onyx and TJ. They were curled up with about five feet between them and studiously ignoring each other.
I am going to bite the bullet and let her out of her room overnight. i feel bad making her stay in there all day and night too. It is getting cool at night now, and as soon as I can after her sutures are removed I am going to let them both stay inside at night and see what happens.
05 September 2008
Anyone here have any experience with one of those automated kitty litter boxes that rake things clean after the cat visits and deposits everything in a disposable compartment. If Onyx is going to be an inside cat I will really need one of those. She digs a hole so vigorously I think there is litter falling two counties away and things really smell rank when she is done. But on the POSITIVE side she is litter trained. The sutures come out tomorrow, yea! She and TJ are starting to tolerate one another. I hope it happens sooner than later. My grrrs are starting to be the loudest and I am afraid I'm going to start to grrr at my students.
06 September 2008
Just woke up because my hip hurt and decided to take a tylenol and realized I was in the middle of a cat sandwich. Maybe they finished their fussing with each other or have a truce til tomorrow. Being in a cat sandwich isn't too bad except one is sleeping north to south and the other east to west. I guess we still have some negotiating to do. But at least neither has killed the other and there is no blood. At school I have learned not to fuss until there is blood, sounds like a good policy here as well. I'm tired so I think we will try this sharing the bed again.
**************
For those following the Onyx saga she had her sutures removed today. Everything seems fine. The vet had trouble listening to her heart because she was puring so loud during the exam! Antibiotics for the rest of the week to help reduce the swelling- could be residual effects of the pregnancy.
Now I have to stop procrastinating and do some productive housework. Ugh!
07 September 2008
I continued emptying the pantry today about 80% done. Slow going because I'm doing a deep clean as I go. Got a new litter box for Onyx with higher sides since she loves to fling the litter so vigorously. Baking soda in the litter might help the fragrance.
Can someone using S'wheat tell me if it is flushable?
Soon as the laundry can be switched to the dryer I am going to take a hot shower and join the cats in bed -under the comforter not on it. One of them is going to have to share. Beej, I am allowed to use the pillow at night as long as she can curl up on the other side of it.
08 September 2008
Got home from work just pooped and decided to just sit for a few minutes before starting my evening to do list and headed for my favorite chair and saw a little black head pop up just in time to not sit on her. That is one way to get your share of attention first. Once we snuggled for about 20 minutes she hopped up on the bed where she is now snoring away (yes, beej, on MY pillow).
***************
Red2Black TJ and Onyx are still deciding if they want to be in the same family. I am learning all kinds of new behaviors. I have learned to look behind me when I sit on the edge of the bed to dress or undress, I have been tackled from the back with two strong front legs wrapped around my neck from behind (with claws retracted) several times. An eye opening event early in the morning! Kind of surprising considering her mobility problems. I will admit neither TJ nor I are really thrilled with the 1:30a.m. play sessions.
10 September 2008
I got home to find the kitchen trash can tipped over and all the little Fancy Feast cans on the floor licked spotlessly clean. I had a little chat with Onyx about inside manners. Of course. TJ sat on the other side of the screen door and I'm sure he was laughing at her being chewed out. A few minutes later I was sitting in my desk chair on the phone with a friend who suggested I rinse the cans and leave them in the sink where Onyx can't get to them. Just as she said this Onyx jumped from a sitting position to the top of the back of my desk chair and around my neck. Mobility impaired my ass!
Now I think I might have to place a couple of garden bricks in the trash can so she can't tip it over.
Just tried flushing some of her "flushable" litter--didn't work too well with a low flow toilet. Adding this new member to our household is very definitely a learning experience!
11 September 2008
Gotta go referee a cat fight. Even when Onyx is all arched and puffed up, TJ is still twice her size. He could squash her with three paws tied behind his back if he would ever think of it. But no, he just takes his 18 y.o. bones and cowers under the chair. I, however, am tired of the howling and huffing and puffing. Is this the same little girl who wants to have a piggy back ride whenever i sit on the bed and she thinks I am ignoring her?
