I'm sorry that deciding what to do about food is such a chore. There ought to be a better way. One person in charge with the understanding that they need to cover various needs. Each person gets to choose one day with no arguments. Put a bunch of choices in a hat and pull randomly. The focus could be more on enjoying time together, unless this is a tasting vacation.

Scrappy the Cat escaped almost 2 weeks ago. We got him back but he hid well (actually he just hid under the house but never let us see him). He is skin and bones but his appetite has been good.

He was meowing almost yowling occasionally when we touched him but nothing seemed wrong. He was walking, running jumping on the bed etc. Maybe not as much or as playful. I chalked this up to him being malnourished.

But he seems to have hurt his tail. He doesn't twitch his tail but he will move it when he sits. I'm trying to figure out if this is serious enough for the vet.

I guess we will just watch him

After 2 weeks away, I'd think about taking the kitty to the vet, if that's within your budget. But I'm also a big worrier.

He had is vaccinations a couple months ago . I would take him except right now it just isn't. I just had to get my brakes fixed this morning. Matthew is now unemployed and he'll get his VA disability on the 1st but his car needs to be fixed, it's not running.

And last month I had dental work. I haven't been as smart with my budget lately I've been so tired after work we have eaten out a lot.

There isn't a budget vet or discounts except for vaccinations and neutering.

I would take him except right now it just isn't.

And vet visits aren't cheap, that's for sure. He probably just needs attention and maybe a little extra food, while you keep an eye on him.

Yeah we have been making sure he has access to lots of food and been giving him some extra wet food.

Old Orchard.

Am I remembering wrong, or is that where your family usually goes?

Is that about a half-hour away from Portland? It's got quite a foodie's paradise rep these days. I hope the issue gets resolved. I'm with Laura. This can be such a chore.

It was a strong possibility that I'd have my stupid period while we were on vacation next week, but I got it this morning, thank god. (We don't leave until Tuesday, and it should be finished by then.) What a weird thing to be happy about, but I am THRILLED, since I had my damn period the other 2 times I traveled out of town this year.

Am I remembering wrong, or is that where your family usually goes?

We usually go to Kennebunkport. But my mom has been having a lot of trouble walking lately, and definitely won't be able to walk on sand. Old Orchard has hotels right on the beach where she can sit on her balcony and see the ocean. Kennebunkport doesn't have that (except for some houses to rent, but we weren't organized enough to do that when there were any still available.)

Is that about a half-hour away from Portland? It's got quite a foodie's paradise rep these days. I hope the issue gets resolved. I'm with Laura. This can be such a chore.

It is pretty close to Portland. And Portland does have a lot of great food. All of which my mother does not want to eat, because it isn't "Maine food." I made a point of making sure that every restaurant I suggested had some kind of lobster or shrimp on the menu, but apparently lobster rolls or lobster within a dish doesn't count -- it has to be whole lobster. (I think my sister and I will go into Portland on our own a couple times.)

How is lobster roll not Maine enough? I am confused.