Friday, September 19, 2025

Friday, September 19, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2005. Mattie was three years old. That day we took Mattie to a park. We had a picnic together and did some exploring. As you can see..... look what Mattie found and wanted to take home with us!!!!! YES a large piece of a tree trunk. Sometimes Mattie made me laugh! At one time, we had quite the collection in our commons area in the city of all of Mattie's finds! You name it... leaves, stones, acorns, branches, and of course pine cones!

Quote of the day: We bereaved are not alone. We belong to the largest company in all the world — the company of those who have known suffering. ~ Helen Keller

I honestly can't make up what my day looked like today! It is naturally overwhelming, without me even trying to embellish it! I got up at 5am because I was expecting the doorbell/camera fellow to come over and install my new bell. This issue has been going on for two weeks now. The first visit from this company occurred on Monday, because no one could triage this problem remotely. Monday's visit also required a 5am wake up from me, in order for me to get myself together and complete my morning routine, which includes showering, dressing, and getting my dad downstairs. When the tech came over on Monday, he said he couldn't install a new system because I needed a new doorbell transformer. That triggered a visit from my electrician on Monday, and to reschedule another visit from the doorbell company today. I booked it with the tech in my house on Monday, to ensure that I would get the same person today. Well 8am rolled around, 8:30am rolled around, and then 9am rolled around and NO TECH! So I called the company. They let me know that I was assigned another tech and he got called to another home before mine! That was when I lost it! I made a formal complaint because when I book a certain time slot, I expect it to be honored and if something unforeseen happens, then CALL THE CUSTOMER FOR GOODNESS SAKES! That should be customer service 101!

Any case, given that my timing was off with this appointment, I had to figure out what to do! I still had to take my dad to his memory care program and I had to get Indie to the vet for her annual exam. So I decided first to take my dad. After I dropped him off, I got home and I still did not receive a call from the tech with an update on his timing. So I told my mom.... let me take Indie to the vet early! I explained to my mom what she had to say to the tech and most importantly she had to keep in him the house until I got back home. So I went to find Indie in the house, which is no easy feat. Anyone who owes a cat knows..... cats HATE change and they most definitely hate going into a carrying cage/bag. But Indie had no idea what hit her this morning. Given that Indie's nails are long, I figured I had to protect myself, which was why I covered her with a sweatshirt and lifted her into the case. Overall, Indie is about the sweetest cat one could ask for. She has become my good buddy and my night time companion. This was a photo of Indie last night. It's her routine. When I head upstairs to bed, she is right alongside me, demanding attention, demanding that I settle down and pet her. Truly she is my pet therapy!

Okay back to getting Indie in her carrying case! Once in her case, I drove to the vet. As I was pulling in, the tech called. Of course, telling me he was on his way! I described the entire problem over the phone, he asked good questions, and I told him my mom was home and that I would be back shortly! While talking to the tech, I saw a dog being wheeled out on a stretcher. NOT WHAT I NEEDED TO SEE, as this reminded me of the day Sunny was put to sleep! Putting your pet to sleep is one of those gut wrenching things responsible pet owners will ever have to do. Our pets become a part of our home, lives, routines, and hearts! When they leave us, a hole remains. 

When I got inside the vet waiting room, I literally put the carrying case right on top of my lap. That seemed to calm Indie down.  I really LIKE Indie's vet. She loves cats and Indie responds to her! I explained my concerns to the vet, that Indie continues to poop outside of her litter box. I told her that I moved up her annual exam because I wanted to make sure there was not a physical explanation for this behavior! The vet gave her a thorough exam, took blood work, and is doing testing on a stool sample. The good news is Indie is healthy and her blood work is normal. For a senior cat, she is thankfully in good shape. Way to go Miss Indie! Today's recommendation was Feliway. It is a pheromone that supposedly naturally relaxes cats. I shall see if I want to do this!

Then Indie and I came home and I met the tech. The tech was from Sierra Leone. He was bright, extremely helpful, very patient and completed the work beautifully! We loved him so much, those of you who know me well know what I am going to say next..... yes I got his name, tech ID, cell phone number, and now have another amazing professional to add to my ever growing rolodex for this house. He was my doorbell angel today. 

So in a sea of great stress, great adjustment, and great sorrow...... I will never lose sight of those placed in my path who help me. Today it was Indie's vet, my doorbell angel, and Thank GOD for Evan who helped me with the pool today. He turned it from a murky mess back to its beautiful blue color. I have my marching orders this weekend on what to do with the pool, and this is yet another thing I am learning how to assess, care for, and manage.