Category Archives: Pets

Happy Anniversary to me

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Happy Anniversary

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the day that turned my life upside down. Yup I was laid off from Redfin 1 year ago today. It’s not as if I’d never been laid off before but I’d never been laid off when I was 70+ years old. I just didn’t have it in me to start over again. so I’m trying out retirement. Evan after  a year I’m not sure it suits me. I still wake up in the morning feeling guilty because I’m not rushing around to get ready for work.  I worry about paying the bills.  Social Security doesn’t go that far and my Redfin investments are still in the tank.  I got a nice severance package and I’ve been using that to make up any shortfalls but it can’t go on forever.

 

Medtronic, Halyard Health's Corpak to lay off 266 in Illinois - MassDevice

 

Typical Day since Layoff

I’m trying to live the frugal life since the layoff. No spontaneous shopping trips. Minimal take out or restaurant meals. I stopped taking road trips to save on gas.  One  big thing I did was restrict my time ordering kindle books. Since I like series I made it a rule that I had to re-read all the books in a series before I could add a new one.  I’m working on the Stephanie Plumb series now. I’m currently on book 12 but the new book is #30 so I have a way to go. 

I also dropped cable and just have streaming now. That saved me $100/ mo. I’m debating if I want to downgrade the streaming service. I have “Live TV” but the price just went up and I only watch a couple of channels. If I’m patient eventually the new programing will be added to my streaming service.

 

The Frugal Lifestyle - Blog

 

Entertainment

My cats are a constant source of entertainment.  Just last night Banner was trying to stuff his fluffy body into a paper grocery bag, The whole side ripped out. Balboa was quite interested in watching this and when Banner got out of the remains of the bag Balboa was there to try to get in.  Banner immediately lifted his paw and bopped Balboa on the head- no claws, no rough housing just  “BOP!” It was such a surprise and so deliberate. It just cracked me up. Surprised Balboa too. 

 

 

Banner Photo credit Deb Neumann

 

 

Balboa photo credit Deb Neumann

Conclusion

If I could just shake the feeling that I should be working I think I’d like retirement.  I don’t mind relaxing and reading or playing on the computer. I’m not bored yet. I guess as long as the money holds out I’ll keep up the routine. I wish I could think of something to do on my own time to make money. A side hustle so to speak.  If I get bored or get itchy feet and want to travel again I can look for a part time job to support my habit. 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh The Drama!

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Our Little Friday the 13th Drama

It was annual physical day for my little fur family. Its also Friday the 13th. That should have told me how it would go. The never ending fur drama thanks to  Balboa. No getting around it. They have to see the Vet. In an effort to relieve stress for the little guys I use a mobile vet who comes to our home. Dr. Ross is wonderful. She is a soft spoken, gentle woman as good with stressed out owners (me) as she is with the little fur babies.

 

the dog hugs a cat. isolated on white ba

ROSS VETERINARY HOUSE CALLS

The Check up Last Year

We should learn from experience right? Last year Balboa ran and hid. It took all of us to round him up. With that in mind Dr. Ross suggested that I put him in a carrier before she arrived.  The appointment was for 11:45. I started to try to put Balboa in his carrier at 11:30. I figured it would be easy. Boy was I wrong! It took all of that 15 minutes and then some. Once I finally got him in the carrier I put it on the floor. I figured he’d scrunch down and calm down. I went outside to wait for Dr. Ross so she wouldn’t have to ring the doorbell and set them off again. We were back inside within 5 minutes but poor Balboa had managed to roll the whole carrier across the room and was upside down with the floor cushion on top of him. He wasn’t a happy camper.

Balboa – Photo credit Deb Neumann

Balboa

Since Balboa was so stressed we decided to give him his check up first. I let Dr. Ross extract him from the carrier so if he got away it would be her fault- not mine. She expertly moved him from carrier to a grooming blanket making a kitty burrito. He growled and hissed the whole time. This got Banner all wound up. My usually friendly Banner started to growl and hiss too. He didn’t run or back away. If anything he appeared to be planning to come to Balboa’s rescue. 

