Ima doing well, Beverly. I got a bike for my birthday, and I am painfully re-acquiring "bike butt" because, ouch. Somehow that was never a problem when I was a kid.

Gracie, OTOH, not doing all that well. I'm getting tired of cleaning up after her beside-the-litterbox messes and the way she flings her food all over the room, which attracts the ants. Tired of the altercations she provokes with her peers. Tired of her stepping on my face at night on her way to my water glass.

I'm actually looking forward to the day I no longer have her in my care. Not quite ready to have her put down, but.... maybe enough is enough for this particular rescue. One good year.

I don't wanna be left alone while I'm sick. I want anxious caretakers hovering over me, offering chicken soup and ginger ale, foot rubs and books and extra blankets.

When I'm sick I want my mommy. No mommy substitutes shall be accepted

This is very much true for me as well.

Jeeves eats kibble and only kibble. I've tried him on various wet foods over the years and he ignores them. The only people food he will go after are raw veggies. He stays fairly well hydrated thanks to a water fountain, however.

Yay! Katerina Bee! Good to see you!

I think I'm going to call my landlord on Monday and ask when the last time this part of the building was snaked. Clearly there are issues.

I am painfully re-acquiring "bike butt" because, ouch.

Ouch indeed.

I don't mind being fussed over when sick. But I do like the quiet and a number of my family members are not so quiet.

So, would you switch to feeding raw? I've thought about it but realize that I don't even take that kind of time feeding myself.

I can't see how this would get the cats into better hydration, at least not enough to overcome the Ew! Raw Meat! squick factor. I have been pondering the possibility of a homecooked diet, but I am not done researching that yet.

And I have been thinking on getting a cat fountain. We know they would drink out of it, as they happily drink out of the zen-rock-garden decorative fountain we have, when we have water in in it. As a matter of fact, Harvey was quite pleased to drink out of the lead crystal bowl I had floating candles in, a few years back. We don't leave the decorative fountain with water in it, due to massive crunchy water issues. Also, if the cats are going to drink out of it, I'd be happier if it were easier to clean. Hence the desire for a cat fountain, as those are generally meant to be relatively easy to clean. The $160 vet bill for Harvey was planned and budgeted for, but the $180 total for Sammie this month puts a bit of a spanner in the works. (not to mention one of these next days I need to try to get a UA sample from her so we can be sure she beat the UTI).

OK my Hot Pockets are ridiculously overengineered.

After cooking your sandwich, fold and lock the bottom flaps.

Using the sleeve as a holder, begin eating your sandwich.

Peel away the tab as you enjoy the rest of your sandwich.

Next they're going to tell me digest your sandwich.

There's a microwave pizza box that directs you to put any loose toppings on the pizza. I'm trying to imagine someone paralyzed with doubt about what he should do with a piece of pepperoni that fell out of the wrapping.

It's probably the same guy who's always in front of me waiting to turn right on red when the green arrow appears. The light is red, but there's a green arrow. What do I do?!??

I mostly prefer to be left alone when I'm sick, but I like if possible to have eager servants caring people within earshot.

I might prefer to be alone when sick because I look like hell, and yes I am that vain. My last words on my deathbed will likely be a weakly whispered "How's my hair?"