Why does 4:30 am come so early? I’m going back to sleep!
Memes to kick-start your week!
It’s that time again- time to start another week! Did you know your mindset when you first wake up every morning -(not just on Mondays)- will determine the rest of your day?
There are two things the Can Opener starts her mornings with regardless of how she feels when she wakes up- the first is thanksgiving. She thanks The Lord every morning for a new day to know His goodness, love and grace-
She thanks Him for getting her safely through this last year- (with sanity intact)- she thanks Him for the fact that she was safe as she slept, for the ability to see clearly, to breathe without need of assistance- to take care of her own physical needs, and for all her mental and physical abilities that so many even younger than she have lost.
Then, she thinks Him for humor! For us kitty girls, because we give her lots of love and snuggles and make her laugh- and we keep her company.
The Lord showed her that no matter how she feels emotionally or physically when she wakes up in the morning, there is great power in giving thanks and choosing joy.
So this morning, we want to encourage you- no matter what may be going on in your life, to focus your thoughts on the good things in your life- to voice thanksgiving that you woke up today- and to expect that something GOOD will happen in your life.
Then- LAUGH. There is strength in joy. And here’s a few things to get you started in case you’re having a hard time today! Enjoy!
The Can Opener was grooming me in her lap tonight while she watched an earthquake report- and when she stopped brushing me, I noticed a bowl on the couch that had a delightful smell- so of course, I had to investigate- just to make sure there wasn’t anything in it that might make Mom sick.
It would be a terrible tragedy if our Can Opener was snacking on something and discovered (too late)- that there was a bug in it, or something else in it, so I walked off her lap to give it a safety check…
Hmmm- it has a sour smell – citrusy- Better make sure it’s not poison..,
Ok, Mom! I licked them all- they’re not bad! You can eat them now!
So she started doing some research. She asked Mr.Google what is the most talkative cat- and my name was in the list. Along with these other breeds of cats:
Siamese are listed as the most talkative and that we talk all day! (I thought that was a good thing- because otherwise, this dim-witted Can Opener will never figure out what I’m asking for).
Sphynx These guys are vocal too, and have a raspy voice that insists on being heard- they sing and chirp too! Looks like this one met up with a vacuum cleaner in a dark alley.
Burmese These guys are talkative too, and also have a slight raspy voice, but they aren’t as loud as the rest of us. Apparently they’re very affectionate, too -(like me).
So, what does this have to do with me being on a ‘naughty list?’
Well, my breed (Siamese) was also mentioned in other lists of cat characteristics….(along with other cat breeds).
Besides being on the list for the most talkative, I was also mentioned on the list of friendliest cat breeds, the cats with themost personality, most intelligent cat breeds, the breed of cats that want the most attention, and the Naughtiest Cat breeds!!
I had no idea that trying to open the microwave was being “naughty-” The Can Opener does it all the time, and nobody complains about her!
I sure hope Santa hasn’t seen that list!
Well then, I guess I’ll just be adorable AND naughty!
Everyone’s wanting our Human to get a dog. We’re not going to let that happen.
But Mom- we don’t want a dog.
Here’s why- Twilight doesn’t want a dog because they make too much noise and they’re bigger than her. And they’ll eat out of our litterbox, and they’ll bark and give us fleas, and steal your attention from US, and they’ll eat our food- and steal your attention from us, and I don’t want a dog because, well- it’s a D.O.G.
And, in case I forgot to mention it, they’ll STEAL YOUR ATTENTION FROM US. And they’ll beg for your food when you eat (worse than I do)- and they’ll get the kids all hyper and they’ll steal my spot on the couch, and they’ll eat Twilight’s bed, and your cute unicorn slippers, and they’ll knock over the trash can and blame us for it- and you KNOW we’re too cute and innocent to do that stuff– and they might even BITE YOU! 😿
And mom, they’re about as bright as burned- up candle. I mean, have you seen one of those things lately?
And, as if that’s not enough, they’ll break things, or eat the couch and then blame us for it, and we’ll have to try to prove our innocence, and you’re a tough one to convince, so how about we just forget that idea? Okay?
And also he’ll plot and scheme to get rid of us before we can do it to him – I mean, really, mom- it would be a CAT-astrophe! Just forget it, okay?
I think it’s time for some therapy around here. I’m bored out my mind.
Sushi’s losing it.
Not that she wasn’t already crazy- but now she’s crazier. She’s started doing things that don’t make any sense for a cat- like trying to help the Can Opener while she’s doing sewing projects (making cat toys) with the little Critters.
I kept telling her if she really wanted to help, she should turn around and attack Jazlyn’s foot. But she doesn’t have my acute sense of humor.
Sushi’s idea of helping was to lay on all the things they needed for the different cat toys the Can Opener was designing. And she started licking the sewing basket – weirdo.
This didn’t stop them from working on their project, but it did make it last 2 hours longer than they wanted. I guess even Sushi can get something right now and then!😹
In other news- my Mama (cat) brought her boyfriend over for dinner the other night. The problem is, he’s staying.
Meet “Owl.”
Now the Can Opener needs to buy stock in Purina to be able to keep us all fed. He likes our food – and the tuna, but if he touches my Redi Whip, I’ll smack him so hard even Google won’t be able to find him!
I don’t mind Mama having my Redi Whip- but I want to wait and see how he treats my Mama before he gets my favorite thing in the whole world. He’d better be good to her!
In other news, we’re sad to report that Smokey is no longer with us- he didn’t die or anything, but The Can Opener’s sister let him out the morning before Thanksgiving, and he never came back.