Balboa on his cat tree- photo credit Deb Neumann

With Balboa secure in the grooming bag he got his shots and nail trim and was soon ready to be released. Of course he was off like a shot to hide. Now it was Banner’s turn. 

Banner

Banner is usually friendly and into everything but Balboa had him all worked up too. We didn’t need the grooming bag but his check up wasn’t without resistance either.  He hissed 3 times! very unusual. But finally we got him weighed and nails trimmed. He didn’t even notice the shot he got. Snuck that one right by him!

Banner- Photo credit Deb Neumann

The Results

In the end Banner kept his weight right where it was last year. In fact he may have lost an ounce or two. He was 15.10 lbs. last year and this year he weighed in at  15.07 lbs. We’re very pleased. He was back to his calm, normal self as soon as Dr. Ross let him go.

Balboa also maintained. He was 11.02 lbs. last year and this year he weighed in at 11.04. And here’s the thing- after all that kitty drama he was out of hiding and exploring his carrier almost before Dr. Ross was out the door.  She hadn’t even gotten to her car! The big faker wouldn’t have come out so quick if he’d even been half as traumatized as he let on. Dr. Ross said his heart rate was not as high as she expected for the tantrum he was throwing! 

 

Banner & Balboa- Photo credit Deb Neumann

At least that’s done for another year. See you in 2024, Dr, Ross

Ginger (Orange) Cat Appreciation Day

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Ginger Cat Appreciation Day

Ah the Ginger aka Orange Cat appreciation day. Ginger Cats are the redheads of the cat world. Actually their coats can range from pale yellow to reddish brown but all gingers have stripes or swirls in their coats and an M on on their forehead.  All ginger cats are Tabbies but not all tabbies are Gingers.  Some things that make orange cats unique are:

  1. Tabby describes a coat pattern and is not a breed.
  2. 80% of all orange tabby cats are male. The gene for orange color is riding on the X chromosome. Females need to have the gene on both of their X’s while male cats have only 1 X so the odds are better for them than their female counterparts. 
  3. There’s more than 1 type of stripe. There are four different types of tabby patterns that can occur: mackerel (tiger-like stripes), ticked (hair that alternates with light and dark bands), spotted, and classic (which gives a swirled look).
  4. The pigment that gives your Garfield his ginger color is the same one that gives humans red hair.
  5. M marks the spot. 

Photo credit Deb Neumann

6. Orange cats Have Freckles. They usually start to show up at about 2 years of age. Don’t panic if your cat starts getting these black spots on        their  lips or nose. It’s normal for these guys.

They’ve got Purrsonality

I was a late comer to the ginger cat fan club. I was always drawn to black and tuxedo cats. Boy was I missing out! My first orange tabby was Rocky. Rocky was my constant companion for 19 years. He was quirky and funny and always loyal.

Photo credit Deb Neumann

 

Photo Credit Deb Neumann

You can see Rocky’s freckles in this picture.

Banner

Photo Credit Deb Neumann

Banner is my current tabby. He got his name by the way he carries his tail on high.

 

Always straight up and confident.  Banner is definitely all Garfield as far as his personality but not his eating habits. No lasagna for Banner. Banner is Mr. Fussy. The original finicky eater. But he has the prey drive in the family. When the toys come out get out of his way. He is 15 lbs of orange fur barreling across the floor to catch that feather toy! That’s not to say he doesn’t enjoy a snooze in the sun.

Photo credit Deb Neumann

Famous Ginger Tabbies

  • Morris the 9 Lives cat
  • Garfield
  • Crookshanks from Harry Potter
  • Marmalade from Cole and Marmalade
  • Heathcliff
  • Puss In Boots

 So hats off to our Ginger aka Orange tabby cats. Lovable , cuddly doofus kitties

photo credit Deb Neumann

Photo credit Deb Neumann

 

Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day

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Happy Black Cat Appreciation Day

Yes It’s real. I saw it on Facebook.  Black Cat Appreciation Day aims to dispel all the myths and superstitions surrounding black cats. No more bad luck kitties! 