12 September 2008
As to refereeing cat fights, I stand there yelling "NO" and waiting to grab the first cat I have a clear shot at pulling away. I now hear a few shrieks and howl at the other end of the house and I am ignoring it-they have to figure things out sooner or later. Actually (in your honor, Beej) the cat fights here at home are much easier to deal with than the cat fights that happen at work. At least the guys "posture and taunt" a bit before anything really happens--the girls never, they just explode!
Tomorrow I think I'll finish up the "clean the pantry" project. The new energy efficient door will be installed in a couple of weeks. I can hardly wait for them to get started and finished so I can see my bills get lower, or at least not rise.
I think I'll put my jammies on, start the laundry and read in bed with whatever cat is still sleeping with me.
14 September 2008
This is a very stressful day. Onyx went outside for the first time since her surgery 18 days ago. She comes to the door and checks on me every so often so I know she is sticking around. It hard letting her have an unsupervised "play date". She just came in after about three hours in the backyard and headed for the bed. I think she was asleep before she even patted her nest into shape. I can stop worrying now.
*********************8
I'm on my way to bed to watch Matlock, but I had to share. Whenever I take a shower Onyx waits outside the bathroom door for me. Tonight she slipped in before I shut the door and hid until I was in the shower with the water running. Such a ruckus from such a tiny body, when I shut off the water to shampoo - she shut up. Turned the water on to rinse and she started singing again. I got such a lecture for getting myself wet all over on purpose. I guess the rest of the world knows better than to do this. Or at least the world she inhabits. I need to double check where she is when I shower or get used to a lecture--or go dirty. I think I'll take the first option.
16 September 2008
It is quite a challenge getting out the door without Onyx trying to sneak out-which she did yesterday. She came running home after work as soon as she heard me on the deck. Later my neighbor came to tell me she had seen some of the college kids living across the street throwing rocks at her. The same kids who were reported to the police for shooting cats earlier in the month. So the police gave them traps to trap the neighborhood pets. Then shoot them. I don't think this is what the police had in mind. Anywhoo, Onyx is going to be shut in the bathroom until just before I leave and not going outside again. anyone know anything about training cats to the leash?
17 September 2008
Disclaimer: Any typing errors are due to Onyx's assistance and my tired proofreading. She had to stay in today due to the rock throwing Tuesday. Whenever she stays in she thinks she is due to my total attention the minute I get home. She may not walk very well, she may not run very well, she may not "make nice" with TJ very well but she loves and snuggles VERY well!
18 September 2008
go to page 10, message#110. This is a picture of TJ on his 18th birthday. I don't have a photo of Onyx yet, I am waiting for the incision to heal and the fur to grow back before she "sits for a portrait". I suppose I should start getting her used to the camera. Thanks for making me think of this.
19 September 2008
I am getting sooo much entertainment from Onyx. I hadn't realized how dull TJ and I had become. The hallway from the den to my bedroom is highly polished hardwood and can be kind of slippery for Onyx, but that never slows her down. This evening i was leaving the den and heading to the bedroom and looked back at her and asked is she was coming or not, evidently not. I was down the hall and flipping back the comforter preparing to read in bed for a while when I heard a thundering herd of drunken elephants scampering down the hall and as I turned I saw Onyx take a flying leap halfway across the room to land smack in the middle of the comforter. She has recently discovered the joy of shoving the folds of the comforter around and hiding in the nooks she has created then pouncing out at me. You can tell by her expression that she is so proud of herself. Kind of like a six year old showing off his/her newly honed two wheel bicycle skills. Hey world, look at me.
I am so glad people here appreciate and enjoy furbabies. I don't know who else I could share with.
21 September 2008
I didn't get much done this weekend other than the laundry. Of course I spent twice as long getting things folded. I had help. For every item I folded I had to pet her. If I forgot and folded two things Onyx would be pushing her head under my hand to remind me of what I had forgotten. Last night was a major milestone, both cats stayed in overnight and I heard no fights. Of course TJ probably hid under the dining room chair most of the night. He came in once to complain about Onyx, I'm sure, but I ignored him so he hid under the bed. He has learned to be under something since she has to pounce to start anything due to her disabilities. I'm getting tired since it gets dark so early. The one major disadvantage of winter.
29 September 2008
We had a frost last night (thank God for garages) and may have a few more this week so TJ is coming in at night, so far no major fights just a lot of growling.