Oh, praise be that kitty was close. When we moved, Shadow got out and actually did go back to the old place, nearly 2 miles away--across railroad tracks and major streets. I was certain we'd never see him again, but Hubby talked me into stopping by the old house, and there the little scamp was, all scared and confused and wondering where the hell we were.

We moved again about 4 months later, and from day one Shadow has adored the new place, strutting around and tusseling with the neighbor cats. This summer he's been holding late night cat-gatherings in the driveway. It's amusing to come home late and have a half dozen cats suddenly act like teenagers who were doing something they weren't supposed to. As his buddies run off, Shadow scolds us thoroughly.

I am crazy.

Not that this is news to anyone, really, but I just have to laugh at myself.

So I decided that in this new house, I was going to change my decorating color palate. I wanted to go with 50s brights - a nice darker aqua, brighter, but subtle yellow, nice greens. Time to step away from the reds and golds and greens I usually go for.

(You can see where this is going, right?)

So at Lowe's this morning, as I am waiting for my hallway paint to be mixed, I find a set GORGEOUS 50s-esque barkcloth curtains. In a lot of reds, chocolates, golds, greens, corals.

I think I'm going to go with coral walls, instead of gold or red (as per usual), but still. It is to laugh. You like what you like what you like, I guess.

Awww, kitty came home. Yay.

erin, I don't know. Would it help to wipe that area dry with paper towels until it goes away?

P-C, don't know what to tell you, either. Did she ask you any questions in return?

Aims, that sounds gorgeous!

Rained out at work. Could be productive, will probably take a nap.

Yay that kitty was reunited with its humans!

Aims,

I would love to see a picture.

Erin, does your insurance have a NP on call type of thing (call the 800#, talk to a Nurse Practitioner). That might helpe alleviate the woes, or she may know just what to do, and avoid the hassle of doc appointment. If not, go through the hassle of a doc appointment. There is nothing worse than letting something fester just to hear the doc say "well, if we had caught this sooner..."

My last blood test showed that my thyroid levels were off, and my doctor wanted to start me on medication for that. The results came in just as I was leaving town for a while, so I said that I'd make an appointment when I came back. Well, I tried to make an appointment, and now my doctor is out of town for the next few weeks. I'd wanted to start the medication during the summer, so that I wouldn't be adjusting to a new medication while also doing all the beginning-of-semester stuff, but the first available time that my doctor can see me is right when classes start. I can see a different doctor, but I'm not sure that I should go to a different doctor for something long-term like this. Any suggestions?

Guess who has two thumbs and just called a new landlord, telling him he found a tenant from late October? This girl!

I'm very excited. This is the first time I decided on a place completely on my own. Hope I did everything right. The only thing that could be better is the rent - I think it should be a bit lower for a place as small as this, but other than that - it looks very nice. In some aspects, even perfect.

(Can't wait to leave current place. Landlady's crazy).

P-C, don't know what to tell you, either. Did she ask you any questions in return?

Nope. I asked her what she'd been doing on Sunday in hopes of sparking interesting conversation, but since she only replied yesterday, the answer was "Work as usual." So I don't know.

I can see a different doctor, but I'm not sure that I should go to a different doctor for something long-term like this. Any suggestions?

I would see the different doctor, but make an appointment with your regular doctor for follow-up as soon as s/he gets back.

As someone who goes to a teaching practice, I see a lot of residents because I can often get an appointment that day or the next. As long as the other doctor is seeing your medical records and has a sense of your history, it will probably be okay. My issues with continuity of care are mostly from annoyance. Mostly I get the same med/diet/exercise speil with every new resident.