Its a fact that black cats are less likely to be adopted than cats of another color.  That’s usually attributed to the old superstitions. It is not true that owning a black cat makes you a witch. Maybe that’s just your personality. Its certainly not your cat’s fault! Black cats with their sleek, shiny coats often have an air of mystery.

Balboa- Photo Credit Deb Neumann

  Banner wants to know when ginger cats get an Appreciation Day. He says all this fuss over black cats is unseemly. I think he’s just jealous because Balboa is black and he just had a post all to himself. His Birthday post. (I forgot to post Banner’s birthday so BAD MAMA!)

photo credit Deb Neumann

A little Black Cat

Photo credit Deb Neumann

So here’s my little black cat waiting to be appreciated. He’s been helping me type this post as he quite likes the attention. 

Balboa

Balboa has many names- since he is a chatty cat (read demanding) he is sometimes called “Sir Talks A Lot”.  He’s also a wimp. He is easily frightened and slow to forgive. After the 4th of July fireworks it took him a month to calm down again. He still hasn’t completely forgiven me for the loud bangs. Same with the motorcycles that drive by on the street outside. They startle him and making it hard for him to get his daily nap.

photo credit Deb Neumann

Banner’s Day

By the way. There is an “Orange (Ginger cat) Appreciation Day.” Its September 1st so Banner will just have to wait a couple of weeks for his special post. 

Its a Rainforest Kind of Day

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Like a Rain Forest

Its going to be hot and humid today. Predicted to hit 100 and rain! So far just cloudy but it was already 77 degrees when I got up at 7:30 am. I usually only run the AC at night. I like the hot weather but when I opened my slider it was like being hit with a wall of hot air. The air is so thick with moisture it feels heavy. I think this will be one of those rare days when  I’ll keep the windows shut and AC on.

Looking out my back door- Photo Deb Neumann

 

Strange Kitties

Well now that the weather report is out of the way I just want to mention that I have very strange cats. I’ve had cats all my life. Each cat has their own quirky personality but there do seem to be some universal behaviors so common they make jokes and cat food advertisements about them You know the ones, you turn the can opened on 50 cats come running. 

Hungry Cats Who Have Just Heard The Sound Of a Can Opening (Memes) - I Can Has Cheezburger?

Internet photo/meme

 

Well not my two cats. 

Photo credit- Deb Neumann

Banner will only eat dry food. I’ve tried enticing him with all sorts of wet food, kitty broths and the stuff in the tubes that you squeeze out.  No interest at all. When I put his dry food out he ignores it too. After I go get busy and leave he’ll go eat a little bit- just to check it out. He eats the most after we go to bed at night. Nothing like those midnight snacks.

Banner- Photo Credit Deb Neumann

 

Balboa is also strange. When it’s breakfast time he’s like a lazy teenager. He’ll peek over the top of his cat tree at me but it takes me calling him multiple times before he’ll come running. Then he has to do this stretching walk thing–2 steps and stretch, 2 more and stretch again.  This goes on until I can grab him and put him in front of his bowl of food. If he had to get the food himself he’d starve to death. Once its presented to him he’ll agree to eat.  Its like he has to have an engraved invitation to come to breakfast!

Balboa- Photo credit Deb Neumann

 

 

Its clear to me that with behavior like that I’ll never get to live off proceeds from cat food advertising. 

Playtime

My cats have other strange behaviors too. Just last night I was trying to get them to play before bedtime. I was using a feather wand. Balboa got involved for about 2 minutes then when Banner came over Balboa went off to sit under the table. It was clearly a sulk because he was no longer the center of attention. He shouldn’t have worried.  Banner had no interest in the feather wand. He want to play with the fishing pole. He was so determined that he managed to drag the fishing pole out of the chest I keep it in for safety. We had a rousing game of chase the lure while Balboa watched from the sidelines.

I have more silly things they do but I’ll save some for another time.