Little Bit of Savings, Flowers and Hockey

I've mentioned many times how hard it has been for me to give up regular trips to Whole Foods.  I get so excited when I'm able to make a trip there.  So imagine how happy I was to get to pick up all of the loot in the picture below for only $23.  I combined sales prices with 25.00 in coupons.  I carried home a bounty of healthy, natural products that I use and need on a daily basis. Normally it's impossible to completely fill two large totes bags at Whole Foods for $23 but I did it! This silly little hobby of mine is so much fun.  I guess some people knit, others garden.  I coupon.  Lol.

Yesterday was a great day.  It kicked off a five day long weekend. A very busy workday was made very, very special with this delivery.  Shown here at work on my desk and also at home.  They smell so fragrant and they are more beautiful today than they were yesterday.  Just spectacular.

I was able to spend some time with the sender of the roses.  Here is the sports recap of my night with a slight glimpse of my favorite flower gifter.

WGME Video Sports Recap 2/12/14

What We Do When We Love Someone

I thought a moment before deciding to do this post.  I didn't want it to come off sounding like I'm a martyr and all "Oh look at all I do".  Instead I'm focusing on the facts here.  I do a lot for Lou.  I do go out of my way and beyond what many people might feel is necessary and appropriate.  But I love him so how do you draw the line?  You do what you can, for as long as you can and for as long as it makes sense.

Several years ago old age descended on Lou in a major way.  He went from having minor ailments to serious chronic conditions that could be managed but never reversed.  He was diagnosed first with hyperthyroid disease.  This made him insanely hungry.  He wanted food all of the time and still lost weight to the point where he is literally just skin and bones.  I don't know what glue holds him together most days.  When he first began asking for food constantly I resisted.  I tried to keep him to a decent schedule.  It became clear that was not going to work for him.  So, I decided to simply feed him as much as he wants, whenever he wants.  When he began to need frequent meals throughout the night I bought an automatic feeder that kept him happy through the night and also allows me the occasional night away.  It has literally been a life saver for both of us.

Lou was also diagnosed with kidney disease as most older cats are.  It makes him extremely thirsty and he pees a lot.  It's not healthy for him not to have access to ample fresh water.  He used to jump up onto the bathroom sink to drink.  When he was no longer able to jump I bought him a water fountain.  It satisfies his need for fresh water.  He drinks a ton which is the healthiest thing that he can do to keep his kidneys functioning well for as long as possible.  One of the side effects of thyroid and kidney disease is high blood pressure.  That manifests itself as blood in Lou's urine.  The picture below might seem rather graphic but it is the reality of our life.  For 18 years he never had even one accident outside of the litter box.  He now has an inability to completely squat when he pees and the result is blood soaked urine everywhere.  Luckily these dog pads come to the rescue and for the time being they completely solve our litter box issues.

The most recent small change in our house is that Lou can't climb onto either the chair or sofa in the living room.  I was picking him up but I know he missed getting in the chair during the day.  An easy fix was adding these stairs in between the two  It isn't the best decorating touch but it accomplishes that Lou maintains a bit of independence .  Plus, he looks so peaceful asleep in the chair now that he can reach it again.

I feel very fortunate that each obstacle that we have faced has come along with a manageable solution.  As long as he is happy and enjoying life I will do what I can to make sure he stays that way.

A Lot Of Orange

My team at work is undertaking a 4-6 week project to get the business office's cash posting up to date.  This means I am now doing two jobs and supervising two distinctly different teams in two different job functions.  My team is the orange team.  The process for flowing work in and out is dependant on orange folders.  Each folder contains a bank deposiit that needs to make it's way across the organization to have a variety of money posted.

At the end of Monday my cubicle looked quite orange:

By Tuesday morning the orange was spreading:

By Wednesday every surface was covered including the floor and including parts unable to be captured in this photo.  The good news is my little group of orange posted about $4 million in one week.  But why oh why couldn't I have been given the color purple?