The "What are you Doing" Thread - 2016.

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AbbysMom

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I'm concerned I may be coming down with Aaron's cold, so I'm sitting here trying to figure out what I need to get in case I am. Bland, easy to make foods, etc. Looks like I will be head to the store today. I'm trying to stay up to date on the laundry, dishes, etc in case I am down for the count for a bit.
 
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artiemom

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I'm concerned I may be coming down with Aaron's cold, so I'm sitting here trying to figure out what I need to get in case I am. Bland, easy to make foods, etc. Looks like I will be head to the store today. I'm trying to stay up to date on the laundry, dishes, etc in case I am down for the count for a bit.
Make a huge pot of chicken soup! I always make it when I get sick. Even if it is just the broth, chicken, veggies. I can do without pasta or rice.

What I do use for a cough, is something one of my co-workers told me about. It is Ginger Tea: I peel, cut some fresh ginger, throw it into a pot of water; boil it and add some honey. You can make it as strong as you want. I strain out the ginger, storing it in a container in the refrigerator. When I want some, I take pour it into a cup (add a bit of water if it is too strong) and nuke it.

You would not believe how good the heat feels going down....

Feel better
 
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AbbysMom

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I'm concerned I may be coming down with Aaron's cold, so I'm sitting here trying to figure out what I need to get in case I am. Bland, easy to make foods, etc. Looks like I will be head to the store today. I'm trying to stay up to date on the laundry, dishes, etc in case I am down for the count for a bit.

Make a huge pot of chicken soup! I always make it when I get sick. Even if it is just the broth, chicken, veggies. I can do without pasta or rice.

What I do use for a cough, is something one of my co-workers told me about. It is Ginger Tea: I peel, cut some fresh ginger, throw it into a pot of water; boil it and add some honey. You can make it as strong as you want. I strain out the ginger, storing it in a container in the refrigerator. When I want some, I take pour it into a cup (add a bit of water if it is too strong) and nuke it.
You would not believe how good the heat feels going down....

Feel better
I made big pot of chicken soup few days ago. :D I froze some and still have some in the fridge. :) I'll have to see if the store has fresh ginger. they can be weird with that.
 

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OMGosh, we went to the grocery store last night and that store was empty of pretty much everything! I was shocked. They had Friskies on sale 20 cans for $9 and it was all we could do find 20 cans of pate cat food; as it was, we had to supplement with a couple cans of Chicken and Tuna Bits, which we can give to Pepe, Boo, and Tabby.. We normally buy 28 cans of cat food a week and we couldn't. W'e're going back on Friday and, hopefully, they'll be re-stocked then. 

Cat litter? They had 2 10-pound bags of TidyCats; that was it. In the entire store. 

Couldn't find steak buns at all anywhere. There were some other things, too, that I had on my list that the store was simply out of. Amazing. I don't know if it was because of the weekend storm or what, but things were definitely very scarce last night. That's the first time ever that I could not find enough cat food for my kids.
 

artiemom

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Wow, that is why I am a stocker. I have lots of extras in the house for when/if I get sick, or there is a shortage on something.

Just this week-end.  I wanted to get a box of Precious Cats litter, to have on hand. I mean I do have a couple, but Artie goes through so much, so fast. I know it is a huge seller in this area. 

I went to one Petco, none in stock; went to a Petsmart, none in stock; Went to another Petco, none in stock! I said to myself, I am so glad I have extras. I had a 10% off coupon. I was going to buy a couple of toys for Artie. The coupon expired this week. I thought the shortage was due to the weather. 

I did ask a manager. He checked the stocks in various stores. They had plenty in a store about 20 miles from me. He got them shipped to the store and I picked them up Sunday. Now I have enough for a couple of months....or in case I have to change things earlier than usual...for whatever reason. Or they run low again...I had this happen to me a couple of times this year also...
 

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Our driveway got plowed out yesterday - the guy who does it was leaving us until last. It is a somewhat steep driveway with a curve at the top. He decided to do all his other customers first so if he had issues with us it would not be a problem for them.

Laundry today, a couple of loads. Tidy the kitchen. And collect stuff for the garden club's white elephant sale tomorrow.
 

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Wow, that is why I am a stocker. I have lots of extras in the house for when/if I get sick, or there is a shortage on something.

Just this week-end.  I wanted to get a box of Precious Cats litter, to have on hand. I mean I do have a couple, but Artie goes through so much, so fast. I know it is a huge seller in this area. 

I went to one Petco, none in stock; went to a Petsmart, none in stock; Went to another Petco, none in stock! I said to myself, I am so glad I have extras. I had a 10% off coupon. I was going to buy a couple of toys for Artie. The coupon expired this week. I thought the shortage was due to the weather. 