Some of the neighbors say they’ve seen him way down on the other end of the bike path behind our house (with his brand-new Seresto collar on that he’d just gotten). So apparently he’s fine- but found another place he likes better. We think Sheba chased him off- for good.
She comes in my house and tries to chase ME OFF!
UNTIL she sees this…
Sheba’s full time job
Maybe “helping” with sewing projects isn’t such a bad idea.
The Can Opener’s schedule keeps changing but it’s finally Caturday and I have her all to my cute little self- (when Sushi’s sleeping, that is). So I’ve been a little crazy this morning, you know- zipping in and out of the house, and up on top of the desk so I can hit Mom in the head with my silvervine sticks from above while she’s on the computer.
It’s a good thing she doesn’t have a temper, because when I did it she had just sat a fresh cup of coffee on the desk, then got herself a bowl of cottage cheese and blueberries, and before she could even pick up her spoon, I knocked the silver vine stick off the top of the desk and it fell within 1/4 of an inch of her breakfast.
Man, my aim is off lately! I need more practice!
Earlier I hopped up onto the dresser in the bedroom and discovered a great felt-lined box that just had to be put there just for me- (it had a bird on the lid, so why else would it be there)? So I got Mom to open it for me, so I could check it out- but she needs to stretch it, because I can’t fit into it very well.
After that, I teamed up with my Mama who had stopped by for breakfast, (and mid-morning snack, and lunch-) and we tormented the neighborhood squirrels for a while. Sheba came outside and got mad that my Mama was breathing her air, and tried to chase her away- but the Can Opener heard my Mama cry out and she got MAD at Sheba and chased her away!!! 😹
Now I’m tired and ready to steal the heating pad and take a nap- then I’ll take some of these suggestions from my friends for fun when I wake up!
Mom NEVER leaves the paper towels where I can get my paws on them. Sometimes she’s so rude.
Last Monday the internet went out (heavy rain & winds). Tuesday I was hit with the worst migraine I’ve ever had – (and I don’t get them often). It started with sudden visual disturbances while I was helping my sister with some things- and within an hour it felt like my head was in a nut cracker. This went on until Saturday night – accompanied by a stiff neck (which still hurts).
Saturday also marked one year since my husband passed, and when I woke up I was flooded with all the memories and feelings that accompanied the events.
Wednesday, Jan.18 (continued from previous writing)…
The kids had decided we’d all get together and call it “Dad plaid day” – we would all wear plaid shirts in his honor since he loved wearing them- and then spend the day together having fun and doing “dad” things, then go to his favorite restaurant before heading home to play games and do manicures with the little ones.
That part I was excited about- (although I’ve never had a plaid shirt in my entire life and would have to get one).
We also collectively decided that from this time forward, we would no longer remember and refer to January 14 as the day of his death, but as his “first birthday in Heaven.”
But when I woke up that morning I found myself sitting on the bed thinking how unreal it was that it had been a year- yet it still felt like it was only yesterday. As I opened the curtains and looked out the bedroom window, I remembered again the sight of the funeral directors taking him away for the last time and I felt the wave of sorrow hovering again. But immediately I began to feel something else that overshadowed it. A gentle, comforting nudge from the Lord reminding me of His Presence – and this scripture;
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18NLT
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so that you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from Heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.“
With this I was asked to give my grief to him- and receive the joy of the Lord in its place- (Nehemiah 8:10). I realized then that I was going to be able to go forward that day and enjoy the day with my kids by leaving behind the shadows of death – and rejoicing that I am alive – and I am not alone- or abandoned!
I also am mindful that I am not the only one grieving a loss of a spouse- or child (God forbid), or other loved one. So many are in this place of sorrow as well- and for me a year has now passed – and yet the pain, sorrow, and effects of grief still try to hang on. For others it is more recent- but I’m sharing these things with you all to let you know that whatever it is you’re facing- there is someone who understands what you’re feeling -(even when you can’t express it)- and there is light to be found- even in this darkness. You are not alone.💚
Come unto Me, you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
It started out good today- the Can Opener had a busy morning and after getting home from work, she fed me. Then she gave me love and saw that I knew she was about to get on the computer and I wanted to be on the desk on my fat pillow next to her, so she put me up there.
Then she went in the kitchen, washed her hands, and I climbed up on my pillow, got all comfy, and went right to sleep. A little bit later, I woke up to a heavenly aroma and saw the Can Opener walking back into the kitchen- and right in front of me was a delicious roast beef and ham sandwich she had made just for me!
So I did what any cat in her right mind would do- I dove into it! I certainly didn’t want her think I was ungrateful-
I was wondering though, why she would put that funny green stuff and that brown funny- smelling stuff she calls ‘mustard’ on my sandwich- but nobody’s perfect, right? I was just glad she didn’t put the red pepper on it (this time).
Then suddenly she comes back to her desk with a PICKLE in her hand- did she really expect I’d eat that thing?
Then all of a sudden she noticed how much I was enjoying her sandwich, and she said “Sushi! NO!!”
And all of a sudden she jerked up the sandwich and cleaned up the mustard and green stuff off her desk, and there went my great sandwich -(well, the ham and the other stuff anyway- I’d already eaten the roast beef) – except for 2 pieces that she pried out from under my paws and threw away! How rude can you get?
Now she’s going to be watching me like a paranoid hawk again because I’m on a diet– But she gave it to me! And anyway, I’m not the only kitty that “steals” food!
These guys do it too!
And I thought she was just being super sweet today….HMPH! 😿
How to Train your Humans 