I did ask a manager. He checked the stocks in various stores. They had plenty in a store about 20 miles from me. He got them shipped to the store and I picked them up Sunday. Now I have enough for a couple of months....or in case I have to change things earlier than usual...for whatever reason. Or they run low again...I had this happen to me a couple of times this year also...
I am too. anytime I go to Target or WM I check to see what litter they have on sale. I grabbed 2 big boxes of the A&H clump and deal the other day. there were coupons on them and there's 25% off with the cartwheel app. I need to do a dump & scrub of the boxes tonight since tomorrow is trash day
 

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Had a home inspection done this morning, so I was up early scooping poop (and sweeping litter! One of these days I am gonna walk in there , look down and see China! Why do they have to dig and dig and dig?!). It's 37F here and I had my windows open again for a little while - I keep telling myself winter is almost over! LOL I had 2 bags of trash (1 was paper stuff, the other poop and litter) sitting in the kitchen to go out and the maintenance man took it out for me! YAY!

When maintenance left, he stood in the doorway and both cats ran out in the hallway. *sigh* It's a PITA getting them back in because the hall is 100 feet long and they run to the very end. When I get all the way down there to pick them up, they invariably slick past me and run allllllll the way down to the opposite end - up and down and back and forth! Now, I just prop my door open and wait for them to come back in. They can't go anywhere but in the hall since I am on the third floor and when they hear the elevator ding, they come running back to the door. (I 'accidentally' let them out in the hall a few times a week anyway so they can run up and down and get some exercise - shhhhhh!)

Someone actually reported me to the manager once. The ironic thing about it is that the woman who complained owns a little Yorkie that runs free in the building and jumps on the furniture in the common room and barks at her own shadow! I told him (the manager) that when he enforces the leash law for the dogs in the building, keeps them off the furniture and controls their barking I will keep my cats in! He hasn't said squat to me since! I think the woman is just jacked up because my cats are literally 3 times bigger than her dog. 

Now I just have to get motivated to do some laundry today. Maybe I will put leashes on the Boys and take them to the laundry room with me today and scare all the little doggies?! UGH! 
 

donutte

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When maintenance left, he stood in the doorway and both cats ran out in the hallway. *sigh* It's a PITA getting them back in because the hall is 100 feet long and they run to the very end. When I get all the way down there to pick them up, they invariably slick past me and run allllllll the way down to the opposite end - up and down and back and forth!


Can't you just imagine them saying, "Haha, you can't catch me!" when they do that???
 

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Can't you just imagine them saying, "Haha, you can't catch me!" when they do that???
Ohhh! If only they could talk! LOL 

It's comical to see their facial expressions and body language when they slip out the door! As they are trotting down the hall, I get an 'over the shoulder' glance to see if I am chasing after them! (they KNOW they shouldn't be out there).When I get close, they will hunker down and their eyes are dashing back and forth to judge what their best escape route will be - "Should I turn and run? Or can I make it between her feet? Should I dodge left or right?"  Then, ZOOOOMMMMMM! 

 

I truly believe they know I am old and slow and can't bend over to whisk them up very quickly, so they challenge me by seeing how close they can let me get before the scamper past me! Now, when I just ignore them and prop the door open so they can come back at their leisure, they tend to saunter back a lot sooner and plop down 6 inches outside the door in the hall and look in at me and, I swear, they are chuckling! Of course, when I go to the door to bring them in, they are up and bolting like lightening down the hall again. 

Keeker is the one who gives me the most run for my money, but Kricket will often just lay IN the doorway - his butt in the apartment and his head and front paws just outside the door. That way he can look out and see who comes and goes and if anyone opens their door, he moves just inside the apartment.

Ironically, today, the lady across the hall came out as I was herding them home and they BOTH slicked between her legs and into HER apartment before either of us knew what happened! They had neither been in there before and she just laughed and let them nose around for about 20 minutes. They went in every room, under her bed, on her dining room table, on her kitchen counter and then to the window sill and plopped down. (Her windows face the back of the building (mine the front) so they had a whole new viewing experience!  

Right now, they are both snuggled together back on the bed taking their afternoon siesta. 
 

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I *hated* admitting I needed help with that. But she really REALLY needs a proper bath, and a hygiene cut, and I would have to do it all by myself. And she's just too big to do that by myself. She hasn't been out of this house since May of 2005 (when we moved here). She's one of the few cats we've had that truly had no interest in going outside. And now I'm taking her out to get a BATH of all things.

Trying to keep calm around her though. Thankfully she's in the other room, patiently awaiting her evening meal.
She doesn't wash herself?
Big deal if she has an 'accident' . They'll be cleaning it up.
I'm sure she'll be fine.
 

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Lying in bed. Silence from the boys. They've settled down. I'm wondering if I'll sleep tonight.
 

margd

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Lying in bed. Silence from the boys. They've settled down. I'm wondering if I'll sleep tonight.
Insomnia.  What a curse.  I know it well.   I really feel for you - it is maddening and frustrating and very uncomfortable all at once.  I've found something that helps me a little bit.  I listen to a video on my phone and the sound of the voices seems to lull me to sleep.  Videos I've already seen work the best because I'm not curious about what's gong to happen next.  Anyway, I'm sure you've been overwhelmed with suggestions to beat insomnia but I thought I'd throw in one more.

Right now I am sitting on my bed squeezed between Chula and Paul who keep moving closer and closer.  Soon the pressure on each side of me will be so great that I'll pop out of my space like a seed and they can have the whole bed.
 

stewball

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Insomnia.  What a curse.  I know it well.   I really feel for you - it is maddening and frustrating and very uncomfortable all at once.  I've found something that helps me a little bit.  I listen to a video on my phone and the sound of the voices seems to lull me to sleep.  Videos I've already seen work the best because I'm not curious about what's gong to happen next.  Anyway, I'm sure you've been overwhelmed with suggestions to beat insomnia but I thought I'd throw in one more.

Right now I am sitting on my bed squeezed between Chula and Paul who keep moving closer and closer.  Soon the pressure on each side of me will be so great that I'll pop out of my space like a seed and they can have the whole bed.
LOL.

It's not every night but it can be the whole night.
 

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Went to store today and every aisle was full of items to go onto shelves.  Guessing partly delay from snow and people buying in prep but it shocked me that it was the entire store.  

Son is napping and I am working on litter boxes and a grocery list for the sale items for end of the week.  For 1 adult and a toddler I feel like I just shop all the time!
 

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Just got done with a full dump/scrub/refill of all the boxes. Sophie supervised the vacuuming of any tracked litter before I put the boxes back and then the replacement and refilling of all boxes. She loves to do that. This way, she can be first in line to inspect the fresh boxes and be the first to enjoy one.
 

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Just fed/pilled/treated the kitties. Relaxing right now trying to get rid of a headache. Watching Penelopy who has discovered the joys of a bendy straw.
 

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When I was dealing with my Major Depression I couldn't sleep for squat! I was up and down all night... mostly UP! These are some of the things my therapist recommended and they worked! 

Try eating a banana before you go to bed. They contain tryptophan (an amino acid that's used to make serotonin, which helps you sleep). And if you drink it with a glass of warm milk, the carb will help the tryptophan enter the brain quicker (add a spoonful of honey to the milk).

Don't eat a 'big meal' 3 to 4 hours before bedtime - your body needs that much time to digest the food. Also, avoid spicy or sugary foods in the evening.

If you can get some valarian root at an herb store it will help you fall asleep without the 'hangover' feel most sleep aids give. (2 capsules an hour before bedtime). It binds to the same receptors in the brain that tranquilizers such as diazepam bind to.

Passionflower is also a nild herbal sedative. And if you have any lavendar oil, massage a little into your temples and forehead before hitting the bed. It's a soothing aromatic. You can also add the lavendar oil to a warm bath and soak before going to bed. The warm water and the aromatic will relax you.

Try to start getting on a schedule. Start by setting your alarm to get up at the same time every day. Then set your alarm so you can start your evening ritual - banana and warm milk, some valarian, and a warm, qiet soak in a lavendar scented bath - then go straight to bed. Be sure your room is cool (turn the temperature down!) and very dark - wear a sleep mask if needed. Turn your alarm clock away from your view so you're not able to stare at it. 

Mentally and physically relax yourself by imagining your body 'melting'. Start with your feet - feel them becoming heavy and numb and sinking into the mattress. Them move up to your calves and slowly work your way up your body, letting yourself grow heavy and relaxed. Just let yourself go.

Ironically, counting sheep (or cats!) CAN help! It occupies your brain with a boring and repetitive task and keeps it from wandering about on frivolous 'stuff'. 
If you aren't asleep within 30 to 45 minutes, get out of bed and move around. Staying in bed with make you frustrated.

If you take any medications (especially OTC meds like Excedrine, decongestants or cold remedies) be sure they don't contain caffeine! Call your pharmacist and ask if any of your meds have caffiene in them and see if you can change your dosing schedule to mornings instead of at bedtime! Of course, also avoid ALL caffiene drinks (and chocolate) 3 to 4 hours before going to bed.
Avoid driking alcohol in the evening. While it might help you fall asleep, it will quickly wear off and you will most likely awaken when it does. And, if you smoke, don't smoke for 4 hours before going to bed - nicotine stimulates the nervous system and will interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. 

Try litening to 'white noise' or relaxation music like American Indian flutes, harps, the sound of an ocean, the rain, nature sounds and the like. It is soothing, and it also occupies your brain to keep you from laying there "hyper-thinking" while trying to fall asleep. You can also hum to yourself... kind of like a cat purring! Does the same thing. 

Find what works for you and be consistant. You might need to combine 2 or more techniques. It might take a few days or a week or so before you get into the routine, but you'll find it's worth it when you wake up refreshed in the morning! 


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My word it must have taken you hours to type all that. Thank you very much.
I actually slept well last night. I woke up once or twice but went back to sleep quickly.
I neither smoke nor drink.
Any case thank you for all those ideas. I'm very grateful to you.
 
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